Friday Ziyarat of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)

Friday is dedicated to Imam al-Mahd¢, the Patron of the Age—peace be upon him—for his blessed advent will be on Friday. May Allah hasten his advent. So, when you visit him on Fridays, you are recommended to say the following:

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ ٱللَّهِ فِي ارْضِهِ	alssal¡mu `alayka y¡ ¦ujjata all¡hi f¢ ar¤ih¢	Peace be upon you, O argument of Allah in His lands!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَيْنَ ٱللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ	alssal¡mu `alayka y¡ `ayna all¡hi f¢ khalqih¢	Peace be upon you, O sight of Allah on His creatures!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا نُورَ ٱللَّهِ	alssal¡mu `alayka y¡ n£ra all¡hi	Peace be upon you, O light of Allah
ٱلَّذِي يَهْتَدِي بِهِ ٱلْمُهْتَدُونَ	alladh¢ yahtad¢ bih¢ almuhtad£na	by which those who have been guided [to the true guidance] are guided
وَيُفَرَّجُ بِهِ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ	wa yufarraju bih¢ `an almu'min¢na	and by which the believers are relieved!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ ايُّهَا ٱلْمُهَذَّبُ ٱلْخَائِفُ	alssal¡mu `alayka ayyuh¡ almuhadhdhabu alkh¡'ifu	Peace be upon you, O polite and fearful!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ ايُّهَا ٱلْوَلِيُّ ٱلنَّاصِحُ	alssal¡mu `alayka ayyuh¡ alwaliyyu alnn¡¥i¦u	Peace be upon you, O sincere patron!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَفِينَةَ ٱلنَّجَاةِ	alssal¡mu `alayka y¡ saf¢nata alnnajati	Peace be upon you, O ark of salvation!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَيْنَ ٱلْحَيَاةِ	alssal¡mu `alayka y¡ `ayna al¦ayati	Peace be upon you, O essence of life!
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ	alssal¡mu `alayka	Peace be upon you.
صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ	¥all¡ all¡hu `alayka	May Allah send blessings to you
وَعَلَىٰ آلِ بَيْتِكَ	wa `al¡ ¡li baytika	and upon your Household,
ٱلطَّيِّبينَ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ	al§§ayyib¢na al§§¡hir¢na	the pure and immaculate.
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ	alssal¡mu `alayka	Peace be upon you.
عَجَّلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكَ مَا وَعَدَكَ	`ajjala all¡hu laka m¡ wa`adaka	May Allah hasten that which He has promised you;
مِنَ ٱلنَّصْرِ وَظُهُورِ ٱلامْرِ	mina alnna¥ri wa ¨uh£ri al-amri	namely, victory and prevalence of your authority.
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلاَيَ	alssal¡mu `alayka y¡ mawl¡ya	Peace be upon you, O my master.
انَا مَوْلاَكَ	an¡ mawl¡ka	I am a servant of you
عَارِفٌ بِاولاَكَ وَاخْرَاكَ	`¡rifun bi'£l¡ka wa ukhr¡ka	and I recognize the first and the last of your affair.
