Ism e Azam for Beseeching

Al-Ism Allah Al-Azam ‘اسْمَ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمَ’ (short: Ism e Azam) refers to the Greatest Name of Allah-azwj through which prayers are accepted when beseeching to Allah-azwj through it. Some Ahadith related to ‘اسْمَ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمَ’ are presented here.

وَ مِنَ الرِّوَايَاتِ فِيهِ بِإِسْنَادِنَا مِنَ الْكِتَابِ الْمُشَارِ إِلَيْهِ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ تَوْبَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‏ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ أَ لَا أُعَلِّمُكَ اسْمَ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمَ قَالَ اقْرَأِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ وَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ فَادْعُ بِمَا أَحْبَبْتَ.

And from the reports in which are our chains, from the book indicating to it, from Umar Bin Towbah,

‘From Abu Abdullah^-asws having said to one of his companions: ‘Shall I^-asws teach you ‘اسْمَ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمَ’ the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj?’

He^-asws said: ‘Read the (Chapters) Al Hamd and Al Tawheed and Ayat Al Kursi and Al Qadr, then face the Qiblah and supplicate with whatever you like to’’.^[1]

وَ مِنْهُ نَقْلًا مِنْ كِتَابِ فَضْلِ الدُّعَاءِ عَنِ الصَّادِقِ ع قَالَ: اقْرَأِ الْحَمْدَ وَ التَّوْحِيدَ وَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ الْقَدْرَ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ ادْعُ بِمَا أَحْبَبْتَ فَإِنَّهُ الِاسْمُ الْأَعْظَمُ.

And from it, copying from the book ‘Fazl Al Dua’,

‘From Al-Sadiq^-asws having said: ‘Read (Surahs) Al Hamd, and Al Tawheed, and Ayat Al Kursi, and Al Qadr, then face the Qiblah and supplicate with whatever you like, for it is ‘الِاسْمُ الْأَعْظَمُ.’ the most Magnificent Name’’.^[2]

مكا، مكارم الأخلاق رُوِيَ أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ: كُنْتُ أَدْعُو اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ سَنَةً عَقِيبَ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ أَنْ يُعَلِّمَنِيَ الِاسْمَ الْأَعْظَمَ

(The book) ‘Makarim Al Akhlaq’ –

‘It is reported that Ali^-asws Bin Al-Husayn^-asws said: ‘I^-asws used to supplicate to Allah^-azwj the Glorious for a year as follow-up of every Salat for Him^-azwj to Teach me^-asws the most Magnificent Name.

فَإِنِّي ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ الْفَجْرَ فَغَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنَايَ وَ أَنَا قَاعِدٌ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَجُلٍ قَائِمٍ بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ يَقُولُ لِي سَأَلْتَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَنْ يُعَلِّمَكَ الِاسْمَ الْأَعْظَمَ

One day I^-asws had prayed Al-Fajr Salat, my^-asws eyes overcame me^-asws while I^-asws was seated. There I^-asws was with a man standing in front of me^-asws saying: ‘You^-asws asked Allah^-azwj the Exalted to Teach you^-asws the most Magnificent Name?’

قُلْتُ نَعَمْ

I^-asws said: ‘Yes’.

قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهِ اللَّهِ اللَّهِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

He said, ‘Say, ‘O Allah^-azwj! I ask You^-azwj by Your^-azwj Name Allah^-azwj, Allah^-azwj, Allah^-azwj, Allah^‑azwj the One Who there is no god except He^-azwj, Lord^-azwj of the Magnificent Throne!’

قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا دَعَوْتُ بِهَا لِشَيْ‏ءٍ إِلَّا رَأَيْتُ نُجْحَهُ‏.

