Identifying the Caliph of God on Earth and seeking guidance from him during the various ups and downs of life is one of the most important principles of thought and practice in Shia Islam. Throughout history, this concern has always existed in the minds of Shia Muslims—how and based on what signs can they identify their Imam among the people and entrust their hearts to him? How can we truly recognize our Imam? This is the question that Abu Basir (one of the prominent companions of the Ahlul Bayt) asked Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), and the Imam, from a series of signs, outlined four significant ones for him.
Abu Basir narrates: “I asked Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him): ‘May I be sacrificed for you, how can we recognize the Imam?’ He replied: ‘There are several signs, the first of which is that his predecessor (the previous Imam) has already mentioned or alluded to his Imamate as a proof and evidence; secondly, he must answer any question posed to him, and if no question is asked, he himself will initiate the conversation; thirdly, he will provide knowledge about future events; and fourthly, he will speak to the people in the language they understand.’
Then the Imam said: ‘O Abu Muhammad! I will show you one of these signs before you leave.’
Abu Basir continues: “It wasn’t long before a man from Khurasan entered and spoke to the Imam in Arabic, but Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him) responded to him in Persian.
The Khurasani man said: ‘By God, the reason I didn’t speak to you in Persian is because I thought you might not be proficient in it.’
The Imam replied: ‘SubhanAllah! If I cannot respond well to you, then what is the reason for my eligibility for the station of Imamate?’ Then he said: ‘O Abu Muhammad! The Imam is the one who knows the language of every person and also the language of birds and all creatures.'”[1]
The Imam is the one whom God chooses and introduces to me through His representatives. My Imam is the one who is never confused by any question; he is even aware of the questions I have not yet asked. No matter where I am, or in what language I speak, my Imam hears my heart and is aware of it. So, why should I not seek him out and find my way in life with his light and guidance?
Footnote:
[1] Al-Irshad fi Ma’rifat Hujaj Allah ‘Ala al-Ibad, by Shaykh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 224