Munajaat al Shabaniyyah

Text and Translation

It is recommended to say the following confidential prayer (Munaajaat) that has been narrated by Ibn Khalawayh who commented on it, saying, “This is the confidential prayer of Imam Ali Ameer al-Momineen and the Holy Imams (a.s.) who used to say it in the month of Sha’ban.”

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَاٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

ALLAAHUMMA SALLE A’LAA MOHAMMADIN WA AALE MOHAMMADIN

O Allah, (please do) send blessings to Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad,

وَاسْمَعْ دُعَآئِيْ اِذَا دَعَوْتُكَ

WAS MA’ DO-A’AA-EE EZAA DA-A’WTOKA

You listen to my supplication whenever I pray to you,

وَاسْمَعْ نِدَآئِيْٓ اِذَا نَادَيْتُكَ

WAS MA’ NEDAAA-EE EZAA NAADAYTOKA

listen to my call whenever I call upon you,

وَاَقْبِلْ عَلَيَّ اِذَا نَاجَيْتُكَ

WA AQBIL A’LAYYA EZAA NAAJAYTOKA

and accept from me whenever I make my submission to you in confidence,

فَقَدْ هَرَبْتُ اِلَيْكَ

FAQAD HARABTO ELAYKA

I have escaped towards you and stood before you,

وَوَقَفْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ

WA WAQAFTO BAYNA YADAYKA

standing before You,

مُسْتَكِيْنًا لَكَ

MUSTAKEENAN LAKA

showing submission to You,

مُتَضَرِّعًا اِلَيْكَ

MOTAZARRE-A’N ELAYKA

imploring You,

رَاجِيًا لِمَا لَدَيْكَ ثَوَابِيْ

RAAJEYAN LEMAA LADAYKA SAWAABEE

and hoping for the reward that You have for me.

وَتَعْلَمُ مَا فِيْ نَفْسِيْ

WA TA’LAMO MAA FEE NAFSEE

You know what is in my inner self,

وَتَخْبُرُ حَاجَتِيْ

WA TAKHBORO HAAJATEE

and you are aware of my needs,

وَتَعْرِفُ ضَمِيْرِيْ

WA TA’REFO ZAMEEREE

and You know what is in my conscience,

وَلَا يَخْفٰى عَلَيْكَ اَمْرُ مُنْقَلَبِيْ وَمَثْوَايَ

WA LAA YAKHFAA A’LAYKA AMRO MUNQALABEE WA MASWAAYA

and all my moves and stillness are known by You.

وَمَآ اُرِيْدُ اَنْ اُبْدِءَ بِهٖ مِنْ مَنْطِقِيْ

WA MAA OREEDO AN UBDE-A BEHI MIN MANTEQEE

So are all the utterances which I want to begin with,

وَاَتَفَوَّهُ بِهٖ مِنْ طَلِبَتِيْ

WA ATAFAWWAHO BEHI MIN TALEBATEE

all the requests that I want to express,

وَاَرْجُوْهُ لِعَاقِبَتِيْ

WA ARJOOHO LE-A’AQEBATEE

and all the expectation that I hope for my future.

وَقَدْ جَرَتْ مَقَادِيْرُكَ عَلَيَّ يَا سَيِّدِيْ

WA QAD JARAT MAQAADEEROKA A’LAYYA YAA SAYYEDEE

O my Master, all Your decisions in relation to me have come to pass

فِيْمَا يَكُوْنُ مِنِّيْٓ اِلٰٓى اٰخِرِ عُمْرِيْ

FEEMAA YAKOONO MINNEE ELAA AAKHERE U’MREE

in all that happens to me up to the end of my life,

مِنْ سَرِيْرَتِيْ وَعَلَانِيَتِيْ

MIN SAREERATEE WA A’LAANEYATEE

including my secret and open matters, shall be experienced by me.

وَبِيَدِكَ لَا بِيَدِ غَيْرِكَ زِيَادَتِيْ وَنَقْصِيْ

WA BE-YADEKAGHAYREKA ZEYAADATEE WA NAQSEE

And it is in Your hands, not anybody else’s, that are all my gains and losses

وَنَفْعِيْ وَضَرِّيْٓ

WA NAF-E’E WA ZARREE

and all the benefits and harms that come upon me.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ حَرَمْتَنِيْ فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِيْ يَرْزُقُنِيْ

ELAAHEE IN HARAMTANEE FAMAN ZAL LAZEE YARZOQONEE

My Lord, if You deprive me (of Your sustenance), then who else can ever provide me with sustenance?

