best of ethical traits and the keys for the acceptance of our actions and permitted us to seek the reward of our actions so that we may enter into the haven of peace that we may reside in the permanent gardens, where He will allow us to witness the Angel who will say to us, Salam [Peace] this is the word from your Lord, the Merciful.

May the prayers and salutations be upon the final Messenger of Allah, Muhammad al-Mustafa and upon his pure and immaculate family members – those who came to explain to us the responsibilities which we must fulfill (towards Allah) through their righteous words, and who came to lead the servants toward the oceans of light using the flame which is like a Glowing lamp lit from the oil of the blessed olive tree.

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has had to grapple with the forces of good versus evil. Societies sometimes live in periods of relative calmness and security, but just when everyone starts to get comfortable, oppression raises its ugly head, bringing peace to a standstill.

This has been the situation since the coming of the first human being on Earth, namely Prophet Adam, and will persist until as we continue to ‘progress’ in terms of science and technology, we see that humanity is ‘digressing’ in terms of morality, culture and its interaction with other nations.

Asides from the countless ‘natural disasters’ which have displaced and killed millions of people over the ages, the current century

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has seen wars on the increase, and it is the innocent men, women and children who are caught in this cross fire.

How can it be that humanity has evolved to such a level that they can penetrate the furthest points of the solar system, but we cannot live in harmony with our neighbors? Why is it that we can feed our insatiable appetite for the latest technological gadgets, but we cannot manage to nourish the hungry children dying of malnutrition?

How is it possible that we can spend billions of dollars on the design and production of the latest weapons of mass destruction, but we cannot afford to provide education and basic health care services to the most vulnerable of our society? Is there any hope for the underprivileged and deprived people of the world? Yes there is a beacon of hope.

The belief in an awaited reformer and savior of humanity is an embodiment and a symbol of an aspiration cherished by mankind, in spite of its divergent religious doctrines. The Mahdi (ajtf) as he is referred to in the Islamic beliefs is the crystallization of an inspiration through which all people, regardless of their religious affiliations, are waiting for.

They all look forward to a day when the Heavenly mission will materialize when the tiring march of humanity across history will culminate and the world will be able to live in peace and tranquility.

Religion, when it endorses this common consciousness and stresses that in the long run, this world

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will be filled with justice and equity after having been filled with injustice and oppression, gives it a factual value and converts it into a definite belief.

This belief is not merely a source of consolation rather it is a source of virtue and strength. It is a source of virtue because the belief in the Mahdi (ajtf) means the total elimination of injustice and oppression prevailing in the world and it is a source of inexhaustible strength because it provides hope which enables humanity to resist frustration, however hopeless and dismal the circumstances may be.

The belief in the appointed day of his advent proves that it is possible for the forces of justice to face and prevail over a world previously filled with injustice and oppression and reconstruct the world order.

After all, prevalence of injustice howsoever dominant and extensive it may have become is an abnormal state and must be eliminated. The prospect of its elimination after having reached its climax infuses a great hope in every persecuted individual and every oppressed nation, that it is possible to change the state of affairs of this world.

The concept of a Mahdi (ajtf) is more widespread than just within the Muslim community however its detailed features, as determined and explained by Islam, are more in line with mankind’s aspirations and dreams.

The Islamic concept of the Mahdi (ajtf) is in greater conformity with the feelings and sentiments of the oppressed and the persecuted of all times, more so than in

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any other religion or tradition. It is Islam which has given a concrete shape to an abstract idea!

It is no longer necessary to look forward to an unknown savior, who may come into the world at a distant future, rather as the savior is already here we simply have to look forward to the day when the circumstances are appropriate for him to reappear and begin his great mission.

The Mahdi (ajtf) is no longer an idea. He is no longer a prophecy. We do not need to wait for his birth. He already exists. We only have to wait for the inauguration of his role. He is a specific entity living among us in his real human form and he shares our hopes and our joys; and grieves at our sorrows and times of distress.

He witnesses all the acts of oppression and persecution which are perpetrated on the face of the earth, and somehow or another, he is affected by them. He too is anxiously waiting the moment when he will be able to extend his helping hand to everyone upon whom any wrong has been done, and that he will be able to eradicate injustice and oppression completely.

Although this Awaited Savior is living among us, waiting for the appointed moment of his advent, however, he has been ordained not to proclaim himself, nor disclose his identity.

The concept of the Mahdi (ajtf) as espoused by Islam shortens the gap between the oppressed and the expected savior. It connects

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the bridge between them, howsoever long the period of waiting may be.

The traditions (ahadith) urge the believers in the Mahdi (ajtf) to keep on waiting for him and to continue looking forward to solace. The idea is to establish a close spiritual and intuitive link between the believers on the one hand and with the Mahdi(ajtf) and all that he stands for, on the other hand.

It is not possible to establish such a link without believing that the Mahdi (ajtf) has already been born and that he is a living and contemporary personality.The late Professor Henry Corbin, philosopher and researcher on Islam, and a student of the late ‘Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husain Taba`taba’i has stated:

“To my mind, the Shi’ite is the only sect which has preserved and perpetuated the link of Divine guidance between man and God through its belief in the Imamate. According to the Jews, the prophethood, a real link between man and God, came to an end with Moses. They do not believe in the Prophethood of Jesus and Muhammad. The Christians too, do not go beyond Jesus. The Sunnite sect has also stopped at the Prophet Muhammad and believes that the link between man and God has been severed with the end of the Prophethood.”

Thus, it is only the Twelve Shi’a, who believes that the link between man and God still exists through the Mahdi, and this belief will continue to exist forever!

However, being in a state of Intiďar or ‘active expectation’ for the awaited

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savior of humanity, the Shi’a differ greatly from other religious traditions and the various schools of thought within the Islamic world, Since it is them who have been ordered to and are actively working to lay the foundations which will herald the glorious advent of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf).

The word, Intiďar comes from the ‘Arabic root word “نظر” which literally means “to see” something. However, when it is put into the fourth of the ten (most common) ‘Arabic verbal forms, it becomes “إنتظار” which literally means “to wait or to anticipate (something)”.

From the Islamic texts and the writings of the scholars, we understand that Intiďar is an active state which a true believer must be in 24 hours a day. What is the proof of this?

One of the great Mara’ja (sources of emulation) of this current era and the foremost authority on issues of the 12th Imam, Ayatullah al-’Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Lutfullah Safi Gulpaygani (may Allah keep him under His projection) explains that term of actively waiting for the Mahdi (ajtf) in his work, “Intiďar: The Force Behind Resistance and Opposition [to Tyranny].”

In this work he states:

“Intiďar is a state (which a person finds himself in) which is comprised of true faith and firm belief in the sources (of legislation) in the faith of Islam (The Qur`an and Sunnah of the Prophet and A`immah) and in the mastership and guardianship (Wilayah) of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf). It (Intiďar) is a spirit of zeal and keen desire for the advent, governance and

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living along side with the Ahlul Bayt (as).

It is the detestation of the current state which we are in times of imperfection, corruption, perversity and degeneration of our surroundings. This state of affairs (being separated from the Imam and the corruption around us) burns deep within the heart of a person and creates turbulence within the heart and affects one’s entire presence including one’s individual actions and struggles to better the entire society…”

The late Henry Corbin stated the following in regards to the anticipation of the Imam:

“In the meantime it is the duty of all the Muslims, especially the Shi’a, to strive steadfastly for the creation of the proper atmosphere and the right climate for the establishment of a world order based on justice, virtue and piety.

They should not only mould their individual lives according to the teachings and high ideals of Islam, but they should also bend their efforts to set up the Islamic order on the collective and communal level.

They should devote themselves to the service of the faith and be prepared to receive the Awaited Savior. That is what was meant by the Imams when they exhorted the Muslims to keep on waiting for the Mahdi (ajtf).”

The founder and leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the late Ayatullah al-’Udhma al-Hajj Sayyid Ruhullah Khumayni (may his spirit be sanctified) stated the following in regards to awaiting the final Imam (ajtf):

“What has value is that a person stands up in opposition to oppression. He stands

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up and puts an end to the face of despotism and does not permit inhuman acts of injustice to take place this is what has value and worth!

We have a responsibility! It is not correct to believe that since we are awaiting the advent of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), we just sit at home, take the prayer beads (tasbih) in our hands and merely repeats the prayer, ‘may his return be a speedy one.’ Rather, the swift return of the Imam must be made such by our own actions! We ourselves must lay the groundwork for the return of the awaited Imam!”

Therefore, we see that we have a very important role in preparing ourselves and the society for the return of the Mahdi (ajtf).

He is alive and visits different places and takes an interest in world events. He often attends the assemblies of the faithful, but does not disclose his true identity. He will reappear on the appointed day, and will fight against the forces of evil, lead a global revolution and set up a new world order based on justice, righteousness and virtue.

Allah in the Noble Qur`an has clearly promised that a day will come when truth will prevail and the righteous will come to power:

وَعَدَ اللٌّهُ الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا مِنْکُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَ_یَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِی الأَرْضِ کَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِینَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَیُمَکِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِینَهُمُ الَّذِی ارْتَضَی لَهُمْ... 

“Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will surely make them successors on the Earth as He

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made those who were before them and that He will surely establish their religion which He has chosen for them...” (Suratul Noor, 24: 55)

It is clear from this and other verses that ultimately, the righteous will take the world administration in their hands and Islam will be victorious over all the other religions. However, as we are instructed, those awaiting the glorious advent and the eradication of all forms of evil need to actively engage in laying the groundwork for the return of Imam al-Mahdi (May Allah hasten his reappearance).

The book that you have in your hands details over 80 responsibilities, divided into 99 chapters which provide us with practical steps that need to be performed and implemented in order to put in place the foundations for the advent of the Imam of our time.

Some of the responsibilities mentioned in this work perhaps are things which we already perform on a regular basis, without being aware that they are our duties towards the Imam. By simply ‘shifting’ our intention and enacting them with the thought in mind that they are being done to heard the return of the Awaited Savior, we can do our part to ensure that his advent is hastened and that we have done whatever is in our power to assist him.

We would like to thank everyone who played a role in helping this publication materialize, for without your continued support of this and our other publications, such works would not see the light of day.

Our sincerest

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appreciation is extended to the numerous private contributors, who have requested anonymity, who graciously donated financially to this project. In addition, we need to acknowledge the various non-profit charitable organizations who also contributed financially `to this work, specifically the following (in alphabetical order): The Islamic Humanitarian Service of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and The Mohsin and Fauzia Jaffer Foundation of Oprington, Florida, USA – all of your rewards are with Allah alone.

Our special thanks are also extended to Shaykh Tahir-Ridha Jaffer for his meticulous proof reading of the ‘Arabic text of this book and to Sister Arifa Hudda for a thorough review and editing of the English text not an easy task for either of them given their other responsibilities and commitments. Indeed, without the assistance of these two individuals, this publication would have further been delayed.

We pray to Allah that He grants all of the donors and anyone who had a role in the publication of this book the greatest blessings, and keeps them under His Mercy and Protection, and that He accepts this humble work from us, and Insha-Allah, enables us to be among the helpers and Shi’a of Imam al-Zaman (may Allah hasten his glorious advent).

Islamic Publishing House

February 3rd, 2008 ce

Muharram 25th, 1429 ah

Martyrdom anniversary of Imam ‘Ali b. Husayn Zainul ‘Abidin (peace be upon him)

been sent by Him, the beloved of the Lord of the Universe, the best of His creations and the best of humanity, Abul Qasim Muhammad (S).

In addition, may prayers and salutations be upon his family, the righteous and pure Infalliables (as) especially the Remnants of Allah on His Earth, Imam al-Hujjah ibnil Hasan al-’Askari (ajtf). Finally, may the greetings and salutations be upon all of the great Maraja’ [sources of emulation] of the faith and the shining lights of the Shari’ah the past and present especially the late Ayatullah Khumayni, may Allah be pleased with all of them.

The purpose of humanity’s creation is for them to attain spiritual growth and advancement towards the pinnacles of greatness and closeness to Allah, the Most High. The only path which one can traverse to reach this station is The Straight Path (as-Siratul Mustaqim) and we cannot diverge from this course.

According to the accepted proofs(1), The Straight Path is nothing other than the Imam whom we have been ordered to follow. Therefore, in every time period, the Imam and Divinely appointed proof of Allah, the Most High, is the true straight path and his is the only direction which leads towards happiness in both worlds.

In the time which we are living, which is full of tribulations and calamities, and during this state of uneasiness and anguish, the straight path which leads to Allah, the Most High, is none other than the 12th Imam who is in occultation (ghaybah) and whose advent is awaited

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by all.

He is the proof of Allah on this Earth, even though he is behind the curtains of occultation and his example is just like the sun which occasionally veils itself behind the clouds; however we still benefit from its rays.

In fact, the twelfth Imam (ajtf) has stated: “During my period of occultation, you will benefit from me just as you benefit from the sun when it goes behind the clouds and is veiled from your sight. Thus, I am the source of refuge and protection for the people of Earth.”(1)

During the current age, acquiring ma’rifah (a deep understanding and insight into the Imam, his characteristics and traits), bringing about true faith and love for him, and complete obedience to him is the straight path of Allah and is the only road towards salvation and happiness.

We must traverse this path and must not show any lapses rather, we must expend all of our energies in attaining piety and consciousness of Allah so that we may reach to the highest level of our goal. The purification of our soul and the attainment of the consciousness of Allah in our heart.

Taqwa of Allah is the only component which makes up the reality of the straight path, and is the true essence of the path. It is also the same reality and firm foundation which the Imam and proof of Allah of our time, al-Hujjat ibnil Hasan (as) has invited his Shi’a (followers) and those who are actively awaiting his noble advent

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to observe:

فَ_اتَّقُوا اللٌّهَ جَلَّ جَلاَلُهُ وَ ظَاهِرُونَا عَل_ی انْتِ_یَاشِکُمْ مِنْ فِ_تْنَهٍ قَدْ أَنَافَتْ عَلَیْکُمْ

“So be conscious of Allah, Majestic is His Glory, and help us to save you from a seditious matter that is about to overcome you.”(1)

He has also stated:

فَتَّقُوا اللٌّهَ وَ سَلِّمُوا لَنَا وَ رُدُّوا الأَمْرَ إِلَیْنَا

“Be conscious of Allah and submit to us and refer all affairs to us.”(2)

In addition, he has told us:

وَ الْعَاقِبَهُ بِجَمِیلِ صُنْعِ اللٌّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ تَکُونُ حَمِیدَهً لَهُمْ مَا اجْ_تَنَبُوا الْمَنْهِیَّ عَنْهُ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ

“The end result, by virtue of the excellent arrangement of Allah, Glorious is He, shall be praiseworthy for them (our followers) because they avoided committing the sins which He forbade them to perform.”(3)

Those who have a claim over us are many the greatest of which is Allah after Him, His friend (wali) and representative on the Earth (khalifah) has a right over us and thus, the true definition of taqwa is to fulfill the rights of these individuals.

The rights which must be observed while on the path of truth and which belong to the representative of Allah, Imam Waliul ‘Asr (ajtf) are many. Some are related to particular individuals, while others are related to the believers in general.

In this work, we have restricted ourselves to the second category the rights related to the believers in general and as the reader can appreciate, we can only cover some of them.

Our purpose in compiling this work was to make these responsibilities available to the lovers of the Imam (ajtf) and those

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who are seeking to follow the path of true guidance. It is hoped that the believers will be able to uphold these responsibilities which we have to Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf).

In addition, the believers will also be acquainted with responsibilities which the Imam (ajtf) himself has to fulfill towards his followers.

In the current era, the enemies of the faith have increased and have been able to use various weapons against the believers. Through their onslaught, they have launched wars against religion and those who follow Divine guidance, and without doubt, one of their aims is to misguide the young generation of Muslims.

Unfortunately, those who are unaware of their personal responsibilities have fallen into the trap of the enemies, and either knowingly or unknowingly, has assisted them and may actually be at the forefront of helping them.

The actions of the enemies of Islam, both in the past and present, have been enacted in order to remove the aura of spirituality which exists amongst the true believers and to delude the people from their primary goals of life.

In such a time, it is incumbent upon the scholars and researchers of the faith of Islam to elucidate upon the spiritual issues and pure teachings of the religion of Islam.

In order to further advance the spiritual teachings, one must pay attention to the discussions related to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) as he is the spiritual sun of the universe and the primary reason for all spiritual movements. It is through the dissemination of these teachings that

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we will arrive to the best methods of explaining the spiritual issues, which will in turn, have a favourable impact upon the entire Islamic society.

Thus, we hope that this book will lead to a continuation of discussions in regards to Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) especially those which focus on the practical actions which we must perform.

As mentioned previously, this work focuses on the rights and responsibilities which the true believers have to the Imam. As we know, the best way which one can fulfill such responsibilities is through purification of the soul and in addition, a spiritual change must take place within each person and we must seek to maintain closeness to Allah.

Therefore, with the permission of Allah, and through the blessings which we pray are showered upon us by Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), may our souls be sacrificed for him, we hope to be able to reach our goal and encounter a favourable end while on this path.

We pray that we are able to grant contentment and happiness to the Imam (ajtf) and that we are given a grand status for our endeavours.

This book is an abridgment of various books which have been written on this topic and its contents has been extracted from works such as Mikyalul Makarim(1) and Spiritual Links with the Sacred Presence of the Mahdi(2) however the work in your hands has been presented with slight modifications from these two books.

We have elucidated upon close to eighty responsibilities, however when we look at all the responsibilities and

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their sub categories as presented in this book, the number reaches ninety-nine.

Where we have deemed necessary and in order to offer a deeper explanation, we have divided a duty into numerous discussions. Obviously, all of the branches of that particular responsibility are merely extensions of the primary responsibility.

As you shall see, responsibilities which are branches of the general responsibility are noted accordingly.

17th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, 1420 ah

Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad b. ‘Abdullah (S) and Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) Sayyid Muhammad Rida Husaini Mutlaq

Imam, Hasan ‘Ali al-’Askari (as), it is mentioned that:

أَنَّ الأَرْضَ لاَ تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّهِ اللٌّهِ عَل_ی خَلْقِهِ وَ أَنَّ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ یَعْرِفْ إِمَامَ زَمَانِهِ مَاتَ مِی_تَهً جَاهِلِیَّهً فَقَالَ: إِنَّ هٌذَا حَقٌّ کَمَا أَنَّ النَّارَ حَقٌّ فَقِیلَ: یَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللٌّهِ فَمَنِ الْحُجَّهُ وَ الإِمَامُ بَعْدَکَ؟ فَقَالَ: إِبْ_نِ_ی مُحَمَّدٌ هُوَ الإِمَامُ وَ الْحُجَّهُ بَعْدِی فَمَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ یَعْرِفْهُ مَاتَ مِی_تَهً جَاهِلِیَّهً

“Unquestionably, the Earth can never remain devoid of a hujjat (proof) of Allah over His creations. Indeed the person who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age has died the death of Jahiliyyah.” The Imam (as) continued: “Surely this (the issue of an Imam existing for all ages) is true, just as the (existence of) hell fire is true.”

It was said to the Imam: “O’ son of the Messenger of Allah! Who is the hujjat and Imam after you?” The Imam replied: “My son, Muhammad is the Imam and hujjat after me. Whoever dies and has not recognized him (as his Imam) has died the death of Jahiliyyah.”(1)

Without doubt, the meaning of these traditions which state that it is obligatory to recognize the Imam of the time is that those who possess true faith must know the Imam in the way and to the extent that would lead to their happiness in this world and the next.

In addition, the recognition of the Imam must be such that there remains no room for misguidance or confusion in regards to this noble personality.

Thus, recognition can be divided

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into two types:

1. Ma’rifah of the personality of the Imam;

2. Ma’rifah of the Imam himself.

In order to acquire these two forms of ma’rifah, we must refer to the writings of the scholars of the faith.(1)

We must realize that recognizing the character and personality of the Imam can only be achieved through understanding his qualities, attributes and special traits which are related to the status of Imamate.

If we are successful in becoming acquainted with the status of Imamate, its central role in Islam and its characteristics and qualities, then we will become acquainted with any Imam since all of the A`immah are created from one nur (Divine celestial light) and in the words of the leaders of true guidance themselves:

“The first of us is Muhammad, the middle of us is Muhammad and the last of us is Muhammad!”(2) Thus, we must have ma’rifah of the merits and excellence of all of our A`immah (as) since they share these traits amongst themselves

On the other hand, we must also become acquainted with the merits of excellence which are specific to the Imam whom we wish to know more about so that our ma’rifah of him can become complete. This form of ma’rifah can be acquired through knowledge of his name, title, titles of appellation, genealogy, characteristics, virtues, and other traits which relate to the specific time and place in which he lives.

The minimum and maximum limits of these two types of ma’rifah of the Imam can be understood by our intellect and

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in brief, we will mention the minimum limit as stated in the traditions.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said: “The minimum level of ma’rifah of the Imam is to know that he is on par with the Prophet except in the status of prophethood. The Imam is the inheritor of the Prophet, and obedience to the Imam is equivalent to obedience of Allah and the Messenger of Allah.

Thus, you must submit to the Imam in all issues, and all questions must be referred to him. You must act in accordance with his commands and must know that the Imam after the Messenger of Allah was ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (as). After him it was Hasan (as), then Husain (as), then ‘Ali b. al-Husain (as), then Muhammad b. ‘Ali (as), then Ja’far b. Muhammad (as), then Musa b. Ja’far (as), then ‘Ali b. Musa (as), then Muhammad b. ‘Ali (as), then ‘Ali b. Muhammad (as), then Hasan b. ‘Ali (as) and then al-Hujjah b. al-Hasan (ajtf) – these are your leaders.”(1)

As was previously mentioned, in order to recognize the Imam, we must know his name, titles of appellation, the name of his father and other incidental facts. However, we must also know his qualities of excellence and special merits.

The Imam of our time (ajtf) shares the same first name as the Prophet Muhammad (S). His title is also the same as that of the Prophet of Allah (S) (Abul Qasim) and his title of appellation is al-Mahdi. He has

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a beautiful black mark on his right shoulder blade, a very handsome face with a nose that is slightly protruded and is of average height.

In addition, we also need to understand the specialties related to the time and place of the Imam and the events surrounding him including his actions and speech.

For example, we need to know that in order for the Imam to make his advent, five signs must be fulfilled. We know that when he makes his appearance, the Earth would be full of oppression and corruption. However, before his advent, a sound will be heard from the sky an image of a hand will be seen on the moon the staff of Musa will be seen with him and many other signs.

It should be noted that all of these signs are mentioned in the books of traditions(1) and the appearance of these will herald his return. In addition, there are also other special signs related to him which we must know and understand. Therefore knowing these signs constitutes one of the ways in which we can recognize our living Imam.

of ma’rifah to his servants for this is something which is out of the power of human beings to acquire without the help of Allah. Thus, this ma’rifah cannot be achieved through a person’s own struggles as this is a nur (Divine celestial light) which Allah places in the heart of those whom He wishes. Therefore, we must request the recognition of our Imam from the Almighty through supplications.

It has been narrated that Muhammad b. Hakim said to Abu ‘Abdillah, Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as):

أَلْمَعْرِفَهُ مِنْ صُنْعِ مَنْ هِیَ؟ قَالَ مِنْ صُنْعِ اللٌّهِ لَیْسَ لِلْعِبَادِ فِیهَا صُنْعٌ

“Who is responsible for granting this ma’rifah (of the Imam)?” He replied: “It is the doing of Allah and the servants have no role in it (on their own - without the intervention of Allah).”(1)

In order to arrive at the recognition of the Imam, the following supplication is very effective:

أَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّفْ_نِ_ی نَفْسَکَ...

“O’ Allah! Grant me ma’rifah of Your Self...”(2)

یَقُولُ حَمْلٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ یَقُولُ إِنَّهُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِ_یهِ بِسَ_نَتَینِ وَ هُوَ الْ_مُنْتَظَرُ غَیْرَ أَنَّ اللٌّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ یُحِبُّ أَنْ یَمْتَحِنَ الشِّ_یعَهَ فَعِنْدَ ذٌلِکَ یَرْتَابُ الْمُبْطِلُونَ! یَا زُرَارَهُ إِذَا أَدْرَکْتَ ذٌلِکَ الزَّمَانَ فَادْعُ بِهٌذَا الدُّعَاءِ: أَللٌّهُمَّ عَرِّفْنِ_ی نَفْسَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْ_نِی نَفْسَکَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ نَبِیَّکَ. أَللٌّهُمَّ عَرِّف_نِی رَسُولَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَ_مْ تُعَرِّفْ_نِی رَسُولَکَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ حُجَّ_تَکَ. أَللٌّهُمَّ عَرِّفْ_نِ_ی حُجَّتَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْنِی حُجَّتَکَ ضَلَلْتُ عَنْ دِی_نِ_ی.

“‘Verily there is a period of occultation for my son before he makes his advent.’ It was said to the Imam: ‘And why is this?’ The Imam replied: ‘He will be frightened’ and placed his hand on his abdomen and then said: ‘O’ Zurarah! He is the one who will be awaited, and he is the one whom the people will have doubt in with regards to his birth.

Some people will say: ‘His father died without a child’ others will say ‘His mother was pregnant with him (when his father died)’ others will say ‘He was born two years before his father passed away’ and he is awiated, for surely Allah, the Noble and Grand, loves to test the Shi’a and it is then that the impugners begin to doubt. O’ Zurarah! If you witness that period (of confusion) then supplicate with this supplication:

أَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّفْنِ_ی نَفْسَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْ_نِی نَفْسَکَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ نَبِیَّکَ. أَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّف_نِی رَسُولَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَ_مْ تُعَرِّفْ_نِی رَسُولَکَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ حُجَّ_تَکَ. أَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّفْ_نِ_ی حُجَّتَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْنِی حُجَّتَکَ ضَلَلْتُ عَنْ دِی_نِ_ی

“O’ Allah! Grant me ma’rifah

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of Yourself for if I do not have the ma’rifah of You then I will never know Your Prophet. O’ Allah! Grant me ma’rifah of Your Messenger for if I do not have the ma’rifah of Your Messenger than I will never know Your Representative. O’ Allah! Grant me ma’rifah of Your Representative for if I do not have the ma’rifah of Your Representative, then surely I have gone astray from my religion.’”(1)

Yamani.

3. A loud noise from the sky.

4. The killing of a pure soul (Nafs-e-Zakiyyah).

5. The sinking of Bayda`.

It has also been mentioned in the traditions that the image of a hand will be seen on the moon and this is also considered as one of the definite signs.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

لِلْقَائِمِ  خَمْسُ عَلاَمَاتٍ: ظُهُورُ السُّفْیَانِیِّ وَ الْیَمَانِیِّ وَ الصَّیْحَهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الزَّکِیَّهِ وَ الْخَسْفُ بِالْبَیْدَاءِ

“There are five (definite) signs for the return of al-Qaim (ajtf) the appearance of al-Sufyani (the appearance of) al-Yamani, a loud cry from the sky, the killing of a pure soul [an-Nafs al- Zakiyyah]; and the caving in (of the earth) at Bayda`.”(1)

It has been mentioned in the traditions that al-Sufyani is a reddish white coloured man with a black eye and that he will make his advent during the month of Rajab. We are told that he will take over a few countries of the world and that the advent of al-Mahdi (ajtf) will be in the same year.

After many victories, al-Sufyani will turn his attention towards ‘Iraq and it is at this time that Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) will make his advent from Makkah. At this point, a large contingent of forces will be sent to attack the Imam (by al-Sufyani), however when this army will reach the place known as Bayda` a location between Makkah and Madinah they will be swallowed into the Earth.

In addition, before the advent of the Imam (ajtf), many uprisings will

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take place such as the revolts of al-Hasani and al-Yamani and according to some traditions, the uprising of al-Yamani is also one of the definite signs.

The hearing of two cries one from the sky and the other from within the Earth is also one of the definite signs. During the first call, Jibra`il will call the name of Imam al-Qa`im (ajtf) and his father and will proclaim that the truth is with ‘Ali ibn. Abi Talib (as) and his Shi’a (followers). Everyone will hear this call in their own language and even the women who are in their house behind locked doors will hear the call.

As well, before the advent of the Imam, a noble person will be killed during the Hajj rites in Makkah. In the traditions, this person has been referred to as the Pure Soul or an-Nafs al-Zakiyyah. Detailed information about this individual has been mentioned in the books concerning the occultation of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf).

The importance of knowing the signs which will take place before the advent of our Imam, especially the definite signs that must occur, can best be understood when we review the history of Islam.

We see that some other signs may have already taken place and thus, a number of people falsely claimed to be the Mahdi (ajtf) Without doubt, these people have fallen out of the fold of Islam and it is they who are misguided and are left alone in utter spiritual darkness.

The reason for them falling into this

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state is that they were not acquainted with the signs related to the advent and uprising of the Imam such that they could follow them. In addition, they lacked awareness of the specific signs which will herald in the advent of the Imam.

If they had knowledge of these signs, then they would not have been led astray and would have stayed firm on the Imamate and Wilayat of the Imam (as). They would not have been fooled nor would they have mistaken anyone else for the real Mahdi (ajtf).

Possessing a ma’rifah of the signs of the advent, especially the definite signs which must take place, helps us in differentiating between truth and falsehood, and by recognizing Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), we would actually look forward to and prepare the groundwork for his uprising. We would also not falter in our obedience to him or our delay in adhering to him.

It has been narrated by Zurarah that Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

یُنَادِی مُنَادٍ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ أَنَّ فُلاَناً هُوَ الأَمِیرُ وَ یُنَادِی مُنَادٍ أَنَّ عَلِیًّا وَ شِیعَتَهُ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ. قُلْتُ: فَمَنْ یُقَاتِلُ الْمَهْدِیَّ بَعْدَ هٌذَا؟ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الشَّیْطَانَ یُنَادِی أَنَّ فُلاَناً وَ شِیعَتَهُ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ یَعْنِی رَجُلاً مِنْ بَنِی أُمَیَّهَ. قُلْتُ: فَمَنْ یَعْرِفُ الصَّادِقَ مِنَ الْکَاذِبِ؟ قَالَ: یَعْرِفُهُ الَّذِینَ کَانُوا یَرْوُونَ حَدِیثاً وَ یَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ یَکُونُ قَبْلَ أَنْ یَکُونَ وَ یَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُحِقُّونَ الصَّادِقُونَ

“A caller will announce from the sky: ‘Certainly so and so is the leader.’ Then a caller will announce: ‘Certainly ‘Ali (as) and his followers

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are the victorious ones.’” I said to the Imam: “So then who will fight against the Mahdi (ajtf) after this (call)?’ The Imam replied: “Unquestionably, Satan will also call out: ‘Certainly, so and so and his followers will be the successful ones’ meaning a man from the tribe of Bani Umayyah.’

I said to the Imam: ‘So then how will a person be able to recognize the truthful one from the imposter?’ The Imam replied: ‘Those who narrate traditions will recognize (the difference) and they will say that it (the call from the sky) will come before (the advent), and they will understand this and will know that they (the ones who make the first call) are speaking the truth.’”(1)

Bayt).”(1)

path of guidance through one’s practical actions has a greater effect than merely possessing theoretical knowledge.

From another point of view, we see that a person who is engaged in inviting others to the way of the Imam must also employ good exhortation and advice, and through a combination of these methods, should guide others towards the Imam.

If needed, the path of warning (of the punishment of Allah) can also be used so that the hearts of the people are awakened to the truths around them and so that their spiritual souls are kept enlivened.

A person inviting to the Imam must also be able to make use of the reliable proofs (traditions) and with the various proofs and logical arguments available, should be able to convince others of the existence of the Imam and acquaint them with their true leader.

One of the Infallibles has said:

وَ إِنَّ الْعَالِمَ الَّذِی یُعَلِّمُ النَّاسَ مَعَالِمَ دِی_نِهِمْ وَ یَدْعُوهُمْ إِل_ی إِمَامِهِمْ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَبْعِینَ أَلْفَ عَابِدٍ

“Surely the scholar who instructs the people in matters of their religion and invites them to their Imam is better than seventy thousand worshippers.”(1)

In another tradition, this one from Imam ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (as) it is stated that:

لَوْ لاَ مَنْ یَبْقی بَعْدَ غَ_یْ_بَهِ قَائِمِناَ مِنَ الْعُلَمَاءِ الدَّاعِ_ینَ إِلَیْهِ وَ الدَّالِّینَ عَلَیْهِ وَ الذَّابِّ_ینَ عَنْ دِی_نِهِ بِحُجَجِ اللٌّهِ وَ الْمُنْقِذِینَ لِضُعَفَاءِ عِبَادِ اللٌّهِ مِنْ شِبَاکِ إِبْلِیسَ وَ مَرَدَتِهِ وَ مِنْ فِخَاخِ الْنَّوَاصِبِ لَمَا بَقِیَ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ ارْتَدَّ عَنْ دِی_نِ اللٌّهِ وَ لٌکِنَّهُمُ الَّذِینَ یُمْسِکُونَ أَزِمَّهَ قُلُوبِ ضُعَفَاءِ الشِّیعَهِ کَمَا یُمْسِکُ صَاحِبُ

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السَّفِ_ینَهِ سُکَّانَهَا. أُوْلٌئِکَ هُمُ الأَفْضَلُونَ عِنْدَ اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَّ جَلَّ

“If after the occultation of your Qa`im (ajtf) there were not to remain a person from amongst the scholars who invite towards him (the Imam) guide others to him defend his religion by the proofs of Allah, rescue the downtrodden servants of Allah from the snares of Iblis and his hoards, and the traps of the enemies (of the Ahlul Bayt), then there would not remain a single person (on Earth) except that he would have left the religion of Allah.

