BENEFITS FROM AN
OCCULT IMAM

Whenever the
discussion of occultation crops up, queries of various kinds invade the minds
of the people. The most common among them being as to what is the benefit of
an Imam who is in occultation? In other words, what is the purpose of having a
leader with whom neither we can come in contact nor meet?

In this article,
we shall attempt to convey to our readers the answer to the query and make
people realize as to how can one derive advantages from an Imam during
occultation.

Benefits During Occultation

The root of this question
lies in the fact that die criteria for measuring the benefits of a particular
thing are relative, artificial and man made. In other words, if something is
appar-ently useful and profitable for him, it is beneficial, not
otherwise.

Such queries are
raised because we do not seem to obtain any apparent benefit from Imam Mahdi
(a.s.) during his occultation. Although, it is a genuine problem, yet we must
know that if we are not receiving from Imam (a.s.), it is due to our own
short-comings. Our laziness and defects may have closed the gates of
beneficence for us.

Criteria Of Utilitarianism

Before the
questions are answered, it will not be out of place to ask that is it
necessary that Allah should create only that thing which is of utility to
other creatures or rather only its existence is enough for itself?
Consequendy, other creatures would claim that since man is not beneficial for
them then his existence is not required.

The prophets came, propagated
religion and departed from this world. What we were they for use in our
existence to the prophets? The Almighty Allah did not send the prophet and
messengers to serve our purpose. He had sent them to complete his proof.

He
sent them to achieve a sublime position by withstanding difficulties in the
way of propagation. May be it is because of this, that whenever the people
offered to recompense them for their efforts, they replied, "I do not seek
any reward from you. My reward is with Allah." (Holy Quran) Thus, they
never expected any encouragement or praise from the people nor did they
despair on account of the people's apathy.

Hence, when we are not the
criterion to determine the utility of a particular thing and the prophets were
not sent to serve our purpose, we cannot, in the first place, ques-tion the
benefits of the Imam (a.s.ys existence during occultation.

Survival Of The Universe

Putting our personal
interests aside, we can consider the benefits and advantages of the Imam's
(a.s.) existence. At this point it must be known that utility of each entity
depends upon its individual ca-pacity. The beggar and the king can never be
equal. The Prophets and the Imam (a.s.) are the proofs of Allah upon this
earth. The universe continues to exist because of their presence, Today, the
proof of Allah upon earth is Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.). He is the pivot and
the center of the universe. It survives because he exists. He is the Imam of
the whole universe and that is why every particle of the universe acknowledges
his presence. A tradition from Imam Jafar as Sadiq (a.s.) says:

"Had
the earth been without an Imam, it would sink, swallowing its inhabitants."

(Al-Kafi, vol, 1, p,
179).

Another report
states:

"The proof was prior to creation, it is with
creation and shall continue to exist after the creation has
perished"(Al Kafi Vol. 1, p.
177).

The same concept has come in an invocation, "Imam is the one whose continued existence is the cause of the
universe's survival. Sustenance descends due to his presence. The earth and
the heavens survive due to his existence." (Mafaatihul Jinaan, Dua-e-Adeelah)

Thus if the
earth and the heavens exist, it is only because of Imam (a.s.)'s presence. We
live and continue to receive sustenance due to him. Every living being in the
world owes its existence to his presence. These are the consequences of the
existence of Imam (a.s.). The central factor is the existence of Imam (a.s.)
which neither depends upon his reappearance nor occupation. Whether apparent
or concealed, he is the pivot of the universe. How meaningful are the
following sentence of Ziarat Jameah:

"Allah initiated
the creation for your sake and will terminate it with you. Rain descends for
your sake and due to your existence, the sky is prevented from crashing to the
earth. Only through your mediation are our sorrows and griefs
dispelled."

(Mafaatihul
Jinan)

The question
however remains as to how can we derive benefit from Imam (a.s.) during his
occultation? The question is as ancient as the phenomenon of
occultation.

Sun Behind The Clouds

Explaining the
following Quranic verse,

"0 those who believe! Obey
Allah and Obey the Messenger and those who have authority amongst you",
the Holy Prophet (s.a.) said to Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari,

"They will go into occultation from their partisans and
followers. (And then) only those whose hearts have been tested for faith by
Allah shall remain steadfast on their Imamate (and those with weak faith shall
deviate)."

At this point Jabir ibne Abdullah (r.a.) inquired, "0
Messenger of Allah, would his partisans attain benefit from him while he is in
occultation ?" The Holy Prophet (s.a.) replied, "By the
One who has sent me as a Prophet, people will receive light from his splendor
and benefit from his guardianship during his occultation just like they
benefit from the sun when it hides behind the clouds." (Kamaaluddin by Shaykh Sadooq, p. 253)

A similar
question was put to Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) by Mahraan Al Damish: "How
shall the people benefit from the hidden and the concealed proof?" Imam Sadiq
(a.s.) replied, "Just like they derive benefits from the
sun when it is concealed behind the clouds."(Ibid.,
p. 207)

The above tradition has been quoted by Shaykh Sulayman
bin Shaykh Ibrahim Qandoozi on page 477 of his book "Yanaabiul Mawaddah", quoting from "Faraaidus Simtain' of Shaykh Hammui. Both the
afore-mentioned are Sunni scholars of repute.

