This is part 2 of 9 of “The Book of Supplication”, book 7 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 3,102–3,151. The book is long enough that it is split across 9 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from others from al-Qasim ibn ‘Urwah from abu al-‘Abbas Fadl al-Baqbaq who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One’s praying and pleading before Allah for help is accepted in four occasions: in al-Witr, the last Rak’at of night prayer, after dawn, after noon time and after sunset.”’
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Use the opportunity for praying and pleading before Allah for help, on four occasions: at the time of reading the Holy Quran, at the time of Adhan (call for prayer) at the time it rains and at the time of the meeting of two armies (of which one sides is) for martyrdom.”’
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Ata’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘When my father needed help from Allah he would pray for it on this hour, that is, at noon time.’”
5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever any one of you feels moved, you should pray at such time; the heart does not feel moved in tenderness until it becomes sincere.’”
6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Sharif ibn Sabiq from al-Fadl ibn abu Qurrah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The best time to pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is the last part of the night’ and he read this verse that quotes Ya’qub, peace be upon him, ‘I shall ask my Lord to forgive you; He is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.’ (12:98) He said that he (Ya’qub) waited until the last part of the night (Sahar), then he prayed.’”
7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Su’Dan ibn Muslim from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Whenever my father prayed to Allah for help he would do so at noontime when the sun began to descend to the western horizon. When he intended it, first he would give something in charity, use perfume, go to the Mosque and pray to Allah for whatever he wanted.”
8. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ali ibn Hadid in a marfu’ manner from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Whenever your skin feels a tingling sensation and your eyes tear up, you must pray and plead before Allah for help, it (your wish) is coming your way.” The narrator has said that Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from abu Isma’il al-Sarraj from Muhammad ibn abu Hamza from Sa’id a similar Hadith.
9. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Jamurani from al- Hassan ibn Ali ibn abu Hamza from Sandal from abu al-Sabbah al-Kinani from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, from among His believing people loves every prayerful one. You should pray during the last part of the night until sunrise; it is the hour in which the doors of heaven open up, sustenance is distributed and people in need are granted great help.”
10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘In a night there is an hour during which if a Muslim servant (of Allah) has the opportunity to perform a formal prayer and then plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help, he will receive an answer every night.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘May Allah grant you well being, which hour of night is that?’ The Imam said, ‘It is the first one-sixth of the second half of the night.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’Il ibn Mehran from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from abu Ishaq from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “ Al-Raghbah means keeping the palms of your hands toward the sky. Al-Rahbah means keeping the back of your hands toward the sky. The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘glorify the name of your Lord, with due sincerity (al- Tabattul), ’ (73:8) ‘refers to hand gestures made in prayer with one finger. Al-Tadarru’ is pointing and gesturing with two fingers, ‘Ibtihal is raising both hands and stretching them up high when one’s eyes tear up. It then is the time you should pray.’”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . but they did not ‘Istakanu (submit themselves to their Lord,) nor did they make themselves humble ( yatadarra’un ).’ (23:76) The Imam said, ’’Al-Tstikana, means humility and al- tadarru’ means raising both hands and begging for help from (Allah) with both hands.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid and al-Husayn ibn Sa’Id all from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from abu Khalid from Marwan Bayya’al-Lu’lu from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) who has said the following: “Once al-Raghbah (fondness) was mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) and he raised his hands to the sky with his palms upward. He then turned the back of his hands upward to the sky and said, “This way is al-Rahbah (expressing anxiety). He moved his fingers right and left and said that such is al-Tadarru’ . He then raised his fingers and then lower them saying that such is al-Tabattul. He then stretched his hands in front of his face toward the Ka’bah saying that such is al-‘Ibtihal only when tears flow.’”
4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Fadalah from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man passed by when I was praying in my prayer with my left hand raised. The man said, ‘O ‘Abd Allah, (servant of Allah) pray with your right hand raised.’ I then said, ‘O servant of Allah, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High’s rights apply to this hand just as they do to that hand. ’ ‘‘The Imam said, al-Raghbah is raising your hands with palms upward, al-Rahbah is stretching your hands with their backs upward, al-Tadarru’ is moving the index finger of your right hand right and left, al-Tabattul is moving the index finger of your left hand, raise it up and bring it down, al-‘Ibtihal is stretching your hands and arms to the sky and it is only when you see reasons for weeping.”
5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father and others from Harun ibn Kharijah from abu Basir who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about prayer and raising hands. The Imam said, ‘It is in four ways: in al-Ta’awwuz (seeking refuge) turn the palms of your hands toward the Ka’bah and in prayer for sustenance stretch your hands with their palms upward to the sky. Al- Tabattul is gesturing with index finger. Al-Tbtihal is to raise both hands over your head with prayer and imploration. Moving your index finger before your face is in prayer when one is fearful.’”
