Discussion On Imam-e-zaman

The Benefits of a Hidden Imam

Among the discussions concerning Hazrat Baqiyatullah (a.t.f.s.) is his benefit and advantage during the major occultation. This argument is rooted in the fact concerning his perfections. In other words, once, we discuss about a thing whether it has any benefits or not, while on another occasion, we argue as to what is the advantage that one can draw from him. Thus, the first step that we should take is to separate these two issues. That is, first and foremost, whether the existence of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has any advantage at all or not.

Secondly, is his existence of any use and benefit for us or not?

Quite often there are existents that are useful but hold no benefit for us.

Sometimes, there are things that, in our view, don’t have any advantage or benefit per se. For example, an herb available in the jungles of Africa cures cold, thereby proving its utility. Now, if thousands are unable to utilize this herb to their advantage, we cannot rule out its usefulness and declare that this herb should be destroyed because it’s useless. No, it has its benefits but it is for those suffering with cold to gain from it. But if those suffering from cold pursue this herb and after using it, realize that it is absolutely ineffective in curing their cold, only then can they say that this herb did not serve our purpose at all.

This reasoning can be applied for all things like people, houses, books, stones, etc. but usually these two issues are mixed up and people end up being confused. Concerning the existence of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.), primarily it should be analyzed whether he has any advantage or benefit at all or not. Thereafter, we must evaluate that if we have failed to gain from him, does it imply that he is of no use or was it some lacking on our part to derive benefit from him?

Basically, it should be observed what is the meaning of a man being beneficial and advantageous? Again, prior to this, it must be seen whether the basis of existence of every man is his being useful for others? That is, if something is not useful and advantageous for others, should it be told to cease to exist? Should this be the criterion for granting existent to creatures or no, it is absolutely incorrect to formulate such a norm? Many are of the view that if a thing has no utility value, it does not have the right to exist and hence they question the rationale of some existents like snake, scorpion, serpent, earthworms, etc.

Before arguing those two points, it should be evaluated: Is the basis for the existence of persons or things their utility value or no, this is not the case? The answer is as follows: This is certainly not the criterion for Allah that if He has to create anything, He has to ensure that it has benefits for others. Allah the Almighty can confer the bounty of existence on any creature merely because He intends to do so, regardless of the fact that it is of no use for others. How can you judge that since the housefly has no utility value, it has no right to exist? Even if it is assumed that it has no advantage for others, nevertheless, it enjoys the gift of existence. On what grounds has the criterion of benefiting others been made for gaining the right to existence?

Secondly, what is the ground for establishing that the existent should be advantageous for humans only? Who has formulated this theory (and from where) that man is the center of existence and that whenever Allah intends to create anything, it must definitely be useful for mankind? Certainly this is not the case. There is a famous incident that one day Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) went towards Mount Tur. On the way, he saw a beetle playing in sheep dung.

Instantly, a thought crossed his mind as to why Allah the Almighty has created this beetle. Anyhow, he proceeded to Mount Tur and got so engrossed in supplications that he forgot to ask this question from his Lord. Later, when he wanted to return, Allah inspired to him, ‘O Moosa! You want to ask a question?’ Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) replied, ‘O Lord! I could not get the opportunity to ask.’ ‘Never mind! You can ask now’ rejoined the Almighty and continued, ‘O Moosa! Are you aware that the moment you passed by the beetle, what did it think?’ Moosa (a.s.) replied in the negative. Allah informed, “The beetle prayed in that very instant, ‘O Lord! Why did you create this Moosa? Of what use is he to me?’”

Who says that we humans are the pivots of existence and when we see that something is not beneficial for our existence, we raise objections against Allah concerning the rationale behind its existence?!

It is quite likely that before we complain, the housefly might protest, ‘O Allah! Of what use is mankind? For a few minutes of comfort, he sprays pesticide and kills hundreds of our species! Why did You create this transgressor, who spreads mischief in the earth?’

Therefore, this criterion for creation of all species, that is lending benefit and advantage to our existence, more importantly, me, is totally fallacious and should be rejected at the very outset.

You ask: Of what use were the Prophets (a.s.) to us? As if we are the cream of creation that even the honourable Prophets (a.s.) were created for us, while this was not the case and even there is no need for it. Of what use were the Prophets (a.s.) to us? Nothing. Then why did they come? How are you concerned! They are existents and creatures of Allah in their own right and we are another creation. Of what use is our creation to the Prophets (a.s.)?

The idea that Allah the Almighty has created the Prophets (a.s.) for us, is highly erroneous. He neither created the Prophets (a.s.) nor Imam Husain (a.s.) and the infallible Imams (a.s.) for us. They did not sacrifice what all they had for us. Imam Husain (a.s.) didn’t lay his life for us. The holy Imams (a.s.) did not get martyred for our cause. They did all these for themselves, to serve their purpose. They sought the obedience of Allah, their Lord and they chose the path of our help to achieve this aim. So, we are not the aim of the creation of the Prophets (a.s.) or Imams (a.s.). The Imams (a.s.) are for themselves and for their Lord.

