What is to know Imam of our Time?

[Guest Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi]

In haidth it has been narrated "Person dies without knowing Imam of his time Dies a life of ignorant". What is to know IMAM OF YOUR TIME ?. Does that only mean all we need to know is that IMAM OUR TIME is in GAIB and he is 12th one THE MEHDI ?. 
It would be great if someone can explain what is exactly meant to KNOW IMAM OF OUR TIME ?

Edited July 8, 2017 by notme
Edit title typo.

[Fakeha]

To know means to have ma'arfat of Imam of our time... And to have ma'arfat of Imam of your time you should have ma'arfat of all Imams... 

[SIAR14]

42 minutes ago, Fakeha said:

To know means to have ma'arfat of Imam of our time... And to have ma'arfat of Imam of your time you should have ma'arfat of all Imams... 

This is what I was exactly trying to know. What is exactly to have Ma'arafat of Imam ?  Let's suppose I read and hear Majlis regarding 14 Masooms and get know about their lives and try to implement their teaching in my life which is obviously going to making me a good human being. SO IS THAT ALL I NEED TO BECOME ? A good human being !!! but this what a person with no ma'arafat can do as well.

Then what is the distinction of having ma'arafat ?

[Fakeha]

23 minutes ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

This is what I was exactly trying to know. What is exactly to have Ma'arafat of Imam ?  Let's suppose I read and hear Majlis regarding 14 Masooms and get know about their lives and try to implement their teaching in my life which is obviously going to making me a good human being. SO IS THAT ALL I NEED TO BECOME ? A good human being !!! but this what a person with no ma'arafat can do as well.

Then what is the distinction of having ma'arafat ?

Can i ask you a question??

[SIAR14]

12 minutes ago, Fakeha said:

Can i ask you a question??

Yes. Sure 

[Fakeha]

18 minutes ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

Yes. Sure 

How much do you love your parents?? Siblings,family???

[SIAR14]

1 minute ago, Fakeha said:

How much do you love your parents?? Siblings,family???

a lot !! love you can't express in words.

[Fakeha]

10 hours ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

a lot !! love you can't express in words.

Than... When you are ready to sacrifice them for Islam and IMAM  without even a blink, without thinking thats where you got ma'arfat.. 

Thats the most easy way to describe what ma'arfat is... 

Look out for Hazrat Meesam tamar, Mukhtar Saqafi other sahaba of IMAMs, they are there to teach us well about ma'arfat...

Stay blessed !!

[AfricanShia]

19 hours ago, Guest Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

In haidth it has been narrated "Person dies without knowing Imam of his time Dies a life of ignorant". What is to know IMAM OF YOUR TIME ?. Does that only mean all we need to know is that IMAM OUR TIME is in GAIB and he is 12th one THE MEHDI ?. 
It would be great if someone can explain what is exactly meant to KNOW IMAM OF OUR TIME ?

Okay. So the Imam of our time is Mahdi. To know our Imam is to know basically about his existence and to accept that he is your leader. To not know about his existence, his returning and to not accept him is like living in the Age Of Ignorance, where during those times communities had no leader to guide them on the righteous path. 

[SIAR14]

11 hours ago, Fakeha said:

Than... When you are ready to sacrifice them for Islam and IMAM  without even a blink, without thinking thats where you got ma'arfat.. 

Thats the most easy way to describe what ma'arfat is... 

Look out for Hazrat Meesam tamar, Mukhtar Saqafi other sahaba of IMAMs, they are there to teach us well about ma'arfat...

Stay blessed !!

Sister I get your point but I think I didn’t make my question clear. Let me elaborate it further.

I believe having knowledge of IMAMS and having Marafat of IMAM of our time are two different things. Everyone can have knowledge of Imams but having Mara’fat is next stage which few people have. For me marafat means to understand your responsibility towards IMAM OF YOUR TIME and then carefully implement it. In this IMPLEMENTATION part my confusion arises.  FOR EXAMPLE. Person with no mara’afat of Imam Helping poor people, giving donation, getting education, Getting Awards which is eventually helping society to become stable. So here is my question HOW A PERSON WITH MARAAFAT CAN HELP SOCEITY DIFFERENTLY THAN PEOPLE HAVING NO MARAAFAT. AS PERSON HAVING A MARAAFAT SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE. How Maraafat is a plus factor ?

[Fakeha]

13 hours ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

Sister I get your point but I think I didn’t make my question clear. Let me elaborate it further.

I believe having knowledge of IMAMS and having Marafat of IMAM of our time are two different things. Everyone can have knowledge of Imams but having Mara’fat is next stage which few people have. For me marafat means to understand your responsibility towards IMAM OF YOUR TIME and then carefully implement it. In this IMPLEMENTATION part my confusion arises.  FOR EXAMPLE. Person with no mara’afat of Imam Helping poor people, giving donation, getting education, Getting Awards which is eventually helping society to become stable. So here is my question HOW A PERSON WITH MARAAFAT CAN HELP SOCEITY DIFFERENTLY THAN PEOPLE HAVING NO MARAAFAT. AS PERSON HAVING A MARAAFAT SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE. How Maraafat is a plus factor ?

In my opinion... For the society, A person having no ma'arfat can do things same as a person with ma'arfat can do only the difference is first one will think about himself or whom he is helping! But a person with ma'arfat will think how may I help the one so i can get more and more closer to Imam, or what should I do so I can follow the exact path of my beloved Imam... 

