Merits of visiting the shrine of Imam Husayn (as):
Abdullah ibn Bukair narrates: Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:'O’ son of Bukair! Allah has chosen six places on earth; Baytul Haram (Kaaba), Masjid al Haram, the graves of the prophets, the graves of the successors, the places of martyrdom of the Martyrs and the mosques in which the name of Allah is remembered.
O’ son of Bukair! Do you know the reward for those who perform the Ziarat of the grave of Aba Abdullah al Hussain (asws), even though the jahil (ignorant) neglect it?'Every morning, an angel beside the grave of Hussain (asws) calls out, 'O those who seek blessings! Come to Allah’s Chosen One (Imam Hussain asws) so that you may return with honor and will be protected from the regret!'This call is heard by all of the inhabitants of the east and the west except for mankind and jinn.
Upon hearing this call, all of the angels on earth to the zuwar (visitors) of Hussain (asws) while they are asleep, sanctify Allah near them and ask Allah to be pleased with them (zuwar).
All of the angels in the skies who hear this call respond by glorifying Allah. The angels raise their voices and the inhabitants of the first sky are so loud the inhabitants of the seventh sky and the prophets can hear them and they (angels of the seventh sky and prophets) turn and ask Allah to send mercy and blessings on Hussain (asws) and pray for those who are performing His Ziarat.'
Before leaving the house:
In his book of al-Misbah, Shaykh al-Tusi has reported Safwan as saying:
One day, I asked Imam al-Sadiq ('a) to permit me to visit (the holy tomb of) my master Imam al-Husayn ('a) and also asked him to guide me what to do. The Imam ('a) said to me:
'O Safwan, before you begin your journey, you should fast for three days and, on the third day, wash yourself, gather your family members, and say:'
'As you wash yourself in the river,' Imam al-Sadiq (as) continued, 'say the following:'
When you finish washing yourself, Imam al-Sadiq went on, put on two dresses and offer a two-unit prayer not very far from the bank of the river.
As you finish your prayer, direct towards the Ha'ir (i.e. Imam al-Husayn’s shrine) with tranquility and solemnity. As you walk, try to make short steps, for Allah the All-exalted shall record for you the reward of going on hajj (holy pilgrimage to Mecca) and going on ‘Umrah (recommended pilgrimage to Mecca).
Try to be pious-hearted with tearful eyes. Repeat as many times as possible:
- the Takbir statement
- the Tahlil statement
- statements of praising Allah
- statements of invoking blessings on the Holy Prophet and his Household in general
- blessings on Imam al-Husayn
- statements of cursing those who killed Imam al-Husayn and those who were the main reason beyond so.
Etiquette of visiting the shrine of Imam Husayn (as):
Then, you should stand up for offering a two-unit prayer next to the side of the Imam’s head. In this prayer, you can recite any Surah you like.
You should then leave from the door that is at the side of `Ali ibn al-Husayn’s feet, direct towards the martyrs.
Sayyid Ibn Tawus says that it is recommended for those who intend to leave the holy shrine of Imam al-Husayn (`a) after they have accomplished visiting his tomb to throw themselves on the tomb and kiss it, and then say the following:
Etiquette of visiting the shrine of Hazrat Abbas (as):
The noble Shaykh Ja`far ibn Qawlawayh al-Qummi has reported through a chain of authority that Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali eported Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) as saying: 'If you intend to visit the tomb of al-`Abbas ibn `Ali (peace be upon him) that lies on the bank of the River Euphrates opposite to al-Ha'ir, you should stop at the gate ... and say these words:'
According to the previously mentioned narration, the ziyarah of al-`Abbas ends here. But Sayyid Ibn Tawus and Shaykh al-Mufid, as well as other scholars, have added the following:You may then turn to the side of the head and offer a two-unit prayer. Then say:
The following has been reported from Abu-Hamzah al-Thumal as well as by other scholarsIf you intend to take leave, you may approach the holy tomb and say the following words: