Recognition of Imam Part II - The Guide and the Light
The Guide and the Light
Tags: Guide
It is said in verse (14:5): "And We verily sent Musa with Our signs, saying: Bring your people forth from darknesses unto light. And remind them of “the days of Allah” (ayyamu'llah). Lo! therein are signs for everyone who is patient and grateful".
The wisdom hidden in this teaching of the Qur'an is that, if there is always the darkness of disbelief and ignorance in this world, there is also always the light of faith and certitude. But the nature and habit of people are such that they themselves cannot come out of darkness and enter the light. Therefore God appoints a guide with His signs as the Prophet or the Imam, so that the people may recognise the guide of their age and according to his guidance, they may be able to abandon darkness and follow the path of light.
Here it is necessary to ask: Why are the signs with which Hazrat-i Musa(`a) was sent not common to everyone? Why are they specified to those who are patient and grateful? The answer is that, by patience and gratitude the inner eye opens, so that by observing His signs, His will may be understood and His light, the Imam of the time, be recognised. Contrary to this, the inner eye of the one who has been a prey to selfishness, sensuality, impatience and ingratitude, becomes covered with the veil of negligence and he cannot see God's signs, which are in the heavenly Book, or with the Prophet and the Imam.
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