If a person is to die (in this state)...
If a person is to die (in this state), then the (reward) for the action he performed will continue, his sustenance will continue to be given to him and he will be saved from the Angel of Examination (in the grave).”[^1] The Messenger of Allah (S) also said: كُلُّ مَيِّتٍ نَخْتِمُ عَلـى عَمَلِهِ إِلاَّ الْمُرَابِطَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللٌّهِ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْمُو لَهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلـى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ يُؤْمِنُ مِنْ فَتَّانِ الْقَبْرِ “The actions of every deceased person are sealed except one who is garrisoned in the way of Allah - this person’s good deeds will continue to grow until the Day of Judgment and he will have protection from the Angels of the Grave.”[^2] A true believer must maintain his affiliation and closeness to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) by making a pact with the infallible leaders of the religion and forging a covenant reaffirming his belief in these individuals.
Through this, one will be able to develop close times with his Imam. In addition, one must consider the acts of helping, assisting and following the Imam as being incumbent upon him. This sort of affiliation is Wajib al-’Ayni meaning that it is obligatory upon every true believer.
This relationship with the Imam is different than the second meaning of the affiliation which must be shown since at the level we are currently discussing, a person is not permitted to have someone else step in and perform this task for him. Thus, this form of pact with the Imam is very important and is one of the pillars of true faith and without it, Allah shall not accept the actions of any person. Imam Ja’far b.
Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) has said: إِصْبِرُوا عَلـى الْمَصَائِبِ وَ صَابِرُوا عَلـى الْفَرَائِضِ وَ رَابِطُوا عَلـى الأَئِمَّةِ “Have patience in the face of difficulties, observe patience in relation to the performance of obligatory acts, and establish an affinity with the A`immah.”[^3] In regards to the verse of the Qur`an in which Allah has said: “O’ you who have firm faith! Observe patience, have endurance and establish a relation [^4] , Imam Muhammad b.
‘Ali al-Baqir (as) has said: إِصْـبِرُوا عَلـى أَدَآءِ الْفَرَائِضِ وَ صَابِرُوا عَدُوَّكُمْ وَ رَابِطُوا إِمَامَكُمْ الْمُنْـتَظَرْ “Observe patience in relation to performing the obligatory acts, have endurance in facing your enemies and establish closeness with your Imam, al-Muntadhar (the Awaited One).”[^5] In relation to the verse that states: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا “O’ you that have faith!
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