He^-asws said: ‘By Allah^-azwj! I^-asws have not supplicated with it for anything except I^-asws saw its success!’’[3]

وَ مِنَ الرِّوَايَاتِ فِي اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ مَا ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي إِغَاثَةِ الدَّاعِي وَ نَحْنُ نَذْكُرُهُ هَاهُنَا حَيْثُ قَدْ ذَكَرْنَا كَثِيراً مِمَّا قِيلَ فِي الِاسْمِ الْأَعْظَمِ فَنَقُولُ وَجَدْتُ فِي كِتَابٍ عَتِيقٍ مَا هَذَا لَفْظُهُ الدُّعَاءُ الَّذِي فِيهِ الِاسْمُ الْأَعْظَمُ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عِيسَى الْعَلَوِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَحْمَدَ بْنَ عِيسَى الْعَلَوِيَّ يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عِيسَى بْنُ زَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ زَيْدٍ

And from the reports regarding the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj is what is mentioned in ‘Agasat Al Daie’, and we mention it over here whereby we have already mentioned a lot from what has been said regarding the most Magnificent Name. We say, ‘We found in an ancient book what are these wordings of the supplication in which is the most Magnificent Name, from Ali Bin Isa Al Alawy. He said, ‘I heard Ahmad Bin Isa Al Alawy saying, ‘It is narrated to me by Abu Isa Bin Zayd, from his father Zayd,

عَنْ جَدِّهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ: دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً أَنْ يُعَلِّمَنِي اسْمَهُ الْأَعْظَمَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ قَائِمٌ أُصَلِّي فَرَقَدَتْ عَيْنَايَ إِذَا أَنَا بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قَدْ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ ثُمَّ دَنَا مِنِّي وَ قَبَّلَ مَا بَيْنَ عَيْنَيَّ قَالَ لِي أَيَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ سَأَلْتَ اللَّهَ

‘From his grandfather Ali^-asws Bin Al-Husayn^-asws having said: ‘I^-asws supplicated to Allah^-azwj for twenty years for Him^-azwj to Teach me^-asws His^-azwj most Magnificent Name. One night when I^‑asws was standing praying Salat, my^-asws eyes were drowsy. There I^-asws was with Rasool-Allah^‑saww coming over to me^-asws. Then he^-saww came near me^-asws and kissed what is between my^-asws eyes. He^-saww said: ‘Which thing did you^-asws ask Allah^-azwj for?’

قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا جَدَّاهْ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَنْ يُعَلِّمَنِي اسْمَهُ الْأَعْظَمَ

He^-asws said: ‘I^-asws said: ‘O grandfather^-saww! I^-asws asked Allah^-azwj the Exalted to Teach me^-asws His^-azwj most Magnificent Name’.

فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ اكْتُبْ

He^-saww said: ‘O my^-saww son^-asws, write!’

قُلْتُ وَ عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ أَكْتُبُ

I^-asws said: ‘And upon which thing shall I^-asws write?’

قَالَ اكْتُبْ بِإِصْبَعِكَ عَلَى رَاحَتِكَ وَ هُوَ

He^-saww said: ‘Write with your^-asws finger upon your^-asws palm, and it is:

يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ أَنْتَ الْمَنَّانُ بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ وَ ذوا ذُو الْأَسْمَاءِ الْعِظَامِ وَ ذُو الْعِزِّ الَّذِي لَا يُرَامُ وَ إِلهُكُمْ إِلهٌ واحِدٌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمنُ الرَّحِيمُ‏ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ

‘O Allah^-azwj! O Allah^‑azwj! O Allah^-azwj! You^-azwj are Alone, there is no associate for You^-azwj! You^-azwj are the Bestower, Initiator of the skies and the earth, with the Majesty and the Benevolence, and with the most Magnificent Name, and with the Might which cannot be breached! And your God is one God! There is no god except Him; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful [2:163]!’ And send Salawaat upon Muhammad^-saww and his^-saww entire Progeny^-asws,

‏ ثُمَّ ادْعُ بِمَا شِئْتَ

then supplicate with whatever you desire to’.

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص بِالْحَقِّ نَبِيّاً لَقَدْ جَرَّبْتُهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا قَالَ ص

Ali^-asws Bin Al-Husayn^-asws said: ‘By the One Who Send Muhammad^-saww with the truth as a Prophet^-saww! I^-asws tried it and it happened just as he^-saww had said’.

