Duties of the Ummah towards the Imam

The present article argumentatively discusses the most important duties such as knowledge, obedience, submission, gratitude, friendship with friends and enmity to the enemies of Imam, assistance, revival of the Imamate of the Household (pbut), praying and expecting for appearance which should be observed towards the Infallibles (pbut). Knowledge of the Imam is a precondition to acquire faith, belief, and act. Since Imam has been appointed by God to guide human beings, obedience to him is connected to obedience to God and the same as obedience to God. On the other hand, true faith is defined by submission to the Imam, and non submission is the same as polytheism (shirk). And one of the effects of submission is allegiance with the Imam (pbuh). Assistance to Imam is as a matter of fact assistance to God’s religion as a consequence of which the one who assists the Imam cannot be overcome. To whom who revives or enlivens the cause of Imamate of the Household (pbut) is granted the never ending Divine mercy. In the age of occultation, expecting for appearance of the Awaited and praying for him is one of the main duties of the Ummah towards the Imam (pbuh) and brings about many blessings.