Dua Nudbah

الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ، وَصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيِّهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيماً . اللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَىٰ مَا جَرىٰ بِهِ قَضاؤُكَ فِي أَوْلِيائِكَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَخْلَصْتَهُمْ لِنَفْسِكَ وَدِينِكَ، إِذِ اخْتَرْتَ لَهُمْ جَزِيلَ مَا عِنْدَكَ مِنَ النَّعِيمِ الْمُقِيمِ الَّذِي لَازَوالَ لَهُ وَلَا اضْمِحْلالَ، بَعْدَ أَنْ شَرَطْتَ عَلَيْهِمُ الزُّهْدَ فِي دَرَجاتِ هٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا الدَّنِيَّةِ وَزُخْرُفِها وَزِبْرِجِها، فَشَرَطُوا لَكَ ذٰلِكَ، وَعَلِمْتَ مِنْهُمُ الْوَفاءَ بِهِ، فَقَبِلْتَهُمْ وَقَرَّبْتَهُمْ وَقَدَّمْتَ لَهُمُ الذِّكْرَ الْعَلِيَّ وَالثَّناءَ الْجَلِيَّ، وَأَهْبَطْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ مَلائِكَتَكَ، وَكَرَّمْتَهُمْ بِوَحْيِكَ، وَ رَفَدْتَهُمْ بِعِلْمِكَ؛

All praise is specially due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may the blessings and peace of Allah — a complete peace — be upon our master Muhammad, His Prophet, and his Ahl al-Bayt. O Allah, praise be to You for what Your decree has brought to pass concerning Your friends, those whom You chose for Yourself and Your religion, when You chose for them the abundance of lasting grace that is with You — a grace that knows no loss or corruption — after You had made it a condition for them to be disinclined toward the stations of this lowly world and its adornments. They accepted that condition from You, and You considered it binding upon them. So You accepted them, brought them near to Your presence, granted them a lofty remembrance and a clear commendation, sent down Your angels to them, honored them with Your revelation, and bestowed upon them from Your knowledge.

وَجَعَلْتَهُمُ الذَّرِيعَةَ إِلَيْكَ، وَالْوَسِيلَةَ إِلَىٰ رِضْوانِكَ، فَبَعْضٌ أَسْكَنْتَهُ جَنَّتَكَ إِلَىٰ أَنْ أَخْرَجْتَهُ مِنْها، وَبَعْضٌ حَمَلْتَهُ فِي فُلْكِكَ، وَنَجَّيْتَهُ وَمَنْ آمَنَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الْهَلَكَةِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ، وَبَعْضٌ اتَّخَذْتَهُ لِنَفْسِكَ خَلِيلاً، وَسَأَلَكَ لِسانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الْآخِرِينَ فَأَجَبْتَهُ، وَجَعَلْتَ ذٰلِكَ عَلِيّاً، وَبَعْضٌ كَلَّمْتَهُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ تَكْلِيماً، وَجَعَلْتَ لَهُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ رِدْءاً وَوَزِيراً، وَبَعْضٌ أَوْلَدْتَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَبٍ، وَآتَيْتَهُ الْبَيِّناتِ، وَأَيَّدْتَهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ، وَكُلٌّ شَرَعْتَ لَهُ شَرِيعَةً وَنَهَجْتَ لَهُ مِنْهاجاً، وَتَخَيَّرْتَ لَهُ أَوْصِياءَ؛

And You made them a means of access to Yourself and a conduit to Your pleasure. So some of them You placed in Paradise, then later brought him out from it; some of them You carried in the ark and saved him and those who believed with him from destruction by Your mercy; some of them You took as an intimate friend, and he asked You for a good name among later generations, and You answered his request and made his name renowned; with some of them You spoke from behind a tree — a unique speaking — and appointed for him his brother as a supporter and minister; some of them You brought into being without a father, bestowed upon him clear proofs, and supported him with the Holy Spirit; and for all of them You established a sacred law, made the path clear and evident, and chose successors for them.

مُسْتَحْفِظاً بَعْدَ مُسْتَحْفِظٍ، مِنْ مُدَّةٍ إِلَىٰ مُدَّةٍ، إِقامَةً لِدِينِكَ، وَحُجَّةً عَلَىٰ عِبادِكَ، وَ لِئَلَّا يَزُولَ الْحَقُّ عَنْ مَقَرِّهِ، وَيَغْلِبَ الْباطِلُ عَلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ وَلَا يَقُولَ أَحَدٌ لَوْلا أَرْسَلْتَ إِلَيْنا رَسُولاً مُنْذِراً، وَأَقَمْتَ لَنا عَلَماً هادِياً فَنَتَّبِعَ آياتِكَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَذِلَّ وَنَخْزىٰ، إِلَىٰ أَنِ انْتَهَيْتَ بِالْأَمْرِ إِلىٰ حَبِيبِكَ وَنَجِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِهِ؛

Guardian after guardian, from one era to another, to establish Your religion and as a proof upon Your servants, so that truth would not be removed from its place, falsehood would not prevail over the people of truth, and no one would say, “If only You had sent us a warning prophet and raised for us a banner of guidance, so that we might follow Your signs before we were humiliated and disgraced” — until You conveyed the station of prophethood and guidance to Your beloved and chosen one, Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his family).

