The merits and great rewards that are gained due to visiting the holy tomb of Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) are too many to be counted. However, we seek blessings from mentioning several traditions, most of which are quoted from the book of Tuhfat al-Za'ir.
First Tradition: The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family) is reported to have said, “A piece of my flesh will be buried in Khurasan. Any faithful believer visits him will win Paradise as reward recorded obligatorily by Almighty Allah and will have Hellfire prohibited by Him from consuming his body.”
According to another validly reported tradition, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family) has said, “A piece of my flesh will be buried in Khurasan. Any agonized person visits him, will have his agonies relieved by Almighty Allah and any sinful person visits him, will have his sins forgiven by Almighty Allah.”
Second Tradition: According to a valid chain of authority, Imam Musa ibn Ja`far (al-Kazim), peace and Allah’s blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, “Whoever visits the tomb of my son `Ali, shall be awarded by Almighty Allah the reward of seventy times of performing admissible hajj.”
The reporter said in astonishment, “Do you really mean the reward of seventy times of performing admissible hajj?”
The Imam (peace be upon him) said, “Yes, even seventy thousand times of performing hajj.”
The Imam (peace be upon him) added, “Some performances of hajj may be inadmissible; therefore, whoever visits him or spends a night next to him, will be regarded as having visited Almighty Allah in His Throne.”
The reporter said in astonishment, “Is it really regarded as visiting Almighty Allah in His Throne!”
The Imam answered, “Yes, it is. When the Resurrection Day comes, four persons from the past generations and four others from the last generations shall surround the Throne of Almighty Allah. Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus are the four persons from the past generations. Muhammad, `Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn are the four persons from the last generations. Then, a rope will be extended and the visitors of the tombs of the Imams will be allowed to sit with us. The highest of rank and the most welcomed of them will be the visitors of the tomb of my son `Ali.”
Third Tradition: Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “In Khurasan, there is an area, which will soon be frequently visited by the angels; a group is descending and another is ascending until the Trumpet will be blown (to declare the coming of the Resurrection Day).”
“Son of Allah’s Messenger,” the Imam (peace be upon him) was asked, “What is this area?”
He answered, “It is in the land of Tus. By Allah (I swear), it is one of the gardens of Paradise. Whoever visits me therein, will be as if he has visited the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him and his family). For that visit too, Almighty Allah will record the reward of one thousand times of going on admissible hajj and one thousand times of going on admissible `umrah; and my fathers and I will be his intercessors on the Resurrection Day.”
Fourth Tradition: According to authentic chain of authority, Ibn Abi-Nasr has reported that he himself read the following letter of Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him): “Pass on the following information to my Shi`ah (i.e. adherents): Almighty Allah regards one visitation to me as equal in reward to one thousand times of hajj.”
When I reported this tradition to Imam Muhammad al-Taqi, Allah’s blessings be upon him, he commented, “Yes, it is. I swear it by Allah. It is even equal in reward to one million times of hajj for those who visit him, recognizing his actual standing.”
Fifth Tradition: Through two valid chains of authority, Imam al-Rida, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, “If one visits me despite farness of my place, I will come to him on three occasions of the Resurrection Day so as to save him from the horrors of these occasions: (1) When the records of deeds are thrown right and left, (2) When the Discriminating Bridge (Sirat) is crossed, and (3) when the scale of deeds is set up.”
Sixth Tradition: According to another validly reporter tradition, Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “I will be killed wrongfully by poison and I will be entombed beside Harun the `Abbasid ruler. Almighty Allah shall then make the soil of my tomb frequently visited by my adherents (i.e. Shi`ah). Hence, whoever visits me in my strange land, it will be incumbent on me to pay him a visit on the Resurrection Day. I swear by Him Who honored Muhammad with prophethood and chose him over all the creatures, any one of you who offers a two-unit prayer near my tomb shall be worthy of receiving forgiveness of Almighty Allah on the day when he will meet Him. I swear by Him Who honored us after Muhammad with Imamate and gave us succession (of Prophethood) in particular, the visitors of my tomb shall be the most honored delegations of Almighty Allah on the Resurrection Day. Any faithful believer whose face is touched by a drop of the sky (on his way to visit us), Almighty Allah shall forbid Hellfire to consume his body.”
Seventh Tradition: Through a valid chain of authority, Muhammad ibn Sulayman has reported that he asked Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (peace be upon him) about a man who went to perform his obligatory hajj and then went to perform ‘umrah, and Almighty Allah granted him success to perform both hajj and `umrah together. Then he went to al-Madinah and greeted the Holy Prophet. He then went to visit your forefather the Commander of the Faithful, recognizing that he is rightfully the Argument of Allah against His creatures and His door from which the Almighty must be approached. So, he greeted him. Then he went to visit Imam al-Husayn and greeted him. Then he went to Baghdad and greeted Imam Musa al-Kazim. Then he went back to his hometown. If once again Almighty Allah grants him opportunity to go on hajj; to whom will it be better for him to go under these conditions? Should he who has already performed hajj go on pilgrimage to the Holy Ka`bah, or should he turn towards Khurasan to greet and visit the shrine of your father `Ali ibn Musa al-Rida?”
