PART I -THE FOCUAL POINT OF OUR VISITATOIN - IMAM-E-ZAMAN (A.T.F.S.)

The blessed journeys undertaken for the visitation of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) are one of the best actions through which one can gain proximity and closeness with the Master of the Age, the one who loves us more than a mother loves her infant child, the Proof of Allah upon His creations, the Imam of our Times, Hazrat Hujjat ibn al-Hasan al-Askari (a.t.f.s.).

Indeed, gaining closeness and proximity to Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) will take a believer closer to Allah, the Almighty. We have been commanded to seek proximity to Allah, the Almighty through the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.).

We read thus in Ziyarat of Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) to be recited on the day of Friday.

 اَتَقَرَّبُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ تَعَالَى بِكَ وَ بِآلِ بَيْتِكَ 

“I seek nearness to Allah through you, and through your Ahle Bait (a.s.)”¹

There are many incidents of meetings with Imam e Zaman (a.t.f.s.) which show that, he frequents the blessed shrines and tombs of his noble forefathers.

It is quite possible that the pilgrim is entering the blessed shrine from the very gate that Hazrat Imam-e-Zaman (at.f.s.) passes by when visiting his purified forefathers.

It is beyond doubt that these holy and blessed shrines are frequently visited by our Master – Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.). We present here one such incident which shows that Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) visits the shrine of Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) very frequently.

The esteemed scholar, Mirza Husain Noori, quotes the below incident in his book ‘Najmus Saquib’.

A reliable gentleman has narrated this incident, although this report is famous among the people of Najaf al-Ashraf. The incident is as follows: 

The house in which I reside, in the year 789 A.H., once belonged to a virtuous and pious man named Husain Mudallil, and Sabaat Mudallil is named after him. And this Sabaat (a roof between two houses) is adjacent to the walls of the Holy mausoleum of Najaf. This person also had a family. He became affected by such terrible paralysis that he could not even stand up.

The members of his family used to assist him in fulfilling his necessary needs. He remained affected by this malady for a long time as a result of which his family was engulfed in extreme poverty and began to depend on charity. In 720 A.H. when a fourth part of the night had passed, he awoke his family members. They saw that the house and the ceiling were illuminated with such a bright light that it dazzled their eyes. They asked him what the matter was.

He said: The Imam of the Time (a.t.f.s.) had come and he told me: O Husain, stand up. I said: My master, I am unable to stand up as you can see. He took my hand and made me stand up and all the signs of paralysis disappeared. Now I am perfectly healthy and cured.

The Imam (a.t.f.s.) also said: This canopy is my route to visit my grandfather Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) so you must close it every night. I said: We hear and obey Allah and you, our master!

After that the man arose and by way of thanksgiving for this divine mercy and kindness, he went to visit the mausoleum of His Eminence, Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). And that canopy, till this day is a place where people pray during times of need and all those who make petitions at this spot achieve success by the blessings of the holy footsteps of Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.).”²

In another tradition we see that Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) prays in his supplication for the one who performs the Ziyarat of Sayyed ush Shohda Hazrat Imam Husain (a.s.).

The narrator says that he sought permission to meet Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.). When he entered the house, he saw Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) on his praying mat reciting the below supplication,

“O Allah! O one who has chosen us for honor… Forgive me and my brothers who perform the Ziyarat of my grandfather, Imam Husain (a.s.) and those who spend their wealth to travel, put their bodies to trouble seeking our pleasure in hope of the reward You have kept for associating with us. They perform the Ziyarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) to make Your Prophet happy, to obey our commands and to antagonize our enemies. By this, they want to please You, so reward them on our behalf by Paradise, protect them day and night…”

It is evident from the above tradition that performing the Ziyarat of these blessed personalities, whom The Almighty Allah has distinguished from rest of the creations becomes a source of attracting the grace and Nazre Inayat of the Imam of the Time, to such an extend that Imam (a.s.) includes the visitors in his blessed prayers and prays for their forgiveness and seeks Divine rewards for the visitors.

