Al-Iftitah Supplication: Difference between revisions

Who is the author of Doa al-Iftitah, and what is its content?   

''Dua al-Iftitah'' is a supplication with a reliable chain of narration from Imam Mahdi (a), who recommended that Shia Muslims recite it every night during the month of Ramadan. This supplication has been narrated by Muhammad ibn Uthman, the second deputy of Imam Mahdi (a) during the Minor Occultation, and is found in important sources, including Tahdhib al-Ahkam, one of the Four Books of Shia Hadith.

Most Shia scholars and prominent figures have accepted the attribution of this supplication to Imam Mahdi (a) and have spoken in its favor, though some doubts have been raised.<ref>Qaraati, Mohsen, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, Qom, Mo'oud Cultural Foundation, 1392 SH, p. 12.</ref>   

Dua al-Iftitah was narrated from Imam Mahdi (a) by Muhammad ibn Uthman, the second deputy during the Minor Occultation. The first to narrate this supplication was Shaykh Tusi (d. 460 AH) in two of his books, including Tahdhib al-Ahkam<ref>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.</ref>, one of the Four Books of Shia Hadith, and Misbah al-Mutahajjid.<ref>Shaykh Tusi, Muhammad ibn Hasan, *Misbah al-Mutahajjid wa Silah al-Muta'abbid*, Beirut, Al-A'lami Foundation, 1998 CE, pp. 402–404.</ref><ref>Qaraati, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, 1392 SH, p. 12.</ref>   

After Shaykh Tusi, Sayyid ibn Tawus, a Shia scholar of the 7th century AH, narrated Dua al-Iftitah with a chain of narration from Muhammad ibn Uthman, the second deputy of Imam Mahdi (a). This supplication is among the supplications recorded in a book that Muhammad ibn Uthman gave to his nephew.<ref>Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, *Iqbal al-A'mal*, Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 2nd edition, 1409 AH, vol. 1, p. 58.</ref> Sayyid ibn Tawus narrated this supplication from Ibn Abi Qurrah<ref>Ibn Tawus, *Iqbal al-A'mal*, vol. 1, p. 58.</ref>, whose book is no longer available, but Shia jurists have frequently cited it in their works.<ref>Qaraati, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, 1392 SH, p. 14.</ref>   

Dua al-Iftitah has also been narrated by Al-Kaf'ami in Al-Misbah<ref>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.</ref> and Al-Balad al-Amin<ref>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.</ref>, Allama Majlisi in Zad al-Ma'ad<ref>Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, *Zad al-Ma'ad*, Beirut, Al-Alami Publishing, 1423 AH/2003 CE, pp. 86–89.</ref>, and Shaykh Abbas Qumi in Mafatih al-Jinan.<ref>Qumi, Shaykh Abbas, *Mafatih al-Jinan*, Tehran, Markaz Nashr Farhangi Raja, 1369 SH, p. 321.</ref>   

Shaykh Tusi, in both Tahdhib<ref>Shaykh Tusi, *Tahdhib al-Ahkam*, 1407 AH, vol. 3, p. 108.</ref> and Misbah al-Mutahajjid<ref>Shaykh Tusi, *Misbah al-Mutahajjid wa Silah al-Muta'abbid*, 1998 CE, vol. 2, p. 577.</ref>, stated that this supplication should be recited every night of the month of Ramadan. Sayyid ibn Tawus also recommended reciting this supplication during the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan.<ref>Sayyid ibn Tawus, *Iqbal al-A'mal*, 1409 AH, vol. 1, p. 58.</ref>   

{{Quote box|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.<ref>Majlisi, *Zad al-Ma'ad - Miftah al-Jinan*, 1423 AH, p. 86.</ref>

Dua al-Iftitah is said to have two main themes: the remembrance and reinforcement of Islamic beliefs.<ref>Modarresi, Sayyid Muhammad Taqi, *Supplication: The Ascension of the Believers and the Path of Life*, Qom, Mohibban al-Husayn (a), 1379 SH, p. 98.</ref> In explaining this supplication, it is said that from the beginning, we learn to start praising Allah with gratitude and acknowledgment of His blessings.<ref>Qaraati, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, 1392 SH, p. 19.</ref> Towards the end, it enumerates various difficulties and seeks Allah's help in resolving them, emphasizing hope in Allah in all circumstances.<ref>Qaraati, *Explanation of Dua al-Iftitah*, 1392 SH, p. 136.</ref>   

Misbah Yazdi, a Shia scholar, described Dua 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.<ref>Misbah Yazdi, Muhammad Taqi, [https://mesbahyazdi.ir/node/1669/ Explanation of Selected Passages from Dua al-Iftitah], Official Website of Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi. Accessed: 1401 AH.</ref>