6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narratedfrom Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . but they did not ‘Istakanu (submit themselves to their Lord,) nor did they make themselves humble ( yatadarra’unY (23:76) the Imam said, ‘al-Tstikana, means humility and al-tadarru’ means raising both hands and begging for help from (Allah) with both hands.’”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim and Zurara who have said the following: “Zurara has said, ‘Once we asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) how to plead before Allah for help?’ The Imam said, ‘Stretch your palms.’ We then asked, ‘How is seeking refuge?’ The Imam said, ‘Turn your palm to Ka’aba, and al-Tabattul is making gestures with your finger. Al-Tadarru ’ is the moving of fingers and al-‘Ibtihal is the stretching out of both hands.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus from Muhammad ibn Marwan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “For everything there is weighing and measuring except tears. One drop of tears can extinguish oceans of fire. If the eyes flood with tears the face will not suffer hardships and humiliation. When tears flow out, Allah makes it forbidden for the fire and if a person weeps in a nation, such nation will receive favors.”
2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Faddal from abu Jamilah and Mansur ibn Yunus from Muhammad ibn Marwan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Every eye will be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye that has wept for fear of Allah. Any eye that is flooded with tears for fear of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will make it forbidden for the fire to burn the other parts of his body. Any eye from which tears flow over one’s checks such face will not face any suffering or humiliation. Everything has weighing and measuring tools except tears with a very little of which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will extinguish oceans of fire. If a servant (of Allah) weeps in a nation, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will grant favor to that nation because of the weeping of that one servant (of Allah).”
3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Najran from Muthanna al-Hannat from abu Hamza from abu la’ far (a.s.) who has said the following: “No drop is more beloved to Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, than the drop of tears in the dark night for fear of Allah, and is intended to be just for Him alone.”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus from Salih ibn Razin and Muhammad ibn Marwan and others from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Every eye on the Day of Judgment will be weeping except three eyes: the eye that was shut closed from looking at things made unlawful by (the laws of) Allah, the eye that spends the night in awake in obedience to Allah and the eye that weeps inside the night for fear of Allah.”
5. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Jamil ibn Darraj and Drust from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘everything has weighing and measuring tools except the tears. A drop of tear can extinguish oceans of fire. If the eye floods with tears, that face will not suffer anything or become humiliated. If the eye overflows with tears, Allah makes it forbidden for the fire to burn it and if a person weeps in a nation, that nation will receive favors.’”
6. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from a man from certain individuals of his people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to Moses that said, “the most beloved of things to Me with which My servants can seek nearness to Me are three things.” Moses then asked, ‘Lord, what are they?’ The Lord said, ‘One’s reduced interest in worldly matters, restraint from sins and weeping for fear of Me.’ Moses asked, ‘Lord, what is then the reward for one who would do so?’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent him revelation that said, ‘Moses, people with reduced interest in the world will be in paradise, those weeping for fear of Me will be in a high position with whom no one else will share and those restraining from sins for their reward will have the privilege of freedom from My searching their affairs when I search all other people.’”
7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘When I pray and plead before Allah for help, I like to weep but it does not come through, but if I recall members of my family who have died I may feel weeping. Is that permissible?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it is permissible. When you recall them and feel like weeping then pray to your Lord, the Most Blessed, the Most High.’”
8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Anbasah al-‘Abid who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If you cannot weep then make a weeping-like face.’”
9. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Faddal from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from Sa’Id ibn Yasar Bayya’ al-Sabiri who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘In my prayer I can only make a weeping-like face, but weeping does not come through.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, even (tears) of the size of the head of a fly (are very good).”’
10. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said to abu Basir, ‘If you are afraid of something or need help, then begin with Allah and His glory and praise Him as He deserves. Then ask Allah’s favors for the Holy Prophet and ask for help, tiy to weep even if your tears are of the size of the head of a fly. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) would say, ‘a servant (of Allah) in prostration and weeping is in the nearest position to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”
11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma’Il al-Bajilli from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “If weeping does not come through, make a weeping-like face. If of the size of the head of a fly tears come out that is your sheer good luck indeed.”
1. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must bear in mind that whenever one of you likes to ask his Lord for help in worldly matters or of the next life, he must begin with praise of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, thank Him and ask His favors for the Holy Prophet and then ask for help.’”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is in the book of Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) “praise comes before asking for favors. Whenever you like to pray and plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help, speak of His glory.” The narrator has said that I asked the Imam, ‘How should we speak of His glory?’ The Imam said, ‘Say, O You Who are closer to me than my jugular veins, O the One Who does without fail as He wishes, O the One Who stands between a man and his heart, O the One Who is on a high position and the One like Whom is no creature.”’
