Also read here: Seeking Protection from the Prophet (saww)

Hadith 1:

Quran Says, "Come to Prophet Muhammad (saww) for forgiveness for Sins"

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا

"We sent not a messenger, but to be obeyed, in  with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto You and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful." (Quran 4:64)

The above verse clearly shows that Allah (swt), expects the believers to come to the Prophet (saww) for asking for forgiveness for their sins. This verse clearly permits us to Ask for help from the Prophet (saww). 

And this is not limited to the life of the Prophet (saww). This verse is applicable even after the passing of Prophet Muhammad (saww) as proven from the following narration:

وروى السمعاني، عن أمير المؤمنين على بن أبى طالب عليه السلام أن أعرابيا جاء بعد ثلاثة أيام من دفن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله فرمى بنفسه على القبر الشريف، وحثا من ترابه على رأسه وقال: يا رسول الله قلت فسمعنا قولك، ووعيت عن الله فوعينا عنك، وكان فيما أنزله عليك (ولو أنهم إذ ظلموا أنفسهم جاءوك..) وقد ظلمت نفسي وجئتك تستغفر لي إلى ربي. فنودي من القبر أنه قد غفر لك

And Narrated Al-Sam'aani from Amir Al-Momineen Ali bin Abi Talib (as):

"That a Bedouin came three days after the burial of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and his family) and threw himself on the Holy grave and put the soil on his head and said, "O Messenger of Allah (saww), You said and we heard what you said. And you made us aware about Allah and We became aware about You. And it was revealed on you "If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto You...". I have wronged myself and have come to You, so pray for forgiveness for me to my Lord." Then came a call from the grave, verily He has forgiven you."

[Source: Al-Mazar - Shahid Al-Awwal, Pg. 4]

Hadith 2: 

Ziyarat-e-Jamiyah al-Kabeera

Ziyarat-e-Jamiyah is an authentic Ziyarat trusted and relied up by scholars from the past and present. This Ziyarat is also considered authentic by Sheikh Sadooq.

This Ziyarah can be recited for all the Imams (as) and hence it's called 'Jamiyah'.

مُسْتَجِيرٌ بِكُمْ ‏زَائِرٌ لَكُمْ لاَئِذٌ عَائِذٌ بِقُبُورِكُمْ مُسْتَشْفِعٌ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِكُمْ وَمُتَقَرِّبٌ بِكُمْ إِلَيْهِ ‏وَمُقَدِّمُكُمْ أَمَامَ طَلِبَتِي وَحَوَائِجِي وَإِرَادَتِي

"I take shelter in your neighborhood. I make a visit to do homage and praise you. For me your resting abodes are sanctuaries. In the court of the Almighty, you are my advocates. I seek His nearness through you. And submit to you(keep before you) the fulfillment of my wants and desire."

يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ إِنَّ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ذُنُوباً لاَ يَأْتِي عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ رِضَاكُمْ ‏فَبِحَقِّ مَنِ ائْتَمَنَكُمْ عَلَى سِرِّهِ وَاسْتَرْعَاكُمْ أَمْرَ خَلْقِهِ وَقَرَنَ طَاعَتَكُمْ بِطَاعَتِهِ ‏لَمَّا اسْتَوْهَبْتُمْ ذُنُوبِي وَكُنْتُمْ شُفَعَائِي

"Ya Wali Allah! Indeed there are sins between God - the mighty and tremendous - and me, that cannot be removed except by your pleasure; so by the one who has trusted you with His secret, and has made you shepherds in the affairs of His creation; and has conformed obeying you with obeying Him; seek the pardon of my sins; and you are my interceders." 

For the Imam's (as) that have passed away, we have the following words in the Ziyarat which prove that the status/position/authority/Wilayat of the Imam's (as) remains the same even after their death.

أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ هَذَا سَابِقٌ لَكُمْ فِيمَا مَضَى وَجَارٍ لَكُمْ فِيمَا بَقِيَ

"I testify that was was said earlier is for you in the past and will continue to be for you in the future."

