Asking Masoomeen(asws) For Needs

Summary:

Ahadith on similar topics to ‘Asking Masomeen^-asws for Needs’, i.e., seeking help (Saying ‘Ya Ali Madad’), use of Wasila (Shirk and Wasila), distributing sustenance and creation via miracles (Raziq o Khaliq) and present and watching (‘Hazir o Nazir’) –attributed to ‘Wali Allah’ (Appointed Guardians – from Allah^-azwj), and ‘Ghair Allah’ (who are and who are not) have already been presented, see the links below:

http://hubeali.com/articles/SayingYaAli_asws_Madad.pdf

http://hubeali.com/articles/Shirk-and-Wasila-20101.pdf

http://hubeali.com/articles/Raziq_O_Khaliq.pdf

http://hubeali.com/articles/Hazir-o-Nazir-from-Quran.pdf

http://hubeali.com/articles/GhairAllah_Who_are_and_Who_Arent.pdf

The ‘Ghair Allah’, in particular, is a quite complex topic, as it is used in two meanings – ‘لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ’ for seeking Wasila (intercession) of those who are not Appointed by Allah^-azwj, i.e., man-made idols, fake imams, but excluding those who are Nominated by Allah^-azwj as a Door/Path to Him^-azwj, i.e., Infallible Prophet^-asand Imams^-asws. The second meanings of ‘لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ’ would apply when it comes to the Self of Allah ‘‘ذَاتِ اللَّهِ’’, here ‘لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ’ would mean ‘not Allah’, i.e., the word ‘Allah’ is ‘لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ’ – not Allah^-azwj’s Self.

In this short article, we try to better understand, from the Book and Ahadith, the general practices of asking for needs (when supplicating) to Allah^-azwj and His^-azwj Appointed Walis^-asws, as the Muslim community is highly divided regarding its scope, falling into the following three categories:

Beseeching and pleading (directly) to Allah^-azwj;
Supplicating to Allah^-azwj through the rights (Bay-Haqqay/Wasita) of Muhammad^-saww wa Alay Muhammad^-asws;
Asking for needs from Masomeen^-asws, as a Wasila (intermediary) e.g., while visiting their^-asws Holy Shrines, as well as when far away from their^-asws holy shrines.

Those Muslims belonging to (1) usually, confine their prayers, as per a Holy Verse of Sura-e-Alhamd (1:5)‘إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ’ ‘You (alone) we worship; You (alone) we ask for help’. They overlook all those Verses of the Holy Quran which allow for the help through intercessors Appointed by Allah^-azwj (e.g., 5:35, 21:28, 2:255, 20:109). These Verses emphasise the ‘Wasila’ which is Allowed by Allah^-azwj and denounce the use of any man-made Wasila (which is classified as Shirk). Muslims belonging to (1) would consider supplications of believers from (2-3) as ‘Shirk’ and would even try to stop them, where possible[1], from asking needs through ‘Wasila’.

Those Muslims who fall into the (2) kind, believe that we must direct our supplications to Allah^-azwj, however, may also plead to Allah^-azwj through the rights of ‘Muhammad^-saww wa Allay Muhammad^-asws’ (Prophet^-saww and his Holy Progeny^-asws). They would be supplicating either directly to Allah^-azwj as per the (1) or through the rights of Muhammad^-saww and his^-saww pure progeny, e.g., (O Allah^-azwj I^-as ask You^-azwjthrough the rights of Muhammad^-saww). There are many Ahadith which recommend asking for needs through the rights of Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws, for example:

بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلِيٍّ وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ

For the ‘Rights’ of Muhammad^-saww and Ali^-asws and Fatima^-asws and Al-Hassan^-asws and Al-Hussain^-asws. [2]

The Muslims with beliefs of (2) restrict the scope of their supplications to (1-2) and will deem the way of supplicating of the (3) as illicit and Shirk in Islam.

Those believers who are characterised into the (3) type, believe that the scope of the ‘Wasila’ is broader than the constraints drawn upon it by the (1-2) and one may also ask for needs from those who are ‘Designated’ by Allah^-azwj as a Messenger to bring prayers to Allah^-azwj.

They (3) believe that the ones ‘Designated by Allah’ are ‘Hazir o Nazir’ (are present and listen to our supplication and give as treasures of Allah^-azwj’s Will). An example of this doctrine is that Allah^-azwj Delivered some Messages to the Prophet^-saww sometimes directly on his^-saww Heart as well as through Angel Gabriel^-as. Likewise, Prophet Muhammad^-saww communicated to Allah^-azwj directly or asked Angel Gabriel^-as to convey his^-saww greetings to Allah^-azwj as and when deemed the most appropriate choice. For example, Allah^-azwj Says:

إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا ۖ وَإِنْ تَظَاهَرَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ مَوْلَاهُ وَجِبْرِيلُ وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ ظَهِيرٌ {466:}

If you both repent to Allah, then He has Inclined both your hearts, and if you back each other against him, then surely Allah, He is his Guardian, and (so are) Jibraeel and ‘وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ’ the corrector of the Momineen; and the Angels after that are backers [66:4]

In the above Holy Verse, Allah^-azwj Reveals who are the Authorised Guardians (Moula) to whom one can turn to for assistance. We learn from Rasool-Allah^-saww about the ‘وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ’ from the following Hadith:

و عنه، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن إدريس، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن ابن فضال، عن أبي جميلة، عن محمد الحلبي، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام)، قال: «إن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله) عرف أصحابه أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) مرتين، و ذلك أنه قال لهم: أ تدرون من وليكم من بعدي؟ قالوا: الله و رسوله أعلم،

And from him, from Ahmad Bin Idrees, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Isa, from Ibn Fazaal, from Abu Jameela, from Muhammad Al-Halby,

‘Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘Rasool-Allah^-saww introduced Amir-al-Momineen^-asws to his^-saww companions twice, and then (first) he^-saww said to them: ‘Do you know the one^-asws who is your guardian from after me^-saww?’ They said, ‘Allah^-azwj and His^-azwj Rasool^-saww know’.

قال: فإن الله تبارك و تعالى قد قال: فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ مَوْلاهُ وَ جِبْرِيلُ وَ صالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، يعني أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)، و هو وليكم بعدي.

He^-saww said: ‘So Allah^-azwj, Blessed and Exalted has Said: then surely Allah, He is his Guardian, and (so is) Jibraeel and the corrector of the Momineen [66:4], Meaning Amir-al-Momineen^-asws, and he^-asws is your guardian after me^-saww’.

و المرة الثانية يوم غدير خم حين قال: من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه».

And the second time was on the Day of Ghadeer Khumm where he^-saww said: ‘The one whom I^-saww was the Master of, so Ali^-asws is his Master’’.[3]

In the following Holy Verse, Allah^-azwj Asks believers to seek forgiveness from Allah^-azwj and from the Rasool-Allah^-saww:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَحِيمًا {644:}

And We did not Send any Rasool but for him to be obeyed by the Permission of Allah; and had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and sought Forgiveness of Allah and the Rasool had (also) sought Forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-turning (to Mercy), Merciful [4:64]

Also the sons of Prophet Jacob^-as (Yaqoob) said to their father^-as to seek forgiveness for them, as Allah^-azwj narrates in the Holy Quran:

قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا اسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا خَاطِئِينَ {97}

They said, ‘O our father! Seek Forgiveness for us for our sins, surely we were erroneous’ [12:97].

Following this, as per several Ahadith, Prophet Muhammad^-saww and Imam Ali^-asws, are the fathers of the believers[4], e.g., Imam Muhammad^-asws Bin Ali^-asws Bin Musa^-asws says:

قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً وَ عَلِيّاً مُعْطِيَاكَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمَا مَا تُعْطِيهِمَا أَنْتَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ

Muhammad^-asws Bin Ali^-asws said: ‘There is no doubt that Muhammad^-saww and Ali^-asws would give you what you give to them^-asws from yourself[5].

And in another Hadith:

وَ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ ع‏ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ وَالِدَا دِينِهِ مُحَمَّدٌ وَ عَلِيٌّ أَكْرَمَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدَيْ نَسَبِهِ‏ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ فِي حِلٍّ وَ لَا حَرَامٍ وَ لَا قَلِيلٍ وَ لَا كَثِيرٍ.

And Ali^-asws Bin Muhammad^-asws said: ‘The one who does not happen to be more honouring to the two fathers of his Religion, Muhammad^-saww and Ali^-asws, than his own parents, so he isn’t from Allah^-azwj in a Permissible, nor in a Prohibited, nor little, nor more’.[6]

The believers of today are the orphans of Ahl Al-Bayt – in a hadith because they cannot see the Imam^-ajfj of their time.[7] (Hadith is given in footnote 7)

We draw our readers’ attention to the famous supplication of Rasool Allah, as per the instructions of Allah^-azwj, to Call upon Ali^-asws in your need for help – the supplication of ‘Nad e Ali’ which has a very broad scope and can be recited under any difficult and distressed instant.

(Allah^-azwj Instructed His Prophet^-saww): ‘Call Ali^-asws who manifests wonders, you will find assistance for yourself in the difficulties. Every sorrow and worry will be removed, by your^-aswsWilayah, O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws!’’ [8] [9]

Finally, we find in many Ahadith that there are abundant supplications similar to Nad e Ali, where we direct our supplications directly to the Masomeen^-asws. Some of those are cited here. For example we recite:

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يَا غَوْثِي يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَا غَوْثِي يَا فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَغِثْنِي أَغِثْنِي

(I take refuge) O Rasool-Allah^-saww, O my succour (support), O Amir-ul-Momineen^-asws, O my succour, O Fatima^-asws, daughter of Rasool-Allah^-saww, help me (an extract).[10]

In the following sections, further Holy Verses and Ahadith are presented in order to prove the legitimacy of the beliefs of (3) – in that one can ask for one’s needs from Allah^-azwj, through the rights of Muhammad^-saww and Aly Muhammad^-asws as well as from Muhammad^-saww and Aly Muhammad^-asws.

Introduction:

We start with the following Holy Verse where Allah^-azwjSays, Pray to Me^-azwj and I^-azwj will Answer you.

