When a Shia makes the intention to go for
Ziarat, he has laid the foundation for his journey. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) narrates,
‘Allah has appointed some angels at Imam Husain’s grave.
When a Shia makes the intention for Imam Husain’s (a.s.) Ziarat, Allah forgives
all his sins. When he takes a step to go for Ziarat, he erases his sins. His
virtues multiply and they increase till the time he becomes worthy
of Paradise ‘.
(Wasailul
Mohibbeen, pg. 280) taken from Muharram 2001 ALM
With regards to walking it
is noteworthy that the order of Saee in Hajj between safa and marwah is the
order to walk. Moreover, there is a saying of Holy Prophet (sawa) accepted by
both sunnis and shias that the one who raises his legs in the dust for the sake
of Allah then Allah prohibits them for fire.
Imam Husain (a.s.) visits
the Visitor
Ali b. Mohammad narrates, ‘I used to
visit Imam Husain’s (a.s.) shrine every month. But, as I grew older, my
weakness got the better of me and I missed performing the visitation in one
month. After some days, I set out on foot for another visitation. I reached the
shrine in a few days. I recited the namaz and fell asleep. I saw Imam Husain
(a.s.) in a dream. Imam (a.s.) had just left his shrine. He addressed me – You
were virtuous and affectionate towards me. Why did you turn oppressive? I
replied – I have grown old and weak and yet, have come in your presence. There
is a tradition narrated from you, I wish to hear it from you. Imam (a.s.)
asked, “Which tradition?”
I replied, “It is narrated from you that the one
who has visited me in his lifetime, then after his death, I will visit his
grave. Imam (a.s.) affirmed, “Yes I will. Even if he is in Hell, I will rescue
him from it.’
(Behaar
al-Anwaar, vol. 101, pg. 16)
Acclaimed
Shiite scholars have explained that this visitation could be at the time of
(the visitor’s) death, while he is being laid to rest in the grave.
In
the grave, man will experience unprecedented loneliness. He will be akin to a
stranger in an alien land. Various types of dangers, the likes of which he had
only heard before, will confront him. Terror and dread will surround him. No
one is going to visit the inhabitant of the grave. Even if one does visit, he
will come at a distance, recite Surah Fateha and depart. The closest and
dearest of relatives will not accompany the deceased inside the grave. But the
one who has visited Imam Husain (a.s.) will be fortunate enough to have Imam
(a.s.) visit him in his grave. After Imam (a.s.) pays him a visit, he will feel
no grief and terror. Indeed after Imam (a.s.) says
“Peace be on you”, no difficulty shall remain and there
is no comfort that he shall not experience.
After being informed of the noble and
blissful consequence of Imam’s (a.s.) visitation, only the unwise will dare to
show negligence and forsake urgency and perseverance in this
regard.
Imām Ja'far ibnMuhammad al-Sādiq
(A.S.) said:
"The Almighty Allāh records
a thousand good deeds and erases a thousand sins for every step taken by one
who performs the Ziyarat of Imām Husain (a.s.) on foot. He will also increase
their status a thousand times for every step.
Then Imām (a.s.) said: When
you arrive at Euphrates, perform Ghusl, carry your shoes and walk barefoot like
a humble servant. Once you arrive at the door of the holy shrine, recite Takbir
four times. Then walk a little and repeat this four more times. Then come near
his head, stand there and repeat it four more times. Pray near his grave and
ask Allāh, the Exalted for your needs.”
[Reference: KamiluzZiyaraat, chapter 49, tradition 4]
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