When the same query was put
to Hazrat Hujjat (a.s.) himself, he remarked in his letter to Ishaq bin
Yaqoob: "Deriving benefit from me during my occultation is
like obtaining advantage from the sun when concealed behind the clouds."
This letter was sent through the second special deputy of Imam (a.s.),
Muhammad ibn Uthman Amri (r.a.). (Ibid., p.
485)

Noteworthy it is
that the question was posed to three infallibles and the reply from each of
them was but one. Thereby ascertaining that the patron of them all is one -
and He is Allah, Blessed and High be He. Imam (a.s.)'s occultation is likened
to the

hiding of the sun behind the clouds. Some of the points understood
in this analogy are explained by Allama Majlisi (r.a.) and are produced
hereunder :

(1) Existence - Imam (a.s.) is the means for
illuminating mankind with the light of guidance and knowledge.

It is only
because of Imam (a.s.) that erudition and science have appeared in the world.
Had he not been existing, divine wrath would have befallen on the world. Allah
(s.w.t.) declares in the Holy Quran, '''0 Prophet! as long as you are there
amongst them. God will not inflict His wrath upon them".

Time and again
during occultation, we have witnessed that when engulfed in difficulties and
tribulations, things are placed in order with the support of Imam (a.s.) and
our path is smoothened.

(2) When the sun is behind the clouds, people
derive benefit from its existence. Yet, all eagerly await the clouds to sail
past the sun to obtain maximum benefit from the visible sun. Similarly, at all
times, the ardent Shias and the true lovers of Hazrat await the re-appearance
of their leader.

(3) The denial of the existence of Imam (a.s.) during
occultation after witnessing the signs is parallel to the denial of the sun
when behind the clouds and not visible to the eye.

(4) Occasionally, the
clouds move and let the sun be seen for some moments and the zealous manage to
steal a glance at it. Similarly, some fortunate people are honored with the
opportunity of seeing Imam (a.s.) during his major occultation.

(5) Just
like the sun is beneficial to all, all benefit from the blessings of Imam
(a.s.). However, just like a blind cannot obtain complete benefit from the
sun, the one with - a blind heart does not achieve much from Imam (a.s.)'s
existence.

(6) The rays of the sun enter the homes depending on the windows
and ventilators. More that these impediments are done awav with, more rays
enter the house. Likewise, when a man cleans the veils from his own self, the
windows of his mind and spirit open for him and he will benefit all the more
from the guiding light of Imam (a.s.) and thus illuminating his own
personality.

Purification of the self from carnal desires, animal
instincts, sins and evil deeds is directly proportionate to the reception of
light and guidance of Imamat. If the purification of the heart and reformation
of the soul continues, a time will come when he finds himself very close to
the edifying star and his own personality exuding radiance.

(7) Apart from
the above, more analogies can be presented. Just like the sun is the center of
the solar system and all planets revolve around it, Imam (a.s.) is the axis of
the universe and everything circumambulates his divine persona. Even the sun
itself revolves around Imam (a.s.) and is subject to his orders.

(8) The
sun is the source of heat and light in the universe. The brilliance of the
moon is because of the solar rays. Nothing possesses its own light or heat.
Similarly, Imam (a.s.) is the light of guidance for this universe. Even the
sun has obtained its light from Imam (a.s.) because the day there is no Imam
on this earth, the sun will be devoid of its light.

Guiding The Affair

The Almighty Allah has
appointed the Pure Imams (a.s.) to guide the people through His Order. "And
We made them Imams who guide (the people) by Our Command..." (Anbiya : 72)

Guidance of the people through the
command of Allah is the most significant factor. Generally., everything in the
world of creation comes into existence through a process. A child enters this
world after a period of nine months in the womb of its mother. However, if
Allah wills, this period can be reduced to moments and that is when Allah
commands, "Be" and "It is".

The Almighty Allah has bestowed the Imams
(a.s.) of "guiding with command". They have the capacity to transform a period
just by looking at it. Imam Hasan (a.s.) changed the Syrian foe into a humble
friend, Imam Husain (a.s.) transformed Zohair Qayn, Imam Mohammad Taqi (a.s.)
changed the heart of the Syrian worshipper, etc. . Similarly, Hazrat
Vali-e-Asr (a.s.) has brought profound changes in the lives of people like
Hasan Iraqi. Apparent presence is not a pre-requisite for such
transformations. If the person is deserving and is given the opportunity by
Allah, he can benefit from the same. Today even we can obtain guidance from
Imam (a.s.) but the necessary condition is that we must sacrifice our desires
for his pleasure.

Protection From Calamities

Various traditions
have emphasized the fact that the Ahiul Bayt (a.s.) are those personalities
due to whom this universe is safe and sound. Hazrat Hujjat (a.s.) himself is
reported to have said, "Certainly, I am the cause of he
safety of this world as the stars are the cause of safety of the
heavens."

(Kamaaluddin, p. 485; Al-Ihtijaaj by
Shaykh Tabarsi, p. 471)

Moreover, Hazrat Vali-e-Asr (a.s.) has
remarked in his letter to the respected Shaykh Mufeed (r.a.) for which the
readers may refer to the back cover.

Each and everv word of this letter is
a witness to the deep love and affection of Imam Asr (a.s.) for his Shias.
Notwithstanding their shortcomings and defects, he protects them. If the help
and assistance of Imam (a.s.) was missing, we would have most certainly
perished. There is someone who is protecting us all. Numerous incidents prove
this fact. Imam (a.s.) has saved a number of people and protected them.
Readers can refer to the books that have recorded such incidents.

Moreover,
due to the presence of Imam (a.s.), people receive sustenance, the sick are
cured and the childless bear children. In brief, there is no problem that
cannot be solved by the help of Imam (a.s.), despite his occultation.

He is
prepared to favor us but we do not call him in the proper way.

May Allah count us among his sincere and loyal
servants.