IMAM-E-ZAMANA
(A.S.) - THE
CAUSE OF SURVIVAL OF THE UNIVERSE

The Imam or
the divine representative is needed not merely for the dissemination of
the rules of the Shariah and their compliance. That is, his duty is not
confined only to the guidance of the world but the whole creation depends
upon him for their existence. If Imam ceases to exist, the entire system
would collapse. It is related from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.)
that he stated, "If Imam (A.S.) is absent from the world even for a moment,
the earth would suck in all its inhabitants like the stormy sea drowns the
seafarers. " (Ghaibat-e-Nomani, p. 139, Chap. 8, Hadith No. 10)

Nearly all
Muslims are unanimous in their belief that the world has been created for
the sake of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and his purified progeny (A.S.). A
well-known Hadith-e-Qudsi is that the Almighty Allah told the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) "But for you I would not have created the skies."

In another
tradition, He says, "I have created you
for Myself and the rest of the things for your sake. "

IMAM
(A.S.) : THE SOUL OF UNIVERSE

Hazrat Ali
(A.S.) in a couplet has compared man to the 'Greatest Creation'. The oft-heard
couplet is as follows :-

"Do
you think that you are an insignificant speck whereas a great world is concealed
in you." Man's heart is the central point of the human
body. Not a single organ is independent of it. Till the heart remains healthy,
the body will be in order. However emaciated the latter may get, if the
heart is alive, it will continue to radiate the warmth of life throughout.
If, God forbid, a calamity befalls the heart or if it ceases to function
or is detached from the body, it is reduced to a corpse.

A remarkable
fact is that even though the heart is the source of life for the body, it
cannot be seen and remains concealed. But the living body is a surety that
the heart exists. And. the heart derives its life from the soul which in
turn is a 'divine affair'.

The existence
of Imam (A.S.) in this vast world is having the same position as the soul
and the heart. As the body's movement is a proof of the presence of heart
and the soul. In the same way, the living world is a proof of the existence
of the soul of the universe, Hazrat Vali e Asr (may our lives be sacrificed
for him).

Another matter
that becomes clear is that the benefit of the Imam of the time is not dependent
upon his being apparent or visible. The survival of the world is one of
the benefits of the Imam (a.s.)'s existence.

Just as the
heart, concealed in the body, continues to nurture all its organs and cures
each and every pain and discomfort, Imam-e-Asr (a.s.) (may our lives be
sacrificed for him), even though in occultation, continues to benefit the
whole creation. He removes the difficulties of those in trouble and attends
to those in need.

Whatever strength
and power the corporeal body possesses is due to the soul. All the organs
of the human body are subservient to its commands. These parts cannot dare
to overlook even the smallest injunction of the soul.

Imam (a.s.)
is the soul of the universe. Whatever life, strength, power and warmth exists,
is only for his sake. (may our souls be sacrificed upon him). Just as the
organs obey the orders of the human will, every particle of the universe
is even more obedient to the will and desire of Imam-e-Asr (A.S.). Not a
single particle disobeys even slightly the order of Imam (A.S.). Therefore,
it is not surprising that the Imam (A.S.) performs miraculous acts. It is
for this very reason that Imam (A.S.) is at liberty to utilise his power
whenever and in whichever way he likes.

All these points
have been derived from the incident involving the companion of Imam Jafar
Sadiq (A.S.), Hisham bin Hakarn and the Basri scholar, Amr bin Ubayd. When
Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.) had listened to the arguments he had remarked,

"These
points have been mentioned in the Old Testament. "
(Usool-e-Kafi, Vol. I, p. 169, Hadith No. 3)

Even among
the Ahle-Sunnat, such traditions are found which state that if the Imam
of the time ceases to exist, the earth will sink along with it's inhabitants.
Hence, it is recorded by the famous hadith scholar of the Sunnis, Abdullah
bin Bath Akbar in his book, 'Al Ayanata' from his chain of narrators that
the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said,

"This
religion will remain established till the twelve (Imams). When these twelve
persons depart, it will sink inside with its dwellers".
(Kashful Astaar, p. 99)

All these things
clearly prove that this world continues to exist for the sake of the beloved
grandson of Ali al-Murtaza (A.S.), the apple of Narjis' eyes and the dearest
one of Hasan al-Askari (A.S.). For due to him, we receive sustenance. If
we have Islam and belief, it is due to him. In other words, our existence
and everything related with it depends only on Imam-e-Asr (A.S.).

The least recompense
we can offer is to remember him and not to forgo his remembrance even for
a moment. And to wait for him and prepare the world for his reappearance.
We must kindle the light of love and marefat (Knowledge) of Imam-e-Asr (A.S.)
in the hearts of our children, our family members, friends and acquaintances.

IMAM
IS THE GOAL OF THE ENTIRE CREATION

The Almighty
Allah has created the world in such a way that every lowly object is made
for a lofty thing. It could be explained in a better way by stating that
every - deficient object is created for a perfect one. If the perfect creation

had not been
under consideration, the creation of the imperfect objects would have been
of no use. The following example shall fully expound the concept. The life
in the womb is a prelude to the life of this world, if terrestrial life
had not been intended, the life within the womb would have been purposeless.

Therefore the
organs and the capacity that were given were not of use inside the womb
but rather for the life on earth. Thus the pre-natal life is the prelude
to the life after birth. The life on the earth is more complete than that
in the womb. In the same way, the life on this earth is a prelude to the
hereafter, where there is only life and every sort of perfection. If there
had been no belief in the life of the hereafter, this terrestrial sojourn
would have been, in the words of the Holy Quran, futile. The existence of
a life after death has made this life purposeful. The life of the hereafter
is the perfect life.

