Teaching through duas: Imam Sajjad (as) could not always teach openly, because the rulers were watching him. So he taught the people through his duas — his whispered prayers to Allah. These duas were collected into a book called the Sahifa Sajjadiya.
The Sahifa's 54 duas: The Sahifa has 54 duas. They are about every part of life: how to ask Allah for forgiveness, how to thank Him, how to behave with parents, children and neighbours, and how to live with a pure heart.
The Zabur of the family: Shia Muslims love this book. It is sometimes called the "Zabur of the Family of Muhammad", because like the Zabur of Prophet Dawud (as), it is full of beautiful prayer and praise of Allah.
Example
Words for your feelings: When you do not know what to say in dua, read one dua from the Sahifa Sajjadiya slowly. You will find words for feelings you could not express yourself.
Key Terms
- Sahifa Sajjadiya (صحیفہ سجادیہ) — the book of 54 duas of Imam Sajjad (as)
- Dua (دعا) — a prayer, a call to Allah
- Munajat (مناجات) — whispered, loving prayer
Quran or Hadith
Quran: "And your Lord says: Call upon Me, I will answer you." (Surah Ghafir 40:60) — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: A simple book-cover-style picture of the Sahifa Sajjadiya with "54 duas" marked on it.
- The Sahifa Sajjadiya is a collection of 54 duas of Imam Sajjad (as).
- He taught through prayer because open teaching was dangerous at that time.
- The duas cover forgiveness, thanks, family, neighbours and a pure heart.