فَكانَ كَمَا انْتَجَبْتَهُ سَيِّدَ مَنْ خَلَقْتَهُ، وَصَفْوَةَ مَنِ اصْطَفَيْتَهُ، وَأَفْضَلَ مَنِ اجْتَبَيْتَهُ، وَأَكْرَمَ مَنِ اعْتَمَدْتَهُ، قَدَّمْتَهُ عَلَىٰ أَنْبِيائِكَ، وَبَعَثْتَهُ إِلَى الثَّقَلَيْنِ مِنْ عِبادِكَ، وَأَوْطَأْتَهُ مَشارِقَكَ وَمَغارِبَكَ، وَسَخَّرْتَ لَهُ الْبُراقَ، وَعَرَجْتَ بِرُوحِهِ إِلَىٰ سَمائِكَ، وَأَوْدَعْتَهُ عِلْمَ مَا كانَ وَمَا يَكُونُ إِلَىٰ انْقِضاءِ خَلْقِكَ، ثُمَّ نَصَرْتَهُ بِالرُّعْبِ، وَحَفَفْتَهُ بِجَبْرَئِيلَ وَمِيكائِيلَ وَالْمُسَوِّمِينَ مِنْ مَلائِكَتِكَ، وَوَعَدْتَهُ أَنْ تُظْهِرَ دِينَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ، وَذٰلِكَ بَعْدَ أَنْ بَوَّأْتَهُ مُبَوَّأَ صِدْقٍ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ؛

Then he was as You chose him: the master of Your creatures, the chosen one of Your chosen ones, the most excellent of Your select ones, the most honored of Your trusted ones. You advanced him above Your prophets, raised him among jinn and mankind from Your servants, placed the Easts and Wests of Your dominion beneath his feet, made the Buraq serve him, ascended his noble being to Your heaven, and entrusted him with the knowledge of what has been and what will be until the end of Your creation. Then You supported him by casting terror into the hearts of his enemies, surrounded him with Jibra’il, Mika’il, and the standard-bearing angels, and promised him that You would make his religion prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it. And this was after You had placed him in the station of truth with its people.

وَجَعَلْتَ لَهُ وَلَهُمْ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنّٰاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبٰارَكاً وَ هُدىً لِلْعٰالَمِينَ فِيهِ آيٰاتٌ بَيِّنٰاتٌ مَقٰامُ إِبْرٰاهِيمَ وَ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ كٰانَ آمِناً، وَقُلْتَ: ﴿إِنَّمٰا يُرِيدُ اللّٰهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ يُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيراً﴾، ثُمَّ جَعَلْتَ أَجْرَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَواتُكَ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ مَوَدَّتَهُمْ فِي كِتابِكَ، فَقُلْتَ: ﴿قُلْ لاٰ أَسْئَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْراً إِلاَّ الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبىٰ﴾، وَقُلْتَ: ﴿مٰا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرٍ فَهُوَ لَكُمْ﴾، وَقُلْتَ: ﴿مٰا أَسْئَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ إِلاّٰ مَنْ شٰاءَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ إِلىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبِيلاً﴾؛

And You appointed for him and for them the first House ever to be established for mankind, which is in Makkah — a blessed House and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs: the Station of Abraham, and whoever enters it is safe. And You declared concerning them: “Indeed, Allah only desires to remove all impurity from you, O Ahl al-Bayt, and to purify you with a thorough purification.” Then You made the reward of Muhammad in Your Qur’an the love of his Ahl al-Bayt, saying: “Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it except love of my close relatives.” And You said: “Whatever reward I have asked of you, it is for your own good.” And You said: “I do not ask you for any reward for it, except that whoever wills may take a path to his Lord.”

فَكانُوا هُمُ السَّبِيلَ إِلَيْكَ، وَالْمَسْلَكَ إِلَىٰ رِضْوانِكَ، فَلَمَّا انْقَضَتْ أَيَّامُهُ أَقامَ وَلِيَّهُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طالِبٍ صَلَواتُكَ عَلَيْهِما وَآلِهِما هادِياً، إِذْ كانَ هُوَ الْمُنْذِرَ وَ ﴿لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هادٍ﴾، فَقالَ وَالْمَلَأُ أَمامَهُ: مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلاهُ، اللّٰهُمَّ وَالِ مَنْ والاهُ، وَعادِ مَنْ عاداهُ، وَانْصُرْ مَنْ نَصَرَهُ، وَاخْذُلْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُ، وَقالَ: مَنْ كُنْتُ أَنَا نَبِيَّهُ فَعَلِيٌّ أَمِيرُهُ، وَقالَ: أَنَا وَعَلِيٌّ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ واحِدَةٍ وَسائِرُ النَّاسِ مِنْ شَجَرٍ شَتَّىٰ، وَأَحَلَّهُ مَحَلَّ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسىٰ، فَقال لَهُ: أَنْتَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هارُونَ مِنْ مُوسىٰ إِلّا أَنَّهُ لَانَبِيَّ بَعْدِي، وَزَوَّجَهُ ابْنَتَهُ سَيِّدَةَ نِساءِ الْعالَمِينَ، وَأَحَلَّ لَهُ مِنْ مَسْجِدِهِ مَا حَلَّ لَهُ وَسَدَّ الْأَبْوابَ إِلّا بابَهُ، ثُمَّ أَوْدَعَهُ عِلْمَهُ وَحِكْمَتَهُ؛

