What Are Our Duties During Occultation of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.)?

Today, our greatest anxiety is the occultation of our beloved Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).

The remaining worries are tolerable to a certain extent but the separation with our most adored and dearest Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is simply insufferable. We recite in the Dua an-Nudbah,

“It is very difficult and unbearable for me that I see everybody but cannot have a glimpse at your resplendent visage. That I listen to everybody but am deprived of your ever-comforting voice.”

If we try to transform ourselves and prepare the ground for t h e reappearance of Imam az-Zaman (a. t .f .s.) and fulfill our responsibilities vis-à-vis him (a.t.f.s.), then most of our difficulties will be resolved. And when he (a.t.f.s.) himself arrives, then Insha’Allah all our problems will be dispelled with immediate effect.

Come! Let us take a step to discharge these duties in order to do away with our problems and difficulties. For, our existence and that of the entire universe, is indebted to Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.).

Therefore, he (a.t.f.s.) enjoys a right over each and every thing. Keeping brevity in consideration, we will mention four duties over here related to the heart, tongue, limbs and wealth.

First: Duties Related to the Heart

To Love Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.)

Allah the Almighty has deemed the love and affection of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) as the recompense for Prophethood. Today, Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) represents the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Besides, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) declared,

“A person’s faith cannot be complete till
he does not love me more than his own self and
my progeny more than his own children and
offspring.” Obviously, who is more of a
descendant of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and
closer to him in lineage than Imam Mahdi
(a.t.f.s.)?

To be sorrowful

When one’s most beloved goes into hiding, the lovers hold their hearts in grief and sorrows afflict them greatly. In this case, our beloved is the one who, despite being in occultation, prays for us and repels our difficulties. ‘Master! Till when should we be beleaguered and hassled due to your separation? O son of Allah’s Messenger!

Is there a way to meet you?’ This grief is augmented when we observe that the oppressors and tyrants have deposed the Real Emperor, seizing the reins of power.

Awaiting

Love and pain are the inevitable consequences of separation. It is the most important duty of every believer to wait for the one whose occultation is the cause of difficulties and problems and in whose reappearance are their solutions, and whose arrival is certain. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) declared,

“The best action of my nation is to await the reappearance. ” Imam Sadeq (a.s.) gives glad-tidings, “He who departs from the world while waiting for the reappearance of Imam (a.t.f.s.) is like the one who is with him (a.t.f.s.) in his tent. Nay! His status is even higher. As if he is fighting alongside the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) in the battlefield. ” In other words, waiting for Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is fighting in the way of Allah and the one who waits is a Mujahid.

Second: Duties Related to the Tongue

To pray for the safety of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.). For instance, in the qunoot of our prayers, we must regularly recite Dua al-Faraj, ‘Allahumma Kun Le…’. In Mafaateeh al-Jenaan, a number of supplications are mentioned.
To pray for the protection of our religion, faith and belief. Abdullah Ibn Sinaan narrates from Imam Ja’far Sadeq (a.s.), “There will come a time when the standard of leadership cannot be seen and the Imam of guidance will be in hiding. In such a situation, only he will find salvation who recites the Supplication of the Drowning One (Dua al-Ghareeq).” I (Abdullah) asked, ‘What is this supplication?’ He (a.s.) replied,

يا الله يا رَحْمنُ يا رَحِيمُ يا مُقَلِّبَ القُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلى دِينِكَ

“O Allah! O Beneficent! O Merciful! O Changer of hearts! Keep my heart steadfast on Your religion. “

This supplication can be recited in the Qunoot as well as after the prayers (ta’qeebaat).

To pray morning and evening, and after every prayer for the early reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and to give preference to it over all other supplications.
To invite the people towards Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.), to instill his love in their hearts, to draw their attention towards him (a.t.f.s.), to answer queries raised concerning Imamat and Occultation, etc. Proclaiming the Imamat of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and to invite the people towards it is the greatest tradition of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).

Third: Duties Related to the Limbs

Obey the instructions of the Shariah.
To organize gatherings and assemblies to discuss the merits and virtues of the Ahle
Bait (a.s.) and to participate in such congregations.
To keep away from the prohibitions. In a signed letter (tauqee’), Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) informs,

“The thing that has distanced me from you (Shias) are your undesirable acts that reach unto us and which we don’t expect from you.” In this regard, there is a fantastic supplication provided by Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself and which goes as follows, “Allahummarzuqna taufeeq al-taa’ah… “

Fourth: Duties Related to Wealth

In today’s world, wealth is dearer than life and life more loved than faith. True faith demands that one should sacrifice in the way of Allah the thing that he loves the most.

Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) being the representative of Allah among His creatures, we must sacrifice all that we have in his way. Therefore, we must,

Pay sadaqah (charity) every day for the safety of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)

This, by no means, implies that he (a.t.f.s.) is engulfed in some difficulties, God forbid. Certainly, this is not the case. Rather, it is the sign of our love towards him (a.t.f.s.). Moreover, sadaqah is the medium for the acceptance of our supplications and the channel to acquire the grace of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.).

Perform Hajj or send others on Hajj on his behalf

Similarly, we must also perform other recommended actions on behalf of our beloved Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).

Help and assist in the spread and propagation of his name and his cause

We must try to help those organizations that are truly striving for his purpose. In a tradition, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) states,

“As compared to other good deeds, to expend one dirham for the cause of the Imam of the time is equal to spending two million dirhams (for other causes). “

Today, it is our duty to elevate the name and cause of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and spread it far and wide. We must acquaint the people with him (a.t.f.s.), strive to make them more familiar with him (a.t.f.s.) that they may recognize him (a.t.f.s.). In this aim, let us leave no stone unturned. Insha’Allah, this very sincerity will help us tomorrow at the time of reappearance and when the seeds of our supplications will yield fruit. Allah the Gracious commands,

“You invoke, I will fulfill your prayers.”

The more we act on our obligations, transform ourselves and dye ourselves in the colour of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), the faster will our supplications be accepted. The promise of Allah will be fulfilled and all the conspiracies and machinations of the Shaitan will be quashed. Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) will certainly reappear. He (a.t.f.s.) will come for sure.

Source: He (Imam az-Zaman) will come, for Sure