Manner of Awaiting

Following the Imam of the Age

Acting upon the rules and etiquettes of Imam (a.t.f.s.) is among the vital dimensions of ‘Awaiting’ (Entezar). Anyone calling himself a Shia should please Imam (a.t.f.s.) by this act and should strive in fulfilling his aims and aspirations. Amir-ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) while seated on the pulpit of Kufa said:

“O Allah, verily, Thy land is helpless but to have a hujjah appointed by Thee for Thy creatures for guiding them towards Thy religion and teaching them Thy knowledge so that Thy proof (argument) is not rendered null and the followers of Thy saints (prophets) do not get deviated after having received guidance. This hujjah may be manifest and not obeyed or may be in hiding and in the state of waiting. If he goes in hiding at the time of guidance, then the believers set firm his holy knowledge and etiquette in the hearts and act upon them.”[^1]

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Truly, the master of this affair would go in hiding. So, (during that time) a slave should fear Allah and should safeguard his religion.”[^2]

“Anyone wishing to be among the followers of the ‘Qaem’, should await his advent while at the same time keeps himself aloof from sins and adopts good ethics. If such a person dies before the ‘Qaem’s uprising, his reward will be like the reward of someone who has been in the presence of the ‘Qaem’. So strive hard and await his coming for you are a group upon whom is the mercy.”^3

[^1]: Kamaluddin; 1/302

[^2]: Al-Kafi; 1/335 & 336; Ghaibah-Tusi/455 and Ghaibah-Nu’mani/169