اتَقَرَّبُ إِلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ تَعَالَىٰ بِكَ وَبِآلِ بَيْتِكَ	ataqarrabu il¡ all¡hi ta`¡l¡ bika wa bi-¡li baytika	I seek nearness to Allah, the Exalted, through your Household and you
وَانْتَظِرُ ظُهُورَكَ وَظُهُورَ ٱلْحَقِّ عَلَىٰ يَدَيْكَ	wa anta¨iru ¨uh£raka wa ¨uh£ra al¦aqqi `al¡ yadayka	and I am expecting your advent and the prevalence of the truth at your hands.
وَاسْالُ ٱللَّهَ انْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ	wa as'alu all¡ha an yu¥alliya `al¡ mu¦ammadin wa ¡li mu¦ammadin	And I beseech Allah to send blessings to Mu¦ammad and the Household of Muhammad,
وَانْ يَجْعَلَنِي مِنَ ٱلمُنْتَظِرِينَ لَكَ	wa an yaj`alan¢ mina almunta¨ir¢na laka	and to include me with those who are expecting you,
وَٱلتَّابِعِينَ وَٱلنَّاصِرِينَ لَكَ عَلَىٰ اعْدَائِكَ	waltt¡bi`¢na walnn¡¥ir¢na laka `al¡ a`d¡'ika	those who follow you and support you against your enemies,
وَٱلْمُسْتَشْهَدِينَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ فِي جُمْلَةِ اوْلِيَائِكَ	walmustash-had¢na bayna yadayka f¢ jumlati awliy¡'ika	and those who will be martyred in front of you in the group of your loyalists.
يَا مَوْلاَيَ يَا صَاحِبَ ٱلزَّمَانِ	y¡ mawl¡ya y¡ ¥¡¦iba alzzam¡ni	O my master, O Patron of the Age!
صَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ	¥alaw¡tu all¡hi `alayka	May Allah’s blessings be upon you
وَعَلَىٰ آلِ بَيْتِكَ	wa `al¡ ¡li baytika	and upon your Household.
هٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ	h¡dh¡ yawmu aljumu`ati	Today is Friday,
وَهُوَ يَوْمُكَ ٱلْمُتَوَقَّعُ فِيهِ ظُهُورُكَ	wa huwa yawmuka almutawaqqa`u f¢hi ¨uh£ruka	which is your day on which your advent is expected
وَٱلْفَرَجُ فِيهِ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ يَدَيْكَ	walfaraju f¢hi lilmu'min¢na `al¡ yadayka	to bring about relief to the believers at your hands,
وَقَتْلُ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ بِسَيْفِكَ	wa qatlu alk¡fir¢na bisayfika	and killing of the disbelievers with your sword.
وَانَا يَا مَوْلاَيَ فِيهِ ضَيْفُكَ وَجَارُكَ	wa an¡ y¡ mawl¡ya f¢hi ¤ayfuka wa j¡ruka	On this day, O my master, I am your guest and in your vicinity
وَانْتَ يَا مَوْلاَيَ كَرِيمٌ مِنْ اوْلاَدِ ٱلْكِرَامِ	wa anta y¡ mawl¡ya kar¢mun min awl¡di alkir¡mi	and you, my master, are generous and the descendant of the generous people,
وَمَاْمُورٌ بِٱلضِّيَافَةِ وَٱلإِجَارَةِ	wa ma'm£run bil¤¤iy¡fati wal-ij¡rati	and you are commanded to receive your guests and neighbors hospitably;
فَاضِفْنِي وَاجِرْنِي	fa-a¤ifn¢ wa ajirn¢	so, receive me as your guest and neighbor.
صَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ	¥alaw¡tu all¡hi `alayka	May Allah’s blessings be upon you
وَعَلىٰ اهْلِ بَيْتِكَ ٱلطَّاهِرينَ	wa `al¡ ahli baytika al§§¡hir¢na	and upon your Household, the immaculate.