The Imam (peace be upon him) replied, “It is better for him to go towards Khurasan to greet my father. This visit will be even much better if it is done in the month of Rajab. However, it is not appropriate to do this now, because the ruling authorities have had bad idea about us.”
Eighth Tradition: Shaykh al-Saduq, in his book of man-la-yahduruhul-faqih, has reported Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (peace be upon him) as saying, “Between the two mountains of Tus, there is an area brought from Paradise. Hence, whoever enters that area will be secured against Hellfire on the Resurrection Day.”
Ninth Tradition: Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (peace be upon him) is also reported to have said, “I will guarantee Paradise on behalf of Almighty Allah for those who visit my father in Tus.”
Tenth Tradition: Shaykh al-Saduq, in his book of `Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, has reported the following:
A righteous man saw the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family) in his dream, “O Allah’s Messenger,” the man asked, “Which of your offspring should I go to visit?”
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family) answered, “Some of them have come to me poisoned. Others have come slain.”
“Then,” the man asked, “Given the great distances between their shrines, which one of them do you recommend me to go and visit?”
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family) said, “You may visit the one closest to you, who is buried in the land of loneliness.”
“O Allah’s Messenger,” the man asked, “Do you mean al-Rida?”
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family) instructed, “You should have added (after mentioning his name): Allah’s blessings be upon him! Allah’s blessings be upon him! Allah’s blessings be upon him! (three times)”
In the books of Wasa'il al-Shi`ah and al-Mustadrak `ala Wasa'il al-Shi`ah, chapters have been dedicated to the recommendation of seeking blessings from the shrine of Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) as well as the shrines of the other Holy Imams (peace be upon him), the recommendation of preceding pilgrimage to Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) to pilgrimage to Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him) as well as all the other Holy Imams (peace be upon him) and preceding it even to the supererogatory hajj and `umrah.
When you intend to visit Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) in Tus, you may bathe yourself before you leave your house (at your hometown) and say the following words:
اَللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي وَطَهِّرْ قَلْبِي
allahumma tahhirni wa tahhir qalbi
O Allah, (please) cleanse me, cleanse my heart,
wa `alayka khallaftu ahli wa mali wa ma khawwaltani
and with You do I keep my family members, my property, and everything with which You have allowed me to behave.
وَ بِكَ وَثِقْتُ فَلاَ تُخَيِّبْنِي
wa bika wathiqtu fala tukhayyibni
I have trusted in You; so, do not disappoint me.
يَا مَنْ لاََ يُخَيِّبُ مَنْ أَرَادَهُ
ya man la yukhayyibu man aradahu
O He Who saves those who trust in Him from disappointment
وَلاَ يُضَيِّعُ مَنْ حَفِظَهُ
wa la yudayyi`u man hafizahu
and He Who does not give up those whom He safeguards.
allahumma salli `ala muhammadin wa ali muhammadin
O Allah, (please do) send blessings upon Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad
وَٱحْفَظْنِي بِحِفْظِكَ
wahfazni bihifzika
and guard me under Your custody,
فَإِنَّهُ لا يَضِيعُ مَنْ حَفِظْتَ
fa'innahu la yadi`u man hafizta
since nothing that You guard may be ruined.
When you arrive there safely, Allah willing, and you intend to visit the Imam (peace be upon him), you may bathe yourself and say the following words meanwhile:
اَللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي وَطَهِّرْ لِي قَلْبِي
allahumma tahhirni wa tahhir li qalbi
O Allah, (please) cleanse me, cleanse my heart for me,
This form of ziyarah, according to Shaykh al-Saduq’s book of man-la-yahduruhul-faqih, is as follows:
You may put on the purest and cleanest of your clothes, walk barefooted with tranquility and submission, and mention Almighty Allah in your heart, repeating the following statements:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
allahu akbaru
Allah is the Most Great.
لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
la ilaha illa allahu
There is no god save Allah.
سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّهِ
subhana allahi
All glory be to Allah.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
alhamdu lillahi
All praise be to Allah.
While entering the sacred shrine, you may say the following words:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِٱللَّهِ
bismi allahi wa billahi
In the Name of Allah (I begin), in Allah (I trust),
وَعَلَىٰ مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ
wa `ala millati rasuli allahi
and the course of Allah’s Messenger (I follow),
صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ
salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi
peace be upon him and his Household.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
ashhadu an la ilaha illa allahu
I bear witness that there is no god save Allah,
وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ
wahdahu la sharika lahu
One and Only God and having no partner.