[Source: Ziyarat-e-Jamiya, Uyoon Al-Akbar Al-Reza - Sheikh Sadooq]

Hadith 3:

Prophet Muhammad (saww) says "O'Ali (as) Reach me"

كتاب درر المطالب  : قال : خرج رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وآله - إلى غزاة تبوك وخلف علي بن أبي طالب - عليه السلام - على أهله ، وأمره بالاقامة فيهم ،فأرجف المنافقون وقالوا : ما خلفه إلا استقلالا به ، فلما سمع ذلك أخذ سلاحه وخرج إلى النبي - صلى الله عليه وآله - وهو نازل بالحرق ، فقال : يا رسول الله زعمالمنافقون انك إنما خلفتني استقلالا بي . فقال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وآله - : كذبوا ، ولكني خلفتك لما تركت ورائي ، فارجع فاخلفني في أهلي وأهلك ، ألا ترضى أن تكون مني بمنزلة هارون من موسى إلا انه لا نبي بعدى ، فرجع إلى المدينة ، ومضى رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وآله - لسفره . قال : وكان من أمر الجيش انه انكسر وانهزم الناس عن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وآله - ، فنزل جبرائيل ، وقال : يا نبي الله إن الله يقرئك السلام ، ويبشرك النصرة ، ويخبرك إن شئت أنزلت الملائكة يقاتلون ، وإن شئت عليا فادعه يأتيك ، فاختار النبي - صلى الله عليه وآله - عليا ، فقال جبرائيل : در وجهك نحو المدينة وناد : يا أبا الغيث ادركني ، يا علي أدركني ، ادركني يا علي

"When Prophet Muhammad (saww) left for the battle of Tabuq and left behind Ali bin Abi Talib (as) with his family, and ordered him to stay with them. Then the hypocrites said, "Prophet Muhammad (saww) did not leave him behind but to be independent of him.

When Imam Ali (as) heard this, he took his weapon and left towards the Prophet (saww) and said, "O Messenger of Allah (saww), the hypocrites claim that you left me behind to be independent of me.

Then the Messenger of Allah (saww) said, "They have lied, but I left You behind, so that You are left after Me. Go back and leave to my family and your family. Are You not satisfied that You have to Me the position/station that Haroon had with Moosa except that there is no Messenger after me."

Then He went back towards Medina and the Messenger of Allah (saww) carried on with his travel.

Then when He ordered the army, the army broke apart and defeated the men from the Messenger of Allah (swt)

Then Jibraeel descended and said, "O Messenger of Allah (saww), Allah (swt) sends blessings upon you and gives you tidings of support. And tells you that if you wish the angels will descend killing, and if You wish for Ali (as) , call Him, He will come to You. The Messenger of Allah (swt) chose Ali (as) .

Then Jibraeel said, "Turn Your face towards Madina and call, "O' Abal-Gais Reach me", "O'Ali Reach me", "Reach me O'Ali".

[Source: Madinat Al-Ma'ajiz, Vol. 2, Pg. 9-10]

Hadith 4:

روى المفضل بن عمر عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إذا كانت لك حاجة إلى الله وصقت بها ذرعا، فصل ركعتين فإذا سلمت كبر الله ثلاثا، وسبح تسبيح فاطمة عليها السلام، ثم اسجد وقل مائة مرة: يا  مولاتیفاطمة أغيثيني، ثم ضع خدك الايمن على الارض، وقل مثل ذلك، ثم عد إلى السجود وقل ذلك مائة مرة وعشر مرات واذكر حاجتك فإن الله يقضيها

Narrated that Aby Abd-Allah Imam Sadiq (as) said:

"If you have a need from Allah (swt) and cannot reach it, then pray 2 Rakat (units). Then after Salaam, say "Allah is Great" 3 times, then recite the Tasbeeh of Fatema (sa), then go to Sajdah (Prostration) and say 100 times 'O My Master Fatema (sa), help me'. Then place your right cheek on the ground and say the same again. Then return to Sujood (Prostration) and say the same 110 times and then mention your need, verily Allah (swt) will fulfill it."

[Source: Bihar Al-Anwar Vol. 99, Pg. 254, Al-Balad al-Ameen Pg.159 - Actual source of this is the book 'Qabs Al-Misbah - Sheikh Al-Shehrasti]

Hadith 5:

The following words are part of a Ziyarah of Imam Ali (as) to be recited on 27th of Rajab:

 أنت مننت علي بزيارة مولاي أمير المؤمنين و ولايته و معرفته فاجعلني ممن ينصره و ينتصر به

"O Allah, surely You have bestowed favors upon me by giving me the opportunity of visiting my master Amir al-Momineen (as) and by his Wilayah and by his Ma'arifah (knowing Him). Then include me from those who help him and are helped by Him."