3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ibn Sinan from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is thanking then praising, then confession of sins then pleading before Allah for help. By Allah, no servant (of Allah) can come out of sins without confession.’”
4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Faddal from Tha’labah from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar the following: “Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar has narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) a similar Hadith except that he said, ‘Then praising and confessing sins.’”
5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Ali from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you wish to pray and plead before Allah for help, speak of the glory of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, thank Him, speak of His Holiness, and say that no one deserves to be worshipped except Him, praise Him and ask from Him favors for Muhammad and his family and then ask Him for help, you will receive it.’”
6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you wishes to ask for help he should praise his Lord and thank Him. When a man wants to ask a king for something, he prepares to say the best of words that he can. When you like to ask for help, speak of the Glory of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Compelling, thank Him and praise Him saying, “O the Most Generous in granting favors and the Best to be asked for help. O the Most Kind to those who ask for kindness, O the only One and Self-sufficient. O the One Who has no children and is not born from anyone and there is no one as His partner. O the One Who has no companion and children. O the One Who does as He wishes, commands as He wills and judges as He loves. O the One Who stands between a man and his heart, O the One Who is in a high position, O the One in Whose likeness there is no creature, O the Hearing, and the Seeing.” Speak of the names of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy; they are many and ask from Him favors for Muhammad and his family and then say, ‘O Lord, extend for me of Your lawful supplies with which I can save my face, return safely what is entrusted with me, maintain good relations with relatives and be helpful in my Hajj and ‘Umrah.’ The Imam said, ‘Once a man came in the Mosque, performed two Rak’at (prayer consisting of twice kneeling) then asked Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and the Messenger of Allah said, ‘The servant (of Allah) hastened his Lord.’ Then another man came in and prayed two Rak’at then he praised Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and asked from Him favors for the Holy Prophet and his family and the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Ask for help you will receive it.’”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Kahmas who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Mosque and he began without praising Allah and asking from Him favors for the Holy Prophet. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘The servant (of Allah) hastened his Lord.’ Then another man came in and prayed, praised Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and asked favors from Him for the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Ask for help you will receive it.’ Thereafter the Imam said, ‘It is in the book of Ali (a.s.) “Praising Allah and asking favors from Him for the Messenger of Allah should come before asking for help. When anyone comes to a man to request a favor, he loves to say to him the best words to him before asking for help.’”
8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘There are two verses in the book of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, that I search for but I do not find them, (their meaning).’ The Imam aked, ‘What are they?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “Call Me (for help) and I will answer you.’” (40:60) We call Him and pray to Him but do not see any answer.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you think He, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ignores His promise?’ I said, ‘No, He does not ignore it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Why is that then?’ I said, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘I will tell you about it. Whoever obeys Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in whatever He has commanded and then prays to Him the way prayer should be done He answers them.’ I then asked, ‘What is the way of prayer?’ The Imam said, ‘Begin the prayer by praising Allah, recall His bounties with you, thank Him, ask favors from Him for the Holy Prophet, recall your sins and confess them then seek refuge against them and such is the way of praying.’ Then the Imam said, ‘What is the other verse?’ I said, ‘It is the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . .He will replace whatever you spend for His cause and He is the best provider of sustanance,’ (34:39) I spend but do not see any replacement.’ The Imam said, ‘Do you think Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has ignored His promise?’ I said, ‘No.’ The Imam asked, ‘Why is that then?’ I said, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘If anyone of you earns something in lawful ways and spends it in a lawful way, every dirham (unit of money) is replaced.’”
9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever of you wants his prayer answered must make his earning clean.’”
1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ الله بْنِ عَبْدِ الله الْوَاسِطِيِّ عَنْ دُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي خَالِدٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَا مِنْ رَهْطٍ أَرْبَعِينَ رَجُلاً اجْتَمَعُوا فَدَعَوُا الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي أَمْرٍ إِلا اسْتَجَابَ الله لَهُمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا أَرْبَعِينَ فَأَرْبَعَةٌ يَدْعُونَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ إِلا اسْتَجَابَ الله لَهُمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُونُوا أَرْبَعَةً فَوَاحِدٌ يَدْعُو الله أَرْبَعِينَ مَرَّةً فَيَسْتَجِيبُ الله الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ لَهُ.
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Ma’Bad from ‘Ubayd Allah ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Wasiti from Drust ibn abu Mansur from abu Khalid who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a group of forty people come together to pray and plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help in a matter, Allah will accept their prayers. If they are not forty then four people can pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ten times still Allah will accept their prayer. If four people are not present, then one person can pray forty times. Allah the Most Majestic, the Almighty, will accept his prayer.’”