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
wa ashhadu anna muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
وَأَنَّ عَلِيّاً وَلِيُّ ٱللَّهِ
wa anna `aliyyan waliyyu allahi
and `Ali is Allah’s most intimate servant.
You may then walk towards the tomb to stop there, face it, and say the following words:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
ashhadu an la ilaha illa allahu
I bear witness that there is no god save Allah,
وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ
wahdahu la sharika lahu
One and Only God and having no partner.
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
wa ashhadu anna muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger,
وَأَنَّهُ سَيِّدُ ٱلأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلآخِرِينَ
wa annahu sayyidu al-awwalina wal-akhirina
the chief of the past and the coming generations,
وَأَنَّهُ سَيِّدُ ٱلأَنْبِيَاءِ وَٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
wa annahu sayyidu al-anbiya'i walmursalina
and the chief of the Prophets and Messengers.
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ
allahumma salli `ala muhammadin
O Allah, (please) bless Muhammad,
عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ وَنَبِيِّكَ
`abdika wa rasulika wa nabiyyika
Your servant, messenger, prophet,
وَسَيِّدِ خَلْقِكَ أَجْمَعِينَ
wa sayyidi khalqika ajma`ina
and the chief of all Your creatures,
صَلاَةً لاَ يَقْوَىٰ عَلَىٰ إِحْصَائِهَا غَيْرُكَ
salatan la yaqwa `ala ihsa'iha ghayruka
with such blessings that none can calculate save You.
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ أَمِيرِ ٱلْمُؤمِنِينَ
allahumma salli `ala amiri almu'minina
O Allah, (please) bless the Commander of the Faithful
عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ
`aliyyi bni abi talibin
`Ali the son of Abi-Talib,
عَبْدِكَ وَأَخِي رَسُولِكَ
`abdika wa akhi rasulika
Your servant and the brother of Your Messenger,
ٱلَّذِي ٱنْتَجَبْتَهُ بِعِلْمِكَ
alladhi intajabtahu bi`ilmika
whom You have selected on the basis of Your knowledge
وَجَعَلْتَهُ هَادِياً لِمَنْ شِئْتَ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ
wa ja`altahu hadiyan liman shi'ta min khalqika
and thus made lead (to the truth) whomever You willed amongst Your creatures
alssalamu `alayka ya waritha `aliyyi bni alhusayni zayni al`abidina
Peace be upon you, O inheritor of `Ali the son of al-Husayn the adornment of the worshippers.
fala tukhayyibni wa la taruddani bighayri qada'i hajati
so, (please) do not disappoint me and do not make me return without having my needs settled (by You),
allahumma inni ataqarrabu ilayka billa`nati `alayhim
O Allah, I do seek nearness to You through invoking curse on these peoples (i.e. the enemies of the Holy Prophet’s Household)
qatala allahu man qatalaka bil-aydi wal-alsuni
May Allah kill those who killed you with hands and tongues.
Then supplicate fervently pronouncing la'nah (anathema) on the killers of Ameerul Momineen, Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain (peace be upon them) and those who shed the blood of the family of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family).
It is worth mentioning that invocation of Almighty Allah’s curse on the enemies of the Holy Imams can be said in any language or form. However, the most appropriate form may be the following, which is quoted from some validly reported supplications:
wahshurhm wa atba`ahum ila jahannama zumaran
and drive them and their followers to Hell in groups.
You may then return to the side of the Imam’s head and offer a two-unit prayer in which you may recite Surah Yasin (No. 36) after Surah al-Fatihah in one unit and Surah al-Rahman (No. 55) after Surah al-Fatihah in the other.
You may also pray and implore Almighty Allah as earnestly as possible.
You may also pray for yourself, your parents, and your brothers and sisters-in-faith as much as you can.
You may stay at the side of the Imam’s head as long as you wish, offering all your prayers there.
In the book of Tuhfat al-Za'ir, Shaykh al-Mufid states that it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after accomplishing the prayer of visiting Imam al-Rida’s (peace be upon him) tomb:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ يَا اللَّهُ
allahumma inni as'aluka ya allahu
O Allah, I beseech You, O Allah
ٱلدَّائِمُ فِي مُلْكِهِ
aldda'imu fi mulkihi
Who is permanent in His kingdom,
ٱلْقَائِمُ فِي عِزِّهِ
alqa'imu fi `izzihi
self-subsisting in His almightiness,
ٱلْمُطَاعُ فِي سُلْطَانِهِ
almuta`u fi sultanihi
obeyed in His authority,
ٱلْمُتَفَرِّدُ فِي كِبْرِيَائِهِ
almutafarridu fi kibriya'ihi
unique in His pride,
ٱلْمُتَوَحِّدُ فِي دَيْمُومَةِ بَقَائِهِ
almutawahhidu fi daymumiyyati baqa'ihi
one and only in the perpetuity of His intransience,
ٱلْعَادِلُ فِي بَرِيَّتِهِ
al`adilu fi bariyyatihi
fair with His creatures,
ٱلْعَالِمُ فِي قَضِيَّتِهِ
al`alimu fi qadiyyatihi
knowing of His issue,
ٱلْكَرِيمُ فِي تَأْخِيرِ عُقُوبَتِهِ
alkarimu fi ta'khiri `uqubatihi
and noble in delaying His punishment.
