Family plays an important role in societies and in each individual’s life. People’s personality is mostly formed in their families and the society is formed by the people. Family is a little community in which everything that happens has a direct impact on the whole society. In fact, family is a miniature society. 

In the Islamic culture, the head of the house who raises the children and creates the suitable atmosphere in the house for the members of the family is the mother. So, the ones who create the community are women. Families are so vital for the survival of the society and this accounts for women’s essential role. Therefore, it’s very important for Muslims to understand how Islam sees women. 

The Holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) was born in a society where women were considered less valuable even than animals. Ignorant Arabs would kill their daughters because it was a shame for them to have daughters. But Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP), revolutionizing the whole Arab community, saved women from those horrible circumstances. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) tried so hard to his last breath to save women and the suppressed ones in the society from the Arab’s Ignorance. 

In this regard, Imam Ali (AS) says:

For the sake of Allah, For the sake of Allah be careful about the women and the slaves because your Prophet was talking about them in his last seconds (and he was worried about them) (1)
Prophets’ Behavior with His Wives

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) says:

Behold! The best of you is the best of you in treating with their families (including their wives) and I am the best of you in that (2).

Men in Islam are responsible for their wives and they are obliged to be kind with them and provide their needs. They are even ordered to endure their wives if they don’t behave well. The Holy Quran says:

Consort with them in an honorable manner; and should you dislike them, maybe you dislike something while Allah invests it with an abundant good (4:19)

One of the most important signs of the prophet’s kindness and love for his wives is his behavior against his first and beloved wife, Lady Khadija (AS). About her, the Prophet (PBUH & HP) says: “Where can I find someone like Khadija?” (3)

The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) says:

My Brother Gabriel told me about the rights of the women so much that I thought that men even cannot say “fie” on their wives. (4)

The Value of Daughters

In the ages of ignorance, Arabs would bury their daughters alive, because they couldn’t stand the shame that was considered in those times for having daughters. In this regard, the holy Quran says:

When one of them is brought the news of a female [newborn], his face becomes darkened, and he chokes with suppressed agony (16:58)

One of the most important missions of the Messenger (PBUH & HP) was making people aware of the fact that men and women are the same in Allah Almighty’s sight. Due to this mission, Prophet had to emphasize on the value of girls even more than the boys. Imam Reza (AS) says:

The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) would say: Allah Almighty is more kind to the female than the male. In the Judgement Day, Allah will make happy every man who delights one of his female relatives. (5)

The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) also says:

Should anyone of you went to a shop and bought presents and brought them to their family, he will be rewarded like someone who helps the needy ones. When he went to his house, he must firstly give their daughter the present because anyone who delights their daughters will be rewarded like someone who has freed a slave (6)

The Prophet Muhammads’ Behavior in his House

The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) would eat every meal prepared by his wives and he wouldn’t nag or complain about any of them. He would always sit with his family while eating except for the times they had a guest. (7)

In the house, Prophet (PBUH & HP) would darn his torn clothes, milk the sheep, grind wheats, and such chores. He would always say:

Helping wives and doing housework is a way of beneficence for the sake of Allah (8)  

Resources

1. Tohaf al-Oqul, pg.197
2. Sonan an-Nabi, pg.150
3. Kashf al-Qummah, al-Irbeli, vol.1, pg.360 
4. Mustadrak al-Vasail, vol.14, pg.252
5. Vasil ash-Shia, vol.15, pg.104
6. Bihar al-Anvar, vol.104, pg.69
7. Makarim al-Akhlaq, pg.26
8. Bihar al-Anvar, vol.16, pg.227
    

Imam Mahdi (AS) is the last and the twelfth Imam of the Shiite Muslims. He was born in 255 H (874 AC) and the Shiite Muslims believe that their last Imam has been alive for approximately 1150 years. According to Shiite narrations, Imam Mahdi (AS) is currently in occultation and hidden from the public.

In this regard, Imam Kazim (AS) says:

The apparent gift of Allah is an Imam known to the people and the Hidden gift of Him is an Imam who is hidden. 

After that, the narrator of this hadith asks the Imam: “Is there going to be a hidden Imam?” Imam Kazim (AS) replied:

Yes! He will be hidden from the eyes of the people but the hearts of the faithful will not forget him. (1)

Despite Imam Mahdi (AS) being in occultation, we have responsibilities and duties to fulfill during this period. His hidden state doesn’t imply that Shiite Muslims have nothing to do for their faith and religion.

In fact, the best way to maintain a strong connection with our Imam is by following his orders. The Shiite Imams have told us about the responsibilities we have during this special time and some of them are mentioned below:

Upholding our faith

During the occultation of the Imam, it is a time when people may lose faith in him. In this regard, Imam Sadiq (AS) said:

With Mahdi (AS), there will be a little number of Arabs.

Then the Imam was told “But there are so many Arabs now that have faith in this religion!” Imam Sadiq (AS) replied:

People will inevitably be tested and they will be differentiated from one another and many will fail this test. (2)

The Holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) once prayed:

O Allah! Show me my brothers, Show me my brothers.

The people around him asked “O Messenger of Allah! Aren’t we your brothers?”