[Guest Shabeer]

On 7/5/2017 at 0:54 PM, Fakeha said:

Than... When you are ready to sacrifice them for Islam and IMAM  without even a blink, without thinking thats where you got ma'arfat.. 

Thats the most easy way to describe what ma'arfat is... 

Look out for Hazrat Meesam tamar, Mukhtar Saqafi other sahaba of IMAMs, they are there to teach us well about ma'arfat...

Stay blessed !!

al-Salamu Alaykum,

Others sects also teach to sacrifice your family for Islam and love Allah, His Rasool and Islam more than your ownself and your family and friends. In fact this concept is mentioned in Quran.

Then what's the difference between one knowing his Imam and the one kwoing not. As in both cases no one is able to communicate with Imam and get their issue resolved.

[Fatimiyyeh]

On 05/07/2017 at 10:07 PM, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

Sister I get your point but I think I didn’t make my question clear. Let me elaborate it further.

I believe having knowledge of IMAMS and having Marafat of IMAM of our time are two different things. Everyone can have knowledge of Imams but having Mara’fat is next stage which few people have. For me marafat means to understand your responsibility towards IMAM OF YOUR TIME and then carefully implement it. In this IMPLEMENTATION part my confusion arises.  FOR EXAMPLE. Person with no mara’afat of Imam Helping poor people, giving donation, getting education, Getting Awards which is eventually helping society to become stable. So here is my question HOW A PERSON WITH MARAAFAT CAN HELP SOCEITY DIFFERENTLY THAN PEOPLE HAVING NO MARAAFAT. AS PERSON HAVING A MARAAFAT SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE. How Maraafat is a plus factor ?

Salaamon 'Alaykom WWB 

Allahumma' Ajjil li Waliyyekal Faraj AS 

Ma'refah is not limited to only having superficial knowledge of the life history, location and minute details of the Emam - although it is a preliminary step that carries you towards Ma'refah. 

 

According to the Ulema, Ma'refah is when you RECOGNISE the Emam, in the sense that when you come to the level of worship and obedience such that there is total reverence, awe, respect and you can readily submit totally to the command of the Emam, because Allah SWTT had commanded so. 

At this stage, you totally submit to Allah SWTT and only each and every command of the Emam.. 

Now here you may say that simply obeying isn't a big deal and how is it categorised as Ma'refah, so here's how: 

To begin with, it is the insaani fetrah that we don't simply respect anyone and everyone. Being mice to someone on the face and feeling that sense of reverence,  awe and total admiration for someone are 2 separate things, the latter being a result of recognition. Only when you recognise and realise the value of someone, then only will you be able to respect him from deep down your heart. And with that respect come a feeling of attachment and longing.. That's love.. This love, if nurtured well, will lead you to a stage where you can readily give up anything for him. That's where the total submission comes in, and such a submission with the realisation that the emam will always do what's best for me and will never harm me - a stage where there is full trust and faith in the Emam from the bottom of the heart where there's no wavering - it's called Etminaan. 

Now when you have reached that stage of Etminaan, deep love and longing, you will no longer live for yourself.. You will live for the Emam.. It's difficult to reach there, MAY Allah SWTT Guide us there.. 

And so this is the stage where total obedience comes over you; your haraam desires tend to almost fade out (almost because such people are shaytaan's target so one still has to keep his guards up against this open enemy) and now everything you do will be madd-e nadhar-e Emam meaning that you'll automatically avoid doing things that hurt the emam like indulging in Haraam because you  realise that he's always watching you. So now at this stage if emam asks you to enter a raging fire, without a thought you'll will automatically obey and enter  like the example of Haroon Al Makki the blessed companion of Emam Ja'far As Sadeq AS... 

Something then how to get there becomes a major question; here's what to do : basically, when you realise the value, the awe and the loftiness of the Emam and start revering and respecting him from deep down, you've starter your journey towards Ma'refah (I feel when you read about him, read his miracles, how he's stood up for Islam, how he helps people and how he also meets some people that flame of longing starts to glow within the heart and so then you nurture it by constantly reminding yourself of him mostly by avoiding the Haraam) 

Second thing you can do is to then keep praying for him, give charity in his name and lots of other amaals you can do.. Even sending 14 Salawaat as a gift to him daily holds weight so long as you're doing it with true love and not as a routine... 

You can also recite Doa'a e 'Asr-e Ghaaybah (aka Doa'a e Ma'refah e Emam-e Zamaan AS/AJTFS) 

اَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّفْنِىْ نَفْسَك َ -   فَاِنَّكَ اِنْ لَّمْ تُعَرِّ فْنِىْ نَفْسَكَ لَمْ اَعْرِفْ رَسُوْلَكَ

 اَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّفْنِىْ رَسُوْلَكَ  -  فَاِنَّكَ اِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّ فْنِىْ رَسُوْلَكَ لَمْ اَعْرِفْ حُجَّتَكَ

 اَللّٰهُمَّ عَرِّفْنِىْ حُجَّتَكَ  -  فَاِنَّكَ اِنْ لَّمْ تُعَرِّ فْنِىْ حُجَّتَكَ ضَلَلْتُ عَنْ دِيْنِىْ

TRANSLATION :

Allah introduce Your self to me - For, if you do not introduce Your self to me, I will not recognize Your Prophet (saws).

 
O Allah make me recognize Your Prophet (saws) ,- because if I do not recognize Your Prophet (saws), I will not recognize Your Proof [Imam (as)].

