Mafatih al-Jinan (Keys to Paradise)

Mafatih al-Jinan (Arabic: مفاتيح الجنان), meaning "Keys to Paradise," is the most widely used and most popular prayer book in Shia Islam. It was compiled by the prominent hadith scholar Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi (1877-1941) and contains a comprehensive collection of supplications (du'as), ziyarat (visitation prayers), and daily practices (a'mal) for the entire Islamic year.

The book is organized by topics and times: daily du'as and dhikr, prayers for the days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.), prayers for the Islamic months (Muharram, Safar, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, etc.), prayers for special occasions, and ziyarat to the Prophet, Imam Ali, Imam Husayn, and the other Imams. It includes, among others, Du'a Kumayl, Du'a Tawassul, Du'a Nudba, Ziyarat Ashura, and A'mal Umm Dawud.

Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi was extremely careful with the authenticity of the included prayers and only used narrations with reliable chains (isnad). He based his work on classical hadith collections such as Al-Kafi, Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Misbah al-Mutahajjid, and Iqbal al-A'mal. The book is therefore not merely a collection, but a scientifically curated work.

Mafatih al-Jinan is found in nearly every Shia Muslim home and mosque worldwide. It has been translated into numerous languages, including Persian, Urdu, English, and Turkish. In the digital age, it is also available as apps and on websites. For Shia Muslims, Mafatih al-Jinan is an indispensable daily companion in worship and spiritual practice.