Prayer

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ اللَّهِ لَا يُلِحُّ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي حَاجَتِهِ إِلَّا قَضَاهَا لَهُ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘By Allah, if a believing servant (of Allah) insists before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, on praying and pleading before Allah for help. He will fulfill his needs.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَرِهَ إِلْحَاحَ النَّاسِ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ وَ أَحَبَّ ذَلِكَ لِنَفْسِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ وَ يُطْلَبَ مَا عِنْدَهُ.

4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hajjal from Hassan from abu al-Sabbah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, dislikes people insisting before one another for help but He likes it before Himself. A

لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يُلِحُّ عَبْدٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘By Allah, if a man insists before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, on praying and pleading for help. He will accept his prayers.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً طَلَبَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَاجَةً فَأَلَحَّ فِي الدُّعَاءِ اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ أَوْ لَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ أَدْعُوا رَبِّي‌ عَسى‌ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘May Allah grant favors upon a servant who requests help from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and insists on praying and pleading before Him for help, accepted or not. He then read this verse of the Holy Quran: “. . . I worship my Lord and hope that my prayers will not be igno

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَعْلَمُ مَا يُرِيدُ الْعَبْدُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ لَكِنَّهُ يُحِبُّ أَنْ تُبَثَّ إِلَيْهِ الْحَوَائِجُ فَإِذَا دَعَوْتَ فَسَمِّ حَاجَتَكَ. - وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ قَالَ قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَعْلَمُ حَاجَتَكَ وَ مَا تُرِيدُ وَ لَكِنْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ تُبَثَّ إِلَيْهِ الْحَوَائِجُ.

“Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, knows what a servant wants when he prays and pleads before Him for help, but He loves that one’s needs are brought before Him in detail. Whenever you pray, name your request. ’ In another Hadith it is said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, knows your needs and what you w

دَعْوَةُ الْعَبْدِ سِرّاً دَعْوَةً وَاحِدَةً تَعْدِلُ سَبْعِينَ دَعْوَةً عَلَانِيَةً. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ دَعْوَةٌ تُخْفِيهَا أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ دَعْوَةً تُظْهِرُهَا[1].

“A servant’s praying and pleading before Allah for help, privately once, is equal to seventy such prayers in public.’ In another Hadith it is said: ‘A prayer that you (hide from people) is better before Allah than seventy prayers made in public.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُسْتَجَابُ الدُّعَاءُ فِي أَرْبَعَةِ مَوَاطِنَ فِي الْوَتْرِ وَ بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ وَ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ وَ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ.

"Supplications are answered at four periods: during Salat al-Witr, after Salat al-Fajr, after Salat al-Dhuhr, and after Salat al-Maghrib."

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اغْتَنِمُوا الدُّعَاءَ عِنْدَ أَرْبَعٍ عِنْدَ قِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ وَ عِنْدَ الْأَذَانِ وَ عِنْدَ نُزُولِ الْغَيْثِ وَ عِنْدَ الْتِقَاءِ الصَّفَّيْنِ لِلشَّهَادَةِ.

"Take advantage of supplication at four times: during the recitation of the Quran, at the call to prayer (Adhan), when rain falls, and at the meeting of the two armies for battle."

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُ وَقْتٍ دَعَوْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهِ الْأَسْحَارُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ فِي قَوْلِ يَعْقُوبَ ع- سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي‌[2] وَ قَالَ أَخَّرَهُمْ إِلَى السَّحَرِ.

"The best time to supplicate to Allah (azwj) is during the pre-dawn hours (Al-Asḥār)." Then he recited this verse from the words of Ya'qub (as): «I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord» (12:98) and he (the Prophet) said, "He delayed them until pre-dawn hours (to pray for them)."

إِذَا اقْشَعَرَّ جِلْدُكَ وَ دَمَعَتْ عَيْنَاكَ فَدُونَكَ دُونَكَ فَقَدْ قُصِدَ قَصْدُكَ‌[1]. قَالَ وَ رَوَاهُ‌- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْمَاعِيلَ السَّرَّاجِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ سَعِيدٍ مِثْلَهُ.

“Whenever your skin feels a tingling sensation and your eyes tear up, then you must go (to supplicate to Allah), for it (your prayer) is coming your way." He (Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Khalid) said: A similar hadith was also narrated by Muhammad ibn Isma'il from Isma'il al-Sarraj from Muhammad ibn Hamza from Sa'eed.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِي اللَّيْلِ لَسَاعَةً مَا يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي وَ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهَا إِلَّا اسْتَجَابَ لَهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَ أَيُّ سَاعَةِ هِيَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ إِذَا مَضَى نِصْفُ اللَّيْلِ وَ هِيَ السُّدُسُ الْأَوَّلُ مِنْ أَوَّلِ النِّصْفِ‌[4].

"Indeed, there is an hour in the night during which if a Muslim servant coincides with it in prayer and supplication to Allah (azwj), his supplication will be answered. This happens every night." I asked, "May Allah improve your condition, which hour of the night is it?". He said, "When half of the night has passed, it

الرَّغْبَةُ أَنْ تَسْتَقْبِلَ بِبَطْنِ كَفَّيْكَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ الرَّهْبَةُ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ ظَهْرَ كَفَّيْكَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ تَبَتَّلْ‌ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا[3] قَالَ الدُّعَاءُ بِإِصْبَعٍ وَاحِدَةٍ تُشِيرُ بِهَا وَ التَّضَرُّعُ تُشِيرُ بِإِصْبَعَيْكَ وَ تُحَرِّكُهُمَا وَ الِابْتِهَالُ رَفْعُ الْيَدَيْنِ وَ تَمُدُّهُمَا وَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدَ الدَّمْعَةِ ثُمَّ ادْعُ.

“ Al-Raghbah means keeping the palms of your hands toward the sky. Al-Rahbah means keeping the back of your hands toward the sky. The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘glorify the name of your Lord, with due sincerity (al- Tabattul), ’ (73:8) ‘refers to hand gestures made in prayer with one finger. Al-

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَرَّ بِي رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَدْعُو فِي صَلَاتِي بِيَسَارِي فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بِيَمِينِكَ فَقُلْتُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى حَقّاً عَلَى هَذِهِ كَحَقِّهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ وَ قَالَ الرَّغْبَةُ تَبْسُطُ يَدَيْكَ وَ تُظْهِرُ بَاطِنَهُمَا وَ الرَّهْبَةُ تَبْسُطُ يَدَيْكَ وَ تُظْهِرُ ظَهْرَهُمَا وَ التَّضَرُّعُ تُحَرِّكُ السَّبَّابَةَ الْيُمْن

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Fadalah from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man passed by when I was praying in my prayer with my left hand raised. The man said, ‘O ‘Abd Allah, (

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

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

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

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.’”

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