2. Ḥukaym ibn Dāwūd ibn Ḥukaym narrated to me from Salamah, from ‘Abdillāh ibn Aḥmad, from Bakr ibn Sāliḥ, from ‘Amr ibn Hishām, from some of our companions, who said: One of them (the infallible Imams ) said: When you go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the Imams in Baqī’, stand next to their graves facing them, with your back toward Qiblah and recite (the following): Salām to you, O the Imams of Guidance! Salām to you, O People of Devotion and Piety! Salām to you, O the Decisive Proofs on the people of the world! Salām to you, O the Just Custodians of Creation! Salām to you, O Chosen Ones! Salām to you, O the Family of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ! Salām to you, O Confidants (of Allāh)! I testify that you announced (the message of Allāh), you advised (the people), and you stayed patient in (the way of) Allāh. You were belied and insulted but you forgave. I testify that you are the wise Imams who are rightly guided, that obeying you is obligatory, and that your words are the truth. You called the people (toward Allāh) but your call was not answered, and you commanded the people but you were not obeyed. Verily you are the supporters of the religion and the pillars of the earth. Allāh has always watched over you, and He transferred you from the backbones of the purified fathers to the wombs of the purified mothers. The darkness of paganism did not defile you and afflictions (which are often a result) of (one’s) desires did not affect you. You were blessed and the places in which you were raised were also blessed. The Undisputed Ruler of Religion has bestowed favours upon us through you and through placing you “in houses which Allāh has permitted to be exalted, and His name to be remembered therein” (24:36). Allāh has made our SALAWĀT on you as (a form of) mercy on us and penance for our sins. Verily Allāh has chosen you (as Imams) for us. He has purified our creation by bestowing His favours upon us through your Wilāyah. We were named by Allāh as those who know you and we are known (by Allāh) as those who acknowledge your Imamate. I am in the position of one who has been excessive and who has made mistakes, but has surrendered, confessed to his crimes, and hopes to be saved through being here. (I am) one who hopes that the Saviour of those ruined (by their sins) will save him from destruction through you. Therefore, intercede on my behalf, for I have come to you while the people of this world have abandoned you, have mocked the signs of Allāh, and have arrogantly turned away from them. O One who is (always) in charge (of the affairs) and is never neglectful! O One who is everlasting and never distracted! O One who encompasses all things! You have favoured me by giving me the success of knowing my Imams and by keeping me steady on this (belief), while Your (other) slaves have turned away from it, ignored knowing it, belittled the rights of this belief, and have turned to other paths. Therefore, the favour is from You to me and to certain nations for whom You have chosen that which You have chosen for me. Praise be to You for registering me for this position. Do not deprive me of that which I hope for and do not disappoint me in this position (by not granting) my requests through the honour of Muḥammad ﷺ and his purified family. Then pray for that which you want.

3. ‘Ali ibn Ḥusain and others narrated to me from ‘Ali ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Hāshim, from his father, from ‘Abdil Raḥmān ibn Abī Najrān, from Yazīd ibn Isḥāq Al-Ash’ari, from Ḥasan ibn ‘Aťiyyah, who said: Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq ) said, “Recite that which you want by the grave of ‘Ali ibn Ḥusain (Imam Sajjād ).”