However, these scholars take it upon themselves to be the protectors of the hearts of our downtrodden Shi’a just as the captain of a boat takes control of the lives and safety of those on his ship. Thus, these (scholars – the ‘Ulama) are the best people in the sight of Allah, the Noble and Great.”(1)

الْبَیْتِ فَلاَ یَبْق_ی عَل_ی وَجْهِ إِبْلِیسَ مُضْغَهُ لَحْمٍ إِلاَّ تَخَدَّدُ حَ_تَّی إِنَّ رُوحَهُ لَتَسْتَغِیثُ مِنْ شِدَّهِ مَا یَجِدُ مِنَ الأَلَمِ

“Indeed when two believers meet one another and remember Allah and then mention the greatness of us the Ahlul Bayt (as), no flesh remains on the face of Iblis (Satan) except that it gets wrinkled and his soul cries out due to the severity of the pain (he feels).”(1)

In a tradition from Imam ‘Ali b. Husain as-Sajjad (as), it is stated that:

وَ أَمَّا حَقُّ ذِی الْمَعْرُوفِ عَلَیْکَ فَأَنْ تَشْکُرَهُ وَ تَذْکُرَ مَعْرُوفَهُ وَ تَنْشُرَ لَهُ الْمَقَالَهَ الْحَسَنَهَ

“As for the right of the person who has done good to you over you, it is that you should thank him, remember his favor and spread (to others) good words about him.”(2)

to one another about whatever pleases you (in regards to the teachings of Allah)?” I replied: “Yes, by Allah.” The Imam replied: “I swear by Allah that surely I would love to be with you in some of these gatherings.

Surely, by Allah I love the pleasant aroma that emanates from you (by holding such gatherings) and I love your souls! Surely you are all on the religion of Allah and the religion of His Angels so help (one another) to observe piety and struggle (in these regards).”(1)

fact, it is possible that at certain times, it may actually become obligatory to establish such programs. For example, if there is a possibility of danger coming to the religion and people are being led astray, then in order to save the faith and protect the souls of the people, it will become obligatory to hold such gatherings.

will come to visit him.”(1)

true believer until he follows all of our teachings. Certainly piety is attained by following our teachings so beautify yourselves with it, may Allah have mercy upon you, and hurt our enemies with it and Allah will enliven your spirits.”(1)

a question:

مَا أَکْ_ثَرَ مَا أَسْمَعُ مِنْکَ یَا سَیِّدِی ذِکْرَ سَلْمَانِ الْفَارْسِیِّ؟ فَقَالَ لاَ تَقُلْ سَلْمَانَ الْفَارْسِیَّ وَ لٌکِنْ قُلْ سَلْمَانَ الْمُحَمَّدِی. أَتَدْرِی مَا کَثْرَهُ ذِکْرِی لَهُ؟ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ لِثَلاَثِ خِصَالٍ إِحْدَاهَا إِیْثَارُهُ هَوی أَمِیرِ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ عَلی هَوی نَفْسِهِ وَ الثَّانِیَهُ حُبُّهُ الْفُقَرَاءَ وَاخْتِ_یَارُهُ إِیَّاهُمْ عَلی أَهْلِ الثَّرْوَهِ وَ الْعُدَدِ وَالثَّالِثَهُ حُبُّهُ لِلْعِلْمِ وَ الْعُلَمَآءِ. إِنَّ سَلْمَانَ کَانَ عَ_بْداً صَالِحاً حَنِیفاً مُسْلِماً وَ مَا کَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِکِِینَ

“Why do I hear you speak so much about Salman al-Farsi, O’ my master?” The Imam replied: “Do not call him Salman al-Farsi, rather refer to him as Salman al-Muhammadi. Do you know why I speak so much about him?” The man replied to the Imam: “No I do not know.” The Imam said: “Because of three traits which he possessed.

The first one is that he preferred the wishes and desires of the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Ali. Abi Talib (as) over his own desires. The second reason is because he loved poor people and preferred them over those who had wealth and riches. The third reason is due to his love of knowledge and those who possess knowledge (the ‘Ulama). Unquestionably Salman was a servant (of Allah), righteous, upright, submissive (to Allah) and he was not from among the polytheists.”(1)

they know.

These are none other the people who make up the glorious chain of great Jurisprudents and respected scholars (who are worthy of being followed).

The second section of this responsibility is to obey the rulings of such scholars and this is one of the most important responsibilities of a servant of Allah during the occultation. Rather, even in the period of the Imam’s advent, this will also be one of the most important duties.

During the occultation, it is obligatory to have faith in and testify to such scholars and it is also mandatory upon the people to perform taqlid (to follow) one of the Mujtahidin from amongst them.

It goes without saying that a detailed discussion regarding taqlid cannot be covered in this book. However in brief we can state that during the period of occultation, a true believer has one of three choices, He himself becomes a Mujtahid; he acts according to precaution (Ihtiyat) in the performance of all his actions or becomes a ‘muqallid’ which means that he follows a person who is at the highest level of Ijtihad.

If one does not fit into the first two categories, then one must perform taqlid of a Marja’ who fulfills all of the requirements to be followed(1) in all areas of the Furu’ ad-Din (the practical Islamic regulations).

Just as the narrators of traditions and the scholars of the religion have been ordered to guide the people in their religious injunctions and issues related to the next life, so too

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the people have been commanded to take guidance from such scholars of the faith.

Through relying upon our intelligence and the Islamic proofs, we can deduce that not only is it permissible to refer to the people of knowledge when an issue comes up, rather it is the only way to achieve success and reach our goals!

The Qur`an clearly tells us:

 فَاسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّکْرِ إِنْ کُنْ__تُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ 

“Ask the people of the remembrance (those who have knowledge on a particular issue) if you do not know.” (16:43)

In regards to issues of the next life and this transient world and how to achieve success in both, the only path of salvation lies in referring to the people of knowledge and those who are permitted to express their opinion the scholars of the faith who act according to their knowledge.

At the head of all responsibilities which we have, it is this one which makes the duty of a true believer clear in regards to the representative (of Allah).

It is through following this commandment that a person’s actions, in relation to the life of this transient world and the next, are given a stable footing; it is under the shadow of obeying the commandments of the Marja’ through the act of taqlid that obedience to the Imam is realized it is also through this act that happiness in this transient life and the next world are guaranteed.

In reality, following the commandments of the Imam can never materialize except under the shadow of

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obedience to a Marja’ who fulfills all of the requirements to be followed(1) and this status can be referred to as Wilayatul Faqih or the Guardianship of the Jurisprudent.

The only way that one can obey Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) is by obedience to his general representative, as it is this person who is at the forefront of the narrators of the tradition, scholars and callers towards the faith.

The principle of Wilayatul Faqih is the foremost foundation of Islam and the person who wishes to possess true faith during the period of occultation must believe in and accept this.

Even if the term Wali al-Faqih is thought of as being coined in our current era, we see that it simply means to follow the Marja’ who fulfills all of the requirements (of being followed) as it is he who is responsible for leading the Islamic society.

He is the one who is permitted to lead the Muslim community as they have accepted his leadership and authority (Wilayah). Therefore, once he is entrusted with this authority, his obedience is at the pinnacle of all obligatory acts.

Without doubt, it is obligatory to obey all of those who narrate the traditions and are considered as true scholars of the faith, however if from amongst these, there are Mara’ja who fulfill the requirements, and amongst this select group there is an individual who is recognized as the Wali al-Faqih, then he is the first one who must be followed since he possesses the guardianship over the entire

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Muslim nation.

As we know, following Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) can only be done under the shadow of following the orders of the Wali al-Faqih who has taken on the responsibility of guardianship of the entire community. Therefore, to disobey his orders is tantamount to disobeying the commandments of Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf).

قَالَ اللٌّهُ تَعَال_ی لِعِیسَی  عَظِّمِ الْعُلَمَآءَ وَ اعْرِفْ فَضْلَهُمْ فَإِنِّی فَضَّلْ_تُهُمْ عَلَ_ی جَمِیعِ خَلْقِی إِلاَّ النَّبِیِّینَ وَ الْمُرْسَلِینَ کَفَضْلِ الشَّمْسِ عَل_ی الْکَوَاکِبِ وَ کَفَضْلِ الآخِرَهِ عَل_ی الدُّنْ_یَا وَ کَفَضْ_لِ__ی عَلی کُلِّ شَ_یْءٍ

Allah, the Most High, said to ‘Isa: “Hold the scholars in great esteem and recognize their greatness since surely I have granted them greatness above all My creations, with the exception of those who have been sent as Prophets and Messengers just like the sun enjoys greatness over the other stars, and the next life enjoys greatness over the transient world, and like My greatness over all other things.”(1)

In a letter which Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) wrote to Ishaq b. Ya’qub, he stated:

وَ أَمَّا الْحَوَادِثُ الْوَاقِعَهُ فَارْجِعُوا فِیهَا إِل_ی رُوَاهِ حَدِی_ثِنَا فَإِنَّهُمْ حُجَّتِی عَلَیْکُمْ وَ أَنَا حُجَّهُ اللٌّهِ (عَلَیْهِمْ)

“As for (guidance in) the events which transpire, refer to those who narrate our traditions, since they are my proof over all of you and I am the proof of Allah (over them).”(2)

In a tradition from Imam Hasan b. ‘Ali al-’Askari, he said:

فَأَمَّا مَنْ کَانَ مِنَ الْفُقَهَاءِ صَائِ_ناً لِنَفْسِهِ حَافِظاً لِدِی_نِهِ مُخَالِفاً عَل_ی هَوَاهُ مُطِیعاً لِأَمْرِ مَوْلاَهُ فَلِلْعَوَامِّ أَنْ یُقَلِّدُوهُ وَ ذٌلِکَ لاَ یَکُونُ إِلاَّ بَعْضَ فُقَهَاءِ الشِّی_عَهِ لاَ کُلُّهُمْ

“As for the

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one who is from amongst the Fuqaha (scholars) and who protects his soul safe guards his faith goes against the passions of his lowly desires obeys the commands of his master (Allah) it is required that the common people should follow him. However these characteristics are present only in some of the Fuqaha of the Shi’a not all of them.”(1)

these people so that through them, the believers are guided. It is through following their direction that one can benefit from the springs of goodness which they possess and through which one may be able to reach the highest goals.

According to the intellect and the traditions, it is obligatory to follow these scholars as they are at the spiritual forefront over all others. These scholars must be sought after throughout the entire Earth and one must be able to identify them and know who they are. Once this is accomplished, one must then strengthen his aspirations and become a disciple of such people.

Through both the inner being and the outer self, one must have full trust in them and not deviate from their path even in the slightest. It is under the shadow of their guidance that a true believer will be able to reach his goal - the lofty levels of spiritual closeness to Allah  and purification of the soul.

Through this, one will become a true manifestation of the collection of verses of the Qur`an which start with:

 قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ... 

“Surely successful are the true believers...”(1)

In every era, there are certain individuals who make up the pure tree (Shajaratul Tayyibah) and for the one who is searching for the truth, finding such individuals is:

أَیْسَرَ مِنْ کُلِّ یَسِیرٍ

“Easier than all other easy tasks.”

Those who wish to follow this responsibility must seek to be amongst those whom Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has spoken in regards

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to when he said: “I swear by the One who holds my life in His hands.

Verily on the land and its surroundings, there are true believers for whom the entire transient world does not even measure in the worth of the wing of a fly.If the entire material world and all that is within it and upon it was to be turned into gold and was to be put around their neck and was then to fall off of their neck, they would not even feel that something was on their neck nor would they realize that something had fallen off!”

After explaining some of the characteristics of the close, intimate friends of Allah, then Imam went on to say: “Ahh!

How I long to sit and speak with these people and how much grief I have for that which they have - however by sitting with them, my grief would go away! I am looking for these people and when I find them and benefit from their Divinely granted Light, then I too shall be guided. Through them, we will all be successful in this life and in the next.

Such people are more scarce than red sulphur. Their ornament is their prolonged silence, keeping of secrets, establishing the Salat, Zakat, Hajj and Fasting, being in solace, helping their brothers in faith when they have the ability and even when they are in difficulty.

These are their ornaments and things that they love to do. Glad tidings upon these people

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and what a good return (from Allah) they will have! These are the people who shall be the inheritors of the Firadus wherein they shall abide for eternity.”(1)

The Noble Prophet  had stated: “O’ Usamah! This group of people shall have knowledge of all corners of the Earth. Anytime the Mihrab (place of worship) will not find them within them, they will lament!

Thus, take these people as your treasure and worth it is possible that through them you shall be saved from the difficulties of this transient world and the fears and uncertainties of the Day of Resurrection! Ensure that you follow the path they are on because if you leave their path, then your feet shall definitely tremble and you will slip into the hell-fire.”(2)

In a tradition from Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) , we read:

حُبُّ اللٌّهِ إِذَا أَضَاءَ عَلی سِرِّ عَبْدٍ أَخْلاَهُ عَنْ کُلِّ شَاغِلٍ وَکُلِّ ذِکْرٍ سِوَی اللٌّهِ عِنْدَ ظُلْمَهٍ وَالْمُحِبُّ أَخْلَصُ النَّاسِ سِرًّا لِلٌّهِ وَأَصْدَقُهُمْ قَوْلاً وَأَوْفَاهُمْ عَهْداً وَأَزْکَاهُمْ عَ__مَلاً وَأَصْ_فَاهُمْ ذِکْراً وَأَعْ_بَدُهُمْ نَفْساً، تَتَبَاهَی الْمَلاَئِکَهُ عِنْدَ مُنَاجَاتِهِ وَتَفْتَخِرُ بِرُؤْیَتِهِ وَ بِهِ یَعْمُرُ اللٌّهُ تَعَال_ی بِلاَدَهُ وَبِکَرَامَتِهِ یُکْرِمُ عِبَادَهُ یُعْطِیهِمْ إِذَا سَأَلُوا بِحَقِّهِ وَیَدْفَعُ عَنْهُمُ الْبَلاَیَا بِرَحْمَتِهِ فَلَوْ عَلِمَ الْخَلْقُ مَا مَحَلُّهُ عِنْدَ اللٌّهِ وَمَنْزِلَتُهُ لَدَیْهِ مَا تَقَرَّبُ_وا إِل_ی اللٌّهِ إلاَّ بِتُرَابِ قَدَمَیهِ

“When the love of Allah illuminates the inner self of a servant, it distracts him from all preoccupations and all thoughts other than Allah. One who loves (Allah) will become the most sincere of all people to Him in secret the most

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truthful in words; the most faithful in his promise, the purest in deeds, the most earnest in rememberance (of Allah) and the most obedient in worship.

The Angels will be delighted when he whispers (to his Lord) and will feel proud when they see him. It is because of him that Allah makes His lands prosper; and in favour of his honour will Allah honour His servants.

He gives them when they beseech Him in his name, and He wards off misfortunes on account of His mercy (for him). Had the creation known the actual status and standing of such a loving servant with Almighty Allah, they would not have sought nearness to Allah except by the dust of his feet!”(1)

in the sayings of the Ahlul Bayt (as) are the general deputies and representatives of the Imam.

In a tradition narrated by Muhammad al-Hasan b. Ahmad we read that:

کُنْتُ بِمَدِینَهِ السَّلاَمِ فِی السَّنَهِ الَّتِ_ی تُوُفِّ_یَ فِیهَا الشَّیْخُ عَلِیُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ السَّمُرِیُّ رِضْوَانُ اللٌّهِ عَلَیْهِ فَحَضَرْتُهُ قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ بِأَیَّامٍ، فَأَخْرَجَ إِل_ی النَّاسِ تَوْقِیعاً نُسْخَتُهُ: بِسْمِ اللٌّهِ الرَّحْمٌنِ الرَّحِیمِ. یَا عَلِیَّ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ السَّ_مُرِیَّ أَعْظَمَ اللٌّهُ أَجْرَ إِخْوَانِکَ فِیکَ فَإِنَّکَ مَیِّتٌ مَا بَیْ_نَکَ وَ بَیْنَ سِتَّهِ أَیَّامٍ، فَأَجْمِعْ أَمْرَکَ وَ لاَ تُوصِ إِل_ی أَحَدٍ فَیَقُومَ مَقَامَکَ بَعْدَ وَفَاتِکَ فَقَدْ وَقَعَتِ الْغَیْبَهُ الثَّانِیَهُ فَلاَ ظُهُورَ إِلاَّ بَعْدَ إِذْنِ اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَّ جَلَّ وَ ذٌلِ__کَ بَعْدَ طُوْلِ الأَمَدِ وَ قَسْوَهِ الْقُلُوبِ وَ امْتِلاَءِ الأَرْضِ جَوْراً وَسَیَ_أْتِ_ی شِیعَ_تِ_ی مَنْ یَدَّعِی الْمُشَاهَدَهَ أَلاَ فَمَنِ ادَّعی الْمُشَاهَدَهَ قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ السُّفْیَانِیِّ وَ الصَّیْحَهِ فَهُوَ کَذَّابٌ مُفْتَرٍ وَ لاَ حَوْلَ وَ لاَ قُوَّهَ إِلاَّ بِاللٌّهِ الْعَلِیِّ الْعَظِیمِ

“I was in the city of Peace (Baghdad) in the year in which Shaykh ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Samuri, may Allah’s grace be upon him, passed away and was with him a few days before he left this world. At that time, he brought out a piece of paper with some writing on it that stated: “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

O’ ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Samuri! May Allah grant your brothers a grand reward concerning you since you are going to die soon and between you and death, only six days remain. Thus, gather your affair and do not appoint anyone to be in your place (as my representative)

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after your death for the time of the second occultation is here and there will be no advent until after the permission of Allah, the Noble and Majestic.

This will be after a long period (has passed) after the hearts have become hardened and the Earth has become full of corruption. And there will come some from my Shi’a who will claim to have seen me. Certainly the person who claims to have seen me before the appearance of al-Sufyani and the Call is a liar and a fabricator. And there is no power or strength, save with Allah, the Most High, the Majestic.’”(1)

Confirming the specific representation of the Imam can be possible through the following three ways:

1. A direct and explicit text from Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) himself.

2. A clear text from one of the direct representatives of the Imam (ajtf)

3. A person who claims to be the representative of the Imam (ajtf) shows supernatural actions which would prove the relationship between him, Allah and the Imam.

During the minor occultation, the four specific representatives of the Imam were either explicitly appointed directly by the Imam or through a written text from the preceding representative based on the Imam’s directive and each one was able to perform supernatural actions to prove their status.

Therefore, as long as the specific representation is not proven through the definite proofs, we cannot accept his claim! In actuality, it is forbidden (haram) to make this claim and to accept the claim from one who makes it!

During

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the period of the major occultation, it is hard to arrive at the three conditions mentioned rather, it is impossible as there is no explicit text from the Imam himself or one of the directly appointed representatives, nor can we find a single person who could produce such supernatural and paranormal acts that would be able to confirm his appointment as a specific representative of the Imam!

Indeed, it is possible that a person or a group of people may claim to be specific representatives of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), however we must test them to see if they possess any of the three points mentioned above.

Through testing them and closely monitoring their speech, actions, behavior and their claims of specific representation, their lies and trickery will clearly be seen as from the beginning of the major occultation until today, not only have we not heard, but also we have not seen any of these signs in any person.

A person who claims this status must be one who acts upon the Shari’ah and the religion of Allah. In addition, there must not be even the smallest slips in his character or in the performance of the religious duties. He must perform all of the obligatory (wajib) acts and refrain from all of the prohibited (haram) acts.

Of course, all reprehensible (makruh) acts must be avoided and the recommended (mustahab) acts must be carried out. In addition to this, the supernatural acts would have to be shown as this defines his relationship

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with Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) and his being a specific representative of the Imam.

In the tradition quoted above, the Imam noted: “Whoever claims to have seen me (during the occultation) is a liar and has leveled a false accusation against me” and this statement clearly proves that there are currently no specific representatives of the Imam!

Thus, if a person claims to have a certain status granted to him by the Imam or claims to have met the Imam just like the (four) specific representatives of the Imam had done (during the minor occultation), then he must be called a liar and must be introduced as one who has placed a false accusation against the Imam.

supplicate to Allah  to be able to fulfill every important task.

The Messenger of Allah has said:

سَلُوا اللٌّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَا بَدَالَکُمْ مِنْ حَوَائِجِکُمْ حَ_تَّی شِسْعَ الْنَعْلِ فَإِنَّهُ إِنْ لَمْ یُ_یَسِّرْهُ لَمْ یَتَیَسَّرْ

“Ask Allah, the Majestic and Glorious, for the necessities that you require, even for as much as your shoelace, because if He does not make it easily available for you then it will not be attainable.”(1)

the following tradition asked Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) for guidance in regards to the best actions during the period of occultation, to which the Imam replied:

إِقْرَأْ عَلی مَنْ تَری أَنَّ_هُ یُطِیعُنِی مِنْهُمْ وَ یَأْخُذُ بِقَوْلِی أَلسَّلاَمَ وَ أُوصِیکُمْ بِتَقْوی اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَ الْوَرَعِ فِی دِی_نِکُمْ وَ الإِجْتِهَادِ لِلٌّهِ وَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِیثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الأَمَانَهِ وَ طُولِ السُّجُودِ وَ حُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ فَبِهٌذَا جَ__آءَ مُحَمَّدٌ  أَدُّوا الأَمَانَهَ إِل_ی مَنِ ائْتَمَنَکُمْ عَلَیْهَا بَرًّا أَوْ فَاجِراً فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللٌّهِ  کَانَ یَأْمُرُ بِأَدَآءِ الْخَیْطِ وَ الْمَخِیطِ

“Convey my salutations to the Shi’a whom you know to be obedient to me and who acts upon my words.

I also advise you to maintain consciousness of Allah, the Glorious and Noble, piety in relation to your religion struggle in the way of Allah, truthfulness in speech and giving back a trust (when you have been entrusted with something), prolonging the prostrations and to be a good neighbour since these (are all things) that Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) brought.

Give back the trust that someone has given to you to keep whether he be a good person or an open sinner, because certainly the Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) used to command the return of the trust even if it be (something as small as) a thread and needle.”(1)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) also said:

إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ مَنْ کَانَ عَاقِلاً فَهْماً فَقِیهاً حَلِیماً مُدَارِیاً صَبُوراً صَدُوقاً وَفِ_یًّا إِنَّ اللٌّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

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خَصَّ الأَنْ_بِیَآءَ بِمَکَارِمِ الأَخْلاَقِ فَمَنْ کَانَتْ فِیهِ فَلْیَحْمَدِ اللٌّهَ عَلی ذٌلِکَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ تَکُنْ فِیهِ فَلْیَتَضَرَّعْ إِل_ی اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَلْیَسْأَلْهُ إِیَّاهَا. قَالَ قُلْتُ: جُعِلْتُ فِدَاکَ وَ مَا هُنَّ؟ قَالَ : هُنَّ الْوَرَعُ وَ الْقَنَاعَهُ وَ الصَّبْرُ وَ الشُّکْرُ وَ الْحِلْمُ وَ الْحَ_یَآءُ وَ السَّخَاءُ وَ الشَّجَاعَهُ وَ الْغِیْرَهُ وَ الْبِرُّ وَ صِدْقُ الْحَدِیثِ وَ أَدَاءُ الأَمَانَهِ

“Surely we love that person who is intelligent, has understanding; deep knowledge of the religion, forbearing, compassionate, patient truthful and trustworthy. Surely Allah, the Glorious and Noble, graced the messengers with the noblest of ethics so whoever has these traits in himself should praise Allah for this and whoever does not possess them should beseech Allah, the Glorious and Noble, and plead for them from him.”

The companion continued: “I said to the Imam, may I be sacrificed for you, what are they?” The Imam replied: “They are to keep away (from sin), to be satisfied (with what one has), patience, thankfulness, forbearance, chastity, benevolence, courage, dignity, righteousness, truthfulness in one’s speech and returning the entrusted.”(1)

بَلِّغْ بِإِی_مَانِی أَکْمَلَ الإِیْ_مَانِ وَاجْعَلْ یَقِی_نِی أَفْضَلَ الْیَقِینِ...

“O’ Allah! Send your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and elevate my faith to a perfect faith and make my certitude the best of certitudes...”

Reciting these sorts of supplications is important for developing the noble ethical traits and reaching this state is only possible with the assistance of Allah for it is out of the reach of humanity to attain on their own.

A believer can only struggle and choose the path meaning that it is up to him to choose the path towards the noble traits and then struggle to reach one’s goal.

However, the true point of achieving these traits, for example, arriving to the stage of possessing the noble ethical traits, in dependent upon both the intention and struggles of a person and the desire of Allah  to grant the believer such a status.

rights of another believer to which he replied:

سَبْعُونَ حَقًّا

“These are seventy rights.”(1)

In addition, Abul Hasan has said:

مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِی حَاجَهٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِیَ رَحْمَهٌ مِنَ اللٌّهِ تَعَال_ی سَاقَهَا إِلَیْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذٌلِکَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلاَیَ_تِنَا وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلاَیَهِ اللٌّهِ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ یَقْدِرُ عَلی قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللٌّهُ عَلَیْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ یَنْهَشُهُ فِی قَبْ_رِهِ إِل_ی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَهِ مَغْفُوراً لَهُ أَوْ مُعَذَّباً فَإِنْ عَذَرَهُ الطَّالِبُ کَانَ أَسْوَأَ حَالاً

“When a person is approached by his believing brother in need of assistance, this is actually a mercy from Allah, the High, which He sent to that person.

Therefore, if a person accepts this (and helps his brother) then it will bring him to our custodianship and the custodianship of Allah.

However, if he rejects his brother’s request (for help) while he is able to help him, then Allah will make a large serpent of fire come that will frighten him in his grave until the Day of Judgment, either a means of forgiveness for him (if he had done other good deeds in the world) or a punishment. And if the seeker forgives him then he will be in a worse state.”(2)

From these and other traditions, we can deduce that fulfilling the rights of the believers is one of the best ways to get closer to Allah  and Imam al-Zaman (ajtf)

is an enemy of Allah and this concept has been referred to as Tabarrah in the Furu’ ad-Din (Principles of Religion) and is one of the signs of true faith.

A true lover of Allah will be able to show the truthfulness of his love through the hatred of the enemies of the one whom he truly loves.

The enemies of the Imam are various and come from all walks of life and thus, we cannot elucidate upon all of them. However in summary we can state that his main enemies are: the disbelievers, hypocrites, agnostics, and those who are working against the faith (of Islam). Of course, these people are his enemies as long as they persist in their incorrect beliefs and actions and do not accept him.

In addition, those who openly (and knowingly) commit sins and carry on in this way without returning to the straight path are also his enemies.

Just as the enemies of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) are in different stages and levels in their hatred towards him, so too the hatred that we must show to them must also be at different stages and levels.

The minimum level of hatred for them is the spiritual aversion in the heart. After this, a physical aversion and separation from them - in addition to the aversion of the heart such as not speaking with them, business transactions, partnership or working together and being in their company, etc Must also be enacted.

However, along with the hatred which we show and our means

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of interaction, the conditions of enjoining the good and forbidding from the bad (‘Amr bin Ma’ruf and Nahi ‘anil Munkar) must also be carefully observed.

One of the enemies of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) is Satan (May he be removed from the mercy of Allah) and a true believer must take him as an enemy! Without doubt, the best form of enmity that one can show towards Satan and his helpers is to work against his orders. In other words, one must obey Allah and the religion that He sent and must also obey Allah’s representative and travel the path of self-purification.

The other enemies of the Imam include those with extremely negative ethical traits and people who intentionally try to mislead the masses. These influences may take on the form of cultural invasions and include those who write books to mislead the people, centers of corruption, wrong ideas and systems of economics (such as taking interest), and other effects of disbelief, transgression and rebellion which a true believer must protect himself from.

In describing the Shi’a, Imam Ja’far. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has stated:

لاَ یُحِبُّ لَنَا مُبْغِضاً وَ لاَ یُبْغِضُ لَنَا مُحِبًّا

“They (our Shi’a) are those who will not love the people who have enmity towards us (the Ahlul Bayt) and will not hate those who love us (the Ahlul Bayt).”(1)

Imam Muhammad. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has said:

وَ أَبْغِضْ مُبْغِضَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ إِنْ کَانَ صَوَّاماً قَوَّامأً

“Have enmity for those who have enmity for the family of Muhammad even if they fast and stand (for

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Salat) a lot.”(1)

Imam Ja’far. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

وَ اللٌّهِ مَا جَعَلَ اللٌّهُ لِأَحَدٍ خِ_یَرَهً فِی اتِّ_بَاعِ غَیْرِنَا وَ إِنَّ مَنْ وَافَقَنَا خَالَفَ عَدُوَّنَا وَ مَنْ وَافَقَ عَدُوَّنَا فِی قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ فَلَیْسَ مِنَّا وَ لاَ نَحْنُ مِنْهُمْ

“I swear by Allah that Allah has not permitted anyone to follow anybody other than us (the Ahlul Bayt) and whoever follows us (the Ahlul Bayt) has gone against our enemies; and whoever agrees with our enemies in their words or deeds is not from us and we are not from them.”(2)

have departed from your obligatory Salat then do not leave (your prayer area) until you have cursed the Bani Umayyah.”(1)

The Messenger of Allah has said:

مَنْ ضَعُفَ عَنْ نُصْرَتِنَا أَهْلَ الْبَیْتِ فَلَعَنَ فِی خَلَوَاتِهِ أَعْدَائَنَا بَلَّغَ اللٌّهُ صَوْتَهُ جَمِیعَ الأَمْلاَکِ مِنَ الثَّری إِل__ی الْعَرْشِ فَکُلَّمَا لَعَنَ هٌذَا الرَّجُلُ أَعْدَائَنَا لَعْناً سَاعَدُوهُ فَلَعَنُوا مَنْ یَلْعَنُهُ ثُمَّ ثَنَّوْهُ فَقَالُوا: أَللٌّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَل_ی عَبْدِکَ هٌذَا الَّذِی قَدْ بَذَلَ مَا فِی وُسْعِهِ وَ لَوْ قَدَرَ عَل_ی أَکْثَرَ مِنْهُ لَفَعَلَ. فَإِذَا النِّدَاءُ مِنْ قِبَلِ اللٌّهِ تَعَال_ی: قَدْ أَجَبْتُ دُعَاءَکَمْ وَ سَمِعْتُ نِدَاءَکُمْ وَ صَلَّیْتُ عَل_ی رُوْحِهِ فِی الأَرْوَاحِ وَ جَعَلْتُهُ عِنْدِی مِنَ الْمُصْطَفَینَ الأَخْ_یَارِ

“If one is too weak to support us the Ahlul Bayt (in open) and thus curses our enemies in secret, Almighty Allah makes his voice reach all the creatures from the earth up to the Divine Throne (‘Arsh).

Hence, whenever one curses our enemies, they support him by cursing the one whom he is cursing then they laud him saying: “O Allah! (Please) send blessings on this servant of yours who is doing the best he can and who would certainly do more if he could.”

Almighty Allah answers: “I have responded to your prayers and have listened to your requests therefore, I send blessings upon the soul of this servant and I include him with the ‘Company of the Elect, the Virtuous.’”(2)

or do not follow his way of life. People who have distanced themselves from the righteous and noble individuals and do not remember the Imam. This is definitely one of the important responsibilities for one who loves and is seeking closeness to the Imam.

It is possible for a person to be considered as a Muslim and even a Shi’a and it is possible that he performs the Salat, Sawm, pays his Zakat and other charities and Islamically legislated “taxes” and fulfills all other obligations, but is still considered as one who is not worthy of associating with.

In essence, these people spend most of their time preoccupied with the material world and follow their lower desires and passions. They pay very little attention to spiritual issues, the spiritual journey towards the final abode or treading on the path towards Allah. They have fled the difficult paths (of this life), have run away from the slope that leads towards the next life and have given preference to a life of ease, comfort, relaxation and negligence (of the faith).

If they approach the Salat and fasting and other Islamic acts, then they do so because they are seeking a good outcome in the next life and because of their fear of the hell fire. Thus, the only reason for them to perform these acts is in order to get a lofty place in Paradise!

When a person looks at their acts of worship, one sees that they are performed in a particular manner such

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that it does not intrude with the goals of the transient world!

How many times has it been seen that their acts of worship are simply performed because they wish to look good amongst the people (that others see them perform these acts) and to gain something for this world from another person. Therefore, such people actually seek to acquire even more of the transient world by misleading the people (through the acts of worship!)

Even in the face of many solid proofs, they refuse to submit to true guidance and refuse to turn away from the path they are on (of seeking the material world). Such individuals are drowning themselves in unattainable desires and wishes.

These types of people, whose number is not small, and whom we can safely say make up a large percentage of the followers of the path of truth(The Shi’a) If they are not classified as enemies of the Imam, it can safely be said are not true friends of the Imam either! Thus, the true followers of the Imam must keep their distance from such people.

In addition, one should also keep away from them when it comes to business dealings and working with them in other issues of life - except in the case of necessity.

Of course, there is no problem in guiding them and taking them by the hand to enlighten them with the hope that this will have an effect on them and that some change may take place. Rather, this is actually obligatory (wajib)

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upon the true believer! However, in other than this situation, one must keep their distance from them.

One who associates with them, speaks with them and remembers them, will definitely forget the Imam even though they apparently may be righteous people.

If being with a certain individual or speaking with him makes one forget the love of the Imam, then it is not worth associating with that person - even if he or she is not an enemy of the Imam and is a part of the nation of the Imam! In essence, any person who makes a true believer negligent of his responsibilities to the Imam is not worth associating with!

In addition, if a person does not help his brother or sister in their spiritual growth and achieving closeness to the Imam, then it is not advisable to associate with that person - even if they does not prevent one from these things.

The only people who are worthy of keeping company with are those who help one another on the path towards the Imam; those who have the same spiritual course in life; and those who have the same desires and goals and are actively awaiting the Imam.

Of course, that which has been expressed in this responsibility does not go against the reciprocal rights that one must fulfill in relation to brothers in the faith. For example, if one does not associate with a person who is not worthy of associating with, this does not mean that he has broken off

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family ties (which is a sin in Islam).

as it will be kept by him; and one who keeps a weapon prepared for our sake shall be rewarded according to its weight as well as the weight of it as long as it is kept by him.”(1)

The meaning of ‘weapons’ in this tradition are the very weapons of war whatever type they may be such as bow and arrow, spear, mace, lance, dagger, sword or gun.

However according to some traditions, the meaning of weapon is specifically limited to the sword and this can be deduced from the (various) proofs and the traditions since we know that in some countries, it is not permissible to possess weapons such as guns.

The meaning of the Imam when he spoke about the relationship ‘.for one’s entire lifetime’ (as was seen in the second tradition quoted above) will be discussed in the next responsibility.

three things:

1. Looking after and keeping one’s weapons ready be it a horse or anything else in anticipation of the advent of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) with the hope that one will be able to help him and make use of those things in the service of the Imam during his advent. This type of closeness was mentioned in the previous responsibility and is one of the recommended acts in Islam.

