Ziyara: Difference between revisions

[[File:حرم نبوی.jpg|thumbnail|right|The recommendation of the ziyarah of the shrine of the Prophet (s) is accepted by all Muslims]]

'''Ziyārah''' (Arabic:{{ia| الزيارة}}, literally: the visit) is a religious act which means to attend before religious leaders or their graves in order to express and show love and reverence and acquire spiritual blessings. Visiting religious personalities and their graves have always been among recommended acts in [[Islam]] and during history, [[Muslims]] have paid attention to it and followed it. However, ziyarah of [[the Prophet (s)]] and [[Imams (a)]] has had a great importance among Shi'a and many spiritual benefits and rewards have been mentioned for them. Since ziyarah is greatly important in Shi'a culture, it has been regarded among the characteristics of Shi'a.

Despite the general opinion of Muslims about recommendation and permissibility of Ziyarah, [[Wahhabism]], which has certain interpretations of some verses, claims that ziyarah is not compatible with the conduct of the Prophet (s) and has cast doubts on this issue. These doubts have made Shi'a and Sunni scholars 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.<ref>Ibn Fāris, ''Muʿjam maqāyīs al-lugha'', under the word "زور".</ref> 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.

Although ziyarah of the graves of the righteous, especially the Prophet (s) is accepted by all Muslims, the concept of ziyarah is more important in Shi'a culture. In addition to ziyarah of the Prophet (s), ziyarah of infallible Imams (a) is also a part of Shi'a rituals and is very important to them.

In Shi'a culture, ziyarah means the connection with the infallible Imam (a) and admitting his [[Wilaya]], ziyarah has a tight relation with the issue of the love of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]], [[Tawalli]] [Loving] and [[Tabarri]] [disassociation].

Ziyarah of the [[Infallible]] (a) is among the signs and requirements of loyalty towards them and doing justice to their rights of Wilaya over their followers; since, in the view of Shi'a, the Prophet (s) and Imams (a) have Wilaya and even after they pass away, their positions are preserved.

One of the fruits of Imam's Wilaya is his control over the hearts, meaning that Imam has control over souls and hearts of people. In most ziyarah texts, such a Wilaya and Imama is admitted; for example, it is mentioned in texts for ziyarah of Imams (a), "I attest that you see my place 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 meeting filled with love and spirituality, 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:

* '''Visiting [[Ka'ba]]:''' which is performing [[Hajj]], [['Umra]] or circumambulation ([[Tawaf]]) of Ka'ba.<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. 212; 213.</ref> Recommendation of ziyarah of Ka'ba and obligation of Hajj is among definite rulings agreed by all Muslims. Furthermore, according to hadiths, Ka'ba has been also respected by all prophets of the past.<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. 212; 213.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah of [[the Prophet (s)]],''' which would be rewarded both during his lifetime and after he (s) passed away.<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. 548.</ref> Permissibility and recommendation of his ziyarah is accepted by both Shi'a and Sunni and many hadiths have been narrated about that. [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] narrated from the Prophet (s) that anyone who comes to visit me, I will [[Intercession|intercede]] for him on the [[Day of Judgment]].<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. 548.</ref> Also, in another hadith, it is narrated that ziyarah of the grave of the Prophet (s), graves of martyrs and the grave of Imam al-Husayn (a) equals to performing Hajj in the company of the Prophet (s).<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. 548.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah of [[Amir al-Mu'minin]],''' [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] in [[Najaf]], for which great rewards are promised in hadiths; for example, Imam al-Husayn (a) narrated from the Prophet (s) that, "anyone who visits me or 'Ali (a), I will visit him on the Day of Judgment and I will free him from his sins."<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. vol. 4, p. 548.</ref> According to hadiths, Imam 'Ali (a) is superior to all Imams (a) and there are many hadiths regarding his Ziyarah.

Also about ziyarah of [[Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a)]], whose grave is unknown, her ziyarah can be done from distance.<ref>Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', vol. 10, p. 453.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]''' in [[Karbala]]; about which different and great rewards have been mentioned in correspondence with the visitor's knowledge and the manner of his Ziyarah.<ref>Ibn Qūlawayh, ''Kāmil al-zīyārāt'', p. 142.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah of other [[Imams (a)]].''' It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that ziyarah of each of Imams (a) will be rewarded the same as the ziyarah of the Prophet (s).<ref>Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', vol. 10, p. 452.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah of Imams (a) from distance;''' if anyone is unable to go to ziyarah of the Prophet (s), Imams (a) or Lady Fatima (s), he can make ziyarah from distance.<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 4, p. 587.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah of [[Lady Fatima al-Ma'suma (a)]],''' the honorable daughter of [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]] in [[Qom]]; there are many hadiths about her virtues and it is narrated from [[Imam al-Rida (a)]] that the rewards for ziyarah of Lady Ma'suma (s) is the [[paradise]].<ref>Ibn Qūlawayh, ''Kāmil al-zīyārāt'', p. 324.</ref>

* '''Ziyarah of [['Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani]]''' in [[Rey]]; he (a) was among the great children of [[Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a)]] and great companions of Imams (a). In a hadith, the rewards promised for ziyarah of him has been mentioned the same as ziyarah of Imam al-Husayn (a).<ref>Ibn Qūlawayh, ''Kāmil al-zīyārāt'', p. 324.</ref>

* '''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.<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 3, p. 230.</ref>

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 l-Qa'da]] and [[Rajab]] has been recommended.

