Ziyara: Difference between revisions

Despite the general opinion of Muslims about recommendation and permissibility of Ziyarah, [[Wahhabism]] sect, who have certain interpretations of some verses, claim that Ziyarah is not compatible with the conduct of the Prophet (s) and have issued questions about this issue. These questions have caused Shi'a and Sunni scholars to answer and defend the permissibility of Ziyarah.

Literally, the word "Ziyarah" means turning and withdrawing from something. The person who goes on Ziyarah is called Za'ir because when he goes to Ziyarah of a person, turns away from others. The common meaning of Ziyarah is that one turns to a person to show respect and become close to him; i.e. a visit which is accompanied with reverence at the heart and spiritual approach. Also, some have said that visiting friends of God and great Muslim personalities is called Ziyarah because it is turning away from material world towards the spiritual world.

In Islamic culture and all Muslims' tradition, Ziyarah has an important position which can be understood from [[hadith]]s received from [[Imams (a)]] about the promised rewards for Ziyarah. Hadiths about recommendation of Ziyarah of [[the Prophet (s)]] are many and at the level of [[Tawatur]] [high frequency of narration] and agreed upon by both [[Shi'a]]s and [[Sunni]]s. Therefore, Muslims go to Ziyarah of the grave of the Prophet (s) since long ago.

One of the fruits of Imam's Wilayah is his control over the hearts, meaning that Imam has control over souls and hearts of people. In most Ziyarah texts, such a Wilayah and Imama is admitted; for example, it is mentioned in texts for Ziyarah of Imams (a), "I attest that you see me here and hear my word and answer my salutation." In Shi'a view, the soul of Imam becomes aware about his visitor with God's permission and this has made Ziyarah for Shi'a a lovely and spiritual meeting, the influence of which can obviously be seen in Shi'a prose and poetry. Ziyarah and the holy shrines of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] have had great roles in Shi'a history and paying great attention to these is considered among significant cultural symbols of Shi'a.

Different types of Ziyarah have been mentioned in hadiths from the Ahl al-Bayt (a); some of which are:

* Ziyarah of faithful and righteous people: In many hadiths, Ziyarah of the graves of the faithful and making [[Du'a]] for them have been recommended; such as in a hadith narrated from Imam 'Ali (a) which advises that visit your passed ones since they become happy from your visit and make your requests from God near the graves of your father and mother.

The heart of Ziyarah is the spiritual attention towards Imam and showing respect, greetings and making spiritual bond with him. However, since Ziyara is considered as going before Imam (a), certain instructions are given for it, following which increases the benefits one can receive from Ziyarah. Certain instructions are given for the Ziyarah of some Imams (a) such as the Prophet (s) or Imam al-Husayn (a). For example, there are certain [[Du'a]]s and manners recommended to be observed during the Ziyarah of the Prophet (s), and Ziyarah of Imam al-Husayn (a) on the day of [['Arafa]] will have more rewards; or Ziyarah of Imam al-Rida (a) in the months of [[Dhu al-Qa'dah]] and [[Rajab]] has been recommended.

If someone cannot go to Ziyarah of an Imam, he can make [[Ziyarah from distance]]. In references of du'a and Ziyarah (such as ''[[Mafatih al-jinan]]''), there are special Ziyarah texts for making Ziyarah from distance.

There are different types of Ziyarah, each of which has unique benefits. For example, Ziyarah of [[Ka'ba]] has certain philosophy and certain manners of performance which are mentioned in the references of du'a and Ziyarah in details.

* Imam al-Rida (a) said, "Anyone who visits me in this lonely town ([[Mashhad]]), I will come visit him in three places and will free him from fears: when his records of actions is submitted to him, when he passes [[Sirat]] and when his actions are being measured."

In addition to rewards mentioned for visitors of Imams (a) in hadiths, the culture of Ziyarah has several social and educational functions such as the benefits mentioned below:

* Increase of the visitor's knowledge and learning religious teachings through Ziyarah texts

* Preparing religious environment of the shrines of Imams (a) and the graves for dissolving the sins and developing virtues

Since the beginning of their history and in most ages, Shi'a have been a minority opposite to the government and hated by different political powers; therefore, political and social issues have been blended with the souls and beliefs of Shi'a.

* Focusing on the society and ideal government which Imam al-Mahdi (aj) will establish after his reappearance.

Ziyarah texts received from the Ahl al-Bayt (a) mostly have content rich from authentic Islamic beliefs and teachings. Some of such Ziayarah texts have found more importance and fame due to their special content or reference; such as Ziyarh 'Ashura, Ziyarah Jami'a Kabirah, Ziyarah Amin Allah, Ziyarah Warith, Ziyarah Al YAsin and Ziyarah Jami'a A'immat al-Mu'minin.

Ziyarah texts received from infallibles (a) are two types; some are special to one Imam (a) and some are common and they can be recited upon visiting every Imam (a). Some issues can be found common in all or most of Ziyarah texts:

# Accompanying and associating with the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt (a)

In contemporary time, Wahhabites have made superficial interpretations of the verses of the Qur'an and raised questions about Ziyarah of the graves. These questions have been answered in different books of Shi'a and Sunni scholars.