Dua-e-Iftetaah
The word Iftetah is used in the Urdu language and its literal meaning is “to start” or “to commence.” It is for this reason that Surah Hamd is called “Fate
Open Dua-e-Iftetaah in Shia Companion
Merits
The word Iftetah is used in the Urdu language and its literal meaning is “to start” or “to commence.” It is for this reason that Surah Hamd is called “Fatehatul Kitab” or ‘the surah which starts the Quran”. Therefore our scholars recommend that after sighting the moon of the holy month of Ramazan, one should commence the recitation of the Quran with the recitation of Surah Hamd and commence the sequence of supplications with this dua.
Dua-e-Iftetah is narrated by Shaikh Abbas Qummi in Mafatihul Jinaan from Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) and is amongst those duas which are recommended for recitation every night. In reality, a glance at the meanings of the words of this dua makes us feel that it is a rendition of our heartfelt entreaties. The characteristics found in those duas which are narrated by the Holy Imams (a.s.), are present in this dua as well, which is an added proof that this dua is narrated by Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) himself and not from an ordinary individual. These characteristics include:
1. The praise and glorification of Allah in the words of the Holy Imams (a.s.)
2. Acknowledgement of the bounties of Allah and His covering of our sins
3. Seeking forgiveness for our sins and requesting for bounties from Allah
4. Seeking blessings and benedictions upon the Ahle Bayt (a.s.)
Dua-e-Iftetah, in addtion to the above features, encompasses these aspects:
It seeks salutations and blessing upon the Holy Imams (a.s.) in the nights of Mah-e-Ramazan. This act itself is the key for the acceptance of supplications. It is also the best way to seek the duas of the Imams (a.s.) for our needs.
Text and Translation
A special part of this dua is dedicated to supplications for Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.s.) – supplication for his health and well being; supplication for his respect; supplication for our own safety and the protection of our respect for his sake as well as supplications for his early reappearance. It also seeks a pure and long government and wealth for him; the elevation of the flag of Islam and the end of all forms of polytheism and hypocrisy. In addition to this, the sentences of this dua seek help for repayment of debts, for expansion of sustenance and alleviation of all difficulties and worries.
The last part of the dua is expressed as a plea before Allah, the Almighty in which we convey our love for Ahle Bayt (a.s.) right from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) up to Imam Mahdi (a.s.). In addition, the true meaning of Iftetah, which is victory or good start is shown to be the time of reappearance of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.). These expressions of the dua are given below –
“O Allah! We complain to You, the loss of our prophet, Your blessings be upon him and his progeny and the occulation of our master, the proliferate of our enemies, the scarcity of our numbers, the severity of mischief upon us, oppositions of the time against us. Send blessings upon Mohammed (s.a.w.a.) and his progeny. And help us in all these, with a hastened victory from Your side. And by the removal of difficulties and a mighty helping, and a truthful king whom You manifest and mercy from Your side which You make us respect and cover with Your safety through Your Mercy, O the Most Merciful of mercifuls.”
Therefore, we request all believers that from the eve of the Holy month of Ramazan till its last night, one should not forsake the recitation of this dua for even a single night. In order that one receives an increased reward for this action, one should make an intention from the first night itself to recite this dua on behalf of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) and offer the reward of this recitation to Hazrat Zahra (s.a.). Inshallah, with this action, he will recieve the tawfeeq to recite the dua in the right spirit.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّىْ اَفْتَتِحُ الثَّنَآءَ بِحَمْدِكَ
ALLAAHUMMA INNEE AFTATEHUS SANAA-A BE-HAMDEKA
O Allah! I begin the Glorification with Thy Praise
وَ اَنْتَ مُسَدِّدٌ لِلصَّوَابِ بِمَنِّكَ
WA ANTA MOSADDEDUN LIS-SAWAABE BE-MANNEKA
While You grant freely of the portion (bounties) because of Your obligation (on me)
وَ اَيْقَنْتُ اَنَّكَ اَنْتَ اَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ فِىْ مَوْضِعِ الْعَفْوِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ
WA AYQANTO ANNAKA ANTA ARHAMUR RAAHEMEENA FEE MAWZE-I’L A’FWE WAR-RAHMATE
And I am certain that You are the Most Merciful in regard with forgiveness and mercy.
وَ اَشَدُّ الْمُعَاقِبِيْنَ فِى مَوْضِعِ النَّكَالِ وَالنَّقِمَةِ
WA ASHADDUL MO-A’AQEBEENA FEE MAW-ZE-I’N NAKAALE WAN-NAQEMATE
And the most severe in regard with exemplary punishment and chastisement to wrong doers.