O Allah make me recognize Your Proof (Imam) - For, if  you do not make me recognize Your Proof , I will deviate from my religion

* For more information regarding this subject, please check my old post in the given link at the bottom of my reply. 

Hope you find it useful. 

 Wabillahi Tawfeeq, 

Request for Surah Al Fateha for my dad, renowned Zaker-e-Ahlolbayt, Marhoom Al-Hajj Ma'alim Liyakatali Gulamali Chandoo. 

Was Salaamo 'Alaykom WWB 

Allahumma' Ajjil li Waliyyekal Faraj AS 

 

[Fatimiyyeh]

On 05/07/2017 at 10:07 PM, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

Sister I get your point but I think I didn’t make my question clear. Let me elaborate it further.

I believe having knowledge of IMAMS and having Marafat of IMAM of our time are two different things. Everyone can have knowledge of Imams but having Mara’fat is next stage which few people have. For me marafat means to understand your responsibility towards IMAM OF YOUR TIME and then carefully implement it. In this IMPLEMENTATION part my confusion arises.  FOR EXAMPLE. Person with no mara’afat of Imam Helping poor people, giving donation, getting education, Getting Awards which is eventually helping society to become stable. So here is my question HOW A PERSON WITH MARAAFAT CAN HELP SOCEITY DIFFERENTLY THAN PEOPLE HAVING NO MARAAFAT. AS PERSON HAVING A MARAAFAT SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE. How Maraafat is a plus factor ?

The difference between a person with Ma'refah and one without is that the one without Ma'refah has no goal. He does good and receives his reward and that's it. A person with Ma'refah has a goal - and that goal is to prepare for the Rujuu (Reappearance) of Emam. 

Also, how many times have we heard that a drunkard has donated to dig a well or for a school or feeds a hungry? Does it mean that just because he donated to charity he is similar to the one with Ma'refah? No. Because if he did have the Ma'refah ge wouldn't have touched alcoholic drinks at all. 

Therefore, Ma'refah leads you to the path of Allah SWTT and  prevents you from sinning and from hurting the Emam. 

And the bonus point for having Ma'refah is that when you strive to get it, not only you become attached to the Emam, in fact, he too, becomes attached to you, not only you love the Emam, in fact, he too loves you and not only do you call out to the Emam, he took calls out to you - as seen in the battle of Karbalaa, Emam Husayn AS called out to Habeeb Ibn Madhaher not because of being childhood friends but because of his Ma'refah and loyalty to the Emam, so in the same vein, doing good without Ma'refah has its rewards but doing it with Ma'refah to please the Emam, the Emam also pleases you by praying to Allah SWTT for you - isn't this a bonus in its own?? What more bonus can one desire, after being included in the prayer of the Emam himself?? As a poet had once said,

What's the beauty in you O' Heaven without the Ahlolbayt, 

it is the presence of the closeness to the Ahlolbayt that makes me desire you,

and if the Ahlolbayt are not present at your abode O Heaven,

then I desire to be in the abode where the Ahlolbayt reside in... 

Another bonus is that when the Emam reappears EnshaAllah, those with Ma'refah will be among the foremost ones to join his army and stand up ready to sacrifice everything for him. 

May Allah SWTT grant us the Tawfeeq to gain Ma'refah and maintain it., behaqqe Haqq-e Zahraa SA - Elaahi Aameen.

Edited July 8, 2017 by Fatimiyyeh

[Fakeha]

On 7/7/2017 at 10:25 PM, Guest Shabeer said:

 

Then what's the difference between one knowing his Imam and the one kwoing not. As in both cases no one is able to communicate with Imam and get their issue resolved.

Walekumsalam..

There is alot teachings of our IMAM to solve our problems,then there are marajas. A man who don't know his Imam don't have these virtue because it need a strong belief.

I have a personal experience brother! If you want to communicate with your Imam go ahead, call Him with faith ask Him  talk to Him He is always been there for you !! Is communication only depends on the words??

[SIAR14]

5 hours ago, Fatimiyyeh said:

The difference between a person with Ma'refah and one without is that the one without Ma'refah has no goal. He does good and receives his reward and that's it. A person with Ma'refah has a goal - and that goal is to prepare for the Rujuu (Reappearance) of Emam. 

Also, how many times have we heard that a drunkard has donated to dig a well or for a school or feeds a hungry? Does it mean that just because he donated to charity he is similar to the one with Ma'refah? No. Because if he did have the Ma'refah ge wouldn't have touched alcoholic drinks at all. 

Therefore, Ma'refah leads you to the path of Allah SWTT and  prevents you from sinning and from hurting the Emam. 

And the bonus point for having Ma'refah is that when you strive to get it, not only you become attached to the Emam, in fact, he too, becomes attached to you, not only you love the Emam, in fact, he too loves you and not only do you call out to the Emam, he took calls out to you - as seen in the battle of Karbalaa, Emam Husayn AS called out to Habeeb Ibn Madhaher not because of being childhood friends but because of his Ma'refah and loyalty to the Emam, so in the same vein, doing good without Ma'refah has its rewards but doing it with Ma'refah to please the Emam, the Emam also pleases you by praying to Allah SWTT for you - isn't this a bonus in its own?? What more bonus can one desire, after being included in the prayer of the Emam himself?? As a poet had once said,

What's the beauty in you O' Heaven without the Ahlolbayt, 

it is the presence of the closeness to the Ahlolbayt that makes me desire you,

and if the Ahlolbayt are not present at your abode O Heaven,

then I desire to be in the abode where the Ahlolbayt reside in... 