وَاِنْ خَذَلْتَنِيْ فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِيْ يَنْصُرُنِيْ.

WA IN KHAZALTANEE FAMAN ZAL LAZEE YANSORONEE

If You forsake me, then who else will help me?

اِلٰهِيْٓ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَضَبِكَ

ELAAHEE A-O’OZO BEKA MIN GHAZABEKA

My Lord, I do seek Your protection against Your wrath

وَحُلُوْلِ سَخَطِكَ

WA HOLOOLE SAKHATEKA

and earning your displeasure.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ كُنْتُ غَيْرَ مُسْتَأْهِلٍ لِرَحْمَتِكَ

ELAAHEE IN KUNTO GHAYRA MUSTAAHELIN LE-RAHMATEKA

O my Lord, if I am not deserving of Your mercy,

فَاَنْتَ اَهْلٌ اَنْ تَجُوْدَ عَلَيَّ بِفَضْلِ سَعَتِكَ

FA-ANTA AHLUN AN TAJOODA A’LAYYA BE-FAZLE SA-A’TEKA

You are certainly fit to be generous to me by virtue of your magnanimity.

اِلٰهِيْ كَاَنِّيْ بِنَفْسِيْ وَاقِفَةٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ

ELAAHEE KA-ANNEE BE-NAFSEE WAAQEFATUN BAYNA YADAYKA

My Lord, its like I see myself standing before You

وَقَدْ اَظَلَّهَا حُسْنُ تَوَكُّلِيْ عَلَيْكَ

WA QAD AZALLAHAA HUSNO TAWAKKOLEE A’LAYKA

It has been shaded by the goodness of my trust in you

فَقُلْتَ مَآ اَنْتَ اَهْلُهٗ وَتَغَمَّدْتَنِيْ بِعَفْوِكَ

FAQULTO MAA ANTA AHLOHU WA TAGHAMMAD-TANEE BE-A’FWEKA

You said what befitted You and sheltered me with your forgiveness.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ عَفَوْتَ فَمَنْ اَوْلٰى مِنْكَ بِذٰلِكَ

ELAAHEE IN A’FAWTA FAMAN AWLAA MINKA BE-ZAALEKA

My Lord, if you pardon me, then who else is worthier than You are in pardoning.

وَاِنْ كَانَ قَدْ دَنَا اَجَلِيْ

WA IN KAANA QAD DANAA AJALEE

If my time of death is near

وَلَمْ يُدْنِنِيْ مِنْكَ عَمَلِيْ

WA LAM YUDNENEE MINKA A’MALEE

and my deeds have not brought me close to You

فَقَدْ جَعَلْتُ الْاِقْرَارَ بِالذَّنْبِ اِلَيْكَ وَسِيْلَتِيْٓ

FAQAD JA-A’LTUL IQRAARA BIZ-ZANBE ELAYKA WASEELATEE

I make this confession of my sins to be a means of approaching You.

اِلٰهِيْ قَدْ جُرْتُ عَلٰى نَفْسِيْ فِيْ النَّظَرِ لَهَا

ELAAHEE QAD JURTO A’LAA NAFSEE FIN NAZARE LAHAA

My Lord, I have been unjust to my soul for I have not looked after it;

فَلَهَا الْوَيْلُ اِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَهَآ

FALAHAL WAYLO IN LAM TAGHFIR LAHAA

It will be doomed if You do not forgive me.

اِلٰهِيْ لَمْ يَزَلْ بِرُّكَ عَلَيَّ اَيَّامَ حَيَاتِيْ

ELAAHEE LAM YAZAL BIRROKA A’LAYYA AYYAAMA HAYAATEE

My Lord, You have never ceased Your favors from me all my lifetime;

فَلَا تَقْطَعْ بِرَّكَ عَنِّيْ فِيْ مَمَاتِيْٓ

FALAA TAQ-TA’ BERRAKA A’NNEE FEE MAMAATEE

So do not cease Your goodness towards me at the time of my death.

اِلٰهِيْ كَيْفَ اٰيَسُ مِنْ حُسْنِ نَظَرِكَ لِيْ بَعْدَ مَمَاتِيْ

ELAAHEE KAYFA AAYASO MIN HUSNE NAZAREKA LEE BA’DA MAMAATEE

My Lord, how can I despair of Your benevolent attention towards me after my death

وَاَنْتَ لَمْ تُوَلِّنِيْٓ اِلَّا الْجَمِيْلَ فِيْ حَيَاتِيْ

WA ANTA LAM TOWALLENEE ILLAL JAMEELA FEE HAYAATEE

while You have always been good to me throughout my lifetime?

