METHOD OF VISITING IMAM AL REZA

Several forms of ziyarah of Imam al-Rida (‘a) have been mentioned. However, the most famous form has been mentioned in the most reliable books and reported from the sublime Shaykh Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Walid, one of the mentors of Shaykh al-Saduq. From the book of al-Mazar by Ibn Qawlawayh, we can conclude that this form of ziyarah has been reported from the Holy Imams. This form of ziyarah, according to Shaykh al-Saduq’s book of man-la-yahzuruhul-faqih, is as follows:

When you intend to visit Imam al-Rida (‘a) in Tus, you may bathe yourself before you leave your house (at your hometown) and say the following words:

Say the following supplicatory words as you leave your house:

When you go out of your house, you may stop at the door and say the following supplicatory words:

When you arrive there safely, Allah willing, and you intend to visit the Imam (‘a), you may bathe yourself and say the following words meanwhile:

You may put on the purest and cleanest of your clothes, walk barefooted with tranquility and submission, and mention Almighty Allah in your heart, repeating the following statements:

While entering the sacred shrine, you may say the following words:

You may then walk towards the tomb to stop there, face it, and say the following words:

You may then sit to the side of the Imam’s head and say the following words:

You may then throw yourself on the tomb and say the following supplicatory prayer:

You may then raise your right hand towards the sky, stretch out your left hand on the tomb, and say the following supplicatory prayer:

You may turn to the side of the Imam’s feet and say the following words:

You may then earnestly invoke the curse of Allah on the slayers of the Commander of the Faithful (Imam ‘Ali), the slayers of Imams al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and all the slayers of the family members of the Holy Prophet.

You may then return to the side of the Imam’s head and offer a two-unit prayer in which you may recite Surah Yasin (No. 36) after Surah al-Fatihah in one unit and Surah al-Rahman (No. 55) after Surah al-Fatihah in the other.

You may also pray and implore Almighty Allah as earnestly as possible.

You may also pray for yourself, your parents, and your brothers and sisters-in-faith as much as you can.

You may stay at the side of the Imam’s head as long as you wish, offering all your prayers there.

DIFFERENCE IN A STATEMENT

The aforesaid form of ziyarah is in fact the most excellent. One of its statements has read:

This statement has been quoted from the books of man-la-yahzuruhul-faqih, ‘Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, and the books of ‘Allamah al-Majlisi.

The statement involved thus means that these persons mocked at the Imam whom You have appointed for them.

However, according to the book of Misbah al-Za’ir, the statement is mentioned in this form:

This meaning is also accurate and may be more accurate than the earlier from various aspects.

The Days are the Holy Imams, peace be upon them, according to the report of Saqr ibn Abi-Dalaf, which has been previously cited in the book (pp. 184, Vol. 1).

INVOCATION OF CURSE UPON THE ENEMIES

It is worth mentioning that invocation of Almighty Allah’s curse on the enemies of the Holy Imams can be said in any language or form. However, the most appropriate form may be the following, which is quoted from some validly reported supplications: