The Book of Supplication

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبادَتِي‌ سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ داخِرِينَ‌[1] قَالَ هُوَ الدُّعَاءُ وَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الدُّعَاءُ قُلْتُ إِنَ‌ إِبْراهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ‌ حَلِيمٌ‌[2] قَالَ الْأَوَّاهُ هُوَ الدَّعَّاءُ.

“Allah (azwj) has said: «Surely those who are too proud for My worship shall soon enter hell disgraced»(40:60). This is a reference to supplications, as the greatest act of worship is supplicating." I (Zurara) asked: "What is meant by: «Indeed, Ibrahim was very tender-hearted and forbearing» (9:114)." He said: "Tender-

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَيُّ الْعِبَادَةِ أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْضَلَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْئَلَ وَ يُطْلَبَ مِمَّا عِنْدَهُ وَ مَا أَحَدٌ أَبْغَضَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِمَّنْ يَسْتَكْبِرُ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَ لَا يَسْأَلُ مَا عِنْدَهُ.

“Once I asked Abu Ja’far (al-Baqir) (as), ‘What is the best form of worship?’. He (as) said, ‘There is nothing more virtuous before Allah (azwj) than to ask and request Him for things.' There is no one more spiteful in the eyes of Allah (azwj) than one who seems himself as above the need to worship Him and does not ask

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا مُيَسِّرُ ادْعُ وَ لَا تَقُلْ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنْهُ إِنَّ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْزِلَةً لَا تُنَالُ إِلَّا بِمَسْأَلَةٍ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ عَبْداً سَدَّ فَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلْ‌ لَمْ يُعْطَ شَيْئاً فَسَلْ تُعْطَ يَا مُيَسِّرُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ بَابٍ يُقْرَعُ إِلَّا يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُفْتَحَ لِصَاحِبِهِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘O Maysir, pray and do not say that it is predetermined and it is all over. There is a position with Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, that is not accessible without praying to Him. If a servant keeps his mouth closed and does not plead to receive help, he will not receive anyth

مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ فَقَدِ افْتَقَرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who does not ask help from Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, becomes needy and poor.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ ادْعُ وَ لَا تَقُلْ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَإِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ داخِرِينَ‌ وَ قَالَ‌ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ‌[2].

‘Pray and do not say that it (belief in predetermination) is already determined and the matter is settled; prayer is worshipping. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Those who consider themselves above the need to worship Me will soon go to hell in disgrace,’ (40:60) ‘Pray to Me, I will accept your pray

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّعَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَقَرَّبُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَ لَا تَتْرُكُوا صَغِيرَةً لِصِغَرِهَا أَنْ تَدْعُوا بِهَا إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الصِّغَارِ هُوَ صَاحِبُ الْكِبَارِ.

"Cling to supplication, for you will not be able to draw as close [to Allah] by a means other than this. Do not neglect supplicating for the smallest of things due to its insignificance. Indeed, the one who is turned to for small matters, is also turned to for big matters."

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ الَّتِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبادَتِي‌ الْآيَة ادْعُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا تَقُلْ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنْهُ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي لَا يَمْنَعْكَ إِيمَانُكَ بِالْقَضَاءِ وَ الْقَدَرِ أَنْ تُبَالِغَ بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ تَجْتَهِدَ فِيهِ أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, pleading before Allah for help is the form of worship about which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Those who consider themselves above the need to worship Me will soon go to hell in disgrace,’ (40:60) pray to Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, and do not say that thin

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ الدُّعَاءُ وَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الْعَفَافُ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع رَجُلًا دَعَّاءً.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘The most beloved of deeds before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, on earth is pleading before Him for help and the best worship is chastity.’ The Imam said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) was a very prayerful man.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الدُّعَاءُ سِلَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ عَمُودُ الدِّينِ وَ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Pleading before Allah for help is believing people’s weapons, the pillar of religion and the light of the heavens and earth.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الدُّعَاءُ مَفَاتِيحُ النَّجَاحِ وَ مَقَالِيدُ الْفَلَاحِ‌[1] وَ خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ مَا صَدَرَ عَنْ صَدْرٍ نَقِيٍّ وَ قَلْبٍ تَقِيٍّ وَ فِي الْمُنَاجَاةِ سَبَبُ النَّجَاةِ وَ بِالْإِخْلَاصِ يَكُونُ الْخَلَاصُ فَإِذَا اشْتَدَّ الْفَزَعُ فَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَفْزَعُ.

2. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) who has said the following: “Pleading before Allah for help is the key to success and the input for one’s well being. The best prayer is what comes out of a clean chest and pious heart. In pleading before Allah for hel

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى سِلَاحٍ يُنْجِيكُمْ مِنْ أَعْدَائِكُمْ وَ يُدِرُّ أَرْزَاقَكُمْ‌[2] قَالُوا بَلَى قَالَ تَدْعُونَ رَبَّكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنَّ سِلَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الدُّعَاءُ.

“The Holy Prophet (a.s.) once said, ‘Should I guide you to a weapon that will save you from your enemies and increase your means of living?’ They said, ‘Yes, (O Messenger of Allah).’ The Holy Prophet said, ‘Pray and plead before Allah for help night and day; prayer is the weapon of believing people.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الدُّعَاءُ تُرْسُ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[3] وَ مَتَى تُكْثِرْ قَرْعَ الْبَابِ يُفْتَحْ لَكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer is a shield for a believing person. When a door is knocked often it will sooner or later open up.’”

لِأَصْحَابِهِ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِسِلَاحِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ فَقِيلَ وَ مَا سِلَاحُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَالَ الدُّعَاءُ.

“Al-Rida (a.s.) would say to his disciples, ‘You must keep with you the weapons of the prophets.’ It was asked, ‘What are the weapons of the prophets?’ The Imam said, ‘It is prayer, pleading before Allah for help.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ أَنْفَذُ مِنَ السِّنَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer, pleading before Allah for help is more effective than spears.’”

الدُّعَاءُ أَنْفَذُ مِنَ السِّنَانِ الْحَدِيدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer, pleading before Allah for help, is more effective than spears of iron.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ يَنْقُضُهُ كَمَا يُنْقَضُ السِّلْكُ وَ قَدْ أُبْرِمَ إِبْرَاماً[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help repeals al- Qada, what is already determined, and severs it as threads are incised, even though it (threads) may have been coiled and knotted extremely strong and solid.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ يَرُدُّ مَا قَدْ قُدِّرَ وَ مَا لَمْ يُقَدَّرْ قُلْتُ وَ مَا قَدْ قُدِّرَ عَرَفْتُهُ فَمَا لَمْ يُقَدَّرْ قَالَ حَتَّى لَا يَكُونَ‌[2].

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Prayer, and pleading before Allah for help, repeals Quddira, what is already measured, and the unmeasured.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam, ‘I know the meaning of what is ‘Measured’, but what is the meaning of the ‘Unmeasured’?’ The Imam said, ‘So that it (a measure, of misf

إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ وَ قَدْ نَزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ قَدْ أُبْرِمَ إِبْرَاماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help, repeals al- Qada ’, what is already determined, has already come down from heavens and is firmly established.’”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ الْبَلَاءَ لَيَتَرَافَقَانِ‌[3] إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ لَيَرُدُّ الْبَلَاءَ وَ قَدْ أُبْرِمَ إِبْرَاماً.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help, and misfortune are joined together and will remain so until the Day of Judgment. Prayer repeals misfortunes even though it (misfortune) may have already been firmly established.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الدُّعَاءُ يَدْفَعُ الْبَلَاءَ النَّازِلَ وَ مَا لَمْ يَنْزِلْ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help, repels the misfortune that has already come down and that which has not yet come down.’”

قَالَ لِي أَ لَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ لَمْ يَسْتَثْنِ فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌[1] قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ الدُّعَاءُ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ وَ قَدْ أُبْرِمَ إِبْرَاماً وَ ضَمَّ أَصَابِعَهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) once said to me, ‘Should I tell you something about a case in which even the Messenger of Allah is not an exception?’ I said, ‘Yes, (I like to know).’ The Imam said, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help repeals al-Qada, what is already determined, even though it may have firmly been established

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الدُّعَاءُ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ بَعْدَ مَا أُبْرِمَ إِبْرَاماً فَأَكْثِرْ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ مِفْتَاحُ كُلِّ رَحْمَةٍ وَ نَجَاحُ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ وَ لَا يُنَالُ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بَابٌ يُكْثَرُ قَرْعُهُ إِلَّا يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُفْتَحَ لِصَاحِبِهِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help, repeals what is already determined, even after it is firmly established. Thus, increase your prayers; it is the key to all favors, success and need. What is with Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, cannot be achieved by any means oth

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّعَاءِ فَإِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَ الطَّلَبَ إِلَى اللَّهِ يَرُدُّ الْبَلَاءَ وَ قَدْ قُدِّرَ وَ قُضِيَ وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ إِلَّا إِمْضَاؤُهُ- فَإِذَا دُعِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ سُئِلَ صَرَفَ الْبَلَاءَ صَرْفَةً.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) has said, ‘You must pray and plead before Allah for help; pleading before Allah for help and requesting from Him repels misfortunes even though they may have already

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَيَدْفَعُ بِالدُّعَاءِ الْأَمْرَ الَّذِي عَلِمَهُ أَنْ يُدْعَى لَهُ فَيَسْتَجِيبُ وَ لَوْ لَا مَا وُفِّقَ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الدُّعَاءِ لَأَصَابَهُ مِنْهُ مَا يَجُثُّهُ مِنْ جَدِيدِ الْأَرْضِ‌[2].

‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘By means of prayer, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, repels a thing (a misfortune) that He knows He will divert it if a plea will be made before Him. However, if the servant (of Allah) fails to pray and plead before Allah for help, the misfortune will afflict him to the extent

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَلَيْكَ بِالدُّعَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘You must pray and plead before Allah for help; it is the cure to all diseases.’”

الدُّعَاءُ كَهْفُ الْإِجَابَةِ كَمَا أَنَّ السَّحَابَ كَهْفُ الْمَطَرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help is the means for its acceptance just as clouds are means of rain.’”

مَا أَبْرَزَ عَبْدٌ يَدَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْجَبَّارِ إِلَّا اسْتَحْيَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرُدَّهَا صِفْراً حَتَّى يَجْعَلَ فِيهَا مِنْ فَضْلِ رَحْمَتِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ فَإِذَا دَعَا أَحَدُكُمْ فَلَا يَرُدَّ يَدَهُ حَتَّى يَمْسَحَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ وَ رَأْسِهِ.

“Any servant (of Allah) who raises his hands toward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Compelling, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will be shy to turn him down empty-handed, and without placing in it from His favors as He wills. After praying you (every one of you) should not return his hands to normal position bef

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ هَلْ تَعْرِفُونَ طُولَ الْبَلَاءِ مِنْ قِصَرِهِ قُلْنَا لَا قَالَ إِذَا أُلْهِمَ أَحَدُكُمُ الدُّعَاءَ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْبَلَاءَ قَصِيرٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once asked, ‘Can you tell if a misfortune is of a lengthy duration or a shorter one?’ We said, ‘No, we do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘Whenever any of you is inspired to pray then you should know that the misfortune is of a shorter duration.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع‌ مَا مِنْ بَلَاءٍ يَنْزِلُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَيُلْهِمُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الدُّعَاءَ إِلَّا كَانَ كَشْفُ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءِ وَشِيكاً[1] وَ مَا مِنْ بَلَاءٍ يَنْزِلُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَيُمْسِكُ عَنِ الدُّعَاءِ إِلَّا كَانَ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءُ طَوِيلًا فَإِذَا نَزَلَ الْبَلَاءُ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ التَّضَرُّعِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Once abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) said, ‘Whenever a misfortune is about to arrive upon a believing servant (of Allah), if Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inspires him to pray and plead before Allah for help, the diversion of misfortune from him will take place very shortly. Whenever a misfortune is to arrive upo

مَنْ تَقَدَّمَ فِي الدُّعَاءِ اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ إِذَا نَزَلَ بِهِ الْبَلَاءُ وَ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ صَوْتٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَ لَمْ يُحْجَبْ عَنِ السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَقَدَّمْ فِي الدُّعَاءِ لَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ إِذَا نَزَلَ بِهِ الْبَلَاءُ وَ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ إِنَّ ذَا الصَّوْتَ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ.

“Whoever prays and pleads before Allah for help before the fall of misfortune, his prayer is accepted when the misfortune arrives. The angels will say, ‘It is a known voice and it is not barred from heaven. ’ If one does not pray and plead before Allah for help before the fall of misfortune, his prayer will not be acce

مَنْ تَخَوَّفَ مِنْ بَلَاءٍ يُصِيبُهُ فَتَقَدَّمَ فِيهِ بِالدُّعَاءِ لَمْ يُرِهِ اللَّهُ‌[1] عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءَ أَبَداً.

“If one fears the fall of a misfortune upon him and prays and pleads before Allah for help before its fall, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will never show him that misfortune.”

إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ فِي الرَّخَاءِ يَسْتَخْرِجُ الْحَوَائِجَ فِي الْبَلَاءِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help in one’s enjoying well-being brings about (causes to happen) what one needs in the fall of misfortune.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ فِي الشِّدَّةِ فَلْيُكْثِرِ الدُّعَاءَ فِي الرَّخَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever likes his prayers answered in difficult times should pray when he enjoys well-being and comfort.’”

كَانَ جَدِّي يَقُولُ‌ تَقَدَّمُوا فِي الدُّعَاءِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا كَانَ دَعَّاءً فَنَزَلَ بِهِ الْبَلَاءُ فَدَعَا قِيلَ صَوْتٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ دَعَّاءً فَنَزَلَ بِهِ بَلَاءٌ فَدَعَا قِيلَ أَيْنَ كُنْتَ قَبْلَ الْيَوْمِ.

