How Often Should We Remember Imam (a.t.f.s)

The first step in fulfilling this duty is to increase our love towards Ahle Bait (a.s.). When a person is attached to someone intensely, he is not oblivious to him and remembers him constantly. The more intense the attachment, the harder it is for him to forget the person, till such a time that the remembrance of the person becomes etched in his heart and an inseparable part of his existence. Therefore those who have faith and recognition of Imam (a.t.f.s.) in occultation, wherein they are deprived of seeing him (a.t.f.s.), they must never forget him in their hearts.

WHY SHOULD WE REMEMBER HIM OFTEN ?

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says to Dawood b. Sarhan, 'O Dawood, convey my salaam to my friends and give them my message - May Allah have mercy upon a servant who when is with some other person mentions about our affair (mastership). In such a situation, the third among them is an angel who seeks forgiveness for them. No two persons gather for remembering us expect that Allah takes pride in them over His angels. Then whenever you gather, proceed with our remembrance. Because your gathering and your remembering is to enliven our affair. And the best after us, are those who discuss about our affairs and invite towards our remembrance.' (Ref  Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 1, Pg. 200)

Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) said, ln occultation, the attachment of the believer with his Imam should be so strong, that nothing should make him oblivious of his presence and nothing should hinder him from Imam's (a.s.) remembrance. (Ref Mikyalul Makarim, Vol. 2, Pg. 358)

Here are some points that elaborates on how we can enliven the remembrance of Imam (a.t.f.s.) day and night.

 1. When you are grevious, remember that this life that Allah has gifted you is with the blessing and mediation of Imam (a.t.f.s.). So, thank Allah and Imam (a.t.f.s.) for it. And be careful not to employ this bounty in actions for other than Allah's satisfaction, because by earning Allah's displeasure, you are aggrieved and burdened.

2. When you are in a place of sin and disobedience, remember that your master is observing you in that condition (of sin). Then out of his respect and honour, abandon the sin.

3. When you come across a good action, then take precedence in acting upon it, and understand that it is a bounty from Allah's side that He has bestowed out of our attachment with our Imam (a.t.f.s.). Thank Allah for it and gift it to Imam (a.t.f .s.) by performing it in a manner befitting it.

5. When you wake up every morning salutes him with the salutation of a slave who is eager to see his master and who melts in pain due to his separation. Salute him with the sincerity of one who is so moved with this separation that tears flow down his cheeks, as he is aware that he is standing in the presence of his master. After every morning prayer, we can recite Dua-e-Ahad.

6. When the time of namaz draws near, remember the condition of your master (a.t.f.s.) as he stands in front of His Lord. Follow your master (a.t.f.s.) with presence of heart and a humble gait, closing your eyes to everything except Allah and understand that the taufiq for this has come only with the blessings of your master (a.t.f.s.). This worship is not accepted from you except with your master's (a.t.f.s.) consent, after you have obeyed him and acquired his recognition. As your recognition of Imam (a.t.f.s.) increases, Allah will enhance your status, reward and rank near Himself.

7. When you are finished with namaz, make Imam (a.t.f.s.) a mediator between Allah and yourself, so that He accepts that namaz out of your love and attachment towards him.

8. When you raise your hands for supplication begin by asking for his (a.t.f.s) relief, before your own, because he has the highest authority over you and his favours upon you are boundless.

10. When we reach Friday morning we can need to cry for him through Dua-e-Nudba. Nudba means intense wailing. In this Dua, the lovers of Imam Husain (a.s.) in the condition of waiting asks :

'Where is the one who will take the revenge of the blood of the martyrs of Karbala ?' I wish I had known where you are living!'

'May my life be sacrificed for you, you are the desire of every believing man and woman who has remembered you and sympathised with you.'

11. When you are in impossible situation with no way out, plead your case in front of him and wail before him, so that he may mediate with Allah for the solution of your problem. He is after all a means towards Allah's satisfaction and a door towards His Mercy. We have been commanded to enter the house only from its door:

وَأْتُوا الْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا

'Enter the house from its door.' (2 : 189)

(Ref  Mikyalul Makarim, Vol. 2, Pg. 443-444)

LET US PRAY

'O Allah, don't make us forget his remembrance.'  (Ref : Kamaluddin, Chap. 45, Tradition 43)