When something is set as a standard or criterion by God and religion, a Muslim should strive to align themselves with it, measuring their actions according to the criteria of truth. The more they conform to it, the more they should see themselves on the right path; however, the further they deviate from this standard, the more they should perceive themselves as straying from the path.
The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) left two valuable legacies to ensure the continuation of guidance for the Ummah after him: one is the Quran, and the other is his family (Ahlul Bayt) [1]. Therefore, adhering to these two and committing to the message of the Quran and the commands of the Imam guarantees protection from misguidance.
After recognizing the proof of God, one should strive to align their thoughts, beliefs, methods, behaviors, positions, orientations, and actions with the guidance, commands, and prohibitions of God’s proof.
Abd al-Azim al-Hasani, one of the great figures of Shi’ism, diligently worked to align his thoughts and beliefs with the proof of God. Despite the political repression and difficulties in communication, he found an opportunity to visit Imam Ali al-Hadi (peace be upon him). He presented his beliefs to the Imam and received confirmation from him regarding the correctness of his convictions [2].
Thus, when Abu Hamad Razi, a well-known Shi’a from Ray, endured great hardship to reach Samarra and the presence of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) to ask religious and legal questions, at the time of his departure, the Imam (peace be upon him) said to him:
“O Abu Hamad! Whenever an issue arises in your region that troubles you, ask Abd al-Azim al-Hasani, and send my greetings to him” [3].
Similarly, Uthman ibn Sa’id Amri, a companion of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him), was a representative of Imam al-Zamana (peace be upon him) during the Minor Occultation and one of the Four Deputies. He had reached such a level of authority that his words were considered equivalent to the words of the Imams (peace be upon them), and his narrations and reports were deemed reliable. This level of trust was the result of his absolute adherence to the infallible Imam and the divine proof. An example of this is when Ahmad ibn Ishaq visited Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) and asked, “I do not always have access to you. Whose words should I accept, and whose commands should I obey?” The Imam pointed to Uthman ibn Sa’id and said:
“This is Abu Amr (Uthman ibn Sa’id Amri), trustworthy and reliable. Whatever he tells you, he tells you on my behalf, and whatever he conveys to you, he conveys to you on my behalf” [4].
Therefore, it is necessary for us to always strive to measure ourselves against the standard and criteria of the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) in all aspects of our lives, as this is the true path to follow.
(Taken from the book “The Central Role of the Proof of God in the View of Imam Hadi (peace be upon him)” by Hujjat al-Islam Jawad Muhaddithi (with summarization and additions))
Footnotes:
[1] Al-Kafi, Volume 1, page 294 – Al-Sunan al-Kubra al-Nasa’i, Volume 5, page 45
[2] For the full story of this incident, click here
[3] Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, Volume 17, page 321
[4] Al-Ghaybah, page 354, Hadith 315