There is a hypothetical question: Are those who are waiting for the Imam’s appearance standing up or sitting down?
Mu'ammar bin Khallād narrates, "We were in the presence of Imam Rizā when the Upriser (Imam Mahdi) was mentioned and the Imam said,
«أَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ أَرْخَى بَالًا مِنْكُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ»
"Today, you are at ease more than that day (when the Upriser appears)!"
People asked for further explanation and the Imam replied,
«لَوْ قَدْ خَرَجَ قَائِمُنَا لَمْ يَكُنْ إِلَّا الْعَلَقُ وَ الْعَرَقُ وَ النَّوْمُ عَلَى السُّرُوجِ وَ مَا لِبَاسُ الْقَائِمِ إِلَّا الْغَلِيظُ وَ مَا طَعَامُهُ إِلَّا الْجَشِبُ».[1]
"When our Upriser rises, there will be nothing (for his companions) save blood-clot, sweat (due to working hard and struggling), and sleeping on the saddles (of their animals meaning that they will not have a chance to sleep!) And the Upriser’s clothes will be nothing but rough; and his food will be nothing but course, bad, and unpleasant. (Do you have such preparation?!) "
The fact is that in the final phase of opposition between the right and the wrong, the falsehood will rise with all its might and power against the truth. This is when the right front needs some helpers to rise, strive hard, and fight with their property and their lives to achieve universal justice and to destroy the oppressors; some assistants who are packed with enough knowledge about their goal, those who are equipped with fidelity towards their Imam circulating him with passion and a lot of love and affection like a butterfly flying around a candle, listening to the commands of their Imam.
Today is the day that Imam Riza anticipated. The practical test has begun so that the true helpers be known from those who only claim and pretend to be the helpers.
Are we worthy to be given the medal of "the worthful supporter of the Household of the Prophet (peace be upon them)"?
Literally, Expectation with regard to the appearance of Imam Mahdi, means readiness, preparation, standing up, and doing something important and effective not sitting down and only waiting for a bright future.
Editor in Chief: Sayyed ‘Abd-al-Mahdi Tavakol