Thus, they were the path to You and the way to the sanctuary of Your pleasure. When the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to an end, he appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib (Your blessings be upon them both and their family) as his successor for guidance, for he was a warner, and for every people there is a guide. While a multitude of people stood before him, he said: “Whoever I am his master, then Ali is his master. O Allah, love whoever loves Ali, and hate whoever hates Ali, support whoever supports him, and abandon whoever abandons him.” And he said: “Whoever I am his prophet, then Ali is his ruler.” And he said: “I and Ali are from a single tree, while other people are from different trees.” And he placed Ali’s position relative to himself as the position of Harun relative to Musa, saying to him: “You are to me as Harun was to Musa, except that there is no prophet after me.” He then gave him his daughter, the mistress of the women of the worlds, in marriage; allowed for him from his mosque what was permissible for himself; and closed all doors opening into the mosque except his door. Then he entrusted him with his knowledge and wisdom.

فَقالَ: أَنَا مَدِينَةُ الْعِلْمِ وَعَلِيٌّ بابُها، فَمَنْ أَرادَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ فَلْيَأْتِها مِنْ بابِها، ثُمَّ قالَ: أَنْتَ أَخِي وَوَصِيِّي وَوارِثِي، لَحْمُكَ مِنْ لَحْمِي، وَدَمُكَ مِنْ دَمِي، وَسِلْمُكَ سِلْمِي، وَحَرْبُكَ حَرْبِي، وَالْإِيمانُ مُخالِطٌ لَحْمَكَ وَدَمَكَ كَمَا خالَطَ لَحْمِي وَدَمِي، وَأَنْتَ غَداً عَلَى الْحَوْضِ خَلِيفَتِي، وَأَنْتَ تَقْضِي دَيْنِي، وَتُنْجِزُ عِداتِي، وَشِيعَتُكَ عَلَىٰ مَنابِرَ مِنْ نُورٍ مُبْيَضَّةً وُجُوهُهُمْ حَوْلِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَهُمْ جِيرانِي، وَلَوْلا أَنْتَ يَا عَلِيُّ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ بَعْدِي، وَكانَ بَعْدَهُ هُدىً مِنَ الضَّلالِ، وَنُوراً مِنَ الْعَمىٰ، وَحَبْلَ اللّٰهِ الْمَتِينَ، وَصِراطَهُ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ؛

And he said: “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate. So whoever desires the city of knowledge and wisdom, let him enter through its gate.” Then he said: “You are my brother, successor, and heir. Your flesh is my flesh, your blood is my blood. Peace with you is peace with me, and war with you is war with me. Faith is mixed with your flesh and blood just as it is mixed with my flesh and blood. You are my successor at the Pond of Kawthar on the Day of Resurrection. You will repay my debts and fulfill my promises. Your Shi’a will be upon pulpits of light, their faces radiant, surrounding me in Paradise as my neighbors. If it were not for you, O Ali, the people of faith would not be known after me.” And after the Prophet, Ali (peace be upon him) was the guide from misguidance, the light from blindness, the firm rope of Allah, and His straight path.

لَايُسْبَقُ بِقَرابَةٍ فِي رَحِمٍ، وَلَا بِسابِقَةٍ فِي دِينٍ، وَلَا يُلْحَقُ فِي مَنْقَبَةٍ مِنْ مَناقِبِهِ، يَحْذُو حَذْوَ الرَّسُولِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِما وَآلِهِما، وَيُقاتِلُ عَلَى التَّأْوِيلِ، وَلَا تَأْخُذُهُ فِي اللّٰهِ لَوْمَةُ لائِمٍ، قَدْ وَتَرَ فِيهِ صَنادِيدَ الْعَرَبِ، وَقَتَلَ أَبْطالَهُمْ، وَناوَشَ ذُؤْبانَهُمْ، فَأَوْدَعَ قُلُوبَهُمْ أَحْقاداً بَدْرِيَّةً وَخَيْبَرِيَّةً وَحُنَيْنِيَّةً وَغَيْرَهُنَّ، فَأَضَبَّتْ عَلَىٰ عَداوَتِهِ، وَأَكَبَّتْ عَلَىٰ مُنابَذَتِهِ، حَتَّىٰ قَتَلَ النَّاكِثِينَ وَالْقاسِطِينَ وَالْمارِقِينَ، وَلَمَّا قَضىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَقَتَلَهُ أَشْقَى الْآخِرِينَ يَتْبَعُ أَشْقَى الْأَوَّلِينَ لَمْ يُمْتَثَلْ أَمْرُ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فِي الْهادِينَ بَعْدَ الْهادِينَ، وَالْأُمَّةُ مُصِرَّةٌ عَلَىٰ مَقْتِهِ، مُجْتَمِعَةٌ عَلَىٰ قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمِهِ، وَ إِقْصاءِ وُلَْدِهِ، إِلّا الْقَلِيلَ مِمَّنْ وَفَىٰ لِرِعايَةِ الْحَقِّ فِيهِمْ؛

