Kumayl Ibn Ziy¡d Nakha’i

Shi’a and Sunni great scholars have admired Kumayl for his strong belief, purified soul and conduct, and sincere intention. They agree on Kumayl’s justice and greatness. Kumayl is among the noble disciples of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) and Imam °asan (a.s).[1] Amir al-Mu’minin too, has considered Kumayl as his ten most faithful disciples.[2] Kumayl has been one of the best lovers and friends of Imam `Al¢ (a.s).[3] The recommendations and bequests Imam `Al¢ (a.s) has made to Kumayl indicate his strong belief and great insight. The sunni who have never had a favorable opinion about the disciples of Ahl al-Bayt (a.s) consider Kumayl as trustee in all issues.[4] The ascetics know Kumayl as knowing Imam `Al¢’s secrets and spiritual knowledge. Kumayl accompanied the Great Prophet of Islam (a.s) for eighteen years and benefited from the blessings of prophethood. He was martyred by Hajjaj Ibn Y£suf Thaqafi, due to his magnitude and `Al¢(a.s) had informed him of his martyrdom in advance.

When Hajjaj Ibn Y£suf was assigned as the ruler of Iraq by the Umayyid ruler, he sought after Kumayl to kill him for his affection to the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s), since being shi’a was the greatest sin to the Umayyid. Kumayl hid himself, and Hajjaj stopped his relatives’ pension from baytul mal (public treasury). Being informed of Hajjaj’s action, Kumayl said: “I will not be alive long so I don’t want my relatives to get deprived of their pension because of me.” He left his hiding place and went to Hajjaj. Hajjaj told him: “I was looking for you to punish you.” Kumayl said: “Do as you can, since I will not live long. You and I will return to Allah. My master, `Al¢, has informed me that you are my killer.” Then Hajjaj ordered to behead Kumayl who was ninety then. His holy tomb is in Thuwiah, a place between Najaf and K£fah, and the believers make pilgrims to it.

Du`¡’ Kumayl

The vigilant believers consider the position of du`¡’ Kumayl among other du`¡’s as the position of mankind among other creatures. In other words, they know du`¡’ Kumayl as “Insan al-Ad’iyah”. The great scholar, researcher and hadith reporter, Allameh Majlis¢ views du`¡’ Kumayl as the ebst du`¡’. Allameh Majlis¢ narrates from “Iqbal” of Sayyid Ibn Tawus in his book “Zad al-Ma’ad”:

Kumayl said: “One day, I was with my master `Al¢ (a.s) in K£fah. We were talking about Sha’ban the fifteenth. Imam said: “One who spends that night worshipping and recites du`¡’ Khidhr, his prayer will be answered for sure.” When Imam (a.s) returned home, I went to him. He said: “What do you want?” I answered: “I’ve come to you to teach me du`¡’ Khidhr.” He told me to sit down. Then he said: “O Kumayl! When you memorize this du`¡’, recite it every Thursday night, or once in a month, or once in a year or once in your lifetime, and Allah will save you from enemies, help you, extend your sustenance, and forgive your sins. O Kumayl! Your extended and faithful service made me teach you such a blissful du`¡’.” Then he said: “Write it down!” And recited it o me.

The divine theologist, Kaf’ami, writes in his book ‘Misbah’: “Am¢r al-Mu’min¢n (a.s) recited this du`¡’ in prostration.”[5]

The supplicant should recite this du`¡’ on Thursday night, facing the qiblah direction, sincerely and humbly. This way the supplication is more probable to be answered.[6] The tearful eye is so valuable before Allah, and it causes forgiveness of sins and attraction of Allah’s blessings.[7]

It is narrated from Imam ¯¡diq (a.s):

مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ إلاَّ وَلَهُ كَيْلٌ وَوَزْنٌ، إلاَّ الدُّمُوعَ؛ فَإنَّ القَطْرَةَ تُطْفِئُ بِحَاراً مِنَ النَّارِ، وَلَو أنَّ باكِياً بَكَى فِي أُمَّةٍ لَرُحِمُوا.

Everything has a special scale except tears; a drop of tear putts off oceans of fire. Allah forbids inferno from burning a tearful eye. In fact if there’s one tearful person (from Allah’s fear) in any nation, all the people will be forgiven.[8]

كُلُّ عَيْنٍ بَاكِيَةٌ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ إلاَّ ثَلاثَةً: عَيْنٌ غُضَّتْ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اللهِ، وَعَيْنٌ سَهِرَتْ فِي طَاعَةِ اللهِ، وَعَيْنٌ بَكَتْ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللهِ.

All the people are tearful in the Hereafter except three: one who closes his eyes to what Allah forbade, one who remains alive for Allah, and one cries for the fear of Allah at midnight.[9]