To whet appetites, here are just 5 appetisers from one of the hundreds of mouth watering, soul nourishing, dishes gifted by the one whom friends and foes refer to as the Ornament of the Worshippers. Savour, act upon and be uplifted by these amazing recipes from Imam Zaynul Abedin’s (a.s.) famous dua Makarim al Akhlaq (Du`a # 20 in Sahifa ).
1. We are sdvised to pray for things that matter: strong faith (yaqeen), pure intention, best deeds:
“ O’Allah, bless Muhammad and his Household. Cause my faith to reach the most perfect faith, make my certainty the most excellent certainty, and take my intention to the best of intentions and my works to the best of works!”
2. Do not nullify your rewards through self-conceit:
“ O’Allah, make me worship Thee and corrupt not my worship with self-admiration! Let good flow out from my hands upon the people and efface it not by my making them feel obliged! Give me the highest moral traits and preserve me from vainglory!”
3. Long life at all costs? Better to die than serve shaitan:
“ O’Allah, let me live as long as my life is a free gift in obeying Thee, but if my life should become a pasture for Satan, seize me to Thyself before Thy hatred overtakes me or Thy wrath against me becomes firm!”
4. Pray for adornments and ornaments of a different kind:
“ O’Allah, adorn me with the adornment of the righteous, and clothe me in the ornaments of the god-fearing, through:
o spreading justice, restraining rage,
o quenching the flame of hate, bringing together the people of separation,
o correcting discord, spreading about good behaviour,
o covering faults, mildness of temper, lowering the wing,
o beauty of conduct, gravity of bearing,
o agreeableness in comportment, precedence in reaching excellence,
o preferring bounteousness, refraining from condemnation,
o bestowing bounty on the undeserving,
o speaking the truth, though it be painful!”
o making little of the good in my words and deeds, though it be much,
o and making much of the evil in my words and deeds,though it be little!
5. Pray for good in both worlds:
“ O’Allah, incite me to remember Thee in times of heedlessness, employ me in Thy obedience in days of disregard, open a smooth road for me to Thy love, and complete for me thereby the good of this world and the next!”
Has the time not come to come together and raise our hands in prayer to be brought out of darkness into light?