That which proves this matter is the sentence...

That which proves this matter is the sentence: Because during the period of occultation you be eager for him and do not request that you get to live with him as it is a divine matter. Because if meeting the Imam and being in his company had been absolutely prohibited so many people would not have got that opportunity. And it is something opposed to what is apparent, because traditions and incidents with regard to the meeting the Imam are based on reports of reliable persons.

And lastly, it is clear that the sentence: ‘Have eagerness to see him’ is a positive statement and it shows the virtue of longing to see the Holy Imam (as). It can also be supported by the tradition of Biharul Anwar, in which through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Muhammad bin Muslim that he said: I was on way to Medina while I was very sick and in pain.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) was told that Muhammad bin Muslim is very ill and the Imam sent a servant with medicinal liquid to him. The servant came to him, handed him the vessel and said: Drink it now. The Imam has told me to wait and make you drink it in my presence. A fragrance of musk arose from the vessel and it looked delicious and cool. After I drank it, the servant said: My master said that after you drink it, you come to meet him.

I was thinking what the Imam will say, and the fact that previously I didn’t have the strength to get up; but when the drink entered my insides it seemed as if I had been released from being tied up. I got up and came to the Imam’s place, and asked for his permission to enter. The Imam called out: You have become healthy; come in. I entered crying and greeted the Holy Imam (as) and kissed his hand and head. His Eminence (aj) said: O Muhammad, why are you crying?

I said: May I be sacrificed on you, I am crying due to my loneliness, distance from you and disability to remain with you and see you. He replied: Rarely does the Almighty Allah put our followers in these circumstances or through such hardships. And as for what you mentioned about being away from the native place; you should see how Abi Abdullah (as) lies so far away from his hometown besides the banks of Furat.

And as for the distance that you mentioned, the believer is in this world is alone and unidentified. Till he leaves the abode of the world to enter into divine mercy.