Imam Sajjad (AS)...

Imam Sajjad (AS), and other Imams (AS) performed a thousand rak’as of prayer during a day and a night; the prayer that was offered in the highest spirituality and acknowledgement of God, the prayer they themselves recommended to us: “Offer your prayer as if it is the last one.

Therefore, perform it with humbleness, in congregation, in the mosque, at its proper time, in clean clothes, with mindfulness, long prostration and full submission.” One should note that prayer is the best way to get near to God and for sins to be forgiven.

Abu Hamzah ath-Thumali has reported: “I heard Imam Baqir (AS) and Imam Sadiq (AS) say: “Imam Ali (AS) asked people: ‘What is the most hopeful verse in the book of Allah?’ Some man said: ‘It is this verse: “Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases.” [^8]’ Imam Ali (AS) said: ‘It is a good verse, but it is not the answer.’ Another man said: ‘It is this verse: “And whoever does evil or acts unjustly to his soul then asks forgiveness of Allah, he shall find Allah Forgiver and Merciful.” [^9]’ Imam Ali (AS) said: ‘It is a good verse, but it is not the answer.’ A third one said: ‘It is this verse: “O my servants!

Who have acted extravagantly against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely He is the forgiving, the Merciful.” [^10] ’ Imam Ali (AS) said: ‘It is a good verse, but it is not the answer.’ A fourth man said: ‘The answer is this verse: “And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their fault- and who forgives the fault but Allah- and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done.” [^11] ’ Imam Ali (AS) said: ‘It is a good verse, but that is not the answer.’ (Abu Hamzah added) People rushed towards the imam, saying: ‘By Allah, we have no knowledge of it.’ Imam Ali (AS) said: ‘I heard from the Messenger of Allah his saying, ‘The most hopeful verse in the book of Allah is “And keep up prayer at the two ends of the day and in the first hours of the night; surely good deeds take away evil deed; this is a reminder to the mindful.” [^12] ’” The messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “O Ali!