Night & Day of 25th Zilqad (The Spreading of the earth)

Text and Translation

THE TWENTY-FIFTH NIGHT OF ZILQAD (The Earth Spreading night)

This night is called laylat dahw al-arz (the night at which the earth was spread on the water where the Holy Ka’bah is now situated). Being distinctively honorable, at this night the mercy of Almighty Allah is poured on people. A great reward is obtained by those who practice acts of worship at this night. Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Washsha’ has narrated that when he was young, he was with his father in the hospitality of Imam al-Reza (a.s.) at the twenty-fifth night of Dhu’l-Qa’dah. After they had their supper, Imam al-Reza (a.s.) said, “At the twenty-fifth night of Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) was born, Prophet Eesaa (a.s.) the son of Mary was born, and the earth was spread on the water where the Holy Ka’bah is now situated. Hence, if one observes fasting on this day, he will be given the reward of observing fasting in sixth months.” According to another narration, Imam al-Reza (a.s.) added, “Verily, on this day, al-Qa’im (i.e. Imam al-Mahdi) (a.t.f.s.) will appear.”

THE TWENTY-FIFTH OF ZILQAD (The Earth Spreading Day)

The twenty-fifth of Zilqad is one of the four days on which fasting is exclusively confirmed. According to a narration, to observe fasting on this day is equal to seventy year fasting. It also erases the sins of seventy years. According to another narration, to observe fasting on this day and to practice acts of worship at its night is equal (in reward) to one hundred year worship. Everything that is between the sky and the earth will ask God’s forgiveness for one who does these rites. On this day, the mercy of Almighty Allah has been spread. To practice acts of worship and hold sessions for mentioning Almighty Allah on this day bring about an abundant reward. Apart from fasting, acts of worship, remembrance of Almighty Allah, and bathing, there are two other acts that are advisably done on this day:

First: The books written by Shi’ite scholars of Qumm have mentioned that, on this day, it is recommended to offer, in the morning, a prayer consisting of two units, reciting in the each unit [Surah al-Faatehah](A5) once and repeating [Surah al-Shams](A95) (No. 91) five times. After accomplishment, the following litany is said:

لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

LAA HAWLA WA LAA QUWWATA ILLAA BILLAAHIL A’LIYYIL A’ZEEMO

There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the All-great.

Then, one may pray Almighty Allah for granting his needs and then say the following supplicatory prayer:

يَا مُقِيْلَ الْعَثَرَاتِ اَقِلْنِيْ عَثْرَتِيْ

YAA MOQEELAL A’SARAATE AQILNEE A’SRATEE

O He Who overlooks slips, (please) overlook my slip.

يَا مُجِيْبَ الدَّعَوَاتِ اَجِبْ دَعْوَتِيْ

YAA MOJEEBAD DA-A’WAATE AJIB DA’WATEE

O He Who responds to prayers, (please) respond to my prayer.

يَا سَامِعَ الْاَصْوَاتِ اسْمَعْ صَوْتِيْ

YAA SAAME-A’L ASWAATIS MA’ SAWTEE

O He Who hears all sounds, (please) listen to mine,

وَارْحَمْنِيْ وَتَجَاوَزْ عَنْ سَيِّئَاتِيْ

WAR HAMNEE WA TAJAAWAZ A’N SAYYE-AATEE

have mercy on me, and excuse my wrongdoings

وَمَا عِنْدِيْ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْاِكْرَامِ.

WA MAA I’NDEE YAA ZAL JALAALE WAL IKRAAME.

and whatever I have committed. O Lord of majesty and honor!

Second: In Misbah al-Mutahajjid, Shaykh al-Tusi has mentioned that it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer on this day:

اَللّٰهُمَّ دَاحِيَ الْكَعْبَةِ وَفَالِقَ الْحَبَّةِ

ALLAAHUMMA DAAHE-YAL KA’BATE WA FAALEQAL HABBATE

O Allah Who spread the Ka'bah, split the kernel,

وَصَارِفَ اللَّزْبَةِ وَكَاشِفَ كُلِّ كُرْبَةٍ

WA SAAREFAL LAZBATE WA KAASHEFA KULLE KURBATIN

removes troubles, and relieves from all distresses!