In closeness of kinship to the Messenger of Allah, no one surpassed him, and in precedence in religion, no one came before him. In any virtue, no one reached his station. He followed the mission of the Prophet (may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his family), waged war according to the inner interpretation of the Qur’an, and paid no heed to any blame concerning Allah. He shed the blood of the brave among the Arabs for the sake of Allah, struck down their champions with his sword, and confronted their wolves. Thus they harbored in their hearts the grudges of the battles of Badr, Khaybar, Hunayn, and others. They ingrained enmity toward him in their very beings and rose to fight him. So he killed the oath-breakers, the wrongdoers, and those who deviated from the religion. Then when he passed away — killed by the most wretched of the later generations, the one who did the deed of the most wretched of the earlier generations — the command of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his family) concerning the guides, one after another, was not obeyed. The nation persisted in hostility toward him, gathered together to sever his family ties and exile his children, except for a few who fulfilled their covenant with the Prophet regarding observing the rights of the family.

فَقُتِلَ مَنْ قُتِلَ، وَسُبِيَ مَنْ سُبِيَ، وَأُقْصِيَ مَنْ أُقْصِيَ، وَجَرَى الْقَضاءُ لَهُمْ بِمَا يُرْجىٰ لَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَثُوبَةِ، إِذْ كانَتِ الْأَرْضُ لِلّٰهِ ﴿يُورِثُها مَنْ يَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِهِ وَالْعاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾، ﴿وَ سُبْحانَ رَبِّنا إِنْ كانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنا لَمَفْعُولاً﴾، وَلَنْ يُخْلِفَ اللّٰهُ وَعْدَهُ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ، فَعَلَى الْأَطائِبِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلِيٍّ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِما وَآلِهِما فَلْيَبْكِ الْباكُونَ، وَ إِيَّاهُمْ فَلْيَنْدُبِ النَّادِبُونَ، وَ لِمِثْلِهِمْ فَلْتَذْرِفِ الدُّمُوعُ، وَلْيَصْرُخِ الصَّارِخُونَ، وَيَضِجَّ الضَّاجُّونَ، وَيَعِجَّ الْعاجُّونَ، أَيْنَ الْحَسَنُ ؟ أَيْنَ الْحُسَيْنُ ؟ أَيْنَ أَبْناءُ الْحُسَيْنِ ؟ صالِحٌ بَعْدَ صالِحٍ، وَصادِقٌ بَعْدَ صادِقٍ، أَيْنَ السَّبِيلُ بَعْدَ السَّبِيلِ؛

So killed was the one who was killed, taken captive was the one who was taken captive, exiled was the one who was exiled, and the decree was carried out upon them — a decree for which they hope for a good reward. For indeed, the earth belongs to Allah; He gives it as inheritance to whomever He wills of His servants, and the ultimate outcome belongs to the God-fearing. “And exalted is our Lord — indeed, the promise of our Lord is certainly to be fulfilled.” And Allah never fails in His promise, and He is All-Powerful, All-Wise. So let the weepers weep over the pure ones of the Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad and Ali (may Allah’s blessings be upon them and their family), let the mourners mourn, for the likes of them tears should flow, the lamenters should lament, the wailers should wail, and the outcriers should cry out. Where is Hasan? Where is Husayn? Where are the sons of Husayn? The worthy one after another worthy one, the truthful one after another truthful one, the path after the path — where are they?

أَيْنَ الْخِيَرَةُ بَعْدَ الْخِيَرَةِ ؟ أَيْنَ الشُّمُوسُ الطَّالِعَةُ ؟ أَيْنَ الْأَقْمارُ الْمُنِيرَةُ ؟ أَيْنَ الْأَنْجُمُ الزَّاهِرَةُ ؟ أَيْنَ أَعْلامُ الدِّينِ وَقَواعِدُ الْعِلْمِ ؟ أَيْنَ بَقِيَّةُ اللّٰهِ الَّتِي لَاتَخْلُو مِنَ الْعِتْرَةِ الْهادِيَةِ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُعَدُّ لِقَطْعِ دابِرِ الظَّلَمَةِ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ لِإِقامَةِ الْأَمْتِ وَالْعِوَجِ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُرْتَجىٰ لِإِزالَةِ الْجَوْرِ وَالْعُدْوانِ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُدَّخَرُ لِتَجْدِيدِ الْفَرائِضِ وَالسُّنَنِ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُتَخَيَّرُ لِإِعادَةِ الْمِلَّةِ وَالشَّرِيعَةِ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُؤَمَّلُ لِإِحْياءِ الْكِتابِ وَحُدُودِهِ ؟ أَيْنَ مُحْيِي مَعالِمِ الدِّينِ وَأَهْلِهِ ؟ أَيْنَ قاصِمُ شَوْكَةِ الْمُعْتَدِينَ ؟ أَيْنَ هادِمُ أَبْنِيَةِ الشِّرْكِ وَالنِّفاقِ ؟ أَيْنَ مُبِيدُ أَهْلِ الْفُسُوقِ وَالْعِصْيانِ وَالطُّغْيانِ ؟ أَيْنَ حاصِدُ فُرُوعِ الْغَيِّ وَالشِّقاقِ؛

Where is the best chosen one after the best chosen one? Where are the radiant suns? Where are the illuminating moons? Where are the shining stars? Where are the banners of religion and the pillars of knowledge? Where is the remnant of Allah, by which the guiding family will never be emptied? Where is the one prepared to uproot the oppressors? Where is the one awaited to straighten that which is crooked and deviant? Where is the one in whom hope is placed for the destruction of tyranny and enmity? Where is the treasure for renewing the obligations and traditions? Where is the chosen one for restoring religion and sacred law? Where is the longed-for one for reviving the Qur’an and its limits? Where is the reviver of the signs of religion and the people of religion? Where is the crusher of the might of the aggressors? Where is the destroyer of the structures of polytheism and hypocrisy? Where is the annihilator of the people of immorality, disobedience, and rebellion? Where is the cutter of the branches of misguidance and division?

