Is there anything better than inviting people towards these...

Is there anything better than inviting people towards these personalities so they can examine their sayings and teachings and understand their status vis-à-vis other leaders of the world?! Therefore the Shias must always be in search of tradition of the Imams (a.s.) and after learning them, must teach others and invite the m towards the teachings of the Imams (a.s.). This is one of the most important duties of the Shias, more so in the time of occultation.

Indeed there cannot be anything better for the Shias because the period of occultation will be marked with indifference (towards faith), as a result of which irreligiousness will envelope the people. Consequently no one will be safe from doubt and skepticism.

Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) reveals: 'If during the occultation of our Qaim, there were no learned scholars who call the people towards him and guide them towards him and defend the religion with divine arguments and save the weak servants of Allah from the traps of Shaitan and his rebellion and from the traps which are laid by enemies of Imams (a.s.) (in the path of guidance of people), certainly no one would remain except that he turns away from the religion of Allah.

Those who hold the reins of the hearts of the weak Shias, are like the sailors who guide their ships by controlling the steering wheel. These are the best people in front of Allah.'[^3] In this tradition, Imam (a.s.) has very explicitly outlined the duties of the learned at the time of occultation.

The learned should more than anything else invite the people towards Imam-e-Ghaib (a.t.f.s.).This duty can be performed by enlivening his remembrance, announcing his virtues and narrating traditions regarding Imam Asr (a.t.f.s.). This is a very crucial task entrusted by the Imams (a .s.) to the learned in occultation, and anyone who treasures the Mastership of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) cannot ignore this task.

The scholar at the time of occultation should not invite the people towards his own devotion, virtues, and recognition. Rather he should be like a bridge over which friends of Imam (a.t.f.s.) can traverse and reach their desired destination, i.e. the Mastership and recognition of Imam (a.t.f.s.).

Attachment and friendship with Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) is not in need of any medium, that any one may invite the people towards himself on this pretext, and present his own greatness in front of them before the greatness of Imam (a.t.f.s.).