What is the usefulness of an Imam in Concealment?
part 2
In a tradition related by Imam As-Sadiq (A.S), it is related that Imam Zain Al-Abideen (A.S) has said, “We are the leaders of the Muslims, Allah’s proofs for his creatures, masters of the believers, guides for the God-fearing and those invested with discretionary authority over the affairs with Muslims. We are the security of the dwellers of the earth, just as the stars are the security of the dwellers of the heavens. It is because of us that the heavens descend on the earth whenever Allah (SWT) permits. It is because of us that the rain descends and blessings of earth come out of it. If we had not been on earth, its dwellers would have been consumed in it.”
Furthermore, faith in the hidden Imam and awaiting deliverance through his return is a source of hope and peace for the hearts of the believers. Such a hope is one of the major causes towards the advancement of the Islamic ideal. If pessimism and despair infiltrate through any group or society, they inevitably begin to suffer from self-imposed negativism that leads to the defeat of the ideology.
There is no doubt that the social and political turmoil in many parts of the world, the decline of moral and ethical vision and the deprivation and poverty suffered by the downtrodden have all caused conscientious thinkers around the world to become concerned about the ability of human society to find its way out of its own self-cultivated gradual destruction. The only door that remains open is that of hope in the darkness of despair; the hope of divine intervention in human affairs sent by the Almighty Creator. It is this hope that gives solace to those who have suffered injustices; it is faith in the ultimate victory that makes people seek active roles in working towards a reform, thereby also providing them with an opportunity by which they can transcend towards their Lord through individual struggle.
As has been quoted by Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini in his book, Imam Zain Al-Abideen (A.S) has been reported to say, “To hope for deliverance and release in itself functions as the most profound form of deliverance.”
AS far as the external benefits are concerned, it is not that Allah (SWT), the most Merciful, is depriving the people of them by keeping the Imam in concealment; rather it is the fault of the people. If people worked towards creating a just order and strengthening their character so as to prepare themselves to receive the leadership of Imam Al-Mahdi (A.S), then the Imam would surely appear to lead humanity towards establishing a divine order on earth.
Many may question as to why they have been deprived of the opportunity of serving the Imam. However, by endeavoring to raise the standard of thinking and moral awareness among people, informing them of the admirable aims of Islam and instilling within them the love of the Imam, one is actually fulfilling his obligations as a follower of Imam.
Therefore, in order to attain the highest reward and gain proximity to Allah (SWT) and the Ahlul Bayt, as well as preparing for his reappearance, both practically and spiritually, one must be aware of one’s duties towards the Imam while he is still in occultation and be an exemplar to the society by implementing an impeccable character in one’s daily life.
By: Fazle Abbas Kanji
Source:
imamalmahdi.com
Other Links:
General socio-cultural conditions before the appearance of the Imam (A.S): part 2
The Qualities of Human Society after the Re-Appearance of Imam Mahdi (A.S)-part 1
