^13 When considering the Ziyarat of the Infallibles...

^13 When considering the Ziyarat of the Infallibles, a similar conclusion seems to hold true. The Infallibles, through their positions as intermediaries and avenues between Allah (SwT) and His subjects, are able to encourage the elevation of people’s wants and desires beyond mere material wishes. Just as Allah (SwT) has a banquet He wishes to share, so too the Infallibles; their banquet is to assist humans to reach levels of divine proximity.

The importance and weight of this is adequately portrayed in some of the legal opinions expressed by eminent Muslim jurists of previous generations.

Both ‘Allamah Hilli and Sheikh Tusi have been cited as having declared it to be compulsory for Hajj pilgrims to perform the Ziyarat of the Holy Prophet in Medina, and have even permitted the Islamic ruler to force people to do so if they do not perform the Ziyarat of their own volition.[^14] The Holy Prophet has declared: من أتى مكة حاجاً و لم يزرني إلى المدينة جفانى Whoseover comes to Makkah as a Hajj pilgrim and does not visit me in Medina has shunned me.[^15] Such is the importance placed upon Ziyarat that even after performing the rites of Hajj and after seeking proximity to Allah (SwT) in Makkah, ‘Arafah, Muzdalifa and Mina, the pilgrim is still expected to pay respects to the Holy Prophet.

And nothing has been emphasised the way emphasis has been placed on Walayah.[^17] The cited hadith suggests that of all the acts of worship, it is the Walayah of Allah (SwT), and the (AS), that is the most important. Hence one of the most important etiquettes of the act of Ziyarat is to establish a firm connection with the visited one. It is at this juncture that our acts may transform from mere ‘Ibadah to something similar to Dhiyafah.

Whilst recognising the host and his kindness it would be foolish not to be cautious of other false hosts and adversaries of the Infallibles. By distancing ourselves from these people, we engage in Tabarri, a pre-requisite to Tawalli – seeking closeness to the Infallibles. Tabarri is a key theme among the reliable ziyarat supplications.