It contains one primary concept embraced by a number of other secondary concepts.

It contains one primary concept embraced by a number of other secondary concepts. In other words, every prayer has a fundamental point to convey, and there are other subsidiary points surrounding the main one. It involves a style of beseeching Allah, the Exalted, and a way of commencing it and bringing it to close. Had the scholars devoted enough academic importance to this issue, they would have come up with positive and remarkable achievements.

Anyway, I do not intend to present here the structure of the supplication of kumayl , nor the primary concepts it entails. Rather, I just intend to briefly give an explanation about the general framework of this supplication and the main ideas which have appeared in it, in order for us to consider -through this general frame- the ‘means’ employed by Imam ‘Ali (‘a) in this prayer for seeking his needs from Allah.

General Frame of the Supplication of Kumayl The supplication of kumayl is among the famous and important prayers among the believers. It is recited on Thursday nights, collectively and individually. This supplication belongs to Imam ‘Ali (‘a) which he taught to Kumayl bin Ziyad an-nakha’i. Thereafter, the believers received it through this channel and passed it on generation after generation.

This prayer is rich with such concepts as servanthood ( ‘ubudiyyah ), repentance and submission; and filled with vivid illustrations of petition, call for help and returning to Allah. However, I do not intend, by these considerations, to give a commentary of this supplication and the ideas it entails, as this would take long. Perhaps Allah will grant me the tawfiq to undertake such a work in future.

This prayer has been particularly arranged in three stages, such that each stage prepares the ground for the next stage. Comprehending this structure and the foundations on which it is based helps us a lot in reading this supplication and in pondering over the concepts and ideas that have appeared in it, and also in interacting with them. I hope Allah, the Exalted, will make this endeavour beneficial and useful for those of the believers who are consistent in reciting this supplication.

Structure of the Supplication of Kumayl As mentioned above, this prayer consists of three stages. The First Stage is like a preamble to the supplication. It prepares the supplicant for praying and imploring Allah, the Exalted, and to stand before Him. The wrongdoings veil a person from Allah and withhold prayer.