اِلٰهِيْ تَوَلَّ مِنْ اَمْرِيْ مَآ اَنْتَ اَهْلُهٗ

ELAAHEE TAWALLA MIN AMREE MAA ANTA AHLOHU

My Lord, (please) manage my affairs in the very way that befits You,

وَعُدْ عَلَيَّ بِفَضْلِكَ عَلٰى مُذْنِبٍ قَدْ غَمَرَهُ جَهْلُهٗ

WA U’D A’LAYYA BE-FAZLEKA A’LAA MUZNEBIN QAD GHAMARAHU JAHLOHU

and confer upon me—a sinful person who is covered by his ignorance—with Your favors.

اِلٰهِيْ قَدْ سَتَرْتَ عَلَيَّ ذُنُوْبًا فِيْ الدُّنْيَا

ELAAHEE QAD SATARTA A’LAYYA ZONOOBAN FID DUNYAA

My Lord, You have concealed my sins in this world,

وَاَنَآ اَحْوَجُ اِلٰى سَتْرِهَا عَلَيَّ مِنْكَ فِي الْاُخْرٰى

WA ANAA AHWAJO ELAA SATREHAA A’LAYYA MINKA FIL UKHRAA

but I am in greater need of their being concealed in the Next Life.

اِلٰهِيْ قَدْ اَحْسَنْتَ اِلَيَّ

ELAAHEE QAD AHSANTA ELAYYA

You have not revealed my sins

اِذْ لَمْ تُظْهِرْهَا لِاَحَدٍ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ

IZ LAM TUZHIRHAA LE-AHADIN MIN E’BAADEKAS SAALEHEEN

even before any of Your righteous servants;

فَلَا تَفْضَحْنِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلٰى رُؤُسِ الْاَشْهَادِ

FALAA TAFZAHNEE YAWMAL QEYAAMATE A’LAA RO-OOSIL ASHHAADE

therefore, (please) do not humuliate me on the Resurrection Day before all the witnesses.

اِلٰهِيْ جُوْدُكَ بَسَطَ اَمَلِيْ

ELAAHEE JOODOKA BASATA AMALEE

My Lord, it is Your magnanimity that expanded my hope,

وَعَفْوُكَ اَفْضَلُ مِنْ عَمَلِيْ

WA A’FWOKA AFZALO MIN A’MALEE

and surely Your pardon is superior to my deeds.

اِلٰهِيْ فَسُرَّنِيْ بِلِقَآئِكَ يَوْمَ تَقْضِيْ فِيْهِ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ

ELAAHEE FASURRANEE BELEQAAA-EKA YAWMA TAQZEE FEEHE BAYNA E’BAADEKA

My Lord, therefore gladden my heart when I meet You on the day when You shall judge between Your servants.

اِلٰهِيْ اِعْتِذَارِيْٓ اِلَيْكَ اعْتِذَارُ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَغْنِ عَنْ قَبُوْلِ عُذْرِهٖ

ELAAHEE E-A’TEZAAREE ELAYKA’ TEZAARO MAN LAM YASTAGHNE A’N QABOOLE U’ZREHI

My Lord, I submit to You the apology of one who cannot dispense with the acceptance of his excuse;

فَاقْبَلْ عُذْرِيْ يَآ اَكْرَمَ مَنِ اعْتَذَرَ اِلَيْهِ الْمُسِيْٓئُوْنَ.

FAQBAL U’ZREE YAA AKRAMA MANE’ TAZARA ELAYHIL MOSEE-OONA.

so, (please) accept my excuse, O most Magnanimous of all those before whom the guilty make an apology.

اِلٰهِيْ لَا تَرُدُّ حَاجَتِيْ

ELAAHEE LAA TARUDA HAAJATEE

My Lord, (please) do not reject my request,

وَلَا تُخَيِّبْ طَمَعِيْ

WA LAA TOKHAYYIB TAMA-E’E

do not disappoint my hope for You,

وَلَا تَقْطَعْ مِنْكَ رَجَآئِيْ وَاَمَلِيْٓ

WA LAA TAQTA’ MINKA RAJAAA-EE WA AMALEE

and do not cut off from You my hope and expectations from You.

