Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Last Luminary and Ways to Delve Into the Light Responsibility 59: Serving the Imam Serving the Imam to the best of one’s ability is another responsibility of a true believer and even the Angels and the Prophets take pride in assisting the Imam! In addition, we are told that one of the Prophets who holds a very high status namely Prophet Khiďr comes to the assistance of the Imam when a need arises. Imam Ja’far b.
Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said: وَ لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُهُ لَخَدَمْتُهُ أَيَّامَ حَيٌاتِي “If I would have met him (al-Mahdi), I would serve him for my entire life.”[^1] Helping other believers is a highly recommended act in Islam which carries a great reward. In addition, it is one of the distinct characteristics of the true believers and leaders of the faith, that they can be easily recognized through their assisting the creations of Allah.
Therefore, providing assistance to the Imam who is the true leader of our time and for all the faithful, is the best form of worship and obedience (to Allah) Prophet ‘Isa b. Mariam has said: يَا مَعْشَرَ الْحَوَارِيِّـينَ لِي إِلَيْكُمْ حَاجَةٌ أُقْضُوهَا لِـي. قَالُوا قُضِيَتْ حَاجَتُكَ يَا رُوْحَ اللٌّهِ. فَقَامَ فَقَبَّلَ أَقْدَامَهُمْ (أَوْ فِي بَعْضِ النُّسْخِ فَغَسَّلَ أَقْدَامَهُمْ) فَقَالُوا: كُنَّا نَحْنُ أَحَقَّ بِهٌذَا يَا رُوْحَ اللٌّهِ!
فَقَالَ: إِنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ بِالْخِدْمَةِ الْعَالِمُ إِنَّمَا تَوَاضَعْتُ هٌكَذَا لِكَيْمَا تَتَوَاضَعُوا بَعْدِي فِي النَّاسِ كَتَوَاضُعِي لَكُمْ “O’ assembly of disciples! I have a desire which I wish you to fulfill for me.” They said: “Consider it done O’ Spirit of Allah!” So he (‘Isa) stood up and kissed their feet [in some narrations it is mentioned that he washed their feet].
The companions said: “We were more worthy to do this for you, O’ Spirit of Allah!” He said: “Indeed the person who has the most right to serve the people is the scholar. I have displayed this humility (to you) so that after me, you too will show this form of humbleness to the people just as I have done for you.”[^2] Indeed, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) is the most worthy of people who is deserving of our assistance and there are many proofs for this.
Thus, assisting Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) can be accomplished through helping his friends, followers and the Shi’a of the Imam fulfilling their needs, alleviating the difficulties and solving issues which may come up their lives all of these are ways in which one can assist the Imam.