We should therefore, make all endeavours to attract the blessed attention of the Imam of our Time (a.t.f.s.) towards us during these honourable journeys and we should be attentive towards him, remember him, supplicate for him, pray for his early re-appearance, perform Ziyarat in his proxy and try to feel his presence throughout the journey and especially during our visitation to the blessed shrines of his noble forefathers.

If we are able to do this, then without doubt, a single glance of affection from our master, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) would transform us completely, bring us out from the darkness of doubts and ignorance towards the Divine light of certainty and faith, cleanse us of filth and sins and adorn us with piety and righteousness and would place us where the winds of Divine recognition are continuously flowing.

Hazrat Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) informs us in a tradition,

لَا قُوَّةَ لَنَا عَلَى طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا بِتَوْفِيقِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

“… we have no strength to obey Allah except by the grace (bestowed) by Allah, the Mighty and High.”³

Indeed, we are completely dependent upon Allah, The Almighty to bestow upon us the Grace to obey Him, obey His Messenger and obey His Proofs.

We pray to Allah, the Almighty, that for the sake of these holy and noble personalities, He bestows upon us the good fortune to seek proximity to Him and to His chosen ones, the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) and especially the Master of the Age, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and to remember the Imam of our Time and to be attentive towards the Imam of our Time in the blessed journeys of visitation of His chosen ones which in itself is a Grace from the side of The Almighty!

ZIYARAT IN NIYABAT OF IMAM-E-ZAMAN (A.T.F.S.)

The esteemed author of the book ‘Mikyal al-Makarim’ has brought complete chapters on significance of performing recommended actions in Niyabat of Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.), removing Sadaqa on his behalf, performing Hajj and Umrah on his behalf, perform the Tawaaf of Khane Kaaba on his behalf, reciting the Holy Quran on his behalf and also performing Ziyarat of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) on behalf of the Master of our Age – Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.).

We present here few traditions on significance of performing Ziyarat of Ahle Bait (a.s.) on behalf of Imam e Zaman (a.t.f.s.) specifically and performing recommended actions on his behalf in general.

PERFORMING ZIYARAT WITH THE INTENTION OF NIYABAT OF THE HOLY IMAMS (A.S.)

The author of Mikyal al-Makarim, quotes from Wasailush Shia, that Dawood Surmi said to Hazrat Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.),

I performed the Ziyarat of your father and dedicated it to you.

He (a.s.) replied: For that you shall get a great reward from the Almighty Allah and we are thankful to you.⁴

If we perform the Ziyarat on behalf of the Imam our Time, indeed it will be a means to attract his blessed attention towards us, enable us to fulfil our duty towards him, which will invariably make the visitor eligible for great Divine rewards.

ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE HOLY AHLE BAIT (A.S.) ARE THE BEST ACTIONS

In the book of Al-Kafi in a tradition of Imam Taqi (a.s.) reported by Musa bin al-Qasim.

The narrator says that he asked Imam (a.s.), “I wanted to perform Tawaf on behalf of you and your forefathers (a.s.) but people said that Tawaf was not permitted on behalf of the successors (awsiya)?”

Imam (a.s.), “Rather, you must do as many tawafs as possible.”

The narrator says that after a period of three years, again he came to Imam (a.s.) and said, “I had previously obtained permission from you to perform Tawaf on behalf of you and your father.

After this I performed as many tawafs as Allah willed for me on behalf of you and your respected father. After this I had an idea!” “What was it?” asked Imam (a.s.).

The narrator replied, “One day I performed Tawaf on behalf of the Messenger of Allah (s.aw.a.).” Imam (a.s.) recited Salawat on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) thrice.

