In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The History of Sahifah Sajjadiah
Mutiwakkil Ibn Haroun, a companion of the fifth Imam, Imam Baqir and the 6th Imam, Imam Sadiq (PBUT), narrates:
When I returned from Hajj, I saw Yahya Ibn Zaid, the grandson of the 4th Imam Sajjad, Ali ibn Hussain (PBUH). I informed him of what Imam Sadiq (PBUH) had predicted in regards to the martyrdom of Yahya. Yahya ibn Zaid asked: "Have you written any narration from my cousin, Imam Sadiq?"
"Yes", I answered.
Yahya ibn Zaid said, "Please show me."
I then showed him some of the lessons I had learned from the Imam. Of the lessons I showed him was a supplication that Imam Sadiq (PBUH) had said. The Imam had told me that this supplication rooted back to a supplication passed down from his father, Imam Baqir (PBUH), who received it from his father, Imam Sajjad (PBUH). Also the Imam had told me that the supplication was recorded in Sahifah Kamilah.
Yahya took a close look at the entire supplication and asked if he could have a copy of it. I asked, "O grandson of the Prophet, are you asking permission for that which is yours?" Yahya copied down the supplication and in return said, "I now will present you with a collection of supplications I received from my father who had recorded them from my grandfather, Imam Sajjad (PBUH). My father advised me to keep it away from strangers and bad people."
Then Yahya asked for a box and took a book out that was sealed and locked. He kissed the book and cried. Then he broke the seal and opened the lock with utmost respect. Yahya said, "O Mutiwakkil! I swear to Allah if you had not informed me of my death and getting hanged, I would not have given you this book. But I know what Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said is the truth since he has this knowledge from his fathers. Soon this news will be proven. Thus, I fear that the Umayyads will get hold of this valuable book and such wisdom; they may change or hide it from the people. Take this book and assure me that you shall protect it until I die; then give it to my cousins Muhammad and Ibrahim who will be my successors."
Mutiwakkil said, "I took the book (Sahifah). After a while he became martyr and I returned to Medina and visited Imam Sadiq (PBUH). I told him my story of visiting Yahya. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) cried and became very sad for his cousin. He asked for the location of that Sahifah. I then showed him the Sahifah. Imam opened it and said, "By Allah, this is my uncle Zaid’s handwriting and my grandfather Ali Ibn Hussain’s (PBUH)) supplication." Then Imam Sadiq turned to his son, Isma'el and said, "Go and bring the supplication that I had given you the responsibility of protecting." Isma'el returned with a Sahifah just like the one Yahya Ibn Zaid had given to me. Then the Imam kissed the Sahifah and said, "This is my father's handwriting of my grandfather's supplication which was done in my presence."
I asked the Imam if I could compare his Sahifah with Yahya's Sahifah. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) agreed and said, "I find you worthy for this act."
So I compared the two books and found no difference between the two, not even in a single word....
Mutiwakkil says, “Then Imam Sadiq (PBUH) taught me the supplications of Sahifah, which were 75 chapters. I forgot 11 chapters and recorded 64...”
Given the sensitivity Imam Sadiq (PBUH) and Yahya had toward protection of this book, the question that remains is whether this collection is only a book of supplication or bears other responsibilities?
(Reference: Introduction of Sahifah Sajjadiah, translated to Persian by the Scholar Gharavian)
Please accept our condolences on the 25th of Muharram, upon the martyrdom of Imam Ali Ibn Hussain (PBUH), the master of prostrators and the ornament of worshipers.
Roshd Islamic Shia Website
Footnotes:
1- Muhammad and Ibrahim were sons of Abdullah Ibn Hassan Ibn Hassan Ibn Ali (PBUH).