اَسْاَلُكَ فِىْ هٰذَا الْيَوْمِ مِنْ اَيَّامِكَ

AS-ALOKA FEE HAAZAL YAWME MIN AYYAAMEKAL

I beseech You on this day, which is one of Your days

الَّتِيْ اَعْظَمْتَ حَقَّهَا وَاَقْدَمْتَ سَبْقَهَا

LATEE A-A’ZAMTA HAQQAHAA WA AQDAMTA SABQAHAA

whose standing You have deemed great, whom You have given preference,

وَجَعَلْتَهَا عِنْدَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَدِيْعَةً

WA JA-A’LTAHAA I’NDAL MOAMENEENA WADEE-A’TAN

and whom You have put as trust with the believers

وَاِلَيْكَ ذَرِيْعَةً وَبِرَحْمَتِكَ الْوَسِيْعَةِ

WA ELAYKA ZAREE-A’TAN WA BE-RAHMATEKAL WASEE-A’TE

and as means to approaching to You; and [I beseech You] in the name of Your ample mercy

اَنْ تُصَلِّىَ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ الْمُنْتَجَبِ

AN TOSALLEYA A’LAA MOHAMMADIN A’BDEKAL MUNTAJABE

to send blessings to Muhammad, Your servant that You have selected

فِي الْمِيْثَاقِ الْقَرِيْبِ يَوْمَ التَّلَاقِ

FIL MEESAAQIL QAREEBE YAWMAT TALAAQE

in the Nigh Covenant on the Meeting Day,

فَاتِقِ كُلِّ رَتْقٍ وَدَاعٍ اِلٰى كُلِّ حَقٍّ

FAATEQE KULLE RATQIN WA DAA-IN ELAA KULLE HAQQIN

the splitter of all joined things and the caller to all truths,

وَعَلٰىۤ اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ الْاَطْهَارِ

WA A’LAA AHLE BAYTEHIL ATHAARIL

and to his Household, the pure,

الْهُدَاةِ الْمَنَارِ دَعَاۤئِمِ الْجَبَّارِ

HODAATIL MANAARE DA-A’AA-EMIL JABBAARE

the guides, the lanterns, the pillars of the Omnipotent (Lord),

وَوُلَاةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ

WA WOLAATIL JANNATE WAN NAARE

and the supervisors on Paradise and Hell,

وَاَعْطِنَا فِيْ يَوْمِنَا هٰذَا

WA A-A’TENAA FEE YAWMENAA HAAZAA

to give us on this day

مِنْ عَطَاۤئِكَ الْمَخْزُوْنِ

MIN A’TAA-EKAL MAKHZOONE

from Your stored gifts,

غَيْرَ مَقْطُوْعٍ وَلَا مَمْنُوْعٍ

GHAYRA MAQTOO-I’N WA LAA MAMNOO-I’N

gifts that are neither interrupted nor prohibited

تَجْمَعُ لَنَا بِهِ التَّوْبَةَ وَحُسْنَ الْاَوْبَةِ

TAJ-MA-O’ LANAA BEHIT TAWBATA WA HUSNAL AWBATE

by which You join for us both repentance and acceptable return [to You].

يَا خَيْرَ مَدْعُوٍّ وَاَكْرَمَ مَرْجُوٍّ

YAA KHAYRA MAD-U’WWIN WA AKRAMA MARJUWWIN

O He Who is the best of all supplicated ones and the most generous of all hoped ones!

يَا كَفِيُّ يَا وَفِيُّ يَا مَنْ لُطْفُهٗ خَفِيٌّ

YAA KAFIYYO YAA WAFIYYO YAA MAN LUTFOHU KHAFIYYUN

O All-sufficer! O All-true! O He Whose grace is gentle!