Ultimately, for them, one mode for divine proximity and elevation in degrees was to rescue us (from ignorance) and guide us.

Thus, this is one basic point that we are not the cause of the existence of the Prophets (a.s.) and Imams (a.s.). Now, of what use is Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) unto us? Let us assume that he (a.t.f.s.) is of no benefit for us. Does it mean that he (a.t.f.s.) should not exist? Who says that we are the center of creation and if he (a.t.f.s.) is not advantageous for us, he (a.t.f.s.) must cease to exist. The first question and the foremost point that was raised: Of what use is Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) unto us? The reply is that you have crossed your limits, as this question does not concern you at all. He is an existent like us. What is our benefit to him (a.t.f.s.)? Nothing. Therefore, even if we assume that he (a.t.f.s.) is of no use unto us, should not be much of a problem. This is a very critical point of which most of us are unaware. We think that the Prophets (a.s.), Imams (a.s.) and other illustrious personalities of religion were created for us!

This was the first point. After we are through with this, now let us ask the question: What is his benefit and advantage? Does he (a.t.f.s.) have any utility value or not? In response, we submit that the benefit and advantage of a thing is relative. What is the use of this glass? Let us sit and talk about its benefits. We will realize that the advantage derived from a thing depends upon how it is being used and as to how benefit is sought from it. Man, in relation with the entire existence, is of some benefit and of much more use and advantageous for those who seek benefit from him.

Divine proofs, Prophets (a.s.) and Imams (a.s.) have some existential benefits, which we have already discussed under the subject of the noblest creation (imkaan-e-ashraf). They truly are the pivots of all existence. In the chapter of the perfections of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.), we mentioned that creatures are sustained due to his blessings and due to his existence the heavens and the earth survive.

Therefore, the greatest advantage of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is that he (a.t.f.s.) is the pivot of creation, the personification of the perfect human being. But these discussions were concerning the benefits of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) with the entire existence. So, if we keep the above discussions in consideration, no further queries will arise. The greatest benefit of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is that if he did not exist, we would neither. He enjoys the right of existence over us. He (a.t.f.s.) truly is the center of existence. The fruits that we eat, the water that we drink, the sweet that we enjoy the stability of the earth, etc. are all due to him (a.t.f.s.). Finally, the greatest advantage of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is the spiritual right of him being the pivot of creation.

Suppose, we say those two kilometers from here, there is a superstore or warehouse, wherein everything is available. They ask: They sell meat? I say: Yes. They ask: They sell fruits? Again I reply in the affirmative. They ask: They sell garments? Yet I again say: Yes. They ask: Do they sell books? I say: Yes. So, whatever they require and ask for, my reply is in the positive. But they don’t budge from here to reach there. Now, if they sit here till the Day of Judgment, they will never be able to procure the meat, fruits, garments, books, etc. that are available in the superstore. Indeed, the superstore is useful but we are not attempting to gain advantage from it. You may light two thousand lamps over here but if you take your book to read in a dark room, you may never be able to gain anything from it and the lamps will be inconsequential for you. The lamps have light but you don’t want to gain from it.

The Perfect Man is the treasure-chest of all bounties and the Pure Imams (a.s.) are the source of all endowments. In Ziyarat-e-Jaameah, we address them in the following words:

السلام عليكم يا اهل بيت النُّبو.ه و موضع الرساله و مختلف الملائمه و مهبط الوحي و معدن » .« الرُّحمه و خزّان العلم

“Peace and salutations be on you, O (you, who are) the household of Prophethood, the situate of messengership, the place of ascent and descent of angels, the station of descent of revelation, the treasure-trove of mercy and the treasurers of knowledge.”

Thus, if you put two thousand Prophets (a.s.) together and roam in the streets and don’t derive benefit from them, is it their fault? You get the best of scholars and imprison them. Is it their mistake or that of the people? You may have the best of books in the libraries but if there are no readers, does it mean that the books are useless or that the people are not striving to gain from it?

To sum it up, whatever benefits we want, physical or spiritual, is available with Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.). In other words, if you want the know-how for development and progress in the field of agriculture, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) knows it. If you want money and wealth, he (a.t.f.s.) has it. If you want health, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) can provide you with health and safety. If you want your sins to be forgiven, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has the power to get them erased. The keys of Allah’s treasures are in his noble hands. The keys of treasures of creation are in his hands. If you really want, go to him and obtain it! So, from the view of being beneficial, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has everything, knowledge, science, perfections of kinds, spiritual as well as material. These perfections are found not only in Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) but also in his holy ancestors, the infallible Imams (a.s.), who have departed from this world.

Hence, we can gain immense benefits from the holy existence of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) but there are obstacles and hindrances, which are our own creation and which we have already discussed in the chapter of the philosophy of occultation. Indeed, there is no doubt that all the benefits of his existence are not accessible to us and we are deprived of most of these. But this deficiency is neither on account of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) nor due to his Lord. Being deprived of the benefits of an existence that brims with bounties is not the proof of his being of no utility value. If we cannot derive benefits from the knowledge of a scholar, it does not imply by any means that he does not have knowledge. In fact, the opposite holds true. He has plenty of knowledge and information, but we are the unfortunates, dispossessed of his fountain of knowledge.