Allah^-azwj Says: Supplicate to Me, and I^-azwj will Answer to you.

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ {6040:}

And your Lord says: “Supplicate to Me, I will Answer you. Surely those who are too arrogant from worshipping Me would be entering Hell disgraced [40:60]

قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ حَدَّثَنَا الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ الْمَالِكِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ نُعْمَانَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَكِلْنَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِنَا وَ لَوْ وَكَلَنَا إِلَى‏ أَنْفُسِنَا لَكُنَّا كَبَعْضِ‏ النَّاسِ‏ وَ لَكِنْ نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَنَا ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ‏.

Muhammad Bin Al-Abbas from Al-Husayn Bin Ahmad Al-Maliky, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Yunus Bin Abdul Rahman, from Muhammad Bin Sinan, from Muhammad Bin Al-No’man who said,

‘I heard Abu Abdullah^-asws saying: ‘Allah^-azwj Mighty and Majestic did not Leave us^-asws to ourselves^-asws, and had He^-azwj Left us^-asws to ourselves^-asws, we^-azwj would be like the other people. But, we^-asws are the ones for whom Allah^-azwj Mighty and Majestic Says “Supplicate to Me, I will Answer you [40:60]’.[11]

Therefore, as per their^-asws Sunnah and depending on the conditions, one may direct his supplications to Allah^-azwj. For example:

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ‏ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِ مِنَ‏ الشَّيْطَانِ‏ الرَّجِيمِ‏ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيم‏

Imam Abu Muhammad Al-Hassan^-asws said: to say before reading the Quran:

I seek refuge with Allah^-azwj Who is the all Hearing, the all Knowing, (Who Protects) from the accursed Satan.’ In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.^[12]

Or one can pray to Allah^-azwj through the Wasita (Rights) of Masomeen^-asws, yes, one can, we take an example below:

Praying to Allah^-azwj, through the Rights (Wasita) of Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَتْ ذُنُوبِي قَدْ أَخْلَقَتْ وَجْهِي عِنْدَكَ فَإِنِّي أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّكَ نَبِيِّ الرَّحْمَةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ عَلِيٍّ وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ (عليهم السلام)»

‘Our Allah^-azwj! If there were sins upon me, so I have bowed my face in Your^-azwj Presence. So I divert myself to You^-azwj by Your^-azwj Prophet^-saww, a Prophet^-saww of Mercy, and Ali^-asws, and Fatima^-asws, and Al-Hassan^-asws, and Al-Hussain^-asws, and the Imams^-asws’.[13]

Also:

Rasool-Allah^-saww said: that the ‘الْكَلِمَاتِ’ (Words) which Prophet Adam^-as was taught by Allah^-azwj and through those ‘الْكَلِمَاتِ’ his^-asrepentance was accepted were (O Allah^-azwj I^-as ask You^-azwj):

بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلِيٍّ وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ

For the Rights of Muhammad^-saww and Ali^-asws and Fatima^-asws and Al-Hassan^-asws and Al-Hussain^-asws. [14]

Praying to Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws – as Intermediary (Wasila):

We have seen above that we call upon Allah^-azwj to fulfil our needs, we also supplicate to Allah^-azwj through the rights of Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws.

Can we supplicate to Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws for right of Allah^-azwj? Of course we do and there are several examples where we supplicate to them^-asws as they^-asws are the Appointed Guardians of Allah^-azwj. Below we start with a Holy Verse:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ {355:}

O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek ‘الْوَسِيلَةَ’ (the intermediary) to Him and strive hard in His Way, perhaps you would be successful [5:35]

Additional Holy Verses related to Wasila are given in Appendix I, and those Holy Verses forbidding Self-Made ‘Wasila’ are included in Appendix II.

When we perform the Ziyarah of Rasool-Allah^-saww either at the holy grave or from afar, we recite:

وَ إِنِّي أَتَيْتُ نَبِيَّكَ مُسْتَغْفِراً تَائِباً مِنْ ذُنُوبِي- وَ إِنِّي أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّكَ نَبِيِّ الرَّحْمَةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص

(O Allah^-azwj) And I have come to Your Prophet^-saww, repenting and asking for forgiveness for my sins, and I have turned to You^-azwj through Your^-azwj Prophet^-saww, the Prophet^-saww of Mercy, Muhammad^-saww (as a Wasilla to reach out to You^-azwj)

And we then recite:

يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّي وَ رَبِّكَ بِكَ لِيَغْفِرَ لِي ذُنُوبِي

‏O Muhammad^-saww! I am turning to you^-saww for (the sake of) Allah^-azwj, your Lord^-azwj and mine, through you^-saww, so that He^-azwj may forgive my sins.

وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَ حَاجَةٌ- فَاجْعَلْ قَبْرَ النَّبِيِّ ص خَلْفَ كَتِفَيْكَ وَ اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ ارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ وَ اسْأَلْ حَاجَتَكَ فَإِنَّكَ أَحْرَى أَنْ تُقْضَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‏

Then Imam^-asws said: If you have a request, turn to grave of the Prophet^-saww, behind your (left) shoulders (and) face the Qiblah, raise your hands and ask for your request. If you do this then there is more likely that your prayer is heard In-Sha Allah.[15]

In the above Ziyarah we learn that the intercession is used in both ways; reaching out to Allah^-azwj through the rights of Rasool-Allah^-saww, as well as reaching out to Muhammad^-saww through the Rights of Allah^-azwj.

Rasool-Allah^-saww says, we^-asws give to him who asks from us^-asws:

A poor ‘believer’ came to Rasool-Allah^-saww and asked for assistance, Rasool-Allah^-saww said: I^-saww can give (some monies) to you but you better go out and try to find work for yourself.

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَسَدِيِّ عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ مُكْرَمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ اشْتَدَّتْ حَالُ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ لَوْ أَتَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَجَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَلَمَّا رَآهُ النَّبِيُّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) قَالَ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Al Husayn, from Abdul Rahman Bin Muhammad Al Asady, from Alim Bin Mukram,

(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘The (financial) state of a man from the companions of the Prophet^-saww became difficult, so his wife said to him, ‘If only you would go to Rasool-Allah^-saww and ask him^-saww’. So he came over to the Prophet^-saww. So when the Prophet^-saww saw him, said: ‘The one who asks us^-saww, we^-saww give to him, but the one who manages without (asking), Allah^-azwj would Enrich him’.

فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ مَا يَعْنِي غَيْرِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فَأَعْلَمَهَا فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) بَشَرٌ فَأَعْلِمْهُ فَأَتَاهُ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) قَالَ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ حَتَّى فَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثاً

So the man said, ‘He^-saww did not mean anyone apart from me’. So he returned to his wife and let her know. So she said ‘Rasool-Allah^-saww is a ‘Bashr’ (person), so let him^-saww know of it’. So he went over to him^-saww. So when Rasool-Allah^-saww saw him, he^-saww said: ‘The one who asks us^-saww, we^-saww give to him, and the one who manages without (asking), Allah^-azwj would Enrich him’, to the extent that the man did that three times.

ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ الرَّجُلُ فَاسْتَعَارَ مِعْوَلًا ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجَبَلَ فَصَعِدَهُ فَقَطَعَ حَطَباً ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِهِ فَبَاعَهُ بِنِصْفِ مُدٍّ مِنْ دَقِيقٍ فَرَجَعَ بِهِ فَأَكَلَهُ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ مِنَ الْغَدِ فَجَاءَ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَبَاعَهُ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يَعْمَلُ وَ يَجْمَعُ حَتَّى اشْتَرَى مِعْوَلًا ثُمَّ جَمَعَ حَتَّى اشْتَرَى بَكْرَيْنِ وَ غُلَاماً ثُمَّ أَثْرَى حَتَّى أَيْسَرَ

Then the man went away, and he borrowed a pick-axe, then went to the mountain and ascended it, and cut some firewood. Then he came with it and sold it for half a Mudd (750 gms.) of flour and he returned with it. So he ate it, then went (again) the next day and came with a lot of that, and he sold it. So he did not cease working and gathering (money) until he bought a pick-axe. Then he gathered (money) until he bought two young camels and a slave. Then he was enriched to the extent that he was affluent.

فَجَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَأَعْلَمَهُ كَيْفَ جَاءَ يَسْأَلُهُ وَ كَيْفَ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) قُلْتُ لَكَ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ .

So he came over to the Prophet^-saww and let him^-saww know how he had come to ask him, and how the Prophet^-saww made him hear (the advice). So the Prophet^-saww said: ‘I^-saww told you, the one who asks us^-saww, we give it to him, but the one who manages (without asking), Allah^-azwj would Enrich him’’.^[16]

Amir ul-Momineen^-asws Cures and the Revives the dead:

In a similar way, Amir ul-Momineen^-asws would fulfil the needs of the people, when asked, Rasool-Allah^-saww said: I fear if I^-saww reveal the miraculous traits and merits of Ali^-asws, people may start calling him^-asws, ‘lord’, as people call Isa^-as upon observing the miracles from him^-as (i.e., healing the incurables, reviving the dead) – Hence, Rasool-Allah^-saww, did not reveal to people those God Given Powers of Amir ul-Momineen^-asws.

فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ يَقُولُ: لَوْ لَا أَنْ يَقُولَ فِيكَ الْغَالُونَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مَا قَالَتِ النَّصَارَى فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ لَقُلْتُ‏ فِيكَ قَوْلًا لَا تَمُرُّ بِمَلَإٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا أَخَذُوا التُّرَابَ مِنْ تَحْتِ قَدَمَيْكَ‏ يَسْتَشْفُونَ بِهِ.

