It is narrated in Najmus Saquib that Shaikh Muhammad Tahir Najafi who served Masjid-e-Kufa for several years was a very pious and religious man. He was staying in Masjid-e-Kufa along with his family. During his old age he lost his eye sight.
Apart from working as a caretaker of Masjid-e-Kufa, Shaikh Muhammad Tahir Najafi used to sell some goods to the scholars and pilgrims who visited Masjid-e-Kufa. He used his earnings to support his family and some of the orphans. However, as a result of war between two tribes of Kufa the pilgrims and the scholars stopped visiting the Masjid-e-Kufa.
Due to this Shaikh Muhammad Tahir Najafi lost his source of income and became poorer day by day. The situation became such that he could not even provide food to his family and the orphans he used to take care of. One night it so happened that children were crying on account of hunger.
Shaikh Muhammad Tahir Najafi turned towards Allah in such a distress condition and pleaded to Him:
“O Allah! I am satisfied with my condition and whatever you have ordained for me. But what should I do? I am yet to be blessed with a visit of my master Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). If You grant me permission to see the honourable face of my Imam (a.t.f.s.), I promise that I will never ask you for anything else ever again and will be happy and satisfied with the poverty that you have destined for me. I do want anything except a glance at the holy face of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).”
Suddenly, I got up from my place. I saw a white cloth in my hand (this cloth was one which people normally put at the place of prostration in prayers). My other hand was in the hands of a handsome and awe inspiring youth. His strong personality and striking features gave me the impression that he was some emperor. My mind was in a daze and I did not know what was happening.
Then I saw that he had worn a green turban and a person dressed in white clothes was standing next to him. We started walking towards the Mehraab (prayer niche) in the mosque. When we reached there, the person who had taken hold of my hand turned to me and said: “O Taher, spread the cloth for the prayers.” I spread the cloth. It was outstandingly beautiful. I could not make out the material with which it had been made.
As I laid out the cloth and turned it towards the Qiblah, the handsome youth stood on it and began reciting prayers. I was mesmerized by his presence and slowly the noor (light) from his face increased so much that it was difficult to glance at it directly. His companion too stood behind him and got busy in reciting his prayers.
I stood ahead of them and was watching them. Who are these persons, I wondered? When they had completed their prayers, I saw that the person who was praying behind was no longer with us. Before I could absorb this, I became aware of a chair, which was about 4 feet in height and even had a shade attached to it. The respected Sayyed who was
praying ahead on the white cloth was sitting on it. The illumination from the chair and the face of this person was making it difficult for my eyes to see.
The respected Sayyed said: “O Taher, which emperor do you take me for?
I said: “O Master, you are the emperor of emperors. You are a leader in knowledge and are not like the other kings.” He said: “O Taher, you have succeeded in your objective (of meeting Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)). What do you wish now? Do we not take care of your needs every day? Are your deeds not presented before us every day?” Finally, the respected Sayyed promised me that my condition and wealth would improve and that I will never face poverty again.
At that time, a sinful person, who I knew by name and character entered Masjid-e- Kufa from the direction of the Sahn of Hazrat Muslim (a.s.). Suddenly I saw that the holy face of Imam (a.t.f.s.) was seized with anger. He turned his face towards that person and said, “Till where will you run and escape? Is not the earth and heaven our kingdom? Follow the’ orders which we have issued, for you have no choice.”
Then he turned towards me, smiled and said, “You have fulfilled your desires. Now do you want anything else?” I was so dumbstruck by his magnificence and brilliance that I could not speak up. He repeated his question and again I was in such a state that I could not reply. I was unable to express my happiness in words. Then within a flash, I saw that I was alone in the mosque and that Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) had disappeared. I looked towards the east and saw that morning was almost upon me. After this, the Shaikh says that the doors of sustenance were opened to him and he never faced the shortage of anything in his life.
Morals:
1) We must pay special attention towards our deeds because our deeds are reported to him (a.t.f.s.). It is narrated that if our deeds are good then Imam (a.t.f.s.) becomes happy and prays for more reward for us. However, if our actions are bad then Imam (a.t.f.s.) is upset.
2) Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) has pointed out that he is not negligent of our affairs. We may be involved in problems due to the examinations but it is only through the infallible Imams (a.t.f.s.) that our problems will be solved. And the blessings of this world and the hereafter can be achieved.
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