اِلٰهِيْ لَوْ اَرَدْتَ هَوَانِيْ لَمْ تَهْدِنِيْ

ELAAHEE LAW ARADTA HAWAANEE LAM TAHDENEE

My Lord, had You wanted to humiliate me, You would not have guided me (to You).

وَلَوْ اَرَدْتَ فَضِيْحَتِيْ لَمْ تُعَافِنِيْٓ

WA LAW ARADTA FAZEEHATEE LAM TO-A’AFENEE

Had You decided to humiliate me,You would not have excused me.

اِلٰهِيْ مَا اَظُنُّكَ تَرُدُّنِيْ فِيْ حَاجَةٍ قَدْ اَفْنَيْتُ عُمْرِيْ فِيْ طَلَبِهَا مِنْكَ

ELAAHEE MAA AZUNNOKA TARUDDANEE FEE HAAJATIN QAD AFNAYTO U’MREE FEE TALABEHAA MINKA

My Lord, I do not expect You to reject my request that I spent my whole lifetime asking for it from You.

اِلٰهِيْ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ اَبَدًا اَبَدًا دَآئِمًا سَرْمَدًا

ELAAHEE FALAKAL HAMDO ABADAN ABADAN DAAA-EMAN SARMADAN

My Lord, all praise be to You, forever, forever, perpetually, everlastingly,

يَزِيْدُ وَلَا يَبِيْدُ كَمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضٰىٓ

YAZEEDO WA LAA YABEEDO KAMAA TOHIBBO WA TARZAA

increasingly, and imperishably, as exactly as You like and please.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ اَخَذْتَنِيْ بِجُرْمِيْٓ اَخَذْتُكَ بِعَفْوِكَ

ELAAHEE IN AKHAZTANEE BEJURMEE AKHAZTOKA BE-A’FWEKA

My Lord, if You punish me for my offense, I shall cling to Your pardon,

وَاِنْ اَخَذْتَنِيْ بِذُنُوْبِيْٓ اَخَذْتُكَ بِمَغْفِرَتِكَ

WA IN AKHAZTANEE BE-ZONOOBEE AKHAZTOKA BEMAGHFERATEKA

if You cease me for my sins, I shall take hold of Your forgiveness,

وَاِنْ اَدْخَلْتَنِيْ النَّارَ اَعْلَمْتُ اَهْلَهَآ اَنِّيْٓ اُحِبُّكَ

WA IN ADKHALTANIN NAARA A-A’LAMTO AHLAHAA ANNEE OHIBBOKA

and if You put me to the fire, I shall declare to its inmates that I love You.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ كَانَ صَغُرَ فِيْ جَنْبِ طَاعَتِكَ عَمَلِيْ

ELAAHEE IN KAANA SAGHORA FEE JANBE TAA-A’TEKA A’MALEE

My Lord, should my deeds be insignificant with respect to obedience to You,

فَقَدْ كَبُرَ فِيْ جَنْبِ رَجَآئِكَ اَمَلِيْٓ

FAQAD KABORA FEE JANBE RAJAAA-EKA AMALEE

Great indeed is my hope with respect to my expectations from You.

اِلٰهِيْ كَيْفَ اَنْقَلِبُ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ بِالْخَيْبَةِ مَحْرُوْمًا

ELAAHEE KAYFA ANQALEBO MIN I’NDEKA BIL-KHAYBATE MAHROOMAN

My Lord, how can it be that I return from You with disappointment and deprivation

وَقَدْ كَانَ حُسْنُ ظَنِّيْ بِجُوْدِكَ اَنْ تَقْلِبَنِيْ بِالنَّجَاةِ مَرْحُوْمًا

WA QAD KAANA HUSNO ZANNEE BEJOODEKA AN TAQLEBANEE BIN-NAJAATE MARHOOMAN

for indeed my beautiful opinion about Your generosity was that You shall reverse my fate by saving me mercifully.

اِلٰهِيْ وَقَدْ اَفْنَيْتُ عُمُرِيْ فِيْ شِرَّةِ السَّهْوِ عَنْكَ

ELAAHEE WA QAD AFNAYTO O’MOREE FEE SHIRRATIS SAHWE A’NKA

My Lord, I have spent my entire lifetime in being negligent to You

وَاَبْلَيْتُ شَبَابِيْ فِيْ سَكْرَةِ التَّبَاعُدِ مِنْكَ

WA ABLAYTO SHABAABEE FEE SAKRATIT TABAA-O’DE MINKA

and I have spent my whole youth with the stupor of being distant from You.