أَيْنَ طامِسُ آثارِ الزَّيْغِ وَالْأَهْواءِ ؟ أَيْنَ قاطِعُ حَبائِلِ الْكِذْبِ وَالافْتِراءِ ؟ أَيْنَ مُبِيدُ الْعُتاةِ وَالْمَرَدَةِ ؟ أَيْنَ مُسْتَأْصِلُ أَهْلِ الْعِنادِ وَالتَّضْلِيلِ وَالْإِلْحادِ ؟ أَيْنَ مُعِزُّ الْأَوْلِياءِ وَمُذِلُّ الْأَعْداءِ ؟ أَيْنَ جامِعُ الْكَلِمَةِ عَلَى التَّقْوىٰ ؟ أَيْنَ بابُ اللّٰهِ الَّذِي مِنْهُ يُؤْتىٰ ؟ أَيْنَ وَجْهُ اللّٰهِ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ يَتَوَجَّهُ الْأَوْلِياءُ ؟ أَيْنَ السَّبَبُ الْمُتَّصِلُ بَيْنَ الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّماءِ ؟ أَيْنَ صاحِبُ يَوْمِ الْفَتْحِ وَناشِرُ رايَةِ الْهُدىٰ؟ أَيْنَ مُؤَلِّفُ شَمْلِ الصَّلاحِ وَالرِّضا؛

Where is the eraser of the traces of deviation and carnal desires? Where is the cutter of the snares of lies and slander? Where is the destroyer of the arrogant and disobedient? Where is the uprooter of the people of stubbornness, misguidance, and irreligion? Where is the one who honors the friends and humiliates the enemies? Where is the gatherer of power and authority upon the foundation of piety? Where is the gate to Allah through which one enters? Where is the manifestation of Allah toward whom the friends turn? Where is the means of connection between earth and heaven? Where is the master of the day of victory and the unfurler of the banner of guidance? Where is the gatherer of the scattered matters of righteousness and divine pleasure?

أَيْنَ الطَّالِبُ بِذُحُولِ الْأَنْبِياءِ وَأَبْناءِ الْأَنْبِياءِ ؟ أَيْنَ الطَّالِبُ بِدَمِ الْمَقْتُولِ بِكَرْبَلاءَ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمَنْصُورُ عَلَىٰ مَنِ اعْتَدىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَافْتَرىٰ ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُضْطَرُّ الَّذِي يُجابُ إِذا دَعا ؟ أَيْنَ صَدْرُ الْخَلائِقِ ذُو الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوىٰ ؟ أَيْنَ ابْنُ النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفىٰ، وَابْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمُرْتَضىٰ، وَابْنُ خَدِيجَةَ الْغَرَّاءِ، وَابْنُ فاطِمَةَ الْكُبْرَىٰ ؟ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي وَنَفْسِي لَكَ الْوِقاءُ وَالْحِمىٰ، يَا ابْنَ السَّادَةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ، يَا ابْنَ النُّجَباءِ الْأَكْرَمِينَ، يَا ابْنَ الْهُداةِ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ ، يَا ابْنَ الْخِيَرَةِ الْمُهَذَّبِينَ، يَا ابْنَ الْغَطارِفَةِ الْأَنْجَبِينَ، يَا ابْنَ الْأَطائِبِ الْمُطَهَّرِينَ ، يَا ابْنَ الْخَضارِمَةِ الْمُنْتَجَبِينَ، يَا ابْنَ الْقَماقِمَةِ الْأَكْرَمِينَ ، يَا ابْنَ الْبُدُورِ الْمُنِيرَةِ، يَا ابْنَ السُّرُجِ الْمُضِيئَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الشُّهُبِ الثَّاقِبَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الْأَنْجُمِ الزَّاهِرَةِ؛

Where is the avenger of the blood of the prophets and the children of the prophets? Where is the avenger of the blood of the one slain in Karbala? Where is the one who triumphs over everyone who wronged him and slandered him? Where is the distressed one who is answered when he calls? Where is the leader of creation, possessing goodness and piety? Where is the son of the chosen Prophet, the son of Ali al-Murtada, the son of Khadijah the radiant-faced, the son of Fatimah al-Kubra? May my father, mother, and soul be sacrificed for you — I long to be your shield and fortress. O son of the honored ones brought near (to Allah), O son of the noble and generous, O son of the guided guides, O son of the pure chosen ones, O son of the magnanimous noble ones, O son of the immaculate pure ones, O son of the esteemed select ones, O son of the boundless seas of generosity, compassion, and love, O son of the illuminating moons, O son of the radiant lamps, O son of the shining stars, O son of the brilliant planets.