[Source: Misbah al-Mutahajjid - Shaikh Toosi, Pg. 744]

Hadith 6:

حَمْدَوَيْهِ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ، قَالا حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَسْبَاطٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ رُمَّانَةَ، قَالَ: أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (ع) فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ الدَّيْنَ وَ خِفَّةَ الْمَالِ، قَالَ، فَقَالَ ايتِ قَبْرَ النَّبِيِّ (ص) فَاشْكُ‌ إِلَيْهِ وَ عُدْ إِلَيَّ! قَالَ، فَذَهَبْتُ فَفَعَلْتُ الَّذِي أَمَرَنِي ثُمَّ رَجَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ لِي ارْفَعِ الْمُصَلَّى وَ خُذِ الَّذِي تَحْتَهُ! قَالَ فَرَفَعْتُهُ فَإِذَا تَحْتَهُ دَنَانِيرُ، فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا شَكَوْتُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُعْطِيَنِي شَيْئاً، قَالَ، فَقَالَ لِي: خُذْهَا وَ لَا تُخْبِرْ أَحَداً بِحَاجَتِكَ فَيَسْتَخِفَّ بِكَ، فَأَخَذْتُهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ

Narrated that Qays ibn Rummanah, said:

"I went to Abu Jafar Imam Baqir (عليه السلام) and complained to Him about debt and financial difficulty."

The Imam (عليه السلام) said to me, "Go to the grave of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله), complain to Him, and then come back to Me."

So I went and did as he instructed, then I returned to him.

The Imam (عليه السلام) said to me, "Lift the prayer mat and take what is under it."

I lifted it and found dinars underneath. I said, "No, by Allah! May I be sacrificed for You; I did not complain to You so that you would give me something."

The Imam (عليه السلام) said to me, "Take it and do not inform anyone about your need, lest they look down upon you."

So, I took it, and it was three hundred dinars."

[Source: Rijal al-Kashshi, Vol. 1, Pg. 183] 

Hadith 7:

 حدثني أبي وأخي وعلي بن الحسين وغيرهم رحمهم الله، عن سعد بن عبد الله بن أبي خلف، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى الأشعري، عن علي بن الحكم، عن بعض أصحابنا، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام)، قال: إذا أردت زيارة الحسين (عليه السلام) فزره وأنت كئيب حزين مكروب، شعث مغبر، جائع عطشان، فان الحسين قتل حزينا مكروبا شعثا مغبرا جائعا عطشانا، وسله الحوائج، وانصرف عنه ولا تتخذه وطنا

Narrated that Abu Abd-Allah Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) said:

“When you want to go to the Ziyarah of Husain (عليه السلام), go to his Ziyarah while you are saddened, anguished, grief-stricken, disheveled, covered with dust, hungry and thirsty because Husain (عليه السلام) was killed while he was saddened, anguished, disheveled, covered with dust, hungry and thirsty.

(After you perform your Ziyarah), And ask him for your needs and then leave. Do not settle in Karbala.

[Source: Kamil al-Ziyarat, Pg. 252]

Similar hadith found in al-Kafi Vol.4, Pg.587

Hadith 8:

The following are the words from a Ziyarah of Imam Az-Zaman (atfs):

أسألك يا مولاي أن تسأل الله تبارك وتعالى في صلاح شأني ، وقضاء حوائجي ، وغفران ذنوبي ، والأخذ بيدي في ديني ودنياي وآخرتي لي ولاخواني وأخواتي المؤمنين والمؤمنات كافة ، إنه غفور رحيم

"I ask You, O My Master to ask the Almighty God for guidance in my matters, and fulfillment of my needs, and the forgiveness of my sins, and taking my hand in my religion and worldly affairs, and hereafter to me and my brothers and sisters all believing men and women, verily He (Allah)is Forgiving, Merciful."

[Source: Al Balad Al Ameen Pg. 286, Misbah Kafa'ami Pg. 497]

Hadith 9:

From a Ziyarat to be recited in the month of Rajab. Its known as "Ziyarat e Rajabia". This has come from Imam Mahdi (ع) through His safeer Abul Qasim Al-Husain bin Rooh (ra): 

اِنِّي [قَدْ] قَصَدْتُكُمْ وَ اعْتَمَدْتُكُمْ بِمَسْاَلَتِيْ وَ حَاجَتِيْ وَ هِيَ فَكَاكُ رَقَبَتِي مِنَ النَّارِ وَ الْمَقَرُّ مَعَكُمْ فِي دَارِ الْقَرَارِ مَعَ شِيْعَتِكُمُ الْاَبْرَارِ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ اَنَا سَاۤئِلُكُمْ وَ آمِلُكُمْ فِيْمَا اِلَيْكُمُ التَّفْوِيْضُ وَ عَلَيْكُمُ التَّعْوِيْضُ فَبِكُمْ يُجْبَرُ الْمَهِيْضُ وَ يُشْفَى الْمَرِيْضُ، وَمَا تَزْدَادُ الْاَرْحَامُ وَ مَا تَغِيْضُ

"Indeed I have directed towards You, and I have depended upon You for my questions/issues and my needs and it is to safe my neck from the fire and make me stay with you in the hereafter with your righteous Shias. And Salutations be upon You for Your patience, so how excellent is the final abode"

"I ask You and hope upon you in that what has been authorized to you and upon You is the compensationm as through You the helpless are comforted and through You those ill are cured and through You is what the womb increases and what diminishes."

