Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Manifestations of the All-Merciful O Allāh, Instil Happiness in the Spirits of the Inhabitants of the Grave أَللٌّهُمَّ أَدْخِلْ عَلى أَهلِ القُبُورِ السُّرُورَ O Allāh, Instil Happiness in the Spirits of the Inhabitants of the Grave Supplication and the Law of Cause & Effect Du‘ā is an excellent means of achieving one’s legitimate desires.
The universal law of ‘cause and effect’ itself encourages us to seek help from the Principal Cause - who is Almighty Allāh. Thus even in circumstances when things can be acquired through natural means, one should not think that one is needless of supplication. Some, on the other hand, may think that supplication is sufficient and there is no need of achieving our goals through the means that are at our disposal.
Clearly, this path also, is that of ignorance, for Almighty Allāh has established the system of cause and effect and encouraged the human being to employ it for his noble ends. The following word of wisdom from Imām al-Sādiq (as) emphasizes this: أَبَى اللٌّهُ أَنْ يُجْرِيَ الأَشْيَاءَ إِلاَّ بِأَسْبَابِهَا، فَجَعَلَ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَباً.
“Allāh does not permit things to take place except by their causes; thus, He made a cause for every thing.”[^1] Seeking the Cause of Instilling Happiness Having known the aforesaid, every understanding supplicant, would seek the causes that “instil happiness in spirits of the inhabitants of the grave” apart from praying for the same. Our holy traditions (which indeed are extensions of “light”) have informed us how to make the deceased happy.
Following are traditions worthy of contemplation: Imām al-Sādiq (as) was asked: ‘Is it possible to recite prayers for the dead?’ He said, ‘Yes,’ and added: إِنَّ الْمَيِّتَ لَيَفْرَحُ بِالتَّرَحُّمِ عَلَيْهِ وَالإِسْتِغْفَارِ، كَمَا يَفْرَحُ الْحَيُّ بالْهَدِيَّة.
“Surely, a dead person rejoices when he is pitied and forgiveness is sought for him, just as a living person rejoices upon receiving a gift.”[^2] The Holy Prophet (s) once passed by the grave of a person who was buried a day before, and saw his family weeping. Observing this, he said: لَرَكْعَتَانِ خَفِيْفَتَانِ مِمَّا تَحْتَقِرُوْنَ أَحَبُّ إِلَى صَاحِبِ هٌذاَ الْقَبْرِ مِنْ دُنْيَاكُمْ كُلّهَا.