Our role as Shi'ites

So now, what is a duty of a Shi'ite? What responsibilities does he have? Truly, are we reckoned among the real followers of His Eminence (Imam al Mahdi)? If we study the lives of the devout Shi'ites (followers) of the Holy Imams before the Twelfth Imam, and consider their sacrifices without the slightest hesitation, we shall at once awake from our neglectful slumber and realize our weakness and guilt.

Were not Salman al-Farsi, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, 'Ammar ibn Yasir and Malik al Ashtar, the followers of the contemporary Imam 'Ali, Amir al-muminin , peace be on him, and are we too the followers of the Imam of our Age ? Was not Maytham at-Tammar, who did not cease to praise 'Ali, the Lord of the faithful, a follower of His Eminenee 'Ali, and are we too, who are passing with the Imam of our Age through a strange period, the followers of His Eminenee ? Were not the martyrs of Karbala', who with love strived in the way of defending the Imam of their time, Husayn , peace be on him, and were martyred, the followers of His Eminenee, and are we too, who refuse to give our wealth, lives and other means in the way of the Imam of our time, His Eminenee 's followers ? Is a person like Hisham ibn Hakam, who in his extraordinary and valuable debates erushed and defamed the opponents of the Divine Leadership (Imamate) in such a way that he was called the "assistant of the Imam" by Imam as Sadiq, peace be on him, a Shi'ite? And are we too, who are sluggish in fulfilling our foremost duty to reeognize the Imam of our time, Shi'ites ?

From what we read of the glad tidings in the Qur'an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet and the infallible Imams, the Imam of the Age (Imam e Zaman) has speeial responsibilities which other Imams did not have. Imam e Zaman will establish a Universal Government. He will fill the earth with righteousness and justiee. He will exploit the earth's treasures and natural resources. He will improve and develop the land, and in this way people's awareness and understanding will improve.

Therefore, do not the followers of His Eminence have a very particular duty? Should not the Shi'ites endeavour to obtain the competence and merit of being His Eminence's special Companions when he reappears by Divine Command ? Therefore, let us see what our duties are and how we should observe them. Undoubtedly, our first duty is to beeome aequainted with him. Recognizing Imam e Zaman is so important and essential that in the Holy Prophet's traditions we read:

He who dies without reeognizing the Imam of his age is like one who had died during the jahiliyyah (the pagan era before the advent of Islam).

To die during the jahiliyyah means a death devoid of Islam and faith. And it is obvious that one who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age is counted in the group of the faithless. In another tradition, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir , peace be on him is quoted as having said on the same subject:

One who dies without having (accepted) the Imam, it is as if he died in the jahiliyyah, and people are not exempted from recognizing their Imam.

Therefore, we must endeavour to recognize His Eminence (Imam e Zaman) for the sake of Islam and our faith, and so that we may be reckoned among those who have gained salvation and among the faithful. Another duty of the Shi'ites during the major occultation, which the Holy Imam have alluded to, is the question of being ready for the Saviour Hence, the first step for salvation is to recognize the Imam of the age; and the second step is to be prepared for the establishment of just Government by His Eminence.

One who is waiting (muntazir) and preparing himself for the appearance of the Imam must have the characters and merits of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, and should sacrifice his life and wealth in his way. For this reason Imam as-Sadiq, peace be on him, said:

One who waits for our commands is like a person who sacrifices his own blood in the way of Allah.

One who dies while expecting the Government of al-Qa'im is like one who is in the presence of al - Qa'im (Imam al-Mahdi).

After a pause he added:

But he is like one who has been struck with a sword while accompanying him. Then he insisted further by adding:

Nay, by Allah! He is like one who has been martyred in the presence of the Messenger of Allah. Are we reckoned among those who are expecting His Eminence? Are we at least waiting for the Divine Promise of the Authority of Allah (Waliyyu'llah) in the same manner as we wait for the return of our loved ones from a journey?In another tradition, Imam as-Sadiq , peace be on him narrated the virtues of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi , peace be on him saying:

If one takes pleasure in being among the companions of al-Qa'im, then he must wait for him and must act with good behaviour and modestly. If he dies before the appearance of al- Qa'im, then he will be rewarded like one who has followed him. Then act diligently, and await, that this effort and awaiting will give you delight, O' you who have found salvation. Shi'ites must have a devout link with His Eminence during the occultation. Their hearts and souls should be filled with love and affection for him. Their thoughts should be devoted to his service and their desire should be to meet him. Their prayers should be to ask for the blessing of Allah to be showered on His Eminence, and their supplication should be for salvation. Their existence should be one welded and fused unit, and their life should blaze with love for him.