يَا ابْنَ السُّبُلِ الْواضِحَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الْأَعْلامِ اللَّائِحَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الْعُلُومِ الْكامِلَةِ، يَا ابْنَ السُّنَنِ الْمَشْهُورَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الْمَعالِمِ الْمَأْثُورَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الْمُعْجِزاتِ الْمَوْجُودَةِ، يَا ابْنَ الدَّلائِلِ الْمَشْهُودَةِ ، يَا ابْنَ الصِّراطِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ، يَا ابْنَ النَّبَاِ الْعَظِيمِ، يَا ابْنَ مَنْ هُوَ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتابِ لَدَى اللّٰهِ عَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ، يَا ابْنَ الْآياتِ وَالْبَيِّناتِ، يَا ابْنَ الدَّلائِلِ الظَّاهِراتِ، يَا ابْنَ الْبَراهِينِ الْواضِحاتِ الْباهِراتِ، يَا ابْنَ الْحُجَجِ الْبالِغاتِ، يَا ابْنَ النِّعَمِ السَّابِغاتِ، يَا ابْنَ طٰهٰ وَالْمُحْكَماتِ؛

O son of the clear paths, O son of the manifest signs, O son of the complete knowledges, O son of the well-known traditions, O son of the preserved symbols, O son of the existing miracles, O son of the tangible proofs, O son of the straight way, O son of the great news, O son of the one who in the Mother of the Book, with Allah, is exalted and wise, O son of the verses and signs, O son of the clear evidences, O son of the apparent demonstrations, O son of the eloquent proofs, O son of the perfect blessings, O son of Ta-Ha and the firmly composed verses.

يَا ابْنَ يس وَالذَّارِياتِ، يَا ابْنَ الطُّورِ وَالْعادِياتِ، يَا ابْنَ مَنْ دَنا فَتَدَلَّىٰ فَكانَ قابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنىٰ دُنُوّاً وَاقْتِراباً مِنَ الْعَلِيِّ الْأَعْلىٰ، لَيْتَ شِعْرِي أَيْنَ اسْتَقَرَّتْ بِكَ النَّوىٰ ؟ بَلْ أَيُّ أَرْضٍ تُقِلُّكَ أَوْ ثَرىٰ ؟ أَبِرَضْوىٰ أَوْ غَيْرِها أَمْ ذِي طُوى ؟ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَرَى الْخَلْقَ وَلَا تُرىٰ، وَلَا أَسْمَعَ‌ُ لَكَ حَسِيساً وَلَا نَجْوىٰ، عَزِيزٌ عَلَيَّ أَنْ تُحِيطَ بِكَ دُونِيَ الْبَلْوَىٰ وَلَا يَنالَُكَ مِنِّي ضَجِيجٌ وَلَا شَكْوىٰ، بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ مِنْ مُغَيَّبٍ لَمْ يَخْلُ مِنَّا، بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ مِنْ نازِحٍ مَا نَزَحَ عَنَّا، بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ أُمْنِيَّةُ شائِقٍ يَتَمَنَّىٰ مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ وَمُؤْمِنَةٍ ذَكَرا فَحَنَّا، بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ مِنْ عَقِيدِ عِزٍّ لَايُسامىٰ؛

O son of Ya-Sin and al-Dhariyat, O son of Tur and al-‘Adiyat, O son of the one who drew near and then hung suspended until he was within two bow-lengths or nearer, in reach and proximity to Allah, the Most High, the Exalted. If only I knew where your dwelling has been placed — rather, I wish I knew which land has carried you, or what soil? Is it on Mount Radwa, or elsewhere, or in the land of Dhi Tuwa? It is hard for me that I see people, but you are not seen, and I hear from you no audible voice, nor any whispered prayer. It is hard for me that calamity may encompass you without me, and no cry or complaint reaches you from me. May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are a hidden one who is not absent from among us. May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are a distant one who is not far from us. May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are the aspiration of every yearning one who longs, from among the believing men and women who remember you and lament your separation. May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are an ally of power and might whom no one can overcome.

بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ مِنْ أَثِيلِ مَجْدٍ لَايُجارَىٰ ، بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ مِنْ تِلادِ نِعَمٍ لَاتُضاهىٰ، بِنَفْسِي أَنْتَ مِنْ نَصِيفِ شَرَفٍ لَايُساوَىٰ، إِلىٰ مَتَىٰ أَحارُ فِيكَ يَا مَوْلايَ وَ إِلَىٰ مَتَىٰ ؟ وَأَيَّ خِطابٍ أَصِفُ فِيكَ وَأَيَّ نَجْوَىٰ ؟ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أُجَابَ دُونَكَ وَأُناغَىٰ ، عَزِيزٌ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَبْكِيَكَ وَيَخْذُلَكَ الْوَرَىٰ، عَزِيزٌ عَلَيَّ أَنْ يَجْرِيَ عَلَيْكَ دُونَهُمْ مَا جَرَىٰ، هَلْ مِنْ مُعِينٍ فَأُطِيلَ مَعَهُ الْعَوِيلَ وَالْبُكاءَ ؟ هَلْ مِنْ جَزُوعٍ فَأُساعِدَ جَزَعَهُ إِذا خَلا ؟ هَلْ قَذِيَتْ عَيْنٌ فَساعَدَتْها عَيْنِي عَلَى الْقَذَىٰ؛

