The Imams (peace be upon them) were devoted servants of God, and their faith and knowledge of Him brought peace to their hearts. They wished to be completely submissive to God, and because of this, God also cherished them, granting them a high status, and they became well-pleasing in the sight of their Lord.
The miracles performed through the hands of the infallible Imams (peace be upon them) were nothing but clear signs of God’s supreme love for them. Consequently, they showed the utmost love for God, submission to Him, and contentment with whatever He had destined for them.
Therefore, a person’s devotion and attachment to the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family, peace be upon them) — if it is pure, untainted, and solely for the sake of God — becomes a means of guidance for the individual. The following story illustrates the depth of this truth:
A group of people from Isfahan reported that a man named Abdurrahman resided in the city and followed the Shi’a faith. They asked him: “Why did you choose the Shi’a faith and accept the Imamate of Imam Ali al-Naqi (peace be upon him)?” He replied: “Because of a miracle I witnessed from him. The story goes as follows: I was a poor man, yet I was outspoken and bold. One year, the people of Isfahan sent me with a group of others to seek justice from the caliph, al-Mutawakkil (the Abbasid ruler). When we reached the palace of al-Mutawakkil, we were waiting at the door when he ordered the summons of Ali ibn Muhammad (Imam al-Hadi, peace be upon him). I asked someone: ‘Who is this man that the caliph has ordered to be brought?’ He replied, ‘This man is one of the Alawis (descendants of Imam Ali, peace be upon him) whom the Shi’a regard as their leader.’ Then he added, ‘Perhaps al-Mutawakkil has summoned him to have him killed.’”
I thought to myself that I would not move from my spot until I saw this Alawi man. Suddenly, a person appeared on horseback; the people lined up on either side of the road, showing their respect, and they began to watch him.
When I laid eyes on him, his love entered my heart, and I began to pray for him, asking God to protect him from the harm of al-Mutawakkil. As he passed by the people, he neither looked to the right nor to the left, his gaze fixed on the horse’s mane, while I continued praying for him. When he approached me, he turned towards me and said: “May God accept your prayer, lengthen your life, and bless you with many children.” When I heard these words, a tremor passed through my body, and I fell among my friends. They asked me what had happened, and I replied, “Nothing, it’s fine; I did not share my condition with anyone.”
I then returned to Isfahan, and God granted me great wealth. What I have in my house today, besides my wealth outside my home, amounts to one million dirhams, and God also gave me ten children. Now, over seventy years have passed, and I still believe in the Imamate of the man who knew my heart and whose prayer for me was answered.
By God’s grace, al-Mutawakkil, not only that day but until the end of his life, was never able to harm Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him). However, God answered the prayer of His noble Wali (guardian), Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him), on behalf of one of His people who loved Him, fearing the oppression of the ruler over him. Although this man was not previously one of the Imam’s followers, God still answered his prayer.
Excerpt from the book “Guides of Light,” by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Modarresi (with slight modifications).