The narrator continued, “On the second day I performed Tawaf in lieu of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), then for Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a.s.), Imam Husain (a.s.), Imam Sajjad (a.s.), Imam Baqir (a.s.), Imam Sadiq (a.s.), on the eight day I performed it on behalf of your grandfather Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.). On the ninth day for your respected father Imam Reza (a.s.) and on the tenth day I had the fortune of performing Tawaf for your respected self (a.s.). I worship Allah through the Wilayat of these personalities.”

Imam (a.s.) said, “By Allah! You are worshipping Allah through a religion other than which Allah will not except any religion.”

The narrator said, “Often I have performed Tawaf on behalf of your respected grandmother, Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and sometimes I didn’t.”

Imam (a.s.) said, “Do more Tawaf! If Allah wills it will be the best action performed by you.”⁵

The first part of the tradition clearly establishes that not only is it permissible to perform Tawaaf of Holy Kaaba or perform Ziyarat on behalf of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) or perform other recommended actions on their behalf, but rather it is recommended and liked by the holy Imams.

Hazrat Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) exhorted the narrator to do it as much as possible, by replying “you must do as many Tawaafs as possible”.

The second part of the tradition teaches us that worshipping Allah without the Wilayat and medium of these holy personalities is incomplete and not worthy of being accepted near Allah. The narrator also guided us towards the important fact that every time we visit the blessed lands either to perform tawaaf of the holy Kaaba or to perform Ziyarat of these blessed personalities, we should adorn our visitations by performing these actions on behalf of these exalted personalities.

Hazrat Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) again exhorted the narrator, to do it more and declared actions performed on behalf of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) will be the best actions performed by an individual.

COMPANIONSHIP OF AHLE BAIT (A.S.) IN PARADISE

Ali Ibne Mughira is quoted in Al-Kafi that he asked Imam Kazim (a.s.), “My father had asked your respected grandfather regarding the complete recitation of Quran every night and he told him, “Yes it can be completed every night.” When my father asked about completion of Quran in the month of Ramadan he received the same reply. So, he used to finish reading the complete Quran forty times during the holy month of Ramadan.

After him I continued this practice. On the day of Eid, I complete a Quran for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and after him for Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) till I reach you. So, tell me how is this act of our considered by your goodself?

Imam (a.s.) replied, “Your reward is that you shall be in the company of those exalted personalities.”

The narrator said, “Such a high reward?” Imam (a.s.) said three times, “Yes”.⁶

Indeed, the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) are the most generous from progeny of the most generous ones.

It is not possible that sinful claimants of their Wilayat like us, who love them, try to tread on their path, try to learn and practice their teachings, who become happy in their happiness and sad in their sufferings, and hate their enemies, are inimical to those who troubled them and usurped their rights, if we remember them and adorn our actions with their remembrance, their generous nature and open-handed and magnanimous behaviour is such that it is not possible that they do not reciprocate at their followers with mercy and affection and fatherly love inspite of their shortcomings and lapses.

We beg to the Almighty Allah for the sake of Mohammad and his progeny, to bestow upon us the Taufeeq to perform this meritorious deed of visitation of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) on behalf of the Master of the Age, Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.)

RECITING FIRST ZIYARAT IN NIYABAT OF IMAME ZAMAN (A.T.F.S.)

In the famous tradition from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) where he said,

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said: “By the One who sent with truth, no man is perfect in faith till he does not consider me dearer to him than his parents, family and all other people.”⁷

It is clear from the above narration that the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) have the right over us that we should give them precedence over ourselves and our family members.

The esteemed scholar Ayatullah Mohammed Taqi Isfahani (a.r.), quotes in Mikyal al-Makarim from another great scholar Sayed ibn Tawoos that he reminded his son about the acts that we should perform during the Ghaibat of Imam (a.t.f.s.).

