34) Imam Sajjad's Supplication when Afflicted

1- O God, to Thee belongs praise for Thy covering over after Thy knowledge and Thy pardon after Thy awareness! Each of us has committed faults, but Thou hast not made him notorious, done indecencies, but Thou hast not disgraced him, and covered over evil deeds, but Thou hast not pointed to him.

2- How many are Thy prohibited acts which we have performed, Thy commandments of which Thou hast told us which we have transgressed, the evil deeds which we have earned, the offenses which we have committed! Thou seest them to the exclusion of all observers; Thou hast the power to make them public above all the powerful! By giving us safety Thou hast veiled their eyes and stoppled their ears.

How many are Thy prohibited acts which we have performed, Thy commandments of which Thou hast told us which we have transgressed, the evil deeds which we have earned, the offenses which we have committed! Thou seest them to the exclusion of all observers; Thou hast the power to make them public above all the powerful! By giving us safety Thou hast veiled their eyes and stoppled their ears.

3- So make the shameful things Thou hast covered over and the inward reality Thou hast concealed our admonisher, a restrainer upon bad character traits and committing offenses, and a striving toward the repentance that erases [sins] and the praiseworthy path!

4- Bring the time of striving near and visit us not with heedlessness of Thee! Surely we are Thy beseechers, the repenters of sins.

So make the shameful things Thou hast covered over and the inward reality Thou hast concealed our admonisher, a restrainer upon bad character traits and committing offenses, and a striving toward the repentance that erases [sins] and the praiseworthy path!

5- And bless Thy chosen, O God, from Thy creation, Muhammad and his descendants, the friends selected from among Thy creatures, the pure, and make us listeners to them and obeyers, as Thou hast commanded!1

1. Allusion to 4:59: O you who have faith, obey God, and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you!