Commenting on this Ziy¡rah, Sayyid Ibn ±¡w£s says: As I say this form of Ziy¡rah, I cite this couple of poetic verses as the best expression of my feeling:

I am your visitor wherever I turn my face	نَزيلُكَ حَيثُ مَا اتَّجَهَتْ رِكابى
And I am your guest wherever I am.	وَضَيْفكَ حَيْثُ كُنْتُ منَ الْبِلادِ

2 Column Arabic Image

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

O Allaah send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Peace be on you, O the decisive argument of Allah on His earth ! Peace be on you, O the ultimate link of Allah with the mankind ! Peace be on you, O the truth and enlightenment of Allah whom the guided on the Right Path follow and imitate, and who gives heart, joy and confidence to the faithfuls! Peace be on you, O the just, pure and refined, rendered formidable! Peace be on you, O the “Wali” (beloved favourite of Allah, a friend, a helper) who always gives sincere advice! Peace be on you, O the means and medium of liberation and assurance ! Peace be on you, O the spring and essence of life ! Peace be on you. Blessings of Allah be on you and on your pure and pious family. Peace be on you. May Allah fulfill, at once, in advance , the promise He made with you – to shower mercy and make distinctly visible (your) leadership. Peace be on you, O Loving Protector ! I am your friend and follower, well aware of your priority and ultimate purpose. I come near Allah, the Highest High, through you and your family. I look forward to be there when you come, at your disposal for making known the truth. I request Allah to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, and make room for me amid those who have fixed the look upon you, who shall comply with your instructions and help you against your enemies, and let me be present before you along with all your friends. O loving protector ! O the Man of the moment ! Blessings of Allah be on you and on your family. Today is Friday, a day you are expected to come; the faithful will be free of cares and troubles when you shall arrive, and with one strike shall put an end to the intrigues of the infidels. I, O the Loving friend, in these hours, seek your hospitality and friendship. You, O my Loving friend, are kind and generous, a true son of the kind and generous forefathers, always inclined by nature to be hospitable and friendly. So give me a warm welcome and make friends with me. Blessings of Allah be on you and on your family.

O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad.

ALLAAHUMMA S’ALLI A’LAA MUH’AMMADIN’W WA AALI MUH’AMMAD

BISMILLAHIR-RAH’MAANIR-RAH’EEM

ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA YAA H”UJJATALLAAHI FEE ARZ”IHEE ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA YAA A’YNALLAAHI FEE KHALQIHEE ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA YAA NOORALLAAHIL LAD”EE YAHTADEE BIHIL MUHTADOONA WA YUFARAJU BIHEE A’NIL MOO-MINEENA ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA AYYUHAL MUHAD’DABUL KHAAA-IFU ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA AYYUHAL WALIYYUN NAAS’IHU ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA YAA SAFEENATAN NAJAATI ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA YAA A’YNAL H’AYAATI ASSALAAMU A’LAYKA S’ALLALLAAHU A’LAYKA WA A’LAA AALI BAYTIKAT’T’AYYIBEENAT’ T’AAHIREENA ASSALAAMU ALAYKA A’JJALALLAAHU LAKA MAA WA-A’DAKA MINAN NAS’RI WA Z’UHOORIL AMRI ASSALAMU A’LAYKA YAA MAWLAAYA ANAA MAWLAAKA A’ARIFUN BI-OOLIYAAAKA WA UKHRAAKA ATAQARRABU ILALLAAHI TA-A’ALAA BIKA WA BI-AALI BAYTIKA WA ANTAZ’IRU Z’UHOORAKA WA Z’UHOORAL H’AQQI A’LAA YADAYKA WA AS-ALULLAAHA AN YUS’ALLIYA A’LAA MUH’AMMADIN’W WA AALI MUH’AMMAD WA AN YAJ-A’LANEE MINAL MUNTAZ’IREENA LAKA WAT TAABI-E’ENA WAN NAAS’IREENA LAKA A’LAA AA’-DAAA-IKA WAL MUSTASH-HADEENA BAYNA YADAYKA FEE JUMLATI AWLIYAAA-IKA YAA MAWLAAYA YAA S’AAH’IBAZ ZAMAAN S’ALAWAATULLAAHI A’LAYKA WA A’LAA AALI BAYTIKA HAAD’AA YAWMUL JUMU-A’H WA HUWA YAWMUKAL MUTAWAQQA-U’ FEEHI Z’UHOORUKA WAL FARAJU FEEHEE LIL MOO-MINEENA A’LAA YADAYKA WA QATLUL KAAFIREENA BI-SAYFIKA WA ANAA YAA MALAAYA FEEHEE Z”AYUKA WA JAARUKA WA ANTO YAA MAWLAAYA KAREEMUN MIN AWLAADIL KIRAAMI WA MAAMOORUN BIZ” Z”IYAAFATI WAL IJAARAH FA-AZ”IFNEE WA AJIRNEE S’ALAWAATULLAAHI A’LAYKA WA A’LAA AHLI BAYTIKAT’ T’AHIREEN

