Supplication

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الدُّعَاءِ وَ رَفْعِ الْيَدَيْنِ فَقَالَ عَلَى أَرْبَعَةِ أَوْجُهٍ أَمَّا التَّعَوُّذُ فَتَسْتَقْبِلُ الْقِبْلَةَ بِبَاطِنِ كَفَّيْكَ وَ أَمَّا الدُّعَاءُ فِي الرِّزْقِ فَتَبْسُطُ كَفَّيْكَ وَ تُفْضِي بِبَاطِنِهِمَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ أَمَّا التَّبَتُّلُ فَإِيمَاءٌ بِإِصْبَعِكَ السَّبَّابَةِ وَ أَمَّا الِابْتِهَالُ فَرَفْعُ يَدَيْكَ تُجَاوِزُ بِهِمَا رَأْسَكَ وَ دُعَاءُ التَّضَرُّعِ أَنْ تُحَرِّكَ إِ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about prayer and raising hands. The Imam said, ‘It is in four ways: in al-Ta’awwuz (seeking refuge) turn the palms of your hands toward the Ka’bah and in prayer for sustenance stretch your hands with their palms upward to the sky. Al- Tabattul is gesturing with index finger. Al-Tbtiha

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَمَا اسْتَكانُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَ ما يَتَضَرَّعُونَ‌ قَالَ الِاسْتِكَانَةُ هِيَ الْخُضُوعُ وَ التَّضَرُّعُ رَفْعُ الْيَدَيْنِ وَ التَّضَرُّعُ بِهِمَا.

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . but they did not ‘Istakanu (submit themselves to their Lord,) nor did they make themselves humble ( yatadarra’unY (23:76) the Imam said, ‘al-Tstikana, means humility and al-tadarru’ means raising both hands and begging fo

تَبْسُطُ كَفَّيْكَ قُلْنَا كَيْفَ الِاسْتِعَاذَةُ قَالَ تُفْضِي بِكَفَّيْكَ‌[1] وَ التَّبَتُّلُ الْإِيمَاءُ بِالْإِصْبَعِ وَ التَّضَرُّعُ تَحْرِيكُ الْإِصْبَعِ وَ الِابْتِهَالُ أَنْ تَمُدَّ يَدَيْكَ جَمِيعاً.

“Zurara has said, ‘Once we asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) how to plead before Allah for help?’ The Imam said, ‘Stretch your palms.’ We then asked, ‘How is seeking refuge?’ The Imam said, ‘Turn your palm to Ka’aba, and al-Tabattul is making gestures with your finger. Al-Tadarru ’ is the moving of fingers and al-‘Ibtihal is

مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ كَيْلٌ وَ وَزْنٌ إِلَّا الدُّمُوعُ فَإِنَّ الْقَطْرَةَ تُطْفِئُ بِحَاراً مِنْ نَارٍ فَإِذَا اغْرَوْرَقَتِ الْعَيْنُ بِمَائِهَا لَمْ يَرْهَقْ وَجْهاً قَتَرٌ وَ لَا ذِلَّةٌ فَإِذَا فَاضَتْ حَرَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّارِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ بَاكِياً بَكَى فِي أُمَّةٍ لَرُحِمُوا[2].

“For everything there is weighing and measuring except tears. One drop of tears can extinguish oceans of fire. If the eyes flood with tears the face will not suffer hardships and humiliation. When tears flow out, Allah makes it forbidden for the fire and if a person weeps in a nation, such nation will receive favors.”

مَا مِنْ عَيْنٍ إِلَّا وَ هِيَ بَاكِيَةٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا عَيْناً بَكَتْ مِنْ خَوْفِ اللَّهِ وَ مَا اغْرَوْرَقَتْ عَيْنٌ بِمَائِهَا مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَائِرَ جَسَدِهِ عَلَى النَّارِ وَ لَا فَاضَتْ عَلَى خَدِّهِ فَرَهِقَ ذَلِكَ الْوَجْهَ‌ قَتَرٌ وَ لا ذِلَّةٌ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ كَيْلٌ وَ وَزْنٌ إِلَّا الدَّمْعَةُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ و

“Every eye will be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye that has wept for fear of Allah. Any eye that is flooded with tears for fear of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will make it forbidden for the fire to burn the other parts of his body. Any eye from which tears f

مَا مِنْ قَطْرَةٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ قَطْرَةِ دُمُوعٍ فِي سَوَادِ اللَّيْلِ مَخَافَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ لَا يُرَادُ بِهَا غَيْرُهُ.

