1.Fasting is highly recommended on this day. Infact it is counted amongst the four most important fasts of the year.
According to a narration, to observe fasting on this day is equal to seventy year fasting. It also erases the sins of seventy years. According to another narration, to observe fasting on this day and to practice acts of worship at its night is equal (in reward) to one hundred year worship. Everything that is between the sky and the earth will ask God’s forgiveness for one who does these rites. On this day, the mercy of Almighty Allah has been spread. To practice acts of worship and hold sessions for mentioning Almighty Allah on this day bring about an abundant reward.
2.PerformGhusl,
3. It is recommended to offer, in the morning, a prayer consisting of two units, reciting in the each unit Surah al-Fatihah once and repeating Surah al-Shams (No. 91) five times.
After accomplishment, the following litany is said:Then, one may pray to Almighty Allah for granting his needs and then say the following :
4.In Misbah al-Mutahajjid, Shaykh al-Tusi has mentioned that it is recommended to say the following prayer on this day:
Being distinctively honorable, at this night the mercy of Almighty Allah is poured on people. A great reward is obtained by those who practice acts of worship at this night.
`Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Washsha’ has narrated that when he was young, he was with his father in the hospitality of Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) at the twenty-fifth night of Dhu’l-Qa`dah. After they had their supper, Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) said, “At the twenty-fifth night of Dhu’l-Qa`dah, Prophet Abraham was born, Prophet Jesus the son of Mary was born, and the earth was spread on the water where the Holy Ka`bah is now situated. Hence, if one observes fasting on this day, he will be given the reward of observing fasting in sixth months.”
According to a narration reported from Imam Ridha (peace be upon him), it is a day in which God's Mercy extended to all; the Earth was extended; the Ka’ba was established; and Adam descended upon the Earth.
According to another narration, Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) added, “Verily, on this day, al-Qa'im (i.e. Imam al-Mahdi) will appear.”
Fasting is highly recommended on this day. Infact it is counted amongst the four most important fasts of the year.
According to a narration, to observe fasting on this day is equal to seventy year fasting. It also erases the sins of seventy years. According to another narration, to observe fasting on this day and to practice acts of worship at its night is equal (in reward) to one hundred year worship. Everything that is between the sky and the earth will ask God’s forgiveness for one who does these rites. On this day, the mercy of Almighty Allah has been spread. To practice acts of worship and hold sessions for mentioning Almighty Allah on this day bring about an abundant reward.
25th Zilqad " Dahwul Ardh" The Spreading of the Earth Day & birthday of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and Prophet E'esaa (A.S.)
Almighty Allah in Surat al-Nazi'aat 79:30 speaking clearly about dahwul ardh says: "and the earth-after that He spread it out (dahahaa).."
1. What is Dahwul Ardh ?
"Dahwul Ardh" - the 25th of Dhulqa'dah, according to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (s) reported by one of his Sahabi - 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud , is the day when the earth was spread for the advantage of human beings. The phrase "Dahwul Ardh" literally means "The spread of the earth". In another tradition it is reported that the first Rahmah & blessing descended on this very day.
Hence it is a very important occasion indeed. According to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (s), whosoever fasts on this day his fast would equal 70 years of fasting.
Having known these merits, should we limit our celebration with fasting and the expression of joy, or should our struggle transcend beyond that? This obviously would depend on our vision about this important day. And in order to understand properly the importance of this day, we should understand the earth better.
Understanding the Earth Better
We would like to now ask the Holy Qur'an two basic questions about the earth:
A) Why was the earth created?
The Holy Qur'an in chapter 20, verse 53 says:"He who appointed the earth to be a cradle for you."
Allamah Tabataba'i in his Al-Mizan says:"Thus Allah stationed man in the earth to live an earthly life, so that he may earn a provision for his heavenly and exalted life, in the manner that a baby is stationed in the cradle, and is brought up for a more sacred and developed life..." (vol. 14, pg. 171)
From this we come to realize that the earth was created as a preparing ground & means for human perfection and the purity of the heart. Sadly, however, many a people, instead of maintaining it for a good Hereafter, tend to destroy it for selfish gains.
B) Do the human beings employ the earth for the purpose it was created?
The Holy Qur'an in chapter 30, verse 41 clearly talks of a people who instead of practically thanking Allah (swt) by utilizing the earth for its sacred purpose cause mischief therein and subsequently face its evil consequences:
"Corruption has appeared in the land and sea, for that men's own hands have earned, that He may let them taste some of that which they have done, that haply so they may return."
And in chapter 7, verse 10, Almighty Allah says:"Indeed We made you live in the earth and made therein for you the means of livelihood; little is it that you thank."
In this verse, "little is it that you thank" should not merely taken as "verbal thanks," for the reality of "shukr" is to use the gift for the purpose it was created.
According to some persons the boat of Prophet Noah (a.s.) was also settled down on 25th of Zilqad .
The obligatory acts of whoever performs the visitation of the shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.), despite the far distance are:
(1) Have a ritual bath /Ghusl of Dahwul Arz.and Ziyarat
Recite 2 units Salat of Ziarat
After finishing the prayer one should recite the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Fatemah Zahra (s.a.), keep the head in prostration and nose and forehead on the Turbah of Imam Husain (a.s.) and say:
O Allah! These two units of prayer are present from me to the soul of my master and my Imam, Your servant and Your friend Hasan Ali Ibn Moosa al-Reza...
Late Allama Majlisi (r.a.) reports that he found a ziyarah in some old treatises (which is from the earliest Ulema and written in 746 A.H.) which is reproduced as it is; This ziyarah has been narrated by Imam Jawad (peace be upon him), son of Imam Ridha (peace be upon him):