The Importance of Love for Imam Mahdi A.S
part 5
Let us have a glance of the past and the present. We are living in an age far worse than the age of the Ummayads and the Abbasids. Despite the torment and persecution of those eras, the people had the good fortune of witnessing the Imams (a.s.) in their midst. They could approach the Imams (a.s.) and reap the benefits of their radiant teachings. The glorious traditions of the infallibles (a.s.) and their guidance illumined the darkest recesses of their existence. The love of the Imams (a.s.) in the hearts of the Shias overcame every other distraction, be it wealth, status or the love of this world. The Shias ignored everything else in favor of the Imams (a.s.) and their teachings.
There was a poor and destitute companion of Imam Sadiq (a.s.). One day in the presence of Imam (a.s.), he made mention of his poverty and compared it to the wealth of the attendants of the Abbasids.
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) on hearing of this comparison removed a bag of gold coins and gave it to the companion and said, 'You can take this, however, I would like you to return the love and attachment that you have for me in your heart.' The companion immediately realized the fallacy in his comparison (between himself and the Abbasid attendants) and continued to lead the rest of his life in poverty and thanked Allah for the love of the Ahle Bait (a.s.). Similarly the companions of Imam Husain (a.s.) must have been deeply stirred and roused by this statement of their master, 'O Allah! Indeed what has one gained by losing You? And what has one lost after gaining You?' (Dua-e-Arafah)
Today the comparison between the lovers (of the Ahle Bait (a.s.)) and the rich will show even more disparity and the lovers will be outnumbered by the rich by a large margin.
However, the chain of Aal-e-Mohammad (a.s.) is continuing till date. It is not over as yet. Not only are the Shias saying this, but even the renowned and illustrious scholars of the Ahle Sunnah have admitted this in their compilations. They have recorded thousands of traditions to support their belief. Today Allah's Proof on the earth exists and is a means of security from disasters. Those who hold on to his support understand this only too well. Those who don't understand it can try taking the name of Imam (A.S.) and they will also see the results. Indeed the lovers of Imam (A.S.) have found a strange soothing effect in his name that helps them overcome the most trying of calamities.
Source:imamalmahdi.com
Other Links:
Responding to Some Points Raised By Ibn Khaldun (Part 2)
The Existence of the Mahdi is certain
Other Opinions from Ibn Khaldun
People Awaited the Appearance of the Mahdi
The Jurists of Medina and the Mahdi Traditions
