Knowing one’s imam

“Know your imam because if you know him, it does not harm you whether deliverance comes soon or late.”

“I asked Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) about the Qur’anic verse ((Remember) the day when We will call every people with their Imam) and he said: “O Fudhayl, know your imam because if you know your imam, it does not harm you whether this matter (the appearance of al-Qa’im) comes soon or late. He, who knows his imam and dies before the appearance of al-Qa’im, is like one, who will be in the camp of al-Qa’im or like one, who will be under the banner of al-Qa’im.” Some of our companions narrated the tradition with this addition “…like one, who has been martyred (while fighting) with the Prophet (S).”

I said to Abu Abdullah, "May I be sacrificed for you, when will the relief (al-Faraj) come?" He replied, "O Aba Basir, are you among those who desire this world? Whoever understands this matter has already found relief by awaiting it."

“Once I heard Abu Baseer asking Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as): “Do you think that I live until al-Qa’im appears?” Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) said to him: “O Abu Baseer, Do you not know your imam?” Abu Baseer said: “I know him. By Allah, it is you.” Abu Abdullah (as) took Abu Baseer’s hand and said: “O Abu Baseer, by Allah, never mind if you are not under the shadow of al-Qa’im’s tent with your sword!”

I heard Abu Ja'far (Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as)) saying, "Whoever dies without an Imam, his death is like the death of the people in the time of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), and whoever dies while recognizing his Imam, whether this matter (Imamate) comes sooner or later, his status is like someone who stands with the leader in his troops."