d
The proof for the above acts during the period of Ghaibat is that Imam az-Zaman (aj) is the ‘Babullah’ the door of Allah, through which people enter. Imam (as) is the sole channel of achieving Allah’s satisfaction. He is the one who will intercede for us with Allah. He is that same name of Allah whose tawassul is ordered for us. As mentioned in the traditions in the explanation of Qur’anic verse:
وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا
And for Allah are the most beautiful names. So call Him by them. (Qur’an, Surah Araaf 7:180)
The Imams have said: By Allah, we are those beautiful names about whom the Almighty Allah has commended the people to call Him [supplicate Him].1 There are many other proofs but this much would be sufficient for those with insight.
In Bihar, it is narrated from our master, Imam Ali Reza (as) that he said: Whenever you are involved in hardships and calamities you must ask for the help of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime through us, and that is the interpretation of the verse:
وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا
And for Allah are the most beautiful names. So call Him by them.2
In the same book it is narrated from Qabas al-Misbah in the discussion of supplications of seeking mediation from the Almighty Allah through the Holy Imams (as): Seeking mediation of our master:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Allah! I ask You by the right of Your Wali and Hujjat the Master of the Age that You make easy for me all my affairs. And suffice me against all oppressors and unjust and traitors and remove them away from me. Bestow me with the companionship of Hazrat as I have reached to the end of my efforts. And suffice me against all enemies and sorrows and griefs and in the religion and children and all of my people and my brothers and all the affairs related to him. Amen O, Lord of the worlds Amen.3
In Biharul Anwar it is narrated from Oddatud Dai quoting Salman Farsi that he said: I heard Prophet Muhammad (S) say: Indeed, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says: “O My servant! Has it not happened that someone asks a big thing from you but you are not willing to fulfill it unless he brings the person most beloved to you to persuade you to fulfill those desires for the sake of that intercessor?
Let it be known to you that the most honorable and supreme creature with Me is Muhammad and his brother Ali and the Imams who are the medium of nearness to Me. Be aware that whoever has a great desire and wishes for a benefit or removal of a harm, if he calls on Me through Muhammad and his pure progeny, I will fulfill his desires far better than fulfilling the desire of one who has taken the most beloved creature of God as an intercessor.”
Source: Mikyalul Makarim Vol 2