اُلْطُفْ لِيْ بِلُطْفِكَ وَاَسْعِدْنِيْ بِعَفْوِكَ

ULTUF LEE BE-LUTFEKA WA AS-I’DNEE BE-A’FWEKA

(Please) treat me gracefully with Your graciousness, make me feel happy with Your pardon,

وَاَيِّدْنِيْ بِنَصْرِكَ وَلَا تُنْسِنِيْ كَرِيْمَ ذِكْرِكَ

WA AYYIDNEE BE-NASREKA WA LAA TUNSENEE KAREEMA ZIKREKA

aid me with Your support, never make me inattentive of Your noble mention

بِوُلَاةِ اَمْرِكَ وَحَفَظَةِ سِرِّكَ

BEWOLAATE AMREKA WA HAFAZATE SIRREKA

through Your Representatives and the keepers of Your secret,

وَاحْفَظْنِيْ مِنْ شَوَاۤئِبِ الدَّهْرِ

WAH FAZNEE MIN SHAWAA-EBID DAHRE

protect me against the vicissitudes of time

اِلٰى يَوْمِ الْحَشْرِ وَالنَّشْرِ

ELAA YAWMIL HASHRE WAN NASHRE

up to the day of resurrection and raising (the dead to life),

وَاَشْهِدْنِيْۤ اَوْلِيَاۤئَكَ عِنْدَ خُرُوْجِ نَفْسِيْ

WA ASH-HIDNEE AWLEYAA-AKA I’NDA KHOROOJE NAFSEE

and make Your Representatives attend at the hour of the departure of my souls,

وَحُلُوْلِ رَمْسِيْ وَانْقِطَاعِ عَمَلِيْ وَانْقِضَاۤءِ اَجَلِيْۤ

WA HOLOOLE RAMSEE WAN QETAA-E’ A’MALEE WAN QEZAAA-E AJALEE

the time of my entry to my grave, when my deed will be interrupted and my lifetime will come to its end.

اَللّٰهُمَّ وَاذْكُرْنِيْ عَلٰى طُوْلِ الْبِلٰىۤ

ALLAAHUMMA WAZ KURNEE A’LAA TOOLIL BALAA

O Allah, (please) remember me all over the stages of trial

اِذَا حَلَلْتُ بَيْنَ اَطْبَاقِ الثَّرٰى

EZAA HALALTO BAYNA ATBAAQIS SARAA

when I will reside between the layers of the earth

وَنَسِيَنِيَ النَّاسُوْنَ مِنَ الْوَرٰى

WA NASEYANEYAN NAASOONA MENAL WARAA

and the forgetful people will forget me.

وَاَحْلِلْنِيْ دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ

WA AHLILNEE DAARAL MOQAAMATE

Allow me to dwell in the abode of eternity,

وَبَوِّئْنِيْ مَنْزِلَ الْكَرَامَةِ،

WA BAWWEANEE MANZELAL KARAAMATE

settle me in the residence of honor,

وَاجْعَلْنِىْ مِنْ مُرَافِقِيْ اَوْلِيَاۤئِكَ

WAJ A’LNEE MIN MORAAFEQEE AWLEYAAA-EKA

make me of the companions of Your intimate servants

وَاَهْلِ اجْتِبَاۤئِكَ وَاصْطِفَاۤئِكَ

WA AHLIJ TEBAA-EKA WAS TEFAA-EKA

and the people of Your choice and selection,

وَبَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْ لِقَاۤئِكَ

WA BAARIK LEE FEE LEQAAA-EKA

bless me by meeting You,

وَارْزُقْنِيْ حُسْنَ الْعَمَلِ

WAR ZUQNEEHUSNAL A’MALE

and grant me good doing

قَبْلَ حُلُوْلِ الْاَجَلِ

QABLA HOLOOLIL AJALE

before the end of my lifetime,

بَرِيْئًا مِنَ الزَّلَلِ وَسُوْۤءِ الْخَطَلِ

BAREE-AN MENAZ ZALALE WA SOOIL KHATALE

making me free from slips and foolish doing.

