Sorrow and Grief for Imam of the Age
Imam Mahdi
Among the signs of love and affection for something or someone is that after missing or losing that thing or person, a person is overtaken by grief and sorrow and farther up, tears roll down his cheek.
If we reflect nicely, we shall perceive that from the viewpoint of faith, Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is the most beloved personality to be loved and his absence a great calamity.
Didn’t the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) say:
“A slave (of Allah) has no faith unless his love for me is more than himself and his love for my Ahl al-bayt is more than his family members.”1
Sayyed-ibn-Taoos says to his son, Sayyed Muhammad: “O my son, Muhammad! I advise you, your brother and anyone who reads this book to deal correctly with the Almighty Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.a.) and to follow their recommendations and glad tidings about the advent of our master, Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). For, I have witnessed a plenty the words and deeds of numerous people in opposition to what Allah and His messenger wish so.
For instance, if he loses someone, a horse, a dirham or dinar, his thought will at once focus on them and he will earnestly strive to find them. But I have not found anyone so engrossed over the matter of delay in Imam’s advent as they are over such petty issues. Besides, they are not disturbed by Imam’s absence as they are by losing such petty things. So, how can such a person claim that he has recognized the right of the Almighty Allah and His messenger (s.a.w.a.) and that he believes in the Imamat of Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)?”2
Those who sincerely await Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and are in grief and sorrow until his reappearance should manifest their grief by heart and shed tears of blood for his separation.
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:
“Know that he would remain in concealment for a while and he would be un- remembered (by the people) until they would say: he has died! He has been killed! To which valley he has gone?! And O the eyes of believers, shed tears for him.”3
In this connection, Agha Hamadani recommends recitation of Dua al-Nudba. He says:
“It is recommended that every Friday, the friends of Hazrat, men and women gather in a mosque or other holy place and recite this dua with utmost grief and sorrow and lament for the occultation of this radiant sun and separation of this dearest soul on earth.”4
- 1. Bihar al-Anwar; 17/13. Also, refer to same; 27/86 & 112.
- 2. Kashf al-Muhajah / 206, chapter 150.
- 3. Ghaibah-Nu’mani /152 & 153.
- 4. Takaleef al-Anaam/189.
