Their great interest in supplication and their superb...

Their great interest in supplication and their superb supplicatory prayers are numerous. Their prayers and supplications cover all times and circumstances and take various forms, such as post-prayer supplications, supplications at each hour of the day and night, special supplications on special occasions and during religious seasons, such as supplications in the months of Ramadhan, Sha‘ban, Rajab, and Dhi’l-Hijjah as well as occasions like feast days.

There are also various prayers offered on special occasions. The supplicatory heritage of the (‘a) encompasses many books that are voluminous, well known, and common to all ages. They have left for us extensive supplications that carry educational and cultural features.

Some of these include: Imam ’Ali’s supplication reported by Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha‘i (known as Du‘a’ Kumayl ) Imam al-Husayn’s supplication on the Day of ‘Arafah (the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah) Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin’s supplication that is reported by Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali, the supplication known as Du‘a’ al-Jawshan Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin’s supplications in Al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah , and many more.

In addition to their previously noted cultural aspects, these supplications and prayers represent a great spiritual domain that builds in the inner selves of worshippers a connection with Him through piety and a combination of fear and hope in Him. Second Way : The Holy Imams (‘a) entered upon the styles of written or specifically delivered bequests ( wasiyyah ) and excellent exhortation.