In a lengthy tradition, Ibn Qulawayh quotes that Muhammad Ibn Abdillah Ibn Ja’far al-Himyari narrated from his father from Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Saalim from Muhammad Ibn Khaalid from Abdullah Ibn Hammaad al-Basri from Abdullah Ibn Abd al-Rahmaan al-Asamm from Safwaan al-Jammaal who narrates that he asked Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.),
“After a person returns from the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.), how soon should he perform it again? And how often should one go to his Ziyaarat? And what is the longest time one is allowed to stay from his Ziyaarat?”
Imam (a.s.) replied, “Those who live near should go once a month. But those who live far should perform it at least once every three years. If three years pass and they don’t perform his Ziyaarat, they have disowned Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.a.) and have cut-off relations with him, except those who have a valid excuse. If the visitor of Imam Husain (a.s.) knew how happy he made Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.a), Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), Fatima (s.a.), the Imams (a.s.) and the martyrs among our family and how they pray for him and the rewards prepared for him in this life and hereafter, he would have wished that his house was near the grave of Imam Husain (a.s.) as long as he lived. Indeed, when the visitor of Imam Husain (a.s.) dismounts, his feet do not fall on anything except that it prays for him. And when the sun shines on him, it burns up his sins just like fire burns wood. The sun will not allow any of his sins to remain. Thus, he will return without any sins while his rank has been elevated for him to a level, which cannot be achieved even by those who are smeared with their own blood in the way of Allah. Then an angel will be appointed for him who will replace him in performing Imam Husain’s (a.s.) Ziyaarat and who will seek forgiveness for him until he returns or until three years pass or until he dies.”
[Kaamil al-Zziyaaraat, chapter 98, pp. 297-298, H. 17]
O fortunate visitors of the Chief of Martyrs (a.s.)! Be proud of your destiny and never be negligent of the importance of this Ziyaarat. On one hand, is a martyr in the way of Allah, and on the other is a sinful visitor of Imam Husain (a.s.). Even then, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) mentions that the position of a visitor is superior. Hence, it shouldn’t be the case that we forsake this Ziyaarat without a valid reason.
We beseech Allah to inculcate the importance of the Ziyaarat of Imam Husain (a.s.) in the heart of every Shia, grant all of us the means to perform Ziyaarat and bestow us with the opportunity to visit the Chief of Martyrs (a.s.), this year and every year so that it could be a cause of happiness for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the Ahlul Bait (a.s.), especially the Imam of our time, His Eminence Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and also a cause of good fortune for us in this world and the hereafter. Aameen, O Lord of the worlds!