اَللّٰهُمَّ وَاَوْرِدْنِىْ حَوْضَ نَبِيِّكَ

ALLAAHUMMA WA AWRIDNEE HAWZA NABIYYEKA

O Allah, allow me to enter the Pool of Your Prophet,

مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ

MOHAMMADIN SALLAL LAAHO A’LAYHE WAA AALEHI

Muhammad, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Household,

وَاسْقِنِيْ مِنْهُ مَشْرَبًا

WAS QENEE MINHO MASHRABAN

allow me to drink from it a quenching drink

رَوِيًّا سَاۤئِغًا هَنِيْۤئًا

RAWIYYAN SAA-EGHAN HANEE-AN

that is palatable and salubrious

لَاۤ اَظْمَاُ بَعْدَهٗ وَلَاۤ اَحْلَاُ وِرْدَهٗ

LAA AZMA-O BA’DAHU WA LAA AHALA-O WIRDAHU

after which I will never be thirsty, I will never be prevented from reaching it,

وَلَا عَنْهُ اُذَادُ وَاجْعَلْهُ لِيْ خَيْرَ زَادٍ

WA LAA A’NHO OZAADO WAJ A’LHO LEE KHAYRA ZAADIN

and I will never be disallowed to approach it. Make for me the best nourishment

وَاَوْفٰى مِيْعَادٍ يَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْاَشْهَادُ

WA AWFAA MEE-A’ADIN YAWMA YAQOOMUL ASH-HAADO

and the most fulfilling promise on the day when the Witnesses will rise.

اَللّٰهُمَّ وَالْعَنْ جَبَابِرَةَ الْاَوَّلِيْنَ وَالْاٰخِرِيْنَ

ALLAAHUMMA WAL A’N JABAABERATAL AWWALEENA WAL AAKHEREENA

O Allah, curse the tyrants from the past and the last generations

وَبِحُقُوْقِ اَوْلِيَاۤئِكَ الْمُسْتَأْثِرِيْنَ

WA BE-HOQOOQE AWLEYAA-EKAL MUSTAA-SEREENA

who usurped the dues of Your Representatives.

اَللّٰهُمَّ وَاقْصِمْ دَعَاۤئِمَهُمْ

ALLAAHUMMA WAQ SIM DA-A’AEMAHUM

O Allah, demolish their posts,

وَاَهْلِكْ اَشْيَاعَهُمْ وَعَامِلَهُمْ

WA AHLIK ASHYAA-A’HUM WA A’AMELAHUM

annihilate their allies and their assistants,

وَعَجِّلْ مَهَالِكَهُمْ وَاسْلُبْهُمْ مَمَالِكَهُمْ

WA A’JJIL MAHAALEKAHUM WAS LUBHUM MAMAALEKAHUM

and hasten their perdition, seize their estates,

وَضَيِّقْ عَلَيْهِمْ مَسَالِكَهُمْ

WA ZAYYIQ A’LAYHIM MASAALEKAHUM

make narrow their ways,

وَالْعَنْ مُسَاهِمَهُمْ وَمُشَارِكَهُمْ.

WAL A’N MOSAAHEMAHUM WA MOSHAAREKAHUM.

and curse their helpers and aides.

اَللّٰهُمَّ وَعَجِّلْ فَرَجَ اَوْلِيَاۤئِكَ

ALLAAHUMMA WA A’JJIL FARAJA AWLEYAA-EKA

Allah, (please) hasten the relief of Your Representatives,

وَارْدُدْ عَلَيْهِمْ مَظَالِمَهُمْ

WAR DUD A’LAYHIM MAZAAEMAHUM

restore to them their usurped rights,

وَاَظْهِرْ بِالْحَقِّ قَاۤئِمَهُمْ

WA AZHIR BIL HAQQE QAA-EMAHUM

cause their Riser to prevail with the truth,

وَاجْعَلْهُ لِدِيْنِكَ مُنْتَصِرًا

WAJ-A’LHO LEDEENEKA MUNTASERAN

and make him support Your religion

وَبِاَمْرِكَ فِيْۤ اَعْدَاۤئِكَ مُؤْتَمِرًا

WA BE-AMREKA FEE A-A’DAA-EKA MOATAMERAN

and carry out Your commandments about Your enemies.