“No drop is more beloved to Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, than the drop of tears in the dark night for fear of Allah, and is intended to be just for Him alone.”

كُلُّ عَيْنٍ بَاكِيَةٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةً عَيْنٌ غُضَّتْ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اللَّهِ وَ عَيْنٌ سَهِرَتْ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ عَيْنٌ بَكَتْ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ.

“Every eye on the Day of Judgment will be weeping except three eyes: the eye that was shut closed from looking at things made unlawful by (the laws of) Allah, the eye that spends the night in awake in obedience to Allah and the eye that weeps inside the night for fear of Allah.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ كَيْلٌ وَ وَزْنٌ إِلَّا الدُّمُوعُ فَإِنَّ الْقَطْرَةَ مِنْهَا تُطْفِئُ بِحَاراً مِنَ النَّارِ فَإِذَا اغْرَوْرَقَتِ الْعَيْنُ بِمَائِهَا لَمْ يَرْهَقْ وَجْهَهُ‌ قَتَرٌ وَ لا ذِلَّةٌ فَإِذَا فَاضَتْ حَرَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّارِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ بَاكِياً بَكَى فِي أُمَّةٍ لَرُحِمُوا.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘everything has weighing and measuring tools except the tears. A drop of tear can extinguish oceans of fire. If the eye floods with tears, that face will not suffer anything or become humiliated. If the eye overflows with tears, Allah makes it forbidden for the fire to burn it and

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع أَنَّ عِبَادِي لَمْ يَتَقَرَّبُوا إِلَيَّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ ثَلَاثِ‌ خِصَالٍ قَالَ مُوسَى يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ يَا مُوسَى الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْوَرَعُ عَنِ الْمَعَاصِي وَ الْبُكَاءُ مِنْ خَشْيَتِي قَالَ مُوسَى يَا رَبِّ فَمَا لِمَنْ صَنَعَ ذَا فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ يَا مُوسَى أَمَّا الزَّاهِدُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to Moses that said, “the most beloved of things to Me with which My servants can seek nearness to Me are three things.” Moses then asked, ‘Lord, what are they?’ The Lord said, ‘One’s reduced interest in worldly matters, restrain

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَكُونُ أَدْعُو فَأَشْتَهِي الْبُكَاءَ وَ لَا يَجِيئُنِي وَ رُبَّمَا ذَكَرْتُ بَعْضَ مَنْ مَاتَ مِنْ أَهْلِي فَأَرِقُّ وَ أَبْكِي فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَتَذَكَّرْهُمْ فَإِذَا رَقَقْتَ فَابْكِ وَ ادْعُ رَبَّكَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى.

‘When I pray and plead before Allah for help, I like to weep but it does not come through, but if I recall members of my family who have died I may feel weeping. Is that permissible?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it is permissible. When you recall them and feel like weeping then pray to your Lord, the Most Blessed, the Most Hi

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ بِكَ بُكَاءٌ فَتَبَاكَ‌[1].

‘If you cannot weep then make a weeping-like face.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَتَبَاكَى فِي الدُّعَاءِ وَ لَيْسَ لِي بُكَاءٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَوْ مِثْلَ رَأْسِ الذُّبَابِ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘In my prayer I can only make a weeping-like face, but weeping does not come through.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, even (tears) of the size of the head of a fly (are very good).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِأَبِي بَصِيرٍ إِنْ خِفْتَ أَمْراً يَكُونُ أَوْ حَاجَةً تُرِيدُهَا فَابْدَأْ بِاللَّهِ وَ مَجِّدْهُ وَ أَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ كَمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ سَلْ حَاجَتَكَ وَ تَبَاكَ وَ لَوْ مِثْلَ رَأْسِ الذُّبَابِ إِنَّ أَبِي ع كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَقْرَبَ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنَ الرَّبِّ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ بَاكٍ.

10. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said to abu Basir, ‘If you are afraid of something or need help, then begin with Allah and His glory and praise Him as He deserves. Then

إِنْ لَمْ يَجِئْكَ الْبُكَاءُ فَتَبَاكَ فَإِنْ خَرَجَ مِنْكَ مِثْلُ رَأْسِ الذُّبَابِ فَبَخْ بَخْ‌[1].

“If weeping does not come through, make a weeping-like face. If of the size of the head of a fly tears come out that is your sheer good luck indeed.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ مِنْ رَبِّهِ شَيْئاً مِنْ حَوَائِجِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ بِالثَّنَاءِ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ الْمَدْحِ لَهُ وَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص ثُمَّ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ حَوَائِجَهُ.

‘You must bear in mind that whenever one of you likes to ask his Lord for help in worldly matters or of the next life, he must begin with praise of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, thank Him and ask His favors for the Holy Prophet and then ask for help.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص إِنَّ الْمِدْحَةَ قَبْلَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِذَا دَعَوْتَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَمَجِّدْهُ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أُمَجِّدُهُ قَالَ تَقُولُ- يَا مَنْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيَ‌ مِنْ حَبْلِ‌ الْوَرِيدِ يَا فَعَّالًا لِما يُرِيدُ* يَا مَنْ‌ يَحُولُ‌ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَ قَلْبِهِ‌ يَا مَنْ هُوَ بِالْمَنْظَرِ الْأَعْلَى يَا مَنْ هُوَ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“praise comes before asking for favors. Whenever you like to pray and plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help, speak of His glory.” The narrator has said that I asked the Imam, ‘How should we speak of His glory?’ The Imam said, ‘Say, O You Who are closer to me than my jugular veins, O the One Who

إِنَّمَا هِيَ الْمِدْحَةُ ثُمَّ الثَّنَاءُ ثُمَّ الْإِقْرَارُ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ الْمَسْأَلَةُ إِنَّهُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا خَرَجَ عَبْدٌ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ إِلَّا بِالْإِقْرَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is thanking then praising, then confession of sins then pleading before Allah for help. By Allah, no servant (of Allah) can come out of sins without confession.’”

ثُمَّ الثَّنَاءُ ثُمَّ الِاعْتِرَافُ بِالذَّنْبِ.

“Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar has narrated from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith except that he said, ‘Then praising and confessing sins.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَدْعُوَ فَمَجِّدِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ احْمَدْهُ وَ سَبِّحْهُ وَ هَلِّلْهُ وَ أَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ ثُمَّ سَلْ تُعْطَ.

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Ali from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you wish to pray and plead before Allah for help, speak of the glory of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Mos

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا طَلَبَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَى رَبِّهِ وَ لْيَمْدَحْهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا طَلَبَ الْحَاجَةَ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ هَيَّأَ لَهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَمَجِّدُوا اللَّهَ الْعَزِيزَ الْجَبَّارَ وَ امْدَحُوهُ وَ أَثْنُوا عَلَيْهِ تَقُولُ- يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْ

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you wishes to ask for help he should praise his Lord and thank Him. When a man wants to ask a king for something, he prepares to say the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ الْمَسْجِدَ فَابْتَدَأَ قَبْلَ الثَّنَاءِ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَاجَلَ الْعَبْدُ رَبَّهُ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ آخَرُ فَصَلَّى وَ أَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَلْ تُعْطَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع‌[1] إِنَّ الثَّنَاءَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ الصّ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Mosque and he began without praising Allah and asking from Him favors for the Holy Prophet. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘The servant (of Allah) hastened his Lord.’ Then another man came in and prayed, praised Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and ask