قَالَ زَيْدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ فَجَرَّبْتُهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا وَصَفَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع

Zayd son of Ali^-asws (Bin Al-Husayn^-asws) said, ‘I tried it, and it happened just as my father^-asws Ali Bin Al-Husayn^-asws had said’.

قَالَ عِيسَى بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَجَرَّبْتُهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا وَصَفَ زَيْدٌ أَبِي

Isa Bin Zayd said, ‘I tried it, and it happened just as my father Zayd had described’.

قَالَ أَحْمَدُ فَجَرَّبْتُهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا ذَكَرُوا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ.

Ahmad said, ‘I tried it, and it happened just as they had mentioned. May Allah^-azwj be Satisfied with them all!’’[4]

وَ مِنَ الرِّوَايَاتِ فِي اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ مِمَّا رَوَيْنَاهُ بِإِسْنَادِنَا إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارِ إِلَى سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ عَنِ الرِّضَا ع قَالَ: مَنْ قَالَ بَعْدَ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‏- لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ كَانَ أَقْرَبَ إِلَى اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ مِنْ سَوَادِ الْعَيْنِ إِلَى بَيَاضِهَا وَ إِنَّهُ دَخَلَ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمُ.

And from the reports regarding the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj, from what we are reporting by our chains to Muhammad Bin Al Hassan Al Saffar, to Suleyman Bin Ja’far Al Ja’fary,

‘From Al-Reza^-asws having said: ‘One who says after Al-Fajr Salat, ‘لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ’ ‘In the Name of Allah^-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful, there is neither might nor strength except with Allah^-azwj the Exalted, the Magnificent’ one hundred times, would be closer to the most Magnificent Name of Allah^‑azwj than the blackness of the eyes is to its whiteness, and ‘اسْمُ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمُ’ the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj is included in it’’.[5]

وَ مِنَ الرِّوَايَاتِ فِي اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ بِإِسْنَادِنَا أَيْضاً إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارِ بِإِسْنَادِنَا إِلَى أَبِي هَاشِمٍ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَقُولُ‏ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- أَقْرَبُ إِلَى اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ مِنْ سَوَادِ الْعَيْنِ إِلَى بَيَاضِهَا.

And from the reports regarding the most Magnificent Name, by our chains as well to Muhammad Bin Al-Hassan Al Saffar, by our chain to Abu Hashim Al Ja’fari who said,

‘I heard Abu Muhammad^-asws saying: ‘بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ’ ‘In the Name of Allah^-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful’ is closer to the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj than blackness of the eye is to its whiteness’’.[6]

وَ مِنْهَا فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ قَالَ: سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا يَقُولُ عِشَاءً- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي‏ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ

And from these is a lengthy Hadeeth. He said,

‘Rasool-Allah^-saww heard a man saying in Isha (Salat), ‘O Allah^-azwj! I testify surely You^-azwj are Allah^-azwj! There is no god except You^-azwj, the First, the Solid Who, does not beget and is not begotten [112:3] And there does not happen to be anyone a match for Him’ [112:4]’.

فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ الَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَقَدْ سَأَلَ اللَّهَ بِاسْمِهِ الْأَعْظَمِ الَّذِي إِذَا سُئِلَ بِهِ أَعْطَى وَ إِذَا دُعِيَ بِهِ أَجَابَ.

The Prophet^-saww said: ‘By the One in Whose Hand is my^-saww soul! He has asked Allah^-azwj by His^-azwj most Magnificent Name which, whenever it is asked with, is Granted, and when supplicated with it, is Answered’’.^[7]

وَ مِنَ الرِّوَايَاتِ فِي اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ مَا رَوَيْنَاهُ بِإِسْنَادِنَا إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارِ بِإِسْنَادِهِ إِلَى أَبِي الْجَارُودِ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ: إِنَّ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ سَأَلَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ اسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا فَسَكَتَ

And from the report regarding the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj is what we are reporting by our chains to Muhammad Bin Al-Hassan Al Saffar, by his chain to Abu Al Jaroud,

‘From Zayd son of Ali (Bin Al-Husayn^-asws) who said, ‘Umm Salama^-ra asked Rasool-Allah^-saww about the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj. He^-saww turned away from her^-ra. She^-ra was silent.

ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَ هِيَ سَاجِدَةٌ تَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِأَسْمَائِكَ الْحُسْنَى مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهَا وَ مَا لَمْ أَعْلَمْ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الْأَعْظَمِ الَّذِي إِذَا دُعِيتَ بِهِ أَجَبْتَ وَ إِذَا سُئِلْتَ بِهِ أَعْطَيْتَ فَإِنَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْمَنَّانُ‏ بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‏ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ

Then he^-saww entered to see her^-ra while she^-ra was performing Sajdah, saying, ‘O Allah^-azwj! I ask You^-azwj by Your^-azwj excellent Names, what I^-ra know from these and what I^-ra don’t know, and I^-ra ask You^-azwj by Your^-azwj most Magnificent Name which whenever supplicated with, is Answered, and whenever asked with, is Granted! For You^-azwj is the Praise. There is no god except You^-azwj, the Bestower, Initiator of the skies and the earth! O with the Majesty and the Benevolence!’

فَقَالَ لَهَا سَأَلْتِ يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمِ.

He^-saww said to her^-ra: ‘O Umm Salama^-ra! You^-ra have asked by the most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj!’’^[8]

ثواب الأعمال مَاجِيلَوَيْهِ عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَنِ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ رَفَعَهُ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ: مَنْ قَرَأَ مِائَةَ آيَةٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مِنْ أَيِّ آيِ الْقُرْآنِ شَاءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا اللَّهُ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ فَلَوْ دَعَا عَلَى الصَّخْرَةِ لَقَلَعَهَا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‏.

(The book) ‘Sawaab Al Amaal’ – Majaylawiya, from his uncle, from Al Barqy, from Ibn Asbaat raising it to,

Amir Al-Momineen^-asws said: ‘One who reads one hundred Verses from the Quran, from whichever Verses of the Quran he so desires, then says, ‘يَا اللَّهُ’ ‘O Allah^-azwj!’, seven (7) times, if he were to supplicate upon the rock, it would be uprooted, if Allah^-azwj so Desires’’.[9]

وَ مِنْهُ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‏ اعْتَلَّ الْحُسَيْنُ ع- فَاحْتَمَلَتْهُ فَاطِمَةُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا فَأَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِابْنِكَ أَنْ يَشْفِيَهُ

And from him^-asws, ‘Amir Al-Momineen^-asws said: ‘Al-Husayn^-asws became ill, so (Syeda) Fatima^‑asws, may the Salawaat of Allah^-azwj be upon her^-asws carried him^-asws and came to the Prophet^-as. She^-asws said: ‘O Rasool-Allah^-as! Supplicated for your^-as (grand) son^-asws to be healed!’

فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الَّذِي وَهَبَهُ لَكِ وَ هُوَ قَادِرٌ عَلَى أَنْ يَشْفِيَهُ

He^-as said: ‘O daughter^-asws! Allah^-azwj, He^-azwj is the One Who has Gifted him^-asws to you^-asws, and He^-azwj is Able upon Healing him^-asws!’

فَهَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يُنْزِلْ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ سُورَةٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِلَّا فِيهَا فَاءٌ وَ كُلُّ فَاءٍ مِنْ آفَةٍ مَا خَلَا الْحَمْدَ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا فَاءٌ فَادْعُ بِقَدَحٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَاقْرَأْ عَلَيْهِ الْحَمْدَ أَرْبَعِينَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ صُبَّ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَشْفِيهِ

Jibraeel^-as came down. He^-as said: ‘O Muhammad^-as! Allah^-azwj the Exalted has not Revealed any Chapter upon you^-as except and there is (the letter) ‘فَاءٌ’ ‘Fa’ in it, and every (letter) ‘Fa’ is from an affliction apart from Surah Al Hamd, for there isn’t any (letter) ‘Fa’ in it. Call for a cup of water. He^-as recite Surah Al Hamd upon it forty times, then pour upon him^-asws, Allah^-azwj will Heal him^-asws!’

فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَعُوفِيَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ.

