Beliefs

As persons living in constant expectation, we should also teach what we know from Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) to other qualified individuals, narrate their traditions to people who are willing to hear us, and transfer what has been conveyed to us from their knowledge:

Imam al-Ridha (PBUH) said, "May Allah bless he who revives our matter/kingdom." He was asked, "How is your matter revived?" The Imam (PBUH) replied, "To learn our knowledge and to teach them to the people. Verily, if people know the beauty of our sayings, they will follow us." 57

Those who wish to see the kingdom of al-Qa'im (PBUH) in a near future, should learn and act upon the instructions of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) first, and then teach them to those who are willing to know.

There is a series of enlightening traditions from the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and the Imams (PBUT)-one from each in consecutive order-narrated by Imam Hasan al-Askari (PBUH) in his Tafsir, which are known as the traditions of "The Orphans of Family of Muhammad (PBUH&HF)". Below is the first one, which belongs to the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF):

The Imam al-Askari (PBUH) said, "As for Allah's saying 'and the orphans,' (4:36) indeed the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) said, "Allah, the Glorious, has urged (people) to be kind towards the orphans, due to the severance of their links with their fathers.

Therefore, he who protects and shields them, Allah shall protect him. He who honors them, Allah shall honor him.

He who touches his hand over the head of an orphan- out of kindness toward him-Allah places for him in Paradise for every strand of hair that passed under his hand, a castle more expansive than what the universe encompasses, and within which is whatsoever the souls desire and the eyes cherish and therein shall they remain forever. (Referring to chapter 43, verse 71 of the Quran).'"

Then the Imam (PBUH) continued, "More severe than the orphancy of this orphan is that of the one who has been orphaned from his Imam, (whose link with his Imam has been severed,) who is unable to reach him and does not know his commandments on those of religious laws that he is in need of them. Behold!

For any of our followers who possess knowledge of our sciences, this (other) person-the one ignorant of our path, who is severed from seeing us-is thus an orphan under his guardianship.

Then, behold! Whosoever (of our followers) guides and instructs him, and teaches him our path, he shall be with us in the loftiest companionship (a special degree in Paradise where the prophets and the Imams reside). My father reported this to me, from his forefathers, from the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF)." 58

Notes:

57. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 30, Hadith 13.

58. Tafsir, Imam Hasan al-Askari (PBUH), p. 338-339, Hadith 213-214; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 2, Hadith 1.

Adapted from the book: "Moment by Moment: Expecting the Advent of al-Qa'im (PBUH)" by: "Vahid Majd"