Visiting the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s.) is recommended, while emphasis upon visiting his grave is among the necessities of the Religion. It is related that the visitation to his grave is essential upon every believer and is obligatory upon every man and woman. While one who abandons it, in fact has abandoned the rights of Allah and His Prophet, while abandoning it is ungratefulness with the Prophet of Allah (S) and is a result of a defect in his belief and Religion.
Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a.s.) told Muhammad bin Muslim that, “Direct our Shi’ah to visit the grave of Hussain bin Ali (a.s.), for it has been made obligatory by Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, upon every believer who considers Hussain (a.s.) to be his Imam”.
Muhammad ibn Muslim narrates:Imam Muhammad Baqir (asws) said, “If people knew the reward for performing the Ziarat of the grave of Hussain (asws), their souls would leave their bodies out of remorse of not having performed Ziarat and they will die while longing for it.” I asked, “What is the reward for performing His Ziarat?” Imam (asws) replied, “Allah will record for those who performing the Ziarat of Hussain (asws) while longing for Him the reward of one thousand accepted Hajj, one thousand accepted Umrah, one thousand martyrs from the martyrs of the battle of Badr, fasting of one thousand people, one thousand accepted sadqa (acts of charity) and the reward of freeing one thousand slaves in the way of Allah. He will be protected for one year from every plague, the least evil of which is Shaitan(satan). And Allah will devote an honorable angel who will protect him from the front, from behind, from the left side, from the right side, from above his head, and under his feet.” If he dies within that year, the angels of mercy will attend his ablution and shrouding. They will follow his funeral while seeking forgiveness for him. His grave will be widened as far as he can see. Allah will keep him safe from the squeezing of the grave and remove his fear from the angels Munkar and Nakir(Angels). A door from his grave to Jannah(Heaven/paradise) will be opened.On the Day of Judgment his book of deeds will be placed in his right hand, and he will be illuminated by a noor so bright it will brighten everywhere from the east to the west.A crier will call out, “This is a person who performed the Ziarat(visiting) of Hussain (asws) while longing for Him.” There will be none on the Day of Judgment who will not wish he had performed the Ziarat of Hussain (asws).”
It is related from Humran (bin A’ayan), that I went to visit the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s.). When I returned back to my home, Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a.s.), accompanied by Umar bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Ali, came to visit me. Imam Baqir (a.s.) said,
“O Humran! Accept glad tidings that the one who visits the graves of the martyrs of the Prophet’s family, intending Allah’s proximity and solidarity to His Prophet, he shall be freed from sins similar to the day his mother gave birth to him”.
Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a.s.) said, that when the day of Qiyamah(Judgment) approaches, an announcer will call out, “Where are the pilgrims of Hussain (a.s.)?” A large multitude will arise, computing whose numbers would not be possible by anyone except Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime. Allah will ask them,
“Why did you visit the grave of Hussain?”
They will reply, “O Lord! We did that due to the friendship with the Prophet of Allah (a.s.) and for the sake of Ali (a.s.) and Fatemah (a.s.), and due to the sorrow that befell him”. It will be said to them,
“Here are Muhammad (S), Ali (a.s.), Fatemah (a.s.), Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.). Go and unite with them, you shall remain along with them in their status. Unite under the standard of the Prophet of Allah (S) and remain under its shade, that is in the hands of Ali (a.s.) until all of you enter Paradise”.
Then they shall come to the standard from behind, the right and the left.
It is related in numerous traditions, that the visitation of Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s grave shall result in forgiveness of sins, be a means of entering Paradise, and grant liberty from hell. It shall also result in the negation of evils, elevation of rank and fulfillment of desires. The one who goes to visit the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s.), while being cognizant of his right, Allah will forgive all of his past and future sins.
In another tradition it is related that,
“His intercession will be accepted for seventy sinful people. And there is no desire that is asked at the head of his grave, except that Allah fulfils it”.
Sources:
Kamil al Ziarat , Wilayat Mission, Publications ,p 198.
Nafasul Mahmum, Relating to the heart rending tragedy of Karbala’
Shaykh ‘Abbas Qummi /al-islam.org
