One of the signs of submission in a Shia is love and attachment towards the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). It is a sign of recognition of the Imams (a.s.), especially in the period of occultation.
As far as love is considered, it is sufficient to say that it is the foundation of Islam. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) asserts, 'Everything has a foundation and the foundation of Islam is the love for us, the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).' Therefore, traditions have introduced love of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) as the highest and the most privileged form of worship. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) informs further, 'Love of us Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is the highest form of worship.' The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) introduced the names of all the Imams (a.s.) to the Muslims. When he introduced Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) he declared, 'One who wants to meet Allah in such a condition that his faith is perfect and his Islam is in good condition then he should accept Mastership of Imam al-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) the awaited.' And at the end of the tradition he (s.a.w.s.) stated, 'They (Imams) are the lamps in darkness and the Imams of guidance and signs of piety. One who loves them and accepts their Mastership, then I assure Paradise for him near Allah.'
Faith begins with Mastership and love of Amirul Mo'mineen (a.s.), and attains perfection with mastership and love for Hazrat Hujjat (a.t.f.s.). Therefore, without love for the unseen Imam (a.t.f.s.), faith will never reach perfection.
But love by itself is not something that Allah would simply bestow on all His servants just like that. Rather He grants it only to such servants that He wishes to guide.
Love and affection towards Imam (a.t.f.s.) is one way of reaching this grace, and this one of the most important bestowals from Allah's side. Imam Baqir (a.s.) reveals to Abu Khalid:
'By Allah, O Abu Khalid! Unless Allah purifies the heart of a servant, he cannot love us nor can he accept our Mastership. And Allah does not purify his heart till he does not submit to us and is not in a state of submission towards us. If he is submissive towards us, Allah will protect him from strict accounting and will keep him in His security from the great fear on the Day of Judgment.'
If the heart is not pure, love and Mastership of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) cannot find a place in it. And purity of the heart comes only from submission towards the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Hence, one who seeks the love of his Imam (a.t.f.s.) will strengthen in himself the feeling of submission. As he scales the peak of submission, the purity of his heart will increase and consequently his attachment and affection towards Imam (a.t.f.s.) will intensify.
The way to perfect the feeling of submission is that man should try in every matter to act as per the wishes of the Imams (a.s.) and should not have an opinion against them. He must always give preference to their wishes over his own and over that of the others. And the wishes of the Imams (a.s.) can be realised in occultation by referring to their traditions. This particular trait can help man in scaling the highest peaks of faith.
A person asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.), 'How often have I heard you remembering Salman al-Farsi (r.a.)!'
Imam (a.s.) said, 'Don't say Salman - e - Farsi, rather say Salman al- Muhammadi.'
Imam (a.s.) asked, 'Do you know why I remember him so much?'
The person replied, 'I don't know.'
Imam (a.s.) revealed, 'Due to three characteristics - the first one is giving preference to wishes of Ameerul Mo'mineen (a.s.) over his own wishes...'
Thus, Salman al-Muhammadi (r.a.) scaled such a high peak that Imam Sajjad (a.s.) uses the term 'from us Ahlul Bayt'. Salman al-Muhammadi (r.a.) attained this elevated position near the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) with his complete and unconditional submission in front of their wishes and commands. His spirit of submission was so dominant that Ameer ul Mo'mineen (a.s.) did not have to give him instructions. Rather, the moment he knew his Imam's (a.s.) implicit wish, he rushed to implement it and gave it preference over his own wishes.
Indeed this position is higher than the position of obedience concerning Imam's (a.s.) explicit wishes. To obey Imam's wish and implement his commands even before he (a.s.) can convey it verbally is the highest form of submission. So, one of the conditions to attain the position of ' from us Ahle Bait' is submission to the wishes of the Imams (a.s.) in the manner Salman al-Muhammadi (r.a.) did.
Even earlier, we have discussed Ameerul Mo'mineen's (a.s.) advice to Kumayl b. Ziyad (r.a.): 'Don't acquire (knowledge) but from us, you will be from us.' Submission in the period of occultation can only be realized by referring to the traditions of the Imams (a.s.) and being bound to them concerning all our problems and uncertainties in belief, actions or worldly affairs. In this period, when there is restricted access to Imam (a.t.f.s.), one should take additional precaution in binding oneself to the traditions of the Imams (a.s.).
Separation from Imam (a.t.f.s.) must not make us lax in submitting to his wishes and commands.
Source:
A Glance at the Beloved: Published by Association of Imam Mahdi [Vol. 1, p. 20-22].
