Mikyalul Makarim Fee Fawaaid ad-Duaa Lil Qai’m vol. 2

22. Whole Month Of Ramadan ==========================

This month is the best for praying for the reappearance of Imam az-Zaman (aj), especially its nights, because it is the month of invocations. Hence, traditions have ordered for the same and thus, the significance of reciting Dua Iftetaah have been underlined in the nights of this month. Do not neglect this supplication for indeed, it is a noble and comprehensive prayer, encompassing the needs of both this world as well as the hereafter.

Also supporting this matter is that which the chief of narration scholars, Shaykh Sadooq has mentioned in his book, Fadail Sharur Ramadan, through his own chain of narrators from Imam Ali Reza (as) that he said with regard to the merits of the month of Ramadan: Good deeds are accepted in the month of Ramadan and the sins are forgiven. One who recites one verse of the Book of Allah, in the month of Ramadan will get the reward of reciting a whole Qur’an in other months.

One who makes his believer brother smiles in this month, he would not be met except with a smile and given the good news of Paradise on Judgment Day. One who helps his believer brother in this month, will be helped by the Almighty when passing over the Sirat Bridge, on the day when his feet would be shaking.

For one who controls his anger on this month, the Almighty Allah will keep away His anger. If a person helps an oppressed soul, Allah will help him against one who is inimical to him in this world, and will also help him at the time of the accounting of deeds.

The month of Ramadan is a month of mercy and blessings. It is month of forgiveness and return [to the court of Allah]; and one who is not forgiven in the month of Ramadan, then in which month would he be forgiven?! Thus, beg the Almighty Allah to accept your fasting and that He may not make it your last time. And that He should give you the good sense of obeying Him and protect you from His disobedience, as He is the best of those who are asked.[^1]
I say: In Part Five we had stated that praying for an early reappearance and success of our master, Hazrat Hujjat (aj) is a kind of rendering help to him, from the aspect that we are encouraged to help the believers in this month and without any doubt helping the Imam (as) is the best form of help. An evidence for this is a special Dua for this month quoted in Iqbal and Zaadul Maad from the fourth Imam, Imam Zainul Abideen (as) and his son, Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) which begins as follows:

O Allah, this is the month of Ramadan… I ask You to help the vicegerent of Muhammad and the successor of Muhammad and the one who will establish justice from the successors of Muhammad. Your blessings be upon him and them. Bestow Your help to them.

Supporting this point also is the traditional report that Thiqatul Islam, Muhammad Ibne Yaqoob Kulaini has recorded in the Chapter of Fasting, in Usool Kafi from Muhammad bin Isa through his own chain of narrators from the Holy Imam (as) that they said: Recite this Dua on the eve of 23rd of Ramadan in Sajdah (prostration), in sitting and standing, and go on repeating it as much as you can. So much so, that you learn it by heart for your life. Thus after praise and glorification of the Almighty Allah recite as follows:

O Allah You be for so and so, at this hour and at every hour a Guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper, a guide and a protector, so that he is at ease and lives on your earth for a long time.[^2]

I say: This tradition proves that praying for the important matter of hastening the reappearance is emphasized on the 23rd eve of Ramadan of all the times and occasions just as the month of Ramadan is more emphasized than other months. It is so because it is the best time for acceptance of supplications and gaining the best rewards. And also the angels and Ruhul Qudus come down on this night and the doors of mercy and success are thrown open and they are not thrown open on other nights.

Rather it has been clearly mentioned in some traditional reports that this night is the same night of Qadr (power), which is better than a thousands months. Thus, Thiqatul Islam, Muhammad Ibne Yaqoob Kulaini has stated in Usool Kafi, Chapter of Miscellany, Book of the Merits of Qur’an through his own chain of narrators from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) from the Holy Prophet (S) that he said: The Qur’an was revealed on the 23rd of the month of Ramadan.[^3] This tradition, along with the verse:

Surely We revealed it on the grand night. (Qur’an, Surah Qadr 97:1)

…proves that the night of power is the same 23rd eve of the month of Ramadan, as is clear for people with sense.

Muhaqqiq Noori, in his book, Najmus Thaqib, has quoted the above mentioned Dua in expanded version from Al-Mazmaar of Sayyid Ibne Tawoos (r.a.). It is as follows:

اللهم كن لوليك القائم بأمرك الحجة بن الحسن المهدي عليه وعلى آبائه أفضل الصلاة والسلام في هذه الساعة وفي كل ساعة وليا، وحافظا، وقائدا وناصرا، ودليلا، ومؤيدا (27) حتى تسكنه أرضك طوعا وتمتعه فيها طولا وعرضا وتجعله

O Allah, be for Your Wali, one who will rise up with Your command, the Hujjat Ibnil Hasan al-Mahdi, upon him and his forefathers, the best of blessings and salutations on this time and at all times, the guardian, the protector, the leader and the helper, the proof and supporter till he lives in Your earth and enjoys its length and breadth. And make him and his progeny from the inheritor Imams. O Allah, help him and help through him (Your religion) and make help from You (special) for him and open upon his face to victory and do not give this (rule) to anyone else.

O Allah, make Your religion dominant through him and the Sunnah of Your Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. So that they do not conceal anything from the truth due to the fear of the creatures. O Allah, indeed, I am inclined to the noble rule, in which Islam and its people are honored and hypocrisy and its people are debased. And make us the callers to Your obedience and guides to Your path.

And give us good in the world and good in the hereafter and save us from the Fire and gather for us all good of both the worlds and repay all our debts. And make for us good in it by Your mercy and generosity in prosperity. Amen, Lord of the worlds and increase Your blessings on us and fill up our needs, for all You give is less than Your kingdom and Your bestowals increase Your kingdom.

[^1]: Biharul Anwar; Vol. 96, Pg. 341

[^2]: Al-Kafi, Vol. 4, Pg. 162

[^3]: Usool Kafi; Muhammad bin Yaqoob Kulaini; Vol. 2/629