The narrator says...

The narrator says: Some companions of the Imam said: The Imam said: It is like one who achieved martyrdom in the company of the Messenger of Allah (S).[^3] Also in the same book, through a correct chain of narrators, it is narrated from Fudail bin Yasar that he said: I heard Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) say: One who dies without having an Imam, dies the death of a pagan, and one who dies with the Imam’s recognition, it will cause no harm to him whether this matter (reappearance) is advanced or delayed.

And one who dies having the recognition of his Imam, is like one who has stayed in the tent of the Qaim (aj) with him.[^4] In the same book, in a correct report it is narrated from Umar bin Aban that he said: I heard Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) say: Recognize the sign; for if you know the signs, it will not cause any harm to you whether this matter is advanced or postponed.

It can be further explained by saying that one who is having some special signs is differentiated through those signs. Thus one who knows these signs will not fall into doubt. And the signs of the Imam are either related to his genealogy or to his personality, or his manners and morals, his knowledge etc during the time of his reappearance. And they are related to the inevitable signs that the Holy Imams (as) have informed about.

The signs of the Imam are the miracles that would take place through him. Thus one who is aware of the signs will not fall into doubt even though the false claimants of this position may put forward their claims. And it is from this view that the Imam said: Our matter is as clear as the shining sun and “like a clear day”.

Thus by the grace of Almighty it becomes clear that it is obligatory to recognize the qualities, signs, manners and proofs of His Eminence since the recognition of the Imam will be achieved through this.