قُلْتُ آيَتَانِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَطْلُبُهُمَا فَلَا أَجِدُهُمَا قَالَ وَ مَا هُمَا قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ‌[2] فَنَدْعُوهُ وَ لَا نَرَى إِجَابَةً قَالَ أَ فَتَرَى اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَخْلَفَ وَعْدَهُ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَمِمَّ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ لَكِنِّي أُخْبِرُكَ مَنْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيمَا أَمَرَهُ ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ مِنْ جِهَةِ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘There are two verses in the book of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, that I search for but I do not find them, (their meaning).’ The Imam aked, ‘What are they?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “Call Me (for help) and I will answer you

مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ دَعْوَتُهُ فَلْيُطِبْ مَكْسَبَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever of you wants his prayer answered must make his earning clean.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ رَهْطٍ أَرْبَعِينَ رَجُلًا اجْتَمَعُوا فَدَعَوُا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي أَمْرٍ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا أَرْبَعِينَ فَأَرْبَعَةٌ يَدْعُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا أَرْبَعَةً فَوَاحِدٌ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ أَرْبَعِينَ مَرَّةً فَيَسْتَجِيبُ اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a group of forty people come together to pray and plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help in a matter, Allah will accept their prayers. If they are not forty then four people can pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ten times still Allah will accep

مَا اجْتَمَعَ أَرْبَعَةُ رَهْطٍ قَطُّ عَلَى أَمْرٍ وَاحِدٍ فَدَعَوُا اللَّهَ إِلَّا تَفَرَّقُوا عَنْ إِجَابَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever a group (of forty) people come together for a matter to pray and plead before Allah for help, when they disperse their prayer will be accepted.’”

كَانَ أَبِي ع إِذَا حَزَنَهُ أَمْرٌ[1] جَمَعَ النِّسَاءَ وَ الصِّبْيَانَ ثُمَّ دَعَا وَ أَمَّنُوا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever something saddened my father he would call the ladies and children together. He would then pray and they would say, ‘Amin.’”

الدَّاعِي وَ الْمُؤَمِّنُ فِي الْأَجْرِ شَرِيكَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A person praying and one saying ‘Amin’ share the reward equally.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا دَعَا أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَعُمَّ فَإِنَّهُ أَوْجَبُ لِلدُّعَاءِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you prays he should maintain inclusiveness (pray for everyone) in his prayer. This may become a reason for the acceptance of the prayer.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[1] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ حَاجَةً مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً وَ قَدْ دَخَلَ قَلْبِي مِنْ إِبْطَائِهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الشَّيْطَانَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ عَلَيْكَ سَبِيلٌ حَتَّى يُقَنِّطَكَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ص‌[2] كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَاجَةً فَيُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ تَعْجِيلَ إِجَابَتِهِ حُبّاً لِصَوْتِهِ

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been praying to Allah for help in something from the year so and so and because of delay something is happing in my heart.’ The Imam said, ‘O Ahmad, beware of Satan! Do not allow him to find a way in you to despair

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رُبَّمَا دَعَا الرَّجُلُ بِالدُّعَاءِ فَاسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ‌[4] ثُمَّ أُخِّرَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى حِينٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ ذَاكَ لِيَزْدَادَ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Is it possible that at one time a man supplicates and it is accepted and then is delayed for a period of time?’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘Yes, it can happen.’ I then asked, ‘Why is that? Is it because so he will increase his supplication and pleading?’ The Imam

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَدْعُو فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلْمَلَكَيْنِ قَدِ اسْتَجَبْتُ لَهُ وَ لَكِنِ احْبِسُوهُ بِحَاجَتِهِ فَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَ صَوْتَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَدْعُو فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَجِّلُوا لَهُ حَاجَتَهُ فَإِنِّي أُبْغِضُ صَوْتَهُ.