Another bonus is that when the Emam reappears EnshaAllah, those with Ma'refah will be among the foremost ones to join his army and stand up ready to sacrifice everything for him. 

May Allah SWTT grant us the Tawfeeq to gain Ma'refah and maintain it., behaqqe Haqq-e Zahraa SA - Elaahi Aameen.

Wa Laikum Salam Sister. 

First of all It was amazing the way you understood my question then it was further astonishing the way you answered my question. After quite a long time I got answer for this "MAFAARAT A PLUS FACTOR" thing. May Allah bless and Muhammad and Ahle Muhammad always protect you.

[SIAR14]

3 hours ago, Fakeha said:

Walekumsalam..

There is alot teachings of our IMAM to solve our problems,then there are marajas. A man who don't know his Imam don't have these virtue because it need a strong belief.

I have a personal experience brother! If you want to communicate with your Imam go ahead, call Him with faith ask Him  talk to Him He is always been there for you !! Is communication only depends on the words??

 

 

No !! communication to Imam only depends on believe.

Edited July 8, 2017 by Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi

[Fatimiyyeh]

On 7/8/2017 at 4:46 AM, Fakeha said:

Walekumsalam..

There is alot teachings of our IMAM to solve our problems,then there are marajas. A man who don't know his Imam don't have these virtue because it need a strong belief.

I have a personal experience brother! If you want to communicate with your Imam go ahead, call Him with faith ask Him  talk to Him He is always been there for you !! Is communication only depends on the words??

That's the whole idea of Ma'refah.. AS i said earlier, when you attain Ma'refah he lhe loves you back, he includes you in hus prayer.. So. What makes you think then, that he wouldn't come to meet you? Of experience he does MashaAllah. And you can cite aplenty instances and incidents where not only maraja but common men as well, have met with the emam. 

Wabillahi Tawfeeq 

[Fakeha]

39 minutes ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

No !! communication to Imam only depends on believe.

Exactly

Stay blessed...

[Fakeha]

15 minutes ago, Fatimiyyeh said:

That's the whole idea of Ma'refah.. AS i said earlier, when you attain Ma'refah he lhe loves you back, he includes you in hus prayer.. So. What makes you think then, that he wouldn't come to meet you? Of experience he does MashaAllah. And you can cite aplenty instances and incidents where not only maraja but common men as well, have met with the emam. 

Wabillahi Tawfeeq 

As IMAM MEHDI ajtf said:

If my shia knew the intensity of my love for them, they would die from longing to see me!!

May Allah blessed us all with the ma'arfit of our IMAM ajtf..

[Fatimiyyeh]

56 minutes ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

Wa Laikum Salam Sister. 

First of all It was amazing the way you understood my question then it was further astonishing the way you answered my question. After quite a long time I got answer for this "MAFAARAT A PLUS FACTOR" thing. May Allah bless and Muhammad and Ahle Muhammad always protect you.

ALHAMDOLELLAH ALHAMDOLELLAH 

Mohtaaj e Doa'a and please do itsy for my father's maghferah because I wouldn't have been anything hadn't it been for him.. 

Jazaakom Rabbukom Khayral Jazaa EnshaAllah 

[SIAR14]

1 minute ago, Fatimiyyeh said:

ALHAMDOLELLAH ALHAMDOLELLAH 

Mohtaaj e Doa'a and please do itsy for my father's maghferah because I wouldn't have been anything hadn't it been for him.. 

Jazaakom Rabbukom Khayral Jazaa EnshaAllah 

In Sha Allah. I will !!! Stay Blessed.

[Fatimiyyeh]

1 hour ago, Fakeha said:

Exactly

Stay blessed...

Response below... 

Edited July 8, 2017 by Fatimiyyeh

[Guest Shabeer]

On 7/8/2017 at 4:46 AM, Fakeha said:

Walekumsalam..

There is alot teachings of our IMAM to solve our problems,then there are marajas. A man who don't know his Imam don't have these virtue because it need a strong belief.

I have a personal experience brother! If you want to communicate with your Imam go ahead, call Him with faith ask Him  talk to Him He is always been there for you !! Is communication only depends on the words??

There are not alot of teachings thats why there are marajas (having both major and minor differences in their fatwas and with their classic scholars as well).

For strong belief you need to have a strong evidence first to believe

Job of the Imam is to guide people of his time. Which is possible only when he come and talk to people. Otherwise there is no benefit. Thats why shias pray to Allah to hasten his coming.

btw what is meant by death of jahilliyah?

[Fatimiyyeh]

2 hours ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

No !! communication to Imam only depends on believe.

So are you saying, or does it mean that if I have belief  in the emam and have all the superficial knowledge about him at my finger tips and I constantly sin, he will meet me??? No. 

You see, it is one thing when we communicate with the emam, and it is altogether another thing to have emam communicating with us, which means,  to receive his response. 

The Pure son of Zahraa SA will only respond and meet those who are pure, as he too, is purified. 

So we have to purify ourselves and gain Taqwa and Ma'refah, elevate our souls to the levels of purity such that Emam can meet and communicate with us. 

I'm not saying that we have to be ma'soom / infallibles. What I'm saying is that we have to start by curbing our animalistic carnal desires and actively avoid sinning in the love of Allah and the Ahlolbayt,  thus attaining Taqwa as well as increasing our Ma'refah of both, Allah SWTT as well as Ahlolbayt ASWS. 

