The Minimum Number of Times One Should Go to the Ziyārah of Ĥusain عليه السلام and the Longest Time Allowed to Delay the Ziyārah for the Wealthy and Poor

11. My father narrated to me from ‘Abdillāh ibn Ja’far Al-Ḥimyari, through his Isnād from ‘Ali ibn Maymūn Al-Sā`igh, who said: Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq عليه السلام) said to me, “O ‘Ali! I have heard that some of our Shia allow one or two years to pass without going to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain عليه السلام!” I replied, “May I sacrifice myself for you! I know many people who are like this.” Imam عليه السلام said, “I swear to Allāh that they have turned their backs to their own fortune, they have declined Allāh’s rewards, and they have distanced themselves from nearness to Muḥammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.” I asked, “May I sacrifice myself for you! How often should one go to his Ziyārah?” Imam عليه السلام replied, “O ‘Ali! If you can go to his Ziyārah once every month, do so.” I said, “I cannot do that because I am a manual labourer; people’s affairs are pending in my hands and I cannot be absent from my work for even one day.” Imam عليه السلام replied: You are excused, as are other manual labourers. I was referring to people other than manual labourers, people who have the possibility of going (to the Ziyārah) every week. Such people will have no excuse in front of Allāh and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم on the Day of Judgment (if they do not go to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain عليه السلام). I asked, “Is it permissible for them to send someone on their behalf?” Imam عليه السلام replied: Yes. However, it is better for them and they will have a greater reward with their Lord if they go themselves, for He will see them sleepless at night and tired during the day (traveling to Ḥusain عليه السلام). Allāh will look at them with a glance which will inevitably cause them to dwell with Muḥammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and his family عليه السلام in the greatest places of Firdaws. Therefore, compete with one another in going (to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain عليه السلام) and be among those who adhere to it.