E. Supplication before a Battle
516. Imām Sādiq (a.s.) – when the Commander of the Faithful set out for a battle, he would recite the following supplication: “O God! Verily, You showed one of Your paths, put Your satisfaction in it, called Your friends to it and made it the best of Your ways for reward, the noblest for returning [to You] and the most favorable to You as a conduct. Then [in this path], You purchased of the believers their persons and their wealth, that they would gain in return (the Garden) Paradise; they fight in His Cause, and slay and are slain; a true promise binding on You.
So, place me among those from whom You have bought his soul and he has fulfilled his covenant to You; one of those who did not break a pact, nor violate or alter it; rather, he made it (his sacrifice) in response to Your loving kindness and as a means of approximation to You.
So make it the seal of my affairs and ordain the end of my life in this way. Bestow upon me in it a martyrdom which brings me Your pleasure and removes my blunders. Place me among those who are living and provided for by the enemies and the rebels [through being martyred by them] under the banner of truth and guidance; moving ahead to assist them, not turning his back [on fighting], and nor creating doubts.
O God! I seek refuge in You from cowardice at the time of terror, from indolence at the time of the champions’
assault, and from the sins that would ruin my actions. I would thus be enfeebled out of doubt, or pass on without certitude, so my attempts would be futile and my actions unaccepted.”1
1.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۵, p. ۴۶, h. ۱, Tahdhib al-Ahkām, vol. ۳, p. ۸۱, h. ۲۳۷, Tafsir al-Najāshi, vol. ۲, p. ۱۱۳, h. ۱۴۳.