And – I^-asws heard Rasool-Allah^-saww saying: ‘Had it not been that the exaggerators from my^-saww community would be speaking regarding you^-asws what the Christians said regarding Isa^-as Bin Maryam^-as, I^-saww would have said such words regarding you^-asws, not assembly would have passed by you^-asws except they would have taken the dust from your^-asws feet to be healed by it’.[17]

Imam^-asws Supplicates to Syeda^-asws Bint e Muhammad^-saww for Cure:

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَوْهَرِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عليه السلام) قَالَ قَالَ لِي إِنِّي لَمَوْعُوكٌ مُنْذُ سَبْعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَ لَقَدْ وُعِكَ ابْنِي اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ شَهْراً وَ هِيَ تَضَاعَفُ عَلَيْنَا أَ شَعَرْتَ أَنَّهَا لَا تَأْخُذُ فِي الْجَسَدِ كُلِّهِ وَ رُبَّمَا أَخَذَتْ فِي أَعْلَى الْجَسَدِ وَ لَمْ تَأْخُذْ فِي أَسْفَلِهِ وَ رُبَّمَا أَخَذَتْ فِي أَسْفَلِهِ وَ لَمْ تَأْخُذْ فِي أَعْلَى الْجَسَدِ كُلِّهِ

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad bin Muhammad Bin Isa, from Al-Husayn Bin Saeed, from Al-Qasim Bin Muhammad Al-Jowhary, from Ali Bin Abu Hamza, who has said:

Abu Ibrahim^-asws (Imam Musa e Kazim^-asws) having said to me: ‘I^-asws have had fever for seven months and my^-asws son has had fever for twelve months and it has been increasing for us. I^-asws feel that it does not affect the whole body. Sometimes it affects in the upper part of the body and does not affect in the lower of it, and sometimes it affects in the lower part of it and does not affect in all of the upper body’.

قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنْ أَذِنْتَ لِي حَدَّثْتُكَ بِحَدِيثٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ جَدِّكَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ إِذَا وُعِكَ اسْتَعَانَ بِالْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ فَيَكُونُ لَهُ ثَوْبَانِ ثَوْبٌ فِي الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ وَ ثَوْبٌ عَلَى جَسَدِهِ يُرَاوِحُ بَيْنَهُمَا ثُمَّ يُنَادِي حَتَّى يُسْمَعَ صَوْتُهُ عَلَى بَابِ الدَّارِ يَا فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ صَدَقْتَ

I said, ‘May I be sacrificed for you. If you^-asws allow me, I would narrate to you^-asws a Hadeeth from Abu Baseer from your^-asws grandfather^-asws when he^-asws had fever, he^-asws sought help by the cold water. So he^-asws would take two pieces of cloth, one immerse it in the cold water and one on the body and rotate between them. Then he^-asws would call out until his^-asws voice would be heard at the door of the house;

‘يَا فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ’ ‘O Fatima^-asws daughter^-asws of the Muhammad^-saww’.

He^-asws said: ‘You have spoken the truth’.

قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا وَجَدْتُمْ لِلْحُمَّى عِنْدَكُمْ دَوَاءً فَقَالَ مَا وَجَدْنَا لَهَا عِنْدَنَا دَوَاءً إِلَّا الدُّعَاءَ وَ الْمَاءَ الْبَارِدَ إِنِّي اشْتَكَيْتُ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بِطَبِيبٍ لَهُ فَجَاءَنِي بِدَوَاءٍ فِيهِ قَيْ‏ءٌ فَأَبَيْتُ أَنْ أَشْرَبَهُ لِأَنِّي إِذَا قَيَيْتُ زَالَ كُلُّ مَفْصِلٍ مِنِّي.

I said, ‘May I be sacrificed for you^-asws. Have you^-asws not found a cure for the fever?’ So he^-asws said: ‘We^-asws have not found a cure for it except for the supplication and the cold water. I^-asws complained of it, so Muhammad Bin Ibrahim sent a doctor to me for it. So he came to me^-asws with a medicine which made me^-asws vomit, so I refused to drink it, because if I vomit, all of my^-asws joints hurt’.[18]

Supplicating to Allah^-azwj as well as to Masomeen^-asws:

عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى الطَّبَرِيُّ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْبَرْقِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ السِّنَانِيِّ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: شَكَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا إِلَى‏ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع شَكَاةَ أَهْلِهِ مِنَ النَّظْرَةِ وَ الْعَيْنِ وَ الْبَطْنِ وَ السُّرَّةِ وَ وَجَعِ الرَّأْسِ وَ الشَّقِيقَةِ وَ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ لَا تَزَالُ سَاهِرَةً تُصْبِحُ اللَّيْلَ أَجْمَعَ وَ أَنَا فِي جَهْدٍ مِنْ بُكَائِهَا وَ صُرَاخِهَا فَمُنَّ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَيْهَا بِعُوذَةٍ فَقَالَ الصَّادِقُ ع إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الْفَرِيضَةَ فَابْسُطْ يَدَيْكَ جَمِيعاً إِلَى السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ قُلْ بِخُشُوعٍ وَ اسْتِكَانَةٍ.

Abd Allah Ibn Musa Al-Tabari narrated from Mohammed Ibn Ismail Ibn Mohammed Ibn Khalid Al-Barqi, from Mohammed Ibn Sinan Al-Sinani, from Al-Mufaddal Ibn Umar, who says:

One of our brothers complained to Abu Abdullah^-asws of his wife who was afflicted with the evil eye (Al-nazar wa Al-ayn), ailments of the belly and navel, pain in the head, and migraine. The man said: O son of Rasool Allah, she is still sleepless, and cries out all night. I am in distress for her crying and shrieking, so favour us and her with an invocation. Al-Sadiq^-asws said: When you have performed the obligatory Salat (prayer), stretch out your hands together to the Heavens and say humbly and submissively:

أَعُوذُ بِجَلَالِكَ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ وَ بَهَائِكَ وَ سُلْطَانِكَ مِمَّا أَجِدُ يَا غَوْثِي يَا اللَّهُ يَا غَوْثِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يَا غَوْثِي يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَا غَوْثِي يَا فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَغِثْنِي أَغِثْنِي

I take refuge in Your Sublimity, Your Power, Your Magnificence, and Your Sovereignty, from What I suffer. O my Succour, O Allah^-azwj, O my succour, O Rasool-Allah^-saww, O my succour, O Amir-ul-Momineen^-asws, O my succour, O Fatima^-asws, daughter of Rasool-Allah^-saww, help me.

ثُمَّ امْسَحْ بِيَدِكَ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى هَامَتِكَ وَ تَقُولُ

Then pass your right hand over your head (al-hama) and say:

يَا مَنْ سَكَنَ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ سَكِّنْ مَا بِي بِقُوَّتِكَ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ سَكِّنْ مَا بِي

O He^-azwj in Whose trust is what is in the Heavens and what is in the earth calm what is in me by Your^-azwj Strength and Your^-azwj Power; Bless Muhammad^-saww and his^-saww family^-asws and calm what is in me.[19]

Quran Says: Allah^-azwj Awards and so do the Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا مَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَرَسُولُهُ إِنَّا إِلَى اللَّهِ رَاغِبُونَ {599:}

And if only they had been pleased with what Allah and His Rasool gave them, and they should be saying: ‘Allah is Sufficient for us; Allah will soon Give us from His Grace and (so would) His Rasool; surely to Allah do we are hoping’ [9:59]

In another Verse, Allah^-azwj Says:

يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ مَا قَالُوا وَلَقَدْ قَالُوا كَلِمَةَ الْكُفْرِ وَكَفَرُوا بَعْدَ إِسْلَامِهِمْ وَهَمُّوا بِمَا لَمْ يَنَالُوا ۚ وَمَا نَقَمُوا إِلَّا أَنْ أَغْنَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۚ فَإِنْ يَتُوبُوا يَكُ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ يَتَوَلَّوْا يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللَّهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ {749:}

They are swearing by Allah that they did not say it, and they have said the word of Kufr, and they committed Kufr after their Islam and they planned with what they could not attain; and they hated except if Allah and His Rasool was to Enrich them from His Grace. So if they were to repent, it would be better for them, and if they turn back, Allah would Punish them with a painful Punishment in the world and the Hereafter; and there isn’t for them in the earth from a guardian, nor a helper [9:74]

Also Allah^-azwj Says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ {153}

O you those who are believing! And seek assistance with the patience and the Salat; surely Allah is with the patient ones [2:153]

Amir ul-Momineen Ali^-asws Ibn Abi Talib^-asws says in a sermon:

يا سلمان قال اللّه تعالى: وَ اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الصَّلاةِ فالصبر محمد، و الصلاة ولايتي

O Salman: (the meaning of what) Allah^-azwj Says: And seek assistance from the patience and Al-Salat, the patient is Muhammad^-saww and the Al-Salat is my^-asws Wilayah (guardianship).[20]

Masomeen^-asws help Allah^-azwj:

Allah^-azwj Helps everyone, but can Allah^-azwj be Helped – with the ability which He^-azwj has Bestowed upon His^-azwj Servants – this means offering services in the Way and Cause of Allah^-azwj.

Allah^-azwj Says:

وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ {4022:}

And Allah will Help the one who Helps him, surely Allah is Strong, Mighty [22:40]

Also in another Verse, Allah^-azwj Says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ {747:}

O you those who believe! If you help Allah, He will Help you and Affirm your feet [47:7].

