Introduction & Merits of Recitation
The prayer of Sanam-e-Quraysh (the idols of Quraysh) is a very authentic supplication of the commander of the faithful, Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S) and it has been recognised by all renowned Shia historians as such.
It has been narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas that one night I went to the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (P.B.U.H&H.P) to offer my late-night prayers and saw the commander of the faithful (A.S) offering his supplications. I decided to sit in a corner and listen to the commander of the faithful’s (A.S) recitation of Quran and prayers. After completing prayer, the commander of the faithful (A.S) recited supplications which I had never heard before. Later, I approached Imam Ali (A.S) and said may I be your ransom; please tell me more about those prayers which I have never heard before.
The commander of the faithful (A.S) then replied, it was ‘Dua Sanam-e-Quraysh’ and added, I swear to Allah (S.W.T) who owns the lives of Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) and Ali (A.S), whosoever would recite this prayer will get an extra-ordinary reward from Allah (S.W.T); similar to assisting Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) during the battles of ‘uhud, Badr, Hunayn and Tabuk’ and would achieve the martyred status in the presence of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P). And the reward of 100 Hajj and Umrah as an associate of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) as well as ‘reward (Sawab)’ of 1000 months of fasting. In addition, one will be on the side of the prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) and Ahlulbayt (A.S) on the Day of Judgement and Allah (S.W.T) will Forgive all his/her sins, despite the fact if his/her had committed sins are equivalent to the stars in the sky, grains of sand in the wilderness and leaves of all trees. Also the one who recites it will be saved from punishment in the grave, and a window from heaven will be installed in his/her grave.
Insha’Allah, prayers will be rewarded, through the sanctity of the supplication, and O! Ibn e Abbas if any of our friends is, in particular, engulfed by hardship; he/she would surely find a refuge through recitation of this prayer.
[Source: Misbah Kafami Page 552, Bihar ul Anwar vol 82/85 page 260]
