Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya

Question

Please introduce al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya.

Al-Ṣaḥīfa al-Sajjādīyya is a collection of 54 supplications attributed to Imam al-Sajjad (AS), the fourth Imam of the Shi'a. This book, structured in the form of prayers, not only encompasses intimate conversations with Allah but also addresses theological, educational, political, and Islamic teachings. Agha Buzurg Tehrani has listed 50 commentaries on the Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, and in addition to these commentaries, the book has been translated into numerous languages. Apart from the well-known al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, which is also referred to as the Complete Sahifa (al-Sahifa al-Kamila), five other collections containing additional supplications from Imam Zain al-Abidin (AS) have been compiled.

Significance

The collection of 54 supplications by Imam al-Sajjad (AS), known as the Sahifa Sajjadiyya, is considered one of the most important treasures of divine truths and knowledge after the Qur'an and Nahj al-Balagha. It has been given titles such as "The Sister of the Quran," "The Gospel of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS)," and "The Psalms of the Family of Muhammad (s)" by prominent scholars.

In 1353 AH, the late Ayatollah Mar'ashi Najafi sent a copy of the Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya to the author of the al-Jawahir fi Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim (Tantawi Jawhari) in Cairo. Upon receiving it, the author expressed his gratitude and wrote in response: "It is our misfortune that until now we had not come across this eternal, invaluable work, which is a legacy of prophethood. Whatever I read in it, I find it superior to the words of creation and inferior only to the words of the Creator."

Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya is not merely a collection of intimate supplications and expressions of need before God; it is an ocean of Islamic sciences and knowledge, addressing theological, cultural, social, political, natural laws, and religious rulings in the form of prayer.

This valuable book possesses unique characteristics:

1. Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya embodies complete detachment from the material world, severing ties with creation, and connecting with God, relying solely on Him. In part of the 27th supplication, it is said: "O God, I have turned away from everyone and turned to You out of sincerity. Now my entire being is focused on Your grace and generosity. I have turned away from those who themselves stretch their hands in need to You, for I have realized that expressing need to those who are themselves in need is a sign of foolishness and misguidance."
2. Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya reflects the perfect knowledge and deep faith of Imam al-Sajjad (a) in God. In part of the first supplication, it is said: "All praise is due to God, who is the origin and beginning of the universe, and whose sacred essence has no beginning. God, to whom the end of all things returns, yet He has no end. God, whom the eyes of His servants cannot see, and the thoughts and imaginations of describers are unable to portray His attributes."
3. Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya opens the doors of hope and aspiration for God's mercy, for no matter how sinful a person may be, they should never despair of returning from sin and turning back to God. In the 20th supplication, it is said: O God, I have come to the threshold of Your forgiveness, hoping for Your pardon, relying on Your mercy, and trusting in Your grace. I have nothing in my hands that would warrant Your forgiveness, nor have I done anything that would make me deserving of Your pardon. Since I have condemned myself in this way, I have no refuge except Your grace and generosity. So send blessings upon Muhammad (s) and his family, and favor me with Your grace."
4. Al-Sahifa Sajjadiyya opens new avenues of dialogue with God. In part of the 50th supplication, it is said: "O God, I am insignificant, and my worth is little. My punishment and chastisement would not add even an atom's weight to Your power. If punishment were something that could increase Your dominion, I would wish for that increase to be for You. But Your dominion is higher, and Your power is eternal, such that the obedience of the obedient or the disobedience of the sinners does not diminish it.

Nahj al-Balagha in the Eyes of Scholars

Prominent scholars and thinkers have expressed beautiful and profound statements in praise of the Sahifa Sajjadiyya.

1. The late Fayd al-Islam, a translator and commentator of the Sahifa Sajjadiyya, said: "Whoever reads this book with sincerity and a pure intention, pondering its meanings, will immediately find divine light shining in their heart, turning them towards God and setting them on the path of happiness and prosperity in this world and the hereafter."
2. Imam Khomeini stated in his will: "We are proud that the life-giving supplications, which are called the 'Ascending Qur'an,' are from our infallible Imams. We possess the Sha'baniyya Supplications of the Imams, the Arafah Supplication of Husayn b. Ali (a), the Sahifa Sajjadiyya—the Psalms of the Family of Muhammad (s)—and the Sahifa Fatimiyya, which is a book inspired by God to Fatima al-Zahra (a)."
3. Morteza Motahhari the Martyr said: One of the great treasures in the Shi'a world is these supplications. By God, it is a treasure of knowledge. If we had no other evidence except the supplications we have from Zain al-Abidin (a)—the Sahifa Sajjadiyya or other supplications like the Abu Hamza al-Thumali Supplication from Ali b. Husayn (a)—and if Islam had nothing else in fourteen centuries except what has been manifested through the students of Islam, it would be sufficient. These supplications are so elevated that they are nothing short of miraculous."
4. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said: Indeed, a book like the Sahifa شم-Sajjadiya, from beginning to end, is filled with noble motivations for humanity. If a person pays attention to them, truly, this Sahifa al-Sajjadiya alone is sufficient to awaken, reform, and guide a society.
5. Tantawi Jawhari: In the year 1353 AH, the late Shi'a Marja', His Eminence Ayatollah al-Uzma Mar'ashi Najafi (may he rest in peace), sent a copy of the noble book al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya to the contemporary scholar and author of the Tafsir Tantawi (the Mufti of Alexandria) in Cairo. In response, he wrote the following:"Your esteemed letter arrived some time ago, accompanied by the book al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya, containing the words of the ascetic Imam of Islam, Ali Zain al-Abidin, son of Imam Husayn, the martyr, the beloved of Mustafa (peace be upon them). I received the book with great reverence and found it to be a unique work, encompassing sciences, knowledge, and wisdom that cannot be found elsewhere. Truly, it is a misfortune for us (the Sunni community) that we have not, until now, come across this precious and eternal masterpiece from the heritage of prophethood and the Ahl al-Bayt. The more I study and ponder on it, the more I realize that it is above the speech of the created and below the speech of the Creator. Indeed, what a noble book it is!"