Entering al-Madinah, Visiting the Holy Prophet and Prayer Near His Grave

2. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Kufiy from Ali ibn Mahziyar from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn ‘Uthman from Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn abu Talib from Ali ibn Ja’far who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), has narrated from his father from his grandfather (a.s.), this Hadith. ‘My father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would stand near the grave of the Holy Prophet and offer his Salam, testify to his preaching the messages of Allah and ask Allah for his wishes, as he wanted. He then liked to keep his back against the brightly green stone, which is next to the grave, stay attached to the grave with his back toward it, facing the direction of Ka’bah, and say, “O Allah, I have sought backing and support from You. I have turned my back for support toward the grave of Muhammad, Your servant and Your messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. I have set my back for support and faced the direction, which You chose for Muhammad (SAW). O Allah, I do not possess anything good for myself that I can hope for. I am not able to keep away from my soul any evil and wickedness of which I am afraid. All matters are in Your hands. There is no one poorer than I am. I am in dire need of goodness because of what has come upon me. O Allah, return me back with goodness; no one is able to keep away Your favors. O Allah, I seek protection with You against Your changing my name, my body and removal of Your bounties from me. O Allah, honor me with piety, beautify me with bounties, cover me with good health and grant me the opportunity to thank you for good health.’””

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said the following: “I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ’How is al-Salam offered to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, near his grave?’ He (the Imam) replied, one should say, ’(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and my) submission to (the commandments of) the Messenger of Allah. (I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments) O the beloved one to Allah. (I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments) O chosen person of Allah. (I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments) O trusted person of Allah. I testify that you gave good advice to your followers, strove hard for the cause of Allah and worshipped Him to the time of your death. May Allah grant you the best of reward that He has granted to His prophets for their service to their followers. O Allah, grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause), the best of favors and compensations that You have granted to Ibrahim (a.s.), and the family of Ibrahim; You are praiseworthy and glorious.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufiy from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Mas’ud who has said the following: “I saw abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), approaching the grave of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He placed his hand on the grave and said, I appeal before Allah who chose you, selected you, guided you and guided through you to grant salawat (favors and compensation to you worthy of your services to Allah’s cause). He (the Imam) then said, ’Allah grants salawat and the angels ask for salawat in favor of the Holy Prophet. O believers, you should also ask salawat in favor the Holy Prophet and (declare, affirm and acknowledge that he is a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and your) submission to (commandments of) the Messenger of Allah.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to them (Hammad and Ishaq), ‘You should pass by al- Madinah and offer al-Salam to the Messenger of Allah from nearby, although it reaches him from faraway places also.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Safwan ibn Yahya who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about passing behind the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, without offering al-Salam to the Holy Prophet. He (the Imam) replied, ’Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), would not do so.’ I then asked, ’Would he enter the Masjid and offer al-Salam without approaching the grave?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘No, he, however, would offer al-Salam when entering and when leaving (the Masjid) from a distance.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, has said, ‘Offer al-Salawat, next to the grave of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, although Salat of believers reach him wherever they may live. (The word al-Salat in this context may mean, ’Perform salat (prayer) as gift for the Holy Prophet,’ or say, ‘O Allah, grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause).”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

8. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Hassan from certain individuals of our people who have said the following: “I was present when abu al-Hassan the 1st, Harun, the Caliph, ‘Isa ibn Ja’far and Ja’far ibn Yahya came to al-Madinah to visit the grave of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. Harun said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘You go first.’ He (the Imam) abstained. Harun then moved forward, offered al- Salam and then moved to one side. ‘Isa ibn Ja’far then said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘You go first.’ He (the Imam) abstained. ‘Isa then moved forward and offered al-Salam and then moved to one side alongside Harun. Ja’far then said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘You go first.’ He (the Imam) abstained. Ja’far then moved forward, offered al-Salam, and then moved to one side alongside Harun. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), then moved forward and said, ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments) O my father. I appeal before Allah, who chose you, selected you, guided you and guided through you to grant salawat (favors and compensation to you worthy of Your services to Allah’s cause).’ Harun said to ‘Isa, ‘Did you hear what he said?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I heard what he said.’ Harun then said, ‘I testify that he (the Messenger of Allah) is indeed his father.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.