He (Ali^-asws) did that, and he (Al-Husayn^-asws) recovered by the Permission of Allah^-azwj’’.^[10]

وَ مِنْهُ نَقْلًا مِنْ كِتَابِ التَّهَجُّدِ أَنَّهُ فِي هَذَا الدُّعَاءِ تَقُولُ ثَلَاثاً يَا نُورُ يَا قُدُّوسُ- وَ ثَلَاثاً يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ وَ ثَلَاثاً يَا حَيّاً لَا يَمُوتُ وَ ثَلَاثاً يَا حَيّاً حِينَ لَا حَيَّ وَ ثَلَاثاً يَا حَيُّ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَ ثَلَاثاً أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ‏ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‏ الْعَزِيزِ الْمُبِينِ.

And from him, copying from the book ‘Al Tahajjud’ –

‘‘It (most Magnificent Name) is in this supplication. You should say thrice, ‘O Noor, O Holy!’, and thrice, ‘O Living, O Eternal!’, and thrice, ‘O Living, not dying!’, and thrice, ‘O Living where there was nothing living!’, and thrice, ‘O Living, there is no god except You^-azwj!’, and thrice, ‘I ask You^-azwj by Your^-azwj Name, ‘In the Name of Allah^-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Mighty, the Manifest!’’^[11]

التوحيد جَعْفَرُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ الْفَقِيهُ عَنْ عَبْدَانَ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ شُجَاعٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ حَمَّادٍ الْعَنْبَرِيِّ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَلِيلِ عَنْ أَبِي الْبَخْتَرِيِّ عَنِ الصَّادِقِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ الْخَضِرَ فِي الْمَنَامِ قَبْلَ بَدْرٍ بِلَيْلَةٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئاً أُنْصَرُ بِهِ عَلَى الْأَعْدَاءِ

(The book) ‘Al Tawheed’ – Ja’far Bin Ali Bin Ahmad Al Faqeeh, from Abdan Bin Al Fazl, from Muhammad Bin Yaqoub Bin Muhammad, from Muhammad Bin Ahmad Bin ShuJa’a, from Al Al-Hassan Bin Hammad Al Anbary, from Ismail Bin Abdul Jaleel, from Abu Al Bakhtari,

‘From Al-Sadiq^-asws, from his^-asws father^-asws, from Amir Al-Momineen^-asws having said: ‘I^-asws saw Al-Khizr^-as in the dream before (the battle of) Badr by a night. I^-asws said to him^-as: ‘Teach me something I^-asws can be helped with against the enemies!’

فَقَالَ قُلْ يَا هُوَ يَا مَنْ لَا هُوَ إِلَّا هُوَ

He^-as said: ‘Say: ‘O He^-azwj! O One there is no He except Him^-azwj!’

فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحْتُ قَصَصْتُهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ لِي يَا عَلِيُّ عُلِّمْتَ الِاسْمَ الْأَعْظَمَ وَ كَانَ عَلَى لِسَانِي يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ

When it was morning I^-asws narrated it to Rasool-Allah^-saww. He^-saww said to me^-asws: ‘O Ali^-asws! You^-asws have learnt the most Magnificent Name!’, and it was upon my^-asws tongue on the day of Badr’.

وَ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَرَأَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ يَا هُوَ يَا مَنْ لَا هُوَ إِلَّا هُوَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ انْصُرْنِي عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

And Amir Al-Momineen^-asws read Surah Al Tawheed. When he^-asws was free, said: ‘O He^-azwj! O One there is no howa (He) except Him^-azwj! Forgive for me^-asws and Help me^-asws against the Kafir people!’

وَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ صِفِّينَ وَ هُوَ يُطَارِدُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَمَّارُ بْنُ يَاسِرٍ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا هَذِهِ الْكِنَايَاتُ

And Ali^-asws was saying that on the day (battle of) Siffeen while he^-asws was chasing (the enemy). Ammar Bin Yasser^-ra said to him^-asws, ‘O Amir Al-Momineen^-asws! What are these euphemisms?’

قَالَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمُ وَ عِمَادُ التَّوْحِيدِ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

He^-asws said: ‘اسْمُ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمُ’ ‘The most Magnificent Name of Allah^-azwj and the pillar of Tawheed. There is no god except He^-azwj!’