The advantages and benefits of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) are aplenty. He is the source of bounties. A series of direct endowments reach to all the existents. In traditions, it has come that the infallible Imams (a.s.) were asked, ‘How will one derive benefit from Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) during his occultation?’ They (a.s.) replied, ‘Just as the sun extends its benefits to one and all despite being behind the clouds.105’

The advantages of Imam-e-Zaman’s (a.t.f.s.) existence reaching to the people are very orderly and systematic: spiritual benefits to all the existents, special spiritual benefits for Islam and very, very special benefits for the Shias. Among all these gains, one imperceptible benefit is the protection of religion and Quran during occultation. This is one special support of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) for the Shias. During this entire period of occultation, major as well as minor, Imam-e- Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has helped and rescued the Shias from disastrous situations, in particular, the religious scholars. Some of the Shias he (a.t.f.s.) has helped directly and others, indirectly.

There were a series of problems in the protection and preservation of religion, in which, time and again, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) has shown the benefit of his hallowed presence. Among these is the dream seen by Mirza Naaeni (a.r.), the renowned scholar, in the midst of the world war in Iran. The story goes as follows: Mirza Naaeni (a.r.) was highly disturbed thinking about the fate of Iran and its people on account of the world war. One night, he saw Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) in a dream, standing at a distance and indicating to a point. Mirza (a.r.) goes ahead and expresses his discomfort at the prevailing situation. Imam (a.t.f.s.) addresses Mirza (a.r.) as follows, ‘Look at that wall’. Mirza (a.r.) says that I saw there was a high wall, which had become crooked in a particular area and was on the verge of collapse. Then Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) said, ‘this wall is Iran, which has become crooked but we will not allow it to cave in because there are Shias in it.’

This dream was seen by Mirza Naaeni (a.r.) about 70-80 years ago and is in concordance with situation prevalent then. Suddenly, things changed. Today, 105 Muntakhabul Asar by Lutfullah Safi Gulpaygani, p. 270-272 things are so bad that we feel that had it not been for some protection, it would not have been possible for us even to survive. But who is the cause of survival? In the course of history, we have witnessed numerous such benefits from Imame- Zaman (a.t.f.s.) but have not seen the master himself.

Since the discussion of benefits requires a detailed analysis of history, therefore, keeping brevity in consideration, we would like to submit that innumerable benefits from Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) to individuals, societies of Shias and Muslims, visible as well as indiscernible benefits to all the existents have been witnessed. Notwithstanding all these gains and advantages, it is worth mentioning that those that have been seen and witnessed cannot be compared at all with those that are not yet witnessed. That is, the amount of benefits gained from him (a.t.f.s.) is just a miniscule particle compared to what has yet remained untapped. The endowments and bounties, which he (a.t.f.s.) has not yet conferred, are a hidden ocean. Truly, the knowledge and sciences of Imam-e- Zaman (a.t.f.s.) are yet to be seen, his concealed, leadership qualities are still to be manifested, and his ultimate, majestic authority in the society remains to be observed. Withdrawal of these aspects of his personality is not due to his shortcoming. It is our fault, the fault of the societies that inhabit the world and the fault of those who created hindrances and obstacles for the people to gain from him (a.t.f.s.). All these were discussed earlier in the chapter of the philosophy of the major occultation.

In other words, did Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) confer the society with all the benefits that he could? Certainly not! Did the Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.) grant to the people to the extent of his ability? Obviously not! Was it a deficiency on the part of these holy and infallible personalities? Definitely not! It was the careless attitude of the people and their heedlessness that led to their deprivation of bounties emanating from these noble persons viz. the Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.) and the infallible Imams (a.s.).

The conclusion of the discussion is that Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is replete with bounties and benefits, individual as well as social, spiritual as well as material, of which, only a fraction of a fraction has reached unto the people.

We have witnessed instances of such benefits in our personal lives and viewed the guidance granted to the Shiite scholars in the course of history. Yet, we haven’t had access to most of these benefits and we wait for that day when the world will brim with the endowments and bounties conferred on it by its master. Of course, instances of those who had the opportunity to visit Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) during occultation and gain direct benefit from his holy existence have been recorded and compiled in separate books. Similarly, independent volumes have been written on his sayings and quotations, letters and documents that comprise of important Islamic gnosis, jurisprudence, laws, etc. apart from the various supplications and invocations narrated on his authority.

اللّهم. انّا نرغب اليك في دولهٍ كريمهٍ تعزُّ بِها الاسلام و اهله. و تذلُّ بها النّفاق و اهله و تجعلنا فيها » .« من الدعاه الي طاعتك و القاده الي سبيلك

“O Allah! Surely we are inclined to you concerning the noble government. Through it, you will honour Islam and its followers, and degrade hypocrisy and its supporters. And that you make us from among those who call towards your obedience and guide to your path.”