THE RECOMMENDATION OF (Ziyarah) PAYING VISIT

TO OUR MASTER, THE LEADEROF THE TIME

(may our souls be sacrifice for him) AT ALL TIME AND PLACE

Allamah Majlisi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Be aware that it is recommended to pay visit to him (peace be upon him) at all place and time, and in the holy Tunnel and in the tombs of his great grandfathers (peace be on them). It is also recommended in the holy time like eve of his birthday that middle of the holy month of Sha'ban and on the Night of power (Leilatul Qadr) which the Angels and the pure souls shall be descending.^[1]

We would like to present here the narration from which we can comprehend this point:

Sulayman bin Eisa narrates from his father that he said:

I said to Imam Sadiq (A.S.): How shall I perform your Ziyarat when it may not be possible for me to come near you for paying a visit?

His holiness (A.S.) said:

            O’ Eisa! When you shall not be able to come near me, take a bath on the day of Friday or perform ablution, then go to the terrace of your house, offer two units of prayer, turn towards me (and recite the Ziyarat); because whoever visits me during my life, it as though he has visited me after my death; and whoever visits me after my death, it is as though he has visited me in my life.

Explanation: This report implicates that the Ziyarat of a living Imam is also permissible in this manner. Hence, it proves the point that one can turn towards the Holy Vault of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) from whichever place he wishes to perform his Ziyarat.^[2]      The honourable Sheikh Kaf’ami (R.A.) says: It is recommended that one should perform the Ziyarat of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) everywhere and every time, and should also pray for the quick relief of his holiness (A.S.) In fact, the Ziyarat of his holiness (A.S.) is highly recommended in the holy vault located in Samarrah.^[3]