The Ziyārah of the Prophet (s.a.a.w.), Invocations Next to His Grave, and Performance of the Ziyārah

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Before going to Madīnah or prior to entering it, perform a GHUSL. Then proceed to the grave of the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.) and say Salām to him. Move to the pillar which is located on the right side by the head of the grave. Stand there with your left shoulder toward the grave, your right shoulder toward the pulpit of the Prophet (s.a.a.w.), and face QIBLAH, for this is the (closest) location to the head of the Prophet (s.a.a.w.). Then recite (the following): (s.a.a.w.) I testify that there is no god but Allāh; He is alone and He has no partners, and I testify that Muḥammad (s.a.a.w.) is His slave and messenger. I testify that you are the Messenger of Allāh and you are Muḥammad, son of ‘Abdillāh. I testify that you announced the messages of your Lord, you advised your nation, you fought in the way of Allāh, and you worshipped Allāh with wisdom and by giving good counsel until that which is certain (death) came to you. You fulfilled your obligations. You were kind toward the believers and harsh toward the disbelievers. Therefore, Allāh granted you the highest honoured position of the honourable ones. Praise be to Allāh who, through you, saved us from polytheism and from going astray. O Allāh! Send Your blessings, the blessings of Your high-ranked angels, the blessings of Your righteous slaves, the blessings of Your prophets who were sent as messengers, the blessings of (all of) the inhabitants of the heavens and the earths, and the blessings of everyone from the first to the last who sanctifies the Lord of the Worlds, on Muḥammad, Your slave, Your messenger, Your prophet, Your trustee, Your confidant, Your love, Your chosen one, Your special (slave), and the best of Your creation. O Allāh! Grant him the ladder and the WASǏLAH in Paradise, and resurrect him in the Praised Position which will be envied by everyone from the first to the last. : O Allāh! You said, “And had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allāh and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allāh Oft-returning (to mercy), Most Merciful” (4:64). And I have come to Your Prophet, repenting and asking for forgiveness for my sins, and I have turned to You through Your Prophet, the Prophet of Mercy, Muḥammad (s.a.a.w.). O Muḥammad! I have turned to Allāh, Your Lord and mine, through you, so that He forgives my sins. Then Imam (a.s.) continued: If you have a request, face the Qiblah with your back toward the grave. Raise your hands and ask for your request. (If you do this) your request will more likely be granted In-Shā`allāh.