Allah^-azwj is Pleased with those who lend Him^-azwj, see the Holy Verse (2:245) in the footnote.[21]

Imam Hussain^-asws and Martyrs of Karbala Helped Allah^-azwj:

We recite in the Ziyarah of Imam Hussain^-asws, as taught by Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws:

ثُمَّ تَأْتِي قُبُورَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ تُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ تَقُولُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ أَنْتُمْ لَنَا فَرَطٌ وَ نَحْنُ لَكُمْ تَبَعٌ وَ نَحْنُ لَكُمْ خَلَفٌ وَ أَنْصَارٌ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ أَنْصَارُ اللَّهِ وَ سَادَةُ الشُّهَدَاءِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَنْصَارُ اللَّهِ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ كَأَيِّنْ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ قاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَما وَهَنُوا لِما أَصابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ ما ضَعُفُوا وَ مَا اسْتَكانُوا وَ مَا ضَعُفْتُمْ وَ مَا اسْتَكَنْتُمْ حَتَّى لَقِيتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَى سَبِيلِ الْحَقِّ وَ نُصْرَةِ كَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ

Then go to the graves of the martyrs and greet upon them, and you should be saying, ‘The greetings be upon you, O Rabbis. You all preceded us and we are following you, and we are behind you and are your helpers. I testify that you are the helpers of Allah^-azwj, and chiefs of the martyrs in the world and the Hereafter, you all helped Allah^-azwj – just as Allah^-azwj Said:

And how many a Prophet has fought with whom were many battalions; so they did not languish due to what befell them in the Way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor did they give up; and Allah Loves the patient [3:146] – you were neither weak nor calmed down until you met Allah^-azwj upon the way of the Truth, and helped the Perfect Word of Allah^-azwj – (an extract) [22]

Therefore, if Rasool-Allah^-saww, for example, is going to help a believer, that would be the Deed of Allah^-azwj. To elaborate this, we present a Holy Verse below and some Ahadith in its interpretation:

Amir ul-Momineen^-asws encouraged his soldiers to help Allah^-azwj:

وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَمْقَتَ قَوْماً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ هَلَكُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَا تَأْلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ خَيْراً وَ لَا الْجُنْدَ حُسْنَ سِيرَةٍ وَ لَا الرَّعِيَّةَ مَعُونَةً وَ لَا دِينَ اللَّهِ قُوَّةً وَ أَبْلُوهُ فِي سَبِيلِهِ مَا اسْتَوْجَبَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدِ اصْطَنَعَ عِنْدَنَا وَ عِنْدَكُمْ مَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَشْكُرَهُ بِجُهْدِنَا وَ أَنْ نَنْصُرَهُ مَا بَلَغَتْ قُوَّتُنَا وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ.

(Amir ul-Momineenasws said:) And when Allah^-azwj Detests a people from the sky, they get destroyed in the earth, so do not think of yourselves as good, and the army being of good manners, nor the citizens as helpers, nor the Religion of Allah^-azwj as strength, and carry it out in His^-azwj Way what is obligated upon you all, for Allah^-azwj has Empowered with us and you all what is obligated upon us that we thank Him^-azwj by our struggles, and we should help Him^-azwj for what our strength reaches, and there is neither might nor strength except with Allah^-azwj’’.(an extract)[23]

وَ أَنْ يَنْصُرَ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ بِيَدِهِ وَ قَلْبِهِ وَ لِسَانِهِ فَإِنَّهُ جَلَّ اسْمُهُ قَدْ تَكَفَّلَ بِنَصْرِ مَنْ نَصَرَهُ وَ إِعْزَازِ مَنْ أَعَزَّهُ

(Amir Al-Momineen^-asws wrote to Al-Ashtar when sent him as a ruler over them): ‘From a servant of Allah^-azwj, to the people And that he should help Allah^-azwj Glorious by his hands, and his heart, and his tongue for He^-azwj, Majestic is His^-azwj Name has Guaranteed to Help the one who helps Him^-azwj, and Honour the one who honours Him^-azwj. And the abundant greetings be upon His^-azwj Rasool^-saww and his^-saww Progeny^-asws, and submissive submission’’. (an extract)[24]

Allah^-azwj Calls Rasool-Allah^-saww’s deeds as His^-azwj Deed:

فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ وَلِيُبْلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْهُ بَلَاءً حَسَنًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ {17}

So you did not kill them but Allah Killed them, and you did not throw when you threw, but Allah Threw, and to Try the Momineen from it with a good trial. Surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing [8:17]

عن عمرو بن أبي المقدام، عن علي بن الحسين (عليه السلام)، قال: «ناول رسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله) علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السلام) قبضة من تراب التي رمى بها في وجوه المشركين، فقال الله: وَ ما رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمى».

From Amro Bin Abu Al Maqdaam,

(It has been narrated) from Ali^-asws Bin Al-Hussain^-asws having said: ‘Rasool-Allah^-saww handed over to Ali^-asws Bin Abu Talib^-asws a handful from the sand with which to throw upon the faces of the Mushrikeen, so Allah^-azwj Said: and you did not threw when you threw, but Allah Threw [8:17]’.[25]

الطبرسي في (الاحتجاج): عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)، في قوله تعالى: فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ وَ ما رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمى: «سمى فعل النبي (صلى الله عليه و آله) فعلا له، ألا ترى تأويله على غير تنزيله».

Al Tabarsy in Al Ihtijaj –

‘From Amir Al-Momineen^-asws (said) regarding His^-azwj Words: So you did not kill them but Allah Killed them, and you did not threw when you threw, but Allah Threw [8:17]: ‘He^-azwj Named the deed of the Prophet^-saww as being His^-azwj deed. Do you not see that its explanation is upon other than its Revelation?’[26]

Can one ask for Rizq from Allah^-azwj as well as from Masomeen^-asws?

Here we present a Hadith from Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws, when Abu Hanifa objected to him^-asws for thanking Rasool-Allah^-saww along with Allah^-azwj after eating food.

كَنْزُ الْفَوَائِدِ لِلْكَرَاجُكِيِّ ذَكَرَ أَنَّ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ أَكَلَ طَعَاماً مَعَ الْإِمَامِ الصَّادِقِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَلَمَّا رَفَعَ ع يَدَهُ مِنْ أَكْلِهِ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا مِنْكَ وَ مِنْ رَسُولِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَ جَعَلْتَ مَعَ اللَّهِ شَرِيكاً فَقَالَ لَهُ وَيْلَكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ ما نَقَمُوا إِلَّا أَنْ أَغْناهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَ يَقُولُ فِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَرَ وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ قالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَ رَسُولُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ وَ اللَّهِ لَكَأَنِّي مَا قَرَأْتُهُمَا قَطُّ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ لَا سَمِعْتُهُمَا إِلَّا فِي هَذَا الْوَقْتِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَلَى قَدْ قَرَأْتَهُمَا وَ سَمِعْتَهُمَا وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَنْزَلَ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَشْبَاهِكَ أَمْ عَلى‏ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفالُها وَ قَالَ كَلَّا بَلْ رانَ عَلى‏ قُلُوبِهِمْ ما كانُوا يَكْسِبُون^[27]

It is written in Kanzul Fawaid by Karajaki that once Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws was eating food with Abu Hanifa and after finishing, Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws expressed gratitude like this: “I thank Allah^-azwj who is the Sustainer of all worlds, O Allah^-azwj this was a blessing from You^-azwj as well as from Your Prophet^-saww.”

Upon hearing this Abu Hanifa said: “O Abu Abdullah^-asws! You have include ‘someone else’ along with Allah^-azwj.”

Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws replied: “Be Careful! Allah^-azwj Says in His Book(9:59)^[28]: “If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger had gave them, and had said, “Sufficient unto us is Allah! Allah and His Messenger will soon give us out of their Kindness:

And at another place Allah^-azwj Says (9:74)^[29]: “……And they only stayed in opposition because Allah and His Messenger enriched them out of His grace…..;.

After listening to these Verses from Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws, Abu Hanifa said: “By Allah^-azwj! It seems I have never read or heard someone reciting these Verses of the Holy Quran before.”

Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws said: “No, it’s not like this! You have not only heard these Verses before but also have read them. However, Allah^-azwj Says for you and people like you (47:24): “Will they then not meditate on the Qur’an, or are there locks on the hearts?” and Says (83:14)^[30]: “Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts.[31]

One Supplicates to Imam Hussain^-asws when Bidding Farewell:

A ‘Zair’ (visitor) recites the following words of a Hadith, in Karbala, when bidding farewell to Imam Hussain^-asws:

أَتَيْتُكَ يَا حَبِيبَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ ابْنَ رَسُولِهِ وَ إِنِّي لَكَ عَارِفٌ وَ بِحَقِّكَ مُقِرٌّ وَ بِفَضْلِكَ مُسْتَبْصِرٌ وَ بِضَلَالَةِ مَنْ خَالَفَكَ مُوقِنٌ عَارِفٌ بِالْهُدَى الَّذِي أَنْتَ عَلَيْهِ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي وَ نَفْسِي

I submit to you^-asws, O love of the Messenger^-saww of Allah^-azwj and the son^-asws of His Messenger^-saww, while I believe in you^-asws (your status), testify your^-asws rights, am endowed with insight into your merits, am certain about the corruption of those who opposed you^-asws, and while I believe in the path of guidance on which you^-asws are. May I sacrifice my father, my mother, and myself for you^-asws (an extract).[32]

A ‘Zair’ (visitor) also says:

أَتَيْتُكَ زَائِراً عَارِفاً بِحَقِّكَ مُعَادِياً لِأَعْدَائِكَ مُوَالِياً لِأَوْلِيَائِكَ- فَاشْفَعْ لِي عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ يَا مَوْلَايَ

I have come to you^-asws to perform your Ziyarah while I believe in your^-asws rights, I am the enemy of your enemies, and I befriend your^-asws friends. Therefore, intercede for me with your Lord, O my master.

أَتَيْتُكَ‏ وَافِداً زَائِراً عَائِذاً مُسْتَجِيراً مِمَّا جَنَيْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ احْتَطَبْتُ عَلَى ظَهْرِي فَكُنْ لِي شَفِيعاً فَإِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مَقَاماً مَعْلُوماً وَ أَنْتَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَجِيهٌ

I have come to your^-asws Ziyarah as your^-asws guest, seeking refuge from my crimes against myself and (from) the weight which I am carrying on my back. Therefore, intercede for me with your Lord^-azwj, for verily you^-asws have a known rank with Allah^-azwj and you^-asws are distinguished with Allah^-azwj.[33]

Additional example of supplications, from Ahadith which a Zair recites at the holy shrines, (extracts) related to our topic, are given in Appendix III.

Masomeen^-asws fulfil our Needs, through the Divine Powers:

أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْبَرْقِيِّ يَرْفَعُهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ اسْمَهُ الْأَعْظَمَ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ حَرْفاً فَأَعْطَى آدَمَ مِنْهَا خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ حَرْفاً وَ أَعْطَى نُوحاً مِنْهَا خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ حَرْفاً وَ أَعْطَى مِنْهَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَحْرُفٍ وَ أَعْطَى مُوسَى مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةَ أَحْرُفٍ وَ أَعْطَى عِيسَى مِنْهَا حَرْفَيْنِ وَ كَانَ يُحْيِي بِهِمَا الْمَوْتَى وَ يُبْرِئُ بِهِمَا الْأَكْمَهَ‏ وَ الْأَبْرَصَ وَ أَعْطَى مُحَمَّداً اثْنَيْنِ وَ سَبْعِينَ‏ حَرْفاً وَ احْتَجَبَ حَرْفاً لِئَلَّا يُعْلَمَ‏ مَا فِي‏ نَفْسِهِ‏ وَ يَعْلَمَ‏ مَا [فِي‏] نَفْسِ‏ الْعِبَادِ.

Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Abu Abdullah Al Barqy, raising it to,

‘Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘Allah^-azwj Mighty and Majestic Made His^-azwj Magnificent Name to be upon seventy-three letters. He^-azwj Gave twenty letters from these to Adam^-as, and twenty-five of these to Noah^-as, and eight of these to Ibrahim^-as, and four of these to Musa^-as, and two of these to Isa^-as, and he^-as used to revive the dead by these two, and cure the blind and the leper, and He^-azwj Gave seventy-two of these to Muhammad^-saww, and Veiled one letter, lest he^-saww would know what is within himself^-saww and what is in the selves of the servants’’.[34]

Reviving of the dead by the Prophets^-as and Imam^-asws:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِنْ ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ لِيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ {2602:}

And when Ibrahim said: ‘Lord! Show me how You Revive the dead’. He said: “Or do you not believe?” He Said: Yes (I am), but to reassure my heart’. He Said: “Then take four of the birds, so incline them towards you. Then place on every mountain a part of them, then call them, they will come to you swiftly; and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise [2:260]

In a lengthy Hadith, (Allah^-azwj told Ibrahim to leave the dead birds on four mountains) So whenever you^-as want that they should come to you^-as, call them with the Great Name (لاسم الأكبر), they would come to you^-as swiftly, by the Permission of Allah^-azwj the Exalted”’ (an extract).[35] Also see the Holy Verses [36:78-79] for further such examples.

Who can be a ‘Wasila’?

There are several Holy Verses (Appendices I-II), where the concept of Wasila is Revealed by Allah^-azwj. However, who can be one’s Wasila and how to recognise them? These are the ones Nominated by Allah^-azwj, i.e., Rasool-Allah^-saww, and those who do not give their opinion but only speak under the Command of Allah^-azwj, (Imams^-asws) as per the following Verse:

لَا يَسْبِقُونَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ {2721:}

They speak not until He had Spoken and they are only acting by His Command [21:27]

Who are ‘Wali’ (Master) Besides Allah^-azwj?

Allah^-azwj Says in the Holy Quran, that Allah^-azwj is Wali/Moula, so is Rasool-Allah^-saww (Wali/Moula), and the One (is Moula) who gave the Zakat while in Ruku (that is Ali^-asws Ibn Abi Talib^-asws, as agreed by all historians that Ali Ibn Abi Talib^-asws gave the ring in Zakat to a beggar while in the Ruku) –Holy Verse 5:55)[36]. And Allah^-azwj Says: When Allah^-azwj and His Rasool^-saww (messenger) have decided an affair (for them) 33:36[37], so no one should dispute that:

Asking Needs and supplicating to those who are present?

All Ahl Al-Bayt^-asws were martyred, one by one, so they^-asws are Alive from that point of view. Holy Quran clearly says, martyrs are not dead, but you don’t realise it.

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ {3:169}

And think not of those who are martyred in the way of Allah as dead but, they are alive being sustained in the Presence of their Lord (3:169).

In the following two Verses Allah^-azwj Says that the martyrs are aware of the affairs of those who they have left behind:

فَرِحِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {1703:} يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {1713:}

Rejoicing in what Allah has Given them from His Grace and they are receiving glad tidings of those whom have yet to join them from the ones they left behind. There would neither be fear upon them nor would they be grieving [3:170]

They would be receiving glad tidings of the Bounties from Allah and Grace, and that Allah will not waste the Recompense of the Momineen [3:171].

Further information can be found in another write-up, please visit:

http://hubeali.com/articles/Hazir-o-Nazir-from-Quran.pdf

Our supplication to the Masomeen^-asws:

We say in Ziarat-e-Imam^-asws:

أنتم نورنا و أنتم جاهنا أوقات صلاتنا و عصمتنا بكم

‘You^-asws are the elevated Noor which is surrounding us when we offer Salat and through you^-asws is our salvation.’[38]

الْبَلَدُ، بَعْدَ أَنْ تَتَوَسَّلَ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى ثُمَّ ضَعْ خَدَّكَ الْأَيْمَنَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ قُلْ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَانِ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَانِ-

(The book) ‘Al Balad’ –

‘After you have sought means through the Prophet^-saww and the Imams^-asws, and in another report, then place your right cheek upon the ground and say one hundred times, ‘O Muhammad^-saww, O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws, O Muhammad^-saww! Suffice me for both of you^-asws are sufficient! Help me, for both of you^-asws are helpers!’

ثُمَّ ضَعْ خَدَّكَ الْأَيْسَرَ وَ قُلْ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي ثُمَّ تَقُولُ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ حَتَّى يَنْقَطِعَ النَّفَسُ.

Then place your left cheek and say one hundred times, ‘Help me! Help me! Help me!’ Then say, ‘The relief! The relief!’ – until the breath is cut’’.[a]

[a] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 87 – The Book Salat – Ch 99 H 6

Masomeen^-asws are the ‘Mashiya Allah’ (the Will of Allah^-azwj), so they^-asws only desire what Allah^-azwj Wishes and in accordance with His^-azwj Will.

Masomeen^-asws only wish What Allah^-azwj Wishes:

Amir ul-Momineen^-asws says: Allah^-azwj is so Elevated and Magnificent that it is inappropriate that He^-azwj would Himself perform such tasks, therefore He^-azwj refers those tasks to Himself^-azwj which are conducted by His angels and His Prophets^-as, on His^-azwj behalf as they act purely on His^-azwj instructions. Thus, Allah^-azwj has Decided to create, among His creations some Angels^-as and Messengers^-as, and for whom Allah^-azwj Says:

Thus a devotee’s soul will be taken away by the kind angels whereas a sinner’s soul is removed by the angels of wrath (22:75).[39] Indeed, the tasks of His^-azwj trustees are His^-azwj tasks. As Allah^-azwj Says:

You would never desire for until and unless Allah wants it (76:30),[40] And Says: Who carried out ‘Amal-ul-Salay’[41] is a Momin[42] (21:94).

(An Extract from a long sermon of Amir-ul-Momineen^-asws, see the complete one http://hubeali.com/articles/Questions-of-Zanadiqa-on-Quran.pdf)[43]

Rasool-Allah^-saww Prayed to Allah^-azwj to Give him a Helper:

In the following Holy Verse, Rasool-Allah^-saww supplicates to Allah^-azwj ‘لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ سُلْطَانًا نَصِيرًا’ to Send from Himself^-azwj a persist helper. It is important to note that Rasool-Allah^-saww supplicated to Allah^-azwjfor a ‘helper’ who would be from Allah^-azwj. And Allah^-azwj Narrates that in the following Verse:

وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَلْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ سُلْطَانًا نَصِيرًا {80}

And say: ‘Lord! Cause me to enter a correct entrance, and Cause me to go (towards an) exit (that is) a correct exit, and Make for me from Yourself a (Divine) Authority, a persistent helper [17:80]

ابن شهر آشوب: من كتاب أبي بكر الشيرازي، قال ابن عباس: وَ قُلْ رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَ أَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ‏ يعني مكة. وَ اجْعَلْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ سُلْطاناً نَصِيراً قال: لقد استجاب الله لنبيه (صلى الله عليه و آله) دعاءه، فأعطاه علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السلام) سلطانا ينصره على أعدائه.

Ibn Shehr Ashub, from the book of Abu Bakr Al Shirazy –

Ibn Abbas said, ‘And say: ‘Lord! Cause me to enter a correct entrance, and Cause me to go exit a correct exit, and Make for me from Yourself a (Divine) Authority, a persistent helper [17:80], said, ‘Allah^-azwj Answered the supplication of His^-azwj Prophet^-saww, so He^-azwj Gave him^-saww Ali^-asws Bin Abu Talib^-asws as a (Divine) Authority to help him^-saww against his^-saww enemies’.[44]

In the rest of the article we will give examples where supplications were made to Masomeen^-asws:

Calling Amir ul-Momineen^-asws for Help (Nad e Ali):

وَ عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ قَالَ: قَالَ لِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ مَدِيحَكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ إِنَّ مَلَكاً اسْمُهُ رِضْوَانُ يُنَادِي لَا سَيْفَ إِلَّا ذُو الْفَقَارِ وَ لَا فَتَى إِلَّا عَلِيٌّ.

And from Ikrimah, from Ali^-aswshaving said: ‘The Prophet^-saww said to me^-aswson the day of Ohad: ‘Are you^-aswsnot hearing your^-aswspraise in the sky? The Angel whose name is Rizwan is calling out: “There is no sword except Zulfiqar and there is no youth (Momin) except Ali^-asws”’.

قَالَ: وَ يُقَالُ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص نُودِيَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ‏

نَادِ عَلِيّاً مَظْهَرَ الْعَجَائِبِ‏		تَجِدْهُ عَوْناً لَكَ فِي النَّوَائِبِ‏
كُلُّ غَمٍّ وَ هَمٍّ سَيَنْجَلِي‏		بِوَلَايَتِكَ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُ‏.

He said, ‘And it is said that the Prophet^-saww called out during this day: ‘Call Ali^-aswsthe manifestor of the wonders, you will find assistance for you in the difficulties. Every sorrow and worry will be removed by your^-aswsWilayah, O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws!’’ [45] [46]

In the famous supplication book, Mafati ul Jinan by Sheikh Abbas Qummi, a longer version of ‘Nad e Ali’, is compiled[47].

