The Ziyārah of Imam Ĥasan ibn ‘Ali and the Other Imams in Baqǐ’ — Hadith 2

2. Ḥukaym ibn Dāwūd ibn Ḥukaym narrated to me from Salamah, from ‘Abdillāh ibn Aḥmad, from Bakr ibn Sāliḥ, from ‘Amr ibn Hishām, from some of our companions, who said: One of them (the infallible Imams (a. s. )) said: When you go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the Imams (a. s. ) in Baqī’, stand next to their graves facing them, with your back toward Qiblah and recite (the following): Salām to you, O the Imams of Guidance! Salām to you, O People of Devotion and Piety! Salām to you, O the Decisive Proofs on the people of the world! Salām to you, O the Just Custodians of Creation! Salām to you, O Chosen Ones! Salām to you, O the Family of the Messenger of Allāh (s. a. a. w. )! Salām to you, O Confidants (of Allāh)! I testify that you announced (the message of Allāh), you advised (the people), and you stayed patient in (the way of) Allāh. You were belied and insulted but you forgave. I testify that you are the wise Imams who are rightly guided, that obeying you is obligatory, and that your words are the truth. You called the people (toward Allāh) but your call was not answered, and you commanded the people but you were not obeyed. Verily you are the supporters of the religion and the pillars of the earth. Allāh has always watched over you, and He transferred you from the backbones of the purified fathers to the wombs of the purified mothers. The darkness of paganism did not defile you and afflictions (which are often a result) of (one’s) desires did not affect you. You were blessed and the places in which you were raised were also blessed. The Undisputed Ruler of Religion has bestowed favours upon us through you and through placing you “in houses which A