The trustworthy narrators reported it through their numerous...

The trustworthy narrators reported it through their numerous, successive chain of authorities on the authority of Zayn al-‘Abidin, peace be on him. Zayd, the martyr, had copies of it, and he handed them over to his children, who handed them over to the children of ‘Abd Allah b. al-Hasan al-Muthnna, as it has been mentioned in the introduction of al-Sahifa, as well as al-Baqir, peace be on him, had copies of it.

The people took great care of narrating it, verifying its words and copies, and they went on reciting its supplications by night and day.[^3] As the chain of authority of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya is definite and its eloquence is excellent, therefore it issued from none except this great Imam.

The Characteristics of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya, like all supplication books, has very important characteristics of which are the following: It represents the most perfect freedom from the material world, full devotion and fleeing to Allah, the Most High. Such qualities are the most valuable in this world. In this respect let’s listen to the Imam’s words: “O Allah, I showed sincerity by cutting myself off from everything but You. I approached You with my whole self.

I averted my face from everyone who needs Your support. I ceased to ask from any who cannot do without Your bounty. I saw that the needy who seeks from the needy is foolish in his opinion, and misguided in his intellect. How many people have I seen, my God, who sought exaltation through other than You and were abased, who wanted wealth from someone else and became poor, who tried to rise high and fell down low!

Observing the likes of them corrects a prudent man; his taking heed gives him success; his choosing the best guides him to the path of right. “So You, my Master, are the object of my asking to the exclusion of all those who are asked and the patron of my need to the exclusion of all those from who requests are made.

You are singled out for my call before all who are called; none is associated with You in my hope, none comes along with You in my supplication, nor does any join with You within it, for to You is my appeal. “To You, my God, belong the Unity of number, the property of eternal power, the excellence of force and strength, the degree of sublimity and elevation.

Everyone other than You is the object of his compassion in his lifetime, overcome in his affair, overwhelmed in his situation, diverse in states, constantly changing in attributes.