A Believers Pleads to Amir ul Momineen^-asws:

فَقَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع: مَرَرْتُ الْبَارِحَةَ بِفُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ الْمُؤْمِنِ، فَوَجَدْتُ فُلَاناً- وَ أَنَا أَتَّهِمُهُ‏ بِالنِّفَاقِ- قَدْ لَازَمَهُ‏ وَ ضَيَّقَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَانِي الْمُؤْمِنُ: يَا أَخَا رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ كَشَّافَ الْكُرَبِ عَنْ وَجْهِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، وَ قَامِعَ أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ عَنْ حَبِيبِهِ، أَغِثْنِي وَ اكْشِفْ كُرْبَتِي، وَ نَجِّنِي مِنْ غَمِّي، سَلْ‏ غَرِيمِي‏ هَذَا لَعَلَّهُ‏ يُجِيبُكَ‏، وَ يُؤَجِّلُنِي، فَإِنِّي مُعْسِرٌ.

Ali^-asws said: ‘Last night I^-asws passed by so and so, son of so and so, the Momin, and I^-asws found so and so – and I^-asws used to accuse him of hypocrisy – to have clung to him (Momin) and straitening upon him. He (Momin) called out to me^-asws, ‘O brother^-asws of Rasool-Allah^-saww and remover of the distress for the face of Rasool-Allah^-saww, and suppressor of the enemies of the Lord^-azwj (who is) from His^-azwj Beloved! (O Ali^-asws) Help me and remove my distress, and rescue me from my grief. Ask this creditor of mine, perhaps he will answer to you^-asws, and he would respite me, for I am insolvent!’’(An extract)[48]

This pleading of a Momin to Amir ul-Momineen Ali^-asws Ibn Abi Talib^-asws, is very similar to that of ‘Nad e Ali’ and neither Ali^-asws nor Imam Hassan Askari^-asws, found anything inappropriate in his asking for help approach.

15213- 4-^[49] وَ فِي الْخِصَالِ بِإِسْنَادِهِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ع فِي‏ حَدِيثِ الْأَرْبَعِمِائَةِ قَالَ: وَ مَنْ ضَلَّ مِنْكُمْ فِي سَفَرٍ أَوْ خَافَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَلْيُنَادِ -.

And in (the book) ‘Al-Khisaal’ – By his chain from Ali^-asws in the four hundred Ahadith, said: ‘And the one from you who gets lost during a journey, or fears upon himself, let him call out,

يَا صَالِحُ أَغِثْنِي‏ فَإِنَّ فِي إِخْوَانِكُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ جِنِّيّاً يُسَمَّى صَالِحاً يَسِيحُ فِي الْبِلَادِ لِمَكَانِكُمْ مُحْتَسِباً نَفْسَهُ لَكُمْ فَإِذَا سَمِعَ الصَّوْتَ أَجَابَ وَ أَرْشَدَ الضَّالَّ مِنْكُمْ وَ حَبَسَ دَابَّتَهُ

‘O Salah (Jinn)! Help me’, for among your brethren from the Jinn there is a Jinn named as ‘Salih’, roaming around in the country to your places, anticipating for himself (in service) of you all. Whenever he hears the voice, he answers and guides the lost ones from you and withholds his animal (from straying)’’.[50]

الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍ‏ أَنَّ رَجُلًا جَاءَ إِلَى التَّقِيِّ ع وَ قَالَ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَبِي قَدْ مَاتَ فَجْأَةً وَ كَانَ لَهُ أَلْفَا دِينَارٍ وَ لَسْتُ أَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ وَ لِي عِيَالٌ كَثِيرٌ

Al-Hassan^-asws Bin Ali^-asws (Al-Askari^-asws): ‘A man came to Al-Taqi^-asws and said, ‘Help me, O son^-asws of Rasool-Allah^-saww, for my father has died suddenly, and there were a thousand Dinars for him and I cannot get to it, and there are a lot of dependants for me’.

فَقَالَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الْعَتَمَةَ فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ لِيُخْبِرَكَ بِهِ

He^-asws said: ‘When you have prayed the night (Al-Isha) Salat, then send Salawaat upon Muhammad^-saww and his^-saww Progeny^-asws one hundred times, for him (your father) to inform you with it’.

فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَأَى أَبَاهُ يُشِيرُ إِلَيْهِ بِالْمَالِ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَهُ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ اذْهَبْ بِهِ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ وَ أَخْبِرْهُ بِقِصَّتِي فَإِنَّهُ أَمَرَنِي بِذَلِكَ

When the man was free from that he saw his father (in a dream) indicating to him (whereabouts) of the wealth. When he took it, he (father) said, ‘O my son! Go with it to the Imam^-asws and inform him^-asws my story, for he^-asws has instructed me with that’. فَلَمَّا انْتَبَهَ الرَّجُلُ أَخَذَ الْمَالَ وَ أَتَى أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَكْرَمَكَ وَ اصْطَفَاكَ‏ When the man woke up, he took the wealth and came to Abu Ja’far^-asws and said, ‘The Praise is for Allah^-azwj Who Honoured you^-asws and Chose you^-asws!’وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ وَ هُوَ إِذْ ذَاكَ خُمَاسِيٌّ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ مَوْتَ وَالِدِهِ.And in a report of Ibn Asbaat – ‘And when that (happened) he (Imam^-asws) was five years old, except that he did not mention the death of his father (Imam Ali Al-Reza^-asws)’.[51]In another lengthy supplication, we recite:

يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ، يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ، انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَايَ، وَ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَايَ، يَا مَوْلَايَ يَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ، الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ، أَدْرِكْنِي‏ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ أَدْرِكْنِي‏..

O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Help me, for you^-asws two are my helpers, and suffice me for you^-asws both are sufficient for me! O my Master^-asws! O Master^-asws of the time, the relief! The relief! The relief! Help me! Help me! Help me!’[52]

A Supplication Taught by Imam Ali Al-Reza^-asws and Al-Hujjat Al-Qaim^-asws:

رَكْعَتَيْنِ تَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَى‏ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَ إِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ‏ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَ إِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ‏ ثُمَّ تُتِمُّ قِرَاءَةَ الْفَاتِحَةِ وَ تَقْرَأُ بَعْدَهَا الْإِخْلَاصَ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَ تَدْعُو عَقِيبَهَا

Two Cycles – You should recite in each Cycle, Opening of the Book (Surah Al Fatiha) up to (It is) You we worship and You do we seek Assistance (from) [1:5]. Then you should be saying one hundred times, (It is) You we worship and You do we seek Assistance (from) [1:5]. Then complete the recitation of (Surah) Al-Fatiha, and after it you should recited (Surah Al Ikhlas – 112) one time, and supplicate after these two.

فَتَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَظُمَ الْبَلَاءُ وَ بَرِحَ الْخَفَاءُ وَ انْكَشَفَ الْغِطَاءُ وَ ضَاقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا وَسِعَتِ السَّمَاءُ وَ إِلَيْكَ يَا رَبِّ الْمُشْتَكَى وَ عَلَيْكَ الْمُعَوَّلُ فِي الشِّدَّةِ وَ الرَّخَاءِ

You should be saying, ‘O Allah^-azwj! The affliction is mighty, and the concealment is relaxed, and the covering is removed, and the earth is constrained, and the sky is preventing, and to You^-azwj O Lord^-azwj is the complaint, and upon You^-azwj is the dependence during the difficulties and the ease.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذِينَ أَمَرْتَنَا بِطَاعَتِهِمْ وَ عَجِّلِ اللَّهُمَّ فَرَجَهُمْ بِقَائِمِهِمْ وَ أَظْهِرْ إِعْزَازَهُ

O Allah^-azwj! Send Salawaat upon Muhammad^-saww and Progeny^-asws of Muhammad^-saww, those we are Commanded with obedience to them^-asws, and hasten, O Allah^-azwj, their^-asws relief by their^-asws Qaim^-asws, and manifestation of his^-asws strength.

يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَايَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَايَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ احْفَظَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا حَافِظَايَ

O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Suffice me, for you^-asws two are sufficient for me. O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Help me for you^-asws two are my helpers. O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Protect me for you^-asws two are my protectors.

يَا مَوْلَايَ يَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ الْأَمَانَ الْأَمَانَ الْأَمَانَ.

O my Master^-asws! O Master^-asws of the time!’ – three times. ‘The relief! The relief! The relief! Help me! Help me! Help me! The security! The security! The security!’[53]

Also, in the Salat prescribed by Imam Al-Reza^-asws, one recites, as part of a supplication towards the end:

وَ أَظْهِرْ إِعْزَازَهُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ- يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَانِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ- يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَانِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ احْفَظَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا حَافِظَانِي يَا مَوْلَايَ يَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ الْغَوْثَ‏ الْغَوْثَ‏ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ أَدْرِكْنِي‏ الْأَمَانَ‏ الْأَمَانَ‏^[54]

And manifestation of his strength . O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Suffice me, for you^-asws two are sufficient for me. O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Help me for you^-asws two are my helpers. O Muhammad^-saww! O Ali^-asws! O Ali^-asws! O Muhammad^-saww! Protect me for you^-asws two are my protectors.

O my Master^-asws! O Master^-asws of the time!’ – three times. ‘The relief! The relief! The relief! Help me! Help me! Help me! The security! The security! The security!’ [55] (and extract)

APPENDIX I:Holy Verses on the Wasila

O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek ‘الْوَسِيلَةَ’ the intermediary to Him and strive hard in His Way, perhaps you would be successful [5:35]

In the above Holy Verse, Allah^-azwj Says to Approach Him through a ‘Wasila’, Muslims may have different interpretations for the above Verse as per their beliefs and inclinations. A Hadith from Salman Al-Farsi^-ra is presented below:

محمد بن الحسن الصفار: عن أبي الفضل العلوي، قال: حدثني سعيد بن عيسى الكريزي البصري، عن إبراهيم بن الحكم بن ظهير، عن أبيه، عن شريك بن عبد الله، عن عبد الأعلى الثعلبي، عن أبي تمام، عن سلمان الفارسي (رحمه الله)، عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)، في قول الله تبارك و تعالى: قُلْ كَفى بِاللَّهِ شَهِيداً بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَ مَنْ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ الْكِتابِ قال: «أنا هو الذي عنده علم الكتاب». و قد صدقه الله، و قد أعطاه الوسيلة في الوصية و لا تخلى امة من وسيلة إليه و إلى الله تعالى، فقال: يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ ابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ.

