Miscellaneous Articles

The Significance of Ziyarat Ashura

The above incidences clearly convey the virtues and significance of Ziyarat Ashura - both in this world and the Hereafter. Now let us have a look at those traditions that indicate and highlight the merits of reciting Ziyarat Ashura and also substantiate the above incidents.

Tradition 1

Alqamah bin Mohammed ibn Hazrami (r.a.) narrates 'I requested Imam Baqir (a.s.) to teach me a dua that I should recite on the day of Aashoora after the reciting the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) - from near his (a.s.) grave or from a distance.' Imam (a.s.) replied :

'O Alqamah, whenever you wish to recite the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.), you first perform two units of prayers. Then turn towards the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) and while pointing towards it, you first say 'Salam' and then 'Takbir'. Thereafter, you recite this Ziyaarat (Ziyarat Ashura). If you do so, then as if you have recited the supplication read by the angels while visiting the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.). Moreover, when you recite this Ziyaarat, then

(a) Allah will increase your grade one million times

(b) You will be included among those people who were martyred along with Imam Husain (a.s.)

(c) On the day of Judgment, you will be included among the martyrs

(d) You will get the reward of all the Prophets (a.s.) who have visited the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) from the day that he (a.s.) was martyred till date. And the way of reciting the Ziyaarat is like this…' (Then Imam (a.s.) recited the entire Ziyarat Ashura for Alqamah (r.a.)) (Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Ibn Qulawayh, Ch. 71, p.194)

At the end of this tradition, Imam Baqir (a.s.) says :

'O Alqamah, if you can, then recite this Ziyaarat every day send salutations to Imam Husain (a.s.). You will get all the rewards (of the one who recites it on the day of Ashura).'

Tradition 2

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: 'The one who visits the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Ashura or spends the night near his (a.s.) grave, then it is as if he attained martyrdom along with him (a.s.).' (Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Chapter 71, p. 191) (Many Ziyaaraat have been mentioned that can be recited on the day of Ashura. But the Ziyaarat mentioned by Janab Safwan (r.a.) is more common and it is Hadith-e-Qudsi).

Tradition 3

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) informs,

'The one who does the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) on the day of Ashura, then paradise is obligatory upon him.' (Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p.104)

Tradition 4

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) mentions,

'The one who visits the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) knowing his right (of Imamate) then it is as if he has done the Ziyaarat of Allah on the Arsh.' (Kaamil al-Ziyaarat, Chapter 71, p. 192)

Tradition 5

Abdullah bin Fazl narrates, 'Once I was in the presence of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) when a person from the city of 'Toos' came to visit him (a.s.). He asked. 'O son of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)! What do you have to say for the one who visits the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) on the day of Ashura?' Imam (a.s.) replied 'O Toosi! The one who visits the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) while he acknowledges that his (a.s.) obedience is obligatory from the side of Allah, then all his past and future sins shall be forgiven. He will be granted the right of intercession for seventy sinners. There will be no supplication that he shall ask from Allah near the grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.) except that it shall be accepted.' (Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 101, p. 23)

As we are discussing about the fifth personality of the five holy personas (a.s.), we will suffice with the narration of five traditions. Those who would like to go deeper in this topic can refer to 'Kamil al-Ziyaarat, Bihaar al-Anwaar vol. 101, Thawaab al-A'maal and 'Shifa al-Sudur'.

When we ponder over the above traditions, we realize the miraculous nature and effects of Ziyarat Ashura. These traditions also bear testimony to the veracity of the earlier incidents.