“My grandfather would say, ‘You must pray and plead before Allah for help before the fall of misfortune; if a servant (of Allah) is prayerful and misfortune befalls him and he prays, it is then said, ‘It is a familiar voice,’ but if he does not pray and plead before Allah for help when misfortune befalls him, only then

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الدُّعَاءُ بَعْدَ مَا يَنْزِلُ الْبَلَاءُ لَا يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, ‘Prayer and pleading before Allah for help after the fall of misfortune does not benefit one.’”

إِذَا دَعَوْتَ فَظُنَّ أَنَّ حَاجَتَكَ بِالْبَابِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you pray and plead before Allah for help, consider that what you have asked for has arrived at the door.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً بِظَهْرِ قَلْبٍ سَاهٍ‌[2] فَإِذَا دَعَوْتَ فَأَقْبِلْ بِقَلْبِكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقِنْ بِالْإِجَابَةِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not accept an inattentive prayer. Whenever you may pray and plead before Allah for help, do it with an attentive heart and with certainty in its acceptance.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ دُعَاءَ قَلْبٍ لَاهٍ وَ كَانَ عَلِيٌ‌[3] ع يَقُولُ إِذَا دَعَا أَحَدُكُمْ لِلْمَيِّتِ فَلَا يَدْعُو لَهُ وَ قَلْبُهُ لَاهٍ عَنْهُ وَ لَكِنْ لِيَجْتَهِدْ لَهُ فِي الدُّعَاءِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not accept the prayer from a thoughtless heart. Ali (a.s.) would say, ‘Whenever any of you may pray for a dead person, he must not do it frivolously but must strive to be serious in his prayer.’”

إِذَا دَعَوْتَ فَأَقْبِلْ بِقَلْبِكَ وَ ظُنَّ حَاجَتَكَ بِالْبَابِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you pray and plead before Allah for help, do it whole-heartedly and consider that what you have asked for has arrived at the door.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً بِظَهْرِ قَلْبٍ قَاسٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not accept a prayer coming superficially from a hardhearted attitude.’”

لَمَّا اسْتَسْقَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ سُقِيَ النَّاسُ حَتَّى قَالُوا إِنَّهُ الْغَرَقُ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِيَدِهِ‌[1] وَ رَدَّهَا اللَّهُمَّ حَوَالَيْنَا وَ لَا عَلَيْنَا[2] قَالَ فَتَفَرَّقَ السَّحَابُ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اسْتَسْقَيْتَ لَنَا فَلَمْ نُسْقَ ثُمَّ اسْتَسْقَيْتَ لَنَا فَسُقِينَا قَالَ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُ وَ لَيْسَ لِي فِي ذَلِكَ نِيَّةٌ ثُمَّ دَعَوْتُ وَ لِيَ فِي ذَلِكَ نِيَّةٌ.

“When the Messenger of Allah prayed for rain, people were drenched so much that they thought they might be drowned and the Messenger of Allah made hand gestures to scatter the cloud, saying, ‘O Lord make it to rain around us, not on us.’ The Imam said, ‘The clouds scattered and people asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا دَعَا لَمْ يَزَلِ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فِي حَاجَتِهِ مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَطِيَّةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ الطَّوِيلِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever a servant (of Allah) prays and pleads before Allah for help, (the will of) Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, is in fulfilling his needs, provided he is not in (big) haste.’” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Husayn

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا عَجَّلَ فَقَامَ لِحَاجَتِهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَ مَا يَعْلَمُ عَبْدِي أَنِّي أَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَقْضِي الْحَوَائِجَ.

“If a servant (of Allah) hastens in his prayer and stands up to do what he needs, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, then asks, ‘Does My servant not know that I am Allah who fulfils the needs of people?”’

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 اطْلُبُوا الدُّعَاءَ فِي‌ أَرْبَعِ سَاعَاتٍ عِنْدَ هُبُوبِ الرِّيَاحِ وَ زَوَالِ الْأَفْيَاءِ[1] وَ نُزُولِ الْقَطْرِ وَ أَوَّلِ قَطْرَةٍ مِنْ دَمِ الْقَتِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّ أَبْوَابَ السَّمَاءِ تُفَتَّحُ عِنْدَ هَذِهِ الْأَشْيَاءِ.

"Seek supplication at four times: during the blowing of the winds, the fading of the shadows, the descent of rain, and when the first drop of blood from a martyred believer has spilled, for indeed the gates of heaven open at these times."