إِلٰهِي حَاجَاتِي مَصْرُوفَةٌ إِلَيْكَ
ilahi hajati masrufatun ilayka
O my God, my requests are aimed at You
وَآمَالِي مَوْقُوفَةٌ لَدَيْكَ
wa amali mawqufatun ladayka
and my hopes are addressed to You exclusively.
وَكُلَّ مَا وَفَّقْتَنِي مِنْ خَيْرٍ
wa kulla ma waffaqtani min khayrin
As to all items of goodness that You have granted me the success to attain,
فَأَنْتَ دَلِيلِي عَلَيْهِ وَطَرِيقِي إِلَيْهِ
fa'nta dalili `alayhi wa tariqi ilayhi
it is You Who is my guide to them and my path towards them.
يَا قَدِيراً لاََ تَؤُودُهُ ٱلْمَطَالِبُ
ya qadiran la ta'uduhu almatalibu
O Omnipotent Who cannot be thwarted by requests!
يَا مَلِيّاً يَلْجَأُ إِلَيْهِ كُلُّ رَاغِبٍ
ya maliyyan yalja'u ilayhi kullu raghibin
O All-encompassing to Whom desirous ones resort!
مَا زِلْتُ مَصْحُوباً مِنْكَ بِٱلنِّعَمِ
ma ziltu mashuban minka bilnni`ami
I have been always endued with bounties from You
جَارِياً عَلَىٰ عَادَاتِ ٱلإِحْسَانِ وَٱلْكَرَمِ
jariyan `ala `adati al-ihsani walkarami
and accustomed to receive conferrals and generosity from You.
wa bilnnazrati allati nazarta biha ila aljibali fatashamakhat
and in the name of the look with which You looked at the mountains and they thus towered,
وَإِلَىٰ ٱلأَرَضِينَ فَتَسَطَّحَتْ
wa ila al-aradina fatasattahat
at the layers of the earth and they thus flattened,
وَإِلَىٰ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ فَٱرْتَفَعْت
wa ila alssamawati fartafa`at
at the heavens and they thus rose,
وَإِلَىٰ ٱلْبِحَارِ فَتَفَجَّرَتْ
wa ila albihari fatafajjarat
and at the seas and they thus gushed;
يَا مَنْ جَلَّ عَنْ أَدَوَاتِ لَحَظَاتِ ٱلْبَشَرِ
ya man jalla `an adawati lahazati albashari
O He Who is too Majestic to have the human beings’ organs of sight
وَلَطُفَ عَنْ دَقَائِقِ خَطَرَاتِ ٱلْفِكَرِ
wa latufa `an daqa'iqi khatarati alfikari
and Who is too Subtle to be comprehended by the finest line of thinking.
la tuhmadu ya sayyidi illa bitawfiqin minka yaqtadi hamdan
Whenever You, O my master, are praised, this is due to a bestowal of success that You grant and that requires (us) to praise You for it.
wa la tushkaru `ala asghari minnatin illa istawjabta biha shukran
Whenever You are thanked for the least of Your favors, this requires (us) to thank You for this thanking of ours for You.
فَمَتَىٰ تُحْصَىٰ نَعْمَاؤُكَ يَا إِلٰهِي
famata tuhsa na`ma'uka ya ilahi
Then, at what time can Your bounties be calculated, O my God,
وَتُجَازَىٰ آلاَؤُكَ يَا مَوْلاَيَ
wa tujaza ala'uka ya mawlaya
or can Your errands be recompensed, O my Lord,
وَتُكَافَأُ صَنَائِعُكَ يَا سَيِّدِي
wa tukafa'u sana'i`uka ya sayyidi
or can Your favors be paid off, O my Master?
وَمِنْ نِعَمِكَ يَحْمَدُ ٱلْحَامِدُونَ
wa min ni`amika yahmadu alhamiduna
It is one of Your bounties that praisers praise You
وَمِنْ شُكْرِكَ يَشْكُرُ ٱلشَّاكِرُونَ
wa min shukrika yashkuru alshshakiruna
and it is one of Your thankworthy acts that thanksgivers thank You.
وَأَنْتَ ٱلْمُعْتَمَدُ لِلذُّنُوبِ فِي عَفْوِكَ
wa anta almu`tamadu lildhdhunubi fi `afwika
You are also the trusted for pardoning sins,
wa hasanatin da`afaha fadluka hatta `azumat `alayha mujazatuka
and too many are the good deeds that Your favoring multiplied until Your reward for them became massive.
جَلَلْتَ أَنْ يُخَافَ مِنْكَ إِلاَّ ٱلْعَدْلُ
jalalta an yukhafa minka illa al`adlu
You are too Majestic for us to anticipate anything from You save justice
fala tahrimni ma wa`adta almuta`arridina limas'alatika
so, (please) do not deprive me of that which You have promised those who present themselves for praying You.
يَا مَعْرُوفَ ٱلْعَارِفيِنَ
ya ma`rufa al`arifina
O Well-known by the cognitive ones!
يَا مَعْبُودَ ٱلْعَابِدينَ
ya ma`buda al`abidina
O Served by the worshippers!
يَا مَشْكُورَ ٱلشَّاكِرينَ
ya mashkura alshshakirina
O Thanked by the thanksgivers!
يَا جَلِيسَ ٱلذَّاكِرِينَ
ya jalisa aldhdhakirina
O Present in the sessions of the mindful ones!
يَا مَحْمُودَ مَنْ حَمِدَهُ
ya mahmuda man hamidahu
O Praised by the praisers of Him!
يَا مَوْجُودَ مَنْ طَلَبَهُ
ya mawjuda man talabahu
O Nearby to those who seek for Him!
يَا مَوْصُوفَ مَنْ وَحَّدَهُ
ya mawsufa man wahhadahu
O Described by those who profess His Oneness!
يَا مَحْبُوبَ مَنْ أَحَبَّهُ
ya mahbuba man ahabbahu
O Dearest of those who love Him!
يَا غَوْثَ مَنْ أَرَادَهُ
ya ghawtha man aradahu
O Aide of those who require Him!
يَا مَقْصُودَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيْهِ
ya maqsuda man anaba ilayhi
O Purpose of those who turn to Him frequently!
يَا مَنْ لاََ يَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
ya man la ya`lamu alghayba illa huwa
O He save Whom none knows the hidden!
يَا مَنْ لاََ يَصْرِفُ ٱلسُّوءَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
ya man la yasrifu alssu'a illa huwa
O He save Whom none fends off evil!
يَا مَنْ لاََ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلأَمْرَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
ya man la yudabbiru al-amra illa huwa
O He save Whom none manages the affairs!
يَا مَنْ لاََ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذَّنْبَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
ya man la yaghfiru aldhdhanba illa huwa
O He save Whom none forgives sins!
يَا مَنْ لاََ يَخْلُقُ ٱلْخَلْقَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
ya man la yakhluqu alkhalqa illa huwa
O He save Whom none creates the created beings!
يَا مَنْ لاََ يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ إِلاَّ هُوَ
ya man la yunazzilu alghaytha illa huwa
O He save Whom none brings down rain!
صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
salli `ala muhammadin wa ali muhammadin
Pour down blessings upon Muhammad and Muhammad’s Household
وَٱغْفِرْ لِي يَا خَيْرَ ٱلْغَافِرِينَ
waghfir li ya khayra alghafirina
and forgive me, O best of all forgivers.
رَبِّ إِنِّي أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ حَيَاءٍ
rabbi inni astaghfiruka istighfara haya'in
O my Lord, I do implore for Your forgiveness timidly.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ رَجَاءٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara raja'in
I implore for Your forgiveness hopefully.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ إِنَابَةٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara inabatin
I implore for Your forgiveness turning to You frequently.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ رَغْبَةٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara raghbatin
I implore for Your forgiveness desiring for You.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ رَهْبَةٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara rahbatin
I implore for Your forgiveness, fearing You.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ طَاعَةٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara ta`atin
I implore for Your forgiveness obediently.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ إِيـمَانٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara imanin
I implore for Your forgiveness having faith in You.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ إِقْرَارٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara iqrarin
I implore for Your forgiveness professing of You.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ إِخْلاَصٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara ikhlasin
I implore for Your forgiveness sincerely.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ تَقْوىٰ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara taqwa
I implore for Your forgiveness piously.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ تَوَكُّلٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara tawakkulin
I implore for Your forgiveness, having full trust in You.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ ذِلَّةٍ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara dhillatin
I implore for Your forgiveness, showing submission to You.
وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ ٱسْتِغْفَارَ عَامِلٍ لَكَ
wa astaghfiruka istighfara `amilin laka
I implore for Your forgiveness, dedicating all my acts to You
هَارِبٍ مِنْكَ إِلَيْكَ
haribin minka ilayka
and fleeing from You towards You.
فَصَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
fasalli `ala muhammadin wa ali muhammadin
So, (please) pour down blessings upon Muhammad and Muhammad’s Household
وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ
wa tub `alayya wa `ala walidayya
and accept my and my parents’ repentance
بِمَا تُبْتَ وَتَتُوبُ عَلَىٰ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِكَ
bima tubta wa tatubu `ala jami`i khalqika
through the means by which You did and will accept the repentance of all Your creatures.
يَا أَرْحَمَ ٱلرَّاحِمِينَ
ya arhama alrrahimina
O most merciful of all those who show mercy!
يَا مَنْ يُسَمَّىٰ بِٱلْغَفُورِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ya man yusamma bilghafuri alrrahimi
O He Who is called the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.
يَا مَنْ يُسَمَّىٰ بِٱلْغَفُورِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ya man yusamma bilghafuri alrrahimi
O He Who is called the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.
يَا مَنْ يُسَمَّىٰ بِٱلْغَفُورِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ya man yusamma bilghafuri alrrahimi
O He Who is called the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.
صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
salli `ala muhammadin wa ali muhammadin
Pour down blessings upon Muhammad and Muhammad’s Household,
وَٱقْبَلْ تَوْبَتِي
waqbal tawbati
accept my repentance,
وَزَكِّ عَمَلِي
wa zakki `amali
purify my deed,
وَٱشُكرْ سَعْيِي
washkur sa`yi
appreciate my efforts,
وَٱرْحَمْ ضَرَاعَتِي
warham dara`ati
have mercy upon my imploration,
وَلاَ تَحْجُبْ صَوْتِي
wa la tahjub sawti
do not interdict my voice,
وَلاَ تُخَيِّبْ مَسْأَلَتِي
wa la tukhayyib mas'alati
and do not frustrate my prayers.
يَا غَوْثَ ٱلْمُسْتَغِيثِينَ
ya ghawtha almustaghithina
O Aide of those who seek aid!
وَأَبْلِغْ أَئِمَّتِي سَلاَمِي وَدُعَائِي
wa abligh a'immati salami wa du`a'i
And (please) convey my salutations and my prayers to my Leaders,
وَشَفِّعْهُمْ فِي جَمِيعِ مَا سَأَلْتُكَ
wa shaffi`hum fi jami`i ma sa'altuka
accept their intercession for me with You in all of that which I have asked You for,
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 (peace be upon him):
assalaamo a’layka yaa waliyyal laahe wabna awleyaaa-eh assalaamo a’layka yaa safeeral laahe wabna sofaraaa-eh
Peace be on the friend of Allah and the son of His friends Peace be on you, O ambassador of Allah and the son of His ambassadors
assalaamo a’layka yaa waliyyal laahe wabna awleyaaa-eh assalaamo a’layka yaa safeeral laahe wabna sofaraaa-eh
Peace be on you O proof of Allah and son of His proofs Peace be on you, O light of Allah in the dark earth and the son of His lights
assalaamo a’layka yaa a’moodad deen assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresal anbeyaaa-e wal mursaleen
Peace be on you, O pillar of religion Peace be on you, O heir of the Prophets and the Messengers
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa aadama safwatil laah assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa noohin najiyyil laah
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Adam, the one chosen by Allah Peace be on you, O inheritor of Nuh, the confidant of Allah
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa ibraaheema khaleelil laah
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Ibrahim, the friend of Allah Peace be on you, O inheritor of Ismaaeel, the one to be sacrificed for Allah
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa moosaa kaleemil laah assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa e’esaa roohil laah
Peace be on you O inheritor of Moosa, the one who conversed with Allah Peace be on you, O inheritor of Eesaa, the spirit of Allah
ssalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa mohammadin (habeebil laahe wa) rasoolil laah
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Muhammad, (the beloved of Allah and) the Prophet of Allah
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa ameeril moameneena a’liyibne abee taalebin a’layhis salaamo waliyyil laahe wa wasiyye rasoolil laah
Peace be on you, O inheritor of the Commander of the Faithful, Ali Ibn Abi Taalib, peace of Allah be on him, the friend of Allah, and the successor to the Prophet of Allah
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa faatemataz zahraaa-e sayyedate nesaaa-il a’alameena binte rasoolil laah
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Fatima al-Zahra, leader of the women of the Universe, daughter of the Prophet of Allah
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresal hasane wal husaine sayyeday shabaabe ahlil jannate (wa sibtay rasoolil laah)
