Seerah

The pilgrimage to the holy shrines of the prophets, Imams, and saints is called Ziyara. It is different from the ritual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is called Hajj. Hajj however is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman under specific conditions, whereas Ziyara is not obligatory. It is yet very recommended for the innumerable narrations of the Prophet and the Imams regarding the rewards of those who perform such pilgrimages voluntarily. 80

Simply, Ziyara is to visit the tomb and say any word of greeting, such as 'Salaam'. Other narrations have confirmed that it is acceptable to address such words of greetings from any place in the world while directing the face towards the direction of the tomb.

At any rate, it is advisable, according to reason as well as instructions of well-versed scholars, to commit to the statements of the Ziyaras that are related to the Ahl-ul-Bayt (a), because such statements express deeply the actuality of the owner of the visited tomb and hint at the most accurate conducts to be practiced there.

On that account, it is recommendable for the visitors of the tomb of al-Abbas to follow the instructions mentioned in the saying of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a) regarding the Ziyara.

In this saying, the Imam instruct the visitor to stop opposite to the body of al-Abbas turning the back to the kiblah, just like visiting the tombs of the prophets and Imams. This expresses the utmost courtesy befitting the elevated rank of al-Abbas. In fact, to visit al-Abbas after his death is same as visiting him during his life. This is because the martyrs are "alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him. "81

The author of Mezar ul-Bihar on page 165, records that Sheikh al-Mufid, Ibn al-Mash'hadi, and ash-Shahid al-Awwal emphasized that the visitor of the tomb of al-Abbas should, first, stop at the door of the shed and seek permission to enter by saying: "Greetings of Allah… etc." He then should enter and throw himself on the tomb and recite: "Salaam be upon you, the righteous servant of God… etc." He then should move to the direction of the head to offer the prayer and supplicate to God. He then should return to the tomb, stop at the two legs, and recite: "Salaam be upon you, Abu'l-Fadhl al-Abbas… etc."

Although these statements do not show whether it is advisable to stop at a specific side, it is understood that the direction of the kiblah is the intended.

Some scholars however advised of visiting the tomb of al-Abbas before that of Imam al-Hussein (a), because the earlier is the door to the latter.

It is also advisable to offer the two-Rakaa 82 prayer of Ziyara at the tomb of al-Abbas. During his visit to the tombs of the martyrs of Karbala on the fortieth day after their martyrdom, Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari visited the tomb of al-Abbas ibn Ali and offered a two-Rakaa prayer. 83

It is also advisable to kiss the tomb. This is proved through the narration of Safwan al-Jammal who relates it to Imam as-Sadiq (a):

"… You should then come near the tomb of al-Abbas ibn Ali and say… Then throw yourself on the tomb, kiss it, and say… etc."84

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80. See Sheikh Abbas al-Qummi, Mafaateeh ul-Jinan.

81. The Holy Quran; Sura of Aal-Imran, Verse 169.

82. Rakaa is unit of prayers.

83. See Ziyarat ul-Arbaeen.

84. See Mezar ul-Bihar; 180.

Adopted from the book : "Al-Abbas"