اِلٰهِيْ فَلَمْ اَسْتَيْقِظْ اَيَّامَ اغْتِرَارِيْ بِكَ

ELAAHEE FALAM ASTAYQIZ AYYAAMAGH TERAAREE BEKA

My Lord, I did not wake up from my delusions

وَرُكُوْنِيْٓ اِلٰى سَبِيْلِ سَخَطِكَ.

WA ROKOONEE ELAA SABEELE SAKHATEKA.

and did not desist from pursuing the path of Your displeasure.

اِلٰهِيْ وَاَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ قَآئِمٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ

ELAAHEE WA ANAA A’BDOKA WAB NO A’BDEKA QAAA-EMUN BAYNA YADAYKA

My Lord, nevertheless, I am—Your servant and the son of Your servant, now standing before You

مُتَوَسِّلٌ بِكَرَمِكَ اِلَيْكَ

MOTAWASSELUN BEKARAMEKA ELAYKA

and begging You in the name of Your generosity.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اَنَا عَبْدٌ اَتَنَصَّلُ اِلَيْكَ مِمَّا كُنْتُ اُوَاجِهُكَ بِهٖ

ELAAHEE ANAA A’BDUN ATANASSALO ELAYKA MIMMAA KUNTO OWAAJEHOKA BEHI

My Lord, I am a servant, disavowing before You

مِنْ قِلَّةِ اسْتِحْيَآئِيْ مِنْ نَظَرِكَ

MIN QILLATIS TEHYAA-EE MIN NAZAREKA

of my past attitude of lack of shame in Your sight

وَاَطْلُبُ الْعَفْوَ مِنْكَ اِذِ الْعَفْوُ نَعْتٌ لِكَرَمِكَ

WA ATLOBUL A’FWA MINKA EZIL A’FWO NA’TUN LEKARAMEKA

seek Your pardon as it is the attribute of Your magnanimty to pardon;

اِلٰهِيْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيْ حَوْلٌ فَاَنْتَقِلَ بِهٖ عَنْ مَعْصِيَتِكَ

ELAAHEE LAM YAKUN LEE HAWLUN FA-ANTAQEKA BEHI A’N MA’SEYATEKA

My Lord, I had no strength to desist from Your disobedience

اِلَّا فِيْ وَقْتٍ اَيْقَظْتَنِيْ لِمَحَبَّتِكَ

ILLAA FEE WAQTIN AYQAZTANEE LEMAHABBATEKA

except when You awakened me for Your love

وَكَمَآ اَرَدْتَ اَنْ اَكُوْنَ كُنْتُ

WA KAMAAA ARADTA AN AKOONA KUNTO

Hence, I desired, that I become exactly as You want me to be.

فَشَكَرْتُكَ بِاِدْخَالِيْ فِيْ كَرَمِكَ

FASHAKARTOKA BE-IDKHAALEE FEE KARAMEKA

I have thus thanked You, for You admitting me into Your generosity

وَلِتَطْهِيْرِ قَلْبِيْ مِنْ اَوْسَاخِ الْغَفْلَةِ عَنْكَ

WA LE-TATHEERE QALBEE MIN AWSAAKHIL GHAFLATE A’NKA

and You have purified my heart from the filth of being inattentive to You.

اِلٰهِيْ انْظُرْ اِلَيَّ نَظَرَ مَنْ نَادَيْتَهٗ فَاَجَابَكَ

ELAAHIN ZUR ELAYYA MAN NAADAYTAHU FA-AJAABAKA

My Lord, (please) look upon me in the same way as You have looked at one whom You called and he has responded to You

وَاسْتَعْمَلْتَهٗ بِمَعُوْنَتِكَ فَاَطَاعَكَ

WAS TA’MALTAHU BE-MA-O’ONATEKA FA-ATAA-A’KA

and whom You used him in Your service with Your aid and so he obeys You.

يَا قَرِيْبًا لَا يَبْعُدُ عَنِ الْمُغْتَرِّ بِهٖ

YAA QAREEBAN LAA YAB-O’DO A’NIL MUGHTARRE BEHI

O the Near one who is not far away from those who love Him ardently

وَيَا جَوَادًا لَا يَبْخَلُ عَمَّنْ رَجَا ثَوَابَهٗ

WA YAA JAWAADAN LAA YABKHALO A’MMAN RAJAA SAWAABAHU

O He Who is too magnanimous to deprive one who hopes for His reward!