Allah SWTT says in surah Al waaqeah, 56:79:  786 - Laa yamassuhuu illal motahharoon (no one can touch the Qur'aan except the pure) this implies that the Qur'aan (content of the Book)  can not be understood by the impure sinners and the Ahlolbayt ASWS are said to be the living Qur'aans, so when our souls are filled with sins, how can we attain  that recognition, that understanding,  that reverence, that awe and deep sense of admiration, the Ma'refah of the Emam??? 

In any case, where is our conscience (the zameer) that being filthy with sins, we have the audacity to call upon him to meet us - do we deserve it?? And suppose, just suppose, IF, a major IF, the Emam decides to come before us, Wallah with what faces will we show our dark face to his illuminated face? With what face will we face him when we're tarred with sins, and we know that he's aware of each and every shameless transgression, while  we're aware that he was watching us while we transgressed and sinned?? The thought makes me shudder.. Allaho Akbar! 

And allow me to clarify, when I am talking about the Emam responding to us, I don't mean the ghaybi assistance and help - - I mean meeting us as in showing  us his illuminated face and even exchanging a few words with us.. The assistance in fact, is actually one of his jobs as the Living Emam, therefore, whether one believes in him or not, when one calls out to him, it is his responsibility as the true Hujjah of Allah to respond by helping solve the matter. And if he doesn't respond to the call and doesn't help just because the seeker is a non believer, what then will be the difference  between the impostor emams and the true Emam if both don't help?? (Similar to the story of the idol worshipper who was saying saying to his idol-diety, "ya sanam, ya sanam!" and at one point his tongue slipped and the man said "Ya Samad" instead of "ya sanam" and Allah SWTT responded, "Yes my creature how should I help uou" and the angels around said, "Ya Rabbi You know he didn't intend to call  you and he just made a slip" Allah SWTT replied, "what is the difference between me and the idol diety of I don't reply? " SUBHAANALLAH!,  and so in the same vein, Emam does give his help when called,  but that way the person in most cases doesn't realise the value of the emam and there's no Ma'refah / recognition or soul elevation / illumination involved) 

 And so the same is the case with a sinner who believes in the emam but does not strive in  his way; so when this believer who believes yet sins calls out to him and  says "Adriknee ya emam,"  the emam helps because he's more or less duty-bound, but Emam never meets or communicates with  him, the help is from Ghayb - unseen and sometimes unrecognised. 

Therefore, to say that you only need to "believe" in him to be able to mee

So are you saying, or does it mean that if I have belief  in the emam and have all the superficial knowledge about him at my finger tips and I constantly sin, he will meet me??? No. 

You see, it is one thing when we communicate with the emam, and it is altogether another thing to have emam communicating with us, which means,  to receive his response. 

The Pure son of Zahraa SA will only respond and meet those who are pure, as he too, is purified. 

So we have to purify ourselves and gain Taqwa and Ma'refah, elevate our souls to the levels of purity such that Emam can meet and communicate with us. 

I'm not saying that we have to be ma'soom / infallibles. What I'm saying is that we have to start by curbing our animalistic carnal desires and actively avoid sinning in the love of Allah and the Ahlolbayt,  thus attaining Taqwa as well as increasing our Ma'refah of both, Allah SWTT as well as Ahlolbayt ASWS. 

Allah SWTT says in surah Al waaqeah, 56:79:  786 - Laa yamassuhuu illal motahharoon (no one can touch the Qur'aan except the pure) this implies that the Qur'aan (content of the Book)  can not be understood by the impure sinners and the Ahlolbayt ASWS are said to be the living Qur'aans, so when our souls are filled with sins, how can we attain  that recognition, that understanding that reverence, that awe and deep sense of admiration, the Ma'refah of the Emam??? 

In any case, where is our conscience (the zameer) that being filthy with sins, we have the audacity to call upon him to meet us - do we deserve it?? And suppose, just suppose, IF, a major IF, the Emam decides to come before us, Wallah with what faces will we show our dark face to his illuminated face? With what face will we face him when we're tarred with sins, and we know that he's aware of each and every shameless transgression, while  we're aware that he was watching us while we transgressed and sinned?? The thought makes me shudder.. Allaho Akbar! 

And allow me to clarify, when I am talking about the Emam responding to us, I don't mean the ghaybi assistance and help - - I mean meeting us as in shoring us his illuminated face and even exchanging a few words with us.. The assistance in fact, is actually one of his jobs as the Living Emam, therefore, whether one believes in him or not, when one calls out to him, it is his responsibility as the true Hujjah of Allah to respond by helping solve the matter. And if he doesn't respond to the call and doesn't help just because the seeker is a non believer, what then will be the differ between the impostor exams and the true Emam if both don't help?? (Similar to the story of the idol worshipper who was saying saying to his idol-diety, "ya sanam, ya sanam!" and at one point his tongue slipped and the man said "Ya Samad" instead of "ya sanam" and Allah SWTT responded, "Yes my creature how should I help uou" and the angels around said, "Ya Rabbi You know he didn't intend to call  you and he just made a slip" Allah SWTT replied, "what is the difference between me and the idol diety of I don't reply? " SUBHAANALLAH and so in the same way, Emam does give his help but that way the person in most cases doesn't realise the value of the emam and there's no Ma'refah / recognition involved) 

 And so the same is the case with a sinner who believes in the emam but does not strive in  his way; so when this believer who believes yet subs says Adriknee ya emam,  the emam helps because he's more or less duty-bound, but Emam never meets or communicates with  him. 

