Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Musawi Isfahani Duties of People towards the Imam (a) Extracted from Mikyal al-Makarim fee fawaaid ad-duaa LIL qaaim Criterion of Nobilities on the benefits of praying for al-Qaim

10: To organize gatherings where the Fadail of Imam (a) shall be discussed

The next important duty is to organize programs where the virtues of Imam (a) are narrated. Where people will pray for Imam (a). Even if one has to work very hard to organize such gatherings it is highly recommended, because it is the propagation of the religion of Allah, it is the promotion of the word of Allah, it is a help in goodness in piety and it is a help to the signs of Allah and the friends of Allah.

Although all the previously quoted traditions prove this duty yet we shall quote a hadith of Imam Sadiq (a) from Wasail on this juncture, “Meet each other because it enlivens your hearts and causes the remembrance of our affair (Wilayat), and our traditions will promote love amongst you. That if you take them you are successful and achieve salvation and if you leave them you shall be misguided and fall into perdition. Act on these traditions and I guarantee your salvation.”¹³⁰
These traditions prove that when believers meet each other, it is a medium of revival of Wilayat and refreshing of the remembrance of the Holy Imam (a). On the basis of this, there is no doubt that to organize gatherings in which the Imam (a) is remembered; and his excellence and whatever is related from him is mentioned, such gatherings please the Imams (a) very much. Also alluding to this is the statement of Amirul Momineen (a) that: Allah, the High and the Mighty looked at the earth and chose us; then He chose the Shias for us, so that they may support us; that they be happy in our happiness and sad in our sorrow and that they may dedicate their lives and properties in our way. They are from us and shall return to us…¹³¹
A problem of Jurisprudence: Among the articles of Islamic Practical Law is that to spend obligatory Zakat funds in this matter is generally considered preferable; because it is one of the ‘ways of Allah’ which the Almighty Allah has mentioned in the verse:
Note and beware: It can be said that holding such gatherings in some circumstances becomes obligatory; for example when people are getting
deviated and such programs will save their religion and guide them to the true path; this is thus a type of Amr bil Maroof and Nahy Anil Munkar and it a way of defeating the efforts of heretics. And the Almighty Allah is always the protector of those who are on the right path.

1. 
   Wasailush Shia, Vol. 11, Pg. 567, Chapter 23, Tr. No. 3
   
2. 
   Khisaal, Vol. 2, Pg. 635
   

1. 11-12: Composing and Reciting poems in Imam’s Praise

One of the duties of Shias in Ghaibat is to compose poetry or couplets in praise of Imam (a) and recite these poems etc. These two activities are ways to help Imam (a). A tradition from Imam Sadiq

(a) is recorded in the chapter of Al-Megar in the book Wasailush Shia. Imam Sadiq (a) says, “Allah

makes a house in Paradise for one who composes a couplet about us.”¹³² It is also narrated from His Eminence (a) that he said: None composes a verse about us that Ruhul Qudus helps him.¹³³ It is narrated from Imam Ali Reza (a) that he said: For one who composes in our favor a verse of poetry, the Almighty Allah builds in Paradise a palace, seven times the size of this earth, where he will be visited by every proximate angel and every messenger prophet.¹³⁴

I say: Perhaps different rewards mentioned in various traditions is due to the different level of recognition that different poets have for the Holy Imam (a) and the level of their faith. It is narrated from Zurarah that he said: Kumayt bin Zaid came to Imam Muhammad Baqir (a) when I was also present there. Kumayt recited a panegyric in praise of the Holy Imam (a). When he concluded, Imam Baqir (a) said: As long as you go on composing verse in our honor, you will be continued to be assisted by Ruhul Qudus.¹³⁵
In Rauda Kafi through the author’s own chain of narrators it is narrated from Kumayt bin Zaid Asadi that he said: I went to His Eminence, Abu Ja’far Imam Muhammad Baqir (a) and His Eminence said to me: By Allah, O Kumayt, if I had any money I would have given it to you but I can only say that which the Messenger of Allah (s) said to Hisaan bin Thabit: Ruhul Qudus will always be there with you, till the time you continue to defend us…¹³⁶
This also proved by traditional reports regarding reciting of verses in the honor of the Holy Imams

(a) in their presence and how they rewarded the poets with a great deal of wealth. There are many incidents on this subject that throw a great deal of light on the conditions and manners of Imam (a) and that which is mentioned is sufficient for believers.

1. 
   Wasailush Shia, Vol. 10, Pg. 467, Tr. No. 1
   
2. 
   Wasailush Shia, Vol. 10, Pg. 467, Tr. No. 2
   
3. 
   Wasailush Shia, Vol. 10, Pg. 467, Tr. No. 3
   
4. 
   Wasailush Shia, Vol. 10, Pg. 467, Tr. No. 4
   
5. 
   Raudatul Kafi; Vol. 8, Pg. 102
   

1. 13: To Stand up with Respect at the Mention of Imam’s name

Whenever one utters the name or title of Imam (a) one should stand up in respect, as had been the practice of the Twelver Shias. The textual proof can be cited from the report regarding Imam Sadiq

(a) as quoted in the book Najmus Thaqib. The report says that one day the name of Imam Zamana

(a) was mentioned in assembly of Imam Sadiq (a). When the name was uttered, Imam Sadiq (a) stood up in respect.¹³⁷

That standing up in respect is recommended (Mustahab) is proved from this above tradition, but there are some occasions when it is obligatory to do so. For example, when the name of Imam (a) is uttered and all the people stand up. Anyone who continues to sit without any valid excuse has disrespected Imam (a). And there is no doubt that disrespect towards Imam (a) is haraam, because it tantamount to disrespect of Allah.

1. 
   Biharul Anwar, Vol. 44, Pg. 278
   

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