وَ اَعْظَمُ الْمُتَجَبِّرِيْنَ فِىْ مَوْضِعِ الْكِبْرِيَآءِ وَ الْعَظَمَةِ
WA A-A’ZAMUL MOTAJABBEREENA FEE MAW-ZE-I’L KIBREYAA-E WAL-A’ZAMATE.
And the Omnipotent in the domain of absolute power and might.
اَللّٰهُمَّ اَذِنْتَ لِىْ فِىْ دُعَائِكَ وَ مَسْئَلَتِكَ
ALLAAHUMMA AZINTA LEE FEE DO-A’A-EKA WA MAS-ALATEKA
O Allah, You have permitted me to invoke Thee and beg Thee,
فَاسْمَعْ يَا سَمِيْعُ مِدْحَتِىْ
FASMA’ YAA SAMEE-O’ MIDHATEE
then do listen my praise, O the Hearer,
وَ اَجِبْ يَا رَحِيْمُ دَعْوَتِىْ
WA AJIB YAA RAHEEMO DA’WATEE
and answer my prayer, O Merciful.
وَ اَقِلْ يَا غَفُوْرُ عَثْرَتِىْ
WA AQIL YAA GHAFOORO A’SRATEE
And reduce my lapses, O the All Forgiving.
فَكَمْ يَا اِلٰهِىْ مِنْ كُرْبَةٍ قَدْ فَرَّجْتَهَا
FA-KAM YAA ELAAHEE MIN KURBATIN QAD FARRAJTAHAA
O Allah! There are so many trouble which You have removed,
وَ هُمُوْمٍ قَدْ كَشَفْتَهَا
WA HOMOOMIN QAD KASHAFTAHAA
and sorrows which You have dispelled,
وَ عَثْرَةٍ قَدْ اَقَلْتَهَا
WA A’SRATIN QAD AQALTAHAA
and mistakes that You have reduced,
وَ رَحْمَةٍ قَدْ نَشَرْتَهَا
WA RAHMATIN QAD NASHARTAHAA
and mercy that You have spread,
وَ حَلْقَةِ بَلَآءٍ قَدْ فَكَكْتَهَا
WA HALQATE BALAA-IN QAD FAKAKTAHAA
and circles of calamities which You have cleared.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَّ لَا وَلَدًا
ALHAMDO LIL-LLAAHIL LAZEE LAM YATTAKHIZ SAAHEBATAN WA LAA WALADAN
All Praise be to Allah (alone) who did not take a mate nor a son
وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهٗ شَرِيْكٌ فِى الْمُلْكِ
WA LAM YAKUN LAHU SHAREEKUN FIL MULKE
Who has no partner in His Kingdom,
وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهٗ وَلِىٌّ مِنَ الذُّلِّ وَ كَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيْرًا
WA LAM YAKUN LAHU WALIYYUN MENAZ ZULLE WA KABBIRHO TAKBEERAN
nor does He have master in dependence, Then Magnify Him as He should be magnified.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ بِجَمِيْعِ مَحَامِدِهٖ كُلِّهَا
ALHAMDO LILLAAHE BE-JAMEE-E’ MAHAAMEDEHI KULLEHAA
All Praise is for Allah with All Praises
عَلٰى جَمِيْعِ نِعَمِهٖ كُلِّهَا
A’LAA JAMEE-E’ NE-A’MEHI KULLEHAA
for all His bounties.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ لَا مُضَّآدَّ لَهٗ فِىْ مُلْكِهٖ
ALHAMDO LILLAAHIL LAZEE LAA MOZAAD-DA LAHU FEE MULKEHI
All Praise is for Allah who does not have any opposition in His Kingdom
وَ لَا مُنَازِعَ لَهٗ فِىْ اَمْرِهٖ
WA LAA MONAA-ZE-A’ LAHU FEE AMREHI
nor any dispute in His commands.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىْ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهٗ فِىْ خَلْقِهٖ
ALHAMDO LILLAAHIL LAZEE LAA SHAREEKA LAHU FEE KHALQEHI
All Praise is for Allah who does not have a partner in His creation
وَ لَا شَبِيْهَ لَهٗ فِىْ عَظَمَتِهٖ
WA LAA SHA-BEHA LAHU FEE A’ZAMATEHI
nor is there anything similar unto Him in His greatness.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الْفَاشِىْ فِى الْخَلْقِ
ALHAMDO LILLAAHIL FAASHEE FIL KHALQE
All Praise is for Allah the evident in His command
اَمْرُهٗ وَ حَمْدُهٗ الظَّاهِرِ بِالْكَرَمِ مَجْدُهٗ الْبَاسِطِ بِالْجُوْدِ
