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And it is related concerning him in *al-Irshād*:
> “When al-Hajjāj was appointed, he sought out Kumayl ibn Ziyād, so Kumayl fled from him. Thereupon, al-Hajjāj deprived his people of their stipends. When Kumayl saw this, he said: ‘I am an old man, and my life has run its course. It is not right that my people should be deprived of their stipends because of me.’ So he came out and surrendered himself to al-Hajjāj.
>
> When al-Hajjāj saw him, he said: ‘I had long wished to find a way against you.’
>
> Kumayl replied: ‘Do not bare your fangs at me, nor bluster against me. By Allah, there remains of my life no more than the fading remnants of dust. So do whatever you are going to do, for the appointment is with Allah, and after killing comes the reckoning. The Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, informed me that you would be my killer.’
>
> Al-Hajjāj said to him: ‘Then that is proof against you.’
>
> Kumayl replied: ‘That would only be so if judgment rested with you.’
>
> He said: ‘Indeed! You were among those involved in the killing of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān! Strike off his neck!’ So his neck was struck.”
This report has also been narrated by transmitters among the Sunnis through their reliable authorities, and the Shiʿa have also shared in transmitting it.
I say: the exalted rank of Kumayl and his special closeness to the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, are among the obvious matters about which there is no doubt.¹⁰
This supplication possesses great merit and abundant effects, as attested by narrated reports and experience: among them are the answering of prayer, fulfillment of needs, increase in sustenance, safety from enemies, and the encompassing of forgiveness.
Al-Sayyid Ibn Ṭāwūs, may Allah sanctify his soul, mentioned in his book *Iqbāl al-Aʿmāl*:
> “Among the supplications for this night, the night of the middle of Shaʿbān, is what we have narrated through our chain of transmission to my grandfather Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭūsī (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: It has been narrated that Kumayl ibn Ziyād al-Nakhaʿī saw the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, supplicating with this prayer on the night of the middle of Shaʿbān.”
>
> I say: And I found in another narration the following wording:
>
> Kumayl ibn Ziyād said: I was sitting with my master, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, in the Mosque of Basra, together with a group of his companions. One of them asked:
>
> ‘What is the meaning of the saying of Allah, Mighty and Majestic:
> **“On that night every wise matter is made distinct”** [Qur’an 44:4]?’
>
> He, peace be upon him, said: ‘It is the night of the middle of Shaʿbān. By Him in whose hand is the soul of ʿAlī, there is no servant except that all that will occur to him—whether good or evil—is apportioned for him on the night of the middle of Shaʿbān until the end of the year, up to the coming of a night like this one. And there is no servant who keeps vigil on this night and supplicates with the supplication
**Translation:**
And in his book *al-Irshād*, it is narrated:
> “When al-Hajjāj was appointed as governor, he sought out Kumayl ibn Ziyād. Kumayl fled from him, so al-Hajjāj deprived his tribe of their stipends. When Kumayl saw this, he said: ‘I am an elderly man, and my life has nearly ended. It is not right that my people should be deprived of their stipends because of me.’ He then emerged and surrendered himself to al-Hajjāj.
>
> When al-Hajjāj saw him, he said: ‘I have long desired to find a way to deal with you.’
>
> Kumayl replied: ‘Do not bare your fangs at me, nor threaten me. By Allah, nothing remains of my life except the fleeting dust of old age. Do whatever you must do, for my appointment is with Allah, and after death comes judgment. The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) informed me that you would be my killer.’
>
> Al-Hajjāj said: ‘Then that is evidence against you.’
>
> Kumayl replied: ‘That would only be true if judgment rested with you.’
>
> Al-Hajjāj said: ‘Indeed, you were among those who killed ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān! Strike off his head!’ So his neck was struck.”
>
> This account is also reported by narrators of the Sunni community through their reliable sources, and the Shiʿa share in transmitting it as well.
I say: Kumayl’s elevated status and his special closeness to the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) are among the well-known facts beyond doubt.¹⁰
This supplication holds great merit and profound effects, testified by narrated reports and personal experience: responses to prayer, the fulfillment of needs, increased sustenance, safety from enemies, and encompassing forgiveness.
Al-Sayyid Ibn Ṭāwūs (may Allah sanctify his soul) mentioned in his book *Iqbāl al-Aʿmāl*:
> “Among the prayers for this night—the 15th of Shaʿbān—is what we narrated through our chain to my grandfather Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭūsī (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: It is reported that Kumayl ibn Ziyād al-Nakhaʿī saw the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) reciting this supplication on the night of the 15th of Shaʿbān.”
>
> I say: I found in another narration the following wording:
>
> Kumayl ibn Ziyād said: I was sitting with my master, the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), in the Mosque of Basra, along with a group of his companions. One of them asked:
>
> **”What is the meaning of Allah’s saying:**
> *‘In it is distinguished every decisive matter’* (Qur’an 44:4)?”
>
> He (peace be upon him) replied:
> **”It is the 15th night of Shaʿbān. By Him in whose hand is ʿAlī’s soul, there is no servant whose entire fate—good and evil—is not decreed for the coming year on this night. No servant who spends this night in vigilance and recites the supplication of al-Khaḍir (peace be upon him) will go unanswered.”**
>
> When I left, he called me back at night and said: “What brings you, Kumayl?”
>
> I said: “O Commander of the Faithful! The supplication of al-Khaḍir!”
>
> He said: “Sit down, Kumayl. If you memorize this supplication, recite it every Friday night, or once a month, or once a year, or even once in your life, and you will be protected, aided, and sustained with provision, and forgiveness will never be denied you. O Kumayl! Our generosity to you for your long companionship is to grant what you have asked.”¹¹
From this foundation, we have explained most sections of this noble supplication in a series of twelve lessons, each including:
– A passage from the supplication.
– Key concepts in the passage.
– Explanation of key terms (linguistic roots, references to Qur’anic verses and narrations).
– Interpretation of the passage’s meaning.
**Reflective Pause:**
This section explores Qur’anic verses and hadiths related to the themes of the passage, encouraging deep contemplation of their meanings and profound implications.
We present this humble work to the Master of the Age and Time (may Allah hasten his noble reappearance), hoping it may find favor in his esteemed sight.
**Nūn Center for Authorship and Translation**
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### Notes
¹⁰ See: Al-Khoei, Abu al-Qasim. *Muʿjam Rijāl al-Ḥadīth*, 5th ed., entry “Lām–Lān,” 1413 AH / 1992 CE, vol. 15, pp. 132–133.
¹¹ Ibn Ṭāwūs, *loc. cit.*, vol. 3, pp. 331–338.
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