And when someone is at peace with us...

And when someone is at peace with us, Allah protects him from the terrible reckoning, and also makes him secure from the greater terror of the Day of Resurrection.’”[^4] Discussion and Explanation: Know that the most important obligatory duty after knowing Allah and the Messenger of Allah (S) is recognition of the Imam of the Time (aj) because this matter is a pillar of faith and one who dies without knowing the Imam of his time, dies the death of paganhood and Marifat of the Imam is the key to all the doors of goodness, success and divine mercy and the Almighty Allah has commanded His servants to obtain his recognition and Dua is one of the doors that the Almighty Allah has ordered us to approach Him.

He says: وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ Call upon Me, I will answer you. (Surah Ghafir 40:60) وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ And ask Allah of His grace. (Surah Nisa 4:32) إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ Surely you cannot guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He pleases.

(Surah Qasas 28:56) In Al-Kafi, through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Muhammad bin Hakim that he said: I asked His Eminence, Abi Abdullah Imam Sadiq (as): Whose creation is Marifat?

He replied: It is from the creations of the Almighty Allah; people have no share in that creation.[^5] There are a large number of traditions and reports that illustrate this matter, so the people are obliged to supplicate the Almighty Allah to grant them perfect Marifat of the Imam of the Time (aj). Supplications recorded with regard to this also show that it is important to ask Allah, the Mighty and Sublime for recognition of the Imam as will be explained in the coming pages, Insha Allah.

This is also not in contravention of traditions that encourage us to undertake study for gaining Marifat. It is just like the case of earning livelihood. We have been told to make efforts and also pray to Allah, because it is He that gives sustenance. People only have to make efforts and it is on Allah to bestow the livelihood.

Allah, the High and the Mighty says: وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways. (Surah Ankabut 29:69) In the same way as agriculture and irrigation is the duty of men. Since you will be under his control and discretion. And be safe from troubles.

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