اَللّٰهُمَّ احْفُفْهُ بِمَلَاۤئِكَةِ النَّصْرِ

ALLAAHUMMAH FUFHO BEMALAA-EKATIN NASRE

O Allah, make the angels of victory surround him

وَبِمَاۤ اَلْقَيْتَ اِلَيْهِ مِنَ الْاَمْرِ

WA BEMAA ALQAYTA ELAYHE MENAL AMRE

and so are the commandments that You addressed to him

فِيْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ مُنْتَقِمًا لَكَ

FEE LAYLATIL QADRE MUNTAQEMAN LAKA

at the Destiny Night so that he will punish Your enemies on behalf of You

حَتّٰى تَرْضٰى وَيَعُوْدَ دِيْنُكَ بِهٖ

HATTAA TARZAA WA YA-O’ODA DEENOKA BEHI

until You are pleased, Your religion will recover

وَعَلٰى يَدَيْهِ جَدِيْدًا غَضًّا

WA A’LAA YADAYHE JADEEDAN GHAZZAN

its freshness and bloom at his hands,

وَيَمْحَضَ الْحَقَّ مَحْضًا وَيَرْفِضَ الْبَاطِلَ رَفْضًا

WA YAMHAZAL HAQQA MAHZAN WA YARFEZAL BAATELA RAFZAN

he will clean the truth with thorough cleaning, and he will reject the wrong with absolute rejection.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلٰى جَمِيْعِ اٰبَاۤئِهٖ

ALLAAHUMMA SALLE A’LAYHE WA A’LAA JAMEE-E’ AABAAA-EHI

O Allah, send blessings to him and to all of his forefathers,

وَاجْعَلْنَا مِنْ صَحْبِهٖ وَاُسْرَتِهٖ

WAJ A’LNAA MIN SAHBEHI WA USRATEHI

include us with his companions and group,

وَابْعَثْنَا فِيْ كَرَّتِهٖ حَتّٰى نَكُوْنَ فِيْ زَمَانِهٖ مِنْ اَعْوَانِهٖ

WAB A’SNAA FEE KARRATEHI HATTAA NAKOONA FEE ZAMAANEHI MIN A-A’WAANEHI

and resurrect us during his return (raj’at) so that we will live in his age and become of his helpers.

اَللّٰهُمَّ اَدْرِكْ بِنَا قِيَامَهٗ

ALLAAHUMMA ADRIK BENAA QEYAAMAHU

O Allah, make us catch up his advent,

وَاَشْهِدْنَا اَيَّامَهٗ وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ [عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ]

WA ASHIDNAA AYYAAMAHU WA SALLE A’LAYHE (A’LAA MOHAMMADIN)

make us witness his days, bless him,

وَارْدُدْ اِلَيْنَا سَلَامَهٗ

WAR DUD ELAYNAA SALAAMAHU

and convey to us his greetings.

وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْهِ [عَلَيْهِمْ‏] وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهٗ

WAS SALAAMO A’LAYHE (A’LAYHIM) WA RAHMATUL LAAHE WA BARAKAATOHU.

Peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon him.

In his epistle entitled al-Arba’at Ayyam (The Four Days), Sayyid al-Damad has mentioned that to visit the holy tomb of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Reza (a.s.) on the day; i.e. the Earth Spreading Day, is the most preferable act. Similarly, to visit his tomb on the first of Rajab is highly desirable; therefore, he has urged on it greatly.