2. Those things which the scholars have mentioned in their writings in the ‘Book of Jihad’. In these writings, the scholars have stated that a true believer must protect and defend his country when there is a possibility that the enemies will launch an attack. One must also keep his stead and weapon ready so as to protect the Islamic lands from the enemies attack and in the event of an attack, must rise up to defend Islam!

The minimum amount of time a believer must spend in protecting the Islamic territory is three days while the maximum is forty days. However, if he guards the territory for more than forty days, then he will be given the reward of a Mujahid (one who is struggling) in the way of Allah!

This type of closeness with the Imam at the time of his advent or during the occultation is a recommended act.

The Messenger of Allah (S) has said:

رِبَاطُ الْخَیْلِ لَیْلَهً فِی سَبِیلِ اللٌّهِ خَیْرٌ مِنْ صِیَامِ شَهْرٍ وَ قِیَامِهِ فَإِنْ مَاتَ جَری عَلَیْهِ عَمَلُهُ الَّذِی کَانَ یَعْمَلُ وَ أُجْرِیَ عَلَیْهِ رِزْقُهُ وَ أَمِنَ

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الْفَتَّانَ

“To be prepared (for war) one night in the way of Allah is better than fasting an entire month and spending all its night in worship. If a person is to die (in this state), then the (reward) for the action he performed will continue, his sustenance will continue to be given to him and he will be saved from the Angel of Examination (in the grave).”(1)

The Messenger of Allah (S) also said:

کُلُّ مَیِّتٍ نَخْتِمُ عَل_ی عَمَلِهِ إِلاَّ الْمُرَابِطَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللٌّهِ فَإِنَّهُ یَنْمُو لَهُ عَمَلُهُ إِل_ی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَهِ وَ یُؤْمِنُ مِنْ فَتَّانِ الْقَبْرِ

“The actions of every deceased person are sealed except one who is garrisoned in the way of Allah - this person’s good deeds will continue to grow until the Day of Judgment and he will have protection from the Angels of the Grave.”(2)

3. A true believer must maintain his affiliation and closeness to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) by making a pact with the infallible leaders of the religion and forging a covenant reaffirming his belief in these individuals.

Through this, one will be able to develop close times with his Imam. In addition, one must consider the acts of helping, assisting and following the Imam as being incumbent upon him. This sort of affiliation is Wajib al-’Ayni meaning that it is obligatory upon every true believer.

This relationship with the Imam is different than the second meaning of the affiliation which must be shown since at the level we are currently discussing, a person is not permitted to have

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someone else step in and perform this task for him. Thus, this form of pact with the Imam is very important and is one of the pillars of true faith and without it, Allah shall not accept the actions of any person.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

إِصْبِرُوا عَل_ی الْمَصَائِبِ وَ صَابِرُوا عَل_ی الْفَرَائِضِ وَ رَابِطُوا عَل_ی الأَئِمَّهِ

“Have patience in the face of difficulties, observe patience in relation to the performance of obligatory acts, and establish an affinity with the A`immah.”(1)

In regards to the verse of the Qur`an in which Allah  has said:

“O’ you who have firm faith! Observe patience, have endurance and establish a relation(2),

Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has said:

إِصْ_بِرُوا عَل_ی أَدَآءِ الْفَرَائِضِ وَ صَابِرُوا عَدُوَّکُمْ وَ رَابِطُوا إِمَامَکُمْ الْمُنْ_تَظَرْ

“Observe patience in relation to performing the obligatory acts, have endurance in facing your enemies and establish closeness with your Imam, al-Muntadhar (the Awaited One).”(3)

In relation to the verse that states:

 یَا أَیُّهَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا 

“O’ you that have faith! Observe patience, stand firm and close [your] ranks.

Imam Ja’far. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) said that ‘establish a relation’ means:

أَلْمُقَامُ مَعَ إِمَامِکُمْ

“Standing firm (and resolved) with your Imam.”(4)

fact that the path towards the Imam is open and thus, he must speak to him and ask his wishes since the Imam can see and hear us and without doubt, he will reply to the requests of the believers.

A companion of the Imam once said: “I wrote to Abul Hasan that there is a person who would like to convey something directly to his Imam and to Allah, the Great.” The Imam replied:

إِنْ کَانَتْ لَکَ حَاجَهٌ فَحَرِّکْ شَفَ_تَیْکَ فَإِنَّ الْجَوَابَ یَأْتِیکَ

“If you have a need, then move your lips (and mention it) and the reply will surely come to you.”(1)

It is mentioned in the traditions that Imam ‘Ali. Muhammad once said to a man:

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ مَسْأَلَهً فَاکْ_تُبْهَا وَ ضَعِ الْکِتَابَ تَحْتَ مُصَلاَّکَ وَ دَعْهُ سَاعَهً ثُمَّ أَخْرِجْهُ وَانْظُرْ فِیهِ

“If you want to ask a question (to your Imam), then write it down and place the writing under your prayer mat and leave it there for an hour. Then take it out and look at the paper.”(2)

The companion stated: “I did just as I was told and received the answer that I was looking for. The signature of the Imam was even on the paper!”

must cry out for help to the Imam.

Allah has said in the Qur`an:

 وَ لِلٌّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْن_ی فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا 

“And to Allah belong the most beautiful names so call upon Him by them.”(1)

In relation to this verse, it has been narrated from Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq  that:

نَحنُ وَ اللٌّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْن_ی

“We (the Ahlul Bayt) are, by Allah, the most beautiful names (of Allah).”(2)

In addition, Imam ‘Ali b. Musa al-Rida (as) has said:

إِذَا نَزَلَتْ بِکُمْ شِدَّهٌ فَاسْتَعِینُوا بِنَا عَل_ی اللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَ هُوَ قُوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:  وَ لِلٌّهِ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُ__سْنیٌ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا 

“When difficulties come upon you, then seek assistance through us (the Ahlul Bayt) as intermediaries with Allah, the Noble and Grand, and this is the meaning of His words, the Noble and Grand, And to Allah belong the most beautiful names so call upon Him by them.”(3)

Indeed, the believers must refer to their Imam and seek assistance from him because if they do not do so, then they will remain in troubles and will not be protected from disgrace and humiliation.

Salat: On either a Wednesday or Thursday night, one should go under the open sky with one’s head uncovered and perform a two Rak’at Salat. After the Salat, the following should be said 55 times:

یَا حُجَّهُ الْقَائِمُ

“O’ Hujjatul Qa`im.”(1)

One Du’a: This Du’a was taught by our twelfth Imam to a man who had been sent to prison. After reciting this short supplication, he was freed:

إِلٰ_هِی عَظُمَ الْبَلاَءُ وَبَرِحَ الْ_خَفَاءُ وَانْکَشَفَ الْغِطَاءُ وَانْقَطَعَ الرَّجَاءُ وَضَاقَتِ الأَرْضُ وَمُنِعَتِ السَّمَاءُ وأَنْتَ الْ_مُسْتَعَانُ وَإِلَیْکَ الْ_مُشْ_تَکٰی وَعَلَیْکَ الْ_مُعَوَّلُ فِی الشِّدَّهِ والرَّخَاءِ. أَللّٰ_هُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ أُولِی الأَمْرِ الَّذِینَ فَرَضْتَ عَلَیْنَا طَاعَتَهُمْ وَعَرَّفْ_تَنَا بِذٰلِکَ مَنْزِلَ__تَهُمْ فَفَرِّجْ عَنَّا بِحَقِّهِمْ فَرَجاً عَاجِلاً قَرِی_باً کَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ. یَا مُحَمَّدُ یَا عَلِیُّ یَا عَلِیُّ یَا مُحَمَّدُ إِکْ_فِیَانِی فَإِنَّکُمَا کَافِیَانِ وَانْصُرَانِی فَإِنَّکُمَا نَاصِرَانِ. یَا مَوْلاَنَا یَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ، أَلْغَوْثَ أَلْغَوْثَ أَلْغَوْثَ، أَدْرِکْنِی أَدْرِکْنِی أَدْرِکْنِی، أَلسَّاعَهَ أَلسَّاعَهَ أَلسَّاعَهَ، أَلْعَجَلَ أَلْعَجَلَ أَلْعَجَل. یَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِینَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ الطَّاهِرِینَ

“O’ Allah, terrible is the calamity; and its evil consequences are visible the covering has been removed (all) hopes have been cut off; the (plentiful) Earth has shrunk (with very little room to spare); the heavenly blessings have been withheld.

You alone can help, we refer our grief and sorrow to you, we have full faith in you, in the times of distress, as well as in good fortune.

O’ Allah send Your blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, whom we must obey as per Your command, through which we become aware of their rank and status, and let

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there be joy after sorrow for us, for their sake, right away, in the twinkling of an eye or even more rapidly than that.

O’ Muhammad, O’ ‘Ali, O’ ‘Ali, O Muhammad, Give me enough, because both of you provide sufficiently (by the permission of Allah). Help me, because both of you help and protect (by the permission of Allah). O’ our master, O’ the Imam of our Time! Help me, help me, help me! Assist me! Assist me! Assist me!

At once, in this hour. Be quick, be quick, be quick. O’ the Most Merciful of those who show mercy, for the sake of Muhammad and his pure family.”(1)

One written request: It is mentioned in the traditions that if a person has a legitimate desire, then he should write the following on a piece of paper and place it inside the grave of one of the A`immah.

If this is not possible, then he may seal it with pure mud and place it in a deep well, river or any other body of flowing water and it will reach to Imam Sahib al-Zaman (ajtf). The Imam himself has guaranteed that he will answer the requests of the person:

کَتَبْتُ یَا مَوْلاَی صَلَوَاتُ اللٌّهِ عَلَیْکَ مُسْتَغِیثاً وَشَکَوْتُ مَا نَزَلَ بِی مُسْتَجِیراً بِاللٌّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ بِکَ مِنْ أَمْرٍ قَدْ دَهِمَنِی وَأَشْغَلَ قَلْبِی وَأَطَالَ فِکْرِی وَسَلَبَنِی بَعْضَ لُبِّی وَغَیَّرَ خَطِیرَ نِعْمَهِ اللٌّهِ عِنْدِی (أَسْلَمَنِی عِنْدَ تَخَیُّلِ وُرُودِهِ الخَلِیلُ وَتَبَرَّأَ مِنِّی عِنْدَ) تَرَائِی إِقْبَالِهِ إِلَیَّ الْحَمِیمُ وَعَجَزَتْ عَنْ دِفاَعِهِ حِیلَتِی وَخَانَنِی فِی تَحَمُّلِهِ

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صَبْرِی وَقُوَّتِی، فَلَجَأْتُ فِیهِ إِلَیْکَ وَتَوَکَّلْتُ فِی الْمَسْئَلَهِ لِلٌّهِ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ عَلَیْهِ وَعَلَیْکَ فِی دِفَاعِهِ عَنِّی عِلْماً بِمَکاَنِکَ مِنَ اللٌّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِینَ وَلِیِّ التَّدْبِیرِ وَمَالِکِ الأُمُورِ وَاثِقاً بِکَ فِی الْمُسَارَعِهِ فِی الشَّفَاعَهِ إِلَیْهِ جَلَّ ثَنَائُهُ فِی أَمْرِی مُتَیَقِّناً لِإِِجَابَتِهِ تَبَارَکَ وَتَعَالَی إِیَّاکَ بِإِعْطَائِی سُؤْلِی وَأَنْتَ یَا مَوْلاَیَ جَدِیرٌ بِتَحْقِیقِ ظَنِّی وَتَصْدِیقِ أَمَلِی فِیکَ فِی أَمْرِ کَذٌا وَکَذٌا... (فِی) مِمَّا لاَ طَاقَهَ لِی بِحَمْلِهِ وَلاَ صَبْرَ لِی عَلَیْهِ وَإِنْ کُنْتُ مُسْتَحِقًّا لَهُ وَلِأَضْعَافِهِ بِقَبِیحِ أَفْعالِی وَتَفْرِیطِی فِی الْوَاجِ_بَاتِ الَّتِی لِلٌّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَأَغْثِنِی یا مَوْلایَ صَلَواتُ اللّهِ عَلَیْکَ عِنْدَ اللَّهْفِ وَقَدِّمِ الْمَسْأَلَهَ لِلٌّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِی أَمْرِی قَبْلَ حُلُولِ التَّلَفِ وَشَماتَهِ الأَعْدآءِ فَبِکَ بَسَطَتِ النِّعْمَهُ عَلَیَّ وَاسْئَلِ اللٌّهَ جَلَّ جَلالُهُ لِی نَصْراً عَزِیزاً وَفَتْحاً قَرِیباً فِیهِ بِ_بُلُوغِ الآمَالِ وَخَیْرِ الْمَبَادِی وَخَواتِیمِ الأَعْمالِ وَالأَمْنِ مِنَ الْمَخَاوِفِ کُلِّهَا فِی کُلِّ حَالٍ إِنَّهُ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ لِمَا یَشَاءُ فَعَّالُ وَهُوَ حَسْبِی وَنِعْمَ الْوَکِیلُ فِی الْمَبْدَءِ وَالْمآلِ

“I am writing to you, O my master, may Allah’s blessings be upon you, seeking your aid. And I am complaining about what has befallen me, seeking protection from Almighty Allah and then from you against the trouble that has inflicted me; busied my heart; occupied my mind; deprived me of my prudence; and changed the great favors of Almighty Allah upon me.

It has disappointed me after I had thought of it as my friend; and disavowed me after it had pretended itself as my close comrade. Thus, all my means have failed to defend me against it; and my endurance and power have been too short to bear

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it.

I therefore resort to you against it and I depend upon Allah, the greatly Praised, and upon you, on account of my confession of your (unique) standing with Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, the Source of perfect management, and the Prevailer over all affairs, in protecting me against it and I am sure that you will expedite interceding for me before Allah, the greatly Praised, regarding my affair.

I am certain that He, the Blessed and Elevated, will respond to me by answering my appeal. Verily, you, my master, are worth causing my expectation to come true and making my hope achievable concerning so-and-so...”

In the place of the last words in bold, the person would proceed to write his needs and then continue by writing:

“...which I cannot stand to bear although I have deserved not only that problem but also many times as many as it due to my misdeed and negligence of my duties towards Almighty Allah. O my master!

May Allah’s blessings be upon you, (please) aid me as I am anxious, and provide my request before Almighty Allah before I am injured and my enemies gloat over my grief. It is through you that the bounties have been spread over me.

Please ask Almighty Allah to grant me a great assistance and a near victory through which my hopes may be attained, the commencements and ends of my deeds may be made good, and all my apprehensions secured under all circumstances. Verily, He, the greatly Praised

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does whatever He wills; and He is Sufficient for me! Most Excellent is He in whom we trust first and last.”

The person should then stand near the river or body of water and by taking the name of the one four specific representatives of the Imam (it is best to take the name of Hasan b. Ruh) call upon him and say:

یَا فُلاَنَ بْنَ فُلاَنٍ (حَسَنَ ابْنَ رُوحٍ): سَلاَمٌ عَلَیْکَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ وَفَاتَکَ فِی سَبِیلِ اللهِ وَ أَنْتَ حَیٌّ عِنْدَ اللهِ مَرْزُوقٌ وَ قَدْ خَاطَبْ_تُکَ فِی حَیَاتِکَ الَّتِی عِنْدَ اللهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ هٰذِهِ رُقْعَ_تِی وَ حَاجَتِی إِل_یٰ مَوْلاَنَا فَسَلِّمْهَا إِلَیْهِ فَأَنْتَ الثِّقَهُ الأَمِینُ

“O’ so and so (Hasan b. Ruh): Peace be upon you! I bear witness that surely your death was in the way of Allah and that indeed you are alive in the presence of Allah being sustained (by Him) and thus I address you in your life which you have in the presence of Allah, the Noble and Grand, and this writing of mine has my needs that are to be given to our master so then submit this to him since you are the trustworthy and reliable.”

The person should then throw the paper into the flowing water so that his desires will be fulfilled, Insha-Allah.(1) [This is common known as the Areezah.]

One ziyarat: Among the best rites of visitation that can be recited for the Imam to have our legitimate desires fulfilled (by the permission of Allah ) is the Ziyarat of Aale Yasin(2) which

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has been recorded and preserved in many books of supplication and it is as follows:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْ_مٰنِ الرَّحِیٖمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

سَلاَمٌ عَلیٰ آلِ یٰ_سۤ أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا دَاعِیَ اللهِ وَرَبَّان_ِیَّ آیَاتِهِ. أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا بَابَ اللهِ وَدَیَّانَ دِیْ_نِهِ. أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا خَلِیفَهَ اللهِ وَنَاصِرَ حَقِّهِ. أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا حُجَّهَ اللهِ وَدَلِیلَ إِرَادَتِهِ.

“Peace be upon (the) progeny of Yasin. Peace be upon you, O the caller of Allah and place of manifestation of His signs. Peace be upon you, O the door of Allah and the devout one of His religion. Peace be upon you, O the vicegerent of Allah and the helper of His truth. Peace be upon you, O the proof of Allah and the symbol of His ordinance.

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا تَالِیَ کِتَابِ اللهِ وَتَرْجُ_مَانَهُ. أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ فِی آنَاءِ لَیْلِکَ وَأَطْرَافِ نَ_هَارِکَ. أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا بَقِیَّهَ اللهِ فِی أَرْضِهِ. أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا مِیثَاقَ اللهِ الَّذِی أَخَذَهُ وَوَکَّدَهُ.

Peace be upon you, O the reciter of Allah’s book and its interpreter. Peace be upon you in your night and in your day. Peace be upon you, O the vestige of Allah on His earth. Peace be upon you, O the covenant of Allah, which He took and affirmed.

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا وَعْدَ اللهِ الَّذِی ضَمِنَهُ.أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ أَیُّهَا الْعَلَمُ الْ_مَنْصُوبُ وَالْعِلْمُ الْ_مَصْ_بُوبُ وَالْغَوْثُ وَالرَّحْمَهُ الْوَاسِعَهُ وَعْداً غَیْرَ مَکْذُوبٍ

Peace be upon you, O the promise of Allah which He guaranteed. Peace by upon you, O the raised flag and the one who is molded with knowledge, the

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help, the far-reaching mercy and the promise which is not a lie.

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تَقُومُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تَقْعُدُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تَقْرَأُ وَتُ_بَیِّنُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تُصَلِّی وَتَ_قْنُتُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تَرْکَعُ وَتَسْجُدُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تُ_هَلِّلُ وَتُکَبِّرُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تَحْمَدُ وَتَسْتَغْفِرُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ حِینَ تُصْبِحُ وَتُ_مْسِی

Peace be upon you while you are standing. Peace be upon you while you are sitting. Peace be upon you when you are reading and explaining (the Qur`an). Peace be upon you when you are praying and supplicating.

Peace be upon you when you are bowing (in Ruku’) and prostrating (in Sajdah). Peace be upon you when you are announcing the Tahlil (saying: ‘There is no god but Allah’) and Takbir (saying: ‘Allah is greater [than can be described].’) Peace be upon you when you are praising (Allah) and seeking forgiveness. Peace be upon you when you enter the morning and the evening.

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ فِی اللَّیْلِ اِذَا یَغْشیٰ وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّی، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ أَیُّهَا الإِمَامُ الْ_مَأْمُونُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ أَیُّهَا الْ_مُقَدَّمُ الْ_مَأْمُولُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ بِجَوِامِعِ السَّلاَمِ

Peace be upon you in the night when it envelops and the day when it becomes manifest. Peace be upon you, O the protected leader. Peace be upon you, O the one whose coming is hoped for. Peace be upon you by the collections of the salutations.

أُشْهِدُکَ یَا مَوْلاَی أَنِّ_ی أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ اِلٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِیکَ لَ_هُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ لاَ حَبِیبَ اِلاَّ هُوَ وَأَهْلُهُ

I call you as a witness, O my Master, that

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certainly I testify that there is no god except Allah, He is alone, there is no partner with Him. And (I testify) that indeed Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle; there is no beloved except him and his progeny.

وَأُشْهِدُکَ یَا مَوْلاَیَ أَنَّ عَلِیّاً أَمِیرَ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ حُجَّتُهُ، وَالْ_حَسَنَ حُجَّتُهُ، وَالْ_حُسَیْنَ حُجَّتُهُ، وَعَلِیَّ بْنَ الْ_حُسَیْنِ حُجَّتُهُ، وَمُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِیٍّ حُجَّتُهُ، وَجَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ حُجَّتُهُ، وَموُسَیٰ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ حُجَّتُهُ، وَعَلِیَّ بْنَ موُسیٰ حُجَّتُهُ، وَمُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِیٍّ حُجَّتُهُ، وَعَلِیَّ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ حُجَّتُهُ، وَالْ_حَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِیٍّ حُجَّتُهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّکَ حُجَّهُ اللهِ

And I call you as a witness, O my Master, that certainly ‘Ali, the Commander of the Believers is His proof and Hasan is His proof and Husain is His proof and ‘Ali, son of Husain is His proof and Muhammad, son of ‘Ali is His proof and Ja’far, son of Muhammad is His proof and Musa, son of Ja’far is His proof and ‘Ali, son of Musa is His proof and Muhammad, son of ‘Ali is His proof and ‘Ali, son of Muhammad is His proof and Hasan, son of ‘Ali is His proof and I testify that indeed you are the proof of Allah.

أَنْتُمُ الأَوَّلُ وَالآخِرُ وَأَنَّ رَجْعَتَکُمْ حَقٌّ لاَ رَیْبَ فِیهَا یَوْمَ لاَ یَنْفَعُ نَفْساً إِیْ_مَانُ_هَا لَمْ تَکُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ کَسَبَتْ فِی إِیْ_مَانِ_هَا خَیْراً

You (all) are the first and the last. And surely your return is a truth, there is no doubt in it, (on) the day when (the) belief of none will benefit him who previously did not

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believe or acquired goodness through his belief.

وَأَنَّ الْ_مَوْتَ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ نَاکِراً وَنَکیراً حَقٌّ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ النَّشْرَ حَقٌّ وَالْبَعَثَ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ الصِّرَاطَ حَقٌّ وَالْ_مِرْصَادَ حَقٌّ وَالْ_مِیزَانَ حَقٌّ وَالْحَشْرَ حَقٌّ وَالْحِسابَ حَقٌّ وَالْجَ_نَّهَ وَالنَّارَ حَقٌّ وَالْوَعْدَ وَالْوَعِیدَ بِهِمَا حَقٌّ

And indeed death is (an inescapable) truth; and indeed (the questioning of) Nakir and Nakir is a truth; and I testify that indeed the dispersion (in Qiyamat) is a truth; and the resurrection is a truth; and indeed the (narrow) path (over hell) is a truth; and the place of observation is a truth; and the (measuring) scales is a truth; and the gathering (of all human beings) is a truth; and the accounting (of deeds) is a truth; and Paradise and Hell is a truth; and the promise and the threat are both a truth.

یا مَوْلایَ شَقِیَ مَنْ خَالَ__فَکُمْ وَسَعِدَ مَنْ أَطَاعَکُمْ فَاشْهَدْ عَلیٰ مَا أَشْهَدْتُکَ عَلَیْهِ وَأَنَا وَلِیٌّ لَکَ بَرِی_ئٌ مِنْ عَدُوِّکَ فَالْحَقُّ مَا رَضِ_یتُمُوهُ وَالْبَاطِلُ مَا سَخِطْ_تُمُوهُ وَالْ_مَعْرُوفُ مَا أَمَرْتُمْ بِهِ وَالْ_مُنْکَرُ مَا نَ_هَ_یْتُمْ عَنْهُ

O my master, one who opposes you (all) is wretched and the one who obeys you (all) is successful. Then testify whatever I made you a witness upon. And I am a friend of yours, distanced from your enemy. So the truth is whatever you are pleased with, and falsehood is whatever you are angry with, and goodness is whatever you have ordered, and evil is whatever you have prohibited.

فَنَفْسِی مُؤْمِنَهٌ بِاللهِ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِیکَ لَهُ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَبِأَمِیرِ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ وَبِکُمْ یَا مَوْلاَیَ أَوَّلِکُمْ وَآخِرِکُمْ وَنُصْرَتِی مُعَدَّهٌ لَکُمْ

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وَمَوَدَّتِی خَالِصَهٌ لَ_کُمْ آمِینَ آمِینَ

So I am a believer in Allah, the One, He has no partner, and (I am a believer) in His Messenger and in the Commander of the Faithful and in you O my master, the first among you and the last among you. And my help is ready for you and my love is purely for you. Ameen! Ameen! (Accept! Accept! [whatever I have asked for])”

The following du’a should then be recited to complete this Ziyarat:

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّی أَسْأَلُکَ أَنْ تُصَلِّیَ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ نَبِیِّ رَحْمَتِکَ وَکَلِمَهِ نُورِکَ وَأَنْ تَ_مْلأَ قَلْ_ِبی نُورَ الْیَقِینِ وَصَدْرِی نُورَ الإِی_مَانِ وَفِکْرِی نُورَ النِّیَّاتِ وَعَزْمِی نُورَ الْعِلْمِ وَقُوَّتِی نُورَ الْعَمَلِ وَلِسَانِی نُورَ الصِّدْقِ وَدِی_نِی نُورَ الْبَصَائِرِ مِنْ عِنْدِکَ، وَبَصَرِی نُورَ الضِّ_یَآءِ وَسَمْعِی نُورَ الْحِکْمَهِ وَمَوَدَّتِی نُورَ الْ_مُوَالاَهِ لِ_مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ عَلَیْهِمُ أَلسَّلاَمُ حَتّٰی أَلْقَاکَ وَقَدْ وَفَیْتُ بِعَهْدِکَ وَمِیثَاقِکَ فَتُغَشِیَّنِی رَحْمَتَکَ یَا وَلِیُّ یَا حَمِیدُ

“O Allah, surely I ask you to send blessings upon Muhammad - the Prophet of Your mercy and the aphorism of your light. And fill my heart with the light of certainty; and my chest with light of faith; and my thinking with the light of intentions and my determination with the light of knowledge and my strength with the light of action and my tongue with the light of truthfulness.

And my religion with the light of understanding from You and my vision with the light of illumination and my hearing with the light of wisdom and my love with the light of friendship for Muhammad and his progeny, peace be

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upon (all of), them until I meet You having certainly fulfilled (my duty to) Your promise and Your covenant. So you cover me with your mercy, O Master! O Praiseworthy.

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ حُجَّتِکَ فِی أَرْضِکَ وَخَلِیفَتِکَ فِی بِلاَدِکَ وَالدَّاعِی إِل_یٰ سَ_بِی_لِکَ وَالْقَائِمِ بِقِسْطِکَ وَالسَّائِرِ بِأَمْرِکَ، وَلِ_یِّ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ وَبَوَارِ الْ_کَافِرِینَ وَمُجَلِّی الظُّلْمَهِ وَمُنِیرِ الْحَقِّ وَالنَّاطِقِ بِالْحِکْمَهِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَکَلِمَتِکَ التَّآمَّهِ فِی أَرْضِکَ، الْ_مُرْتَقِبِ الْخَآئِفِ وَالْوَلِیِّ النَّاصِحِ، سَ_فِینَهِ النَّجَاهِ وَعَلَمِ الْ_هُدی وَنُورِ أَبْصَارِ الْوَریٰ وَخَیْرِ مَنْ تَقَمَّصَ وَارْتَدیٰ وَمُجَلِّی الْعَمَیٰ الَّذِی یَ_مْلاَءُ الأَرْضَ عَدْلاً وَقِسْطاً کَمَا مُلِئَتْ ظُلْماً وَجَوْراً، إِنَّکَ عَلیٰ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ قَدیرٌ

O Allah send your blessings upon Muhammad, your proof on your earth, your vicegerent over your lands the caller towards your way, the establisher of your justice, the one who follows Your command. The master of the believers and the (cause of) ruin of the disbelievers, the enlighten of the darkness, the illuminator of the truth the speaker with wisdom and truth.

Your complete word on Your earth, the anxious anticipator and the counseling master, the ship of salvation, the flag of guidance, the light of the sight of mankind, best of he who was attired and was clothed and the illuminator of the blind, the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity, just as it was filled with injustice and oppression. Surely you are Powerful over all things.

أَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ وَلِیِّکَ وَابْنِ أَوْلِیَائِکَ الَّذِینَ فَرَضْتَ طَاعَتَهُمْ، وَأَوْجَبْتَ حَقَّهُمْ، وَأَذْهَبْتَ عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْسَ وَطَهَّرْتَ_هُمْ تَطْهِیراً. أَللّٰ_هُمَّ انْصُرْهُ وَانْ_تَصِرْ بِهِ لِدِی_نِکَ وَانْصُرْ بِهِ أَوْلِیَائَکَ وَ أَوْلِیاَئَهُ وَشِیعَتَهُ وَأَنْصَارَهُ وَاجْعَلْنَا

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مِنْهُمْ

O’ Allah send your blessings upon your close friend and son of your close friends those whom you have ordered (us) to obey, you made (the observation of) their rights compulsory, you removed from them all uncleanliness and purified them a thorough purification. O’ Allah help him and come to the aid of your religion through him and help your close friends (those who are) his friends and his followers and his helpers, and place us among them.

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ أَعِذْهُ مِنْ شَرِّ کُلِّ بَاغٍ وَطَاغٍ وَمِنْ شَرِّ جَمِیعِ خَلْقِکَ، وَاحْفَظْهُ مِنْ بَیْنَ یَدَیْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَعَنْ یَ_مِی_نِهِ وَعَنْ شِ_مَالِهِ وَاحْرُسْهُ وَامْنَعْهُ مِنْ أَنْ یُوصَلَ إِلَیْهِ بِسُوءٍ وَاحْفَظْ فِیهِ رَسُولَکَ وَآلَ رَسُولِکَ وَأَظْهِرْ بِهِ الْعَدْلَ وَأَیِّدْهُ بِالنَّصْرِ وَانْصُرْ نَاصِرِیهِ وَاخْذُلْ خَاذِلیهِ وَاقْصِمْ قَاصِمِیهِ وَاقْصِمْ بِهِ جَبَابِرَهَ الْکُفْرِ وَاقْ_تُلْ بِهِ الْکُفَّارَ وَالْ_مُنَافِقِینَ وَجَمِیعَ الْ_مُلْحِدِینَ حَیْثُ کَانُوا مِنْ مَشَارِقِ الأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبِهَا بَرِّهَا وَبَحْرِهَا، وَامْلَأْ بِهِ الأَرْضَ عَدْلاً وَأَظْهِرْ بِهِ دِینَ نَ_بِیِّکَ صَلَّی اللهُ عَلَیْهِ وَآلِهِ

O Allah! Protect him from the evil of every tyrant and despot and from the evil of all your creatures and grant him protection from his front, his back, his right and his left and protect him and prevent from him the reaching of any evil.

Protect Your Apostle and the progeny of Your Apostle through him and make justice manifest through him; support him by victory; aid his helpers and abandon his deserters; crush his enemies and break up the forces of disbelief through him.

Through him, kill the disbelievers and the hypocrites and all the infidels wherever they be,

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in the east of the earth and its west, its land and its sea. Fill the earth with justice through him and manifest the religion of Your Prophet, blessings be upon him and his progeny (through him).

وَاجْعَلْنِی اللّٰهُمَّ مِنْ أَنْصَارِهِ وَأَعْوَانِهِ وَأَتْبَاعِهِ وَشِیعَتِهِ، وَأَرِنِی فِی آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَیْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ مَا یَأْمُلُونَ وَفِی عَدُوِّهِمْ مَا یَحْذَرُونَ، إِلٰهَ الْحَقِّ آمِینَ یَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِکْرَامِ یَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِینَ

And place me, O Allah, among his helpers and his aides and his followers and his partisans. And show me in the progeny of Muhammad peace be upon them, whatever they are hoping for and in their enemies whatever they (the enemies) are afraid of. O Lord of the truth, Ameen (Accept). O the Possessor of Splendor and Honor! O the Most Merciful of all the Merciful.”

