A signed letter (Tawqee) from Imam Mahdi (a.s.)

[Syed KamiL Abbas Jafri]

Now let us pay attention to this tawqee (a 'Tawqee' is a letter signed by Imam (as) himself in the time of his occultation) through which we learn that Imam's (as) knowledge encompasses all our actions.

Every word of the blessed Tawqee addressed to Shaikh Mufeed (r.a) spells out this fact. Those people, who in the time of major occultation are serving the religion of Islam, are defending the laws and beliefs, are taking care of the weak and helpless Shias have been addressed by the one who is the cause of the existence of this Universe , Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) - as "the brother with an upright character and a learned and intelligent friend". This form of address itself is a proof that our Imam (a.t.f.s.) is aware of our deeds and our character. Imam (a.t.f.s.) (may our lives be sacrificed for him ) states,

"Even though we are residing away from the settlements of oppressors - as Allah has destined this in the best interest of the Shias - yet our knowledge encompasses all your information. Nothing is hidden from us. We are conscious of the problems and the degradation which all of you are enduring right now. The reason for all this is that you are indulging in all those (prohibited) things from which your elders used to abstain and you have abandoned the promise and the pledge that was taken from you as if you have never ever known this promise."

(These words of Imam (a.t.f.s.) reflect his remorse on our heedlessness, negligence and disgraceful actions. But the words that follow are an indication of his fatherly love and his compassion.) Imam (a.t.f.s.) continues

"We are not negligent of your affairs and neither do we forget your remembrance. If it would have been so, then calamities and difficulties would have encircled you and the enemies would have annihilated you."

At the end of this Tawqee, Imam (a.t.f.s.) continues,

"Then each one of you should perform such actions which will bring you close to our love and should abstain from those deeds which are a cause of our displeasure and anger. This is because our reappearance will occur unexpectedly and at that time your repentance will serve no purpose. Your remorse and your regret will not protect you from our chastisement." (Al-Ehtejaaj of Sheikh Tabarsi, vol. 2, p. 497, 498)