ভূমিকা

Once you are convinced of this, you shall see him with the inner eye and his vision shall always exist in your thoughts. Then it is incumbent for you to feel yourself in his presence. Everyone should have this perception unless he is blind in the heart. Once a person is convinced of this he would act in a way befitting this situation. Like the visually handicapped person who himself cannot see anything.

But when he is in the presence of a ruler he will act with utmost respect, just like those who are not blind. This is so, because he is certain that he is in the presence of the ruler, even though he might not see him with his eyes. The situation of a Momin is same during the period of occultation. On the basis of his faith he is sure that Imam (aj) sees him and he behaves accordingly.

Shaykh Sadooq has quoted Masada bin Sadaqah from Abi Abdullah from his forefathers from Ali (as) that he said from the pulpit of Kufa Masjid: “O Allah, it is necessary that Your earth does not remain devoid of Your Proof on Your creatures, who may guide the people to Your religion and who teaches Your religion, so that Your argument is not rendered invalid and those who follow Your saints may not be misguided after having received guidance, whether this Proof be seen and not be obeyed or be hidden and the enemies are lying in ambush for him and himself he is hidden from the view of the people while his knowledge will not be hidden from the people and his laws are firm in the hearts of the believers and they act upon them.”[^1] I say: This well-known tradition has also been recorded in Al-Kafi[^2] and Ghaibat of Nomani with minor differences.

It mentions knowledge, recognition (Marefat), attention and remembrance. Therefore, we must ponder upon it carefully in order to achieve the aim, if Allah wills. Reminder and Guidance It is that different people have different levels of Marifat and remembrance of our master (as).