One dhikr: When a person has a legitimate need that must be fulfilled, he should stand facing the Qiblah with his head uncovered, and say the following 570 times:

یَا حُجَّهُ الْقَائِمُ

“O’ Hujjatul Qa`im.”(1)

One form of tawassul: We are able to seek an intermediary to Allah through the 12th Imam (ajtf) by reciting this supplication:

أَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَیْتِهِ وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ابْنَتِهِ وَ ابْنَیْهَا الْ_حَسَنُ وَ الْ_حُسَینُ إِلاَّ أَعَنْ_تَنِی بِهِمْ عَلیٰ طَاعَتِکَ وَ رِضْوَانِکَ وَ بَلَّغْ_تَنِی بِهِمْ أَفْضَلَ مَا بَلَّغْتَهُ أَحَداً مِنْ أَوْلِیَائِهِمْ فِی ذٰلِکَ

“O’ Allah! Send your blessings upon Muhammad (S) and his household (as) and I beseech you, O Allah, in the name of Muhammad (S), his daughter (sa), and her two sons,

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al-Hasan and al-Husayn (as), that by their right you help me to obey you and attain your pleasure and that you grant me the best of all that which you have ever granted to any of their close friends.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ أَمْیرِ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ عَلِیِّ بْنِ أَبِی طَالِبٍ إِلاَّ انْتَقَمْتَ لِی بِهِ مِ_مَّنْ ظَلَمَنِی وَ کَفَیْتَنِی بِهِ مَئُونَهَ مَنْ یُرِیدُنِی بِظُلْمٍ أَبَداً مَا أَبْقَیْتَنِی

And I beseech you in the name of Your close servant, the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, that by his right, You take revenge on him who has wronged me, and by his right, You stand against anyone who intends to injure me as long as You will to keep me alive.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ عَلِیِّ بْنِ الْ_حُسَینِ إِلاَّ کَفَیْتَنِی بِهِ وَ نَجَّیْتَنِی مِنْ جَوْرِ السَّلاَطِینَ وَ نَفْثِ الشَّیَاطِینَ

And I beseech you in the name of Your close servant, ‘Ali b. al-Husayn, that by his right, You protect and save me from the persecution of the rulers, and the evil inspirations of the devils.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّیکَ مُحَمَّدٍ بْنِ عَلِیٍّ وَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلاَّ أَعَ_نْتَنِی بِهِمَا عَلیٰ أَمْرِ آخِرَتِی بِطَاعَتِکَ

And I beseech you in the name of your two close servants, Muhammad b. ‘Ali and Ja’far b. Muhammad, that by their right, you help me manage the affairs of my next life by means of obedience to you.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِ_حِ مُوسیٰ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ الْ_کَاظِمِ بِغَیْظِهِ إِلاَّ عَافَیْتَنِی بِهِ مِ_مَّا أَخَافُهُ وَ أَحْذَرُهُ عَلیٰ بَصَرِی وَ جِ_مِیعِ سَائِرِ جَسَدِی

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وَ جَوَارِحِ بَدَنِی مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَ مَا بَطَنَ مِنْ جَمِیعِ الأَسْقَامِ وَ الأَمْرَاضِ وَ الأَعْلاَلِ وَ الأَوْجَاعِ بِقُدْرَتِکَ یَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِینَ

And I beseech You, O Allah, in the name of Your close righteous servant, Musa b. Ja’far, who suppressed his anger (al-Kadhim), that by his right, You safeguard me against all that which I fear and and am careful about regarding my sight and the rest of my entire body, and all my organs the external and the internal from all illnesses, diseases, ailments, and pains, out of Your power, O the most Merciful of all those who show mercy.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ عَلِیِّ بْنِ مُوسیٰ الرِّضَا إِلاَّ أَنْجَیْ_تَنِی بِهِ وَ سَلَّمْ_تَنِی م_ِمَّا أَخَافُهُ وَ أَحْذَرُهُ فِی جَمِیعِ أَسْفَارِی فِی الْبَرَارِی و الْقِفَارِ وَ الأَوْدِیَهِ وَ الْغِیَاضِ وَ الْبِحَارِ

And I beseech You, O Allah, in the name of Your close servant, ‘Ali b. Musa al-Riďa, that through him, You rescue me and guard me against all that I fear and am careful about in all my journeys through the lands, deserts, valleys, jungles, and seas.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ أَبِی جَعْفَرٍ الْجَوَادِ إِلاَّ جُدْتَ عَلَیَّ بِهِ مِنْ فَضْلِکَ وَ تَفَضَّلْتَ عَلَیَّ بِهِ مِنْ وُسْعِکَ مَا أَسْتَغْنِی بِهِ عَمَّا فِی أَیْدِی خَلْقِکَ وَ خَاصَّهً یَا رَبِّ لِئَامَهُمْ وَ بَارِکْ لِی فِیهِ وَ فِیمَا لَکَ عِنْدِی مِنْ نِعَمِکَ وَ فَضْلِکَ وَ رِزْقِکَ إِلٰ_هِی انْقَطَعَ الرَّجَاءُ إِلاَّ مِنْکَ وَ خَابَتِ الآمَالُ إِلاَّ فِیکَ یَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَ الإِکْرَامِ

And I beseech you, O Allah, in the name of your close servant, Abu

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Ja’far al-Jawad, that by his right, you generously confer upon me your favours and bestow upon me with your expansive grace so that I will no more need what is possessed by Your creatures and in particular the cruel among them.

Bless all that which you confer upon me as well as your favours, grace, and sustenance that I possess. O my God! All my hopes have failed except that which I put in you, and all the expectations have been disappointed, except those which I expect from You; O the Lord of Majesty and Honour.

أَسْأَلُکَ بِحَقِّ مَنْ حَقُّهُ عَلَیْکَ وَاجِبٌ أَنْ تُصَلِّیَ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَیْتِهِ وَ أَنْ تَبْسُطَ عَلَیَّ مَا حَظَرْتَهُ مِنْ رِزْقِکَ وَ أَنْ تُسَهِّلَ ذٰلِکَ وَ تُیَسِّرَهُ فِی خَیْرٍ مِنْکَ وَ عَافِیَهٍ وَ أَنَا فِی خَفْضِ عَیْشٍ وَ دَعَهٍ یَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِینَ

I beseech You in the name of him whose right You have made incumbent upon you, that You bless Muhammad and his Household, and grant me the sustenance which You have kept from me, and make it easy for me (to acquire) in goodness and wellbeing while I enjoy good living and comfort; O the most Merciful of all those who show mercy.

وَ أَسْأَلُ_کَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ عَلِیِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلاَّ أَعَنْتَنِی بِهِ عَلیٰ قَضَاءِ نَوَافِلِی وَ بِرِّ إِخْوَانِی وَ کَمَالِ طَاعَتِکَ

And I beseech You, O Allah, in the name of Your close servant, ‘Ali b. Muhammad, that through him, You help me perform my supererogatory actions, act righteously with my brethren-in-faith, and obey

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You perfectly.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِیٍّ الْ_هَادِی الأَمِینِ الْکُرِی_مِ النَّاصِحِ الثِّقَهِ الْعَالِمِ إِلاَّ أَعَنْتَنِی بِهِ عَلیٰ أَمْرِ آخِرَتِی

And I beseech You, O Allah, in the name of your close servant, Hasan b. ‘Ali al-Hadi, the trustworthy, the generous, the sincere counselor, the trust-worthy scholar; that through him, you help me in the affairs (which are beneficial) for my next life.

وَ أَسْأَلُکَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ وَلِیِّکَ وَ حُجَّتِکَ عَلیٰ عِبَادِکَ وَ بَقِیَّتِکَ فِی أَرْضِکَ الْ_مُنْتَقِمِ لَکَ مِنْ أَعْدَائِکَ وَ أَعْدَاءِ رَسُولِکَ بَقِیَّهِ آبَائِهِ الطَّاهِرِینَ وَ وَارِثِ أَسْلاَفِهِ الصَّالِ_حِینَ صَاحِبِ الزَّمَانِ صَلَّی اللهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ عَلیٰ آبَائِهِ الْکِرَامِ الْ_مُتَقَدِّمِینَ الأَخْیَارِ إِلاَّ تَدَارَکْتَنِی بِهِ وَ نَ_جَّیْتَنِی مِنْ کُلِّ کَرْبٍ وَ هَمٍّ وَ حَفِظْتَ عَلَیَّ قَدِی_مَ إِحْسَانِکَ إِلَیَّ وَ حَدِیْثَهُ وَ أَدْرَرْتَ عَلَیَّ جَمِیلَ عَوَائِدِکَ عِنْدِی

And I beseech You, O Allah, by Your close servant, and Your proof over Your servants, and Your representative in Your lands, (the one) who will take revenge on Your enemies and the enemies of Your Messenger; the perfection of his Immaculate fathers, the inheritor of his Infallible predecessors, the Patron of the Age, may Allah’s blessings be upon him and upon his fathers, the virtuous, the preferred ones, and the honourable ones that You make me his follower and deliver me from all misfortunes and griefs, and protect Your favours upon me, old and new, and shower upon me with Your excellent boons.

یَا رَبِّ أَعِنِّی بِهِ وَ نَجِّنِی مِنَ الْ_مَخَافَهِ وَ مِنْ کُلِّ شِدَّهٍ وَ عَظِیمَهٍ وَ هَوْلٍ وَ نَازِلَهٍ وَ غَمٍّ وَ دَیْنٍ وَ مَرَضٍ

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وَ سُقْمٍ وَ آفَهٍ وَ ظُلْمٍ وَ جَوْرٍ وَ فِتْنَهٍ فِی دِیْنِی وَ دُنْ_یَایَ وَ آخِرَتِی بِ_مَنِّکَ وَ رَأْفَتِکَ وَ رَحْمَتِکَ وَ کَرَمِکَ وَ تَفَضُّلِکَ وَ تَعَطُّفِکَ یَا کَافِیَ مُوسیٰ فِرْعَونَ وَ یَا کَافِیَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ مَا أَهَمَّهُ

O Lord! help me through him and save me from the fear (that I have) and from all hardships, calamities, horrors, disasters, griefs, debts, illnesses, diseases, epidemics, persecutions, prejudices, and seditious matters concerning my religion, worldly affairs, and affairs of my next life out of Your grace, compassion, mercy, magnanimity, favour and sympathy.

O He Who saved (Prophet) Musa from the Pharaoh! O He Who relieved Muhammad, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Household, all that which grieved him.

وَ یَا کَافِیَ عَلِیٍّ مَا أَهَمَّهُ یَوْمَ صِفِّینَ وَ یَا کَافِیَ عَلِیِّ بْنِ الْ_حُسَینِ یَوْمَ الْ_حَرَّهِ وَ یَا کَافِیَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحْمَّدٍ أَبَا الدَّوَانِیقِ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ اکْفِنِی مَا أَهَمَّنِی فِی دَارِ الدُّنْ_یَا وَ کُلَّ هَوْلٍ دُونَ الْ_جَنَّهِ بِرَحْمَتِکَ یَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِینَ یَا قَاضِیَ الْحَوَائِجِ یَا وَهَّابَ الرَغَائِبِ یَا مُعْطِیَ الْ_جَزِیلِ یَا فَکَّاکَ الْعُنَاهِ

O’ He who rescued ‘Ali from that which grieved him on the day of Siffin, O’ He Who rescued ‘Ali b. al-Husayn on the day of (the Battle of) al-Harrah, O’ He Who saved Ja’far b. Muhammad against Abu al-Dawaniq (i.e. Abu-Ja’far al-ManSur, the ‘Abbasid ruler).

Send blessings upon Muhammad and his Household and relieve me against all that which has grieved me in this worldly abode and against all horrors aside from Paradise out

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of Your mercy, O’ the most Merciful of all those who show mercy. O’ He Who grants all needs! O’ He Who fulfills all the desires! O’ He Who provides abundantly! O’ He who delivers from anguish.

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّکَ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّی أَعْلَمُ أَنَّکَ قَادِرٌ عَلیٰ قَضَاءِ حَوَائِجِی فَصَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ عَجِّلْ یَا رَبِّ فَرَجَ وَلِیِّکْ وَ ابْنِ بَنْتِ نَبِیِّکَ وَ اقْضِ یَا اللهُ حَوَائِجَ أَهْلِ بَیتِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اقْضِ لِی یَا رَبِّ بِ_مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَیْتِهِ حَوَائِجَ الدُّنْ_یَا وَ الآخِرَهِ صَغِیرَهَا وَ کَبِی_رَهَا فِی یُسْرٍ مِنْکَ وَ عَافِیَهٍ وَ تَ_مِّمْ نِعَمْتَکَ عَلَیَّ وَ هَنِّئْنِی بِهِمْ کَرَامَتَکَ وَ أَلْبِسْنِی بِهِمْ عَافِیَتَکَ وَ تَفَضَّلْ عَلَیَّ بِعَفْوِکَ وَ کُنْ لِی بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَیْتِهِ فِی جَمِیعِ أُمُورِی وَلِیًّا وَ حَافِظاً وَ نَاصِراً وَ کَالِئاً وَ رَاعِیاً وَ سَاتِراً وَ رَازِقاً مَا شَاءَ اللهُ کَانَ وَ مَا لَمْ یَشَأْ لَمْ یَکُنْ لاَ یُعْجِزُ اللهَ شَیْءٌ طَلَبَهُ فِی الأَرْضِ وَ لاَ فِی السَّمَاءِ هُوَ کََائِنٌ هُوَ کَائِنٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ

O’ Allah! You indeed know that I admit that You have the power to grant all my needs, therefore, bless Muhammad and his Household and hasten, O’ Lord, the advent of Your close servant, the son of Your Prophet’s daughter, and grant, O’ Allah, the needs of Muhammad’s household, and grant, O’ Lord, in the name of Muhammad and his household, all my needs in this world as well as in the Next World.

Be they big or small, with easiness and wellbeing from You; and perfect Your graces for me, and make me

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enjoy Your honor, and dress me with Your (bounty of) wellbeing, and confer upon me with Your pardon, and, in the name of Muhammad and his Household, be my Guardian, Custodian, Supporter, Savior, Overseer, Protector and Sustainer, in all of my affairs. Only that which Allah wills shall occur; while that which He does not will shall not occur. Nothing is difficult for Allah to do in the Earth or in the Heavens. This shall be; this shall be, Allah willing.”(1)

It may be possible that some of the lovers of the Imam may have other ways which they use to seek help and assistance from the Imam to fulfill their needs and requests.

For example, it is possible that a person has a need which he wants fulfilled and he conveys this to the Imam either in his dreams or even while awake in a state of Mukashifa (an awaken state in which one experiences the presence of the Divine or His appointed agents) with the answer coming directly from the Imam.

In addition, it is possible that a person verbally declares his desires and an answer comes from the Imam.

Also, it is possible that a person may write his requests to the Imam and keep it under his prayer rug and one will see his answer written on that paper.

In this regards, Imam ‘Ali b. Muhammad (as) has said:

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ مَسْأَلَهٍ فَاکْ_تُبْهَا وَ ضَعِ الْکِتَابَ تَحْتَ مُصَلاَّکَ وَ دَعْهُ سَاعَهً ثُمَّ أَخْرِجْهُ وَ انْظُرْ فِیهِ. قَالَ الرَّاوِی: فَفَعَلْتُ فَوَجَدْتُ

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جَوَابَ مَا سَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ مُوَقَّعاً فِیهِ

“When you wish to ask for something, then write it down (on paper) and place this writing underneath your prayer mat. Wait for an hour and then take the paper out and look at it.” The narrator said: “I did just this and I found the answer to what I has asked for with the signature of the Imam on it (the paper).”(1)

وَل_ِیًّا وَحَافِظاً وَقَائِداً وَنَاصِراً وَدَلیلاً وَعَیْناً حَتّٰی تُسْکِنَهُ أَرْضَکَ طَوْعاً وَتُ_مَتِّعَهُ فِیهَا طَوِیلاً

“O’ Allah, be for Your deputy, al-Hujjah b. al-Hasan, may Your Blessings be upon him and his forefathers, now and at all times, the Master, Protector, Guide, Helper, Proof and Guard until he resides peacefully on Your earth and let him enjoy (the blessings of this life) for a long time.”(1)

when we mention him and should observe taqiyyah (dissimulation) as much as possible. The proper name of the Imam is his first name which is the same as the Prophet of Islam (م ح م د). Since we are not permitted to refer to him by his proper name, we should refer to him through his titles and names of appellation.

Without a doubt, it is forbidden (haram) to mention the name of the Imam in gatherings in which the enemies of the religion are present and any place where there is a fear of the enemies. If there is fear that danger may come to a person, then it becomes forbidden to mention the title of the Imam and the names or titles of the other A`immah as well.

However, the prohibition of not mentioning the name of the Imam in other instances, for example in gatherings in which there is no fear or danger of the enemies of Islam, and where it is not necessary to observe taqiyyah. This is a matter of debate amongst our scholars. However that which we deduce from the traditions which speak about this issue is that it is prohibited to mention his proper name (in any gathering).

The Messenger of Allah (S) has said:

هُوَ الَّذِی لاَ یُسَمِّیهِ بِاسْمِهِ ظَاهِراً قَبْلَ قِیَامِهِ إِلاَّ کَافِرٌ بِهِ

“He is the one whom no one calls by his (proper) name openly before his advent, except the one who disbelieves in him.”(1)

The Messenger of Allah has also said:

فَلاَ یَحِلُّ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ

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یُسَمِّیهِ أَوْ یُکَ_نِّیهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ کُنْیَتِهِ قَبْلَ خُرُوجِهِ صَلَوَاتُ اللٌّهِ عَلَیْهِ

“It is not permitted for anyone to call him by his name or his title before his advent, may the blessings of Allah be upon him.”(1)

There are many reliable traditions found in the well-known books of hadith on this issue which reach to the level of mustafiďha(2) rather, they reach to the level of being mutawatir-e-ma’nawi(3) and tell us that it is impermissible to mention the name and title of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) before his advent.(4)

It is permissible to mention the name of the Imam in supplications and the whispered prayers (Munajat) which are recited in private, however one should keep away from this in large gatherings and according to ihtiyat(5) it is still better not to do this.

The same holds true for mentioning the name of the Imam in secret and in one’s heart such that only the person himself can hear what he is saying this too is permitted, however it is better to observe precaution in these regards as well.

In addition, it also goes against precaution to mention the proper name of the Imam in writings and books. Thus, from the time of the late Shaykh Kulayni (6) until now, we see that our great scholars have not mentioned the name of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) in their books or writings and the methodology of our scholars is constant and none of them have gone against this custom.

Mentioning the proper name of the Imam (ajtf) through the use

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of the individual letters of his name (م ح م د) as a way of indicating him is permissible and just as it was previously stated, his name is the same as the name of the Messenger of Allah and his title is the same as that of the Prophet of Allah (S).

This same ruling (about mentioning him) applies in regards to remembering him by his name and title in closed gatherings and programs those gatherings in which the Shi’a, especially those particular Shi’a such as the ‘Ulama and the pious people are present as long as there is no fear or danger and there is no need to be in a state of taqiyyah.(1)

So, what is the reason for it to be prohibited to mention the name and title of the Imam? Numerous reasons can be cited why it is forbidden to mention his name, however we must concede that the true reason for this prohibition has been hidden from us (by Allah, the Prophet and the A`immah).

Another name of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) which is also one of the names of the Prophet is Ahmad. So the question arises that is it also forbidden to mention the Imam by this name? In brief we can state that it is not forbidden to call the Imam with this name, however, according to precaution, it is better to refrain from this as well.

From some of the traditions, we can deduce that it is also prohibited to mention the specific title

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which the Imam is known by, as it shares the same ruling as mentioning his proper name.

Some people state that it is forbidden to mention his name and titles and we must not call him by such things is this true? In answer to this we state that the strongest opinion(1) is that it is not forbidden to mention the titles of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf). However, according to precaution it is not permitted and this is how we should tread in these regards (by observing this precaution).

فِی حَدِیثِ الْخِضْرِ: وَ أَشْهَدُ عَل_ی رَجُلٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ الْحُسَینِ لاَ یُکَنَّی وَ لاَ یُسَمَّی حَتَّی یَظْهَرَ أَمْرُهُ

In the tradition of al-Khidhr it has been mentioned: “And I bear witness to that man who will come from the children of al-Husain (as) whose title will not be expressly mentioned nor will his name be called until his advent.”(2)

of not observing manners and etiquette in relation to the Imam.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq(as) has said:

مَنْ کَانَ یُؤْمِنُ بِاللٌّهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلاَ یَجْلِسُ مَجْلِساً یُنْ_تَقَصُ فِیهِ إِمَامٌ أَوْ یُعَابُ فِیهِ مُؤْمِنٌ

“He who has true belief in Allah and the Last Day will not attend gatherings in which the Imam is being disparaged or in which the defects of a believer are being spoken about.”(1)

Actions such as not observing the responsibilities which one has to fulfill in regards to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) displaying our own shortcomings in relation to these rights, seeking help (tawassul) from other than the Imam or his pure family in times of difficulties, trying to find faults and defects in the rulings of the religion and that which the Prophet of Islam brought, or insulting the laws of Allah are all things which are equivalent to insulting the Imam.

In addition, actions such as having hatred for the friends and lovers of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), or loving the enemies of the Imam and enemies of the religion are also practical examples of showing disrespect and not observing the correct etiquette in relation to the Imam.

Therefore, these and many other things which are considered as showing disrespect to the Imam must be kept away from and without doubt, those with intellect and understanding can clearly under this responsibility.

al-Hujjah, al-Qa`im, al-Mahdi, Sahib al-Amr, Sahib az-Zaman, Aba Salih and others.

In addition, when one wants to say or write the blessed name of the Imam, one must also display the utmost of respect.

For example, if we use the word ‘Haďrat’ or ‘Mawla’ or things such as this before his name, then we must also add the various forms of greeting, salutations and prayers after mentioning him, such as: “عَلَیْهِ السَّلاَمُ” (peace be upon him): “سَلاَمُ اللٌِّهِ عَلَیْهِ” (may Allah’s peace be upon him): “عَلَیْهِ الصَّلاَهُ وَ السَّلاَمُ” (prayers and peace be upon him): “أَرْوَاحُنَا لَهُ الْفِدَاهُ” (may our souls be sacrificed for him) or “عَجَّلَ اللٌّهُ تَعَالَی فَرَجَهُ الشَّرِیفَ ” (may Allah, the Most High, hasten his noble return) after his blessed name.

The Messenger of Allah (S) has said:

مَنْ صَلَّ_ی عَلَیَّ فِی کِتَابٍ لَمْ تَزَلِ الْمَلاَئِکَهُ تَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُ مَا دَامَ إِسْمِ_ی فِی ذٌلِکَ الْکِتَابِ

“Whoever sends blessings on me in writing, the Angels will continue to ask forgiveness for him for as long as my name is in that book (or writing).”(1)

Therefore based on this tradition, we must remember to show honor and respect to the Prophet, the Imam of our time and the other A`immah and this cannot be achieved by merely writing (ص)(2) in the place of (صَلَّ_ی اللٌّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ سَلَّمَ), or (ع) in the place of (عَلَیْهِ السَّلاَمُ) or (عج) in the place of (عَجَّلَ اللٌّهُ تَعَالَی فَرَجَهُ الشَّرِیفَ) and other things such as these.

Many times, we see scholars write long dissertations and do not

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even try in the least to keep their words to a minimum or we see speakers who deliver long lectures and never suffice with short talks, however when it comes to showing respect to the A`immah of true guidance, they never follow the code of honor in relation to them or if they do, they resort to using the abbreviated forms of respect.

Therefore, instead of writing out (صَلَّی اللٌّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) they will write (ص) or even worse, they will cut the salutation off and write (صَلَّی اللٌّهُ)! In place of the prayer, (عَلَیْهِ السَّلاَمُ) and in place of (عَجَّلَ اللٌّهُ تَعَالَی فَرَجَهُ الشَّرِِیفَ) they will use the symbols (ع) and (عج)! Sometimes, in place of the prayer (رِضْوَانَ اللٌّهُ تَعَالَی عَلَیْهِ) or the prayer (رَحْمَهُ اللٌّهِ عَلَیْهِ) they will shorten them and write them as (رض) and (ره).

We should keep in mind that not only is the use of such shortened expressions in relation to these noble personalities rude and impolite, but it is also one of the greatest forms of disrespect towards them!

Another point of etiquette in showing respect to the Imam is that we should not touch his name or any of his titles without Wudhu’ (spiritual purity).

What we have just mentioned in relation to showing respect and honor to the Imam is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many other forms which can be manifest and indeed these are clear for the one who has true insight and understanding (of

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the Imam).

It goes without saying that what we have stated in this responsibility in regards to the last Imam also holds true for the rest of the Infallibles.

his name) and therefore, it is recommended to show respect to the Imam by standing up whenever his name is mentioned.

of and ready to carry out the commands of the Imam.

We must know that in the presence of the Imam, we are weak and insignificant and that it is the Imam who possesses greatness and magnimity. In addition, we must follow the Imam by our actions and our heart.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said the following in his supplication for the day of Friday:

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّ_ی أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَیْکَ بِقَلْبٍ خَاضِعٍ وَ إِل_یٰ وَلِیِّکَ بِبَدَنٍ خَاشِعٍ وَ إِل_یٰ الأَئِمَّهِ الرَّاشِدِینَ بِفُؤَادٍ مُتَوَاضِعٍ

“O’ Allah! Indeed I seek nearness to you with a submissive heart, and (I seek nearness) to your representative with a body that is humble; and (I seek nearness) to the rightly guided A`immah by a heart filled with humility.”(1)

have been granted are due to the presence of the Imam and the blessings he brings with him and it stands to reason that a person must love the one who is the reason for all of the blessings which he has been granted. Indeed, the Islamic traditions tell us that the presence of the twelfth Imam is the reason that we are blessed.

Thus, our intelligence commands us to love him and in principle, human nature commands people to this truth we must love the one who has given us blessings and bounties and has done good to us.

In addition, there are numerous traditions that speak directly about the need to have love for our living Imam.

قَالَ اللٌّهُ تَعَال_ی: یَا مُحَمَّدُ أَحِبَّهُ فَإِنِّی أُحِبُّهُ وَ أُحِبُّ مَنْ یُحِبُّهُ

Allah has said in a Sacred Tradition (Hadith al-Qudsi): “O’ Muhammad! Have love for him (al-Mahdi) since surely I love him and I love anyone who loves him.”(1)

The Messenger of Allah (S) has said:

وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ یَلْقَ_ی اللٌّهَ وَ قَدْ کَمُلَ إِیْمَانُهُ وَ حَسُنَ إِسْلاَمُهُ فَلْیَتَوَلَّ الْحُجَّهَ صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ الْمُنْتَظَرَ

“A person who would like to meet Allah in a state of perfect faith and in the best form of submission should love al-Hujjah Sahib al-Zaman al-Muntadhar (ajtf).”(2)

النَّاسِ وَ لَمْ یُبَغِّضْنَا إِلَیْهِمْ

“May Allah have mercy upon a servant who endears us to the people and does not make them have hatred towards us (the Ahlul Bayt).” (1)

In another tradition, Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq has said:

رَحِمَ اللٌّهُ عَبْداً إِجْتَرَّ مَوَدَّهَ النَّاسِ إِلَیْنَا فَحَدَّثَهُمْ بِمَا یَعْرِفُونَ وَ تَرَکَ مَا یُنْکِرُونَ

“May Allah have mercy upon that servant who encourages the people to love us (the Ahlul Bayt) through speaking to them whatever (positive) they know (about us), while refraining from mentioning that which they do not find acceptable (about us).”(2)

Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf). We must pray to Allah that the Imam permits us to see him, but of course we should ask to see him while we are in a state of true faith and performing good deeds.

Therefore, we should be blessed to meet him having full faith in Islam so that we do not cause any spiritual harm to the Imam and such that we are not among those whose his anger is taken out upon.

This type of meeting with Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) is possible both during his advent and during his occultation. Therefore, it is possible for the believers to see and meet him during his occultation, just as it is possible to see and meet him during his advent. Thus, just because he is currently hidden from the eyes of the people, we must not deny the fact that it is possible to see him.

To see the Imam during his advent or during the period of occultation while awake or asleep is something that everyone aspires towards and this must be the wish of all true believers. They must sincerely ask Allah for this honor and the best way to achieve this is to supplicate to Allah to be granted the opportunity to meet the Imam upon his advent.

In the Du’a of ‘Ahd (The Supplication of the Pact to the Imam)(1) which has been narrated by Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as), we pray the following:

أَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنِی الطَّلْعَهَ الرَّشِیدَهَ وَ الْغُرَّهَ الْ_حَمِیدَهَ وَاکْحُلْ نَاظِرِی بِنَظْرَهٍ مِنِّی إِلَیْهِ...

“O’Allah!

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Show me the appearance of the one who is rightly guided and the finest of those deserving praise; and beautify my sight with the ability to look upon him...”(1)

Later on in this same supplication we appeal to Allah  and say:

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّی أَسْئَلُکَ أَنْ تُرِیَنِی وَلِیَّ أَمْرِکَ ظَاهِراً نَافِذَ الأَمْرِ...

“O Allah I ask that you show me the authority of your affairs manifestly as he carries out your orders...”(2)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

إِذَا تَ_مَنَّ_ی أَحَدُکُمُ الْقَائِمَ فَلْیَتَمَنَّهُ فِی عَافِیَهٍ فَإِنَّ اللٌّهَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً رَحْمَهً وَ یَبْعَثُ الْقَائِمَ نَقِمَهً

“Anytime one of you has the desire (to see) al-Qa`im (ajtf), then you should desire that (you see him while) you are in a good (spiritual) state since surely Allah had sent Muhammad (S) as a mercy but will send al-Qa`im (ajtf) as an avenger.”(3)

In addition, it has been mentioned in Du’a al-Nudbah(4):

وَ أَرِهِ سَیِدَّهُ یَا شَدِیدَ الْقُویٰ...

“And allow him (Imam al-Mahdi) to see his Master, O’ the Almighty...”(5)

In another supplication(6), it has been mentioned:

وَاجْعَلْنَا مِمَّنْ تَقَرُّ عَیْنُهُ بِرُؤْیِتَهِ

“And make us of those whose eyes are delighted by seeing.”(7)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَهَ بَنِ_ی إِسْرَائِیلَ فِی کُلِّ لَیْلَهِ جُمْعَهٍ لَمْ یَمُتْ حَ_تَّی یُدْرِکَ الْقَائِمَ فَیَکُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ

“A person who recites Surah Bani Isra`il (17) every Thursday night will not die until he sees al-Qa`im (ajtf) and becomes one of his companions.”(8)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has also said:

مَنْ قَرَأَ بَعْدَ کُلِّ فَرِیضَهٍ هٌذَا الدُّعَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ یَری الإِمَامَ م ح م د بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَلَیْهِ

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وَ عَل_ی أَبَائِهِ أَلسَّلاَمُ فِی الْیَقْظَهِ أَوْ فِی الْ_مَنَامِ

“A person who recites the following supplication after every obligatory Salat will definitely see Imam (م ح م د) Ibn al-Hasan, may peace be upon him and upon his forefathers, (either) while he is awake or in his dreams.”(1)

Then the Imam recited the following supplication:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیمِ. أَللّٰهُمَّ بَلِّغْ مَوْلاَنَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ أَیْنَمَا کَانَ وَ حَیْثُمَا کَانَ...

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O’ Allah! Convey to our Master, Sahib al-Zaman (ajtf), wherever he is and everywhere he is...”

especially the true Shi’a to their burial site are all programs and gatherings which a true believer should be present in.

In addition, the joyous occasions which take place during the year such as ‘Eid al-Ghadir, ‘Eid al-Qurban, the Nights of Qadr in the Month of Ramaďhan and others, are also times in which Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) is present and thus, we should also be sure to take part in programs which are held around these great days.

had to endure. If it is not possible for a person to cry, then he should try and force himself to cry or at least ‘pretend’ to cry which is known as ‘tabaka’ in ‘Arabic.

