Chapter on the Prayer of Needs

Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Duwail from Muqatil, who said: I said to Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “May I be your ransom, teach me a supplication for the fulfillment of needs.” Imam عليه السلام said: “When you have an important need from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, perform ghusl (ritual bathing), wear your cleanest clothes, and apply some perfume. Then go out under the open sky and pray two units (rak’ahs) of prayer. Begin the prayer by reciting the ‘Fatihat al-Kitab’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah al-Ikhlas) fifteen times. Then bow (for rukuh) and recite it fifteen times in the same manner as the prayer of al-Tasbih, except that the recitation is fifteen times. When you finish with salam, recite it again (Surah Ikhlas) fifteen times. Then go into prostration (sujud) and say in your prostration: ‘O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, every object of worship from beneath Your Throne to the depth of Your earth is false except You عز وجل, for indeed You عز وجل are Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the True, the Clear. Fulfill for me the need of such and such this very hour, this very hour!’ And be insistent in what you seek.”