“When a servant prays, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says to the two angels, ‘I have accepted his prayer, but keep it on hold; I love to hear his voice.’ It may also happen that a servant prays, but Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, says, ‘Hurry up and help him quickly; I hate his voice.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ يُسْتَجَابُ لِلرَّجُلِ الدُّعَاءُ ثُمَّ يُؤَخَّرُ قَالَ نَعَمْ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Can a man’s prayer that is accepted be kept on hold and delayed?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it can remain on hold for up to twenty years.’”

كَانَ بَيْنَ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- قَدْ أُجِيبَتْ دَعْوَتُكُما[5] وَ بَيْنَ أَخْذِ فِرْعَوْنَ أَرْبَعِينَ عَاماً.

“Between the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Your prayer is accepted,’ (10:89) and the time the Pharaoh was seized there was a forty-year timespan.’”

سَمِعْتُ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَدْعُو فَيُؤَخَّرُ إِجَابَتُهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believing person prays and its (the prayer’s) acceptance may be delayed up to the next Friday [Day of Judgment].”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْوَلِيَّ لِلَّهِ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الْأَمْرِ يَنُوبُهُ‌[2] فَيَقُولُ لِلْمَلَكِ الْمُوَكَّلِ بِهِ اقْضِ لِعَبْدِي حَاجَتَهُ وَ لَا تُعَجِّلْهَا فَإِنِّي أَشْتَهِي أَنْ أَسْمَعَ نِدَاءَهُ وَ صَوْتَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْعَدُوَّ لِلَّهِ لَيَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الْأَمْرِ يَنُوبُهُ فَيُقَالُ لِلْمَلَكِ الْمُوَكَّلِ بِهِ اقْضِ لِعَبْدِي حَاجَت

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A servant who is a friend of Allah may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for a matter in his intention and Allah says to the angel guarding him, “Provide help to My servant but keep it on hold and do not hurry; I desire to hear his call and voice.” On the other hand a se

لَا يَزَالُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِخَيْرٍ وَ رَجَاءٍ رَحْمَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ فَيَقْنَطَ وَ يَتْرُكَ الدُّعَاءَ قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ يَسْتَعْجِلُ قَالَ يَقُولُ قَدْ دَعَوْتُ مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ مَا أَرَى الْإِجَابَةَ[4].

“A believing person is fine and hopeful through the favors of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as long as he does not rush to despair and give up prayer.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam (a.s.) ‘How can he rush?’ The Imam said, ‘He may say, “I have been praying for such and such period of time and I do not

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي حَاجَتِهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَخِّرُوا إِجَابَتَهُ شَوْقاً إِلَى صَوْتِهِ وَ دُعَائِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَبْدِي دَعَوْتَنِي فَأَخَّرْتُ إِجَابَتَكَ وَ ثَوَابُكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ دَعَوْتَنِي‌ فِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَأَخَّرْتُ إِجَابَتَكَ وَ ثَوَابُكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ فَيَتَمَنَّى الْمُؤْمِنُ أَنَّهُ لَم

“A believing person may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘Hold back the answer to his prayer for the desire in his voice and prayer.’ When it will be the Day of Judgment Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘My servant, you pr

لَا يَزَالُ الدُّعَاءُ مَحْجُوباً حَتَّى يُصَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ[1].

“A supplication remains barred until one sends blessings on Muhammad (sw) and the family of Muhammad (sw).”

مَنْ دَعَا وَ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ النَّبِيَّ ص رَفْرَفَ الدُّعَاءُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ‌[2] فَإِذَا ذَكَرَ النَّبِيَّ ص رُفِعَ الدُّعَاءُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever prays and does not mention the Holy Prophet, his prayer remains dangled over his head. When he mentions the Holy Prophet only then his prayer is raised up (to heavens).”’

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص إِنِّي أَجْعَلُ لَكَ ثُلُثَ صَلَوَاتِي لَا بَلْ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ نِصْفَ صَلَوَاتِي لَا بَلْ أَجْعَلُهَا كُلَّهَا لَكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذاً تُكْفَى مَئُونَةَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ[3].

