The Honour of Serving the Imam of our Time (a.t.f.s)

⏱ Reading time: 4 min

Throughout history, those who truly recognized the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) understood that serving them was not a burden, but a privilege. In one such narration, we see the importance and significance of serving the Imam of the Time (a.s).

Muhammad bin al-Waleed al-Kirmany narrates that he asked Imam al-Jawad (a.s): “What is there for your followers who are in your wilayah?”

He (a.s) replied:

“Abu Abdillah, Imam al-Sadiq (a.s), had a servant who would hold his mule when he entered the mosque. While the Imam was sitting and his mule was with the servant, a delegation from Khurasan arrived. One man from the delegation said to the servant, ‘O young man! Ask him (a.s) to allow me to take your place and become his (a.s) servant, and I will give you all of my wealth. I am a man of abundant wealth of all kinds—take it, and I will remain in your place.’

The servant said, ‘I will ask the Imam.’ So he went and said, ‘May I be your ransom! You know my service and the length of my companionship. If Allah sends some good my way, will you deny it to me?’ The Imam (a.s) replied, ‘I give to you from myself, and I withhold from others.’ Then the servant conveyed the man’s offer.

The Imam (a.s) said, ‘If you have become disinterested in serving us, and this man desires to serve us, we will accept him and release you.’ As the servant turned to leave, the Imam called him back and said, ‘I advise you out of loyalty to our long companionship. The choice is yours.’

On the Day of Judgment, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a) will be holding onto the Light of Allah. Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (a.s), will be holding onto the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a). The Imams (a.s) will be holding onto Ameerul Momineen (a.s), and our Shia will be holding onto us. They will enter where we enter and drink from where we drink.”

The servant said, “Rather, I will remain in your service and prefer the Hereafter over this world.” He returned to the man, who said, “You have come back with a different face than when you left.” The servant then informed him of what the Imam had said. He brought the man to Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him), and the Imam accepted his loyalty and ordered that one thousand dinars be given to the servant.

Reference: Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 50, pg. 87, hadith 3 

Conclusion:

• When the servant conveyed the offer to Imam al-Sadeq (a.s), the Imam was willing to accept another person in his place. This teaches us that if we fail to serve the Imam of our Time (a.t.f.s), our position may be taken by someone more willing. The opportunity to serve the Imam is a blessing that should not be taken for granted. In a dua taught by Imam Reza (a.s) for Imam al-Mahdi (a.s), it is mentioned:

وَلَا تَسْتَبْدِلْ بِنَا غَيْرَنَا فَإِنَّ اسْتِبْدَالَكَ بِنَا غَيْرَنَا يَسِيرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْنَا كَثِيرٌ

“Do not replace us with others, for replacing us is easy for You, but it is very heavy upon us.”

Ref: Misbah al-Mutahajjid, vol. 1, pg. 411

• The importance of serving the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) is evident from the fact that those who serve them sincerely in this world will be with them in the Hereafter.

• Service to Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s) is so special that Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) himself expressed his deep desire to serve him, as mentioned in the following hadith:

وَ لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُهُ لَخَدَمْتُهُ أَيَّامَ حَيَاتِي‏

“If I were to reach his time, I would serve him for all the days of my life.” 

Ref: Gaibat-e-Nomani, pg.245, H.no. 46

We pray to Allah, the Almighty, to hasten the reappearance of the Imam of our time, His Eminence Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). May He grant us the opportunity to sincerely serve the Imam of our time before and after his reappearance.