THE LAST LUMINARY [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

THE
LAST LUMINARY

THE
GOOD NEWS

THE
BIRTH

THE
MINOR

OCCULTATION

THE
MAJOR

OCCULTATION

THE
SHI'ITE DURING

THE IMAM'S OCCULTATION

NOTES

THE
SHI'ITES DURING THE IMAM'S OCCULTATION

So now, what is a duty
of a Shi'ite? What responsibilities does he have?

Truly, are we reckoned
among the real followers of His Eminence (Imam al-Mahdi -a.s.)?

If we study the lives
of the devout Shi'ites (followers) of the Holy Imams before the Twelfth Imam,
and consider their sacrifices without the slightest hesitation, we shall at
once awake from our neglectful slumber and realize our weakness and guilt.

Were not Salman al-Farisi,
Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, 'Ammar ibn Yasir and Malik al-Ashtar the followers of
the contemporary Imam 'Ali, Amir al-mu'minin (a.s.), and are we too the followers
of the Imam of our Age?

Was not Maytham at-Tammar,
who did not cease to praise 'All, the Lord of the faithful, a follower of His
Eminence 'All, and are we too, who are passing with the Imam of our Age through
a strange period, the followers of His Eminence ?

Were not the martyrs of
Karbala', who with love sacrificed themselves while defending the Imam of
their time, Husayn (a.s.), and were martyred, the followers of His Eminence. And are we too, who refuse to give
our wealth, lives and other means in the way of the Imam of our time, His
Eminence's followers?

Is a person like Hisham
ibn Hakam, who in his extraordinary and valuable debates crushed and defamed
the opponents of the Divine Leadership (Imamate) in such a way that
he was called the "assistant of the Imam" by Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.),
a Shi'ite? And are we too, who are sluggish in fulfilling our foremost duty
to recognize the Imam of our time, Shi'ites ?

From what we read of the
glad tidings in the Qur'an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet and the
infallible Imams, the Imam of the Age (Imam-e-Zaman) has special responsibilities
which other Imams did not have. Imam-e-Zaman will establish a Universal
Government. He will fill the earth with righteousness and justice. He will
exploit the earth's treasures and natural resources. He will improve and develop
the land, and in this way people's awareness and understanding will improve.
61

Therefore, do not the
followers of His Eminence have a very particular duty? Should not the Shi'ites
endeavor to obtain the competence and merit of being His Eminence's special
companions when he reappears by Divine Command ?

Therefore, let us see
what our duties are and how we should observe them. Undoubtedly, our first
duty is to become acquainted with him.

Recognizing Imam-e
Zaman is so important and essential that in the Holy Prophet's traditions
we read:

"He
who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age is like one who had died
during the jahiliyyah (the pagan era before the advent of
Islam). 62

To die during the jahiliyyah
means a death devoid of Islam and faith. And it is obvious that one who dies
without recognizing the Imam of his age is counted in the group of the faithless.

In another tradition,
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is quoted as having said on the same subject:

"One who dies without
having (accepted) the Imam, it is as if he died in the jahiliyyah, and
people are not exempted from recognizing their Imam." 63

Therefore, we must endeavor
to recognize His Eminence (Imam-e Zaman) for the sake of Islam and
our faith, and so that we may be reckoned among those who have gained salvation
and among the faithful.

Another duty of the Shi'ites
during the major occultation, which the Holy Imam have alluded to, is the
question of being ready for the Savior. Hence, the first step for salvation
is to recognize the Imam of the age; and the second step is to be prepared
for the establishment of just Government by His Eminence.

One who is waiting (muntazir)
and preparing himself for the appearance of the Imam must have the characters
and merits of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.), and should sacrifice
his life and wealth in his way. For this reason, Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) said:

"One
who waits for our commands is like a person who sacrifices his own blood in
the way of Allah." 64

Yes, he who is really
ready for the Imamul-'Asr (the Imam of the Period) becomes like a martyr
in the way of Allah.

In another tradition,
the same Imam told some of his followers about the person who is really waiting
for the Imam-e Zaman, saying:

"One
who dies while expecting the Government of al-Qa'im is like one who is in
the presence of al-Qa 'im (Imam al-Mahdi - a.s.)."

After a pause he added:

"But
he is like one who has been struck with a sword while accompanying him."

Then he insisted further
by adding:

"Nay,
by Allah! He is like one who has been martyred in the presence of the Messenger
of Allah." 65

Are we reckoned among
those who are expecting His Eminence? Are we at least waiting for the Divine
Promise of the Authority of Allah (Waliyyu'llah) in the same manner
as we wait for the return of our loved ones from a journey?

In another
tradition, Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) narrated the virtues of the companions of
Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) saying:

"If one takes pleasure
in being among the companions of al-Qa'im, then he must wait for him and must
act with good behavior and modestly. If he dies before the appearance of al-
Qa'im, then he will be rewarded like one who has followed him. Then act diligently,
and await, that this effort and awaiting will give you delight, 0' you who
have found salvation." 66

So, one who is awaiting
and has not ceased from good and worthy deeds should earnestly endeavor to
be in an excellent and worthy position in such a way that Allah may shower
His blessings on him.

So, we should pray to
Allah that He may include us among those who are waiting for the Imam of the
age, and that our acts and conduct may also symbolize the truth of our claim.
Firstly, we should acquaint ourselves with His Eminence, the Imam, and then
we should guide others, his opponents and enemies. We should gain the virtues
of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.), and should always be in the expectation
of his appearance. Henceforth, we will be able to sacrifice our worthless
souls and thus to make them worthy.

Shi'ites must have a devout
link with His Eminence during the occultation.

Their hearts and souls
should be filled with love and affection for him.

Their thoughts should
be devoted to his service and their desire should be to meet him.

Their prayers should be
to ask for the blessing of Allah to be showered on His Eminence, and their
supplication should be for salvation.

Their existence should
be one welded and fused unit, and their life should blaze with love for him.