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, “I assign one third of my prayer to you. No, in fact, I assign half of my prayer to you. No, I assign all of my prayer to you.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That means that you have complete supplies for this and the next life.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَعْنَى أَجْعَلُ صَلَوَاتِي كُلَّهَا لَكَ فَقَالَ يُقَدِّمُهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ فَلَا يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ شَيْئاً حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فَيُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ حَوَائِجَهُ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What is the meaning of, “I assign all of my prayer to you?’’ The Imam said, ‘He mentions the Holy Prophet before asking any help. He does not ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, anything until he begins with the Holy Prophet. He asks from Allah favors for the Holy Prophet an

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَجْعَلُونِي كَقَدَحِ الرَّاكِبِ فَإِنَّ الرَّاكِبَ يَمْلَأُ قَدَحَهُ فَيَشْرَبُهُ إِذَا شَاءَ اجْعَلُونِي فِي أَوَّلِ الدُّعَاءِ وَ فِي آخِرِهِ وَ فِي وَسَطِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do not consider me as the water container of a traveler who fills up his water container and drinks from it whenever he wants. You should place me at the beginning of your prayer, at the end of it and in the middle.’”

قَالَ: إِذَا ذُكِرَ النَّبِيُّ ص فَأَكْثِرُوا الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَلْفَ صَلَاةٍ فِي أَلْفِ صَفٍّ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِمَّا خَلَقَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا صَلَّى عَلَى الْعَبْدِ لِصَلَاةِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلَاةِ مَلَائِكَتِهِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَرْغَبْ فِي هَذَا فَهُوَ جَاهِلٌ مَغْرُورٌ قَدْ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ وَ رَسُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever the Holy Prophet is mentioned, ask from Allah favors (in the form of al-Salat) for the Holy Prophet. Ask from Allah a great deal of favors for the Holy Prophet. Whoever does so once, Allah will do the same for him one thousand times in one thousand rows of angels and nothing w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَلَائِكَتُهُ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُقِلَّ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُكْثِرْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever asks from Allah favors for me (in the form of al-Salat ), Allah grants him favors and the angels pray for him. It is up to people to perform this (noble) act very little or a great deal.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَيَّ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِي تَذْهَبُ بِالنِّفَاقِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, ‘Sending blessings upon me and my family removes hypocrisy.’”

مَنْ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ قُضِيَتْ لَهُ مِائَةُ حَاجَةٍ ثَلَاثُونَ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْبَاقِي لِلْآخِرَةِ.

“Whoever says, ‘O Lord, grant favors to Muhammad and his family, one hundred times one hundred of his wishes will be granted, thirty of them in this world and the rest in the next life.’”

كُلُّ دُعَاءٍ يُدْعَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَحْجُوبٌ عَنِ السَّمَاءِ حَتَّى يُصَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

“Every prayer to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, remains on hold and barred from heavens until he asks from Allah favors (in the form of al-Salat) for the Holy Prophet and his family.”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ أَجْعَلُ نِصْفَ صَلَوَاتِي لَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَجْعَلُ صَلَوَاتِي كُلَّهَا لَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَلَمَّا مَضَى قَالَ- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُفِيَ هَمَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ.

“One who had heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) narrated to me that the Imam said, ‘Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “I assign half of my Salat (prayers) for you. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That is fine.’ He then said, ‘I assign all of my Salat, to you.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That is fine.’ When h

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ ثُلُثَ صَلَوَاتِي لَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ خَيْراً فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ نِصْفَ صَلَوَاتِي لَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ذَاكَ أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ كُلَّ صَلَوَاتِي لَكَ فَقَالَ إِذاً يَكْفِيَكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا أَهَمَّكَ مِنْ أَمْرِ دُنْيَاكَ وَ آخِرَتِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have assigned one third of my prayers for you.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That is good.’ He then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have assigned half of my prayers for you.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ارْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ عَلَيَّ فَإِنَّهَا تَذْهَبُ بِالنِّفَاقِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Raise your voices with al-Salat (asking from Allah favors for me); it removes hypocrisy.’”