Question:My son is 15 months old, and his problem is that he only eats chocolate. I have tried using medications, but he refuses to eat anything else. I kindly ask you to suggest a surah, verse, or supplication for him.

Answer:In the name of Allah, vow something within your means to ʿAbdullah al-Radheeʿ (the infant martyr of Karbala), and likewise to al-Muhsin, the miscarried grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), according to your financial capacity. Once your need is fulfilled, spend the vowed amount on a needy Shia orphan. If you cannot find one, send it to us so we may serve the believing orphans. Also, recite 100 verses from the Qur’an daily—from any part of it—and after finishing the recitation, say: "O Allah, I ask You by Your Greatest, Most Exalted, Most Glorious, Most Honorable Name—O Allah" (repeat this seven times), then send blessings upon the Prophet and his family, and make your supplication and request from Allah. Your need will be granted, Allah willing. Allah is the Granter of success.

Question:Some of the respected brothers (may Allah protect them) recite Du‘a Kumayl, Du‘a al-Nudbah, Ziyarat ‘Ashura, and other supplications and devotional texts. However, during the recitation, they sometimes alter certain words such as changing singular forms to plural or they insert one supplication into another, or they interject poetry or lines of lamentation for the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) in the middle of the supplication or visitation. What is the ruling of the sacred law on this?

Answer:In the name of Allah, changing the format of the supplication from singular to plural is an alteration of the original text and is not permissible. If there are others listening to the supplication and participating with the reciter, then the reciter should read slowly and calmly so that the listeners can follow. Alternatively, the reciter may intend the supplication for himself and on behalf of others—meaning he is reciting it primarily for himself and secondarily on behalf of others. But in all cases, altering the original text must be avoided. As for inserting lamentations or poetry about the tragedies of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) within the supplication, this fragments the supplication and disrupts its continuity and unity. The supplication should be preserved in its sequential and unified form. Separating its parts undermines its coherence. If the reciter seeks to evoke emotion in the hearts, then it is better for him to recite poetry about the tragedies before beginning the supplication. Allah is the Guide.

Question:During supplication before or after prayer, is it necessary to raise our hands while reciting the du‘a? Does the supplication begin when we raise our hands or when we start reciting it?

Answer:In the name of Allah, raising the hands during prayer is recommended only during qunoot. As for supplication outside of prayer, it is valid both with or without raising the hands—though raising them is better. Allah knows best.

Question:My husband is deceased and I am alone with four children. I ask you to pray for my daughter's marriage?

Answer:In the name of Allah, she will be included in the prayers of His Eminence the Marja' (may Allah prolong his life). Those seeking marriage should frequently recite verse 29 of Surah Fatir and make a vow (Nazr) to the martyrs aborted Muhsin and infant Abdullah according to their financial ability. Once the vow is fulfilled, it should be spent on the orphans of the poor Shia of Ahlulbait (PBUT). Allah grants success and He is the Guide.

Question:How can I use the turbah for healing from illness? Can I eat it?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is mentioned in the narrations of Ahlulbait (PBUT) that the soil from the grave of Imam Hussain (PBUH), taken with the supplication found in prayer books like Mafatih al-Jinan, grants healing by the will of Allah. It should not exceed the size of a small chickpea. Allah knows best.

Question:Can one be assured that the supplications and visitations mentioned in these books are issued by the infallible Imams (PBUT), given that there is no chain of narration in these books that assures their issuance by the infallibles (PBUT)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be informed, my son, that the practice of the Imami jurists has settled on accepting the narrations that convey supplications and general etiquettes if they are found in a source considered reliable by the Imamis. Allah is the guide.

Question:Is it permissible to worship Allah using the contents of prayer books such as Mafatih al-Jinan, Misbah al-Kaf'ami, Misbah al-Mutahajjid by Sheikh al-Tusi, Iqbal al-A'mal by Sayyid Ibn Tawus, and the Encyclopedia of Supplications by Isfahani, and similar prayer and visitation books?

Answer:In the name of Allah, these are reputable books authored by our pious scholars, and believers should benefit from them. Allah is the All Guide.

Question:Is there a supplication for resolving problems attributed to the Ahlulbait (AS) and the story of Abdullah al-Hattab?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if someone wishes to benefit from this supplication, they should recite it with the intention of supplication only, as it is difficult to establish its chain of narrations and attribute it to an infallible (PBUH). Allah is the Guide, and He is the All-Knowing.

Question:Regarding the prayers and acts mentioned in prayer books such as "Mafatih al-Jinan," "Miftah al-Falah," "Misbah al-Mutahajjid," "Misbah al-Kaf'ami," and others, is it permissible to perform those acts with the intention of seeking the desired outcome?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible with the intention of seeking absolute hope and closeness to Allah. Allah knows best.

Question:Does the soul return to the deceased when they experience pleasure or suffering in the grave?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be informed, my son, that when the soul departs from the physical body, Allah places it in the barzakh body which is similar to the physical body in shape and form, but with a significant difference in reality. The accountability in the grave is based on that barzakh body, and on the Day of Judgment, the soul will be returned to the physical body. Allah knows best.