اِلٰهِيْ هَبْ لِيْ قَلْبًا يُدْنِيْهِ مِنْكَ شَوْقُهٗ

ELAAHEE HAB LEE QALBAN YUDNEEHE MINKA SHAWQOHU

My Lord, (please) grant me a heart whose longing for You will draw one close to You,

وَلِسَانًا يُرْفَعُ اِلَيْكَ صِدْقُهٗ

WA LESAANAN YURFA-O’ ELAYKA SIDQOHU

a tongue whose truthfulness ascends towards You,

وَنَظَرًا يُقَرِّبُهٗ مِنْكَ حَقُّهٗ

WA NAZARAN YOQARREBOHU MINKA HAQQOHU

and a sight whose trueness brings it close to You.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنَّ مَنْ تَعَرَّفَ بِكَ غَيْرُ مَجْهُوْلٍ

ELAAHEE INNA MAN TA-A’RRAFA BEKA GHAYRO MAJHOOLIN

My Lord, certainly he who recognizes You shall never be anonymous,

وَمَنْ لَاذَ بِكَ غَيْرُ مَخْذُوْلٍ

WA MAN LAAZABEKA GHAYRO MAKHZOOLIN

he who seeks Your shelter shall never be disappointed,

وَمَنْ اَقْبَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرُ مَمْلُوْكٍ.

WA MAN AQBALTA A’LAYHE GHAYRO MAMLOOKIN.

and he to whom You turn to does not fall victim to servility (dejection).

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنَّ مَنِ انْتَهَجَ بِكَ لَمُسْتَنِيْرٌ

ELAAHEE INNA MANIN TAHAJA BEKA LA-MUSTANEERUN

My Lord, certainly he who abides by Your Path shall be enlightened,

وَاِنَّ مَنِ اعْتَصَمَ بِكَ لَمُسْتَجِيْرٌ

WA INNA MANE’ TASAMA BEKA LAMUSTAJEERUN

and he who resorts in You finds refuge.

وَقَدْ لُذْتُ بِكَ يَآ اِلٰهِيْ فَلَا تُخَيِّبْ ظَنِّيْ مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ

WA QAD LUZTO BEKA YAA ELAAHEE FALAA TOKHAYYIB ZANNEE MIN RAHMATEKA

Indeed certainly I have taken shelter in You, My Lord! So, (please) do not let down my opinion in Your mercy

وَلَا تَحْجُبْنِيْ عَنْ رَأْفَتِكَ

WA LAA TAHJUBNEE A’N RAAFATEKA

and do not exclude me from Your compassion.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اَقِمْنِيْ فِيْٓ اَهْلِ وِلَايَتِكَ

ELAAHEE AQIMNEE FEE AHLE WELAAYATEKA

My Lord, place me, among those who show servitude to You,

مُقَامَ مَنْ رَجَا الزِّيَادَةَ مِنْ مَحَبَّتِكَ

MOQAAMA MAN RAJAZ ZEYAADATA MIN MAHABBATEKA

the position of those who (incessantly) hope to increase Your love.

اِلٰهِيْ وَاَلْهِمْنِيْ وَلَهًا بِذِكْرِكَ اِلٰى ذِكْرِكَ

ELAAHEE WA ALHIMNEE WALAHAN BE-ZIKREKA ELAA ZIKREKA

My Lord, (please) inspire me with a mounting passion for Your rememberance,

وَهِمَّتِيْ فِيْ رَوْحِ نَجَاحِ اَسْمَآئِكَ وَمَحَلِّ قُدْسِكَ

WA HIMMATEE FEE RAWHE NAJAAHE ASMAAA-EKA WA MAHALLE QUDSEKA

and (please) with an ardour for the refreshing resort to Your names and the station of Your Holiness.

اِلٰهِيْ بِكَ عَلَيْكَ اِلَّآ اَلْحَقْتَنِيْ بِمَحَلِّ اَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ

ELAAHEE BEKA A’LAYKA ILLAA ALHAQTANEE BE-MAHALLE AHLE TAA-A’TEKA

My Lord, I beseech You in Your name to put me in the abode of those who are obedient to You

وَالْمَثْوَى الصَّالِحِ مِنْ مَرْضَاتِكَ

WAL MASWAS SAALEHE MIN MARZAATEKA

and to the righteous sanctuary of Your good pleasure,

فَاِنِّيْ لَآ اَقْدِرُ لِنَفْسِيْ دَفْعًا

FA-INNEE LAA AQDERO LE-NAFSEE DAF-A’N

for I, certainly have no power to repel any harm

وَلَا اَمْلِكُ لَهَا نَفْعًا

WA LAA AMLEKO LAHAA NAF-A’N

nor to obtain any benefit for it.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ الضَّعِيْفُ الْمُذْنِبُ

ELAAHEE ANAA A’BDOKAZ ZA-E’EFUL MUZNEBO

My Lord, I am Your weak and sinful servant—

وَمَمْلُوْكُكَ الْمُنِيْبُ

WA MAMLOOKOKAL MONEEBO

and Your repenting slave.

