Al-Kāfi 6, narration 32

Translation

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Sayyariy from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Najran from Sulayman ibn Ja‘far from a Shaykh from al-Madinah from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once I wanted to visit Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik but permission for a meeting was delayed and I felt worried.’ He ‘Abd al-Malik had a guard who was wealthy but had no children. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), asked him, ‘If you can arrange a meeting with Hisham I will teach you a prayer and you will have a child.’ The guard agreed and arranged a meeting between him (the Imam) and Hisham who complied with all that he (the Imam) asked. When the meeting was over the guard said, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, the prayer that you had mentioned.’ He (the Imam) said, ’Everyday in the morning and evening, say seventy times, Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects).’ Then say, I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord and return to Him in repentance’ ten times then Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) nine times and finish the tenth with, I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord and return to Him in repentance.’ Then say the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; He is forgiving. He sends you abundant rain from the sky. He helps you by means of your wealth and sons. He makes for you gardens and canals.’ (71:12) The guard followed the instruction and he was granted a great many children. He thereafter kept good relations with abu Ja’far (a.s.). Sulayman has said, ‘I also said those prayers and I had married the daughter of my uncle but there was a delay in the birth of a son for me from her. I taught her also the prayer; then a son was born to me and the woman believed that whenever she wanted she could become pregnant after saying the prayer. I taught to more than one person of banu Hashim who did not have children: then many children were born to them. All praise belongs to Allah.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.