In a tradition from Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) it is mentioned that:

مَنْ ذَکَرَنَا أَوْ ذُکِرْنَا عِنْدَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عَیْنِهِ دَمْعٌ مِثْلُ جَنَاحِ بَعُوضَهٍ غَفَرَ اللٌّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَهِ وَ لَوْ کَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْر

“Anyone who remembers us or when we are remembered in his presence, a tear-drop the size of the wing of a gnat comes out from his eye, Allah will forgive his sins even if they are the amount of the foam on the waters of the sea.”(1)

In another tradition from Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) he has stated:

إِیَّاکُمْ وَالتَّنْوِیَهَ أَمَا وَاللٌّهِ لَیَغِیبَنَّ إِمَامُکُمْ سِنِیناً مِنْ دَهْرِکُمْ وَلِیُمَحِّصَنَّ حَتَّی یُقَالَ مَاتَ أَوْ هَلَکَ بِأَیِّ وَادٍ سَلَکَ وَلَتَدْمَعَنَّ عَلَیْهِ عُیُونُ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ

“Take care not to refer to him (by name))! By Allah (I swear that) your Imam will disappear for many years during which time, you shall be (intensely) tested until it will be said: “He died” or “He has perished” or “Which valley has he taken as his place of recluse?” Verily, the eyes of the believers shall shed tears for him.”(2)

Sudair Sairafi has narrated that:

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ الْمُفَضَّلُ بْنُ عُمَرَ وَ أَبُو بَصِیرٍ وَ أَبَانُ بْنُ تَغْلِبَ عَلی مَوْلاَنَا أَبِی عَبْدِ اللٌّهِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَرَأَیْنَاهُ جَالِساً عَلی التُّرَابِ وَ عَلَیْهِ مِسْحٌ خَیْبَرِیٌّ مُطَوَّقٌ بِلاَ جَیْبٍ مُقَصَّرُ الْکُمَّیْنِ وَ هُوَ یَبْکِی بُکَاءَ

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الْوَالِهِ الثَّکْلی ذَاتَ الْکَبِدِ الْحَرَّی قَدْ نَالَ الْحُزْنُ مِنْ وَجْنَتَیْهِ وَ شَاعَ التَّغَیُّرُ فِی عَارِضَیْهِ وَ أَبْلی الدُّمُوعُ مَحْجِرَیْهِ وَ هُوَ یَقُولُ: سَیِّدِی غَیْبَتُکَ نَفَتْ رُقَادِی وَ ضَیَّقَتْ عَلَیَّ مِهَادِی وَ أَسَرَتْ مِنِّی رَاحَهَ فُؤَادِی! سَیِّدِی غَیْبَتُکَ أَوْصَلَتْ مُصَابِی بِفَجَائِعِ الأََبَدِ وَ فَقْدُ الْوَاحِدِ بَعْدَ الْوَاحِدِ یُفْنِی الْجَمْعَ وَ الْعَدَدَ فَمَا أُحِسُّ بِدَمْعَهٍ تَرْقَی مِنْ عَیْنِی وَ أَنِینٍ یَفْتُرُ مِنْ صَدْرِی عَنْ دَوَارِجِ الرَّزَایَا وَ سَوَالِفِ الْبَلاَیَا إِلاَّ مُثِّلَ لِعَیْنِی عَنْ عَوَائِرِ أَعْظَمِهَا وَ أَفْظَعِهَا وَ تَرَاقِی أَشَدِّهَا وَ أَنْکَرِهَا وَ نَوَائِبَ مَخْلُوطَهٍ بِغَضَبِکَ وَ نَوَازِلَ مَعْجُونَهٍ بِسَخَطِکَ! قَالَ سَدِیرٌ: فَاسْتَطَارَتْ عُقُولُنَا وَلَهاً وَ تَصَدَّعَتْ قُلُوبُنَا جَزَعاً عَنْ ذٌلِکَ الْخَطْبِ الْهَائِلِ وَ الْحَادِثِ الْغَائِلِ وَ ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ سِمَهٌ لِمَکْرُوهَهٍ قَارِعَهٍ أَوْ حَلَّتْ بِهِ مِنَ الدَّهْرِ بَائِقَهٌ فَقُلْنَا: لاَ أَبْکَی اللٌّهُ یَا ابْنَ خَیْرِ الْوَرَی عَیْنَیْکَ مِنْ أَیِّ حَادِثَهٍ تَسْتَنْزِفُ دَمْعَتَکَ وَ تَسْتَمْطِرُ عَبْرَتَکَ وَ أَیَّهُ حَالَهٍ حَتَمَتْ عَلَیْکَ هٌذَا الْمَأْتَمَ؟ قَالَ فَزَفَرَ الصَّادِقُ زَفْرَهً انْتَفَخَ مِنْهَا جَوْفُهُ وَ اشْتَدَّ مِنْهَا خَوْفُهُ وَ قَالَ: وَیْکُمْ إِنِّی نَظَرْتُ فِی کِتَابِ الْجَفْرِ صَبِیحَهَ هٌذَا الْیَوْمِ وَ هُوَ الْکِتَابُ الْمُشْتَمِلُ عَلی عِلْمِ الْمَنَایَا وَ الْبَلاَیَا وَ الرَّزَایَا وَ عِلْمِ مَا کَانَ وَ مَا یَکُونُ إِل_ی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَهِ الَّذِی خَصَّ اللٌّهُ تَقَدَّسَ اسْمُهُ بِهِ مُحَمَّداً وَ الأََئِمَّهَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ عَلَیْهِ وَ عَلَیْهِمُ أَلسَّلاَمُ وَ تَأَمَّلْتُ فِیهِ مَوْلِدَ قَائِمِنَا وَ غِیبَتَهُ وَ إِبْطَاءَهُ وَ طُولَ عُمُرِهِ وَ بَلْوَی الْمُؤْمِنِینَ بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فِی ذٌلِکَ الزَّمَانِ وَ تَوَلُّدَ الشُّکُوکِ فِی قُلُوبِهِمْ مِنْ طُولِ غَیْبَتِهِ وَ ارْتِدَادَ أَکْثَرِهِمْ عَنْ دِینِهِمْ وَ خَلْعَهُمْ رِبْقَهَ الإِِسْلاَمِ مِنْ أَعْنَاقِهِمُ الَّتِی قَالَ اللٌّهُ تَقَدَّسَ ذِکْرُهُ وَ کُلَّ إِنْسَانٍ أَلْزَمْناهُ طَائِرَهُ فِی عُنُقِهِ یَعْنِی

p: 109

الْوَلاَیَهَ فَأَخَذَتْنِی الرِّقَّهُ وَ اسْتَوْلَتْ عَلَیَّ الأََحْزَانُ. فَقُلْنَا یَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللٌّهِ کَرِّمْنَا وَ شَرِّفْنَا بِإِشْرَاکِکَ إِیَّانَا فِی بَعْضِ مَا أَنْتَ تَعْلَمُهُ مِنْ عِلْمٍ؟ قَالَ إِنَّ اللٌّهَ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَالَی أَدَارَ فِی الْقَائِمِ مِنَّا ثَلاَثَهً أَدَارَهَا فِی ثَلاَثَهٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ قَدَّرَ مَوْلِدَهُ تَقْدِیرَ مَوْلِدِ مُوسی وَ قَدَّرَ غَیْبَتَهُ تَقْدِیرَ غَیْبَهِ عِیسی وَ قَدَّرَ إِبْطَاءَهُ تَقْدِیرَ إِبْطَاءِ نُوحٍ وَ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذٌلِکَ عُمُرَ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ أَعْنِی الْخِضْرَ دَلِیلاً عَلی عُمُرِهِ. فَقُلْتُ: اکْشِفْ لَنَا یَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللٌّهِ عَنْ وُجُوهِ هٌذِهِ الْمَعَانِی. قَالَ: أَمَّا مَوْلِدُ مُوسی فَإِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ لَمَّا وَقَفَ عَلی أَنَّ زَوَالَ مُلْکِهِ عَلی یَدِهِ أَمَرَ بِإِحْضَارِ الْکَهَنَهِ فَدَلُّوهُ عَلی نَسَبِهِ وَ أَنَّهُ یَکُونُ مِنْ بَنِی إِسْرَائِیلَ وَ لَمْ یَزَلْ یَأْمُرُ أَصْحَابَهُ بِشَقِّ بُطُونِ الْحَوَامِلِ مِنْ نِسَاءِ بَنِی إِسْرَائِیلَ حَتَّی قَتَلَ فِی طَلَبِهِ نَیِّفاً وَ عِشْرِینَ أَلْفَ مَوْلُودٍ وَ تَعَذَّرَ عَلَیْهِ الْوُصُولُ إِل_ی قَتْلِ مُوسی لِحِفْظِ اللٌّهِ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَال_ی إِیَّاهُ کَذٌلِکَ بَنُو أُمَیَّهَ وَ بَنُو الْعَبَّاسِ لَمَّا وَقَفُوا عَلی أَنَّ زَوَالَ مُلْکِهِمْ وَ الأُمَرَاءِ وَ الْجَبَابِرَهِ مِنْهُمْ عَلی یَدِ الْقَائِمِ مِنَّا نَاصَبُونَا الْعَدَاوَهَ وَ وَضَعُوا سُیُوفَهُمْ فِی قَتْلِ آلِ بَیْتِ رَسُولِ اللٌّهِ وَ إِبَادَهِ نَسْلِهِ طَمَعاً مِنْهُمْ فِی الْوُصُولِ إِل_ی قَتْلِ الْقَائِمِ وَ یَأْبَی اللٌّهُ أَنْ یَکْشِفَ أَمْرَهُ لِوَاحِدٍ مِنَ الظَّلَمَهِ إِل_ی أَنْ یُتِمَّ نُورَهُ... وَ لَوْ کَرِهَ الْمُشْرِکُونَ وَ أَمَّا غَیْبَهُ عِیسی فَإِنَّ الْیَهُودَ وَ النَّصَاری اتَّفَقَتْ عَلی أَنَّهُ قُتِلَ وَ کَذَّبَهُمُ اللٌّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِقَوْلِهِ وَ مَا قَتَلُوهُ وَ مَا صَلَبُوهُ وَ لٌکِنْ شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ کَذٌلِکَ غَیْبَهُ الْقَائِمِ فَإِنَّ الأُمَّهَ تُنْکِرُهَا لِطُولِهَا فَمِنْ قَائِلٍ بِغَیْرِ هُدًی بِأَنَّهُ لَمْ یُولَدْ وَ قَائِلٍ یَقُولُ إِنَّهُ وُلِدَ وَ مَاتَ

p: 110

وَ قَائِلٍ یَکْفُرُ بِقَوْلِهِ إِنَّ حَادِیَ عَشَرَنَا کَانَ عَقِیماً وَ قَائِلٍ یَمْرُقُ بِقَوْلِهِ إِنَّهُ یَتَعَدَّی إِل_ی ثَالِثَ عَشَرَ فَصَاعِداً وَ قَائِلٍ یَعْصِی اللٌّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِقَوْلِهِ إِنَّ رُوحَ الْقَائِمِ یَنْطِقُ فِی هَیْکَلِ غَیْرِهِ وَ أَمَّا إِبْطَاءُ نُوحٍ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّا اسْتَنْزَلَ الْعُقُوبَهَ عَلی قَوْمِهِ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ بَعَثَ اللٌّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَبْرَئِیلَ الرُّوحَ الأََمِینَ بِسَبْعَهِ نَوَیَاتٍ فَقَالَ یَا نَبِیَّ اللٌّهِ إِنَّ اللٌّهَ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَال_ی یَقُولُ لَکَ إِنَّ هٌؤُلاَءِ خَلاَئِقِی وَ عِبَادِی وَ لَسْتُ أُبِیدُهُمْ بِصَاعِقَهٍ مِنْ صَوَاعِقِی إِلاَّ بَعْدَ تَأْکِیدِ الدَّعْوَهِ وَ إِلْزَامِ الْحُجَّهِ فَعَاوِدْ اجْتِهَادَکَ فِی الدَّعْوَهِ لِقَوْمِکَ فَإِنِّی مُثِیبُکَ عَلَیْهِ وَ اغْرِسْ هٌذَا النَّوَی فَإِنَّ لَکَ فِی نَبَاتِهَا وَ بُلُوغِهَا وَ إِدْرَاکِهَا إِذَا أَثْمَرَتِ الْفَرَجَ وَ الْخَلاَصَ فَبَشِّرْ بِذٌلِکَ مَنْ تَبِعَکَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ فَلَمَّا نَبَتَتِ الأَشْجَارُ وَ تَأَزَّرَتْ وَ تَسَوَّقَتْ وَ تَغَصَّنَتْ وَ أَثْمَرَتْ وَ زَهَا الثَّمَرُ عَلَیْهَا بَعْدَ زَمَنٍ طَوِیلٍ اسْتَنْجَزَ مِنَ اللٌّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَال_ی الْعِدَهَ فَأَمَرَهُ اللٌّهُ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَال_ی أَنْ یَغْرِسَ مِنْ نَوَی تِلْکَ الأََشْجَارِ وَ یُعَاوِدَ الصَّبْرَ وَ الإِجْتِهَادَ وَ یُؤَکِّدَ الْحُجَّهَ عَل_ی قَوْمِهِ فَأَخْبَرَ بِذٌلِکَ الطَّوَائِفَ الَّتِی آمَنَتْ بِهِ فَارْتَدَّ مِنْهُمْ ثَلاَثُ مِائَهِ رَجُلٍ وَ قَالُوا لَوْ کَانَ مَا یَدَّعِیهِ نُوحٌ حَقّاً لَمَا وَقَعَ فِی وَعْدِ رَبِّهِ خُلْفٌ ثُمَّ إِنَّ اللٌّهَ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَال_ی لَمْ یَزَلْ یَأْمُرُهُ عِنْدَ کُلِّ مَرَّهٍ أَنْ یَغْرِسَهَا تَارَهً بَعْدَ أُخْرَی إِل_ی أَنْ غَرَسَهَا سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ فَمَا زَالَتْ تِلْکَ الطَّوَائِفُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ تَرْتَدُّ مِنْهُمْ طَائِفَهٌ إِل_ی أَنْ عَادَ إِل_ی نَیِّفٍ وَ سَبْعِینَ رَجُلاً فَأَوْحَی اللٌّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِنْدَ ذٌلِکَ إِلَیْهِ وَ قَالَ یَا نُوحُ الآنَ أَسْفَرَ الصُّبْحُ عَنِ اللَّیْلِ لِعَیْنِکَ حِینَ صَرَّحَ الْحَقُّ عَنْ مَحْضِهِ وَ

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صَفَا الأََمْرُ لِلإِیْمَانِ مِنَ الْکَدَرِ بِارْتِدَادِ کُلِّ مَنْ کَانَتْ طِینَتُهُ خَبِیثَهً فَلَوْ أَنِّی أَهْلَکْتُ الْکُفَّارَ وَ أَبْقَیْتُ مَنْ قَدِ ارْتَدَّ مِنَ الطَّوَائِفِ الَّتِی کَانَتْ آمَنَتْ بِکَ لَمَا کُنْتُ صَدَقْتُ وَعْدِیَ السَّابِقَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ الَّذِینَ أَخْلَصُوا التَّوْحِیدَ مِنْ قَوْمِکَ وَ اعْتَصَمُوا بِحَبْلِ نُبُوَّتِکَ بِأَنْ أَسْتَخْلِفَهُمْ فِی الأََرْضِ وَ أُمَکِّنَ لَهُمْ دِینَهُمْ وَ أُبَدِّلَ خَوْفَهُمْ بِالأََمْنِ لِکَیْ تَخْلُصَ الْعِبَادَهُ لِی بِذَهَابِ الشَّکِّ مِنْ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ کَیْفَ یَکُونُ الإِسْتِخْلاَفُ وَ التَّمْکِینُ وَ بَدَلُ الْخَوْفِ بِالأََمْنِ مِنِّی لَهُمْ مَعَ مَا کُُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ مِنْ ضَعْفِ یَقِینِ الَّذِینَ ارْتَدُّوا وَ خُبْثِ طِینَتِهِمْ وَ سُوءِ سَرَائِرِهِمُ الَّتِی کَانَتْ نَتَائِجَ النِّفَاقِ وَ سُنُوحَ الضَّلاََهِ فَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ تَسَنَّمُوا مِنِّی مِنَ الْمُلْکِ الَّذِی أُوتِیَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ وَقْتَ الإِسْتِخْلاَفِ إِذَا أَهْلَکْتُ أَعْدَاءَهُمْ لَنَشَقُوا رَوَائِحَ صِفَاتِهِ وَ لاَسْتَحْکَمَتْ سَرَائِرُ نِفَاقِهِمْ وَ تَأَبَّدَ حِبَالُ ضَلاَلَهِ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ کَاشَفُوا إِخْوَانَهُمْ بِالْعَدَاوَهِ وَ حَارَبُوهُمْ عَلَی طَلَبِ الرِّئَاسَهِ وَ التَّفَرُّدِ بِالأََمْرِ وَ النَّهْیِ وَ کَیْفَ یَکُونُ التَّمْکِینُ فِی الدِّینِ وَ انْتِشَارُ الأََمْرِ فِی الْمُؤْمِنِینَ مَعَ إِثَارَهِ الْفِتَنِ وَ إِیقَاعِ الْحُرُوبِ کَلاَّ فَاصْنَعِ الْفُلْکَ بِأَعْیُنِنا وَ وَحْیِنا. قَالَ الصَّادِقُ وَ کَذٌلِکَ الْقَائِمُ تَمْتَدُّ أَیَّامُ غَیْبَتِهِ لِیُصَرِّحَ الْحَقُّ عَنْ مَحْضِهِ وَ یَصْفُوَ الإِِی_مَانُ مِنَ الْکَدَرِ بِارْتِدَادِ کُلِّ مَنْ کَانَتْ طِینَتُهُ خَبِیثَهً مِنَ الشِّیعَهِ الَّذِینَ یُخْشَی عَلَیْهِمُ النِّفَاقُ إِذَا أَحَسُّوا بِالإِسْتِخْلاَفِ وَ التَّمْکِینِ وَ الأََمْنِ الْمُنْتَشِرِ فِی عَهْدِ الْقَائِمِ. قَالَ الْمُفَضَّلُ: فَقُلْتُ یَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللٌّهِ إِنَّ النَّوَاصِبَ تَزْعُمُ أَنَّ هٌذِهِ الآیَهَ نَزَلَتْ فِی أَبِی بَکْرٍ وَ عُمَرَ وَ عُثْمَانَ وَ عَلِیٍّ؟ قَالَ لاَ یَهْدِ اللٌّهُ قُلُوبَ النَّاصِبَهِ مَتَی کَانَ الدِّینُ الَّذِی ارْتَضَاهُ اللٌّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ مُتَمَکِّناً بِانْتِشَارِ الأََمْنِ فِی الأُمَّهِ وَ ذَهَابِ الْخَوْفِ مِنْ قُلُوبِهَا وَ ارْتِفَاعِ الشَّکِّ مِنْ صُدُورِهَا

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فِی عَهْدِ أَحَدٍ مِنْ هٌؤُلاَءِ وَ فِی عَهْدِ عَلِیٍّ مَعَ ارْتِدَادِ الْمُسْلِمِینَ وَ الْفِتَنِ الَّتِی کَانَتْ تَثُورُ فِی أَیَّامِهِمْ وَ الْحُرُوبِ الَّتِی کَانَتْ تَنْشَبُ بَیْنَ الْکُفَّارِ وَ بَیْنَهُمْ. ثُمَّ تَلاَ الصَّادِقُ حَتَّی إِذَا اسْتَیْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَ ظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ کُذِبُوا جاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنا. وَ أَمَّا الْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ الْخَضِرُ فَإِنَّ اللٌّهَ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَالَی مَا طَوَّلَ عُمُرَهُ لِنُبُوَّهٍ قَدَّرَهَا لَهُ وَ لاَ لِکِتَابٍ یُنْزِلُهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ لاَ لِشَرِیعَهٍ یَنْسَخُ بِهَا شَرِیعَهَ مَنْ کَانَ قَبْلَهَا مِنَ الأََنْبِیَاءِ وَ لاَ لِإِِمَامَهٍ یُلْزِمُ عِبَادَهُ الإِقْتِدَاءَ بِهَا وَ لاَ لِطَاعَهٍ یَفْرِضُهَا لَهُ بَلَی إِنَّ اللٌّهَ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَالَی لَمَّا کَانَ فِی سَابِقِ عِلْمِهِ أَنْ یُقَدِّرَ مِنْ عُمُرِ الْقَائِمِ فِی أَیَّامِ غَیْبَتِهِ مَا یُقَدِّرُ وَ عَلِمَ مَا یَکُونُ مِنْ إِنْکَارِ عِبَادِهِ بِمِقْدَارِ ذٌلِکَ الْعُمُرِ فِی الطُّولِ طَوَّلَ عُمُرَ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ مِنْ غَیْرِ سَبَبٍ أَوْجَبَ ذٌلِکَ إِلاَّ لِعِلَّهِ الإِسْتِدْلاَلِ بِهِ عَلَی عُمُرِ الْقَائِمِ وَ لِیَقْطَعَ بِذٌلِکَ حُجَّهَ الْمُعَانِدِینَ لِئَلاَّ یَکُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَی اللٌّهِ حُجَّهٌ

Sudair al-Sairafi says: “I along with al-Mufaďďal b. ‘Umar, Abu BaSir, Aban b. Taghlib entered upon our master Abu ‘Abdillah Ja’far b. Muhammad (as). We saw him sitting on bare earth with a Khaibari woolen cloak that was ringed at the neck, did not have any pockets and had short sleeves.

He was crying like a deeply afflicted and bereaved mother of a child from the depths of a heart that was full of mourning. Grief had appeared in the sides of his face, the change had spread on to both of his cheeks, and tears were rolling on the sides of his visage, as

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he was saying: ‘My master, your occultation has taken away my night’s sleep it has narrowed my bed for me, and has snatched away the solace from my heart.

My master, your occultation has turned my tragedies into the atrocities of eternity. The loss of one after the other perishes a crowd and a multitude.

No more I feel the tear that drops from my eye, and the moan that faintly leaves my chest from the places of tragedies and past calamities except that it exemplifies before my eye the greatest and cruelest of catastrophes, the most dismal and disdainful mishaps, mixed with your wrath, and calamities coupled with your anger.’”

Sudair says: “Our hearts and minds were overwhelmed by that terrifying scene and mortifying view. We thought that it is the sign of a dreadful shattering or times have brought him a calamity.

We said: ‘May Allah, O’ son of the best of the creation, never bring tears into your eyes. For what incidents are your eyes pouring and your tears raining and what situation has led you to this mourning?’

Sudair says, as-Sadiq (as) took a deep sigh that his chest expanded and his fright enhanced, and he said: ‘O’ you, I looked at the Book of al-Jafr this morning, and that is the book that encompasses the knowledge of deaths, trials and tribulations and the knowledge of all that has been and all that will be until the Day of Judgment, which Allah, glory to His name, has exclusively imparted

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to Muhammad and the Imams after him, peace be unto him and them.

I viewed therein the birth of our Qa`im a(ajtf) and his disappearance and its protraction and the length of his lifespan and the trials of the believers through him after him in that period and the generation of doubts in their hearts from the length of his disappearance and the apostasy of most of them from their religion and their removing the cord of Islam from their necks.

About which Allah, glory to His name, has said: “We have fastened to everyman’s neck his fateful record’ which is the wilayah. So emotions overpowered me and grieves overwhelmed me.’

We said: “O’ son of the Messenger of Allah, dignify us and bestow honor upon us by sharing some of what you know from the knowledge.’

He said: “Allah, the Exalted, has consigned three qualities in the Qa`im (ajtf) of ours, which He had consigned to three of the apostles. He foreordained his birth like the birth of Moses, his disappearance like the disappearance of Jesus and his protraction like the protraction of Noah. Moreover, He made the lifespan of His virtuous servant al-Khidhr a proof of his lifespan.’

I said: “remove the curtains for us, O’ son of the Messenger of Allah from the faces of these concepts.’

He said: “As for the birth of Moses: When the Pharaoh discerned that the demise of his kingdom is in his hands, he ordered the soothsayers be called, who foretold him about his lineage and

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that he will be from the Children of Israel. Pharaoh did not cease to have his men rip open the abdomens of the pregnant women of the Children of Israel, until he killed in the pursuit of Moses twenty and some odd thousand babies.

He was unable to murder Moses, for Allah, the Exalted, protected him. Likewise, when the Umayyad and the ‘Abbasids discovered that the demise of their kingdom and that of their kings and tyrants will be at the hands of the Qa`im (ajtf) from us.

They showed enmity towards us and took their swords out for the murder of the House of the Messenger of Allah (as) and to cut off his progeny in order to make certain they have killed the Qa`im (ajtf). However, Allah dislikes not revealing His Command for one of the oppressors until His light is full, even if the pagans may dislike this.

As for the disappearance of Jesus: The Jews and the Christians formed unanimity that he has been killed whereas Allah belied them in His verse:

“They did not kill, nor crucify him, but rather, it was made dubious for them.’

Likewise is the disappearance of the Qa`im (ajtf) since one congregation denies it for its length ranging from one misguided person who says: “He was never born’, to another who says: “He was born and he died’, to another who rejects faith by saying that our eleventh was barren, to another who deviates by saying: “This will increase to thirteen an upwards’,

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and another who sins against God, the Exalted, by saying: “The spirit of the Qa`im speaks through the body of someone else.’

As for the protraction of Noah: When he prayed for the descent of punishment against his people from the heavens, Allah, the Exalted, sent Gabriel, the Trusted Spirit, with seven kernels, and said: “O’ Apostle of Allah, Allah, the Exalted, says to you: “They are my creation and my servants.

I will not perish them with a lightening from my thunderbolts until the call has been stressed upon and the proof has become binding.

Retain your hard labor in making the call to your people, for I will reward you for that. Plant these kernels, because your relief and liberation will be at its plantation, outgrowth, and fruition when it reaches fruition. Give this glad tiding to your believing followers.’

When the trees grew and thrived and their trunks and branches developed and spread out and their fruits grew big, he asked Allah, the Exalted, for the fulfillment of the promise. Allah, the Exalted, ordered him to plant the seeds of those trees and retain patience and hard work and make the call to his people.

He informed the nations that believed in him; three hundred men of them turned away from him and said: “If what Noah is claiming were true, the promise of his Lord would not have been violated.’ Then Allah, the Exalted, continued to order him every time to plant the seeds until they had been

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planted seven times.

Nations of believers continued to lose congregations until they were left only seventy and some odd men. At that time, did Allah, the Exalted, sent a message to him and said: “O’ Noah, now the dawn on your eyes has broken the night as the truth has manifested with clarity and the order of belief has become pure from impurity by the apostasy of everyone who had a wicked disposition.

If I had destroyed the disbelievers and kept those who have apostatized from amongst the believers in you, I had not fulfilled my early promise to the believers from your people who were sincere in their belief in Me and had adhered to the rope of your Prophet hood that I would make them heirs in earth and empower for them their religion and replace their fear with security, so that worship be pure for me by the departure of doubts from their hearts.

How could I provide heirship and empowerment and replacement of fear with security while I know the weakness of certainty of the people who apostatized and their wicked dispositions and their evil insides, which were the outcomes of hypocrisy and the initiation of misguidance?

If they had procured from Me the kingdom that will be given to the believers at the time of heir ship when I will have killed their enemies, they would have sniffed the smells of its attractions, and it would have strengthened the inner secrets of their hypocrisy, and eternalized

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the strings of misguidance in their hearts, and they would have faced their brothers with enmity and would have battled them in pursuit of chiefdom and the distinction of commanding and forbidding.

And how can the religion’s empowerment and the Command’s spread amongst the believers coexist with rise of mischief and occurrence of wars? Never. Build the ark under our eyes and as We reveal.’”

AS-Sadiq (as) said: “Likewise is the Qa`im (ajtf). The days of his occultation will be lengthy so truth may become clear and belief may become pure from impurity by the apostasy of everyone from the Shi’a with a wicked disposition, who are feared they are hypocrites when they expect heir ship and empowerment and a vast security in the reign of the Qa`im (ajtf).’

al-Mufaďďal says, I asked: “O’ son of the Messenger of Allah, the nawasib believe this verse has been revealed about Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman and ‘Ali (as)!’

He said: “May Allah not guide the hearts of the nawasib. When was the religion which Allah and His Messenger pleased with empowered through spread of security in the Ummah and departure of fear from their hearts and doubts from breasts during the reign of anyone of them? In the reign of ‘Ali (as) especially with the apostasy of Muslims and mischief which were occurring in their days and the wars that were breaking out between the disbelievers and between themselves.’

Then as-Sadiq (as) recited this verse:

“Until, when the apostles despaired and deemed they were counted liars,

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our succor came to him”

As for the virtuous servant of Allah, al-Khidr: Allah, the Exalted, did not lengthen his lifespan for the sake of an apostleship ordained to him, nor for a book sent to him, nor for a code of law replacing the previous codes from other messengers before him, nor for an Imamate obliging His servants to follow him, nor any obedience mandated with respect to him.

Instead, since Allah, the Exalted, knew how lengthy He would make the life of the Qa`im (ajtf) in the days of his disappearance and He knew the rejection of His servants with respect to the length of that life, He lengthened the lifespan of the Virtuous Servant for no other reason but to argue on its basis for the lifespan of the Qa`im (ajtf) and so that the argument of the adversaries may cease and people may not have any proofs against Allah.”(1) and (2)

or changing the history of what the Infallibles went through as it is not permitted to make up historical narrations simply to make people cry as this is not what Allah  and the pure and infallible family of the Prophet want from us.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

وَ مَنْ بَک_ی أَوْ أَبْکَ_ی وَاحِداً فَلَهُ الْجَنَّهُ وَ مَنْ تَبَاکَ_ی فَلَهُ الْجَنَّهُ

“A person who cries or makes one other person cry will be granted Paradise and even a person who pretends to cry (if he cannot cry) will also be granted Paradise.”(1)

always be in a state of remembering the Imam and must always keep him in our hearts. If it is possible to remember him with the tongue (openly and verbally), then this must be done, otherwise if it is only possible to remember him in the heart (silently), then one must act in this way, and if it is only possible to remember him in the mind, then this is how he must be remembered. The point is that we should never be negligent of him.

When the heart of a true believer is taken over by the remembrance of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), then his entire presence goes into a state of his remembrance and this is the best state we can find ourselves in.

In order for a believer to be able to always remember the Imam, one need to be vigilant(1) and constantly protect his heart and keep away from everything other than the Imam.

The greater in frequency of the verbal remembrance of the Imam, and the purer the intention, the more of an effect this will have on a person. This will also make the remembrance of the Imam stronger in our heart.

In certain instances, the remembrance of the Imam can actually be obligatory as those who have a deep spiritual insight into this issue will attest to the remembrance of the Imam in any time and in all forms is equivalent to remembering and mentioning Allah, and in a tradition from Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) we

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read:

إِنَّ ذِکْرَنَا مِنْ ذِکْرِ اللٌّهِ

“Surely our remembrance is from the remembrance of Allah.”(1)

Here, we refer to some of the specific times and places which we have been highly recommended to remember Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf):

The night and day of the 15th of Sha’ban.

The nights of Qadr (in the Month of Ramaďhan)

The night and day of ‘Ashura (the 10th of Muharram)

The night and day of Jumu’ah (Friday)

The Day of Nuruz (first day of spring)

The afternoon of Monday and Thursday since it is these two days when all of our actions (good and bad) are presented to the Imam

Before going to sleep

The last one-third of the night when even the Imam is busy in Salatul Tahajjud (Salatul Lail)

Whenever one is reciting Du’a

Anytime when a person is crying and asking Allah  for his needs(2)

The initial rising of the sun (Fajr time)

After Salatul Fajr

The beginning of the afternoon (Zuhr)

After Salatul Zuhr

After Salatul ‘Asr

At sunset

The Day of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah)

1. The Days of ‘Eid such as ‘Eidul Ghadir, ‘Eidul Fitr and ‘Eidul Qurban, the birth anniversaries of the Infallibles  and their death anniversaries.

2 .As for the places which are specifically related to the Imam and should be shown veneration, they include:

Masjid al-Haram

Masjid as-Sahlah

Masjid al-Kufah

Masjid Jamkaran

The cellar in Samarrah where his occultation began

Masjid Zaid

Masjid Sa’Sa’ah

The Plains of ‘Arafat(3)

The burial sites of all of the Infallibles (pubth), especially Karbala.

The gatherings and programs in which Allah is remembered and in which the greatness, traits and trials and tribulations of the Ahlul Bayt (as) are recalled.

Indeed,

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one of the responsibilities of the true followers is to remember Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) in these times and places by visiting them and holding them in great esteem and by observing the etiquette and performing the acts which are related to each of these areas.

If we truly wish to remember the Imam in these places then we must see what his wish and desire is for us to perform. Through this, we will be able to perform the deeds which will earn his pleasure and happiness.

Remembering the Imam performing his visitation; sending greetings and prayers to him praying for him and calling upon Allah for him dedicating the reward of righteous acts such as the Salat and also the performance of certain other acts by means of proxy for him within the acts of worship and servitude to Allah, are some of the ways in which this responsibility towards the Imam can be carried out.

and favours upon him and his forefathers.

When one recites the Tashahhud and says:

أَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

“O’Allah! Send your prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad” then at this time too, one must remember the Imam since he is the most perfect manifestation of the family of Muhammad!

When a believer recites the Salam in the Salat and says:

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْنَا وَ عَلی عِبَادِ اللٌّهِ الصَّالِحِینَ

“Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah” or one says:

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکُمْ وَ رَحْمَهُ اللٌّهِ وَ بَرَکَاتُهُ

“Peace be upon all of you and may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you as well” then one must also remember the Imam and the righteous servants of Allah and realize that this line is actually being spoken to Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf).

Even during the Ruku’, Sujud, Qunut one must remember the Imam in short, one must always be thinking about him.

This great personality must always be in our minds and the focus of our intentions, and when we send prayers upon him and his noble family we must say:

أَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

“O’Allah! Send your prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.”

be recognized as his Shi’a.

In this regards, there are many supplications which can be recited, including Du’a al-’Ahd (The Supplication of the Pact)(1) which is as follows:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

أَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ النُّورِ الْعَظِیمِ وَ رَبَّ الْکُرْسِیِّ الرَّفِیعِ وَ رَبَّ الْبَحْرِ الْ_مَسْجُورِ وَ مُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاهِ وَ الإِنْجِیلِ وَ الزَّبُورِ وَ رَبَّ الظِّلِّ وَ الْ_حَرُورِ وُ مُ_نْزِلَ الْقُرْآنِ العَظِیمِ و رَبَّ الْ_مَلآئِکَهِ الْ_مُقَرَّبِینَ وَ الأَنْ_بِیآءِ وَ الْ_مُرْسَلِینَ

“O’Allah! Lord of the Great Light, Lord of the Exalted Throne, Lord of the tempestuous sea, the Revealer of the Taurat, the Injil and the Zabur; Lord of the shade and the heat; the Revealer of the great Qur`an, Lord of the Honoured Angels, the Prophets and the Messengers.

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّی أَسْئَلُکَ بِوَجْهِکَ الْکَرِی_مِ وَ بِنُورِ وَجْهِکَ الْ_مُنِیرِ وَ مُلْکِکَ الْقَدِی_مِ یَا حَیُّ یَا قَیُّومُ أَسْئَلُکَ بِاسْمِکَ الَّذِی أَشْرَقَتْ بِهِ السَّمٰوَاتُ وَ الأَرْضُونَ وَ بِاسْمِکَ الَّذِی یَصْلُحُ بِهِ الأَوَّلُونَ وَ الآخِرُونَ یَا حَیًّا قَبْلَ کُلِّ حَیٍّ وَ یَا حَ_یًّا بَعْدَ کُلِّ حَیٍّ وَ یَا حَ_یًّا حِینَ لاَ حَیَّ یَا مُحْیِ_یَ الْمَوْتَی وَ مُ_مِیتَ الأَحْیَآءِ یَا حَیُّ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ

O’ Allah I ask you by your benevolent countenance and by the illumination of your brilliance and your eternal kingdom. O’ the Ever-Living, O’ the Self Subsisting! I ask you through your Name by which the heavens and the earth are illuminated, and through your Name by which the predecessors and the successors are reformed.

O’ the Ever-Living before any living thing existed, and the Ever-Living even after

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all life will cease. O’ Ever-Living even when there was no life at all, O’ One Who gives life to the dead and brings death to the living, O’ Ever-Living, there is none worthy of worship except you.

أَللّٰهُمَّ بَلِّغْ مَوْلاَنَا الإِمَامَ الْ_هَادِیَ الْ_مَهْدِیَّ الْقَائِمَ بِأَمْرِکَ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَیْهِ وَ عَلیٰ أَبآئِهِ الطَّاهِرِینَ عَنْ جَمِیعِ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ وَ الْ_مُؤْمِنَاتِ فِی مَشَارِقِ الأَرْضِ وَ مَغَارِبِهَا سَهْلِهَا وَ جَبَلِهَا وَ بَرِّهَا و بَحْرِهَا وَ عَنِّی وَ عَنْ وَالِدَیَّ مِنَ الصَّلَوَاتِ زِنَهَ عَرْشِ اللهِ وَ مِدَادَ کَلِمَاتِهِ وَ مَا أَحْصَاهُ عِلْمُهُ وَ أَحَاطَ بِهِ کِتَابُهُ

O’ Allah, convey to our Master, the Imam, the guide, the guided, the establisher of Your authority, may Your blessings be on him and his pure forefathers, from all the believing men and women, in the east and the west of the world, in the plains and on the mountains, on the lands and in the sea, and from me and my parents, the blessings that are equal in weight to the Throne of Allah, the ink of His words and such as only encompassed by His knowledge and covered by His book.

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّی أُجَدِّدُ لَهُ فِی صَ_بِیحَهِ یَوْمِی هٰذَا وَ مَا عِشْتُ مِنْ أَیَّامِی عَهْداً وَ عَقْداً وَ بَیْعَهً لَهُ فِی عُ_نُقِی لاَ أَحُولُ عَنْهَا وَ لاَ أَزُولُ أَبَداً

O’ Allah, I renew on the dawn of this day and all the remaining days of my life, my pledge, covenant and allegiance to him, which I shall neither contravene, nor neglect ever.

أَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِی مِنْ أَنْصَارِهِ وَ أَعْوَانِهِ وَ الذَّابِّینَ عَنْهُ وَ

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الْ_مُسَارِعِینَ إِلَیْهِ فِی قَضَاءِ حَوَائِجِهِ وَ الْ_مُمْتَثِلِینَ لِأَوَامِرِهِ وَ الْ_مُحَامِینَ عَنْهُ وَ السَّابِقِینَ إِل_یٰ إِرَادَتِهِ وَ الْ_مُسْتَشْهَدِینَ بَیْنَ یَدَیْهِ

O’ Allah include me among his helpers, supporters, protectors, those fulfilling his commands, his defenders, the fore-runners to carry out his wishes and those to be martyred in his presence.

أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ حَالَ بَ_یْنِی وَ بَیْنَهُ الْ_مَوْتُ الَّذِی جَعَلْتَهُ عَلیٰ عِبَادِکَ حَتْماً مَقْضِیًّا فَأَخْرِجْنِی مِنْ قَبْرِی مُؤْتَزِراً کَفَنِی، شَاهِراً سَیْفِی، مُجَرِّداً قَنَاتِی، مُلَبِّیاً دَعْوَهَ الدَّاعِی فِی الْ_حَاضِرِ وَ الْبَادِی

O’ Allah should death come between me and his reappearance the death which You have made inevitable on your servants then bring me out from my grave covered in my shroud, my sword unsheathed, my spear poised, responding to the call of the caller in the cities and the deserts.

أَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنِی الطَّلْعَهَ الرَّشِیدَهَ وَ الْغُرَّهَ الْ_حَمِیدَهَ وَاکْحُلْ نَاظِرِی بِنَظْرَهٍ مِنِّی إِلَیْهِ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُ وَ سَهِّلْ مَ_خْرَجَهُ وَ أَوْسِعْ مَنْهَجَهُ وَاسْلُکْ بِی مَ_حَجَّتَهُ وَ أَنْفِذْ أَمْرَهُ وَاشْدُدْ أَزْرَهُ

O’ Allah grace me with a sight of the appearance of one rightly guided and the finest of the praise-worthy, and cool my eyes with a glance towards him, and hasten his return; ease his re-appearance; widen his course; lead me onto his path; cause his orders to be executed, and strengthen his back.

وَاعْمُرِ اللّٰهُمَّ بِهِ بِلاَدَکَ وَ أَحْیِ بِهِ عِبَادَکَ فَإِنَّکَ قُلْتَ وَ قَوْلُکَ الْحَقُّ ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِی الْبَرِّ وَ الْبَحْرِ بِ_مَا کَسَبَتْ أَیْدِی النَّاسِ

O’ Allah populate your cities through him and revive your servants by him, for indeed you have said and your words are true:

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“Corruption has appeared in land and sea on account of what the hands of the people have wrought.” (Al-Qur`an 30:41)

فَأَظْهِرِ اللّٰهُمَّ لَنَا وَلِیَّکَ وَابْنَ بِنْتِ نَبِیِّکَ الْ_مُسَمَّیٰ بِاسْمِ رَسُولِکَ حَتّٰی لاَ یَظْفَرَ بِشَیْءٍ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ إِلاَّ مَزَّقَهُ وَ یُحِقَّ الْ_حَقَّ وَ یُحَقِّقَهُ

O’ Allah make appear for us your friend and the son of the daughter of your Prophet who bears the name of Your Messenger, until nothing false remains but that he destroys all of it and manifests the truth fully and implements it.

وَاجْعَلْهُ اللّٰهُمَّ مَفْزَعاً لِ_مَظْلُومِ عِبَادِکَ وَ نَاصِراً لِ_مَنْ لاَ یَجِدُ لَهُ نَاصِراً غَیْرَکَ وَ مُجَدِّداً لِ_مَا عُطِّلَ مِنْ أَحْکَامِ کِتَابِکَ وَ مُشَیِّداً ل_ِمَا وَرَدَ مِنْ أَعْلاَمِ دِی_نِکَ وَ سُنَنِ نَبِیِّکَ صَلَّی اللهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ

O’ Allah! Make him a refuge for your oppressed servants; a helper for him who has no other helper besides you, a reviver of the commandments of your book which have been neglected; the strengthener of the teachings of your religion, and the traditions of Your Prophet. May Allah’s blessing be upon him and his progeny.

وَاجْعَلْهُ اللّٰهُمَّ مِ_مَّنْ حَصَّنْ_تَهُ مِنْ بَأْسِ الْ_مُعْتَدِینَ

O’ Allah place him among those whom you have protected from the evil of the transgressors.

أَللّٰهُمَّ وَ سُرَّ نَبِیَّکَ مُحَمَّداً صَلَّی اللهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ بِرُؤْیَتِهِ وَ مَنْ تَبِعَهُ عَلیٰ دَعْوَتِهِ وَارْحَمِ اسْتِکَانَتَناَ بَعْدَهُ

O’ Allah please Your Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny, and those who accept the invitation of the Imam and have mercy on our state of abasement after his appearance.

أَللّٰهُمَّ اکْشِفْ هٰذِهِ

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الغُمَّهَ عَنْ هٰذِهِ الأُمَّهِ بِحُضُورِهِ وَ عَجِّلْ لَنَا ظُهُورَهُ إِنَّ_هُمْ یَرَوْنَهُ بَعِیداً وَ نَرَاهُ قَرِیباً بِرَحْ_مَتِکَ یَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمینَ

O’ Allah remove this grief from this Ummah by his presence and hasten his reappearance for “verily they (the hypocrites) regard it to be distant and we see it very near” (al-Qur`an 70:6-7) by Your mercy, O’ the Most Merciful.”

One should then strike one’s right hand on the right thigh three times, and each time recites the following:

أَلْعَجَلَ أَلْعَجَلَ یَا مَوْلاَیَ یَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ

“Hasten, Hasten, O’ my Master O’ Master of the time.”

It has been narrated that after Prophet Ibrahim saw the celestial lights of the fourteen Infallibles, he said to Allah:

إِلٌ_هِی وَ سَیِّدِی أَرَی عِدَّهَ أَنْوَارٍ حَوْلَهُمْ لاَ یُحْصِی عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ. قَالَ یَا إِبْرَاهِیمُ هٌؤُلاَءِ شِیعَتُهُمْ وَ مُحِبُّوهُمْ. قَالَ إِلٌ_هِی وَ بِ_مَا یُعْرَفُونَ شِیعَتُهُمْ وَ مُحِبُّوهُمْ؟ قَالَ بِصَلاَهِ الإِحْدی وَ الْخَمْسِینَ وَ الْجَهْرِ بِبِسْمِ اللٌّهِ الرَّحْمٌنِ الرَّحِیمِ وَ الْقُنُوتِ قَبْلَ الرُّکُوعِ وَ سَجْدَهِ الشُکْرِ وَ الْتَّخَتُّمِ بِالْیَمِینِ. قَالَ إِبْرَاهِیمُ: أَللٌّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِی مِنْ شِیعَتِهِمْ وَ مُحِبِّیهِمْ. قَالَ قَدْ جَعَلْتُکَ فَأَنْ_زَلَ اللٌّهُ فِیهِ: وَ إِنَّ مِ__نْ شِیعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِیمَ إِذْ جَ___اءَ رَبَّهُ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِیمٍ

“O’ my Lord and my Master! I see lights encircling around these (fourteen celestial lights) of which none know the number except You!” Allah replied: “O’ Ibrahim! These are their Shi’a and their lovers (of the Ahlul Bayt).” Ibrahim said: “O’ my Lord! How are their Shi’a and lovers known?”

Allah replied: “Through their fifty-one Rak’at of Salat their pronouncing the phrase In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate,

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the Most Merciful out loud (in their Salat); their performance of the Qunut before going into the Ruku’, the prostration of thanks and wearing a ring on their right hand.”

Ibrahim then said: “O’ Allah! Please place me among their Shi’a and their lovers (too).” Allah replied to him: “I have placed you among them.” At this point, Allah revealed the following, [And surely from amongst their Shi’a was Ibrahim when he went into the presence of his Lord with a pure and submissive heart (Qalb-e-Saleem).](1)

write and spread whatever knowledge one has to help keep the religion alive. It goes without saying that these are all to be done according to one’s ability.

As for helping the Imam during his advent, it includes things such as struggling (jihad) on the side of the Imam; bearing difficulties with patience, and giving up one’s life and property for the sake of the Imam.

martyrs even if they die on their beds.”(1)

fortune of meeting us.”(1)

the Imam, then Allah the High will bring him forth from his grave (to help the Imam). For every letter of this pact, one thousand good deeds will be written in the person’s book of records and one thousand sins will be erased.”(1)

This supplication has been mentioned in responsibility forty-eight.

help him. In addition, a person must not show remorse if he has to give up his life or wealth to maintain this pact.

2. The pledge of allegiance, intention to help the Imam and initiating this firm covenant must be done verbally.

Of course, when the advent of the Imam takes place and when his government is established, the pledge of allegiance for these two issues will be done physically with the Imam by a shaking of hands.

It should be noted that the realization of this pledge of allegiance in which a person will place his hand in the hand of the person whom he is pledging to is obligatory and this can only take place when the person whom the allegiance is being made to is one of the Infallibles or one of their directly appointed representatives. Thus, it is not permissible to make this kind of pledge to anyone else!

Obviously, during the period of occultation, the fulfillment of this form of allegiance in which a person places his hand in the hand of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) or his specific representative is not possible since according to the traditions, the Imam is hidden from the view of the people and thus, this form of the responsibility is limited to the time when he makes his advent.

During the period of the occultation, no one has been designated by the Imam to accept the pledge of allegiance, thus this form of allegiance cannot be performed with any person and it is actually

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forbidden even if the person to whom the pledge is being made is a scholar.

In addition, even if the scholar was a Faqihi Jami’ al-Shara`it (Wali al-’Amr al-Muslimin), still it is not permissible to make such a pledge of allegiance to him.

Therefore, there is no proof of the permissibility of this form of pledge of allegiance during the time of the occultation. Rather, the traditions have actually forbidden this and we all know that in issues of the religion, such as this pact of allegiance, are all contingent upon what the religious commandments specify and the permissibility of these particular acts rest on the legislation of the Islamic laws.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

یَا مُفَضَّلُ! کُلُّ بَیْعَهٍ قَبْلَ ظُهُورِ الْقَائِمِ فَبَیْعَتُهُ کُفْرٌ وَ نِفَاقٌ وَ خَدِیعَهٌ لَعَنَ اللٌّهُ الْ_مُبَایِعَ لَهَا وَ الْ_مُبَایَعَ لَهُ

“O’Mufaďďal! Every pledge of allegiance that takes place before the advent of al-Qa`im (ajtf) is disbelief, hypocrisy and deception. May the curse of Allah be upon a person who makes such a pledge of allegiance and the one who accepts this pledge of allegiance?”(1)

Without doubt, the meaning of bay’ah in this tradition is the hand to hand bay’ah and not all forms of pledging allegiance since in other traditions, some forms of the bay’ah have not been completely forbidden. Therefore, during the period of the occultation, the bay’ah (pledging loyalty) which is done without giving one’s hand is not a problem and is actually one of the signs of true faith and has been emphasized.

According to

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the traditions, during the period of the occulation of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), we are permitted to pledge our allegiance to the general representatives of the Imam. Thus, we can pledge ourselves to a scholar who fulfills the conditions of being followed especially the Wali al-Faqih who is the guardian of the Muslim community.

This bay’ah is done with the thought in mind that paying allegiance to him is due to the fact that he is a scholar who fulfills all of the conditions of being followed, is the Wali al-Faqih and that the pledge of allegiance to him is actually a pledge to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), and the pledge of allegiance to the Imam is actually the pledge of allegiance to Allah.

There are many ways in which we can make the bay’ah to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) as have been narrated by the infallible A`immah, one them is Du’a al-’Ahd.(1)

The scholars(2) have stated that these supplications are recommended to be recited every day after Salatul Fajr. Rather, it should be recited after every obligatory Salat, if possible. In addition, due to there being some proof in the traditions, it is recommended that this pledge of allegiance should be repeated every Jumu’ah (Friday).

It has also been recommended rather it is essential that Du’a of ‘Ahd which has been narrated from Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) should be recited at least once during a person’s lifetime.

Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has said: “Whosoever among our friends and followers reads this supplication once

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in their life, it will be written on the parchment of worship of Allah (that he recited this prayer) and his name will be mentioned in the book of al-Qa`im (may Allah hasten his glorious advent).

Then, when al-Qa`im (ajtf) makes his advent, the name of the person who read this supplication and his father’s name will be announced. In addition, the parchment which contains the names of the worshippers of Allah will be given to him and it will be said that: ‘Take this writing which contains the transcript of the promise which you made to us in the world.”

Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) then said: “This is the truth which Allah, the Noble and Grand stated when he said the following:

 إِلاَّ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ الرَّحْمٌنِ عَهْداً 

“...except the one who has taken a covenant with the Most Merciful.”(1)

As well, while in a state of ritual purity, the following supplication should be recited:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیٖمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

أَللّٰهُمَّ یَا إِلٰهَ الآلِ_هَهِ یَا وَاحِدُ یَا أَحَدُ یَا آخِرَ الآخِرِینَ یَا قَاهِرَ الْقَاهِرِینَ یَا عَلِیُّ یَا عَظِیمُ أَنْتَ الْعَلِیُّ الأَعْلی عَلَوْتَ فَوْقَ کُلِّ عُلُوٍّ. هٰ_ذَا یَا سَیِّدِی عَهْدِی وَ أَنْتَ مُنْجِزُ وَعْدِی

“O’ Allah: O’ the God of all gods! O’ the One! O’ the One and Only! O’ the Last of the last! O’ the most Omnipotent one over the powerful ones! O’ the High! O’the All great. You are verily the High, the Most High. You have been High over

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all zeniths. This is, O’ master, my pledge; and you shall certainly fulfill your promise to me.

فَصَلِّ یَا مَوْلاَیَ وَعْدِی وَ أَنْ_جِزْ وَعْدِی آمَنْتُ بِکَ وَ أَسْأَلُکَ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الْعَرَبِیِّ وَ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الْعَجَمِیِّ وَ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الْعِبْرَانِیِّ وَ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الْسُرْیَانِیِّ وَ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الرُّومِیِّ وَ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الْ_هِنْدِیِّ وَ أَثْبَتِ مَعْرِفَتِکَ بِالْعِنَایَهِ الأُوْل_یٰ فَإِنَّکَ أَنْتَ اللهُ لاَ تُرَیٰ وَ أَنْتَ بِالْ_مَنْظَرِ الأَعْلیٰ

So, O’ my Master, (please do) admit my pledge and fulfill your promise to me. I believe in you and I pray to you in the Name of Your ‘Arab Veil, Your non-’Arab Veil, Your Hebrew Veil, Your Syriac Veil, Your Roman Veil, and Your Indian Veil. And I admit my recognition of You on account of the earlier care (of You over me), for You are verily Allah Who cannot be seen while You are in the most elevated view.

وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَیْکَ بِرَسُولِکَ الْ_مُنْذِرِ وَ بِعَلِیٍّ أَمِیرِ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَیْهِ الْ_هَادِی وَ بِالْ_حَسَنِ السَّیِّدِ وَ بِالْ_حُسَینِ الشَّهِیدِ سِبْطَی نَبِیِّکَ وَ بِفَاطِمَهَ الْبَتُولِ وَ بِعَلِیِّ بْنِ الْ_حُسَینِ زَیْنِ الْعَابِدِینَ ذِی الثَّفِنَاتِ وَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِیٍّ الْبَاقِرِ عَنْ عِلْمِکَ وَ بِ_جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّادِقِ الَّذِی صَدَقَ بِ_مِیثَاقِکَ وَ بِ_مِیعَادِکَ وَ بِ_مُوسیٰ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ الْ_حَصُورِ الْقَائِمِ بِعَهْدِکَ وَ بِعَلِیِّ بْنِ مُوسیٰ الرِّضَا الرَّاضِیٖ بِ_حُکْمِکَ وَ بِ_مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِیٍّ الْ_حَبْرِ الْفَاضِلِ الْ_مُرْتَضیٰ فِی الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ وَ بِعَلِیِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الأَمِینِ الْ_مُؤْتَ_مَنِ هَادِیٖ الْ_مُسْتَرْشِدِینَ وَ بِالْ_حَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِیٍّ الطَّاهِرِ الزَّکِیِّ خِزَانَهِ الْوَصِیِّینَ وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَیْکَ بِالإِمَامِ الْقَائِمِ الْعَدْلِ الْ_مُنْتَظَرِ الْ_مَهْدِیِّ إِمَامِنَا وَ ابْنِ إِمَامِنَا صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَیْهِمْ أَجْمَعِینَ

And I seek nearness to You through Your Messenger, the

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warner; and through ‘Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, the guide, Allah’s blessings be upon him and through al-Hasan, the master, and al-Husayn, the martyr, the two grandsons of Your Prophet, and through Fatimah, the immaculate and through ‘Ali b. al-Husayn the Adornment of the Worshippers and the one with a callus on his forehead (due to incessant worshipping) and through Muhammad b. ‘Ali, who split (the profundities of) Your knowledge.

And through Ja’far b. Muhammad, the truthful who fulfilled his covenant and promise to you and through Musa b. Ja’far, the chaste one who undertook his oath to You and through ‘Ali b. Musa, the one who was pleased with Your judgement and through Muhammad b. ‘Ali, the well-versed and the virtuous who is accepted by the believers and through ‘Ali b. Muhammad, the honest, the trusted, and the guide of those who seek true guidance.

And through al-Hasan b. ‘Ali, the pure, the infallible, and the treasure of the successors. And I seek nearness to You through the Imam (of the age), the director of justice, the awaited, the well-guided, our leader and the son of our leader may Allah’s blessings be upon all of them.

یَا مَنْ جَلَّ فَعَظُمَ وَ هُوَ أَهْلُ ذٰلِکَ فَعَفَیٰ وَ رَحِمَ، یَا مَنْ قَدَرَ فَلَطُفَ، أَشْکُو إِلَیْکَ ضَعْفِی وَ مَا قَصُرَ عَنْهُ عَمَلِی مِنْ تَوْحِیدِکَ وَ کُنْهِ مَعْرِفَتِکَ وَ أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَیْکَ بِالتَّسْمِیَهِ الْبَیْضَاءِ وَ بِالْوَحْدَانِیَّهِ الْکُبْریٰ الَّتِی قَصُرَ عَنْهَا مَنْ أَدْبَرَ وَ تَوَلَّ_یٰ وَ آمَنْتُ بِ_حِجَابِکَ الأَعْظَمِ وَ بِکَلِمَاتِکَ التَّامَهِ الْعُلْیَا الَّتِی خَلَقْتَ مِنْهَا دَارَ

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الْبَلاَءِ وَ أَحْلَلْتَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ جَنَّهَ الْ_مَأْوَیٰ آمَنْتُ بِالسَّابِقِینَ وَ الصِّدِّیقِینَ أَصْحَابِ الْیَمِینِ مِنَ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ وَ الَّذِینَ خَلَ_طُوا عَمَلاً صَالِحاً وَ آخَرَ سَیِّئاً أَلاَّ تُوَلِّیَنِی غَیْرَهُمْ وَ لاَ تُفَرِّقْ بَیْنِی وَ بَیْنَهُمْ غَدًّا إِذَا قَدَّمْتَ الرِّضَا بِفَصْلِ الْقَضَاءِ آمَنْتُ بِسِرِّهِمْ وَ عَلاَنِیَتِهِمْ وَ خَوَاتِیمِ أَعْمَالِ_هِمْ فَإِنَّکَ تَ_خْتِمُ عَلَیْهَا إِذَا شِئْتَ یَا مَنْ أَتْ_حَفَنِی بِالإِقْرَارِ بِالْوَحْدَانِیَّهِ وَ حَبَانِی بِ_مَعْرِفَهِ الرَّبُوبِیَّهِ وَ خَلَّصَنِی مِنَ الشَّکِّ وَ الْعَمَیٰ رَضِیْتُ بِکَ رَبًّا وَ بِالأَصْفِیَاءِ حُجَجًا وَ بِالْ_مَحْجُوبِینَ أَنْبِیَاءَ وَ بِالرُّسُلِ أَدِلاَّءَ وَ بِالْ_مُتَّقِینَ أُمَرَآءَ وَ سَامِعاً لَکَ مُطِیعاً

O’ He who is Most Elevated and Most Magnificent, and He is deserving of this and has thus pardoned and treated mercifully! O’ He Who ordains decrees with compassion: I complain before you about my weakness and about the inadequacy of my actions as regards to my confession of Your Oneness and the essence of my recognition of you.

And I turn my face towards you, (praying to You) by the white nomination and the great monotheism that have not been realized by those who fled and turned away from You. And I believe in your greatest veil and Your perfect, exalted words from which You have created the abode of trial and through which You shall allow him whom You wish to enter the abode of Paradise.

I believe in the “foremost” and the truthful, the companions of the right hand, among the believers and those who have mixed a righteous act with another evil one (for which they sought forgiveness): (I pray to You by all

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of these) that You do not allow me to follow anyone other than these ones (i.e. the Imams) and that You do not exclude me from their group tomorrow when You will stipulate (Your) pleasure as the criterion of Your judgement.

I believe in their secret and public teachings, and the sealing of their deeds, for you decide the sealing of anyone’s deeds if you will. O’ You Who have honoured me by the confession of Your Oneness, bestowed upon me with the recognition of Your Lordship, and deprived me of doubt and blind-heartedness: I admit You as my Lord, and admit the Pure Ones as the intermediaries to You, and admit the Veiled Ones as Prophets, and admit the Messengers as guides (to You), and admit the Pious Ones as leaders, and pledge myself as always listening to and obeying You.”

and thus, closeness to Allah will also increase.

Since the way to achieve this wilayah is only possible through the power of Allah  and is out of the realm of a person to acquire on his own, the only way to achieve this is to request it from Allah. The attainment of the wilayah and faith (in the Imam) and other things such as these even things such as knowledge and sustenance are all issues which are related to the essence of Allah and are out of the power of people to acquire without the help of Allah.

Imam.

A Muslim must not fall into negligence for even one instant in regards to earning the pleasure of the Imam which is equal to pleasing Allah. According to the traditions from the Ahlul Bayt (as), the actions of the Shi’a are constantly being presented to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) with extra emphasis given on the days of Monday, Thursday and Friday when a report of our actions is given to him.

Thus, it is imperative that a true Shi’a remains attentive and vigilant and does not do anything which would result in being embarrassed in the presence of the Imam or would result in the Imam being put into an uncomfortable situation when he sees our deeds.

It has been narrated from one of the infallible A`immah (as) that: “The actions of the Ummah are presented to the Prophet every Tuesday and Thursday and thus, he is constantly informed about them. In addition, the A`immah are also presented with the actions and they also have knowledge of this.”(1)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said: “The actions (of the Ummah) are presented to the Messenger of Allah and the A`immah on Thursday.”(2)

The meaning of showing vigilance is that in all of our actions, dealings, movements and all of our words, a true believer must be observant of his Imam. He must know that the Imam is with him and that he should not, even momentarily, (spiritually) separate himself, or fall into negligence.

Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) has stated:

فَإِنَّا نُحِیطُ عِلْماً بِأَنْبَائِکُمْ، وَ لاَ یَعْزُبُ

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عَنَّا شَیْءٌ مِنْ أَخْ_بَارِکُمْ

“Surely we have complete knowledge of your situation and there is nothing which is hidden from us concerning you.”(1)

In another tradition, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) has stated:

إِنَّا غَ_یْرُ مُهْمِلِینَ لِ_مُرَاعَاتِکُمْ وَ لاَ نَاسِینَ لِذِکْرِکُمْ

“Verily, we are not inattentive in taking care of you nor are we heedless in remembering you.”(2)

A true believer must know where the pleasure of Allah lies and must know that Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) himself is also seeking the pleasure of Allah. One must also realize that this pleasure can only be attained by following the Imam in all affairs, with complete obedience to the religion of Allah and by purification of the soul.

It is clear that this observance and vigilance will slowly enable a person to reach a desirable end and permit one to attain the higher levels of proximity to Allah, as the most important thing in life is to attain proximity to Allah.

blessing which has been bestowed upon him should be protected and there should be no change in his status (of closeness to the Imam) nor should he do anything to have someone else put in his place. In actuality, this is the same thing which we recite in the following du’a:

وَ لاَ تَسْتَبْدِلْ بِنَا غَیْرَنَا فَإِنَّ اسْتِبْدَالَکَ بِنَا غَیْرَنَا عَلَیْکَ یَسِیرٌ وَ هُوَ عَلَیْنَا کَبِیرٌ

“And do not place someone else in our place since surely Your replacement of us with others is something easy for You to perform, however this is something grave (and difficult) for us (to bear).”(1)

them). If he does not do this, then the curse of Allah is upon him.”(1)

Allah!” So he (‘Isa) stood up and kissed their feet [in some narrations it is mentioned that he washed their feet]. The companions said: “We were more worthy to do this for you, O’ Spirit of Allah!”

He said: “Indeed the person who has the most right to serve the people is the scholar. I have displayed this humility (to you) so that after me, you too will show this form of humbleness to the people just as I have done for you.”(1)

Indeed, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) is the most worthy of people who is deserving of our assistance and there are many proofs for this.

Thus, assisting Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) can be accomplished through helping his friends, followers and the Shi’a of the Imam fulfilling their needs, alleviating the difficulties and solving issues which may come up their lives all of these are ways in which one can assist the Imam.

In addition, establishing gatherings for the remembrance of the Imam or to write and spread the teachings in relation to him strengthening the theological seminaries, etc if these are done with the intention that one wishes to assist the Imam, then they are counted and recognized (by Allah) as being things done to help the Imam.

Therefore, we see that there are many ways in which one can assist the Imam, however they must be performed with the intention that they are being doing with the purpose of assisting him.

It must be mentioned that there is a difference between ‘serving’ and ‘helping’.

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The word ‘serving’ is much more specific in its meaning than ‘helping’, and thus, every form of ‘helping’ does not necessarily mean that one is ‘serving’ someone.

‘Serving’ another person can be accomplished through overseeing and also directly acting and performing a task, however ‘helping’ and assisting does not require overseeing nor the direct performance of a task.

Thus, assisting someone can be done without anyone overseeing the task and can also be done indirectly and through the help and assistance of other people.

In other words, in regards to serving, the one who is serving another person must himself be overseen and perform the actions himself. However the act of helping can even be done by hiring someone else to do the job.

Another difference is that with serving, a person who is performing this task is humbling and lowering himself and expressing his insignificance to the one whom he is serving however this is not the case in regards to helping someone else.

It is also important to mention that if the act of assisting is done with the intention of serving a person and there is some form of overseeing in this issue, then it would be counted as serving (that person) as well. 

Imam.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

طُوب_ی لِشِیعَهِ قَائِمِنَا الْمُنْتَظِرِینَ لِظُهُورِهِ فِی غَیْبَتِهِ وَ الْمُطِیعِینَ لَهُ فِی ظُهُورِهِ أُوْلٌئِکَ أَوْلِیَاءُ اللٌّهِ الَّذِینَ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَیْهِمْ وَ لاَ هُمُ یَحْزَنُونَ

“Glad tidings (of Paradise) to the Shi’a of our Qa`im (ajtf) those who are awaiting his advent during his occultation and those who are obedient to him during his advent. Surely these are the close, intimate friends of Allah for whom [There shall be no grief, nor shall they have any sorrow.]”(1)

Imam ‘Ali b. Husain as-Sajjad (as) has said:

إِنَّ أَهْلَ زَمَانِ غَیْبَتِهِ وَ الْقَائِلِینَ بِإِمَامَتِهِ وَ الْمُنْتَظِرِینَ لِظُهُورِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَهْلِ کُلِّ زَمَانٍ

“Surely the people who are living during the period of his occultation and who believe in his (Divinely appointed) leadership and are awaiting his advent are the best people of all times.”(2)

Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Taqi (as) has said:

فَیَنْتَظِرُ خُرُوجَهُ الْمُخْلِصُونَ وَ یُنْکِرُهُ الْمُرْتَابُونَ

“The sincere ones will await his advent, while the doubters shall deny it.”(3)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

فَعِنْدَهَا فَلْیَتَوَقَّعُوا الْفَرَجَ صَبَاحاً وَ مَسَاءً

“During the occultation, they will await his (Imam al-Mahdi’s) advent every morning and evening.”(4)

In numerous traditions it has been mentioned that to await the advent of Imam al-’Asr (ajtf) is actually a part of the religion of Allah and all people must observe this.

In addition, it has been mentioned that even the Muslims who lived during the lives of the other infalliable A`immah (as) awaited and expected the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) as this was also obligatory upon them. Thus, this

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is something which is not only limited to the period of his occultation!

The period of waiting for the Imam’s advent will not earn us a Divine reward (thawab) unless it coupled with the intention of seeking nearness to Allah and conforming to His commandments, just as the performance of prayers, fasting and Hajj all necessitate a Divine reward from Allah when performed with the intention of seeking nearness to Him.

Of course the intention of seeking nearness to Allah has limits and can be realized in different forms and be achieved in various ways the best form being that a believer performs these acts simply to follow the commandments of Allah and in His obedience.

It goes without saying that He is the most worthy of being worshipped and obeyed and therefore our worshipping of Him should not be done for the love which one has for Him, nor for Paradise, nor to earn His pleasure and definitely not due to the fear of the fire of Hell and the punishment and chastisement!

All of these are simply forms of seeking nearness to Him and therefore, it is best that a true believer stays away from these sorts of intentions (in his acts).

If what we have just stated is correct, then what would be the state of a person if his intention for the advent of the Imam is his own material gains and pleasures in this world??

We must also realize that awaiting the advent is not limited to a particular time

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or place or only in certain circumstances. Rather, a true believer must always be in a state of anticipation and awaiting the Imam.

One must never go into a state of hopelessness or despair since this is forbidden and most definitely, a person who falls into a state of despair will never be able to patiently wait for the advent of the Imam.

Having even ‘partial despair’ in his advent is not correct, and this too is forbidden! By a ‘partial despair’ we mean that one must not lose hope in the return of Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf), the minor or major occultation, or other things related to him based on his own feelings and way of thinking.

For example it should not be said that: “The Imam will not make his advent for another fifty years” or that “He will not make his advent today since it is a Saturday” or that “It is such and such time of the day or night and thus, he will not make his return since the traditions tell us something different.”

It is clear that no matter what level of despair we fall into, the spiritual state of anticipation for the advent of the Imam will be taken away from us in that same amount. In addition, we would have neglected the performance of an obligatory act legislated by Allah.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

وَ تَوَقَّعْ أَمْرَ صَاحِبِکَ لَیْلَکَ وَ نَهَارَکَ فَإِنَّ اللٌّهَ کُلَّ یَوْمٍ هُوَ فِی شَأْنٍ، لاَ یَشْغَلُهُ شَأْنٌ عَنْ

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شَأْنٍ

“Anticipate the advent of your patron (i.e. the Imam) in your day and night, for Almighty Allah has a decision every moment and no affair may distract Him from another.”(1)

It has been mentioned in the traditions that we must not specify a specific time or occasion as to when the advent of the Imam will take shape. Rather, the advent of the Imam can take place at any time.

The period of advent of the Imam is one of those events which are subject to alteration, and can either be hastened or delayed and is related to its own causes and conditions which must be realized (before it can be manifest). Due to this, we are not able to specify a specific time as to when it will occur.

As well, it has also been mentioned that his advent will occur unexpectedly, when people are in state of complete hopelessness.

It has been narrated from Imam ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (as) that:

فَتَوَقَّعُوا الْفَرَجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَقْدَامِکُمْ

“Anticipate the advent from (the land) under your feet (meaning at any place and time).”(2)

prayer(1) given to us from Imam ‘Ali b. Musa al-Riďa (as):

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنْ وَلِیِّکَ وَخَلِیفَتِکَ وَحُجَّتِکَ عَلیٰ خَلْقِکَ وَلِسَانِکَ الْ_مُعَبِّرِ عَنْکَ النَّاطِقِ بِحِکْمَتِکَ، وَعَ_یْنِکَ النَّاظِرَهِ بِإِذْنِکَ، وَشَاهِدِکَ عَلیٰ عِبَادِکَ، الْ_جَحْجَاحِ الْ_مُجَاهِدِ الْعَائِذِ بِکَ الْعَابِدِ عِنْدَکَ، وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ شَرِّ جَمِیعِ مَا خَلَقْتَ وَبَرَأْتَ وَأَنْشَأْتَ وَصَوَّرْتَ

“O Allah! Defend Your close servant, Your representative and Your proof over your creation, Your mouthpiece who speaks on Your behalf, the speaker with Your wisdom, Your eye that sees with Your permission, Your witness on Your servants, the master and the striver (for the sake of Allah) the seeker of Your protection, Your sincere worshipper. Keep him safe from the evil of all that which you have created and made, and that which You fashioned and formed.

وَاحْفَظْهُ مِنْ بَیْنِ یَدَیْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَعَنْ یَ_مِی_نِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ وَمِنْ فَوْقِهِ وَمِنْ تَحْتِهِ بِحِفْظِکَ الَّذِی لاَ یَضِیعُ مَنْ حَفِظْتَهُ بِهِ، وَاحْفَظْ فِیهِ رَسُولَکَ وَآبَاءَهُ أَئِمَّ_تَکَ وَدَعَائِمَ دِی_نِکَ، وَاجْعَلْهُ فِی وَدِیعَتِکَ الَّتِی لاَ تَضِیعُ وَفِی جِوَارِکَ الَّذِی لاَ یُخْفَرُ وَفِی مَنْعِکَ وَعِزِّکَ الَّذِی لاَ یُقْهَرُ

And protect him from his front and from behind, from his right and his left, from above him and from beneath; with your protection that preserves the one whom you protect! And keep your messenger and his (i.e. Imam al-Mahdi) forefathers, the pillars of your religion, safe through him. Include him in your deposit that never diminishes, and with your proximity that is never covered, and with your protection and power that are

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never defeated!

