" He replied...

" He replied, "Those of our own people who would reject us (our Leadership with Divine Authority) would be considered as having committed twice as much sin and the good deed from our own people who are virtuous would also considered as of twice as much value." Chapter 89 : The Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam (a.s.) H 983, Ch.

89, h 1 Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibnlh from Safwan from ya'qub ibn Shu'ayb who has said the following. "I asked abu 'Abdallah (a.s.), 'If something would happen to the Imam what should then the people do?" The Imam (a.s.) said, "Where are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, 'Not all believers have to become specialists in religious learning.

Why do not some people from each group of believers seek to become specialists in religious learning and, after completing their studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of God.'" (9:122) The Imam (a.s.) said, "They will good reason to be excused as long as they are searching also those who wait for them until they complete their religious education and return back to them." H 984, Ch.

89, h 2 Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn 'Isa from Yunus ibn 'Abd al-Rahman who has said that narrated to us Hammad from 'Abd al-A'la' who has said the following.

"I asked abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of Sunni Muslims (al-'Amma) that says the Messenger of Allah has said, "If a person would die without having an Imam his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic age of darkness)" The Imam (a.s.) said, " That is very true, by Allah." I then asked, "what if the Imam would pass away and a person is in Khurasan and does not know who the executor of the will of the Imam (a.s.) is, is this good excuse for him?" He (the Imam (a.s.) said, "No, that is not a good reason.

When the Imam leaves this world the authority of the executor nof his applies to those would live in the area. Also the obligation search and learn about one's duties apply to those who are not in area but who learned about the passing away of the Imam. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has said, "Not all believers have to become specialists in religious learning.