He finally says, “You must care for his leadership, loyalty and attachment in a way that Allah, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the forefathers of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) expect from you. You must give preference of the needs of Imam (a.t.f.s.) over your own needs when you are reciting the Namaz-e-Hajat (Prayer of having your need fulfilled). Before giving Sadaqah on behalf of your family members, give Sadaqah on behalf of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and pray for him. In addition to this, give him preference in every good deed. All these things will invite Imam’s (as) attention and favors.”⁸

In the light of the tradition quotes above and the instructions of Sayed Ibn Tawoos to his son, it is evident that giving preference to the Master of the Age, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) in recitation of the Ziyarat of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) will enable us to invite and attract his blessed attention and favours to us.

Indeed, even one affectionate glance and attention from the Imam of our Time, will remove the deficiencies in our actions and make them such that they are worthy of being accepted in the presence of The Almighty.

We pray to the Master of the Age to bestow us with his Nazre Inayat.

وَ انْظُرْ إِلَيْنَا نَظْرَةً رَحِيمَة

“and glance at us, with a merciful glance”

PRAYING FOR EARLY RE-APPEARANCE OF IMAME ZAMAN (A.T.F.S.)

Abu Hashim Jafari narrates from Imam Hadi (a.s.) that he (a.s.) said,

“there are places in which Allah loves to be called upon. And I love to have someone pray for me in a place where Allah loves to be called upon and the tomb of Imam Husain (a.s.) is one of these places.”⁹

Indeed, the tombs of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) are “houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them; there glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings”¹⁰

فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ

And Imam Hadi (a.s.) clearly expresses that he, himself loves that someone prays for him in these exalted places.

Praying for early re-appearance and safety and security of the Master of the Age, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is one of the most important duties in this period of occultation. For the sake of brevity, we will present only few traditions to remind us of this important duty.

AHLE BAIT (A.S.) ARE THEMSELVES AWAITING THE RE-APPEARANCE

At the end of the famous eulogy (marsiya) which Janabe Debel (a.s.) recited in the presence of Hazrat Imam Reza (a.s.) in which Janabe Debel narrated the sufferings of the holy household of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.),

Hazrat Imam Reza (a.s.) said to Janabe Debel, “O Dibil, would it not be better if you add the following two verses at the end of your marsiya?

Dibil said: Indeed, O son of Allah’s Messenger.

The Imam recited:

وَ قَبْرٌ بِطُوسٍ يَا لَهَا مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ

تَوَقَّدُ فِي الْأَحْشَاءِ بِالْحُرُقَاتِ‏

إِلَى الْحَشْرِ حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ قَائِماً

يُفَرِّجُ عَنَّا الْهَمَّ وَ الْكُرُبَاتِ¹¹‏

And a tomb shall be made in Tus by whose tragedy

The inner portion of the body will be scorched.

Till the gathering until Allah raises our Qaem (a.t.f.s.)

He will relieve us from sorrows and distress

Indeed, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Janabe Zahra (s.a.), Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and all the Imams (a.s.) are aggrieved, sad and heart-broken in their graves, just as Imam Reza (a.s.) has expressed above and are awaiting the re-appearance of the one who will avenge for the sufferings of this purified and noble household.

Our first and the most important prayer, therefore in front the very graves of these noble personalities should be the prayer which is going to remove their sorrow, that is, the prayer for the early re-appearance of Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.).

Imam Hadi (a.s.) guided us that there are certain places where Allah loves to be called, and indeed the best way to call Him in these places is to call upon Him to hasten the re-appearance of the one whose re-appearance is awaited by these very noble and exalted personalities whom we are bestowed with the good fortune of visiting.

RIGHT OF ONE WHO DOES GOODNESS TO US

It is due to the blessed presence of the Master of the Age, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and it is through his channel that we enjoy innumerable bounties in our daily life.

Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says,

بِنَا أَثْمَرَتِ الْأَشْجَارُ وَ أَيْنَعَتِ الثِّمَارُ وَ جَرَتِ الْأَنْهَارُ وَ بِنَا يَنْزِلُ غَيْثُ السَّمَاءِ وَ يَنْبُتُ عُشْبُ الْأَرْضُ

“It is due to us that trees bear fruit, and then they ripen, and it is due to us that rivers flow and due to us rain descends from the sky and vegetation grows on earth”.¹²

It is evident from the above tradition that there are many favours, benevolence and goodness which is flowing towards us from Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.). Not only the very bounty of our existence and survival is due to the blessed presence of the Master of the Age, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) but all other goodness and bounties that we enjoy on a day-to-day basis like our sustenance, etc are also due to his blessed presence.

Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.) states in Risalatul Huqooq, that amongst the rights of one who does good to you is that you pray for him sincerely.

He (a.s.) says,

وَ أَمَّا حَقُّ ذِي الْمَعْرُوفِ عَلَيْكَ فَأَنْ تَشْكُرَهُ وَ تَذْكُرَ مَعْرُوفَهُ وَ تَكْسِبَهُ الْمَقَالَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ وَ تُخْلِصَ لَهُ الدُّعَاءَ فِيمَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ شَكَرْتَهُ سِرّاً وَ عَلَانِيَةً

“And as for the right of the one who has done good to you, it is that you should thank him and acknowledge his kindness; and spread the good word around about him, and sincerely supplicate for him in your private and public prayers to Allah, the Almighty.Then if you do that, you have thanked him both in private and in public.”¹³

COMPLAIN OF HAZRAT IMAME ZAMAN (A.T.F.S.)

There is an incident which is often quoted by our scholars in their lectures and reference to the same is also made by scholars and devotees of during the blessed journey of Ziyarat to Karbala.

There was a devout of Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s) who had the good fortune of the blessed Ziyarat of Imame Zaman (a.t.f..s) near the tomb of Sayyed ush Shohda (a.s.) and during the conversation he said to the master of our times, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.), that the shrine is filled with his supporters and lovers, then why does he not re-appear sooner!

Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) replied, that indeed there was a huge crowd, but none were remembering him or praying for him. Everyone was praying for themselves or their children and family members only.

The above incident also confirms that Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) expects his Shias to pray for him at these blessed places.¹⁴

FEELING THE PRESENCE OF IMAM E ZAMAN (ATFS) IN THE BLESSED LANDS

As we mentioned earlier that these blessed shrines are indeed amongst those places which are frequented by Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.).

It is quite probable, that it may be Friday eve or Eve of Aashoor or Day of Aashoor or eve of Arbaeen or Day of Arbaeen or other days like Shahadat of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Shahadat of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) or days like 13 Rajab, 3 Shabaan, 15 Shabaan, the nights of Qadr and other days and nights in which visitation of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) are recommended and that Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is also present in the blessed shrine and reciting the Ziyarat of his noble forefather.

We should pray to The Almighty that our eyes have sinned due to which we are not able to see his magnificent personality or due to the sins that we have committed we are not able to hear the noble recitations in his blessed voice, but let Him out of His Grace bestow upon us the good fortune of feeling the presence of Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) in these blessed lands.

We have been commanded by Hazrat Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) to always consider the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) to be present near us.

Janabe Abu Baseer narrates that he heard Hazrat Imam Baqir (a.s.) mention to a visitor from Africa,

“If you think that we don’t have the seeing eye and the hearing ear for you, then you are mistaken. By Allah, nothing from your affairs is concealed from us. You should always consider us to be present and make a habit of performing good deeds and be from the devout, so that you are identified with that. This is our request to our children and Shias.”¹⁵

We also plead in Dua e Ahad thus,

اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنِي الطَّلْعَةَ الرَّشِيدَةَ وَ الْغُرَّةَ الْحَمِيدَةَ وَ اكْحُلْ نَاظِرِي بِنَظْرَةٍ مِنِّي إِلَيْهِ

“O Allah, (please do) show me his magnificent mien (face), and his praiseworthy forehead, delight my eyes by letting me have a look at him.”

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM IMAME ZAMAN (A.T.F.S.)

Another way to seek attention and favours of the Master of the Age, Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is to tread the path shown by Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself and to act on his recommendations.

