Manner of Awaiting

Preparedness for Assisting the Imam of the Age

Allah, the Almighty says:

“O you who believe! Be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful.” (Surah Ali- Imran, 3:200)

Imam Baqir (a.s.) interpreted this verse as follows:

“Adopt patience while following the religious laws and forbear the harms inflicted by your enemies and be ready for serving your Imam for whom you are awaiting.”

The necessity for preparing oneself for assisting the Imam of the age (a.t.f.s.) at the time of his advent arises from his armed uprising by which he shall cleanse the earth of tyranny and oppression. For this reason, a Shia is supposed to mobilize himself for that day which would occur all of a sudden. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Every one of you must make ready something for the uprising of the Qaem even though it may be an arrow.”^1