[Source: Misbah Al-Mutahajjid, Sheikh Toosi, Pg. 822]

Hadith 10:

Prayer for the fulfillment of needs near the head of Imam Husain (as)

ما روي عن الصادق ع من كان له حاجة إلى الله عز و جل فليقف عند رأس الحسين ع و ليقل يا أبا عبد الله أشهد أنك تشهد مقامي و تسمع كلامي و إنك حي عند ربك ترزق فاسأل ربك و ربي في قضاء حوائجي 

Narrated from Imam Sadiq (as), "One who has a need from Allah (swt), then he is to stand near the head of Imam Husain (as) and say, "O Aba Abdillah (as), I testify that you are witnessing my position and hearing my words. Verily you are alive near your Lord receiving sustenance. Therefore ask Your Lord and my Lord for the fulfillment of my needs." 

[Source: Uddat Al-Daaee, Pg. 65]

Hadith 11:

Prophet Muhammad (saww) gives blessings even after death

كنز الفوائد للكراجكي : ذكر أن أبا حنيفة أكل طعاما الامام الصادق جعفر بن محمد عليهما السلام فلما رفع عليه السلام يده من أكله قال : الحمدلله رب العالمين اللهم إن هذا منك ومن رسولك. فقال أبوحنيفة : يا أبا عبدالله أجعلت مع الله شريكا ؟ فقال له : ويلك إن الله تعالى يقول في كتابه : ( وما نقموا إلا أن أغناهم الله ورسوله من فضله ) ويقول في موضع آخر : ( ولو أنهم رضواما آتيهم الله ورسوله وقالوا : حسبنا الله سيؤتينا الله من فضله ورسوله ) فقال أبوحنيفة : والله لكأني ما قرأتهما قط من كتاب الله ولا سمعتهما إلا في هذا الوقت ، فقال أبوعبدالله عليه السلام : بلى قد قرأتهما وسمعتهما ، ولكن الله تعالى أنزل فيك وفي أشباهك ( أم على قلوب أقفالها ) وقال ( كلابل ران على قلوبهم ما كانوا يكسبون

It is written in Kanzul Fawaid by Karajaki that once Imam Sadiq Jafar bin Muhammd (عليهما السلام) was eating food with Abu Hanifa and after finisning, Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) said,

"All Praise/thanks is for Allah (عز وجل) the lord of the worlds, O Allah this was a blessing from You as well as from Your Prophet."

Upon hearing this Abu Hanifa said, "O Abu AbdAllah (عليه السلام)! Have you included someone else as Allahs partner (Shareeq)."

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) replied, "Woe to you. Indeed Allah (تعالى) says in His book, "……And they only stayed in opposition because Allah and His Messenger enriched them out of His grace….." (9:74)

And at another place Allah (تعالى) says, "If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger had gave them, and had said, "Sufficient unto us is Allah! Allah and His Messenger will soon give us out of their Kindness" (9:59)

Abu Hanifa then said, "By Allah! It seems I have never read these two verses from the book of Allah or heard someone reciting these verses before today."

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) said, "No, But you have read and even heard these Verses before, However, Allah (تعالى) says for you and people like you, "..Or are there locks on the hearts?" (47:24) and Says, "Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts." (83:14)

[Source: Bihar Al Anwar Vol. 47 Pg. 240]

Hadith 12:

Imam Al-Asr (atfs) in His (atfs) Tawqee (letter) while teaching us the Ziyarat of Aale Yaseen:

وعن محمد بن عبدالله بن جعفر الحميري أنه قال : خرج توقيع من الناحية المقدسة حرسها الله تعالى ، بعد المسائل : بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ، لا لامر الله تعقلون ، ولا من أوليائه تقبلون " حكمة بالغة ، فما تغني النذر عن قوم لا يؤمنون " السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين إذا أردتم التوجه بنا إلى الله تعالى وإلينا ، فقولوا كما قال الله تعالى " سلام على آل يس

Translating the part in red: "If you want to direct your attention through US (as) to Allah (swt) and to US (as).

