ZIARAT-E-ARBA'EEN

 

It is reported that the Infallible Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.), he said that there are five signs of a Believer (Momin):

1.       Performing 51 rakats of prayer, including Nawafil, in 24 hours.

2.       Reciting Ziarat-e-Arba’een.

3. Prostrating (sajda) on earth, preferably on Khak-e-Shifa (soil from the grave of Imam Husayn (a.s.)      

4.       Reciting “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” loudly in the prayers.      

5.       Wearing “Aqeeq” ring in the right hand. 

The English translation of the Ziarat is reproduced below:Peace be upon the favorite of Allah; Peace be upon the beloved friend of Allah. Peace be upon the choicest confidant of Allah, and the son of the son of the choicest confidant of Allah! Peace be upon Husayn (a.s.), who gave his life in the way of Allah, a martyr, underwent untold hardships. Peace be on the hostage surrounded by the tightening circle of sorrow and grief, killed by a hoard of savages.

O My Allah! I give witness that beyond a shadow of doubt, he is Your favorite and choicest confidant, who enjoys Your confidence and favor, precisely like his father!  You looked at him and elected him in Your cause, picked and chose him for the good fortune, selected for him the best purified parents, appointed him guardian, leader, and defender of rights, a true representative of guardians, leaders and defenders of rights, gave him much more from the inheritance of the Prophets, put him forward as a decisive Argument, along with other successors (of the Noble Messenger) to the mankind. He met with deadly dangers , acted justly and fairly, made use of everything belonging to him to pay full attention to give sincere advice, took pains, made every effort and put his heart , mind, soul, and life at the disposal of Your mission to liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance and evil of bewilderment, but an evil doer, deceived with empty hopes of mean and worthless worldly gains, had pressed heavily on him, and sold out his share (of eternal bliss) for the meanest and lowest bargain, betrayed his day of Judgment for a vulgar return , took pride in insolence, fell into the fathom-well of silly stupid follies, provoked You and Your Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) to anger, did as the harsh discordant , the hypocrite, the heavily burdened bearers of sin, condemned to Hell Fire, advised to him, however, he (the Infallible Imam), steadily, rightly and justly coped with them , till, in Your obedience, gave his life after which his family was set adrift.

O My Allah! Therefore, condemn them to Hell as a denunciation and conviction; and crack down on them with a painful Punishment. Peace be upon you O the son of the Messenger of Allah! Peace be upon you the son of the first of the successors (of the Noble Messenger of Allah)! I bear witness that Allah put faith in you like He had full confidence in your father, and that you always looked for and collected good and virtues, lived a highly praise-worthy life and departed from this world a martyr, forsaken and abused; I bear witness that Allah will promptly fulfill the promise, He made to you, and destroy those who left you helpless and punish those who killed you; I bear witness that you kept your promise made with Allah, and strived in His way till what was certain came upon you, so curse of Allah be on those who oppressed you , curse of Allah be on the people who came to know  and approved it.

O My Allah! Be my witness that I make friends with those who love him and oppose who deny him. I, my father, and mother, be sacrificed for you, O son of the Messenger of Allah. I know and bear witness that you were “light” in the sublime loins and the pure wombs, never touched you  the dirt of ignorance , nor ever obscurity concealed you in its folds; I bear witness that you are the pillar of “Deen” , support of the Muslims, refuge of the faithful; I bear witness that you are a truthful, well-aware, content, intelligent, rightly guided Guide (Imam); I bear witness that Imams among your descendants are the symbols of “conscious piety” and signs of “true guidance”, the “safe handle”-Islam, and the decisive arguments over mankind; I declare positively that I have full faith in you  and I know for certain that you shall return. I am fully committed to the laws of my religion, certain of my deeds, my mind and heart are ready for your return, and my affairs carried out in the light of your instructions, till Allah gives you permission, together with you, along with you, not at the same time with your enemies. Blessings of Allah be on you, on your souls, on your bodies when you are visible, when you are invisible, on your perceivable aspects, on your innermost genius be it so, O Lord of the worlds.

Source: Arbaeen of Imam Husayn (a.s.) by Saleem Bhimji, Duas.org