DUA AL-NUDBA

Nudba means calling, wailing, and mourning, because it includes calling Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) for help, lament on his occultation and wail in his absence. This Dua has been narrated by authentic sources from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.). It is recommended (Mustahab) to recite it on Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Ghadeer and every Fridays.

The supplication starts by glorifying and praising Allah (s.w.t.) and sending his peace and blessings on the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny (a.s.). It continues explaining the purpose of choosing prophets and saints, and then the most important part of Adam and Ulul-Azam prophets (Noah, Ibrahim, Musa, Eisa and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). It has been emphasized that Allah has appointed an executor and successor for each one of them so that Right (Haqq) stays and Wrong (Batil) cannot overcome the Right. Afterward, it proceeds with the succession of Imam Ali (a.s.) and after mentioning some of his virtues, it points out the disloyalty and wickedness of their enemies who-against the Prophet’s explicit order-martyred Imam Ali (a.s.) and his holy sons (a.s.) one after another. Then it goes on with asking for help and yearning for the re-appearance of the last remaining infallible of the Prophet’s Progeny (a.s.).

There are 222 verses of Dua al-Nudba. Selected verses are reproduced below:

The Dua continues with the blessings to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) saying, “Allah’s wish is but to keep away uncleanness far from you “O People of the House” and purify you with a through purification. You said, ‘Say (O Muhammad): I ask you no recompence, save love of (my) kinsfolk. You gave authority to his successor Ali Ibn Abi Talib(as) a guide for the people and in a public meeting overflowing with people, he said, “Of whomsoever I am the Mawlaa, Ali is his Mawlaa. O Allah! Be a friend of him who is a friend of him (Ali), be an enemy of him who is enemy of him (Ali). And said, “I and Ali are from one basic root of a tree, and the rest of mankind are like diverse plants. He said, “I am to you as Musa was to Haroon, but there is no prophet after me.” Ali’s life partner was his (Muhammad)’s daughter, the Chief of the Women of the World. Muhammad and Ali’s doors were open in the mosque, all other doors were closed. He said, “I am the city of Knowledge and Ali is its gate.” He told Ali, “You are my brother, successor and inheritor, your flesh is my flesh, your blood is my blood, your fight is my fight, your truce is my truce, you are the fulfilment of my religion, you shall execute and keep alive my “way of life”, your friends and followers shall speak with authority, command respect and hold the torch of  good manners and refinement, their faces will be all around me in Paradise. Was it not you O Ali, the faithful would not know the truth after me?” Ali had thrown the proud tribal chiefs of Arabia into a fright, destroyed their heroes, attacked, and dispersed its cavalries because of which hatred and deep grudge took roots in their hearts. Badr, Khaybar and Hunain created jealousy and envy in them. Ali destroyed the deserters who had swerved from what was right, the shameless who deviated from true religion. A malicious criminal killed him. An unparalleled approach was applied to the direction of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) concerning the Imams one after the other. The narrow minded obstinate “Ummah” did not care for and had ill-feelings towards him. Where is Hasan? Where is Husayn? Where are the children of Husayn? Where is the “Awaited Savior” and “Hope” who will put an end to the tyranny and oppression? Where is the investigator of the blood of the martyrs of Karbala? O inheritor of “Taa-Haa”, “Yaa-seen” “Toor” and “A’adiyaat”. O son of him who “drew near and came down till he was two bows’ length or nearer.” I eagerly long for you who is out of sight but has not forsaken us. O my Allah! Help us to discharge the duties made incumbent upon us by him, keep from that which is declared unlawful by him. Accept our prayers, forgive our sins, fulfill our desires, give us means of livelihood, make less our hardships.

                Sources: supplication.al-islam.org/adiya/dua-nudba, WIKISHIA.NET