فَلا تَجْعَلْنِيْ مِمَّنْ صَرَفْتَ عَنْهُ وَجْهَكَ

FA-LAA TAJ-A’LNEE MIMMAN SARAFTA A’NHO WAJHAKA

So, (please) do not include me amongst those from whom You have turned away Your face

وَحَجَبَهٗ سَهْوُهٗ عَنْ عَفْوِكَ

WA HAJABAHU SAHWOHU A’N A’FWEKA

and those who are excluded from Your pardon because of their lapses.

اِلٰهِيْ هَبْ لِيْ كَمَالَ الْاِنْقِطَاعِ اِلَيْكَ

ELAAHEE HAB LEE KAMAALAL IN-QETAA-E’ ELAYKA

My Lord, (please) grant me absolute devotion to You

وَاَنِرْ اَبْصَارَ قُلُوْبِنَا بِضِيَآءِ نَظَرِهَآ اِلَيْكَ

WA ANIR ABSAARE QOLOOBENAA BE-ZEYAAA-E NAZAREHAA ELAYKA

and illumine the vision of our hearts by the light of their gaze looking towards You

حَتّٰى تَخْرِقَ اَبْصَارُ الْقُلُوْبِ حُجُبَ النُّوْرِ

HATTAA TAKHREQA ABSAARUL QOLOOBE HOJOBAN NOORE

until the vision of our hearts pierces the curtains of light

فَتَصِلَ اِلٰى مَعْدِنِ الْعَظَمَةِ

FA-TASELA ELAA MA’DENIL A’ZAMATE

to reach the core of supremacy,

وَتَصِيْرَ اَرْوَاحُنَا مُعَلَّقَةً بِعِزِّ قُدْسِكَ

WA TASEERA ARWAAHONAA MO-A’LLAQATAN BE-I’ZZE QUDSEKA

and that our souls become suspended by the majesty of Your Holiness.

اِلٰهِيْ وَاجْعَلْنِيْ مِمَّنْ نَادَيْتَهٗ فَاَجَابَكَ

ELAAHEE WAJ A’LNEE MIMMAN NAADAYTAHU FA-AJAABAKA

My Lord, (please) appoint me of those who responded to You when You called them,

وَلَاحَظْتَهٗ فَصَعِقَ لِجَلَالِكَ

WA LAA HAZTAHU FA-SA-E’QA LE-JALAALEKA

and at whom You glanced so he swoons before Your Majesty

فَنَاجَيْتَهٗ سِرًّا وَعَمِلَ لَكَ جَهْرًا.

FANAAJAYTAHU SIRRAN WA A’MELA LAKA JAHRAN

So You speak to him secretly and he works for You openly.

اِلٰهِيْ لَمْ اُسَلِّطْ عَلٰى حُسْنِ ظَنِّيْ قُنُوْطَ الْاَيَاسِ

ELAAHEE LAM OSALLIT A’LAA HUSNE ZANNEE QONOOTAL AYAASE

My Lord, do not let the dejection of despair overshadow my beautiful opinion

وَلَا انْقَطَعَ رَجَآئِيْ مِنْ جَمِيْلِ كَرَمِكَ

WA LAN QATA-A’ RAJAAA-EE MIN JAMEELE KARAMEKA

and do not cut my hope from Your generosity

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ كَانَتِ الْخَطَايَا قَدْ اَسْقَطَتْنِيْ لَدَيْكَ

ELAAHEE IN KAANATIL KHATAAYAA QAD ASQATATNEE LADAYKA

My Lord, if my lapses have made me to fall from Your grace,

فَاصْفَحْ عَنِّيْ بِحُسْنِ تَوَكُّلِيْ عَلَيْكَ

FASFAH A’NNEE BE-HUSNE TAWAKKOLEE A’LAYKA

So please pardon me for the beauty of my reliance upon You.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ حَطَّتْنِيْ الذُّنُوْبُ مِنْ مَكَارِمِ لُطْفِكَ

