ভূমিকা

One who loves them and accepts their Mastership, then I assure Paradise for him near Allah.'[^1] Most of us have heard the famous Prophetic (s.a.w.s.) tradition: "One who dies while he has not recognized the Imam of his era, has died the death of ignorance." Shias and Ahlul Sunnah scholars alike have narrated this tradition, which highlights the status of the Imam of the age and the role of his recognition in the acceptance of religion.

All of us know that this recognition is not acquired only by knowing his name and his genealogy; because even the deniers of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and other Muslims have access to such information. Therefore, the interpretation of 'recognition' in this important tradition assumes a higher level than mere information of his name and genealogy.

More out of ignorance than anything else, everyone will make an attempt to explain this higher meaning (of recognition) based on his own limited understanding and comprehension. Till now, the significance of this recognition is not really evident for us. Indeed this significance will become evident by reading the traditions, wherein, the consequences of not recognizing the Imam are made amply clear. Also, the benefits of his recognition have been highlighted.

For instance, pay attention to this esteemed tradition from Imam Baqir (a.s) on recognition. "One who dies without the recognition of Imam, he has died the death of ignorance. And the one who dies with the recognition of his Imam, the advancement or postponement of this affair (i.e. reappearance) will not harm him.

And one who dies with the recognition of his Imam, he is like the one who was along with the Qaim (a.t.f.s.) in his tent." Here one discovers a very profound matter, and is confronted with a very critical question: How does the recognition of Imam (a.s.) find such importance in religion? What is death with the recognition of Imam (a.s) that has got all these effects and blessings? Reaching the era of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and being in his tent is good fortune.

Indeed this is the greatest desire of the lovers of I mam (a.t.f.s.).