During the reign of Mutawakkil, Imam Ali al-Naqi (peace be upon him) was afflicted with a severe illness for some time. The Imam considered the visit to the noble shrine of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) as the means for his recovery. Therefore, he instructed some of his companions to hire a group or an individual from his wealth to go to Karbala, stand by the shrine of Imam Hussein, and engage in prayers, supplications, and ask for healing.
After consulting among themselves, the companions came to the presence of the Imam and said: “O son of the Messenger of God! Your presence is more virtuous than Karbala, because you are the Imam of your time, the living proof of God, and the best of God’s creatures on Earth. Your prayers are certainly accepted. How could our prayer, made for you in Karbala, have an effect?”
Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) calmly replied: “There are places that God loves to be worshiped in. Although the position and greatness of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) was greater than the Kaaba and the Black Stone, he still performed Tawaf around the Kaaba and the Black Stone. There are places where God accepts the prayers of anyone who prays or visits there, and their supplications are answered. The sacred precinct of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) is one such place.”
Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) is the beloved of God. To establish the religion of God, he sacrificed his life and, with utmost sincerity, offered his children, family, and companions as a sacrifice to his Beloved. He endured numerous hardships for this cause. For this reason, in the sight of God, he holds a special closeness and status [1].
Source: From the book “The Family of Purity,” authored by “Sayyid Taqi Vardi.”
Footnote:
[1] Hayat al-Imam Ali al-Hadi (peace be upon him), page 256.