Since this Ziyarat (as reported in al-Mazar al-Kabir, by al-Mash’hadi) originated from an infallible Imam who is the tongue of Allah, it is replete with divine recognition, guidance, spirituality, knowledge of religion, lessons for humanity, and the historical facts.
The method of presentation in this Ziyarat follows the formal method seen in other texts by Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). The text of this Ziyarat can be divided into the following ten major parts:
1- Offering peace and salutations to the Prophets (PBUT) (whose spiritual heir was Imam al-Husain (PBUH)), from the earliest ones up to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF), and then his pure progeny (PBUT) in addition to describing some of their attributes. For instance, we recite: “Peace be upon Adam, the chosen one of Allah from among His creation ...”
2- Offering peace and salutations to the Chief of Martyrs (PBUH) and enumerating some of his spiritual qualities and divine titles: “Peace be upon al-Husain who sacrificed himself up to the last drops of the blood of his heart. Peace be upon him, who obeyed Allah secretly and openly... Peace be upon the son of the Garden of refuge. Peace be upon the son of Zamzam and al-Safaa. Peace be upon him who was saturated in (his) blood ...”
3- Sending
salutations to the martyrs of
4- Stating the motivations, wishes, and aims for visiting Imam al-Husain (PBUH): “Peace be upon you! Indeed, I intended your visitation and am hopeful of achieving the prosperity that is with you. Salutations to you, salutations from he who recognizes your sanctity, is a sincere (believer) in your guardianship, seeks nearness to Allah through your love, and is aloof from your enemies ...”
5- Bearing witness to the Imam’s exemplary way of conduct: “I bear witness that you certainly established prayer, gave alms, enjoined good, forbade evil and transgression, obeyed Allah, never disobeyed Him, held fast to Him and to His rope, pleased Him, and held Him in awe ...”
6- Explaining the Imam’s method of opposing evil: “when tyranny became wide-spread, injustice removed its veil, wickedness called upon its followers... the knowledge demanded you for disavowal (of falsehood), and made it incumbent on you to struggle against the deviant. Therefore, you set out in company of your children, kinsfolk, followers, and supporters, disclosed the truth and clear proofs, summoned people towards Allah with wisdom and fine exhortation ...”
7- Presenting some of the calamities and afflictions that befell the Imam, and describing his martyrdom and the capture of his family: “The enemy then surrounded you from all sides, weakened you by inflicting wounds, while you did not have any helper left, and you were bereaved yet patient ...”
8- Enumerating the depth of the crime: “Certainly, by killing you, they have killed Islam, disrupted (the truth of) prayer and fasting, revoked the (prophetic) customs and the (divine) laws... Certainly, (by this event,) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) was wronged, left alone, and denied vengeance, the Book of Allah, the mighty and the majestic, was again abandoned ...”
9- Relating the mourning ceremonies of the Prophets, Angels, and the cosmos: “Indeed, the Messenger (PBUH&HF) became distressed and his depressed heart wept. The Angels and the Prophets offered their condolences to him for your martyrdom. Your mother, al-Zahra, became distressed and bereft of you. Legions of Angels came in waves to offer their condolences to your father, the Leader of the Faithful ...”
10- Praying
to Allah and imploring Him: “O Allah! By the sanctity of this exalted
place (the tomb of Imam al-Husain (PBUH)), bestow blessings upon Muhammad and the family
of Muhammad, assemble me in their company, and admit me to
A blend of wisdom, cognizance, spirituality, ethics, elegy, enthusiasm, devotion, along with a detailed account of the events has made this divinely inspired Ziyarat, one of the most insightful Ziyarat of Imam al-Husain (PBUH) for the followers of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT).
In what follows, the Arabic text alongside its English translation and transliteration of the original Ziyarat al-Nahiya as reported in al-Mazar al-Kabir, by Muhammad Ibn al-Mash’hadi, is presented.
May Allah hasten the advent of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), the reviver of the religion of Allah, the avenger of the blood of the Chief of Martyrs (PBUH) from the oppressors, and the establisher of peace and justice over the globe.
With request for prayers,
Vahid J.
Majd,
1 Dhul-Hijja 1424.