Peace be on you, O inheritor of al-Hasan and al-Husain, the two leaders of all the youths in Paradise (and two grandsons of the Prophet of Allah)
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa a’liyy ibnil husaine sayyedas saajedeena wa zaynil a’abedeen
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Ali ibn al-Husain, the leader of the prostrating ones and the adornment of the worshippers
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa mohammad ibne a’liyyin baaqere i’lmil awwaleena wal aakhereen
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Muhammad ibn Ali, the one who splits knowledge of the first and last ones
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa ja’far ibne mohammadenis saadeqil baarrit taqiyyil ameen
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Ja’far ibn Muhammad, the truthful, the virtuous one and trustworthy one
assalaamo a’layka yaa waaresa moosabne ja’farenil a’alemil kaazemil hafiyyil haleem
Peace be on you, O inheritor of Moosa ibn Ja’far the knowledgeable, the suppressor of rage, the kind, the one of forbearance
ash-hado annaka qad aqamtas salaata wa aataytaz zakaata wa amarta bil-ma’roofe wa nahayta a’nil munkare wa a’badtal laaha mukhlesan hattaa ataakal yaqeen
I bear witness that you undertook the prayer and gave the zakat, enjoined the good and prohibited evil and worshipped Allah in all sincerity until death came to you
assalamo a’layka yaa emaama qaseebin wa emaama najeebin wa emaama ba-e’edeen qareebin wa emaama masmoomin ghareeb
Peace be on you, O the great Imam, and the eminent Imam, one who is near, distant, one who was poisoned and stranger
assalaamo a’layka ayyohal a’alemun nabeeho wal qadrul wajeehun naazeho a’n turbate jaddehi wa abeeh
Peace be on you, O the exalted scholar having notable powers, one who is distant from the land of his grandfather and father
assalaamo a’laa man amara awlaadahu wa e’yaalahu bin-neyaahate a’layhe qabla wosoolil qatle elayhe
Peace be on the one who commanded his children and family to cry for him before he was killed
assalaamo a’laa deyaarekomul mooheshaate kamas tawha-shat minkum menaa wa a’rafaat
Peace be on your lonely homes, just as Mina and ‘Arafat have been separated from you
assalaamo a’laa saadaadil a’beede wa u’ddatil wa-e’ede wal bearil mo-a’ttalate wal qasril masheed
Peace be on the leader of slaves and the helper for the promised, on wells that are not used and on fortified palaces
assalaamo a’laa qaleeliz zaaa-ereena wa qurrate a’yne faatemata sayyedate nesaaa-il a’alameen
Peace be on the one who has few visitors, and the delight of the eyes of Fatima, leader of the women of the Universe
assalaamo a’lal bahjatir razawiyyate wal akhlaaqir raziyyate wal ghosoonil motafarre-a’te menash shajaratil ahmadiyyah
Peace be on the peaceful, splendid branches from the tree of Ahmad
assalaamo a’laa manin tahaa elayhe re-aasatul mulkil a-a’zame wa i’lmo kulle shay-in le-tamaamil amril mohkam
Peace be on the one to whom the leadership of the mighty kingdom reached, with the knowledge of everything to its ultimate, predestined end
assalaamo a’laa man asmaaa-ohum waseelatus saa-eleena wa hayaakelohum amaanul makhlooqeena wa hojajohum ibtaalo sho-bahil mulhedeen
Peace be on those whose names are a medium for those who seek, their houses are a security for the creatures, their proofs nullify the uncertainty of those who deviate
assalaamo a’laa man koserat lahu wesaadato waaledehi ameeril moameneena hattaa khasama ahlal kotobe wa sabbata qawaa-e’dad deen
Peace be on the one for whom the cushion of his father, the Commander of the Faithful, was laid out so that he could dispute with the people of the book and strengthen the pillars of religion
assalaamo a’laa a’lamil a-a’laame wa man koserat qoloobo shee-a’tehi be-ghurbatehi elaa yawmil qeyaamah
Peace be on the distinguished one amongst the eminent ones, for whom the hearts of his Shi’as are broken due to his loneliness until the day of Judgment
assalaamo a’las seraajil wahhaaje wal bahril a’jjaajil lazee saarat turbatohu mahbatal amlaake wal me’raaj
Peace be on the light of lights and the deep sea His dust has descended on different kingdoms and heavens
assalaamo a’laa baaherin noore wa taaheril welaadate wa man atla-a’homul laaho a’laa o’loomil ghaybe wash shahaadate wa ja-a’lahum be-ifzaalehi manba-i’l hodaa wa ma’denis sa-a’adah
Peace be on brilliant light, and the ones born in purity, and for whom Allah has made knowledge of the unseen available, and made them source of guidance and treasure of prosperity by His bestowal
assalaamo a’laa manib tahajat behi ma-a’alemo toosin hayso halla be-rab-e’haa