Therefore, to say they you only need to "believe" in him to be able to meet him is like you're telling me "you only need to believe to fly and jump off the cliff, the wings will magically appear!" - which I strongly dispute with because I believe,  Ma'refah is essential to meet him and be  able to deserve his responses and have him communicate with us. 

A lovely poem regarding our presence of mind and heart  for the Emam (presence = Ma'refah) In Urdu goes, 

"Woh haazer hain zaaher nahi, 

Hum zaaher hain, haazer nahi;

Jis din hum haazer hoge, woh zaaher hoge"

Translation: He is present but not visible, 

We are visible buy not "present" 

The day we become "present," he will become visible "

(The day we will attain Ma'refah, he will be before our eyes EnshaAllah) 

WABILLAHITAWFEEQ 

Edited July 8, 2017 by Fatimiyyeh

[SIAR14]

1 hour ago, Fatimiyyeh said:

So are you saying, or does it mean that if I have belief  in the emam and have all the superficial knowledge about him at my finger tips and I constantly sin, he will meet me??? No. 

You see, it is one thing when we communicate with the emam, and it is altogether another thing to have emam communicating with us, which means,  to receive his response. 

The Pure son of Zahraa SA will only respond and meet those who are pure, as he too, is purified. 

So we have to purify ourselves and gain Taqwa and Ma'refah, elevate our souls to the levels of purity such that Emam can meet and communicate with us. 

I'm not saying that we have to be ma'soom / infallibles. What I'm saying is that we have to start by curbing our animalistic carnal desires and actively avoid sinning in the love of Allah and the Ahlolbayt,  thus attaining Taqwa as well as increasing our Ma'refah of both, Allah SWTT as well as Ahlolbayt ASWS. 

Allah SWTT says in surah Al waaqeah, 56:79:  786 - Laa yamassuhuu illal motahharoon (no one can touch the Qur'aan except the pure) this implies that the Qur'aan (content of the Book)  can not be understood by the impure sinners and the Ahlolbayt ASWS are said to be the living Qur'aans, so when our souls are filled with sins, how can we attain  that recognition, that understanding,  that reverence, that awe and deep sense of admiration, the Ma'refah of the Emam??? 

In any case, where is our conscience (the zameer) that being filthy with sins, we have the audacity to call upon him to meet us - do we deserve it?? And suppose, just suppose, IF, a major IF, the Emam decides to come before us, Wallah with what faces will we show our dark face to his illuminated face? With what face will we face him when we're tarred with sins, and we know that he's aware of each and every shameless transgression, while  we're aware that he was watching us while we transgressed and sinned?? The thought makes me shudder.. Allaho Akbar! 

And allow me to clarify, when I am talking about the Emam responding to us, I don't mean the ghaybi assistance and help - - I mean meeting us as in showing  us his illuminated face and even exchanging a few words with us.. The assistance in fact, is actually one of his jobs as the Living Emam, therefore, whether one believes in him or not, when one calls out to him, it is his responsibility as the true Hujjah of Allah to respond by helping solve the matter. And if he doesn't respond to the call and doesn't help just because the seeker is a non believer, what then will be the difference  between the impostor emams and the true Emam if both don't help?? (Similar to the story of the idol worshipper who was saying saying to his idol-diety, "ya sanam, ya sanam!" and at one point his tongue slipped and the man said "Ya Samad" instead of "ya sanam" and Allah SWTT responded, "Yes my creature how should I help uou" and the angels around said, "Ya Rabbi You know he didn't intend to call  you and he just made a slip" Allah SWTT replied, "what is the difference between me and the idol diety of I don't reply? " SUBHAANALLAH!,  and so in the same vein, Emam does give his help when called,  but that way the person in most cases doesn't realise the value of the emam and there's no Ma'refah / recognition or soul elevation / illumination involved) 

 And so the same is the case with a sinner who believes in the emam but does not strive in  his way; so when this believer who believes yet sins calls out to him and  says "Adriknee ya emam,"  the emam helps because he's more or less duty-bound, but Emam never meets or communicates with  him, the help is from Ghayb - unseen and sometimes unrecognised. 

Therefore, to say that you only need to "believe" in him to be able to mee

So are you saying, or does it mean that if I have belief  in the emam and have all the superficial knowledge about him at my finger tips and I constantly sin, he will meet me??? No. 

You see, it is one thing when we communicate with the emam, and it is altogether another thing to have emam communicating with us, which means,  to receive his response. 

The Pure son of Zahraa SA will only respond and meet those who are pure, as he too, is purified. 

So we have to purify ourselves and gain Taqwa and Ma'refah, elevate our souls to the levels of purity such that Emam can meet and communicate with us. 

I'm not saying that we have to be ma'soom / infallibles. What I'm saying is that we have to start by curbing our animalistic carnal desires and actively avoid sinning in the love of Allah and the Ahlolbayt,  thus attaining Taqwa as well as increasing our Ma'refah of both, Allah SWTT as well as Ahlolbayt ASWS. 

Allah SWTT says in surah Al waaqeah, 56:79:  786 - Laa yamassuhuu illal motahharoon (no one can touch the Qur'aan except the pure) this implies that the Qur'aan (content of the Book)  can not be understood by the impure sinners and the Ahlolbayt ASWS are said to be the living Qur'aans, so when our souls are filled with sins, how can we attain  that recognition, that understanding that reverence, that awe and deep sense of admiration, the Ma'refah of the Emam??? 

