Symposium 58
Our Role During the Conceal
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:Going back to our discussion on Imam Al-Mahdi (PBUH), I would like to inquire about our role during the Conceal of the Imam (AHHR).
Hasan:Our main role is waiting for the Revelation (Al-Faraj). These following Hadith confirm this matter:
· In Yanabi’ Al-Mawaddah, it is reported from Manaqib Al-Khawarizmi, from Abu Ja’far, from his father, from his grandfather, from Amir Al-Mu’menin who reported
from the Messenger of Allah (PBUT) that“the best form of worship is waiting for the Revelation”.
· In Al-Ihtijaj, it is reported from Abu Hamzah Al-Thimali, from Khalid Al-Kaboli who reported from Ali Bin Al-Husain (PBUT) that“the Conceal of the twelfth trustee of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) will be lengthened. O Abu Khalid! The people at the time of his Conceal who wait for his Revelation are the best people of all times, because the Most Exalted Allah bestowed them such knowledge and understanding that it were as if they witnessed the Conceal and so they were given the same status of Muslim warriors (Mojahidin) with swords together with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH); those are the sincere people, the true followers and the heralds for the religion of Allah in secret and in public. Waiting for the Revelation is the greatest happiness”.
· It is reported, in Khisal Al-Arba’mi’a, from Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) that“wait for the Revelation and do not lose hope for the Spirit of Allah, as the best practice to the Most Gracious Allah is waiting for the Revelation”.
· It is reported, in Mahasin Al-Boroqi, from Abu Abdullah (PBUH) that“whoever dies waiting for him, it is as if he is in the canopy of the Qa’em”.
Anwar:These delightful Hadith show how greatly waiting people are rewarded.
Hasan:There are also other Hadith that clarify how great it is to worship and work in an oppressive and unjust country than in fair and just countries due to the fear the believers have.
Ikmal Al-Din reports from Ammar Al-Sabati that“I asked Abu Abdullah (PBUH): ‘Which one is greater, devotions at the time of the Concealed Imam in secret in an unjust state or devotions at the time of the Revealed rightful Imam?’
He replied: ‘O Ammar! By God, almsgiving in secret is far better than almsgiving in public, and so are devotions at the time of the Concealed Imam in an unjust state when living in fear than devotions at the time of the Revealed rightful Imam in public when feeling secure.
Bear in mind that if you say obligatory prayer on time
in secret fearing your enemies, the Almighty Allah considers twenty five obligatory prayers for you; if you say supererogatory prayer on time, the Almighty Allah considers ten supererogatory prayers for you; if you do one good deed, the Most Exalted Allah considers twenty good deeds for you instead.
The Almighty Allah multiplies the believers’ good deeds when they follow the religion of the Glorious Allah and his Imam in secret (Taqiyeh). Allah is indeed the Most Gracious.’
I said: ‘I give my life for you. You encouraged me to devote myself, but I would like to know how we have become of better devotions than those at the time of the Revealed rightful Imam in a rightful state when we both follow the same religion, the religion of the Most Exalted Allah?’
He replied: ‘You preceded them in embracing the religion of Allah and in saying prayers, fasting, pilgrimage and all other good deeds as wells as in devotions without the knowledge of your enemies.
You are following the Concealed Imam patiently and
waiting for the rightful state; you fear your life from the unjust kings yet you look forwards for your Imam. You are prohibited to follow him and forced to live in patience, yet you are worshipping your God and obeying Him when fearing your enemy. That is why Allah rewards you with multiplying your deeds; how luck you are.’
I said: ‘I give my life for you. Why would we then wish to be among the companions of the Imam Al-Qa’em (PBUH) when we are of better devotions and deeds in your presence and under your Imamate than in the rightful state?
He replied: ‘Glory to Allah! Don’t you want the Most Gracious Allah to reveal the right and just in the land, to improve the condition of the people, to unify people so they live in peace together away from any disobedience to Allah, to establish justice among all creatures so no rights would be veiled out of fear from no one? By God, if you live this way, you are going to be given preference by the Most Exalted Allah over many of those witnessed Badr and Ohod; this is my good news to you.’”
Anwar:Does that mean that we wish to see the Revelation so we do not lose the rewards we are given during the Concdeal?
Hasan:Not at all. Focus on the reply Imam (PBUH) gave him:“Glory to Allah! Don’t you want the Most Gracious Allah to reveal the right and just in the land…”
Anwar:It is crystal clear.
Hasan:There are also Holy Verses supporting waiting and anticipation for the Revelation of the Imam (AHHR):
· The book Ikmal Al-Din reports from Mohammad Bin Al-Fazeel that he asked Imam Al-Riza (PBUH) about the Revelation, so he said:“Doesn’t waiting for the Revelation bring relief? The Almighty Allah says: (…wait then, I too with you will be of those who wait)’”7;71.
· IKamal Al-Din reports from Imam Al-Riza (PBUH):“How great is patience and waiting for the Revelation. Haven’t you heard the words of the Almighty Allah: (…and watch, surely I too am watching with you)11;93. and (…wait then, I too with you will be of those who wait)7;71? Thus, you should be patient as he brings
relief to the desperate and those prior to you were more patient that you are”.
There is also a Hadith that refers to the reward given to those waiting; in ‘Al-Ghaibah” (The Conceal), Sheikh Al-Tousi reports from Abu Abdullah (PBUH), from Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) that“There will come people after you whose deeds will be rewarded fifty times more than you’. They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! We were in your company in Badr, Ohod and Honain, and Holy Verses from Quran were revealed about us.’ He said: ‘If you were to burden with what they burden, you would not be able to endure what they endure’”.
Anwar:Does that mean waiting is enough in itself in regard to one’s relationship with the Almighty Allah?
Hasan:Of course not. You have to work hard and to be devout and pious. This is what Abi Basir reported in ‘Ghaibah Al-No’mani’ from Abu Adullah (PBUH):“In order to be in the company of the Al-Qa’em, one needs to wait and to work piously and behave ethically, and if he dies and the Al-Qa’em is revealed after, he will have the same reward as those witness him. So, endeavor and wait; salute to you, O company”.
Anwar:After all these efforts and hard work, is the Revelation going to take place?
Hasan:I know you are not really asking; you just want some Hadith to back up the knowledge have in this regard!
Anwar:That’s right.
Hasan:Yes, Sir. The Revelation will definitely take place and in a fixed and determined day, Inshallah. This is what all Muslims agree about. Here are some Hadith from the two schools:
· Obaid Bin Asbat Bin Mohammad Al-Qorashi Al-Kufi reports from Sofyan Al-Thawri, from Asim Bin Bahdalah, from Zarra, from Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:“Life in this world will not end until the Arabs have a man from my kinfolk whose name is the same as mine”.
· Abdujjabar Bin Al-Alaa Bin Abdujjabar Al-Attar reports from Sofyan Bin Ayinah, from Asim, from Zarra, from Abdullah that the Prophet (PBUH) said:“A man from my kinfolk will rule whose name is the same as mine”. Asim also reports from Abi Horairah that the