Muhammad Bin Al Saffar, from Abu Al Fazal Al Alawy, from Saeed Bin Isa Al Kareyzy Al Basry, from Ibrahim Bin Al Hakam Bin Zaheer, from his father, from Shareek Bin Abdullah, from Abdul A’ala Al Sa’alby, from Abu Tameem, from

Salman Al-Farsi^-ra (narrates) from Amir-Al-Momineen^-asws (Ali^-asws Ibn Abi Talib^-asws) regarding the Words of Allah^-azwj Blessed and Exalted Say: ‘Suffice with Allah^-azwj as a Witness between me and you and the one with whom is the Knowledge of the Book [13:43]: ‘I (Ali^-asws) am the one with whom is the Knowledge of the Book. And Allah^-azwj Ratified it, and He^-azwj has Given it the intermediary (الوسيلة) in the Commandment. And the community will never be devoid of an intermediary (الوسيلة) to it and to Allah^-azwj, so He^-azwj Said: O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek the intermediary to Him [5:35]’.[56]

وَلَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَنْ قُلُوبِهِمْ قَالُوا مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا الْحَقَّ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْكَبِيرُ {2334:}

And the intercession will not benefit in His Presence except the one He Permits for, until when there is panic from their hearts, they say, ‘What is that which your Lord Said?’ They say: ‘The Truth. And He is the Exalted, the Great’ [34:23]

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ {2:255}

Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His;

Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He Knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great. [2:255)

There are several other Verses which suggest use of ‘Wasila’, i.e.

يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُ قَوْلًا {10920:}

On that Day the Intercession will not benefit except one for whom the Beneficent Permits and is Pleased with his word [20:109]

وَكَمْ مِنْ مَلَكٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ لَا تُغْنِي شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا إِلَّا مِنْ بَعْدِ أَنْ يَأْذَنَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَرْضَىٰ {2653:}

And how many an Angel is there in the skies whose intercession does not avail anything except from after Allah Permits it for one He so Desires and is Pleased (with) [53:26]

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ وَهُمْ مِنْ خَشْيَتِهِ مُشْفِقُونَ {2821:}

He Knows what is in front of them and what is behind them, and they will not be interceding except for the one He Approves of, and they are trembling from His fear [21:28]

وَلَا يَمْلِكُ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَنْ شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ {8643:}

And those they are supplicating to from besides Allah possess no power of intercession, except one who testifies with the Truth and they know (him) [43:86]

Allah^-azwj Permits His^-azwj Rasool^-saww‘s Intersession:

APPENDIX II:Holy Verses forbidding Self-Made ‘Wasila’

أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ الْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ وَيَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَهُ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُ ۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًا {17:57}

They, those they are calling (as per their wish), seeking the means to their Lord, which of them is closest? And they are hoping for His Mercy and fearing His Punishment. Surely the Punishment of your Lord was always feared [17:57]

Also,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَىٰ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا {4:48}

Surely, Allah does not forgive that anything (one) had associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin (4:48).

These Holy Verses clearly indicate if someone makes ‘something’ out of one’s own desire a ‘Wasila’ – which is not from Allah^-azwj, so that would be a grave sin (Shirk).

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ {12:106}

And most of them do not believe in Allah except they are associating others (with Him)

عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَبَلَةَ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ ما يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَ هُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ قَالَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُ فَيُشْرِكُ .

A number of our companions, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Yahya Bin Al Mubarak, from Abdullah Bin Jabala, from Sama’at, from Abu Baseer and Is’haq Bin Ammar,

(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah^-asws (Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq^-asws) regarding the Words of Allah^-azwj Mighty and Majestic [12:106] And most of them do not believe in Allah except they are associating others (with Him). He^-asws said: ‘He obeys the Satan^-la from where he does not even know, so he associates (commits Shirk)’.[57]

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ ضُرَيْسٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ ما يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَ هُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ قَالَ شِرْكُ طَاعَةٍ وَ لَيْسَ شِرْكَ عِبَادَةٍ

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Yunus, from Ibn Bukeyr, from Zureys,

(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah^-asws regarding the Words of Allah^-azwj Mighty and Majestic [12:106] And most of them do not believe in Allah except they are associating others (with Him). He^-asws said: ‘This is the Shirk (association) of obedience, and it is not Shirk (association) of worship’.

وَ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلى حَرْفٍ قَالَ إِنَّ الْآيَةَ تَنْزِلُ فِي الرَّجُلِ ثُمَّ تَكُونُ فِي أَتْبَاعِهِ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ كُلُّ مَنْ نَصَبَ دُونَكُمْ شَيْئاً فَهُوَ مِمَّنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ قَدْ يَكُونُ مَحْضاً .

And about the Words of the Mighty and Majestic [22:11] And among men is the one who worships Allah superficially. So he^-asws said: ‘The Verse was Revealed regarding a man, then it occurred also to be regarding his followers’. Then I said: ‘Everyone who establishes anyone besides you^-asws, so he is from the ones who worships Allah^-azwj superficially?’ So he^-asws said: ‘Yes, and it is purely that’.[58]

APPENDIX III: Supplications at the Holy Shrines

In the Ziyarah of Amir ul-Momineen^-asws we recite:

أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ طُهْرٌ طَاهِرٌ مُطَهَّرٌ وَ أَشْهَدُ لَكَ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ وَ وَلِيَّ رَسُولِهِ- بِالْبَلَاغِ وَ الْأَدَاءِ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ جَنْبُ اللَّهِ وَ أَنَّكَ بَابُ اللَّهِ وَ أَنَّكَ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي مِنْهُ يُؤْتَى وَ أَنَّكَ خَلِيلُ اللَّهِ وَ أَنَّكَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَ أَخُو رَسُولِهِ- وَ قَدْ أَتَيْتُكَ وَافِداً لِعَظِيمِ حَالِكَ وَ مَنْزِلَتِكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ عِنْدَ رَسُولِهِ أَتَيْتُكَ‏ زَائِراً مُتَقَرِّباً إِلَى اللَّهِ بِزِيَارَتِكَ طَالِباً خَلَاصَ نَفْسِي مُتَعَوِّذاً بِكَ مِنْ نَارٍ اسْتَحَقَّهَا مِثْلِي بِمَا جَنَيْتُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِي

I testify that you^-asws are the (embodiment of) purity; you^-asws are pure and purified. O Wali of Allah^-azwj and Wali of His Messenger^-saww! I testify that you^-asws announced (the decree of Allah^-azwj) and you^-asws fulfilled (your duties). I testify that you^-asws are the side of Allah^-azwj (the nearest to Allah^-azwj), you^-asws are the gateway to Allah^-azwj, you^-asws are the Face of Allah^-azwj through which He^-azwj is approached, you^-asws are the friend of Allah^-azwj, and you^-asws are the slave of Allah^-azwj and the brother of His Messenger^-saww. I have come to visit you^-asws because of how great your^-asws position and status is with Allah^-azwj and His Messenger^-saww. I have come to visit you^-asws seeking nearness to Allah^-azwj, requesting salvation, seeking refuge with you^-asws from the fire which the likes of me have deserved, for my own crimes against myself.

أَتَيْتُكَ انْقِطَاعاً إِلَيْكَ وَ إِلَى وُلْدِكَ الْخَلَفِ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ عَلَى بَرَكَةِ بَرِيَّةِ الْحَقِّ فَقَلْبِي لَكَ مُسَلِّمٌ وَ أَمْرِي لَكَ مُتَّبِعٌ وَ نُصْرَتِي لَكَ مُعَدَّةٌ وَ أَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَ مَوْلَاكَ فِي طَاعَتِكَ وَ الْوَافِدُ إِلَيْكَ أَلْتَمِسُ بِذَلِكَ كَمَالَ الْمَنْزِلَةِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ

I have come (solely) to you^-asws and to your son^-asws, the heir after you^-asws – referring to the Imam^-asws of the time – with the blessing of Haqq (the Divine Truth) and with hope in no one else. My heart is submissive to you^-asws, I follow your^-asws commands, and I am determined to support you^-asws. I am a slave of Allah^-azwj and your^-asws servant, ready to obey you^-asws. I have come to you^-asws as your^-asws guest, seeking perfection of my status with Allah^-azwj.

وَ أَنْتَ يَا مَوْلَايَ مَنْ أَمَرَنِي اللَّهُ بِطَاعَتِهِ ب وَ حَثَّنِي عَلَى بِرِّهِ وَ دَلَّنِي عَلَى فَضْلِهِ وَ هَدَانِي لِحُبِّهِ وَ رَغَّبَنِي فِي الْوِفَادَةِ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِلَى طَلَبِ الْحَوَائِجِ عِنْدَهُ

O my master^-asws! You^-asws are the one whom Allah^-azwj has ordered me to obey and (to whom Allah^-azwj) has exhorted me to be loyal, and whose grace (Allah^-azwj) has manifested for me. He^-azwj has guided me to loving you^-asws and has given me the desire to visit you^-asws and to ask for (the fulfilment of) my needs next to you^-asws.

