His Supplication for his Parents (upon the two of them be peace)

ward me, or dislike the way they have attended to my affairs, my Lord! 10- They have rights against me which are more incumbent, precedence in beneficence toward me that is greater, and kindness toward me that is mightierthan that I should settle accounts with justiceor repay them with equivalents. Where then, my God, would be their long occupationwith bringing me up? Where the hardship of their toilin taking care of me? Where the stinting of themselvesto provide me with plenty? 11- What an idea! I can never discharge their right against me, fulfil my obligations toward them, or accomplish the duty of serving them. So bless Muhammad and his Householdand help me, O Best of those whose help we seek! Give me success, O Most Guiding of those whom we beseech! Place me not among the people of disrespect to fathers and motherson the daywhen every soul will be repaidfor what it has earned, they shall not be wronged. 3 12- O God, bless Muhammad, his Household, and his progenyand single out my parents for the bestwhich Thou hast singled out for the fathers and mothers of Thy faithful servants, O Most Merciful of the merciful! 13- O God, let me not forget to remember them after my ritual prayers, at every time throughout my night, and in each of the hours of my day! 14- O God, bless Muhammad and his Household, forgive me through my supplication for my parents, forgive them through their devotion toward mewith unfailing forgiveness, be well pleased with them through my intercession for themwith resolute good pleasure, and make them reach through Thy generositythe abodes of safety! 15- O God, if Thy forgiveness reaches them first, make them my intercessors, and if Thy forgiveness reaches me first, make me their intercessors, so that we may gather together through Thy gentlenessin the house of Thy generosityand the place of Thy forgiveness and mercy! Verily Thou art Possessor of abounding bountyand ancient kindness, andThou art the Most Merciful of the merciful! 4 The commentator quotes among others the Prophet's hadith of 'seven rights' (see the introduction to the 'Treatise on Rights') to illustrate the first interpretation. If we read it the second way, then 'the rights of the Imams are obvious, since all the rights which God has made obligatory upon the creatures for the Messenger of God are also obligatory for the Imams; Sufficient proof of this is provided by the Qur'anic verse: Obey God, and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you (4: 59)' (Sayyid '''Alikhan).