Story No. 473 – Loader of the black stone: Twelfth Imam, the living Hujjah, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (pbuh)
15th of Shaban, a very auspicious day in the Islamic Lunar Calendar, because it is the birth anniversary of our twelfth Imam, the living Hujjah, Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).
Our duties/responsibilities during occultation (Ghaibat)We would like to invite all of us to do something, no matter how small, for this joyous day. We would like to bring our humble contribution by mentioning some of our duties/responsibilities during occultation (Ghaibat) and about how could we make our twelfth Imam, the living Hujjah, Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) satisfied.
We can divide the answer in three parts.
To Await (Intezar)
To recite recommended supplications during the occultation (Dua)
Purifying the self (Taqwa)
- Awaiting: To await for the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is highly recommended right from Holy Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.&H.F.) till Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself. There are plenty of traditions to prove this. Holy Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.&H.F.) said, “Best deed (Amal) of my nation is to wait for Faraj (Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)).” “One who await for reappearance and Faraj of Imam Mahdi. Is like the one who gives his blood in the way of Allah.” If we refer the Islamic books under the title of Intezar Faraj we can find plenty of traditions about Intezar.
- Recommended Duas during occultation: There are many Dua’s recommended to be recited during the occultation, of which some of them are recommended by Imam himself, such as Ziyarate Ale Yasin, Dua-e-Istighasa, Dua-e-Nudbah, Dua-e-Ahad, Dua-e-Faraj, Ziyarat-e-Sardab etc.
- Taqwa: In the traditions, it is said that during the occultation a person who waits for him should be pious. He should have firm belief in Allah (SWT), Prophet and Imams. He should refrain from sin and try to protect the religion and belief of the people. They should try to guide the people towards the right path so that the ground for his reappearance is ready.