Prophet (PBUH) said:“Even if there were one day left of this world, Allah would elongate that day until he come”. Abu Isa said:“This is one fine and valid Hadith”.
· 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”.
· Ikmal Al-Din reports from Ali Bin Mohammad Bin Ziad that I wrote to my father, Al-Hasan (PBUH) asking him about the Revelation (Al-Faraj), so he wrote back:“When your fellow is concealed from the land of the wrongful, then expect the Revelation”.
Anwar:Very good. Now I have a very very very important question.
Hasan:What is this very very very important question?
Anwar:There are a lot of people who claim to be willing to stand up for the Imam (AHHR) and pray the Almighty Allah to grant him the chance to be one of his followers and the martyrs in his presence, yet they do not characterize themselves with the morals of his Shi’a (followers). Can that be right?
Hasan:This is, in fact, one of the important questions and I will give a detailed answer that delights your heart:
· Believers should distinguish themselves with certain characteristics by word and deed, as there are many Hadith in this regard:
· A man said to Husain Bin Ali (PBUT): “O the son of the Messenger of Allah! I am one of your Shi’a (followers)”. The Imam (PBUH) replied:“Fear God and do not claim what Allah would call you a liar and a claimer for. Our Shi’a are those whose heart are free from deception, spite and corruption. So, you should say you are affectionate and loyal to us.”
· It is reported from Mohammad Bin Sinan, from Al-Mofzil Bin Omar that Abu Abdullah (PBUH) said:“The
Shi’a of Ja’far are those who are modest, chaste, strong in Jihad, devoted to their Creator, seeking the Divine reward and fearing the Divine punishment. If you meet such people, then they are, in fact, the Shi’a of Ja’far”.
· It is reported from Abdullah Bin Al-Walid that Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Ali (PBUT):“Can any of you put his hand in his Brother’s pocket and take whatever he wants? We said no, then he said: “So, you are not Brothers as you allege”.
· When a person is now distinguished with the characteristics of the believers, they should also distinguish themselves with the characteristics of the waiting and supportive people for the Revelation of the Imam (AHHR). I will mention some of these distinguishing features:
· To be following the practices of the Imams (PBUT) (Al-Mowalat) and renouncing the enemies of Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) (Al-Bara).
· To be pious, working hard to do good and improving themselves before anyone else.
· To be sure that their deeds will be presented before the Messenger of Allah and the Imams (PBUT) and to do only what pleases them.
· To be fighting their desires and patient for the sake of pleasing the Almighty Allah.
· To be following the orders of the Most Glorious Allah, His Messenger (PBUH), the Imams (PBUT) as wells as Imam Al-Mahdi (AHHR) who orders us to obey and follow his Ambassadors.
· To follow the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as an example and to adopt the manners of the Almighty Allah:“Adopt the manners of the Almighty Allah”:(Certainly you have in the Apostle of Allah an excellent exemplar for him)33;21.
· To be characterized with the characteristics of a supporter of the Imam (AHHR) at first in order to be able to claim so. Imam Al-Baqir (PBUH) says:“Our Shi’a are those who obey and fear Allah”. Anything opposing this is detested by the Most Exalted Allah as He put it in the Noble Quran:
(It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that
which you do not do)61;3.
(Do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls?)2;44.
Anwar:Very good. It was delightful to hear this. Allah rewards you well.
Hasan:Likewise. See you tomorrow, Inshallah.
Symposium 59
Words on Claiming His Mediation
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:After what you said yesterday, I was deeply thinking about my own qualifications and I wondered if I am qualified to be among the waiting mass for the Imam (AHHR) or one of his supporters! I actually concluded that I need to chasten myself from earthly filth and to work hard in order to be closer to the Divine Entity; so, I need to be pious, to be marked with high moral standards by word and deed, to be one from inside and outside except in Taqiyeh and to be
completely obedient to the Imam (AHHR).
Hasan:It is such a huge step to hold yourself responsible and work hard to enrich your qualifications. Otherwise, it would remain only a claim and one remains away from the Imam (AHHR) no matter what they say they are.
Anwar:I like your phrase, ‘one remains away from the Imam (AHHR) no matter what they say they are’.
Hasan:Of course. This is supported by reason as well as many Holy Verses from the Noble Quran and the Hadith.
Anwar:Very good! I have more questions if you do not mind.
Hasan:Ask whatever you like!
Anwar:Thanks a lot. I would like to know about the Ambassadors of the Imam (AHHR) and those who falsely claim they are in contact with him.
Hasan:A very good question! Here is the answer:
After the Minor Conceal, which started in the year 260 AH, the Imam (PBUH) appointed four trustworthy Ambassadors who earned the approval of the Almighty
Allah, His Messenger, the Imams (PBUT) as well as Imam Al-Hojja (AHHR).
These Ambassadors played a vital role under the patronage and consideration of the Imam (AHHR). Let me tell you what Sheikh Al-Tousi – God bless his soul – reports:
“Regarding the praised Ambassadors in the time of the Conceal, the first one was appointed by Abu Al-Hasan Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Askari and Abu Mohammad Al-Hasan Bin Ali Bin Mohammad (PBUT), namely the trustworthy Sheikh Abu Amr Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari. Imam Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Hadi (PBUH) said, ‘Abu Amr is trustworthy and reliable; what he tells you are on my behalf and what he does is on my behalf, so witness that Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari is my Ambassador and that his son, Mohammad, is my son’s Ambassador.’
The orders of the Imam (PBUH) are issued through Othman Bin Sa’eed and his son, Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Othman, to his Shi’a as well as to the special followers of his father, Abu Mohammad, in regard to instructions, prohibitions and answers to the questions