May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are the deeply-rooted, majestic tree that admits no equal. May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are the ancient blessing for which there is no likeness. May my soul be sacrificed for you — you are the companion of honor that has no peer. Until when shall I remain bewildered concerning you, O my master? And until when, and with what expression, shall I describe you, and with what whispered prayer? It is hard for me to be answered by other than you, or to hear a joyful word from someone else. It is hard for me to weep for you while people abandon you. It is hard for me that what has passed over you should pass over you and not over others. Is there a helper whose side I may join in prolonged crying and wailing? Is there a grieving one whose grief I may assist in his solitude? Is there an eye in which the thorn of separation has lodged, so that my eye may help his eye with that embedded thorn?

هَلْ إِلَيْكَ يَابْنَ أَحْمَدَ سَبِيلٌ فَتُلْقىٰ ؟ هَلْ يَتَّصِلُ يَوْمُنا مِنْكَ بِعِدَةٍ فَنَحْظىٰ ؟ مَتَىٰ نَرِدُ مَناهِلَكَ الرَّوِيَّةَ فَنَرْوَىٰ ؟ مَتَىٰ نَنْتَقِعُ مِنْ عَذْبِ مائِكَ فَقَدْ طالَ الصَّدىٰ ؟ مَتىٰ نُغادِيكَ وَنُراوِحُكَ فَنُقِرَّ عَيْناً ؟ مَتىٰ تَرانا وَ نَراكَ وَقَدْ نَشَرْتَ لِواءَ النَّصْرِ تُرَىٰ أَتَرَانا نَحُفُّ بِكَ وَأَنْتَ تَؤُمُّ الْمَلَأَ وَقَدْ مَلَأْتَ الْأَرْضَ عَدْلاً، وَأَذَقْتَ أَعْداءَكَ هَواناً وَعِقاباً، وَأَبَرْتَ الْعُتاةَ وَجَحَدَةَ الْحَقِّ، وَقَطَعْتَ دابِرَ الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ، وَاجْتَثَثْتَ أُصُولَ الظَّالِمِينَ، وَنَحْنُ نَقُولُ: الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ؛

Is there a way to you, O son of Ahmad, so that I may meet you? Will our day with you be linked by a promise, so that we may attain fulfillment? When will we enter your overflowing springs, so that we may be quenched? When will we benefit from the sweet, refreshing water of union with you? For our thirst has become prolonged. When will we spend morning and evening with you, so that our eyes may be brightened by this? When will you see us, and we see you, while you have unfurled the banner of victory? Will that day come when you see us surrounding you, and you lead the global community, having filled the earth with justice, inflicted humiliation and punishment upon your enemies, destroyed the arrogant and the deniers of truth, cut off the roots of the tyrants, and uprooted the oppressors completely — so that we may say: All praise is specially due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

اللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ كَشَّافُ الْكَرْبِ [الْكُرَبِ] وَالْبَلْوَىٰ، وَ إِلَيْكَ أَسْتَعْدِي فَعِنْدَكَ الْعَدْوَىٰ، وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْآخِرَةِ وَالدُّنْيا ، فَأَغِثْ يَا غِياثَ الْمُسْتَغِيثِينَ عُبَيْدَكَ الْمُبْتَلىٰ، وَأَرِهِ سَيِّدَهُ يَا شَدِيدَ الْقُوَىٰ، وَأَزِلْ عَنْهُ بِهِ الْأَسَىٰ وَالْجَوَىٰ، وَبَرِّدْ غَلِيلَهُ يَا مَنْ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ، وَمَنْ إِلَيْهِ الرُّجْعىٰ وَالْمُنْتَهىٰ . اللّٰهُمَّ وَنَحْنُ عَبِيدُكَ التَّائِقُونَ إِلىٰ وَلِيِّكَ الْمُذَكِّرِ بِكَ وَبِنَبِيِّكَ، خَلَقْتَهُ لَنا عِصْمَةً وَمَلاذاً، وَأَقَمْتَهُ لَنا قِواماً وَمَعاذاً، وَجَعَلْتَهُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنَّا إِماماً، فَبَلِّغْهُ مِنَّا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلاماً وَزِدْنا بِذٰلِكَ يَا رَبِّ إِكْراماً؛

O Allah, You are the Remover of hardships and calamities. I seek help from You — for help and assistance are only with You, and You are the Lord of the Hereafter and this world. So O Helper of the distressed, come to the aid of Your small, helpless servant, and show him his master. O Possessor of mighty powers, and towards his master — remove from him his grief and heartache, and extinguish the fire of his thirst. O You who are established on the Throne, and to Him is the return and the final destination. O Allah, we Your servants are intensely longing for Your vicegerent, the one who will remind the people of You and Your Prophet. You created him as our guardian and refuge, made him our community and security, and appointed him as the leader of the people of faith from among our group. Convey our salutations and peace to him, and thereby increase for us, O Lord, Your compassion and love.