وَآمِنْهُ بِأَمَانِکَ الْوَثِیقِ الَّذِی لاَ یُخْذَلُ مَنْ آمَنْتَهُ بِهِ، وَاجْعَلْهُ فِی کَنَفِکَ الَّذِی لاَ یُرَامُ مَنْ کَانَ فِیهِ، وَانْصُرْهُ بِنَصْرِکَ الْعَزِیزِ وَأَیِّدْهُ بِجُنْدِکَ الْ_غَالِبِ وَقَوِّهِ بِقُوَّتِکَ وَأَرْدِفْهُ بِ_مَلاَئِکَتِکَ، وَوَالِ مَنْ وَالاَهُ وَعَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ، وَأَلْبِسْهُ دِرْعَکَ الْ_حَصِینَهَ وَحُفَّهُ بِالْ_مَلاَئِکَهِ حَفًّا

Secure him by your impenetrable security in which one who takes asylum is not forsaken, put him under Your guardianship in which one who is put under is not left (unsecured) aid him with Your might help assist him with Your undefeatable army strengthen him with Your strength and put Your Angels at his disposal, support the one who supports him and oppose the one who opposes him, dress him with Your fortified armor, and make the Angels surround him.

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ اشْعَبْ بِهِ الصَّدْعَ وَارْتُقْ بِهِ الْفَتْقَ وَأَمِتْ بِهِ الْ_جَوْرَ وَأَظْهِرْ بِهِ الْعَدْلَ وَزَیِّنْ بِطُولِ بَقَائِهِ الأَرْضَ، وَأَیِّدْهُ بِالنَّصْرَ وَانْصُرْهُ بِالرُّعْبِ وَقَوِّ نَاصِرِیهِ وَاخْذُلْ خَاذِلِیهِ، وَدَمْدِمْ مَنْ نَصَبَ لَهُ، وَدَمِّرْ مَنْ غَشَّهُ، وَاقْ_تُلْ بِهِ جَبَابِرَهَ الْکُفْرِ وَعَمَدَهُ وَدَعَائِمَهُ، وَاقْصِمْ بِهِ رُؤُوسَ الضَّلاَلَهِ وَشَارِعَهَ الْبِدَعِ وَمُ_مِیتَهَ السُّ_نَّهِ وَمُقَوِّیَهَ الْبَاطِلِ، وَذَلِّلْ بِهِ الْ_جَبَّارِینَ، وَأَبِرْ بِهِ الْ_کَافِرِینَ وَجَمِیعَ الْ_مُلْحِدِینَ فِی مَشَارِقِ الأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبِهَا وَبَرِّهَا وَبَحْرِهَا وَسَهْلِهَا وَجَبَلِهَا، حَتّٰی لاَ تَدَعَ مِنْهُمْ دَیَّاراً وَلاَ تَبْقیٰ لَ_هُمْ آثَاراً

O Allah! Through him, patch up the differences bring order out of confusion, eradicate oppression, manifest justice, and adorn the Earth by a lengthy life for him. Support him with (Divine) assistance, aid him by putting terror in his enemies’ hearts; strengthen his supporters, thwart his enemies, destroy those who declare war on him, annihilate those who double-cross him

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and through him, kill the chiefs, pillars and supports of infidelity.

Through him, crush the heads of deviation, the innovators of heresies, the eradicators of the sunnah and the supporters of misguidance. Through him, humiliate the haughty tyrants, and terminate the infidels and all the atheists (wherever they are) in the east or the west of the world, on the lands or in the oceans, in the plains or on the mountains, until You do not leave a single one of them and no trace of them is left.

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ طَهِّرْ مِنْهُمْ بِلاَدَکَ وَاشْفِ مِنْهُمْ عِبَادَکَ، وَأَعِزَّ بِهِ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ وَأَحْیِ بِهِ سُنَنَ الْ_مُرْسَلِینَ، وَدَارِسَ حُکْمِ النَّبِیِّینَ، وَجَدِّدْ بِهِ مَا امْ_تَحیٰ مِنْ دِی_نِکَ وَبُدِّلَ مِنْ حُکْمِکَ، حَتّٰی تُعِیدَ دِینَکَ بِهِ وَعَلیٰ یَدَیْهِ جَدِیداً غَضّاً مَ_حْضاً صَحِیحاً لاَ عِوَجَ فِیهِ وَلاَ بِدْعَهَ مَعَهُ وَحَتّٰی تُنِیرَ بِعَدْلِهِ ظُلَمَ الْ_جَوْرِ وَتُطْفِئَ بِهِ نِی_رَانَ الْ_کُفْرِ وَتُوضِحَ بِهِ مَعَاقِدَ الْ_حَقِّ وَمَ_جْهُولَ الْعَدْلِ، فَإِنَّهُ عَبْدُکَ الَّذِی اسْتَخْلَصْ_تَهُ لِنَفْسِکَ وَاصْطَفَیْ_تَهُ عَلیٰ عَ_یْ_نِکَ، وَعَصَمْتَهُ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَبَرَّأْتَهُ مِنَ الْعُ_یُوبِ، وَطَهَّرْتَهُ مِنَ الرِّجْسِ، وَسَلَّمْتَهُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ

O Allah! Purify your lands from them (the disbelievers) and heal your servants’ hearts from them, honor the faithful believers through him (the Imam), and through him, revive the norms of the messengers and the ways of the prophets.

Through him, renew the signs of Your religion that were erased and Your judgments which were distorted, until You rekindle Your religion through him and by his hands, as well-defined, pure and sound as it was, free from distortions and heresies, and until You illumine the darkness

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of injustice (by means of his justice).

Extinguish the fires of disbelief though him, and elucidate the positions of truth and the misunderstood issues of justice, for he is Your servant whom You have chosen for Yourself, and whom You have selected, and whom You have protected against sins, and from whom You have removed all defects, and whom You have purified from filth saved from all impurity.

أَللّٰهُمَّ فَإِنَّا نَشْهَدُ لَهُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَهِ وَیَوْمَ حُلُولِ الطَّامَّهِ أَنَّهُ لَمْ یُذْنِبْ ذَنْباً وَلاَ أَتٰی حُوباً وَلَمْ یَرْتَکِبْ مَعْصِیَهً وَلَمْ یُضَیِّعْ لَکَ طَاعَهً وَلَمْ یَهْتِکْ لَکَ حُرْمَهً وَلَمْ یُبَدِّلْ لَکَ فَرِیضَهً وَلَمْ یُغَیِّرْ لَکَ شَرِیعَهً، وَأَنَّهُ الْ_هَادِی الْ_مَهْ_دِیُّ الطَّاهِرُ التَّقِیُّ النَّقِیُّ الرَّضِیُّ الزَّکِیُّ. أَللّٰ_هُمَّ أَعْطِهِ فِی نَ_فْسِهِ وَأَهْلِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَذُرِّیَّتِهِ وَأُمَّتِهِ وَجَمِیعِ رَعِیَّتِهِ مَا تُقِرُّ بِهِ عَ_یْنَهُ، وَتَسُرُّ بِهِ نَفْسَهُ وَتَجْمَعُ لَهُ مُلْکَ الْ_مُمْلَکَاتِ کُلِّهَا قَرِی_بِهَا وَبَعِیدِهَا وَعَزِیزِهَا وَذَلِیلِهَا، حَتّٰی تُجْرِیَ حُکْمَهُ عَلیٰ کُلِّ حُکْمٍ، وَتَغْلِبَ بِحَقِّهِ کُلَّ بَاطِلٍ

O Allah! We shall testify for him on the Day of Resurrection and on the day when the catastrophe will take place that he: did not commit a single sin (that he did not) practice any unlawful thing nor perform any act of disobedience, nor miss any act of obedience (to Allah), nor violate any sanctified thing; nor distort any precept, nor did he change any law.

(We testify that) he is the guide and the rightly guided, the pure and the pious, the immaculate, the approved and the righteous. O Allah! Grant him for his own self, his family, his children, his offspring, his nation

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and all of his subjects all that which makes him delighted and all that which pleases him, put all kingdoms under the sphere of his authority, the near and the remote, the powerful and the weak, until You cause his rule to prevail on every (false) rule, and his right will overcome all the wrong.

أَللّٰهُمَّ اسْلُکْ بِنَا عَلیٰ یَدَیْهِ مِنْهَاجَ الْ_هُدی وَالْ_مَحَجَّهَ الْعُظْمیٰ وَالطَّرِیقَهَ الْوُسْطَیٰ الَّتِی یَرْجِعُ إِلَیْهَا الْقَالِی وَیَلْحَقُ بِهَا التَّالِی، وَقَوِّنَا عَلیٰ طَاعَتِهِ وَثَبِّتْنَا عَلیٰ مُشَایَعَتِهِ، وَامْ_نُنْ عَلَیْنَا بِ_مُتَابَعَتِهِ وَاجْعَلْنَا فِی حِزْبِهِ الْقَوَّامِینَ بِأَمْرِهِ الصَّابِرِینَ مَعَهُ الطَّالِبینَ رِضَاکَ بِ_مُنَاصَحَتِهِ، حَتّٰی تَحْشُرَنَا یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَهِ فِی أَنْصَارِهِ وَأَعْوَانِهِ وَمُقَوِّیَهِ سُلْطَانِهِ

O Allah! Lead us, through him, to the course of guidance; the greatest path; the middle path to which those who had gone too far will return to (repentant) and those who had fallen back will catch up with. Strengthen us in carrying out the acts of obedience to him and make us stand firm in following him.

Grant us the favor of adherence to him and include us with his faction as those who act upon his commands with steadfastness and are seeking his pleasure by exhorting (each other) towards him until you gather us on the Resurrection Day among his supporters and helpers and those who consolidate his authority.

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ وَاجْعَلْ ذٰلِکَ لَ__نَا خَالِصاً مِنْ کُلِّ شَکٍّ وَشُبْهَهٍ وَرِیَاءٍ وَسُمْعَهٍ، حَتّٰی لاَ نَ_عْتَمِدَ بِهِ غَیْرَکَ وَلاَ نَطْلُبَ بِهِ إِلاَّ وَجْهَکَ وَحَتّٰی تُحِلَّنَا مَحَلَّهُ وَتَجْعَلَنَا فِی الْ_جَنَّهِ مَعَهُ، وَأَعِذْنَا مِنَ السَّامَهِ وَالْکَسَلِ وَالْفَتْرَهِ، وَاجْعَلْنَا م_ِمَّنْ تَنْ_تَصِرُ بِهِ لِدِی_نِکَ وَتُعِزُّ بِهِ نَصْرَ وَلِ_یِّکَ،

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وَلاَ تَسْتَبْدِلْ بِنَا غَیْرَنَا فَإِنَّ اسْ_تِبْدَالَکَ بِنَا غَیْرَنَاَ عَلَیْکَ یَسیرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَیْنَا کَبِیرٌ

O Allah! Make us do all these things without any doubt, confusion, ostentation or seeking reputation so that we do not rely upon him except for You and we do not seek from him anything other than Your proximity and put us up in his vicinity and place us with him in Paradise and protect us against weariness, laziness and lethargy.

Include us with those whom You make helpers of Your religion and whom You make the aider of Your close servant and do not replace us with others, for it is easy for You to put others in our places, but this would be extremely difficult upon us (to bear).

أَللّٰ_هُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ وُلاَهِ عَهْدِهِ وَالأَئِمَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ، وَبَلِّغْهُمْ آمَالَ_هُمْ وَزِدْ فِی آجَالِ_هِمْ، وَأَعِزَّ نَصْرَهُمْ، وَتَ_مِّمْ لَ_هُمْ مَا أَسْنَدْتَ إِلَیْهِمْ مِنْ أَمْرِکَ لَ_هُمْ، وَثَبِّتْ دَعَائِمَهُمْ وَاجْعَلْنَا لَ_هُمْ أَعْوَاناً وَعَلیٰ دِی_نِکَ أَنْصَاراً، فَإِنّ_َهُمْ مَعَادِنُ کَلِمَاتِکَ وَخُزَّانُ عِلْمِکَ وَأَرْکَانُ تَوْحِیدِکَ وَدَعَائِمُ دِی_نِکَ وَوُلاَهُ أََمْرِکَ وَخَالِصَ_تُکَ مِنْ عِبَادِکَ، وَصَفْوَتُکَ مِنْ خَلْقِکَ، وَأَوْلِیَاؤُکَ وَسَلاَئِلُ أَوْلِیَائِکَ، وَصَفْوَهُ أَوْلاَدِ نَبِ_یِّکَ وَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَیْهِ وَعَلَیْهِمْ وَرَحْمَهُ اللهِ وَبَرَکَاتُهُ

O Allah! Send blessings upon his (the Noble Prophet’s) representatives and on the leaders after him fulfill their wishes; increase their ages, give value to their support; make perfect for them that, which helps them in carrying out your will, strengthen their foundations.

Make us their helpers and the supporters of Your religion for they are the sources of Your Words the treasures of Your knowledge, the supports of

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(the belief in) Your Oneness, the pillars of Your religion, the ones in authority of Your command, the closest of Your servants, the well-chosen ones among Your creatures; the selected descendants of Your Prophet peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon him and them.”

As is seen in the traditions from the Ahlul Bayt (as), we have been told that making haste in any action goes against the principle of patience and submission to the will of Allah. However, supplicating and asking Allah to hasten the advent of the Imam is not from the negative, despised and prohibited forms of haste.

Supplicating for the speedy advent of the Imam is the epitome of certainty, true faith and complete submission to the will of Allah  and complying with ‘predestination’.

In reality, these supplications are a manifestation of the truth that the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) and the gathering of all of the causes needed for him to make his advent are only in the hands of Allah and that his advent and dawn can only be made possible through His permission. Therefore in reality, these prayers show our belief and conviction in the existence and life of the Imam and that he will make his advent.

The recitation of these prayers is a manifestation of the pure certainty and true faith in the Imam, his uprising and revolt, and is nothing other than exercising patience and submission in the presence of the wishes of Allah.

prepare for the advent of the Imam and we must perform those actions which should be carried out during the period of awaiting the Imam.

It is clear that if a person is awaiting something to come about or waiting for a friend to arrive, one will prepare himself accordingly. Thus, one who is awaiting Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) must prepare himself to meet the Imam and be ready to accept the Imam and follow his commands and this cannot be accomplished except through purification of the soul, guiding others and following the appropriate people (the scholars of the faith).

During this period, one must also strive to attain the praiseworthy ethical traits which cannot be achieved except through piety, reaching the level of wara’ (a stage even higher than taqwa in which even the mubah acts are not performed) and in striving to follow all of the commandments of Allah.(1)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ یَکُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْقَائِمِ فَلْیَنْتَظِرْ وَ لْیَعْمَلْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ مَحَاسِنَ الأَخْلاَقِ وَ هُوَ مُنْتَظِرٌ

“A person who would like to be among the companions of al-Qa`im (ajtf) should be in a state of waiting and perform all of his actions with piety and with the most beautiful etiquette and only then, will one be counted as being in a state of waiting.”(2)

hurriedness or say: “Why has the Imam not made his advent yet? I have had enough of the occultation! I don’t have the ability to bear this any longer!” One must be extremely patient and content with the wish of Allah and must not complain about the apparent delay of the Imam.

However, this does not mean that a believer should not supplicate for the speedy advent of the Imam, nor does it mean that one should not seek to lay the groundwork for the advent of the Imam! Rather, these things are recommended to be performed during his occultation.

One of the companions said to Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as):

جَعَلَنِی اللٌّهُ فِدَاکَ، مَتَ_ی هٌذَا الأَمْرُ الَّذِی تَنْتَظِرُونَهُ؟ فَقَدْ طَالَ عَلَیْنَا. فَقَالَ: کَذِبَ الْمُتَمَنُّونَ وَ هَلَکَ الْمُسْتَعْجِلُونَ وَ نَجَا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَ إِلَیْنَا یَصِیرُونَ

“May Allah sacrifice me for your sake, when will this definite command (the advent of al-Mahdi) which you are waiting for (come about)? For it has taken very long.’ The Imam (as) replied: ‘Those who desire his advent (to appear soon) are liars, and those who want his advent to occur soon are the ones who shall be destroyed, and surely the Muslims are those who will be saved and will wind up with us.’”(1)

Without a doubt, being in haste and showing impatience has many harmful effects. It is possible that a person who is in a hurry may run after those (false) people who claim the status of Mahdawiyyah (claim to be the Imam), in which case they

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will take the wrong person as being al-Mahdi (ajtf) and will actually end up misguiding themselves and others.

In addition, it is possible that a person who makes haste in this affair would also become despondent or may even completely deny the advent of the Imam as ever taking place. He may also entertain doubts and uncertainty in regards to the words of the infallible A`immah (as) and the promises which they have given us in regards to the return of the Imam.

Such a person may end up denying the return of the Imam, rejecting it entirely or may fall prey to denying Allah, the decree and decision of Allah and His justice. Through all of this, one will cease activity in the state of anticipation and recitation of supplications for the Imam or one may give up performing the responsibilities which one must fulfill towards the Imam. Such a person may also go towards those actions which the faith of Islam is not pleased with!

Thus, the physical and mental state, words and deeds of a true believer must be exactly that which Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) himself has stated:

وَ أَنْتَ الْعَالِمُ غَیْرُ مُعَلَّمٍ بِالْوَقْتِ الَّذِی فِیهِ صَلاَحُ أَمْرِ وَلِیِّکَ فِی الإِذْنِ لَهُ بِإِظْهَارِ أَمْرِهِ وَ کَشْفِ سِرِّهِ فَصَبِّرْنِی عَلَ_ی ذٌلِکَ حَ_ت_ی لاَ أُحِبَّ تَعْجِیلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ وَ لاَ تَأْخِ_یرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ

“And You O’ Allah are the All-Knowing, without the aid of a teacher, about the time which is best for your close servant to get the permission to make his

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advent and to reveal his secret! So grant me patience in this issue so that I do not wish to make haste in what you have decided to delay and that I do not wish there to be delay in what you have decided to hasten...”(1)

state, except for the person who recites the Du’a of al-Ghariq.’” The narrator asked the Imam: “What is the supplication of al-Ghariq?’ The Imam (peace be upon him) replied: “Say:

یَا اللهُ یَا رَحْمٰنُ یَا رَحِیمُ یَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِی عَلَ_یٰ دِیْنِکَ

O’ Allah, O’ the Merciful, O’ the Compassionate, O’ the Reformer of the Hearts! Make my heart firm on your faith.’”(1)

in the words of the Ahlul Bayt (as), and from the narrations we can deduce that to rise up and fight against the governments of our time is not correct and does not lead to the pleasure of the Ahlul Bayt (as).

In Sahifatul Sajjadiyah, it has been narrated from Imam ‘Ali b. al-Husain as-Sajjad (as) that:

مَا خَرَجَ وَ لاَ یَخْرُجُ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَیْتِ إِل_ی قِیَامِ قَائِمِنَا أَحَدٌ لِیَدْفَعَ ظُلْماً أَوْ یَنْعَشَ حَقًّا إِلاٌّ اصْطَلَمَتْهُ الْبَلِیَّهُ وَ کَانَ قِیَامُهُ زِیَادَهً فِی مَکْرُوهِنَا وَ شِیعَتِنَا

“None of us, the Ahlul Bayt (as), have risen or will rise until the advent of the Awaited Imam (ajtf), to repel oppression or revive the truth except that he shall definitely be overcome by misfortunes and his revolt shall result in more adversity of us and our Shi’ah.”(1)

However supposing that this tradition or other traditions such as this (which are many) are all correct, and if we suppose that the chain of narrators are correct and there is no issue of taqiyyah (dissimulation) and that there is no other impediment in the traditions (which would prevent us from understanding them).

Then we understand that what has been prohibited in this and other traditions is not that we are not permitted to rise up against an oppressor or oppressive government, rather, it means that we are not permitted to fight against them with force and weapons and this is what has been prohibited.

From another point of view, the task of understanding the meaning of this tradition is not the

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job of just anyone. Rather, the responsibility of analyzing this (and other such) traditions and bringing forth its correct understanding is the duty of the prominent ‘Ulama, Fuqaha and the learned ones who possess the ability to carry out this task.

In addition, it is possible that after extracting and understanding the truth of this type of tradition according to his understanding, a Mujtahid would act according to his grasp of knowledge of such a statement.

Indeed, we know that those who are not at the level of ijtihad (the ability to pass legal judgment on the laws of Islam) would be obliged to follow (perform taqlid of) the Mujtahid who fulfills all of the conditions of being followed. Thus, the layman’s obligation is merely to perform taqlid and not to simply follow the Qur’anic verses and Prophetic traditions.

Thus, if we agree with these types of traditions which tell us that it is not correct for us to rise up and fight against a government, then we cannot say that if a Mujtahid who fulfills all of the conditions of being followed was to rise up and fight against an oppressive government that we would leave him alone and not support him!

Rather, it is imperative upon the followers (muqallidin) to refer to the scholar’s fatawa and act according to what he has decreed! They must work together with him and provide the support needed and thus, they too must rise up if he says to!

In summary, it is correct to

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state that: The true believers must not rise up and fight against the governments of their time except if the Mujtahid who fulfills all of the conditions(1) for being followed gives a hukm (ruling) that it is obligatory to rise up and fight. In this instance, according to the proofs of the performance of taqlid, this uprising and revolt would be permissible and correct for the followers rather, it would be obligatory.

Therefore, from this responsibility, we are better able to understand that the people must not drift away from the path of taqlid of their Maraja’ (sources of emulation).

In the traditions, jurisprudential sources and references it has been mentioned that in certain instances, the act of jihad (fighting) can become obligatory and the ruling of this is based on the ruling (fatwa) and injunction (hukm) of a Mujtahid and this information can be seen in the ‘Section of Jihad’ which is in the books of Islamic jurisprudence where a complete and detailed discussion has been given.

partner with Allah in His knowledge and has declared that He (Allah, the High) has given him knowledge of His secret.”(1)

A companion once asked Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as):

هَلْ لِهٌذَا الأَمْرِ وَقْتٌ؟ فَقَالَ: کَذِبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ، کَذِبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ، کَذِبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ

“Is a time set for this event (the advent of al-Mahdi)?” The Imam (peace be upon him) replied: “Those who specify a time are liars those who specify a time are liars those who specify a time are liars!”(2)

The meaning of not being permitted to set a time for the advent of the Imam is that the date, year, month, week or even hour of his advent must not be specified or speculated about. However, we know that the time of his advent has been alluded to in the traditions through the various signs and events which will occur. Therefore, it is not a problem to explain his return in this manner.

Abu BaSir said to Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as):

جُعِلْتُ فِدَاکَ، مَت_ی خُرُوجُ الْقَائِمِ؟ فَقَالَ: یَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ! إِنَّا أَهْلَ بَیْتٍ لاَ نُوَقِّتُ وَ قَدْ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ  کَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ! یَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ قُدَّامَ هٌذَا الأَمْرِ خَمْسَ عَلاَمَاتٍ أُوْلاَهُنَّ النِّدَاءُ فِی شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ خُرُوجُ السُّفْیَانِیِّ وَ خُرُوجُ الْخُرسَانِیِّ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الزَّکِیَّهِ وَ خَسْفٌ بِالْبَیْدَاءِ

“’May I be your ransom! When will al-Qa`im (ajtf) make his advent?’ The Imam replied: “O’ Aba Muhammad! Surely we the Ahlul Bayt (as) do not specify a time for his advent as (the Prophet) Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his progeny) has

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said: “Those who specify a time for his advent are liars!”

O’ Aba Muhammad! Indeed before this command comes to pass, there are five signs (which must occur): The first is the call (from the skies) during the month of Ramaďan the coming of Sufyani the coming of Khurasani, the killing of the (one with a) ‘pure soul’ and the sinking of the ground in Bayda` (into the Earth).”(1)

reality, this is one of the most important responsibilities which the true believers have, whereas everything mentioned up to this point and those which will be mentioned later on, all return back to this responsibility.

Therefore, the first responsibility is the purification of the soul(1) and to travel spiritually towards Allah.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ یَکُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْقَائِمِ فَلْیَنْتَظِرْ وَ لِیَعْمَلْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ مَحَاسِنِ الأَخْلاَقِ وَ هُوَ مُنْتَظِرٌ

“A person who would like to be among the companions of al-Qa`im (ajtf) should be in a state of waiting and perform all of his actions with piety and with the most beautiful etiquette and only then, will one be counted as being in a state of waiting.”(2)

Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has said:

...فَأَعیِنُوا بِوَرَعٍ وَ اجْتِهَادٍ

“...So then assist (us) through piety and struggle.”(3)

Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) wrote the following:

فَمَا یَحْبِسُنَا عَنْهُمْ إِلاَّ مَا یَتَّصِلُ بِنَا مِمَّا نَکْرَهُهُ وَ لاَ نُؤْثِرُهُ مِنْهُمْ وَ اللٌّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ وَ هُوَ حَسْبُنَا وَ نِعْمَ الْوَکِیلُ

“Nothing prevents us from them (our followers) but their coming to us with that (action) which we detest, and we do not like this from them; and Allah is the only one from whom help is sought and He is Sufficient for us! The most Excellent trustee! “(4)

In the letter which was written to Shaykh al-Mufid, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) stated:

وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَشْیَاعَنَا، وَفَّقَهُمُ اللٌّهُ لِطَاعَتِهِ، عَلی اجْتِمَاعٍ مِنَ الْقُلُوبِ فِی الْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ عَلَیْهِمْ لَمَا تَأَخَّرَ عَنْهُمُ الْیُمْنُ بِلِقَائِنَا وَ لَتَعَجَّلَتْ لَهُمُ السَّعَادَهُ بِمُشَاهَدَتِنَا عَلی حَقِّ الْمَعْرِفَهِ

“And if

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our followers, may Allah make them successful in obeying Him, were united with their hearts in fulfilling the promise that is upon them, there would be no delay for them from the good fortune of meeting us, and their happiness would be hastened by witnessing our advent with complete understanding.”(1)

also observe taqiyyah while in the company of people who do not have inclinations for the truth, would not benefit from such information or would harm them because they cannot bear to hear it.

However, what do we do in regards those whose mental state we are unaware of? What do we do in regards to those about whom we are not aware if they can acknowledge and accept such truths?

Since we do not know if such people would safeguard the teachings or if they would expose them to others not worthy of hearing such things, we are told that there is no need to practice taqiyyah around them and can convey the teachings to them.

However with that said, we must be careful to expose the truths to them piece by piece, and if we see that they are accepting of them and are able to safeguard the secrets, then we can continue.

Taqiyyah is not to be used in regards to those who are: confused and full of doubt, misguided or have gone astray from the faith, those who have fallen into error in regards to affairs of the life of this world or the next life, those who are ignorant of the truths of the faith but have the ability to accept the truth (if told to them) and are able to keep secrets from other people who are not worthy of such knowledge.

Thus in regards to such individuals, we must not observe taqiyyah and it makes no

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difference if they are ignorant or just misled or plagued with confusion and doubt or whether they are people of faith, disbelief, hypocrisy or willful disobedience.

Rather, it is sufficient that these people are those who are not willfully opposed to the truths and that they have the ability within them to accept, bear, safeguard and hide the truths from those who are not worthy of such truths being told to them and that there is a possibility that knowing these things will be of spiritual benefit to them.

The complete discussion concerning taqiyyah, how it works and under what conditions it is applicable has been mentioned in its own relevant place in the sources of Islam and those interested in learning more about this issue are advised to refer to the various Islamic resources.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

إِنَّهُ لَیْسَ مِنَ احْتِمَالِ أَمْرِنَا التَّصْدِیقُ لَهُ وَ الْقَبُولُ فَقَطْ مِنَ احْتِمَالِ أَمْرِنَا سَتْرُهُ وَ صِیَانَتُهُ مِنْ غَیْرِ أَهْلِهِ. فَاقْرِأْهُمُ السَّلاَمَ وَ قُلْ لَهُمْ: رَحِمَ اللٌّهُ عَبْداً إِجْتَرَّ مَوَدَّهَ النَّاسِ إِل_ی نَفْسِهِ، حَدِّثُوهُمْ بِمَا یَعْرِفُونَ وَاسْتُرُوا عَنْهُمْ مَا یُنْکِرُونَ. ثُمَّ قَالَ : وَ اللٌّهِ مَا النَّاصِبُ لَنَا حَرْباً بِأَشَدَّ عَلَیْنَا مَؤُونَهً مِنَ النَّاطِقِ عَلَیْنَا بِمَا نَکْرَهُ

“To undertake our affair is not only to believe it and accept only rather, it means to conceal and protect it against those who are not worthy of knowing about it. Thus, you must greet them and say: ‘May Allah have mercy upon the servant who tries to acquire the people’s love for him.’

Speak

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with them about subjects which they are familiar with, but conceal from them the matters which they deny. The Imam then added: ‘By Allah (I swear): He who wages war against us is not worse than him who reports from us matters that we detest (to publicize).’(1)

In a tradition from the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (as) it has been stated that:

إِنَّ حَدِیثَنَا صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ خَشِنٌ مَخْشُوشٌ، فَانْ_بِذُوا إِل_ی النَّاسِ نَبْذاً، فَمَنْ عَرَفَ فَزِیدُوهُ، وَ مَنْ أَنْکَرَ فَأَمْسِکُوا، لاَ یَحْتَمِلُهُ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثٌ: مَلَکٌ مُقَرَّبٌ، أَوْ نَبِیٌّ مُرْسَلٌ، أَوْ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ إِمْتَحَنَ اللٌّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلإِیْ_مَانِ

“Verily, our traditions are difficult, hard to understand (properly), uneasy to pass, and alarming; therefore present a little of it to the people. If one realizes it, then you may give him more; but if he denies it, then stop. None can bear it except three (groups of people): (1) An archangel, (2) a Prophet who is sent with a Divine Message, or (3) a believing man whom Almighty Allah has tried his heart’s competence for faith.”(2)

patience in the face of the examinations which come from Allah  and must be able to bear them and strive to become victorious during these tests. During this period, one must be patient with those who deny the Imam and mock the religion and must show forbearance in the face of those who belie and seek to deny the Imam.

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has quoted the Messenger of Allah as saying:

سَیَأْتِی عَل_ی النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لاَ یُنَالُ الْمُلْکُ فِیهِ إِلاَّ بِالْقَتْلِ وَ التَّجَبُّرِ وَ لاَ الْغِن_ی إِلاَّ بِالْغَصْبِ وَ الْبُخْلِ وَ لاَ الْمَحَبَّهُ إِلاَّ بِاسْتِخْرَاجِ الدِّینِ وَ اتِّبَاعِ الْهَوی، فَمَنْ أَدْرَکَ ذٌلِکَ الزَّمَانَ فَصَبَرَ عَل_ی الْفَقْرِ وَ هُوَ یَقْدِرُ عَل_ی الْغِن_ی وَ صَبَرَ عَل_ی الْبِغْضَهِ وَ هُوَ یَقْدِرُ عَل_ی الْمَحَبَّهِ وَ صَبَرَ عَل_ی الْذُّلِّ وَ هُوَ یَقْدِرُ عَل_ی الْعِزِّ آتَاهُ اللٌّهُ ثَوَابَ خَمْسِینَ صِدِّیقاً مِمَنْ صَدَّقَ بِ_ی

“A time will come upon the people when they will not acquire power except by means of murder and tyranny; they will not gain riches except by means of usurpation and stinginess and they will not gain love (and respect from the people) except by abandoning the religion and pursuit of lowly desires.

So whoever lives in such a period and endures poverty although he can acquire riches; endures hate (and enemity of the people) even though he can acquire their love; and endures humility even though he is able to acquire honour then the Almighty Allah shall grant him the reward of fifty entirely truthful individuals who believed in me.”(1)

In another

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tradition, Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has stated that:

أَلاَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مَنِ انْتَظَرَ أَمْرَنَا وَ صَبَرَ عَل_ی مَا یَری مِنَ الأَذی وَ الْخَوْفِ هُوَ غَداً فِی زُمْرَتِ_نَا؟

“Do you not know that a person who waits for our command to come and is patient upon that which he sees from the difficulties and the fear will, tomorrow, be (with us) in our company?”(1)

As well, Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said:

عَلَیْکَ بِالصَّبْرِ فِی جَمِیعِ أُمُورِکَ

“I advise you to observe patience in all of your affairs.”(2)

Of course, the meaning of patience and withstanding difficulties does not go against the principle of supplicating and taking legitimate steps to remove any difficulties or obstacles; nor does it go against the principle of the right of a person to defend himself.

Without doubt, a true believer must struggle to ensure that all of the difficulties, challenges and problems are kept far away from him and of course, this must be done through the legitimate means.

] وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ [ بِمُوَاسَاهِ إِخْوَانِهِمْ ] وَ تَوَاصَوا بِالْحَقِّ وَ تَوَاصَوا بِالصَّبْرِ [ بِالصَّبْرِ فِی غَیْبَهِ غَائِبِهِمْ

“Surat al-’Asr was revealed about ‘Ali (as) and its exegesis is as follows: I swear by the time, I swear by the Lord of the Day of Judgement. Verily all of mankind is at loss, the enemies of the family of Muhammad Except for those who believe in their (the Ahlul Bayt’s) wilayah, And perform righteous actions showing kindness to their brothers in the faith, and encourage others to observe the truth and encourage others to observe patience they encourage the observing of patience during the occultation of the one who is in occultation.”(1)

کَانَ مَعَنَا فِی الرَّفِیقِ الأَعْلی

“Almighty Allah never looks at a servant and finds him working hard in obedience and compliance with his Imam, but that He includes him with us in the most exalted rank. “(1)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has stated that:

کُونُوا لَنَا زَیْناً وَ لاَ تَکُونُوا عَلَیْنَا شَیْناً

“Be a beauty for us (the Ahlul Bayt) and do not be a source of embarrassment for us.”(2)

not be recognized and when they are absent, nobody will miss them. They are surely the lanterns of true guidance.”(1)

their victory to your patron (al-Mahdi). Their killed ones will be martyrs. Verily, were I to live until that time, I would try to save myself for the Patron of this Matter (so as to join him).”(1)

Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has narrated that if one wishes to have a long life and be able to assist the Imam, then one should recite the following prayer. The narrator of this supplication states that: “When I continuously recited this supplication, my life extended to such an amount that I was satisified with living.”

أَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَل_یٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ. أَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَکَ الصَّادِقَ الْ_مُصَدَّقَ صَلَوَاتُکَ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ قَالَ إِنَّکَ قُلْتَ: مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِی شَیْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ کَتَرَدُّدِی فِی قَبْضِ رُوْحِ عَبْدِیَ الْ_مُؤْمِنِ یَکْرَهُ الْ_مَوْتَ وَ أَنَا أَکْرَهُ مَسَائَتَهُ. أَللّٰهُمَّ فَصَلِّ عَل_یٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ لِوَلِیِّکَ الْ_فَرَجَ وَ الْعَافِیَهَ وَ النَّصْرَ وَ لاَ تَسُؤْنِی فِی نَفْسِی وَ لاَ فِی أَحَدٍ مِنْ أَحِبَّتِی وَ لاَ فِی فُلاَنٍ (وَ لاَ فِی فُلاَنٍ)...

“O’Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. O’ Allah! Your Messenger, the truthful, the trustworthy - may Your blessings be upon him and his household has said that You say ‘I have not hesitated in a matter that I decide to do more than My hesitation in taking the soul of My believing servant who hates to encounter death and I hate to perturb him.’

O’ Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and hasten the relief of your intimate servant and give him wellbeing and

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succor, and do not perturb me or any of those whom I love, including so and so.’”(1)

If one wishes, he can then take the names of each of his friends and close acquaintances whom he wishes this supplication for and in place of the word فلان and the words which appear in the brackets, one can mention all of his friends.

specific qualities of the twelfth Imam (ajtf). We must seek to stay aloof from the material world and develop a desire and longing for the next life.

children and offspring of the Noble Prophet, or are scholars, propagators and missionaries of the faith!

Imam Musa b. Ja’far al-Kadhim (as) has said:

وَ مَنْ لَمْ یَقْدِرْ عَل_ی صِلَتِنَا فَلْیَصِلْ عَل_ی صَالِحِی مَوَالِینَا یُکْتَبُ لَهُ ثَوَابُ صِلَتِنَا

“A person who is not able to present us with a gift should give it to the righteous ones from among our followers and through this, a reward will be written for him as if he had given this gift to us.”(1)

if you bring happiness to a believer that happiness has been brought to that person alone. Rather, by Allah, it has also brought us (the Ahlul Bayt) happiness, rather, by Allah, it has even brought happiness to the Messenger of Allah!”(1)

is up to the believer himself to realize. For example, if we are able to supplicate for only two people, then we must first make supplication for the Imam, if one wants to make tawassul to one of two people, then the Imam must be the one whom we make tawassul to if the people are called to have a better understanding of something and to perform good deeds.

Then after the call and invitation to Tawhid, before anything else, one should invite others to the Imam and his wilayah if a person decides to give a gift, then the first person one should give this gift to is the Imam and if a person wants to perform the Ziyarat or send salutations upon another infallible, then one must start by sending greetings and salutations to the Imam and send prayers upon him first.

And if it is decided that one will perform a task and send the reward of this task to a person for example if one was to perform Salat or hajj and give the reward to someone, then it should be first given to the Imam (the Imam should be kept in mind when this act is being performed so that the reward is given to him).

If a person is able to perform the various prayers and supplications after every obligatory Salat, then one must perform those which are related to the Imam as this will establish a closer relationship with him.

the Imam first when performing any supplication.

Before one remembers himself, he must first remember the Imam and pray for him. After this, one may pray for himself and other people and this becomes a manifestation of the love a true believer has for the Imam.

Without doubt, every supplication which a true believer makes for the Imam will earn him many things one will obtain the Divine reward from Allah, gain the specific benefits related to that particular supplication and in addition, the contents of the supplication and what was prayed for will be accepted and fulfilled both for the Imam and the believer.

It has been mentioned in the traditions that whenever a person supplicates for another person, whatever he prayed for will also be applicable to him and his pleas will be accepted. In this regards, Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has said:

هُوَ الْمُؤْمِنُ یَدْعُو لِأَخِیهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَیْبِ فَیَقُولُ لَهُ الْمَلَکُ: آمِینَ وَ یَقُولُ اللٌّهُ الْعَزِیزُ الْجَبَّارُ: وَ لَکَ مِثْلاَ مَا سَأَلْتَ وَ قَدْ أُعْطِیتَ مَا سَأَلْتَ بِحُبِّکَ إِیَّاهُ

“He is a believer who prayers for his brother (in faith) in his absence, to which the Angel says: ‘Ameen (May Allah accept your prayer).’ At this time, Allah, the Noble and Grand says: ‘And for you is granted twice of that which you have asked (for your brother in faith) due to your love for him.’”(1)

Imam Musa b. Ja’far al-Kadhim (as) has said:

إِنَّ مَنْ دَعَا لِأَخِیهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَیْبِ نُودِیَ مِنَ الْعَرْشِ: وَ لَکَ مِائَهُ أَلْفِ ضِعْفٍ

“Verily when one supplicates for

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his (believing) brother in his absence, a sound is heard from the Noble Throne: ‘For you is one hundred thousand times (the reward for what you supplicated for him).’”(1)

the person whose faith is (as weak as) the wing of a gnat is better than one of them (the ignorant Shi’as).”(1)

قِیَامِهِ وَ یَتَوَلَّ_ی أَوْلِیَآءَهُ وَ یُعَادِی أَعْدَاءَهُ، ذٌلِکَ مِنْ رُفَقَائِ_ی وَ ذَوِی مَوَدَّتِی وَ أَکْرَمِ أُمَّتِ_ی عَلَ_یَّ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَهِ

“Glad tidings to the one who meets the Qa`im (ajtf) of my Ahlul Bayt (as) while he has followed him during his occultation before his advent and has been an ally to those who are his allies and an enemy to those who are an enemy to him. These people are my friends and those who have my love, and are the noblest of my nation to me on the Day of Judgement.”(1)

through various ways, including beautifying them improving or re-construction work, laying carpets, cleaning, deodorizing, illuminating, frequenting, entering the premises barefooted, entering them with humility, keeping busy with the remembrance of Allah while visiting them.

Recitation of prayers, Qur`an, supplications and other things, ensuring that these places are not made impure (najis) or dirty, purifying that area in the event that it becomes impure (najis), sweeping and cleaning the area; not entering while in a state of ritual impurity (janabat or for a woman, during her monthly period).

Ensuring that there is no mixing of the genders while in these areas; keeping away from all acts which are reprehensible and forbidden, keeping away from pointless joking and laughing and speaking and arguing in a loud voice. These and all other such acts must be observed while in similar sacred places.

الرَّحْمٌنِ وَ مَا بَعَثَ اللٌّهُ نَبْیاً إِلاَّ وَ قَدْ صَلَّی فِیهِ وَ فِیهِ مَسْکَنُ الْخِضْرِ وَ الْمُقِیمُ فِیهِ کَالْمُقِیمِ فِی فُسْطاَطِ رَسُولِ اللٌّهِ وَ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ وَ لاَ مُؤْمِنَهٍ إِلاَّ وَ قَلْبَهُ یَحِنُّ إِلَیْهِ وَ فِیهِ صَخْرَهٌ فِیهَا صُوْرَهُ کُلِّ نَبِیٍّ وَ مَا صَلَّی فِیهِ أَحَدٌ فَدَعَا اللٌّهَ بِنِیَّهِ صَادِقَهٍ إِلاَّ صَرَفَهُ اللٌّهُ بِقَضَاءِ حَاجَتِهِ وَ مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِسْتَجَارَهُ إِلاَّ أَجَارَهُ اللٌّهُ مِمَا یَخَافُ. قُلْتُ هٌذَا لَهُوَ الْفَضْلُ، قَالَ نَزِیدُکَ؟ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ، قَالَ هُوَ مِنَ الْبِقَاعِ الَّتِی أَحَبَّ اللٌّهُ أَنْ یُدْعَی فِیهَا وَ مَا مِنْ یَوْمٍ وَ لاَ لَیْلَهٍ إِلاَّ وَ الْمَلاَئِکَهُ تَزُورُ هٌذَا الْمَسْجِدَ یَعْبُدُونَ اللٌّهَ فِیهِ أَمَا إِنِّی لَوْ کُنْتُ بَالْقُرْبِ مِنْکُمْ مَا صَلَّیْتُ صَلاَهً إِلاَّ فِیهِ یَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مَا لَمْ أَصِفْ أَکْثَرُ. قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاکَ لاَ یَزَالُ الْقَائِمُ فِیهِ أَبَداً؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ. قُلْتَ فَمِنْ بَعْدِهِ؟ قَالَ هٌکَذَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِل_ی انْقِضَاءِ الْخَلْقِ

“‘It is as if I see the descending of al-Qa`im (ajtf) in Masjid al-Sahlah, accompanied by his family and close relatives family.’ (The companion said) I asked: ‘May Allah accept me as ransom for you! Will it be his dwelling place?’ The Imam stated: ‘Yes, it will be. It was the dwelling place of Prophet Idris and Prophet Ibrahim, the intimate friend of the all-Merciful and Allah did not send any prophet but that he offered prayers in it (Masjid al-Sahlah).

It was also the house of al-Khiďr. He who resides in it is like one who resides in the tent of Allah’s Messenger. The hearts of true believing men and women

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yearn for it (Masjid al-Sahlah). In it there is a rock which has the pictures of all the Prophets.

Nobody prays there and supplicates to Almighty Allah with a sincere intention but that his needs are fulfilled by Almighty Allah; and nobody takes it as a shelter but that he is protected by Almighty Allah against whatever he fears.’ I said: ‘This is indeed an excellent virtue.’

The Imam said: ‘Should I tell you more?’ The companion replied: ‘Yes.’ The Imam continued: ‘It is one of the places where Almighty Allah likes to be called upon. There is no day or night when the Angels are not frequenting this Masjid to worship to Almighty Allah. Verily, if I were to live near you, I would not offer a single prayer anywhere else. O’ Abu Muhammad! There is more than what I have just said.’

I asked: ‘May Allah ransom me for you! Will al-Qa`im (ajtf) reside in that place for all time?’ The Imam replied: ‘Yes, he will.’ The companion then asked: ‘Will those who come after him reside in the same place?’ The Imam replied to the man: ‘Yes, they will up until the end of creation.’”(1)

which the Imam frequents and where the legitimate requests of the people are fulfilled and the Imam himself has ordered the people to visit this sacred site!

In regards to the construction of this masjid, the following has been narrated by Hasan Muthallah Jamkarani: “I was sleeping in my home in the village of Jamkaran on Tuesday night, the 17th of the month of Ramaďan in the year 313 ah. It was just after midnight that out of nowhere, a group of people came to my house, woke me up and said: ‘Wake up and answer the call of your Master, Imam Mahdi Sahib al-Zaman (ajtf) who has summoned you!’”

Hasan continued: “I woke up, collected myself and prepared to get dressed and said to the people: ‘Just let me put my shirt on.’

At that time, I heard a voice saying: ‘That is not your shirt!’

After removing the shirt, I reached for my pants, and again I heard a voice say: ‘Those are not your pants! Do not put them on!’

I removed them too and was able to find my own shirt and pants. I got dressed and then started to look for the key to unlock the door when a voice said: ‘The door is already unlocked and open!’

I went towards the door, opened it, and saw a group of pious, noble people. I offered them my greetings, to which they replied accordingly.

They took me to a place where the present location of Masjid Jamkaran is located and as I

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was looking around, I saw a couch surrounded by fine carpets and pillows. A young man, who looked to be around 30 years old, was reclining on the couch, resting against the pillows. An old man was sitting beside him reading a book out loud while more than 60 men were around them some of them dressed in white and others in green offering their Salat.

The old man, whom I later found out was Prophet Khiďr asked me to be seated. At that time, the Imam, who was sitting next to Prophet Khiďr, called me by name and said: “You must go to Hasan Muslim and give him the following message.

Tell him that for the past five years, you have been farming on this land, planting and growing many things, but whatever you grow is being destroyed. This land is sacred, and Allah the Almighty has chosen this land above all others and bestowed distinction and honor to it.

Even this year, you have intended to plough and cultivate this land, though you do not have the authorization to do so! Thus, whatever financial earnings you have earned from this land must be returned so that a Masjid can be built on this spot.

Since you have taken this land which does not belong to you, Allah the Glorious and Powerful, has taken two of your young children away from you, but still you have not realized the wrong you are doing! If you continue in this way, the

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punishment of Allah which is beyond your imagination, will strike you.’’

I said: “O’ my Master, I must have some convincing signs, since without this, the people will not believe me.”

The Imam said: “I will show you the signs at this spot so that your statement will prove to be truthful. You simply go and convey the message to the people. Go and see Sayyid Abul Hasan in Qum and tell him to come with you to visit Hasan Muslim and collect from him the earnings of the farm land for the past few years, and with this money, lay the foundation for the Masjid.

For the remaining expenditure, you may collect it from the village of Rihaq, in the Ardhal region (near Kashan) which belongs to me, to complete the building of the Masjid. Also, half of the estate of the village of Rihaq has been given as Waqf (endowment) for the maintenance of the Masjid. Tell the people to visit this place, and to respect and honor it by offering four Rak’at of Salat as follows:

The first Salat of two Rak’at should be prayed with the intention of ‘Salutation to the Masjid’ (تحیه المسجد) where in each Rak’at, Suratul Fatiha is recited once, followed by Suratul IkhlaS seven times. In every Rak’at, the dhikr:

in Ruku’: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّیَ الْعَظِیمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

and in Sajdah: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّیَ الأَعْ_لیٰ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

Should be recited seven times, the second Rak’at should be recited exactly as the first one.

The second Salat is also two Rak’at and

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it should be prayed with the intention of ‘Salat for Imam al-Zaman’(ajtf) in which Suratul Fatiha is recited once, and the line:

 إِیَّاکَ نَ__عْبُدُ وَ إِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِینُ 

is recited one hundred times. The surah should then be completed, followed by the recitation of Suratul IkhlaS once.

In every Rak’at, the dhikr:

in Ruku’: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّیَ الْعَظِیمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

and in Sajdah: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّیَ الأَعْ_لیٰ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ

Should also be recited seven times each. The second Rak’at is to be recited exactly like the first one.

Once both of the Salat are finished, the following line should be said once:

لاَ إِلٰ_هَ إِلاَّ اللهِ

Followed by the Tasbih of Fatimah az-Zahra (sa):

34 times:أَللهُ أَکْبَرُ

33 times:أَلْ_حَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ

33 times: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ

After this, you should go into sajdah and recite Salawat on Prophet Muhammad (S) and his family (as) one hundred times:

أَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

The Imam then said:

فَمَنْ صَلاَّهاَ فَکَأَنَّ_مَا صَلَّی فِی الْبَیْتِ العَتِیقِ

‘Whoever performs this Salat (will receive the same reward) as the one who prays inside the ‘Ancient House’ (the Holy Ka’bah).’”(1)

day of Jumu’ah, and the nights of Qadr in the month of Ramaďhan, must all be respected and honored.

In these time periods, it is incumbent upon a true believer to pay special attention to the Imam and more than other people, one should strive to fulfill the rights of the Imam which are related to these specific times.

As for how one can show honor and veneration to some of these time periods, this shall be mentioned in later sections. However generally speaking, respecting the times which are related to the Imam can be carried out in various ways such as performing the specific acts of worship which have been mentioned in the traditions.

The etiquette which each of these time periods have related to them has been mentioned in the books of traditions and Du’a, and these should be followed by the true believers. Therefore, the supplications and Ziyarat which have been mentioned to be read at specific times should be performed in order to fulfill this responsibility.

this night, Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has stated:

هِیَ أَفْضَلُ لَیْلَهٍ بَعْدَ لَیْلَهِ الْقَدْرِ فِیهَا یَمْنَحُ اللٌّهُ تَعَالَی الْعِبَادَ فَضْلَهُ وَ یَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ بِمَنِّهِ فَاجْتَهِدُوا فِی الْقُرْبَهِ إِل_ی اللٌّهِ فِیهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَیْلَهٌ آلَی اللٌّهُ عَلی نَفْسِهِ أَنْ لاَ یَرُدَّ سَائِلاً لَهُ فِیهَا مَا لَمْ یَسْأَلْ مَعْصِیَهً وَ إِنَّهَا اللَّیْلَهُ الَّتِی جَعَلَهَا اللٌّهُ لَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَیْتِ بِإِزَاءِ مَا جَعَلَ لَیْلَهَ الْقَدْرِ لِنَبِیِّنَا فَاجْتَهِدُوا فِی الدُّعَاءِ وَ الثَّنَاءِ عَلی اللٌّهِ

“It (the 15th of Sha’ban) is the best of nights after the night of Qadr. In it Allah grants His blessings to His servants and through His generosity and nobility, He forgives them. So strive and struggle to seek closeness to Allah, the Most High, in it.

For it is a night in which Allah has ordained upon Himself not to turn away anyone who comes to Him asking for something as long as the request is not something impermissible. It is the night which Allah the High, has placed for us (the Ahlul Bayt) just as the Night of Qadr (in the month of Ramaďhan) was placed for our Prophet.

Thus, strive to perform the supplications and praise Allah, the High (in it).”(1)

The reason for the greatness of this night over all the other nights and times is the felicitous birth of Imam Waliul ‘Asr (ajtf) during the early morning period.

actions for these nights.(1)

The Nights of Qadr are directly related to the 12th Imam (ajtf) and therefore, the best act which can be done on these nights is remembering and focusing on him and seeking intercession from the Imam.

The Night of Qadr is that night which the entire year cannot reach in greatness, and the actions which are performed on that night are better than the actions performed during the span of one thousand months!

It is on this night that all of the commands for the next year are decreed and the Angels and the Ruh who is the greatest of Angels descend to the Earth by the permission of their Lord and arrive in the service of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf). Whatever has been decreed for every person for the entire year is then presented to the Imam.

Thus, we must perform those specific actions related to these nights and seek closeness to Allah through the Imam. We must also hold firm to the Imam, take him as our intercessor and ask our needs and wants through him (and with the permission of Allah, these will be granted).

rocks or anything else.

In addition, the letters, speeches and traditions which have been narrated from the Imam must also be shown veneration. This also includes the books which contain writings in regards to the Imam.

Works of art, cultural and religious artifacts which are related to the Imam or his great forefathers such as the hand written copies of the Qur`an, must also be respected.

At the forefront of all things which are related to the Imam is the Noble Qur`an and one must show honor and respect to this. We are able to deduce the necessity of showing honor to the Qur`an from the traditions which have come to us from the Messenger of Islam and the Infallible A`immah (as) and this is something which all of the sects of Islam accept.

The Qur`an is, just as the Prophet described it, the “Greater of the two weighty things (al-Thaqalayn)” which he advised his nation to follow when he said, “The Ahlul Bayt (as) shall never be separated from the Qur`an” and thus, the Muslim nation must follow both the Qur`an and Ahlul Bayt (as).

Guarding the Qur`an and showing it honor can be done through acting according to the verses and as we know, even Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) himself has also been ordered to follow its commandments.

Thus, to show honor and esteem to the Qur`an and to act according to its verses is the most important responsibility for us to perform and it is also one of the duties towards the Imam.

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give whatever amount of Sadaqah or perform the recommended Salat on behalf of his Imam. For example, one can perform the Salat of Ja’far al-Tayyar or the Salat of the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (as) on behalf of his living Imam.

Through this act, not only will the believer avail himself of the reward for performing that action, but in addition he will also receive a reward for maintaing the ties and relations with his Imam!

Some of the acts of worship which a person is able to perform by way of proxy for the Imam include:

1. Different Salat [the Salat of Ja’far al-Tayyar, Salat of the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali b. Abi Talib and the other Infallibles and the other recommended Salat which have been mentioned in the detailed books of prayer and supplication]. A person is even able to perform a general two Rak’at Salat with the intention that he is offering the prayer as a gift to the Imam.

2. The recommended Hajj or ‘Umrah

3. Tawaf of the Ka’bah

4. Giving Sadaqah

5. Recitation of the Qur`an

6. Sacrificing an animal

7. Paying back the debts of a true believer

8. Performing the visitation (Ziyarat) of the graves of the Messenger of Allah and the other Infallibles (as) and their righteous companions. In addition, one can also visit the graves of other true believers from either far or near with the intention that the reward is to be given to the Imam.

9. Freeing a captive, and in this day

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and age, freeing a prisoner by paying his debts, for example.

Just as has been mentioned, performing actions by proxy in relation to the obligatory actions such as the five daily prayers is not permissible, except in certain circumstances such as in the performance of the Hajj. A person once asked Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as): “A person performs the Hajj on behalf of another person – how much of a reward and recompense is he given?”

The Imam replied:

لِلَّذِی یَحُجُّ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَجْرُ وَ ثَوَابُ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ

“For a person who performs the Hajj on behalf of another person there is a reward and recompense equal to the performance of ten Hajj.”(1)

In another tradition, Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) said:

لَوْ أَشْرَکْتَ أَلْفاً فِی حَجَّتِکَ لَکَانَ لِکُلِّ وَاحِدٍ حَجَّهٌ مِنْ غَیْرِ أَنْ تَنْقُصَ حَجَّتُ_ُکَ شَیْئاً

“If you were to make a thousand people partners in the reward for your Hajj, then for each and every one of them, there will be a reward for performing one Hajj, with no reduction in the reward of your Hajj!”(2)

Imam Musa b. Ja’far al-Kadhim (as) said:

فَإِذَا أَتَیْتَ قَبْرَ النَّبِ__یِّ  فَقَضَیْتَ مَا یَجِبُ عَلَیْکَ، فَصَلِّ رَکْعَتَینِ ثُمَّ قِفْ عِنْدَ رَأْسِ النَّبِ_یِّ  ثُمَّ قُلْ: أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا نَبِ_یَّ اللٌّهِ مِنْ أَبِی وَ أُمِّی وَ زَوْجَتِ_ی وَ وُلْدِی وَ جَمِیعِ حَامَّ__تِ_ی وَ مِنْ جَمِیعِ أَهْلِ بَلَدِی، حُرِّهِمْ وَ عَبْدِهِمْ، وَ أَبْیَضِهِمْ وَ أَسْوَدِهِمْ فَلاَ تَشَاءُ أَنْ تَقُولَ لِلرَّجُلِ: إِنِّ_ی أَقْرَأْتُ رَسُولَ اللٌّهِ عَنْکَ السَّلاَمَ إِلاَّ کُنْتَ صَادِقاً

“When you come to the grave of the Prophet (saws), and

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after performing that which is obligatory upon you (the Ziyarat rites) then perform a two rak’at Salat. Then, stand near the head of the Prophet (saws) and say:

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا نَبِ_یَّ اللهِ مِنْ أَبِ_ی وَ أُمِّی وَ زَوْجَتِ_ی وَ وُلْدِی وَ جَمِیعِ حَامَّ__تِی وَ مِنْ جَمِیعِ أَهْلِ بَلَدِی، حُرِّهِمْ وَ عَبْدِهِمْ، وَ أَبْیَضِهِمْ وَ أَسْوَدِهِمْ

“Peace be upon you, O’ Prophet of Allah, from my father, mother, wife, children, all of my friends and everyone in my city the free and the enslaved the white skinned and the black skinned.’

(If you act in this way) then you will not say to a person “‘I conveyed greetings and salutations to the Messenger of Allah on your behalf’ except that you will be speaking the truth.”(1)

When it comes to the recommended deeds, a true believer can either perform them himself for the Imam or hire another person to do them on his behalf.

For example, one can hire somebody else to, on behalf of the Imam, perform the Hajj or perform a recommended Salat.

وَ أَجْرٌ عَظِیمٌ وَ مِنَّا الْمَحْمَدَهُ

“I visited your father and gave the reward of this act to you.” The Imam replied: “Due to this act of yours, there is a great reward and recompense for you from Allah and a commendation from us.”(1)

One of the Imams said:

مَنْ جَعَلَ ثَوَابَ صَلاَتِهِ لِرَسُولِ اللٌّهِ وَ أَمِیرِ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ وَ الأَوْصِیَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ صَلَوَاتُ اللٌّهِ عَلَیْهِمْ أَجْمَعِینَ وَ سَلَّمَ أَضْعَفَ اللٌّهُ لَهُ ثَوَابَ صَلاَتِهِ أَضْعَافاً مُضَاعَفَهً حَ_تَّ_ی یَنْقَطِعَ النَّفْسَ وَ یُقَالُ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ رُوحُهُ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ: یَا فُلاَنُ هَدِیَّتُکَ إِلَیْهَا وَ نَفْعَتُکَ وَ أَلْطَافُکَ لَنَا فَهٌذَا یَوْمُ مُجَازَاتِکَ وَ مُکَافَاتِکَ فَطِبْ نَفْساً وَ قَرَّ عَیْناً بِمَا أَعَدَّ اللٌّهُ لَکَ وَ هَنِیئاً لَکَ بِمَا صِرْتَ إِلَیْهِ. قَالَ: قُلْتُ وَ کَیْفَ یُهْدِی صَلاَتَهُ وَ یَقُولُ؟ قَالَ : یَنْوِی ثَوَابَ صَلاَتِهِ لِرَسُولِ اللٌّهِ

“A person who offers the reward of his Salat to the Messenger of Allah, the Commander of the Faithful and the successors who come after him, may the blessings of Allah be upon all of them Allah will increase the reward of his Salat, a multi-fold increase, until his soul departs and before his soul leaves his body, it will be said to him: “O’ so-and-so!

Your gift, goodness and kindness has reached us therefore, today is the day for your reward and repayment of your goodness. Thus, may your soul be pleased and may your eyes be brightened due to that which Allah has prepared for you and glad tidings to you for what you have reached.’

The narrator of the tradition

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then asked them Imam: “How does one send the reward of his Salat, and what does he say?’

The Imam replied: “one makes the intention that the reward of the Salat be given to the Messenger of Allah.’”(1)

Allah is to perform the ziyarat of the forefathers and pure ancestors of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) on the days when their Ziyarat has been recommended to be recited.

According to a tradition from Imam ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (as), each day of the week has been reserved for one or more of the Infallibles (as) and on those days, we should perform their Ziyarat.(1)

Saturday: The Messenger of Allah (S)

Sunday: Amirul Mo`minin ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (as) and Fatimah az-Zahra (sa)

Monday: Imam Hasan (as) and Hussain (as)

Tuesday: Imam ‘Ali b. Husain as-Sajjad (as), Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) and Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as)

Wednesday: Imam Musa b. Ja’far al-Kadhim (as), Imam ‘Ali b. Musa al-Riďa (as), Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Taqi (as) and Imam ‘Ali b. Muhammad an-Naqi (as)

Thursday: Imam Hasan b. ‘Ali al-’Askari (as)

Friday: Sahib al-’Asr wal Zaman, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), may Allah hasten his return.

The specific Ziyarat which we have been recommended to recite is as follows:(2)

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا حُجَّهَ اللهِ فی أَرْضِهِ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا عَیْنَ اللهِ فی خَلْقِهِ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا نُورَ اللهِ الَّذِی یَهْ_تَدِی بِهِ الْ_مُهْ_تَدُونَ، وَیُفَرَّجُ بِهِ عَنِ الْ_مُؤْمِنِینَ

“Peace be upon you O’ Proof of Allah on His Earth, peace be upon you O’ Representative of Allah with His Creations peace be upon you O’ Divine Light of Allah by whom those who seek guidance are guided and through which he grants salvation to the true believers.

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ أَیُّهَا الْ_مُهَذَّبُ الْ_خَائِفُ،

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أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ أَیُّهَا الْوَلِیُّ النَّاصِحُ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا سَفِینَهَ النَّجَاهِ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا عَیْنَ الْحَیَاهِ

Peace be upon you O’ refined and awe-inspiring; peace be upon you O’ the intimate advisor; peace be upon you O’ ship of salvation peace be upon you O’ essence of life!

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ صَلَّی اللهُ عَلَیْکَ وَعَلی آلِ بَیْتِکَ الطَّیِّبِینَ الطَّاهِرِینَ، أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ عَجَّلَ اللهُ لَکَ مَا وَعَدَکَ مِنَ النَّصْرِ وَظُهُورِ الأَمْرِ

Peace be upon you – prayers of Allah be upon you, and upon your family (the Ahlul Bayt) the pure and pious ones. Peace be upon you may Allah hasten for you that what He has promised you of (His) help and appearance of the (universal world) order.

أَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَیْکَ یَا مَوْلاَیَ، أَنَا مَوْلاَکَ عَارِفٌ بِأُولاَکَ وَأُخْرَاکَ. أَتَقَرَّبُ اِل_یٰ اللهِ تَعَال_یٰ بِکَ وَبِآلِ بَیْتِکَ وَأَنْ_تَظِرُ ظُهُورَکَ وَظُهُورَ الْ_حَقِّ عَلیٰ یَدَیْکَ

Peace be upon you O’ master, I am your friend and follower, and I am well aware of your aim and ultimate purpose. I seek nearness to Allah, the Most High, through you and your family (the Ahlul Bayt). And I await your advent and the advent of the truth at your hands.

وَأَسْأَلُ اللهَ أَنْ یُصَلِّیَ عَلیٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَأَنْ یَجْعَلَنِی مِنَ الْ_مُنْتَظِرِینَ لَکَ وَالتَّابِعِینَ وَالنَّاصِرِینَ لَکَ عَلیٰ أَعْدَائِکَ وَالْ_مُسْتَشْهَدِینَ بَیْنَ یَدَیْکَ فِی جُمْلَهِ أَوْلِیَائِکَ

I ask Allah that He send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and that He places me among those who are awaiting you and those who follow (you) and those who will help (you) against your enemies; and those who

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will achieve martyrdom (when fighting) with you, in the ranks of all of your intimate and close friends.

یَا مَوْلاَیَ یَا صَاحِبَ الزَّمَانِ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَیْکَ وَعَلیٰ آلِ بَیْتِکَ هٰذَا یَوْمُ الْ_جُمُعَهِ، وَهُوَ یَوْمُکَ الْ_مُتَوَقَّعُ فِیهِ ظُهُورُکَ، وَالْ_فَرَجُ فِیهِ لِلْمُؤْمِنِینَ عَلیٰ یَدَیْکَ، وَقَتْلُ الْ__کَافِرِینَ بِسَیْفِکَ، وَأَنَا یَا مَوْلاَیَ فِیهِ ضَیْفُکَ وَجَارُکَ، وَأَنْتَ یَا مَوْلاَیَ کَرِی_مٌ مِنْ أَوْلاَدِ الْکِرَامِ، وَمَأْمُورٌ بِالضِّیَافَهِ وَالإِجَارَهِ فَأَضِفْنِی وَأَجِرْنِی، صَلَوَاتُ اللّٰهِ عَلَیْکَ وَعَلیٰ أَهْلِ بَیْتِکَ الطَّاهِرِینَ.

O’ my master, O’ the Present Imam of our time! Blessings of Allah be upon you and your family (Ahlul Bayt). This is the day of Jumu’ah (Friday) and it is the day in which your advent is expected and the coming of relief for the believers (from their difficulties) by your hands, and (in which will be the) execution of the disbelievers with your sword.

And I am, O’ my master, in it (this day), your guest and neighbor, and you O’ my master are generous, from the sons of the generous ones. And you have been commanded to receive guests and welcome neighbors. So then receive me and welcome me, blessings of Allah be upon you and upon your family (the Ahlul Bayt), the purified ones.

this world especially the scholars in the religion who are amongst those with the taqwa of Allah!

Imam Musa b. Ja’far al-Kadhim (as) has said:

مَنْ لَمْ یَقْدِرْ أَنْ یَزُورَنَا فَلْیَزُرْ صَالِحِی مَوَالِینَا یُکْتَبُ لَهُ ثَوَابُ زِیَارَتِنَا

“A person who is not able to perform our Ziyarat should instead visit the righteous people from among our followers and the reward of visiting us will be written for him.”(1)

reality, the greetings and salutations which we send to the Imam are actually us praying and seeking His mercy in all areas related to the Imam, whether these are the affairs of this world or the next life.

Thus, we affirm that the key to the rectification of all issues is in the hands of Allah alone.

the Most Merciful. May the curse of Allah and the Angels and all of mankind be upon that person who considers (the use of) the portion of our wealth as being permissible for them.”

Abul Hasan Asadi stated: “My heart trembled that such a curse would be justified for that person who takes even one dirham of the wealth of the Imam and considers it is as being permissible for him...”

He continued and said: “I swear by the One who raised Muhammad with the truth and made him as a giver of good tidings, that after I saw this letter and I looked into my heart (and what I thought of this issue), I completely changed (my outlook on the Khums).”

The 12th Imam (ajtf) has stated:

بِسْمِ اللٌّهِ الرَّحْمٌنِ الرَّحِیمِ، لَعْنَهُ اللٌّهِ وَ الْمَلاَئِکَهِ وَ النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِینَ عَل_ی مَنْ أَکَلَ مِنْ مَالِنَا دِرْهَماً حَرَاماً.

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May the curse of Allah and the Angels and all of mankind be upon that person who uses even one dirham of our wealth without permission.”(1)

Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) also told us:

وَ مَنْ أَکَلَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِنَا شَیْئاً فَإِنَّمَا یَأْکُلُ فِی بَطْنِهِ نَاراً وَ سَیَصْل_ی سَعِیراً

“A person who consumes anything from our wealth has surely put fire in his stomach and soon he shall enter the flaming fire.”

Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) has said the following in relation to that person who considers the using of the wealth of the Imam (Khums) as being permissible:

فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذٌلِکَ فَهُوَ مَلْعُونٌ وَ نَحْنُ

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خُصَمَاؤُهُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَهِ وَقَدْ قَالَ النَّبِیُّ الْمُسْتَحِلُّ مِنْ عِتْرَتِ_ی مَا حَرَّمَ اللٌّهُ مَلْعُونٌ عَل_ی لِسَانِی وَ لِسَانِ کُلِّ نَبِیٍّ مُجَابٍ

“A person who does so (inappropriate our wealth which we are entitled to) is cursed and we will be his enemies on the Day of Resurrection and surely the Prophet (Muhammad) has said: ‘The person who considers it permissible to use that which belongs to my progeny, which Allah has made impermissible, is cursed by my tongue and the tongue of all the prophets whose supplications are accepted.’”(1)

others to the wrong path and thus, they will have strayed away from the path of Allah and the religion of His Messenger and his rightful Successors.

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