ELAAHEE IN HATTAT-NIZ ZONOOBO MIN MAKAAREME LUTFEKA

My Lord, if my wrongdoings have excluded me from the generosity of Your grace,

فَقَدْ نَبَّهَنِيْ الْيَقِيْنُ اِلٰى كَرَمِ عَطْفِكَ

FAQAD NABBAHATNIL YAQEENO ELAA KARAME A’TFEKA

So certainly my conviction reassures me of Your generosity and gentleness.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ اَنَامَتْنِيْ الْغَفْلَةُ عَنِ الْاِسْتِعْدَادِ لِلِقَآئِكَ

ELAAHEE IN ANAA MATNIL GHAFLATO A’NIL ISTE’DAADE LE-LEQAAA-EKA

My Lord, if my neglect has lulled me into slumber preventing me from preparing myself for my meeting with You,

فَقَدْ نَبَّهَتْنِي الْمَعْرِفَةُ بِكَرَمِ اٰلَآئِكَ

FAQAD NABBA-HATNIL MA’REFATO BE-KARAME AALAAA-EKA

So certainly my recognition apprises me of your generous bounties has awakened me.

اِلٰهِيْٓ اِنْ دَعَانِيْٓ اِلَى النَّارِ عَظِيْمُ عِقَابِكَ

ELAAHEE IN DA-A’AANEE ELAN NAARE A’ZEEMO E’QAABEKA

My Lord, if Your grave chastisement calls me to the Hellfire,

فَقَدْ دَعَانِيْٓ اِلَى الْجَنَّةِ جَزِيْلُ ثَوَابِكَ

FAQAD DA-A’AANEE ELAL JANNATE JAZEELO SAWAABEKA

So Your plentious reward has called me to Paradise.

اِلٰهِيْ فَلَكَ اَسْاَلُ وَاِلَيْكَ اَبْتَهِلُ وَاَرْغَبُ

ELAAHEE FALAKA AS-ALO WA ELAYKA ABTAHELO WA ARGHABO

My Lord, so to You I beg and I implore and I request.

وَاَسْاَلُكَ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَاٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

WA AS-ALOKA AN TOSALLEYA A’LAA MOHAMMADIN WA AALE MOHAMMADIN

I beseech You to bless Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad

وَاَنْ تَجْعَلَنِيْ مِمَّنْ يُدِيْمُ ذِكْرَكَ

WA AN TAJ-A’LANEE MIMMAN YODEEMO ZIKRAKA

and to include me with those who always remember You,

وَلَا يَنْقُضُ عَهْدَكَ

WA LAA YANQOZO A’HDAKA

and those who never break their promise to You,

وَلَا يَغْفُلُ عَنْ شُكْرِكَ

WA LAA YAGHFOLO A’N SHUKRAKA

and who do not neglect to thank You,

وَلَا يَسْتَخِفُّ بِاَمْرِكَ

WA LAA YASTAKHIFFO BE-AMREKA

and who never belittle Your commands.

اِلٰهِيْ وَاَلْحِقْنِيْ بِنُوْرِ عِزِّكَ الْاَبْهَجِ

ELAAHEE WA ALHIQNEE BE-NOORE I’ZZEKAL ABHAJE

My Lord, (please do) submerge me in the most blissful lights of Your majesty,

فَاَكُوْنَ لَكَ عَارِفًا

FA-AKOONA LAKA A’AREFAN

so that I will recognize You

وَعَنْ سِوَاكَ مُنْحَرِفًا

WA A’N SEWAAKA MUNHAREFAN

and renounce all else except You,

وَمِنْكَ خَآئِفًا مُرَاقِبًا

WA MINKA KHAA-EFAN MORAAQEBAN

and that I will be fearful of and careful with You.

يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْاِكْرَامِ

YAA ZAL JALAALE WAL IKRAAME

O Lord of Majesty and Honor!

وَصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُوْلِهِ وَاٰلِهِ الطَّاهِرِيْنَ

WA SALLAL LAAHO A’LAA MOHAMMADIN RASOOLEHI WA AALEHIT TAAHEREENA

May Allah send blessings to Muhammad, His Messenger, and upon his Household the Infallible,

وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيْمًا كَثِيْرًا.

WA SALLAMA TASLEEMAN KASEERAA.

and may countless greetings be to them.

This confidential prayer (Munajat), ascribed to the Holy Imams (a.s.), is highly significant since it comprises excellent meanings. It is advisable to say it with presence of heart all the time.