Do you want to know how distant we are from our Imam? Do you want to understand the meaning of loneliness and estrangement? Then pay close attention to these simple and straightforward statements.
is our way of life pleasing to Imam Mahdi (AJ)? Are our gatherings and social interactions such that the Imam would feel comfortable joining us and bestowing his kindness upon us?
Ayatollah Bahjat (RA) once said:
“When we reflect, we realize that all the events of Karbala happened in just one day. When the people of Kufa and Basra heard about Imam Hussain’s (AS) martyrdom and the captivity of his family, God knows how deeply the believers were grieved—to the extent that they could hardly believe it had happened.”
“During that time, the hearts of the believers bled. But we have been in this state of distress for over a thousand years, and Imam Mahdi (AJ) himself is suffering, imprisoned by the enemies who do not allow him to appear. Is there any imprisonment greater than being unable to reveal oneself in any land?”
“For more than a thousand years, the Imam has been in occultation, and God knows how much the hearts of believers have bled due to his absence. Is it right for the Hidden Imam to endure a tribulation similar to that of Imam Hussain (AS) but for such a prolonged period while we continue to indulge in joy and amusement?”
How long will we keep blaming others for our sins and mistakes? How long must we suffer the consequences of our neglect and forgetfulness of our Imam (AJ)? How long will we deceive ourselves and remain heedless? When will we finally realize the real reason behind all this?
The fifth Imam of the Shi’a, Imam Baqir (AS), said:
“Whenever Allah is angry with His creation due to their wrongdoings, He distances us, the Ahlul Bayt, from them.” (1)
More than a thousand years ago, around eighty years into the major occultation of Imam Mahdi (AJ), he wrote a letter to Sheikh Mufid (RA) in which he said:
“We are fully aware of your affairs, and nothing is hidden from us. We know of the humiliation and hardship that has befallen you since some among you have inclined towards actions and beliefs contrary to those of the righteous predecessors. They have abandoned the covenant that was taken from them as if they were unaware of it.”
It is worth noting that this letter was sent in the early years of the occultation. Now, in our era, the situation has worsened significantly, with people trapped in hardships, pressures, and widespread corruption.
Moreover, Imam Mahdi (AJ) is the “eye of Allah” and sees all aspects of our lives. Our deeds are presented to him twice a week, and he observes our actions and responds accordingly.
Do you want to know how far we are from Imam Mahdi (AJ) and understand the meaning of estrangement and loneliness? Pay close attention to these simple statements:
It has been mentioned that Friday is a day with a higher likelihood of the Imam’s reappearance. In supplications, we say:
“O my Master! This is Friday, the day expected for your appearance!” (2)
Now, imagine a Friday evening after Maghrib and Isha prayers, when someone tells us, “Today has passed, and Imam Mahdi (AJ) has not appeared.” Then, moments later, another person tells us, “The price of potatoes has increased by twenty tomans.”
By God, which of these two pieces of news would disturb us more? Which one would make us more anxious? Which one would truly concern us?
When our daughters return from school, do we first ask them, “My dear, did you observe hijab properly so as not to hurt the heart of Imam Mahdi (AJ)?” Or do we first ask, “What was your exam score?”
When our sons return home, do we ask, “Did you pray your salah on time, along with your Imam?” Or do we ask first, “Did you win today’s match?”
Let us examine our lives. Do they reflect the love and remembrance of Imam Mahdi (AJ)?
Is the artwork we hang on our walls, the items we use, and the lifestyle we adopt pleasing to the Imam? Are our social interactions such that the Imam would feel comfortable attending our gatherings? Or have we become so heedless of religious boundaries that our actions wound the kind heart of our Imam (AJ)?
Do our appearances and the appearances of our family members align with the standards that would please the Imam? Is our source of income so pure that Imam Mahdi (AJ) would bless it, enter our homes, and join us at our dining tables?
A friend once shared an experience:
“I was leaving the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) when I saw someone crying out, ‘Thief! My money has been stolen!’ People around looked at him with sympathy. At that moment, I thought: If someone were to cry out, ‘Where is my Imam? My Imam has not come!’ would people show the same concern? Or would they look at him with mockery and dismiss him as insane?”
But even worse than this neglect is that sometimes we behave as if we are entitled to something from Imam Mahdi (AJ)—as if he owes us something—when in reality, our very existence is a blessing due to him. (3)
Ultimately, let us not forget that Imam Mahdi (AJ) is the “eye of Allah” and watches over our lives. Our deeds are presented to him twice a week, and he observes our actions and responds accordingly.
The real question is: Are we truly awaiting the Imam, or are we waiting for everything but him?