Al-Iftitah Supplication
Who is the author of Doa al-Iftitah, and what is its content?
Doa al-Iftitah is a supplication with a reliable chain of narration from Imam al-Mahdi (a), who recommended that Shi'a Muslims recite it every night during the month of Ramadan. This supplication has been narrated by Muhammad b. 'Uthman, the second deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a) during the Minor Occultation, and is found in important sources, including Tahdhib al-Ahkam, one of the Four Books of Shi'a.
At the beginning of this supplication, it is advised to start praising Allah with gratitude and acknowledgment of His blessings. Towards the end, it enumerates various difficulties and seeks Allah's help in resolving them, emphasizing hope in Allah in all circumstances.
Doa al-Iftitah is said to have two main themes: the remembrance (dhikr) and reinforcement of Islamic beliefs. The primary themes of this supplication include the theology, praise and glorification of Him, enumerating His attributes—especially His mercy, forgiveness, and generosity—and acknowledging His blessings.
Chain of Narration
Most Shi'a scholars and prominent figures have accepted the attribution of this supplication to Imam al-Mahdi (a) and have spoken in its favor, though some doubts have been raised.[1]
Doa al-Iftitah was narrated from Imam al-Mahdi (a) by Muhammad b. Uthman, the second deputy during the Minor Occultation. The first to narrate this supplication was al-Shaykh al-Tusi (d. 460 AH) in two of his books, including Tahdhib al-Ahkam[2], one of the Four Books of Shi'a Hadith, and Misbah al-mutahajjid.[3][4]
After al-Shaykh al-Tusi, ''Sayyid b. Tawus'', a Shi'a scholar of the 7th century AH, narrated Doa al-Iftitah with a chain of narration from Muhammad b. 'Uthman, the second deputy of Imam Mahdi (a). This supplication is among the supplications recorded in a book that Muhammad b. Uthman gave to his nephew.[5] Sayyid b. Tawus narrated this supplication from Ibn Abi Qurrah[6], whose book is no longer available, but Shia jurists have frequently cited it in their works.[7]
Doa al-Iftitah has also been narrated by al-Kaf'ami in al-Misbah al-mutahajjid[8] and al-Balad al-amin[9], Allama al-Majlisi in ''Zad al-ma'ad''[10], and Shaykh Abbas Qummi in Mafatih al-Jinan.[11]
Time of Recitation
Al-Shaykh al-Tusi, in both Tahdhib[12] and Misbah al-mutahajjid[13], stated that this supplication should be recited every night of the month of Ramadan. Sayyid b. Tawus also recommended reciting this supplication during the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan.[14]
Imam Mahdi (a) wrote to the Shia that they should recite Dua al-Iftitah every night of the month of Ramadan. The angels listen to the supplication and seek forgiveness for the one who recites it.[15]
Content and Virtues
Doa al-Iftitah is said to have two main themes: the remembrance and reinforcement of Islamic beliefs.[16] In explaining this supplication, it is said that from the beginning, we learn to start praising Allah with gratitude and acknowledgment of His blessings.[17] Towards the end, it enumerates various difficulties and seeks Allah's help in resolving them, emphasizing hope in Allah in all circumstances.[18]
Misbah Yazdi, a Shi'a scholar, described Doa al-Iftitah as "one of the most appropriate and profound supplications," containing lofty themes. He believed that the content of this supplication teaches the supplicant the etiquettes to observe and the matters to focus on during supplication.[19]
Text of the Supplication
| text | translation |
|---|---|
| بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ | In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. |
| اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَفْتَتِحُ الثَّنَاءَ بِحَمْدِكَ وَ أَنْتَ مُسَدِّدٌ لِلصَّوَابِ بِمَنِّكَ | O Allah, I begin the glorification with praise of Thee; Thou, from Thy bounties, gives out freely the truth and salvation; |
| وَ أَيْقَنْتُ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْعَفْوِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ | I know for certain that Thou art the most merciful in disposition of forgiveness and mercy, |
| وَ أَشَدُّ الْمُعَاقِبِينَ فِي مَوْضِعِ النَّكَالِ وَ النَّقِمَةِ وَ أَعْظَمُ الْمُتَجَبِّرِينَ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَ الْعَظَمَةِ. | [but] very exacting at the time of giving exemplary punishment and chastisement to wrongdoers, the Omnipotent in the domain of absolute power and might. |
| اللَّهُمَّ أَذِنْتَ لِي فِي دُعَائِكَ وَ مَسْأَلَتِكَ فَاسْمَعْ يَا سَمِيعُ مِدْحَتِي وَ أَجِبْ يَا رَحِيمُ دَعْوَتِي وَ أَقِلْ يَا غَفُورُ عَثْرَتِي | O Allah, Thou has given me permission to invoke Thee and beseech Thee, so listen, O Hearer, to my words of praise, and give a favourable reply to my supplication, and minimize my falling into misery, O the often-forgiving. |
| فَكَمْ يَا إِلَهِي مِنْ كُرْبَةٍ قَدْ فَرَّجْتَهَا وَ هُمُومٍ [غُمُومٍ] قَدْ كَشَفْتَهَا وَ عَثْرَةٍ قَدْ أَقَلْتَهَا وَ رَحْمَةٍ قَدْ نَشَرْتَهَا وَ حَلْقَةِ بَلاءٍ قَدْ فَكَكْتَهَا | O Allah, many a trouble Thou hath removed; many a sorrow hath Thou dispelled; many a misery hath Thou mitigated; and at all times Thou spreadeth out mercy, and cutteth short the tightening circles of misfortunes. |
| الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَ لا وَلَداً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلِيٌّ مِنَ الذُّلِّ وَ كَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيراً | All praise be to Allah, Who has not taken unto Himself a wife, nor a son, and Who has no partner in sovereignty, nor any protecting friend through dependence. Magnify Him with all magnificence. |
| الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بِجَمِيعِ مَحَامِدِهِ كُلِّهَا عَلَى جَمِيعِ نِعَمِهِ كُلِّهَا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لا مُضَادَّ لَهُ فِي مُلْكِهِ وَ لا مُنَازِعَ لَهُ فِي أَمْرِهِ | All praise be to Allah, with full gratitude for all his bounties. All praise be to Allah, Who has no opposition to His rule, nor any challenge to His commands. |
| الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ فِي خَلْقِهِ وَ لا شَبِيهَ [شِبْهَ] لَهُ فِي عَظَمَتِهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْفَاشِي فِي الْخَلْقِ أَمْرُهُ وَ حَمْدُهُ الظَّاهِرِ بِالْكَرَمِ مَجْدُهُ الْبَاسِطِ بِالْجُودِ يَدَهُ | All praise be to Allah, Who has no counsel to meddle with His operation of creation, nor is there anything similar to Him in His greatness. All praise be to Allah, Whose commandments operate in Creation; His glory is evident through love and kindness. His distinct overflowing generosity is freely available through His unlimited bestowals |
| الَّذِي لا تَنْقُصُ خَزَائِنُهُ وَ لا تَزِيدُهُ [يَزِيدُهُ] كَثْرَةُ الْعَطَاءِ إِلا جُودا وَ كَرَما إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْوَهَّابُ | which do not exhaust His resources, and He does not swell the numerous benefits except because of generosity and kindness. Verily He is mighty, generous. |
| اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ قَلِيلا مِنْ كَثِيرٍ مَعَ حَاجَةٍ بِي إِلَيْهِ عَظِيمَةٍ وَ غِنَاكَ عَنْهُ قَدِيمٌ وَ هُوَ عِنْدِي كَثِيرٌ وَ هُوَ عَلَيْكَ سَهْلٌ يَسِيرٌ | O Allah, I ask for some from much, in the midst of my very many needs for which I entirely depend on Thee, and, since eternity, Thou art able to do without it but for me it is a titanic effort and for Thee is very easy and simple. |
| اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ عَفْوَكَ عَنْ ذَنْبِي وَ تَجَاوُزَكَ عَنْ خَطِيئَتِي وَ صَفْحَكَ عَنْ ظُلْمِي وَ سَتْرَكَ عَلَى [عَنْ] قَبِيحِ عَمَلِي وَ حِلْمَكَ عَنْ كَثِيرِ [كَبِيرِ] جُرْمِي عِنْدَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ خَطَايَ [خَطَئِي] وَ عَمْدِي | O Allah, truly, when Thou pardon my sins, overlook my mistakes, take a lenient view of my disorderly conduct, cover up my foul actions, show consideration despite my many transgressions committed willfully or negligently, |
| أَطْمَعَنِي فِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لا أَسْتَوْجِبُهُ مِنْكَ الَّذِي رَزَقْتَنِي مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ أَرَيْتَنِي مِنْ قُدْرَتِكَ وَ عَرَّفْتَنِي مِنْ إِجَابَتِكَ فَصِرْتُ أَدْعُوكَ آمِنا | I am tempted to ask for that which I do not deserve, from Thee Who, through Thy mercy, gives me the daily bread provides me with that which is suitable for me, through Thy control; and distinguishes me with a favourable reply to my requests. So I persist in calling out, believing in Thee, |
| وَ أَسْأَلُكَ مُسْتَأْنِساً لا خَائِفاً وَ لا وَجِلاً مُدِلَّاً عَلَيْكَ فِيمَا قَصَدْتُ فِيهِ [بِهِ] إِلَيْكَ فَإِنْ أَبْطَأَ عَنِّي [عَلَيَ] عَتَبْتُ بِجَهْلِي عَلَيْكَ | and I invoke Thee, talking familiarly, not afraid, nor shy, but assured of Thy love and kindness whenever I turn to Thee. A temporary setback, and I, out of ignorance, begin to despair, |
| وَ لَعَلَّ الَّذِي أَبْطَأَ عَنِّي هُوَ خَيْرٌ لِي لِعِلْمِكَ بِعَاقِبَةِ الْأُمُورِ | although perhaps slowing down may be a blessing in disguise. because Thou alone knows [all] the consequences. |
References
- ↑ Qaraati, Mohsen, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, Qom, Mo'oud Cultural Foundation, 1392 SH, p. 12.
- ↑ Shaykh Tusi, *Tahdhib al-Ahkam*, researched by Hasan Musawi Khurasan, Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 4th edition, 1407 AH, vol. 3, pp. 108–110.
- ↑ Shaykh Tusi, Muhammad ibn Hasan, *Misbah al-Mutahajjid wa Silah al-Muta'abbid*, Beirut, Al-A'lami Foundation, 1998 CE, pp. 402–404.
- ↑ Qaraati, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, 1392 SH, p. 12.
- ↑ Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, *Iqbal al-A'mal*, Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 2nd edition, 1409 AH, vol. 1, p. 58.
- ↑ Ibn Tawus, *Iqbal al-A'mal*, vol. 1, p. 58.
- ↑ Qaraati, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, 1392 SH, p. 14.
- ↑ Al-Kaf'ami, Ibrahim ibn Ali al-Amili, *Al-Misbah fi al-Ad'iyah wa al-Salawat wa al-Ziyarat*, Beirut, Al-A'lami Foundation for Publications, 1994 CE, pp. 770–773.
- ↑ Al-Kaf'ami, Ibrahim ibn Ali al-Amili, *Al-Balad al-Amin wa al-Dur' al-Hasin*, Beirut, Al-A'lami Foundation for Publications, 1418 AH/1997 CE, pp. 271–274.
- ↑ Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, *Zad al-Ma'ad*, Beirut, Al-Alami Publishing, 1423 AH/2003 CE, pp. 86–89.
- ↑ Qumi, Shaykh Abbas, *Mafatih al-Jinan*, Tehran, Markaz Nashr Farhangi Raja, 1369 SH, p. 321.
- ↑ Shaykh Tusi, *Tahdhib al-Ahkam*, 1407 AH, vol. 3, p. 108.
- ↑ Shaykh Tusi, *Misbah al-Mutahajjid wa Silah al-Muta'abbid*, 1998 CE, vol. 2, p. 577.
- ↑ Sayyid ibn Tawus, *Iqbal al-A'mal*, 1409 AH, vol. 1, p. 58.
- ↑ Majlisi, Zad al-ma'ad, Miftah al-Jinan, 1423 AH, p. 86.
- ↑ Modarresi, Sayyid Muhammad Taqi, Du'a mi'raj-i mu'minin wa rah-i zindigi, Muhibban al-Husayn (a), Qom, 1379 SH, p. 98.
- ↑ Qara'ati, Muhsin, Sharh-i Du'a-yi Sharif-i Iftitah, 1392 SH, p. 19.
- ↑ Qara'ati, Muhsin, Sharh-i Du'a-yi Sharif-i Iftitah, 1392 SH, p. 136.
- ↑ Misbah Yazdi, Muhammad Taqi, Explanation of Selected Passages from Dua al-Iftitah, Official Website of Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi. Accessed: 1401 AH.