أَنْتُمْ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يَسْعَدُ مَنْ تَوَلَّاكُمْ وَ لَا يَخِيبُ مَنْ أَتَاكُمْ وَ لَا يَخْسَرُ مَنْ يَهْوَاكُمْ وَ لَا يَسْعَدُ مَنْ عَادَاكُمْ لَا أَجِدُ أَحَداً أَفْزَعُ إِلَيْهِ خَيْراً لِي مِنْكُمْ أَنْتُمْ أَهْلُ بَيْتِ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ دَعَائِمُ الدِّينِ وَ أَرْكَانُ الْأَرْضِ وَ الشَّجَرَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ

You are the members of the household whose devotees are blessed. Those who come to you^-asws will not be disappointed and those who desire you^-asws will not lose. However, those who antagonise you^-asws will not achieve success. I cannot find anyone more beneficent than you^-asws with whom to seek refuge. You^-asws are the family of Mercy, the Pillars of the religion, the Support of the earth, and the blessed Tree (an extract).[59]

In the Ziyarah of Imam Ali^-asws Ibn Musa^-asws we recite:

بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي أَتَيْتُكَ زَائِراً وَافِداً عَائِذاً مِمَّا جَنَيْتُ بِهِ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ احْتَطَبْتُ عَلَى ظَهْرِي فَكُنْ لِي شَفِيعاً إِلَى رَبِّكَ يَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَ فَاقَتِي فَإِنَ‏ لَكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً وَ أَنْتَ وَجِيهٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ

May I sacrifice my father and mother for you^-asws. I have come to your^-asws Ziyarah, as your^-asws guest, seeking refuge from my crimes against myself and (from) the weight which I am carrying on my back.[60] Therefore, intercede for me with your^-asws Lord^-azwj on the day of my need and poverty, for verily you^-asws have a Praised Status with Allah^-azwj and you^-asws are distinguished in this life and in the Hereafter with Allah^-azwj.[61]

We recite in Janat ul Baqi, the following:

فَكُونُوا لِي شُفَعَاءَ فَقَدْ وَفَدْتُ إِلَيْكُمْ إِذْ رَغِبَ عَنْكُمْ أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا وَ اتَّخَذُوا آيَاتِ اللَّهِ هُزُواً وَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا عَنْهَا

Therefore, intercede on my behalf, for I have come to you^-asws while the people of this world have abandoned you^-asws, have mocked the signs of Allah^-azwj, and have turned away arrogantly from you^-asws (an extract).[62]

[1] This is frequently observed in Mecca and Medina, where special teams are forbidding pilgrims from supplicating other than as per their beliefs – (1)

[2] وسائل‏الشيعة ج : 7 ص : 99, H. 8843.

[3] (تأويل الآيات 2: 699/ 3.)

[4] و قال موسى بن جعفر ع يعظم ثواب الصلاة على قدر تعظيم المصلي على أبويه الأفضلين محمد و علي ع

Imam Musa-e-Kazim^asws said: The reward of one’s Salat’s is proportional to one’s respect and submission to both of his/her fathers ‘Muhammad^saww and Ali^asws.

[5] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 23, The book of Imamate, P 1 Ch 15 H 8

[6] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 23, The book of Imamate, P 1 Ch 15 H 8

[7] عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله أنه قال: أشد من يتم اليتيم الذي انقطع عن أبيه يتم يتيم انقطع عن إمامه ولا يقدر على الوصول إليه، ولا يدري كيف حكمه فيما يبتلي به من شرائع دينه، ألا فمن كان من شيعتنا عالما بعلومنا وهذا الجاهل بشريعتنا المنقطع عن مشاهدتنا يتيم في حجره ألا فمن هداه وأرشده وعلمه شريعتنا كان معنا في الرفيق الأعلى. بيان: قال الجزري: في حديث الدعاء: ألحقني بالرفيق الأعلى

Prophet^saww of Allah^azwj said: He is an orphan who is unable to receive his parents’ care and is therefore not brought up by them. However, he is not that miserable as compared with the one who is unable to reach Imam^asws of his time and is unable to receive and comprehend his Imam^asws’s blessings and guidance. He, who does not know his Imam^asws’s verdicts on those religious affairs faced by him (day to day). He is the Orphan of Alay-Muhammad^asws. Be aware! He should be looked after by those who have knowledge about our^asws traditions. Whoever would teach him our attributes, our Marifat (recognition) and our traditions will be with us in the hereafter.[7]

[8] Bihar Vol-20 Page-73, Also see: Mastadruk alWasail, vol. 15, page 583 and Misbah al Kafami. Page-183

[9] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 19, The book of our Prophet^saww, P 3 Ch 12 H 11

[10] طب الأئمة عليهم السلام، ص: 73

[11] تأويل الآيات 2: 532/ 16

[12] [آداب قراءة القرآن‏] التفسير المنسوب إلى الإمام الحسن العسكري عليه السلام، ص: 16

[13] تفسير القمّي 1: 344

[14] وسائل‏الشيعة ج : 7 ص : 99, H. 8843.

[15] كامل‏الزيارات ص : 16, Kamil Al-Ziyarah’, written by Ibn Qulawayh Al-Qummi in the 4^th century

[16] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 63 H 7

[17] Bihar ul Anwar, vol. 31, Seventy exclusive treats of Amir ul Momineen^asws

[18] Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, H. 14535.

[19] طب الأئمة عليهم السلام، ص: 73

[20] مشارق أنوار اليقين في أسرار أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام، ص: 255, المناقب 1: 20، تفسير الحبري: 238/ 6

/^[20]– ابن شهر آشوب: عن الباقر (عليه السلام) و ابن عباس، في قوله: وَ اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الصَّلاةِ وَ إِنَّها لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخاشِعِينَ‏ «الخاشع: الذليل في صلاته المقبل عليها، يعني رسول الله و أمير المؤمنين (عليهما السلام)»

تفسير فرات بن إبراهيم الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ حَنَانِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْكَلْبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ‏ فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‏ اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الصَّلاةِ وَ إِنَّها لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخاشِعِينَ‏^[20] الْخَاشِعُ الذَّلِيلُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ الْمُقْبِلُ عَلَيْهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ أُولئِكَ أَصْحابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيها خالِدُونَ‏^[20] نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ خَاصَّةً وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ مُؤْمِنٍ وَ أَوَّلُ مُصَلٍّ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ص‏^[20].

[21] مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ {245}

Who is it that who will lend to Allah a goodly loan, so He will Multiply it for him manifold? And Allah Straitens and Amplifies, and to Him you shall be returning [2:245]

[22] Al Kafi – V 4 – The Book of Hajj Ch 228 H 1

[23] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 32, The book of Fitna (Strife) And Ordeals, Ch 11 H 375

[24] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 32, The book of Fitna (Strife) And Ordeals, Ch 30 H 744

[25] تفسير العيّاشي 2: 52/ 34

[26] الاحتجاج: 250.

[27] بحارالأنوار 47 240

[28] وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا مَا آَتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَرَسُولُهُ إِنَّا إِلَى اللَّهِ رَاغِبُونَ (599:)

[29] ) …… وَمَا نَقَمُوا إِلَّا أَنْ أَغْنَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ …….. (749:)

[30] كَلَّا بَلْ رَانَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ (1483:)

[31] بحارالأنوار 47 240

[32] Kamil Al-Ziyarah, Ch. 79, h, 3

[33] Kamil Al-Ziyarah, Ch. 104, h, 2

[34] بصائر الدرجات في فضائل آل محمد صلى الله عليهم، ج‏1، ص: 209, H.3

[35] تفسير العيّاشي 1: 145/ 477

[36] إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ {5:55}

[37] وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُبِينًا {33:36}

[38] Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 91, pg. 38

[39] (22:75) اللَّهُ يَصْطَفِي مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ رُسُلًا وَمِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ

[40] (76:30) وَمَا تَشَاءُونَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

[41] Belief in Wilayat (mastership) of Masomeen^asws.

[42] (21:94)فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَا كُفْرَانَ لِسَعْيِهِ وَإِنَّا لَهُ كَاتِبُونَ

[43] Kitab al-Ahtijaj Tabrasi, pp. 358 and Bihar-ul-Anwar, Vol-90, Page-98

[44] المناقب 2: 67، شواهد التنزيل 1: 348/ 479.

[45] Bihar Vol-20 Page-73, Also see: Mastadruk alWasail, vol. 15, page 583 and Misbah al Kafami. Page-183

[46] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 19, The book of our Prophet^saww, P 3 Ch 12 H 11

[47] زاد المعاد – مفتاح الجنان، ص: 429

[48] Tafseer Imam Hassan Askari^asws, Hadith, 54.

[49] ( 9)- الخصال- 618.

[50] Ref. وسائل الشيعة، ج‏11، ص: 444

[51] مناقب آل أبي طالب عليهم السلام (لابن شهرآشوب)، ج‏4، ص: 391

[52] المزار الكبير (لابن المشهدي)، ص: 591

[53] المزار الكبير (لابن المشهدي)، ص: 590

[54] ( 1)- تقدم ما يدلّ على ذلك في الحديث 1 و 4 من الباب 44 من هذه الأبواب، و تقدم ما يدلّ على صلوات أخر مثل صلاة الوالدين و الولد في الحديث 7 من الباب 28 من أبواب الاحتضار، و صلاة تحية المسجد في الباب 42 من أبواب أحكام المساجد، و صلاة أربع ركعات بعد صلاة العيد في الباب 6 من أبواب صلاة العيد، و صلاة ركعتين في مسجد الرسول في الحديث 10 من الباب 7 من أبواب صلاة العيد.

[55] وسائل الشيعة، ج‏8، ص: 185

[56] بصائر الدرجات: 236/ 21

[57] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 169 H 3

[58] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 169 H 4

[59] Kamil al-Ziyarah, Ch. 11, h, 2

[60] Sins

[61] Kamil al-Ziyarah, Ch. 102, h, 1

[62] Kamil al-Ziyarah, Ch. 15, h, 2

Summary:

Introduction:

Praying to Allah-azwj, through the Rights (Wasita) of Ahl Al-Bayt-asws:

Praying to Ahl Al-Bayt-asws – as Intermediary (Wasila):

Rasool-Allah-saww says, we-asws give to him who asks from us-asws:

Amir ul-Momineen-asws Cures and the Revives the dead:

Imam-asws Supplicates to Syeda-asws Bint e Muhammad-saww for Cure:

Supplicating to Allah-azwj as well as to Masomeen-asws:

Quran Says: Allah-azwj Awards and so do the Ahl Al-Bayt-asws

Masomeen-asws help Allah-azwj:

Imam Hussain-asws and Martyrs of Karbala Helped Allah-azwj:

Amir ul-Momineen-asws encouraged his soldiers to help Allah-azwj:

Allah-azwj Calls Rasool-Allah-saww’s deeds as His-azwj Deed:

Can one ask for Rizq from Allah-azwj as well as from Masomeen-asws?

One Supplicates to Imam Hussain-asws when Bidding Farewell:

Masomeen-asws fulfil our Needs, through the Divine Powers:

Reviving of the dead by the Prophets-as and Imam-asws: