 | ||
The opening supplication (Arabic: دعا الافتتاح)(known as Du'a al-Iftitah) is written by Muhammad al-Mahdi and narrated by Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman, the second of The Four Deputies of Imam Mahdi. The supplication was narrated in several books include: Igbal al-'Amal, Misbah al-Motehajed, Misbah, al-Balad ol-Amin, Zad al-Ma'ad, and Mafatih al-Janan. Shiite recite it every night in the month of Ramadan. The supplication teaches Shiites that faith and action are two crucial matters for every believer. Another aspect of the Du’a is to make a plane of life. The Du'a has three section.
Contents
Authenticity
This Du’a is narrated in these books:
The first section
The first section of the supplication starts with praise of Allah. The name of the supplication is taken from the text of this section. Oneness and Generosity of Allah and also relationship between Allah and the human being are other subjects in the section.
The second section
After praising of Allah as creator of human, the second section focuses on acknowledge the Divine leaders as our guides towards Him. This section of the al-Iftitah supplication sends blessings on the Muhammad and The Fourteen Infallibles. In this section, main subject is the role of The Twelve Imams in people life because these are the true leaders and were divinely appointed by Allah of the Muslim. Shiite must trust and love them.
The end section
In the end of the Du’a, describe the problems and obstacles of reappearance of Imam Mahdi and pray for hasten his coming. Shiite are waiting for him therefore the end section of the prayer teaches them to help and prepare themselves for his coming.
The important sentence in the section is O Allah, we earnestly desire from You, an honored state (اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَرْغَبُ إِلَيْكَ فِي دَوْلَةٍ كَرِيمَةٍ). The sentence explain features of good society for reappearance of Imam Mahdi.