Some common manners of ziyarah are:<ref>See: Qummī, ''Mafātīḥ al-janān'', ādāb zīyārat.</ref>

* To make ziyarah with knowledge; according to many hadiths, the full reward of ziyarah would be given to those who do it being aware and having knowledge about the position of Imam (a) ('Arif bi-haqqih [knowing his rights]). Although, having knowledge has different levels, but the minimum degree of that is that the visitor knows that he is visiting an [[infallible]] Imam (a) who has [[Wilaya]], whose obedience is [[obligatory]], that he (a) is the successor of the Prophet (s) and that the visitor needs to admit to Imam's (a) rights and obey his orders. To explain what it means to be aware and to have knowledge about the rights of Imam, Imam al-Kazim (a) said, "It is to know that his obedience is obligatory and that he is [[Gharib]] [left in distance without help] and martyred."<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 99, p. 35.</ref>

* To do [[ghusl]] (ritual bath) for Ziyarah<ref>Risālah āyat Allāh Makārim Shīrāzī,  rulings of ṭahārat, decree 609.</ref>

* Wearing perfume (except for ziyarah of Imam al-Husayn (a), for which wearing perfume is not recommended)

* Going near the grave, so that the visitor reaches [[Darih]] and hang on it, provided that he does not disturb other visitors. (However, ziyarah of Imams (a) is not only touching and kissing Darih; but the visitor can receive the full rewards of ziyarah without touching Darih, only by reciting ziyarah text and saluting those honorable ones; and the idea that if a person does not reach Darih or kiss it, his ziyarah would be incomplete, is wrong.)

* Reciting [[Ziyarah texts]] received from [[Imams (a)]], such as the [[Ziyarah Amin Allah]] , [[Ziyara Jami’a Kabira|Jami'a al-Kabira]] and the [[Ziyarah of A'immat al-Mu'minin]].

* Leaving the shrine (especially from around Darih) after ziyarah to empty room for others to make ziyarah and also not become tired of ziyarah and to keep the love of ziyarah in his heart.

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 detail.<ref>Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', kitāb al-Ḥajj.</ref>

Ziyarah of the faithful and their graves is a mutual relationship which has benefits and fruits both for the visitor and the visited. In addition to abundant rewards for visiting the faithful, it is mentioned in many hadiths that the one is buried in the grave senses the presence of his visitor and becomes happy with their presence.<ref>Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 6, p. 256.</ref> Other benefits for the ziyarah of the graves of the faithful include being reminded about death, taking lesson and being prepared for correction.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 79, p. 64.</ref>

=== Merits of the ziyarah of Infallible Imams (a) ===

Accordingly, the merits of ziyarah can be understood, since ziyarah is among the best ways to connect to the [[infallibility|infallible]] leaders which brings about great opportunities and spirituality. Also, respecting Imams (a) strengthens the spiritual connection between the visitor and Imam (a) and in fact makes their spiritual path continue.

Forgiveness of the sins, benefitting from [[intercession]] of Imams (a) and fulfillment of requests are among other spiritual fruits, ziyarah of Imams (a) bring about.

To give examples, some hadiths about the merits of ziyarah are mentioned below:

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

According to political and social problems, some major roles can be mentioned for ziyarah in brief:

* Preaching the spirit of seeking truth and justice and focusing on claiming people's rights and implementation of justice as the most important goal of Shi'a which can obviously be learned through the texts of Ziyarah.

== Ziyarah Texts ==

{{main|Ziyarah Texts}}

Besides giving certain instructions for the ziyarah, also some texts are taught in Shi'a traditon and hadithes to be recited during the ziyarah of Imam's tombs. Ziyarah texts received from the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] mostly have content rich with 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]], [[Ziyara Jami’a Kabira|Ziyarah al-Jami'a al-kabira]], [[Ziyarah Amin Allah]], [[Ziyarah Warith]], [[Ziyarah Al Yasin]] and [[Ziyarah Jami'a A'immat al-Mu'minin]].

The importance of ziyarah and great range of its manners has made the discussion of Ziyarat text as an important religious issue, to be the subject for many works.<ref>See: Āqā Buzurg, ''al-Dharīʿa'', vol. 12, p. 77-80.</ref> [[Ibn Qulawayh al-Qummi]]'s ''[[Kamil al-Ziyarat]]'' is among the most authentic such references. Other such works are [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]]'s ''[[al-Mazar]]'', [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]]'s ''[[Misbah al-mutahajjid]]'', [[Sayyid b. Tawus]]'s ''[[Muhaj al-da'awat]]'', [[Ibn al-Mashhadi]]'s ''[[al-Mazar al-kabir]]'', [[al-Allama al-Majlisi]]'s ''[[Tuhfat al-za'ir]]'' and [[Shaykh 'Abbas Qummi]]'s ''[[Mafatih al-jinan]]''.

In contemporary time, [[Wahhabis]] have made literalistic interpretations of the verses of the [[Qur'an]] and have questioned [[Ziyarah of the graves]]. These questions have been answered in different books of Shi'a and Sunni scholars.

{{Ziyarahs of Imam al-Husayn (a)}}

{{Ziyarah}}