The Sacred Effusion Volume 1

The Source of Ziyarat ‘Ashura` and its Authenticity

Ziyarat ‘Ashura` is a sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) which is authentic and veracious. Its main references are two fundamental works of authority:

1. Misbah al-Mutahajjid by Shaykh al-Tusi

2. Kamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qulawayh

All the traditions that narrate this ziyara are proven by scholars of hadith to be sound and veracious. In order to establish their authenticity, they have discussed all the chains of narration at length and proven the reliability of every narrator. Those interested in understanding the intricacies of the traditions may refer to works written in this regard.[^1]

The contemporary venerated jurisconsult, Ayatullah Sayyid al-Shubayri al-Zanjani (may Allah protect his noble spirit) was asked about the authenticity of Ziyarat ‘Ashura` and he responded saying:

Disregarding what has been narrated from reliable sources about its endorsement from the unseen realm (al-ta’yidat al-ghaybiyya), which in itself suffices as a proof of the authenticity of this sacred Ziyarat, the chain of narration mentioned in Misbah al-Mutahajjid after this Ziyarat is veracious.^2

Other Ways of Establishing Authenticity

Apart from the aforesaid, the authenticity of this radiant Ziyarat can be established through other methods considered in the science of hadith. For example, there are many other ziyarat where expressions similar to those contained in Ziyarat ‘Ashura` appear. This indirectly endorses the veracity of the Ziyarat.

Furthermore, much of the information contained in the Ziyarat has come in so many of our traditions, some of which are copiously narrated and even rank among the traditions that are successively narrated (mutawatir) in terms of meaning at least.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Sanad, one of the contemporary Shi’a scholars, when asked about the veracity of the different supplications and ziyarat, including Ziyarat ‘Ashura`, says:

Indeed the contents of the ziyarat and supplications under question do not only appear in their respective places, but there are a number of other ziyarat and supplications with other chains of narration, that have similar contents both in word and meaning. Furthermore most of their contents have been narrated in other traditions on Divine Teachings, many of which have been copiously narrated.

Rather some of them are also successively narrated (mutawatir) in their meaning and gist. Therefore being worried about the chains of narration of this Ziyarat or that or this supplication or that, is because of disregarding this intellectual reality that pertains to the science of traditions and narrations.^3

Those, therefore, who persist in doubting the authenticity of the Ziyarat overlook the other factors that strongly endorse the Ziyarat. The great Shi’a scholars have always lived with this Ziyarat and many of them incessantly recite it with great zeal and humility.

Some ignorant people, due to the expression of imprecation contained in the Ziyarat try to doubt its authenticity. Such people feel that Islam is a religion of peace and hence such words must not be uttered. In response to them, we say that curse is not any kind of abusive expression. Its reality, as we shall come to learn in the commentary of the Ziyarat is to seek the remoteness of the accursed.

Such prayer for remoteness, considering its Qur`anic origin, is nothing but harmony with Allah’s Volition. We shall also learn that cursing those who established the foundation of oppression and evil is also a kind of expression of one’s stance against evil. If one tries to reflect carefully, one would understand that the spirit of cursing evil and its epitomes it to flee from imperfection. It is important for us therefore to tear off the veils of the periphery of the Ziyarat and touch the center and appreciate the universal message that it confers.

La’n and invoking curse is not merely an emotional state of anger that is evanescent. It is a translation of the reality. Therefore whether we invoke curse on them, or not they will always be distanced from the mercy of Allah (SwT), due to the seeds of mischief that they had sown in this world.

Seeking the kernel of the curses, we would come to realize that we have parables of Yazid and Mu’awiya in our time and age too. If we cursed the Yazid of a thousand years ago, it was not because of himself per se, but his ideology and actions. The Yazid of today must be repelled the same way. This is the message of curse.

May the Almighty enable us understand the spirit of the Ziyarat, so that we avoid discussing trivial issues that distance us from a sacred effusion that rains down perpetually and requires receptive containers.
The Holy Qur`an says:

He sends down water from the sky whereat the valleys are flooded to [the extent of] their capacity…(13:17)

All Praises Belong to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds

[^1]: The contemporary scholar Ayatullah Ja’far Subhani has written a separate treatise on establishing the veracity of Ziyarat ‘Ashura` [http://www.Imamsadeq.org/book/sub3/rasaeel-va-maghalat-j3/]