The famous Shia jurist who is considered by some to be the seal of Fuqaha was the late Shaikh Murtaza Ansari (r.a.) (1214-1281). His fame spreads to every country of the world where Shias exist. He was the descendant of the well-known companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari (r.a.). Allama Muhaddith-e-Noori (r.a.) writes about him thus: “The Almighty Allah favoured Jabir in such a way that He created among his descendants a personality who served his society as well as the faith by his knowl¬edge, his research and study, piety and worship and by his intellect and understanding.”[1]
He was the supreme leader of Shias in his time and a faithful deputy of Imam (a.t.f.s). An ardent devotee of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.), his attention never strayed from Hazrat (a.t.f.s.)
One of his students has mentioned that one night in Kerbala Moalla he left his house with a lamp because it was pitch dark in the streets. The lanes were also paved with wet mud. I saw a figure at a distance. When I came near, I saw that he was my teacher, Shaikh Ansari (r.a.).
I became thoughtful on seeing him and wondered why he was out on the streets at this time of the night in spite of his weak vision and the dirt filled roads. I could not understand where he was going, but followed him in case he was waylaid. After walking for quite some time the Shaikh came upon a door. He stood before the door, recited Ziarate-Jame’a with great respect and then entered the house.
After this I could not see anything. However, I was able to hear the voice of the Shaikh as if he was in conversation with somebody.
After an hour when I entered the Haram of Imam Husain (a.s.), I saw that the Shaikh was also present there. A few days later when I met him, I tried to enquire about the happenings of that night. Upon my persistent questioning, he said: “Sometimes I seek the permission to be in company of Imam (a.t.f.s.). I go to that particular house (which you can never find) and recite Ziyarat-e-Jame’a. When I get permission the second time, I enter into the presence of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.). Then I put forth difficult problems and questions to Hazrat (a.t.f.s.) and seek his help…”
Then the Shaikh put me under oath that I would not mention the fact to anybody as long as he was alive.”
Certainly the affectionate connection of Imam (a.t.f.s.) with his general deputies (Nawwab-e-Aam) is much more. Imam (a.t.f.s.) is always attentive towards them and helps them, whenever the need arises.
We must also remember that Hazrat (a.t.f.s.) not only helps his deputies and assistants, but he is also prepared to help even the ordinary people like us if we have love and attachment with the purified household (Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)). What is necessary is that there should not be any obstruction and secondly there must be the divine will in this regard.
Morals:
1) Ziyarat-e-Jame’ah is a very comprehensive Ziyarat of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) and we must recite it frequently to show our love for them and acquire proximity with them.
2) The Mujtahideen are guided by Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) in the difficult religious problems.
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Islamic Library: Introduction to Islam
[1] . AI-Mustadrak