We present here an incident of meeting with Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) in which he recommended his followers to recite Ziyarat Jameh, Ziyarat Ashura and Namaz e Shab regularly. We can definitely try and put this into practice, especially when we our bestowed with the good fortune of the visitation of the holy Ahle Bait (a.s.) and we should perform these actions on his behalf seeking his nearness and satisfaction.

Below is an extract from the book Najmus Saquib, where the esteemed Mohaddith, Mirza Husain Noori (a.r.), narrates the incident from Sayyid Ahmad Ibne Hashim Ibne Sayyid Musawi Rashti, a businessman from Rasht in Iran.

Sayyid Ahmad Rashti says, In the year 1280, I left the city of Rasht towards the city of Tabriz, intending to perform Hajj at the Sacred House of Allah. I resided in the house of Hajj Safar Ali Tabrizi, the famous merchant.

Hajj Jabbar Isfahani, prepared for a caravan to the city of Tarabuzn; I therefore hired a riding animal from him and joined the caravan alone, without having any friend with me. In the first station of our journey, three men joined me after Hajj Jabbar had arisen their desires to accompany me. These three men were Hajj Baqir Tabrizi, a well-known personality who would perform this ritual pilgrimage on behalf of someone else, Hajj Sayyid Husayn Tabrizi, a merchant, and a third man called Hajj Ali who was a servant. During the journey, we accompanied each other up to the city of al-Rum from which we set for Tarabuzn.

In one of the stations between these two cities, Hajj Jabbar approached and informed us that we would soon pass through a dangerous way; therefore, we must not lag behind the caravan.

So, we began to travel faster to catch up with the caravan ahead. We had hardly travelled some distance that it began snowing heavily. It was dark and visibility was poor.

My companions covered their heads and continued to move quickly. I tried my best to keep up with them, but in this weather, it was difficult for me and soon they had gone ahead leaving me alone.

I got down from my horse and sat on one side of the road in a state of helplessness and dejection. I was carrying only about 600 Tumans, which I had kept with me for the journey. Finally, I decided to spend the night there and continue the journey in the morning.

As we had not travelled very far from the city, there was a possibility for me to turn back and select a few strong men with me as my companions and renew my effort to catch up with the caravan.

I was deliberating over this option, when suddenly I saw a garden on the opposite side of the road and its gardener. It seemed that there was a shovel in his hand with which he was clearing the snow from the branches of the trees in the garden.

He came closer to me and stood at a distance and asked me in Persian, “Who are you?”

I told him that my companions had gone ahead and that I was new in this area and did not know the way.

He said to me, “Recite Namaz-e-Shab so that you may find the road.” I readied myself for prayers and recited the night prayers (Namaz-e-Shab).

After I completed my prayers, he came to me again and said, “You are still here? Why haven’t you left?”

I said, “By Allah, I swear that I don’t know the way.”

He said, “Recite Ziyarat Jamiah.

I did not know Ziyarat Jamiah by heart and even at that time I knew that I would not be able to complete it. Yet I began reciting it and soon found that I had recited it completely, without any mistake.

As I completed the Ziyarat, the gardener came to me again and asked, “You are still here? Why are you sitting here?”

I began crying uncontrollably and said, “Yes, I am still here. I don’t know the way or else I would have left.”

He said, “Recite Ziyarat Ashura.”

I got up and began reciting it. I did not know Ziyarat Ashura by heart and even at that time I knew that I would not be able to complete it. Yet I began reciting it and soon found that I had recited it completely with the 100 salaams and 100 curses without any mistake. I even recited Dua Alqamah, which is recited after Ziyarat Ashura.

After I completed the recitation, he came to me again and asked, “You are still here? Why haven’t you left yet?”

I said, “I will be here at least till morning.”

He said, “Wait, I will convey you to your destination.” He mounted a donkey, hauled the shovel on this shoulder and asked me to mount too.

I complied with his request. At this time, I tugged at the reins of my horse, but he did not move.

The gardener said, “Give me the reins.” I gave them to him. He shifted the shovel to his left shoulder and began to move. Surprisingly, the horse began to move along with him.

While moving, he placed his hand on my thigh and said, “Why don’t you pray Shab Prayer?” Then he repeated thrice, “Nafila, Nafila, Nafila”

Then he said, “Why don’t you recite Ziyarat Ashura, then he repeated thrice for emphasis, “Ashura, Ashura, Ashura!”

Then he said, “Why don’t you recite Ziyarat Jamiah?” Then he repeated thrice for emphasis, “Jamiah, Jamiah, Jamiah!”

In this way, he reminded me about these three actions.

Suddenly he turned to me and said, “Look there are your friends.”

I saw my companions at a distance. They had stopped at the river and were performing Wudhu for the Morning Prayer. I alighted and moved towards my horse to reach them. I had hardly reached my horse that I saw the gardener. He had got down from the mule and was waiting to help me mount my horse. He turned the horse in the direction of my friends.

At this point a few thoughts began racing through my mind. Who was this person?

Firstly, he spoke to me in Persian, in an area where this language was not spoken. The people in the area were Turkish and they followed the Christian religion, and there was no other person in this area.

Secondly, he had asked me to recite Nafila, Ziyarat Jamiah and Ziyarat Ashura.

Thirdly, despite the fact that I had waited for so long at that place, he was able to convey me to my companions in a very short time!

However, when I turned to address him, I could not see anyone. In fact there was no sign at all of any person having been there. Then, I joined my companions.

As evident from the above incident, that Hazrat Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has made us attentive and recommended to recite three things, Ziyarat e Jameah, Ziyarat e Ashura and Namaz e Shab.

Indeed, we should make an effort to regularly recite these daily and be even more punctual of reciting them in the blessed journeys of visitation of the purified Ahle Bait (a.s.). Furthermore, if we perform these musthab actions in proxy (niyabat) of Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.), indeed it enable us to seek his blessed attention.

We pray to Imame Zaman (a.t.f.s.) to give us the good fortune of being regular in reciting Ziyarat Jameah, Ziyarat Ashura and Namaz e Shab during these blessed journeys.

Footnotes

1. Ziyarat of Imame Zaman (atfs) to be recited on Friday ↩

2. Najmus Saquib, Chp. 7, Incident 44 – Husain bin Mudalil meets the Imam ↩

3. Kitab at-Tawheed of Sheikh Sadooq (a.r.), page 242 ↩

4. Mikyal al-Makarim, Vol. 2, Duty No. 29 - Ziarat Of The Holy Prophet And Imams (aj) On Behalf Of Imam (aj) ↩

5. Mikyal al-Makarim, Vol. 2, Duty No. 27-28 - To Perform Tawaf (Circumambulation) On Behalf of Imam (a.t.f.s.) or to Send Someone For Performing Tawaf On His Behalf ↩

6. Mikyal al-Makarim, Vol. 2, Duty No. 45 - Reward Of Reciting Qur’an For Imam (aj) ↩

7. Hayat al-Quloob, Vol. 2, Chapter 50 ↩

8. Mikyal al-Makarim, Vol. 2, Duty No. 23 - Giving Sadaqah On Behalf Of Imam (aj) ↩

9. Kamiluz Ziyaraat, Chapter 90, Tradition 1 ↩

10. (Surah Noor 24: Verse 36) ↩

11. Oyoun Al Akhbaar Al-Reza (a.s.), Vol. 2, page 264 ↩

12. Bihar al-Anwaar, Vol. 24, page 196 ↩

13. Risalatal Huqooq, Right No 28 – One who treats you kindl ↩

14. Some scholars narrate the same incident for Masjid e Jamkaran ↩

15. Mikyal al-Makarim, Resemblance to Hazrat Isa (a.s.), Al Kharaaej al-Qutb al-Rawandi, Pg. 92) ↩