ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Glance at the Beloved Remembrance ============== Being engrossed in the remembrance of Imams (a.s.) Another effect and sign of Imams' (a.s.) recognition is remembering them on different occasions. In fact this remembrance should be perpetual as this is the effect of the love of Imams (a.s.). When a person is attached to someone intensely, he is not oblivious to him and remembers him constantly.

The more intense the attachment, the harder it is for him to forget the person, till such a time that the remembrance of the person becomes etched in his heart and an inseparable part of his existence. Therefore those who have faith and recognition of Imam (a.t.f.s.) in occultation, wherein they are deprived of seeing him (a.t.f.s.), they must never forget him in their hearts. A person asked Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) about the Quranic verse, 'And apparent and hidden bounties are completed upon you.

(31 : 20) Imam (a.s.) said, 'Apparent bounty is the apparent Imam and the hidden bounty is the hidden Imam.' Then the narrator asked, 'Do the Imams (a.s.) go into occultation?' Imam (a.s.) declared: 'Yes he gets concealed from the eyes of the people, however his remembrance does not disappear from the hearts of the believers and he will be the twelfth from us.' It is possible that the unbelievers may forget Imam (a.s.), because they don't know him.

But the one who knows him and recognizes him and has his Mastership cannot forget him. In occultation, the attachment of the believer with his Imam should be so strong, that nothing should make him oblivious of his presence and nothing should hinder him from Imam's (a.s.) remembrance. To quote Ayatullah Syed Muhammad Taqi Musavi Isfahani (r.a.), author of Mikyalul Makarim fi favaaedu dua lil Qaim (a.t.f.s.): "The believers are in various grades and levels in the remembrance of their master.

Their grade is in direct proportion to their level of faith, recognition and certitude. The condition of some of the believers in remembering their master is such, as the poet declares, 'Allah knows that I don't remember you Because how can I remember you, when I never forget you?'[^1] Then the author elaborates on how we can enliven the remembrance of Imam (a.t.f.s.) day and night. We have translated below the relevant passage.

'When you mourn, remember that this life that Allah has gifted you is with the blessing and mediation of Imam (a.t.f.s.). So, thank Allah and Imam (a.t.f.s.) for it.