[Source: Bihar Al-Anwar Vol. 53 Pg. 171]

Hadith 13:

Ziyarat of Imam Husain (as) to be recited on the night of Eid-al-Fitr

يا مولاي أتيتك خائفا فآمنى ، وأتيتك مستجيرا فأجرنى وأتيتك فقيرا فأغنني

"O my Master, I have come to You in fear so safeguard me. And I have come to You seeking refuge so protect me. And I have come to You as a poor/needy man so make me rich (free from any want)."

[Source: Bihar Al-Anwar Vol.101 Pg. 353]

Hadith 14:

Part of long narration from Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) teaching a Ziyarah of Imam Husain (عليه السلام):

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يا وَليَّ اللهِ ، السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يا أبا عَبْدِاللهِ ، أنْتَ لي جُنَّةٌ مِنَ الْعَذابِ ، وَهذا أوانُ أنْصِرافي عَنْكَ ؛ غَيرَ راغِبٍ عَنْكَ ، وَلا مُسْتَبْدِلٍ بِكَ سِواكَ ، وَلا مؤثِرٍ عَلَيْكَ غَيرَكَ ، وَلا زاهِدٍ في قُرْبِكَ ، جُدْتُ بِنَفْسي لِلْحَدَثانِ ، وَتَرَكْتُ الاُهْلَ وَالأوطانَ ، فَكُنْ لي يَومَ حاجَتي وَفَقْرِي ، وَفاقَتي ، يَومَ لا يُغْني عَنّي والِدي وَلا وَلَدي ، وَلا حَميمِي ولا قَرِيبي

"Salam upon You, O'Wali of Allah. Salam upon You, O' Aba Abdillah (عليه السلام). You are my protection from the chastisement. This is the time for me to leave You although I am not abandoning you, And I am not replacing You with anyone other than You. And I am not giving preference to someone else over you. And have not lost the desire to be near you."

"I took pains upon (sacrifised) myself in calamities/misfortunes (in going for ziyarat) and left my family and homeland. Therefore be there for me on the day of my need, poverty, and neediness, the day when my parents, my children, my intimate friends, my companions, and my relatives will not help me."

[Source: Kamil Al-Ziyarat, Chapter. 84, Hadees. 2]

Hadith 15:

From the supplication narrated to have been taught by Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام):

يَا مُحَمَّدُ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا مُحَمَّدُ انْصُرَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا نَاصِرَايَ وَ اكْفِيَانِي فَإِنَّكُمَا كَافِيَايَ يَا مَوْلَايَ يَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ الْغَوْثَ الْغَوْثَ (الْغَوْثَ) أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي أَدْرِكْنِي

"O Muhammad (ص), O Ali (ع), O Muhammad (ص), O Ali (ع) – Help me, for you two are my helpers, Suffice me both of you, as both of you are sufficient for me, O my Master, O Master of the time, Help Help, Help, reach me, reach me, reach me."

[Source: al-Mazar al-Kabeer by al-Mashhadi, Pg. 591]

This dua is also quoted in the following books:

• Kunooz al-Najah by Shaikh Ali bin Hasan Tabrisi, 112-113

• al-Mazar by Shaheed al-Awwal, Pg. 210,

• Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 53, Pg. 275,

• Mafatih al-Jinan by Shaikh Abbas Qummi

Hadith 16:

Part of a long hadith as narrated from Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله):

وأما الحسين فإنه مني، وهو ابني وولدي، وخير الخلق بعد أخيه، وهو إمام المسلمين، ومولى المؤمنين، وخليفة رب العالمين، وغياث المستغيثين، وكهف المستجيرين، وحجة الله على خلقه أجمعين، وهو سيد شباب أهل الجنة، وباب نجاة الامة، أمره أمري، وطاعته طاعتي، من تبعه فإنه مني، ومن عصاه فليس مني

“As for al-Husayn (عليه السلام), He is from Me, He is My son and My child.

He is the best of the creation after His brother.

He is the leader (Imam) of the Muslims,

The Master (Maula) of the believers,

The vicegerent (Khalifa) of the Lord of the Worlds,

The helper of those who seek help,

The cave for those who seek refuge,

The Proof (Hujjah) of Allah upon His whole creation,

The Master of the Youth of Paradise,

And the Gate of Salvation for the community (Ummah).

His order is My order, His obedience is My obedience. Whomever follows Him is of Me, and whomever disobeys Him is not of Me.”

[Source: al-Amali by Shaikh Sadooq, Assembly 24, Hadith 2]