In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Supplication to Him
Supplications and prayers are not limited to the Arabic phrases uttered by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT). A person is free to talk to Allah (SWT) and request from Him in any language or situation that he/she wishes.
An ordinary person, however, may not be familiar with his/her true values and with what may lead him/her to success. As a result, he/she tends to focus and ask Allah (SWT) for a series of small and insignificant matters as his/her main goal.
It is also possible that a person may be unaware of the proper manner in which to make supplication to Allah (SWT), as He deserves to be asked, even what to ask for.
As such, what better way than to follow the example of the experts in servitude of Allah (SWT), the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), and to call Allah (SWT) through supplications passed down by them.
The Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) have taught us a vast number of supplications for all sorts of prayers and difficulties we may face; and one can easily comfort him/herself when faced with any kind of difficulties by reciting these supplications.
The book of Imam Sajjad Zain al-Abidin (PBUH) known as Sahifa Sajjadiyah is famous and unique for its authenticity and comprehensive content. Its supplications are so meaningful and eloquent that they really help one connect with Allah (SWT).
Ibn Jowzi, a well-known Sunni scholar, has said in this regard, “Imam Ali ibn Hussain Zain al-Abidin is the worthiest of all in teaching the Islamic community about supplications and communication with Allah (SWT). Surely, if it were not for the Imam and his teachings, Muslims would not know how to communicate with Allah (SWT). He is the Imam who taught them what to say at the positions like forgiveness, request, fear from the enemy, and so forth (1).”
As referred to in Ibn Jowzi’s statement, in asking for forgiveness, Imam Sajjad (PBUH) has taught us to say, “O Allah, I repent to You in this my station from my sins, great and small, my evil deeds, inward and outward, my lapses, past and recent, with the repentance of one who (out of hatred for sins) does not tell himself that he might disobey or secretly think that he might return to an offense (2).”
(Selection taken from, “Repentance - an interpretation of supplication 31 from Sahifah Sajjadiyah”, by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Zia’ Abadi)
Roshd Website would like to congratulate you, dear friend, and all Muslims on this auspicious occasion, the fifth of Sha’ban, birthday of the master of prostrations, the beauty of worshippers, Imam Ali ibn al-Hussain (PBUH).
Roshd Islamic Shia Website
Footnotes:
1. Introduction of Ayatullah Mar’ashi Najafi on the Sahifa Sajjadiyah
2. An excerpt from supplication 31 in Sahifa Sajjadiyah
