Unanimity for Assisting Imam az-Zaman
Imam Mahdi
Numerous reasons have been mentioned for the occultation and concealment of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.). Among them, we may mention the fickle and unfaithful attitude among the people. About Imam az-Zaman, Khwaja Nasir- uddin Tusi writes: “His existence is grace and his domination yet another grace; his occultation and concealment is due to us.”1
If the people desire their Imam’s advent, they must get united by heart in this respect and must manifest this holy union in their deeds too. In the case of past nations too, if a prophet would voluntarily go into hiding and the people would sincerely and unitedly pray to Allah for the return of the said prophet, Allah would grant their wish.2 In this regard, Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has recommended us to follow the same path. In his lofty address to Shaikh Mufid (413 A.H.), Imam (a.t.f.s.) says:
“If our Shias (may Allah give them the opportunity of obedience) would be firm on their promises whole-heartedly, our meeting would not be delayed and they would see us much sooner; a seeing that is accompanied with true recognition with respect to us. Thus, nothing keeps them far from us save their unpleasant actions that we become aware of and which we don’t reckon to be worthy.”3
- 1. Kashf al-Merad / 388
- 2. Kamaluddin /130 & 132
- 3. Kamaluddin 2/85; Ghaibah –Tusi/292 & 293