ثُمَّ قَرَأَ شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَ أَوَاخِرُ الْحَشْرِ ثُمَّ نَزَلَ فَصَلَّى أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ قَبْلَ الزَّوَالِ الْخَبَرَ.

Then he^-asws read: Allah Testifies that there is no god except Him, [3:18], and the ending of Surah Al Hashr (four Verses). Then he^-asws descended and prays four Cycles Salat before the midday’ – the Hadeeth’’.^[12]

المحاسن مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ يَسَارٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ لَيَقِفُ عِنْدَ ذِكْرِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ النَّارِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ- أَيْ رَبِّ أَيْ رَبِّ أَيْ رَبِّ ثَلَاثاً فَإِذَا قَالَهَا نُودِيَ مِنْ فَوْقِ رَأْسِهِ سَلْ مَا حَاجَتُكَ‏.

(The book) ‘Al Mahasin’ – Muhammad Bin Ali, from Ismail Bin Yasaar, from Mansour, from Abu Baseer,

‘From Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘Let the man from you pause at the mention of the Paradise and the Hellfire, then say: ‘Yes, Lord^-azwj! Yes, Lord^-azwj! Yes, Lord^-azwj!’ thrice. When he says it, he will be called out at from above his head: ‘Ask, what is your need?’’[13]

المحاسن مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْحَكَمِ بْنِ مِسْكِينٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ الدُّهْنِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: مَنْ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ حَتَّى يَنْقَطِعَ النَّفَسُ قِيلَ لَهُ لَبَّيْكَ مَا حَاجَتُكَ‏.

(The book) ‘Al Mahasin’ – Muhammad Bin Ali, from Al Hakam Bin Miskeen, from Muawiya Bin Ammar Al Duhny, from Abu Baseer,

‘From Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘One who says, ‘O Lord^-azwj! O Lord^-azwj’ until the breath is cut, He^-azwj will Say to him: “Here I^-azwj am! What is your need?”’[14]

وَ رُوِيَ‏ مَنْ يَقُولُ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ قِيلَ لَهُ لَبَّيْكَ مَا حَاجَتُكَ.

And it is reported: ‘One who sys ten time, He^-azwj will Say to him: “Here I^-azwj am! What is your need?”’[15]

مُحَاسَبَةُ النَّفْسِ، لِلسَّيِّدِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ طَاوُسٍ بِإِسْنَادِهِ إِلَى كِتَابِ الدُّعَاءِ لِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارِ بِإِسْنَادِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: إِذَا أَلَحَّتْ بِهِ الْحَاجَةُ يَسْجُدُ مِنْ غَيْرِ صَلَاةٍ وَ لَا رُكُوعٍ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ يَسْأَلُ حَاجَتَهُ

(The book) ‘Mahasibat Al Nafs’ of the Seyyid Ali Bin Tawoos – By his chain to ‘Kitab Al Dua’ o Muhammad Bin Al-Hassan Al Saffar, by his chain,

‘From Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘When the need persists with him, he should do Sajdah from without a Salat, nor a Ruk’u, then he should say, ‘O most Merciful of the merciful ones!’, seven times, the ask his need’.

ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا قَالَهَا أَحَدٌ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ إِلَّا قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى هَا أَنَا أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ سَلْ حَاجَتَكَ.

Then he^-asws said: ‘No one will say it seven times except Allah^-azwj the Exalted will Say: “Here I^‑azwj am, most Merciful of the merciful ones! Ask your need!”’^[16]

[1] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 1 /3

[2] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 2 / 3

[3] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 5

[4] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 1 /26

[5] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 1 /4

[6] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 1 /6

[7] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 1 /11

[8] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 1 /25

[9] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 89 – The Book of Quran – Ch 23 H 24

[10] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 89 – The Book of Quran – Ch 29 H 57 b

[11] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 2 / 8

[12] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 11 H 3

[13] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 12 H 4

[14] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 12 H 5 a

[15] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 12 H 5 b

[16] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 90 – The Book of Zikr – Ch 12 H 6 a