ALLAHUMMA S’ALLI A’LAA MUH’AMMADIN’W WA AALI MUH’AMMAD

The exegesis of the Salutations to Hazrat Imam Zamana (a.s.) on the day of Friday

Peace be upon you O guardian and supervisor nominated by Allah on His creation

The word ?ayn? means 'eye' (Surah Maidah (5), Verse 54), similarly another meaning is derived from it is 'spring' (Surah Baqarah (2), Verse 60). The Holy Quran has used this word in context with these two meanings; otherwise the word has been used in several other meanings and contexts. According to famous Arabic litterateurs, the exact meaning of this word means eye and in rest of the cases its use is symbolic. He explained it with a simile that the reason for its usage in spring may be because the way water gushes out of the spring, similarly tears roll out of the eye. (al-Mufradaat)

Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) has been mentioned as the 'eye of Allah', In Quran, Allah has mentioned His eye in the following verse: (O Prophet!) And wait patiently for the judgment of your Lord, for surely you are before Our eyes(Surah Tur (52), Verse 48)

It may be emphasized here that according to Islamic monotheistic beliefs Allah does not have any physical form or shape. However, He has made metaphorical references to things on His own like Kaaba is mentioned as His house and the she camel of Hazrat Saleh (a.s.) is mentioned as His own.

Nevertheless, according to the traditions of the Ahle Bait (a.s.), Imams (a.s.) are the eyes of Allah which constantly supervises His creation. There are innumerable traditions in this regard, but we will mention two of those traditions. Allamah Mohammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.) in his famous book, Behaarul Anwaar has devoted one entire chapter to this subject and quoted 63 traditions in it.

1. Khusaimah relates that I asked Hazrat Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) about the Quranic verse "And everything will perish except His face (wajh)". Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) explained that

by ?wajh? Allah means His religion and the religion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Hazrat Ali (a.s.), they are His face and His eyes among the people.(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 24, p. 197, hadith 33, quoted from Tauhid-e-Saduq, p. 140)

It may be noted here that the face of Allah here is not physical face but Imams (a.s.) because through them people can turn towards Allah.

2. Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says, Hazrat Amirul Momeneen Ali (a.s.) said, 'I am the knowledge of Allah and the observant eye of Allah.'(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 24, p. 198, h. 25, quoted from Tauhid-e-Shaikh Saduq (r.a.), p 152, 155)

It is evident that in the present era, Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) who represents Ahle Bait (a.s.), is the eye of Allah who guards His creation.

'Peace be upon you O light of Allah through whom the guided ones receive guidance and through whom the believers are provided salvation.'

Shia and Sunnis unanimously agree that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and His Ahle Bait (a.s.) are the light of Allah which guides mankind. Let's have a glance at the 'Ayate Noor" and its interpretation in the Holy Quran:

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; the likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things.(Surah Noor (24), Verse 35)

In the interpretation of this verse, famous Sunni scholar, Ibne Maghazali Shafei in his famous book, al Manaqib writes that Ali bin Ja'far says that I went to Imam Abul Hasan (a.s.) and asked him about this like a 'Niche in which the lamp', to which he replied:

"The niche means Hazrat Fatema (a.s.) and the lamp implies Hazrat Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Hazrat Imam Husain (a.s.). And ?the glass is as it were a brightly shining star? the glass is as it were a brightly shining star refers to Hazrat Fatema (s.a.) who is a shining star among the women of the world. 'Lit from a blessed olive-tree', here the tree means Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) and when the verse says 'Neither eastern nor western' means that Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian. 'The oil whereof almost gives light' means soon knowledge will emanate from it. 'Though fire touch it not - light upon light' means there will be Imams one after another. 'Allah guides to His light whom He pleases' means... whoever Allah wishes guides towards our Mastership and Leadership."(Manaqibe Maghazali pg 317)

This was from a Sunni book; there are a huge number of traditions even in the Shia books. One of them is mentioned hereunder:

Janab Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari (r.a.) narrates that when I entered Masjid-e-Kufa, I saw Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was writing something from his fingers and was constantly smiling. Out of curiosity I asked, "What is the reason for this mirth?"

Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s.) answered: "I am amazed at the man who recites this verse and does not recognize it as he ought to recognize it?"

I asked which verse O Amirul Momeneen (a.s.)? He (a.s.) said:

The saying of Allah, 'Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche' Here 'niche' means Hazrat Mohammad (s.a.w.a.), while I am the lamp, 'in a glass' the glass case means Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.), 'it were a brightly shining star' means Imam Ali bin Al Husain (a.s.), 'lit from a blessed tree' means Mohammad bin Ali (a.s.), 'olive' means Ja'far bin Mohammad (a.s.), 'neither eastern' means Musa bin Ja'far (a.s.), while 'nor western' means Ali bin Musa (a.s.), 'the oil whereof almost gives light' is Mohammad bin Ali (a.s.) and 'though fire touch it not' is Ali bin Mohammad (a.s.), 'light upon light' is al Hasan bin Ali (a.s.) and 'Allah guides to His light whom He pleases' is Al Qaem Al Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).(Ghaayatul Maraam, by Sayed Hashim Bahrani (r.a.), pg 318)

This tradition was the hidden interpretation of Ayate Noor. Late Shaikh Hadi Tehrani (r.a.) has written a full article on this and named it as ?Resalatul Nooriyah?. Those interested in comprehensive information may refer to this article.

Nevertheless, Allamah Majlisi (r.a.) in chapter 18 has recorded 42 traditions which explains that Infallible Imams (a.s.) are the Light of Allah. For details refer vol 23 pg 304, one of those traditions is mentioned below:

Abu Khalid Kabuli inquired from Hazrat Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) about the verse ?Therefore believe in Allah and His Apostle and the Light which We have revealed ' (Sura Tagabun(64), Verse 8).

Imam (a.s.) replied:

O Abu Khalid! By Allah, Noor in this verse refers to Imams (a.s.) from Aale Mohammad (s.a.w.a.). By Allah till the Day of Judgment, they will be Allah's Light which has been revealed. By Allah they are the Light of Allah in the earth and skies. O Abu Khalid, by Allah the Light of Imam (a.s.) is more illuminated in the heart of the believers than the sun during a bright day. By Allah, they brighten the hearts of the believers. From whomever Allah wishes, He hides His Light, which results in the darkening of their hearts. O Abu Khalid none will love us or accept our wilayat until Allah purifies his heart. And Allah will not cleanse his heart until he submits in front of us. And once he is submissive to us then Allah will protect him from intensive questioning and fear on the Day of Judgment."(Behaarul Anwaar vol 23 pg 308, hadith no 5, narrating from Tafsir Ali bin Ibrahim Qummi)

If Imams (a.s.) are Lights and their light is much more powerful than the physical source of light then, their effects will also be much more intense and significant. Two of those effects have been mentioned in this phrase of the ziyarat.

It is explained that through this Noor people are guided and believers (who are guided) get succor.

The word used in ziyarat is 'faraj'. Traditions have emphasized to await the 'faraj' (the relief). As Hazrat Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s.) said:

"Wait for the relief (faraj) and do not despair of Allah's mercy as certainly the most loved action in front of Allah is waiting for the relief."

This hadith clearly indicates that waiting for faraj is a laudable action in front of Allah. While the succor in this world will be attained only and only after the reappearance of Hazrat Imam-e- Zamana (a.t.f.s.), the succor in the hereafter is meant only for those who believe in the mastership and Leadership of the Infallible Imams (a.s.).

However, it should be borne in mind that for spiritual relief external means are not required, but the purification of soul and adherence to Ahle Bait (a.s.) alone is sufficient.

As Imam (a.s.) says in this tradition:"Excessively pray for faraj (relief) for in this (prayer) lies your salvation."