2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Ali from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from ‘Abd al-‘Ala’ from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following:“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever a group (of forty) people come together for a matter to pray and plead before Allah for help, when they disperse their prayer will be accepted.’”
3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Hajjal from Tha’labah from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah from a man from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever something saddened my father he would call the ladies and children together. He would then pray and they would say, ‘Amin.’”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A person praying and one saying ‘Amin’ share the reward equally.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ari from ibn al-Qaddah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you prays he should maintain inclusiveness (pray for everyone) in his prayer. This may become a reason for the acceptance of the prayer.
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said the following: “Once I said to abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been praying to Allah for help in something from the year so and so and because of delay something is happing in my heart.’ The Imam said, ‘O Ahmad, beware of Satan! Do not allow him to find a way in you to despair you. Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, “A believing person prays and pleads before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and help is delayed due to love for his voice and listening to his intense weeping.’” The Imam then said, ‘By Allah, whatever Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, delays for believing people of the help that they may ask in this world is far better for them than helping them quickly. Such a worthless world! Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘It is very proper for a believing person to pray for help in his comfort just like in hardships. He should not grow to be lazy after receiving help to lose interest in prayer.’ You should never lose interest in prayer; it is of a very important position before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. You should exercise patience and seek to find lawful sustenance, maintain good relations with relatives and should never make it public. We are a family who maintains good relations with those who cut off from us and do favors to those who cause us trouble. In this we find good consequences. If an affluent person in this world prays and asks for favors, his prayer receives acceptance. He may ask for more and the bounties seem insignificant to him. He does not feel satisfied with anything. When bounties are plentiful a Muslim is in a danger of violating the rights he owes and the mischief that may threaten him. Tell me about yourself. If I will say something to you, will you trust me?’ I (the narrator) said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, if I do not trust you, then whom will I trust? You possess authority from Allah over His creatures.’ The Imam said, ‘Your trust in Allah must be stronger; you have a covenant with Allah. Has Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, not said, “(Muhammad), if any of My servants ask you about Me, tell them that the Lord says, ‘I am near; I accept the prayers of those who pray.’ Allow My servants answer My call and believe in Me so that perhaps they may know the right direction.’ (2:186) ‘Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.’ (39:53) ‘Allah promises you forgiveness and favors. Allah is Munificent and All-Knowing.’ (2:268) You must trust Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, more firmly than others. Do not allow anything to find a way in you except good; you are forgiven.’”
2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Mansur al-Sayqal who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Is it possible that at one time a man prays and it is accepted and then is delayed for a period of time?’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘Yes, it can happen.’ I then asked, ‘Why is that? Is it because so he will increase his prayer and pleading?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, that is right.’”
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Ishaq ibn abu Hilal al-Mada’Ini from Hadid from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When a servant prays, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says to the two angels, ‘I have accepted his prayer, but keep it on hold; I love to hear his voice.’ It may also happen that a servant prays, but Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, says, ‘Hurry up and help him quickly; I hate his voice.’”
4. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Sulayman Sahib al-Sabiri from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Can a man’s prayer that is accepted be kept on hold and delayed?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it can remain on hold for up to twenty years.’”
5. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Between the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Your prayer is accepted,’ (10:89) and the time the Pharaoh was seized there was a forty-year timespan.’”
6. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believing person prays and its (the prayer’s) acceptance may be delayed up to the next Friday [Day of Judgment].”’
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from more than one individual of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A servant who is a friend of Allah may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for a matter in his intention and Allah says to the angel guarding him, “Provide help to My servant but keep it on hold and do not hurry; I desire to hear his call and voice.” On the other hand a servant who is not a friend of Allah may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for a matter in his intention and Allah says to the angel guarding him, ‘Provide him help quickly; I dislike his call and voice.’ “The Imam said, ‘People will say, “This person received help due to his merit and honor and he was denied due to his worthlessness.’”
8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A believing person is fine and hopeful through the favors of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as long as he does not msh to despair and give up prayer.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam (a.s.) ‘How can he msh?’ The Imam said, ‘He may say, “I have been praying for such and such period of time and I do not see any sign of acceptance.’”
9. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Su’Dan ibn Muslim from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A believing person may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘Hold back the answer to his prayer for the desire in his voice and prayer.’ When it will be the Day of Judgment Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘My servant, you prayed to Me and I delayed your answer. So and so is your reward. You prayed to Me in such and such matters and I delayed your answer. Your reward is so and so.’ The Imam said, ‘The believing person then wishes that none of his prayers had been accepted in the worldly life. He will say so on finding such handsome rewards.’”
Majhul· al-Majlisi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