If we observe
the different creations, we arrive at the same conclusion. For example,
the inorganic chemicals are the base for organic matter or vegetation, which
in turn is for the animal world. The animal world is subservient to the
superior-most creation called man.

Each of the
lower classes of creatures provides a proof of the existence of a higher
one. Here, we notice that everything is moving towards perfection. The lifeless
world of inorganic matter was made purposeful by the vegetable kingdom.
The stagnant vegetative world is gifted a meaningful existence by the moving
animals. The irrational creatures are made useful by the rational man. Man
is made to be purposeful due to the existence of Imam (A.S.). Now let us
examine the following famous tradition of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) which
says, "0 Ali, if we had not been there:
Allah would have created neither Adam nor Hawwa, neither heaven nor hell,
neither sky nor the earth. " (Kamaluddin,
Chap. 33, Hadith No. 4, p. 254, Vol. 1)

lbn Hajjaj
has recorded this hadith-e-Qudsi upon the authority of lbn Abbas. The Almighty
Allah revealed to Hazrat Isa (a.s.)

"0
Isa Believe in Muhammad* And command your people that whosoever from them
lives upto his time, must also believe in him. For if Muhammad did not exist,
I would not have created Adam. And if Muhammad did not exist, I would not
have created heaven and hell." (Shawaahidul Haqq Fil Isteghatha Basayyedil Khalq by Nabhani,
p. 139 published from Istanbul 1394)

The traditions
clearly explain the fact that the personality of Imam-e-Asr (A.S.) is an
absolute perfection and an apparent face of the divine qualities. He is
the aim of creation. It is thus certain that if Imam (A.S.) had not been
there, the universe would have vanished.

One who is
cognizant of the recognition of 'Imam (A.S.). And each corner of his heart
is filled with the love of Imam (A.S.). One who wishes to scale the grades
of perfection in following those divine qualities. One who endeavors to
walk the path of his immaculate ancestors... he is definitely the one who
is spending a purposeful life. On the other hand, those who do not have
any such aim, they are merely a dead load that moves about on the earth.

The following
statement of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) must appropriately explain the above concept
while it contains in itself a world of meaning, "We (Able Bait) have been created for the Almighty
and the creatures have been created for us. " (Nahjul
Balagha, Letter No. 28)

IMAM
(A.S.) IS THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF THE WORLD

Zirat-e-Jamea
Kabeera is an authentic ziarat (salutations). This ziarat is recorded by
Shaykh Sadooq in his book 'Man La Yahzorohul
Faqih' (Vol. 2, p. 609) and another of his book 'Uyoon-o-Akhbar ar-Reza' (Vol. 2, p. 277). Shaykh Tusi (R.A.)
has also quoted it in his Tahzibul Ahkam'
(p. 95, Vol. 2). Concerning this ziarat, Allama
Majlisi (R. A.) says, "Ziarat Jamea is authentic
from the aspect of the chain of narrators. It's eloquent and expressive
text makes it the best of Ziarats." (Biharul Anwar, Vol. 102, p. 144)

This Ziarat
was taught by Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.) upon the request of his companion by
the name of Musa Bin Abdullah Nakhai. Hazrat Imam-e-Asr (May our souls be
sacrificed upon him) has exhorted us to recite it regularly. (Najmus
Saqib, p. 342-343)

This Ziarat
is excellent for getting the recognition of Imamat. As stated above, an
Imam is the divine light upon the earth, the absolute proof of Allah upon
His creatures, the life-vein of the universe, the spiritual connection between
the Creator and the creatures, the mirror of perfection, the supreme example
of all the positive human qualities, the collection of merits,

the visible
face of the Knowledge and Power of Allah, the ideal for a worshipper, pure
from every blemish, knower of divine secrets, knower of the past, present
and future of the world, treasure-chest of the divine sciences, inheritor
of the Prophetic miracles, etc.

The following
lines of Ziarat-e-Jamea make it amply clear that if there is no Imam, the
sky will crash to the earth and not even a single drop of rain will reach
the earth. May my parents, life, family and wealth be sacrificed for you,
0 Imam.

One who intends
to reach Allah, begins with you. One who believed in the Oneness of Allah
has received the monotheistic teachings from you. One who wishes to be steadfast
on it, should seek guidance from you.

0 Master, your
praises and extolations canned be enumerated. The reality of your praise
cannot be perceived. Your qualities cannot be estimated. You are the light
of the righteous, the guide of those who do good and the proof of Allah,
the All Powerful.

Allah has initiated
the creation (of this universe) with you. And its end will also be with
you. The heavens pour because of you. The skies hold for your sake alone.
Of course, by His permission. For you alone, Allah removes the sorrows and
solves the difficulties of the people. Through you, the universe receives
the bounties of Allah.

Lack of belief
in such an Imam, not to remember him, not to weep in his anticipation, not
being restless for his reappearance, not to prepare the earth for his arrival,...
is against humanity and religion. If intellect demands gratitude to one
who confers a single favour on us, then what should be our attitude to the
one who is the basis for all the favours and blessings?

From the above
discussion, it becomes apparent that every particle of this universe is
a proof of the existence of Imam (A.S.). They repose their belief in him
and align their royalties towards him.

May
Allah illuminate our hearts by his love.

May
Allah count us among his sincere and loyal servants.

Amen.
The Lord of the Worlds.