Another responsibility of the true believer is to observe the proper etiquette and to refrain from anything which would be considered as bad manners in the presence of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf).
Taking part in gatherings in which Imam al-’Asr (ajtf) is spoken about in a bad way or in which people openly question and deny his existence, or where he is made fun of, are examples of things which would be classified as bad manners in relation to the Imam.
In addition, we must also stay away from programs which do not have the remembrance of Allah and Imam al-’ASr (ajtf) as this too is a sign of not observing manners and etiquette in relation to the Imam.
Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq(as) has said:
مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللٌّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلاَ يَجْلِسُ مَجْلِساً يُنْـتَقَصُ فِيهِ إِمَامٌ أَوْ يُعَابُ فِيهِ مُؤْمِنٌ
“He who has true belief in Allah and the Last Day will not attend gatherings in which the Imam is being disparaged or in which the defects of a believer are being spoken about.”1
Actions such as not observing the responsibilities which one has to fulfill in regards to Imam al-Zaman (ajtf) displaying our own shortcomings in relation to these rights, seeking help (tawassul) from other than the Imam or his pure family in times of difficulties, trying to find faults and defects in the rulings of the religion and that which the Prophet of Islam brought, or insulting the laws of Allah are all things which are equivalent to insulting the Imam.
In addition, actions such as having hatred for the friends and lovers of Imam al-Zaman (ajtf), or loving the enemies of the Imam and enemies of the religion are also practical examples of showing disrespect and not observing the correct etiquette in relation to the Imam.
Therefore, these and many other things which are considered as showing disrespect to the Imam must be kept away from and without doubt, those with intellect and understanding can clearly under this responsibility.
- 1. al-Kafi, vol. 2, Pagre 377, no. 9