He responded:

No! you are my companions. But my real brothers are those who live in the last times of this world. They believe in me while they haven’t seen me … keeping faith in those times, will be more difficult than cutting the thorns of a plant on a dark night or holding a burning wood in one’s hands. They are the lights in the darkness and Allah will save them from every catastrophic test of seduction. (3)

As you see, being a faithful person is easy during the occultation. Therefore, one of our responsibilities is to keep our belief in Islam during these times. 

Harith ibn Muqhairah (one of the followers of Imam Sadiq (AS)) says “Once I told Imam Sadiq (AS): ‘We are being told that the leader of this religion will be hidden one day. So, in those times, what should we do?’”

Imam Sadiq (AS) said:

Keep your very faith that you have now and do as you have been ordered before him, until the time that everything will be clear for you [the arrival of Imam Mahdi (AS)].(4)

Getting to know Imam Mahdi (AS) more

Understanding the message of our Imams and having knowledge about their attributes and role in this world is crucial in the Shiite view. This is one of the most significant duties of Shias during the occultation. In this regard Imam Sadiq (AS) advises one of his pupils named Fozail:

O Fozail! Get to know your Imam because if you know him, it will be the same for youwhether his arrival is soon or delayed and anyone who knows their Imam and then dies before his arrival is like one of his soldiers. (5)

Praying 

In the Islamic point of view, praying is one of the most effective ways to have our wishes fulfilled. We should call upon Allah when we need Him and ask him to solve our problems, trusting that He will answer our prayers. The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) said:

Call upon Allah while being certain that He will answer. (6)

Living without a guide in this world is the most significant problem we have. Without our Imams, we Shias have no savor and our problems seem never-ending. In this regard, Imam Sadiq (AS) says: 
The problems of the Earth will not be finished except by an Imam. (7)

Therefore, one of the most important prayers we should make is for the return of Imam Mahdi (AS). The Shiite Imams have persuaded their followers to pray for the arrival of Imam Mahdi (AS). 

Imam Sadiq (AS) told one of his pupils named Humran about the attributes of the occultation time and advised him:

When you saw … that the world is highly favorable for the unfaithful people and the flag of the righteous people is hidden, be cautious and ask Allah to save you. (8)

Imam Sadiq (AS) also said:

You Shias will face doubts in the future and [during those times] you won’t see a right flag or a guiding Imam and no one will be saved in those times except for the ones who pray like a drowning person. 
Then the narrator of the hadith asks the Imam: “How can I pray like a drowning person?”

Imam Sadiq (AS) replied:

You should say: 

“یا اللّه یا رحمن یا رحیم یا مقلب القلوب ثبت قلوبنا علی دینک”

O Allah! O Rahman! O Rahim! O Controller of the hearts! Make my heart keep its faith in your religion. (9)

Imam Mahdi (AS) himself wrote to one of his followers:

Pray so much to Allah for my arrival because it resolves all your problems (10)

In addition to this fact that praying makes his arrival more likely to happen sooner, praying is also the best way to relate to Imam Mahdi (AS) and this way, we can make a good connection to him. In return, Imam Mahdi (AS) sees that you are always thinking about him and praying for his arrival. It is obvious that Imam Mahdi (AS) loves the ones who do not forget him and pray for him more than others. Due to this fact, Imam Mahdi (AS) will pray for us in return and clearly, the praying of an Imam surely will be answered by Allah. 

Don’t forget that it is so important for praying for the arrival Imam Mahdi (AS) to be in a group. You should get together with your family, friends or even the other people to pray for Imam Mahdi (AS).

Imam Sadiq (AS) said:

If four people gather and pray, they won’t leave each other until Allah answers their supplication (11)

He also said:

When something would bother my father (Imam Baqir), he would gather all the women and kids in the house and he would pray and they would say “Amen.” (12)

As you see, praying together as a group holds great important for it to be answered by Allah. Imagine the impact if all the Shiite Muslims united in praying for the arrival of Imam Mahdi (AS) pure hearts. It is obvious that his occultation wouldn’t have prolonged for so long. So, one of our important responsibilities toward Imam Mahdi (AS) is to encourage others to pray for his arrival and we’d better pray in group. 

There are many other responsibilities we have during the occultation. The most important thing is to follow the orders of the previous Imams and fulfill all of our religious obligations so that Allah would save us from this dangerous time. 

Resources 

1.  Kamal ad-Din, Sheikh Saduq, vol.2, pg.369
2.  Al-Ghaybah, Sheikh an-No’mani, pg.204
3.  Basa’ir ad-Darajat, As-Saffar al-Qommi, pg.84
4.  Al-Ghaybah, Sheikh an-No’mani, pg.159
5.  Al-Ghaybah, Sheikh an-No’mani, pg.329
6.  Bihar al-Anvar, Allamah al-Majlesi, vol.90, pg.321
7.   Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.2, pg.21
8.   Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.8, pg.42
9.   Kamal ad-Din, Sheikh Saduq, vol.2, pg.352
10.   Al-Ih’tijaj, Sheikh at-Tabrasi, vol.2, pg.284
11.   Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.2, pg.487
12.   Al-Kafi, Sheikh Koleini, vol.2, pg.487