Our Twelfth Imam, Imam Mahdi (AF) is in Ghaybat al-Kubra, the greater occultation. Since 329 AH, Shias have been awaiting and praying for his speedy reappearance because they know when he comes the world will be filled with justice, just as it had been filled with injustice and oppression (Holy Prophet, al-Musannif). What does it mean to be a muntazir, someone who awaits the Imam and practices Intizar (Awaiting)? According to the Holy Prophet and the Imams, Intizar is the best act of worship. The Holy Prophet (SA) said, “The best act of worship is to wait for the relief (faraj)(Nahj al-Fasahah, Kamaluddin).”
It is thus important to better understand this best act of worship. There are two ways one can talk about waiting. One type of waiting is passive, like when we wait for a bus or a train, or for the doctor to call us in at our appointment. It does not make sense if this type of waiting would be the best act of worship, does it? The other type of waiting, the one which is implied, is when you wait for your guest to arrive for dinner, after having completed all the preparations and done everything possible. There is no doubt that we should pray for our Imam (AF), but we should be very careful that our statements are not just with our lips and tongues and void of any understanding and presence of heart. A true muntazir has to do everything possible to be prepared, which surely includes following all the teachings of the religion which the Imam (AF) will come to implement.
First of all, the muntazir should recognise and believe in the Imam who is to establish truth and justice in the world. This belief is the foundation for the muntazir’s good acts. The Holy Prophet (SA) said, “The person who dies without knowing the Imam of his time has died like one who died during the Age of Ignorance (Musnad-i-Ahmad-ibn-Hanbal).” Thus, we should strive to increase our knowledge and ma’rifah (recognition) of the Imam. Knowledge refers to facts about the Imam, but it is not enough. Ma’rifah means understanding that he is the Imam whose obedience is obligatory upon us. If we understand his position as an Imam and Wali (Vicegerent of Allah) then we will increase our ma’rifah Insha’Allah.
The next step in Intizar is to perform those actions which bring us closer to the Imam and to stay away from those which will keep us away from our Imam (AF). What are these actions? Whatever Rasul Allah (SA) and the Ahlul Bayt (AS) have taught us in the great religion of Islam. Indeed, in today’s age this means referring to and following the representatives of the Imam, our great maraji’. The Imam wrote to Shaykh Mufid (RA), “Then nothing keeps us away from them but those reports about their actions which we do not expect from them (Bihar al-Anwar).”
To be considered a true muntazir, one has to make sure that his or her every deed is according to the Imam’s wishes. Indeed, it is our deeds which keep our Imam (AF) away from us. Even if we cannot be near to our Imam physically, we can establish a connection with him with our hearts and souls if we remain steadfast and purify ourselves. He is aware of every salutation we send, every need we pray for, and every problem we face.
Imam Mahdi (AF) wrote to Shaykh Al-Mufid: “We are not regardless of considering you nor are we forgetful of you, because if it were not so, afflictions would shower upon you and enemies would eradicate you. Hence, fear Allah and obey Him, Glory be to His Majesty (Bihar al-Anwar).”
However, it is not only the individual who is to wait, but the community as a whole must await the Imam (AF). We must all be prepared together to serve Islam and the Imam (AF). We should help each other prepare and become worthy. If one helps Imam Zaman (AF), then he is also helping Rasul Allah (SA) and the other Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Although we are waiting, we should be patient and never despair. Amirul Muminin (AS) says, “One who adopts patience will never be deprived be of success, although the success may take a long time to reach him (Nahjul Balaghah, saying 153).” Shias have been waiting for a long time, but as long as they are patient they will be successful. Allah has given us time to prepare ourselves; we must wait and not hurry if He does not hurry “And they say: Why is not a sign sent to him from his Lord? Say: the unseen is only for Allah; therefore wait—surely I too, with you am of those who wait (10:20).”
Nevertheless, patience does not only refer to waiting. It also means being patient when faced with adversity and evil. In the society we live in, we are confronted with challenges in many forms. We should be patient in the face of these hardships and beseech Allah to keep us steadfast in our faith. Amirul Muminin (AS) said, “Beware! Everyone who is firm in his religion, and does not become hard-hearted from the lengthening of the occultation of this man (and turn away from his religion) will find himself in the same mule as me on the Day of Resurrection (al-Kafi).”
Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) said, “When my fifth descendant becomes hidden, persevere in your religion so that no one may turn you away from it. There will be an occultation for the Lord of that Age, when a group of believers in him will relinquish their belief. This occultation is a test by which Allah will test his slaves (Kamaluddin wa Tamamun Nimah).”
We can understand the meaning of Intizar once we perfect our faith in the unseen, have patience in the face of affliction, hope in deliverance and prepare ourselves to have the qualities of true helpers of the Imam (AF). May Allah hasten the reappearance of our Imam and include us among his helpers.
“Were it not for him, who I hope will come today or tomorrow, my sighing for them could cut my heart.
No doubt an Imam will rise—an Imam who will govern according to the name of Allah and the Blessings.
He will distinguish the false and the truthful among us; he will requite with favours and punishments.”
The poet Di’bil ibn Ali al-Khuzai (Di’bil’s Ta’iyya)
Further Reading:
- Mikyalul Makarem by Ayatullah Sayyed Mohammed Taqi Musawi Isfahani
- Najmus Saqib by Mohaddis Noori
- Muntakhabul Asar by Ayatullah Lutfullah Safi Gulpaygani
- Kitab Al-Ghaybah by Shaykh Abu Abdullah Mohammed an-Nomani
- Kamaluddin Wa Tamanun Nemah by Shaykh Saduq
