Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Last Luminary and Ways to Delve Into the Light Responsibility 60: Awaiting the Advent Another responsibility is to await the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) every day and night rather we must await his return every single hour of our life. In essence, the true believer must always be in a state of anticipation of the return of the Imam. Imam Ja’far b.
Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said: طُوبـى لِشِيعَةِ قَائِمِنَا الْمُنْتَظِرِينَ لِظُهُورِهِ فِي غَيْبَتِهِ وَ الْمُطِيعِينَ لَهُ فِي ظُهُورِهِ أُوْلٌئِكَ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللٌّهِ الَّذِينَ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لاَ هُمُ يَحْزَنُونَ “Glad tidings (of Paradise) to the Shi’a of our Qa`im (ajtf) those who are awaiting his advent during his occultation and those who are obedient to him during his advent.
Surely these are the close, intimate friends of Allah for whom [There shall be no grief, nor shall they have any sorrow.]”[^1] Imam ‘Ali b.
Husain as-Sajjad (as) has said: إِنَّ أَهْلَ زَمَانِ غَيْبَتِهِ وَ الْقَائِلِينَ بِإِمَامَتِهِ وَ الْمُنْتَظِرِينَ لِظُهُورِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَهْلِ كُلِّ زَمَانٍ “Surely the people who are living during the period of his occultation and who believe in his (Divinely appointed) leadership and are awaiting his advent are the best people of all times.”[^2] Imam Muhammad b.
‘Ali al-Taqi (as) has said: فَيَنْتَظِرُ خُرُوجَهُ الْمُخْلِصُونَ وَ يُنْكِرُهُ الْمُرْتَابُونَ “The sincere ones will await his advent, while the doubters shall deny it.”[^3] Imam Ja’far b.
Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said: فَعِنْدَهَا فَلْيَتَوَقَّعُوا الْفَرَجَ صَبَاحاً وَ مَسَاءً “During the occultation, they will await his (Imam al-Mahdi’s) advent every morning and evening.”[^4] In numerous traditions it has been mentioned that to await the advent of Imam al-’Asr (ajtf) is actually a part of the religion of Allah and all people must observe this.
In addition, it has been mentioned that even the Muslims who lived during the lives of the other infalliable A`immah (as) awaited and expected the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) as this was also obligatory upon them. Thus, this is something which is not only limited to the period of his occultation!