Peace be on the one through whom the knowledge of Tus became adorned from the time you became its resting place
assalaamo a’laaa muftakharil abraare wa naa-il mazaare wa sharte dokhoolil jannate wan naar
Peace be on the pride of the pious one, and the place where people visit, and the condition for entering heaven and hell
assalaamo a’laa man lam yaqta-i’l laaho a’nhum salaatehi fee aaa-naa-is saa-a’ate wa behim sakanatis sawaakeno wa taharrakatil motaharrekaat
Peace be on the one for whom Allah has not cut off His blessings day and night, and through whom the people live and move
assalaamo a’laa man ja-a’la emaamatahum momayyezatan baynal fareeqayne kamaa ta-a’bbada be-welaayatehim ahlul khaafe-qeen
Peace be on those whose Imamate Allah has made a distinguishing mark between two groups, the people of the east and the west become more devout by following them
ssalaamo a’laa man ahyal laaho behim daaresa hekamin nabiyyeena wab ta-a’sahum be-walaayatehim le-tamaame kalematil laahe rabbil a’alameen
Peace be on the one through whom Allah has enlivened the wisdom of the Prophets and, by sending him, people become more devout so as to perfect the word of Allah, Lord of the Worlds
assalaamo a’laa shohooril hawle wa a’dadis saa-a’ate wa a’dade laa elaaha illal laaho fee roqoome (ar-roqoome) al-mosattaraat
Peace be on the months of the year and number of hours and the number of Laa elaaha illal laah in the written document
assalaamo a’laa iqbaalid dunyaa wa so-o’odehaa wa man so-eloo a’n kalematit tawheede faqaaloo nahno wal laahe min shorootehaa
Peace be on the one [through whom] the world and it’s prosperity are to be approached and the one who, when asked about the words of unity, said: “By Allah, we are its conditions”
assalaamo a’laa man yo-a’llalo wojoodo kulle makhlooqin be-welaa-ehim wa man khatabat lahomul khota-baaa
Peace be on the one whose friendship is the reason for the existence of every creature, the preachers address
assalaamo a’laa man a’laa majdohum wa sanaaa-ohum wa faaqal awwaleena wal aakhereena aabaaa-ohum wa abnaaa-ohum
Peace be on the pride and glory of the pious one, and their fathers and sons are superior to the first and the last
assalaamo a’laa manif takharal fakhro be-fakhrehim wa a’laa behim be-wojoobis salaate a’layhim wa tahaarate theyaabehim
Peace be on those whose praises and adulations have been elevated, whose pride and elevated status have been known by the fact that sending blessings on them is obligatory (in the prayer), and by their purity and nobility
assalaamo a’laa qamaril aqmaare wa fakhril abraaril motakalleme ma-a’ kulle loghatin be-lesaanehemul qaa-ele le-shee-a’tehi maa kaanal laaho le-yowaalleya emaaman a’laa ummatin hattaa yo-a’rrefohu be-loghaatehim wa adyaanehim
Peace be on the moon of all moons, the pride of the righteous, the one who speaks to different people in their own languages, the one who said to his followers: “Allah would not impose an Imam on a community until He teaches him their language and ways”
assalaamo a’laa furhatil qoloobe wa farajil koroobe wa shareefil ashraafe wa mafkhare a’bde manaafin
Peace be on the happiness of the heart, one who removes sorrow and the noble of all noble ones and the pride of ‘Abd al-Manaf
yaa laytanee kunto menat taaa-efeena be-a’rsate hazratehi mustashedan le-bahjate mo-aanasateh
If only I was around his court and in his presence, I would give my life due to the joy of his friendship
uqsemo we be-aaa-baa-ekal athaare wa be-abnaaa-ekal muntajabeenal abraare law laa bo’dush shuqqate hayso shattat bekomud daaro laqazayto ba’za waajebe haqqekum be-takraaril mazaar
I swear by Allah and by your pure fathers and the chosen ones amongst your pious children, had it not been for the excessive distance from home, I would have fulfilled some obligations by continuously visiting you
assalaamo a’laykum yaa homaatad deene wa awlaadan nabiyyeena wa saadatal makhlooqeena wa rahmatul laahe wa barakaatoh
Peace be on you, O the protectors of religion, the children of the Prophets and the leaders of creation, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be on you
Ibn Qawlawayh reported one of the Holy Imams (peace be upon him) to have said: When you reach the tomb of Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him), you may say the following supplicatory words there:
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَىٰ
allahumma salli `ala `aliyyi bni musa
O Allah, (please) send blessings upon `Ali the son of Musa,
ٱلرِّضَا ٱلْمُرْتَضَىٰ
alrrida almurtada
the cordial, the well-pleased,
ٱلإِمَامِ ٱلتَّقِيِّ ٱلنَّقِيِّ
al-imami alttaqiyyi alnnaqiyyi
the Imam, the pious, the bright,