In any case, where is our conscience (the zameer) that being filthy with sins, we have the audacity to call upon him to meet us - do we deserve it?? And suppose, just suppose, IF, a major IF, the Emam decides to come before us, Wallah with what faces will we show our dark face to his illuminated face? With what face will we face him when we're tarred with sins, and we know that he's aware of each and every shameless transgression, while  we're aware that he was watching us while we transgressed and sinned?? The thought makes me shudder.. Allaho Akbar! 

And allow me to clarify, when I am talking about the Emam responding to us, I don't mean the ghaybi assistance and help - - I mean meeting us as in shoring us his illuminated face and even exchanging a few words with us.. The assistance in fact, is actually one of his jobs as the Living Emam, therefore, whether one believes in him or not, when one calls out to him, it is his responsibility as the true Hujjah of Allah to respond by helping solve the matter. And if he doesn't respond to the call and doesn't help just because the seeker is a non believer, what then will be the differ between the impostor exams and the true Emam if both don't help?? (Similar to the story of the idol worshipper who was saying saying to his idol-diety, "ya sanam, ya sanam!" and at one point his tongue slipped and the man said "Ya Samad" instead of "ya sanam" and Allah SWTT responded, "Yes my creature how should I help uou" and the angels around said, "Ya Rabbi You know he didn't intend to call  you and he just made a slip" Allah SWTT replied, "what is the difference between me and the idol diety of I don't reply? " SUBHAANALLAH and so in the same way, Emam does give his help but that way the person in most cases doesn't realise the value of the emam and there's no Ma'refah / recognition involved) 

 And so the same is the case with a sinner who believes in the emam but does not strive in  his way; so when this believer who believes yet subs says Adriknee ya emam,  the emam helps because he's more or less duty-bound, but Emam never meets or communicates with  him. 

Therefore, to say they you only need to "believe" in him to be able to meet him is like you're telling me "you only need to believe to fly and jump off the cliff, the wings will magically appear!" - which I strongly dispute with because I believe,  Ma'refah is essential to meet him and be  able to deserve his responses and have him communicate with us. 

A lovely poem regarding our presence of mind and heart  for the Emam (presence = Ma'refah) In Urdu goes, 

"Woh haazer hain zaaher nahi, 

Hum zaaher hain, haazer nahi;

Jis din hum haazer hoge, woh zaaher hoge"

Translation: He is present but not visible, 

We are visible buy not "present" 

The day we become "present," he will become visible "

(The day we will attain Ma'refah, he will be before our eyes EnshaAllah) 

WABILLAHITAWFEEQ 

Your eve single word is true and right. There are different steps and stages to get close to imam. Utmost important step is to Believe in HIM (A.S) and HIS (A,S) gaibat, if one is not going to believe in this he/she can't get close to  IMAM (A.S) no matter how religious or pious a person is. 
Yes obviously person have to leave his sinful and desire-full life to get close to Imam.

The communication to Imam (A.S) I was talking about was the  spoken language  barrier. It is not important that you have to be specialist in ARABIC or any other language to communicate Imam (A.S). You need to have believe In HIM (A.S). HE (A.S) is going to communicate and you will understand. 

[Fatimiyyeh]

25 minutes ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

Your eve single word is true and right. There are different steps and stages to get close theo imam. Utmost important step is to Believe in HIM (A.S) and HIS (A,S) gaibat, if one is not going to believe in this he/she can't get close to  IMAM (A.S) no matter how religious or pious a person is. 
Yes obviously person have to leave his sinful and desire-full life to get close to Imam.

The communication to Imam (A.S) I was talking about was the  spoken language  barrier. It is not important that you have to be specialist in ARABIC or any other language to communicate Imam (A.S). You need to have believe In HIM (A.S). HE (A.S) is going to communicate and you will understand. 

Yes of course, Faith and belief are fundamental but not the only criteria required to receive his response ... Rather they're just the preliminary requisitions. 

Allah SWTT says in the Holy Qur'aan in Surah Al Baqarah, 2:2-3, "786 - Dhaalekal ketaabu laa rayba feehi hudan lil muttaqeen, Al ladheena yu'menoona bil ghaybi wa yuqeemuunas salaata wa mimma razaqnaahom yunfiqoon - This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah, Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them"

So we see the very first criteria is to believe.. But it's not the first and the last things needed.. After believing there's a lot more to do.. And even the belief had too be staunchly and deeply ingrained, not a wavering one... 

And with regards to language, you don't need one!! He's THE HUJJAH, he doesn't need a language to understand you! Even if you say "Ya Emam e Zamana help me," he does.. Within moments!  

In fact, he even knows what's going on in our hears and minds at every time even without us expressing it because Allah SWTT had granted  him The knowledge of the unseen.. And he's the Grandson of Saaheb-e Salooni (Maula Ameeril Mo'meneen, Emam  'Aly Ibn AbiTaleb ASWS ) 

 

Edited July 8, 2017 by Fatimiyyeh

[SIAR14]

13 minutes ago, Fatimiyyeh said:

in fact, he even knows what's going on in our hears and minds at every time even without us expressing it because Allah SWTT had granted Jim. The knowledge of the unseen.. And he's the Grandson of Saaheb-e Salooni (Maula Ameeril Mo'meneen, Emam  'Aly Ibn AbiTaleb ASWS ) 

This aspect of Imam  (A.S) really makes me afraid ;-(. He (A.S) even knows what is going in our mind. No matter how hard you try it is really difficult to make your thoughts and mind pure all the time. I wish I could do something regrading my thoughts.  

