DUA OF IMAM AL HUSAYN ON THE DAY OF ARAFAH

The supplicatory prayer of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.), the Chief of Martyrs, on the ‘Arafat Day is one of the famous prayers. Bishr and Bashir, the sons of Ghalib al-Asadi, narrated that they, once, accompanied Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) at the ‘Arafat Night when he left his tent with submission and reverence. He walked slowly until he, accompanied by a group of his household, sons, and servants, stopped at the left side of Mount ‘Arafat and turned his face towards the Holy Ka’bah. He then raised his hands (for supplication) to the level of his face, just like a poor man begging food, and said:

The Imam (a.s.) then besought Almighty Allah so earnestly that his eyes shed tears. He then said:

Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) then raised his head and sight to the sky with teary eyes and said with an audible voice:

Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) then repeated ya-rabbi so frequently and effectively that he attracted the attentions of all the others who, instead of praying for granting their needs, surrounded Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) to listen to him and pray for the response of his supplication. Then, they wept with him. At sunset, they left Mount ‘Arafat with him.

This is the end of Imam al-Husayn’s supplicatory prayer on the ‘Arafat Day according to the narrations of al-Kaf’ami in his book of al-Balad al-Amin and ‘Allamah al-Majlisi in his book of Zad al-Ma’ad. As for Sayyid Ibn Tawus, he, in his book of Iqbal al-A’mal, adds the following statements to the supplicatory prayer:

Many supplicatory prayers and acts of worship are reported to be done on this day for those who have the honor of being present on Mount ‘Arafat. However, the best deed on this day is to pray Almighty Allah, since the most distinctive feature of the ‘Arafat Day is praying. It is thus advisable to pray Him for the good of one’s brethren and sisters, the alive and the dead. The narration that has reported the manner of ‘Abdullah ibn Jundab - may Allah have mercy upon him - during the ritual of halting on Mount ‘Arafat when he prayed Almighty Allah for the good of his brethren-in-faith is too famous to be denied. Similarly, Zayd al-Narsi has reported that Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab - the dignified, trustworthy scholar - prayed Almighty Allah for the good of his brethren-in-faith in names during the ritual of the halting at Mount ‘Arafat on the ‘Arafat Day. He then reported that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) mentioned a great merit for anyone who prays for the good of his brethren-in-faith on Mount ‘Arafat on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. In fact, this narration is worth ponderation and consideration.

Seizing this opportunity, I do please my faithful brethren to imitate such great personalities and thus pray for the good of their brethren-in-faith before they pray for themselves and to include me with their brethren-in-faith. I thus please you not to forget me in your prayers in my life and after my death since my face has been blackened by my sins.

It is also recommended to say the third comprehensive Ziyarah (al-Ziyarah al-Jami’ah).

At the last hour of the ‘Arafat Day, it is recommended to say the following:

It is also recommended to say the following:

Within the supplicatory prayers on the ‘Arafat Day, Sayyid Ibn Tawus has advised that immediately before sunset, one may say Dua al-Ashraat. Accordingly, it is important not to neglect Dua al-Ashraat at the end of the ‘Arafat Day since it is recommended to say this supplicatory prayer each morning and evening.

It is worth mentioning that the supplicatory prayers that are mentioned by al-Kaf’ami, as well as Sayyid Ibn Tawus, are the same as the ones with which Dua al-Ashraat ends.