وَاجْعَلْ مُسْتَقَرَّهُ لَنا مُسْتَقَرّاً وَمُقاماً، وَأَتْمِمْ نِعْمَتَكَ بِتَقْدِيمِكَ إِيَّاهُ أَمامَنا حَتَّىٰ تُورِدَنا جِنَانَكَ وَمُرافَقَةَ الشُّهَداءِ مِنْ خُلَصائِكَ . اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ جَدِّهِ وَ رَسُولِكَ السَّيِّدِ الْأَكْبَرِ وَعَلَىٰ أَبِيهِ السَّيِّدِ الْأَصْغَرِ وَجَدَّتِهِ الصِّدِّيقَةِ الْكُبْرىٰ فاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلَّى اللّٰه عَليْهِ وآلِهِ وَعَلَىٰ مَنِ اصْطَفَيْتَ مِنْ آبائِهِ الْبَرَرَةِ وَعَلَيْهِ أَفْضَلَ وَأَكْمَلَ وَأَتَمَّ وَأَدْوَمَ وَأَكْثَرَ وَأَوْفَرَ مَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ أَحَدٍ مِنْ أَصْفِيائِكَ وَخِيَرَتِكَ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ؛

And make his station our station and dwelling place, and perfect Your blessing for us by placing him ahead of us, so that he may admit us into Your paradises and grant us the companionship of the martyrs from among Your pure servants. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and send blessings upon Muhammad, his grandfather and Your Messenger — that supreme master — and upon his father, that master after the Prophet, and upon his grandmother, al-Siddiqah al-Kubra, Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad, and upon those whom You have chosen from among his righteous fathers, and upon him — the best, most complete, most perfect, most enduring, greatest, and most abundant blessings that You have ever bestowed upon any of Your chosen and selected ones from among Your creation.

وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ صَلاةً لَاغايَةَ لِعَدَدِها، وَلَا نِهايَةَ لِمَدَدِها، وَلَا نَفادَ لِأَمَدِها، اللّٰهُمَّ وَأَقِمْ بِهِ الْحَقَّ، وَأَدْحِضْ بِهِ الْباطِلَ، وَأَدِلْ بِهِ أَوْلِياءَكَ، وَأَذْلِلْ بِهِ أَعْداءَكَ، وَصِلِ اللّٰهُمَّ بَيْنَنا وَبَيْنَهُ وُصْلَةً تُؤَدِّي إِلىٰ مُرافَقَةِ سَلَفِهِ، وَاجْعَلْنا مِمَّنْ يَأْخُذُ بِحُجْزَتِهِمْ، وَيَمْكُثُ فِي ظِلِّهِمْ، وَأَعِنَّا عَلَىٰ تَأْدِيَةِ حُقُوقِهِ إِلَيْهِ، وَالاجْتِهادِ فِي طاعَتِهِ، وَاجْتِنابِ مَعْصِيَتِهِ، وَامْنُنْ عَلَيْنا بِرِضاهُ، وَهَبْ لَنا رَأْفَتَهُ وَرَحْمَتَهُ وَدُعاءَهُ وَخَيْرَهُ مَا نَنالُ بِهِ سَعَةً مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ، وَفَوْزاً عِنْدَكَ، وَاجْعَلْ صَلاتَنا بِهِ مَقبُولَةً، وَذُنُوبَنا بِهِ مَغْفُورَةً، وَدُعاءَنا بِهِ مُسْتَجاباً؛

Send blessings — blessings that have no end in number, no limit to their duration, and no termination in time. O Allah, establish truth through him, destroy falsehood by him, grant victory to Your friends through his authority, and humiliate Your enemies at his hands. O Allah, join between us and him with a connection that brings us to the companionship of those who came before him, and place us among those who cling to the hem of their grace and dwell in the shadow of their favor. Help us to fulfill his rights, strive in obeying him, and avoid disobeying him. Bestow upon us Your favor through his pleasure, and grant us his compassion, mercy, and benevolent prayers to such an extent that, through them, we may attain Your vast mercy and success in Your presence. O Allah, through him accept our prayers, forgive our sins, and answer our supplications.

وَاجْعَلْ أَرْزاقَنا بِهِ مَبْسُوطَةً، وَهُمُومَنا بِهِ مَكْفِيَّةً، وَحَوَائِجَنا بِهِ مَقْضِيَّةً، وَأَقْبِلْ إِلَيْنا بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ، وَاقْبَلْ تَقَرُّبَنا إِلَيْكَ، وَانْظُرْ إِلَيْنا نَظْرَةً رَحِيمَةً نَسْتَكْمِلُ بِهَا الْكَرامَةَ عِنْدَكَ ثُمَّ لَاتَصْرِفْها عَنَّا بِجُودِكَ، وَاسْقِنا مِنْ حَوْضِ جَدِّهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ بِكَأْسِهِ وَبِيَدِهِ رَيّاً رَوِيّاً هَنِيئاً سائِغاً لَاظَمَأَ بَعْدَهُ، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ .

O Allah, through him expand our provisions, remove our sorrows, and fulfill our needs. Turn towards us with Your noble countenance, accept our proximity to You, and look upon us with a merciful gaze — a gaze by which we may attain the fullness of honor in Your presence through it. Do not deprive us of that merciful gaze, by the right of Your generosity. Give us to drink from the pool of his grandfather (may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his family), from his cup, by his hand — a complete, refreshing, and sweet drink after which there is no thirst. O Most Merciful of the merciful.