Specifically for this generation where we have to fight all the time to make our all senses pure. There is so much distraction :-(

At times when I read more about Imams and their abilities. I wounder what is the difference between Allah and Imams. Then I stop asking this question to myself  due my lack of knowledge. May Allah Keep us guiding always.   

[Fatimiyyeh]

1 hour ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

This aspect of Imam  (A.S) really makes me afraid ;-(. He (A.S) even knows what is going in our mind. No matter how hard you try it is really difficult to make your thoughts and mind pure all the time. I wish I could do something regrading my thoughts.  

Specifically for this generation where we have to fight all the time to make our all senses pure. There is so much distraction :-(

At times when I read more about Imams and their abilities. I wounder what is the difference between Allah and Imams. Then I stop asking this question to myself  due my lack of knowledge. May Allah Keep us guiding always.   

The difference between Allah SWTT and the Emams is that He was before the Emams were, and it is He who created them, so He is Khaaleq and they are Makhlooq... 

The Holy Prophet SAWW had said, "Awwalu maa khalaqAllahu Noorii - The first creation of Allah SWTT was my light (Noor e Muhammadi) 

أللهم صل على محمد وآل محمد وعجل فرجهم 

[Fakeha]

3 hours ago, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

This aspect of Imam  (A.S) really makes me afraid ;-(. He (A.S) even knows what is going in our mind. No matter how hard you try it is really difficult to make your thoughts and mind pure all the time. I wish I could do something regrading my thoughts.  

Specifically for this generation where we have to fight all the time to make our all senses pure. There is so much distraction :-(

At times when I read more about Imams and their abilities. I wounder what is the difference between Allah and Imams. Then I stop asking this question to myself  due my lack of knowledge. May Allah Keep us guiding always.   

Me too...!!

But He ajtf knows that i am trying my best, so i ask His ajtf help everytime i get some destructive thoughts... 

[SIAR14]

3 hours ago, Fatimiyyeh said:

The difference between Allah SWTT and the Emams is that He was before the Emams were, and it is He who created them, so He is Khaaleq and they are Makhlooq... 

The Holy Prophet SAWW had said, "Awwalu maa khalaqAllahu Noorii - The first creation of Allah SWTT was my light (Noor e Muhammadi) 

أللهم صل على محمد وآل محمد وعجل فرجهم 

Beshak Allah is the CREATOR of All !

[Hameedeh]

On 7/5/2017 at 3:07 PM, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

How Maraafat is a plus factor ?

This is in 4 parts. Please have a look at it.

Responsibility 1: Ma’rifat of the Imam (as) Part 1

Responsibility 2: Ma’rifat of the Imam Part 2

Responsibility 3: Ma’rifat of the Imam Part 3

Responsibility 4: Ma’rifat of the Imam Part 4

[wolverine]

On 7/8/2017 at 0:45 PM, Syed Irtiza Ali Rizvi said:

At times when I read more about Imams and their abilities. I wounder what is the difference between Allah and Imams.

Prophets and Imams AS were created by Allah SWT and they are His servants and do what He orders. 

[Fakeha]

On 7/8/2017 at 6:54 PM, Guest Shabeer said:

 

btw what is meant by death of jahilliyah?

Jahilliyah is the era before the Advent of Prophet Muhammad saw. Death of jahilliyah means without have any knowledge of imam and teachings of righteous path.

 

On 7/8/2017 at 6:54 PM, Guest Shabeer said:

There are not alot of teachings thats why there are marajas (having both major and minor differences in their fatwas and with their classic scholars as well).

For strong belief you need to have a strong evidence first to believe

Job of the Imam is to guide people of his time. Which is possible only when he come and talk to people. Otherwise there is no benefit. Thats why shias pray to Allah to hasten his coming 

I think there are alot!! Marajas are for the complicated issues and again their fatwas are also based upon the teachings of Imams.

For believe you only need to believe!! Allah made Hazrat Mohammad saw a prophet for all,were you present on that day?? Do you remember it?? No?? Then why do you recite the kalma and give shahadat to believe you just need to believe!! 

** Benefitting from me during my occultation is like benefiting from the sun when it is covered in cloud. IMAM MEHDI AJTF 

Ofcourse its His job and indeed He ajtf is doing it well

** I provide the people on the earth with safety and security just as the stars do for those in heavens. IMAM MEHDI AJTF

** I have not neglected or forgotten you because if so, you would have been long plagued by endless misfortunes and destroyed by your enemies. IMAM MEHDI AJTF 

** If you are in search of guidance you shall be guided, and if you seek you shall find. IMAM MEHDI AJTF

Shias are praying for His ajtf hasten but are they preparing for His ajtf hasten??

[wolverine]

2 hours ago, Fakeha said:

Shias are praying for His ajtf hasten but are they preparing for His ajtf hasten??

Yes. Prepare yourself to be a good person. Learn Islamic teachings and be kind to people. In the time of the Prophet SA a person might have a camel, donkey or horse. Today, if you can, get a car or truck so that you can use it to go to work or school and also to help others. For example, to carry groceries to people, take someone to the doctor, attend the Islamic Center, etc. Treat your car or truck with care because it is helping you be a better Muslim. Be a good person while you wait for the Imam, may Allah bring him back to us very soon. If you are already a good person, alhamdulillah, try to be a better person. There are always others that will need your help.