Ibn Mashhadi narrates from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) that when the Imam arrived in Najaf with Safwan al-Jammal to visit the holy resting place of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), he instructed him on the proper etiquette of visitation. The Imam said:
“Walk with short and humble steps, and lower your gaze toward the ground. For every step you take, one hundred thousand good deeds are recorded for you, one thousand sins are erased, one hundred thousand degrees are raised, one hundred thousand needs are granted, and the reward of all the truthful and the martyrs—those who have lived and those who have passed—is written for you.”
Then Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) stood at the grave and greeted with the words:
“Peace be upon you, O righteous and pious successor. Peace be upon you, O the Great Divine Message…”
Afterward, he performed several units of prayer near the blessed head of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and said:
“O Safwan, whoever visits Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) with this visitation and performs this prayer shall return to his family with his sins forgiven, his deeds accepted, and the reward of all the angels who visit this sacred shrine recorded for him.”
Safwan then asked about the number of angels who visit the shrine, and the Imam (peace be upon him) replied:
“Every night, seventy groups of angels visit him, and each group consists of one hundred thousand angels.”
As Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) departed, he continued to face the grave, walking backward in reverence.
“Amin Allah” Visitation Supplication: A Manifestation of Devotion
Among the most renowned and universally recommended pilgrimages (Ziyarat Mutlaqah) to Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is the blessed Amin Allah.
Ibn Mashhadi, through his chain of transmission from Sayf ibn Umayrah, narrates that he accompanied Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) to Najaf. He went along with Safwan ibn Mehran al-Jammal and a group of companions. They completed the visitation of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him). When the visitation supplication concluded, Safwan turned toward the shrine and said, “From this very place, near the head of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), we also send our salutations to Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him).”
He then said:
“I accompanied my master, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), and he did the same. He recited this supplication, performed the prayer, and upon completion, said to me:
‘O Safwan, persevere in this visitation and this supplication. Remember me and my father. I guarantee, by God, that whoever performs this visitation and supplication—whether near or far—his pilgrimage will be accepted, his effort appreciated, his salutation delivered, and his needs granted, whatever they may be.’”
This visitation supplication, known as Amin Allah, begins with the noble words:
“Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. Peace be upon you, O chosen one of Allah. Peace be upon you, O trusted guardian of Allah. Peace be upon you, O one whom Allah has chosen and favored above all His creation.”
The Visitation supplication of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (Sajjad), peace be upon him
Ibn Qulawayh al-Qummi, through an authentic narration, relates that Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him), when visiting the shrine of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), stood beside the grave. He wept and recited:
“Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful. May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you. Peace be upon you, O trustee of Allah on earth and His proof over His servants. I bear witness that you strove in the path of Allah, upheld His Book, and followed the traditions of His Prophet until Allah called you unto Himself and took your pure soul by His own choice. Through your martyrdom, Allah completed His proof against your enemies, and you remain a luminous proof over all creation.”
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) described the reward of reciting this Visitation supplication, saying:
“None of our followers recites this visitation at the grave of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) or at the resting place of any of the Imams (peace be upon them), except that his supplication is written on a scroll of light, sealed with the seal of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family), and handed to the hands of the Awaited Imam, al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance). When the Imam reappears, by Allah’s permission, he will return that scroll to its owner with greetings, glad tidings, and divine honor.”
The Visitation supplication al-Ghadir
Among the most distinguished occasions for visiting the shrine of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) is the pilgrimage on the Day of Ghadir.
Shaikh al-Tusi, through his chain of transmission from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, narrates:
“We were in the presence of Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) when the subject of the Day of Ghadir was mentioned. Some expressed doubt regarding its significance. The Imam said:
‘My father narrated to me that the Day of Ghadir is more renowned in the heavens than it is on earth. O son of Abi Nasr, wherever you may be, be present at the shrine of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) on this day. For indeed, Allah forgives the sins of sixty years of every believing man and woman, and He frees from the Fire twice the number freed during the month of Ramadan, the Night of Decree, and the day of Eid al-Fitr combined. Every dirham spent for the sake of a believing brother on this day equals one thousand dirhams in reward. Therefore, honor your brothers in faith and bring joy to every believing man and woman on this day.’”
