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
     

The concept of responsibility in Islam covers all the aspects of human beings and considers different situations one may encounter in his/her life. Islam is not only a religion but also a life plan; a divine plan that addresses all the humans throughout the history of humankind. Since religion, as a plan deals with the daily life of humans, it has illustrated the tasks and responsibilities in Islam of humans.

These duties can be summarized in four items: 

The rights that God has over humans;

The rights that one has over himself;

The responsibilities towards other humans;

And, the responsibilities towards other creatures in this world.

These four categories will be discussed under separate topics each considering one responsibility in Islam. Here the focus is on the humans’ responsibility in Islam towards God.

The Most Important Right of Allah over Humans and Their Responsibility in Islam

According to Imam Sajjad (AS), the rights that God has over human beings, which are the most important rights over everybody, are to know that we are His servants, to pray Him and not ascribe any partners to Him [1]. This means that we have two main responsibilities in Islam towards God: first, to recognize and believe in God then, practically demonstrate it. 

To recognize God and to believe in Him

The first thing is to accept the existence of the one true God and to recognize all his divine attributes such as very powerful (Qadir), the provider (Razzaq), generous (Karim), etc.

By knowing these attributes and then believing that they are unique to God, one will be more successful in his duties responsibilities in Islam towards God [i]. For example, knowing that God is the only provider (Razzaq) in the universe, a true Muslim does not worry about livelihood, nor he\she will be greedy for more wealth. He\she knows that if he\she works adequately according to his\her capacities, he\she will be provided with the sustenance that God has reserved for him\her. 
Imam Ali (AS) has advised his son Imam Hassan (AS) to recognize God since it is a duty over every human being: “He is One Allah whom we should all recognize and worship” [2].

Then, Imam (AS) enumerates some of the attributes of God that a Muslim should believe in [2]:

“Nobody is a partner to Him in His Domain”;
 “He is Eternal, has always been and shall always be”; 
“He existed even before the Universe came into being, but there is no beginning to His Existence”; 
“He shall remain when every other thing shall vanish, and there shall be no end to His Existence”; 
“His Glory and His Existence is so supreme, pre-eminent, transcendent, incomparable and excellent that it is beyond the grasp of intellects”; 
“No one can understand or visualize Him.“ [2].

To Verbally Admit to the Unity of God as a Responsibility in Islam  

To recognize God and to believe in Him deeply in the heart are not enough; one should also say that he\she believes in God; otherwise, no one will be aware of his\her belief if it is not declared. That is why one should pronounce two testimonies (Shahadatain) to become Muslim.

In Surah Fatir, it is said that “To Him ascends good speech” (35:10), which means that the verbal admission to God is appreciated and is surely beneficial. But, it should be accompanied with good deeds and obedience to God to be more valuable: “and righteous work raises it.” (35:10). 

To Worship God and to Obey his Commands

Indeed, demonstrating the belief in God in practice is as important as believing in Him. If a child loves his\her parents but ignores their expectations and advice, he\she, in fact, does not respect them and the parents will not believe the his\her claim of having affection for them.

The same happens between a Muslim and God. A Muslim who ignores God’s commands, which are beneficial to him\her, does not truly believe in Him. Otherwise, he\she knew that everything that God has ordered to is to help him\her to live a better life, to improve and to reach the perfection that he\she merits.

According to Imam Ali (AS) [2], after accepting the facts mentioned above about God, a Muslim’s behavior should be like that of a person who realizes God’s superior status and power. He\she should try to gain His blessing through prayers and obedience, fear His wrath as well as His Punishments and feel him\herself absolutely in need of His help and protection [2]. 

In the Quran, it is stated that humans are created to worship God  (51:56). Prayer and worship of God are duties over every Muslim as they remind him\her of the his\her creator and the fact that there is a reason to be in this world. 

Another practical duty is to obey God’s commands that are mentioned in the Quran or explained in the narrations from prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and Imams (AS). Simply said: to do what is obligatory (Wajib) or advised to (talk pleasantly to others (2:83); to do good to others (16:90); to fast (2:183) and pray (4:103); etc.) and to leave what is Forbidden (Haram) (talking behind back of others (49:12); wasting water and nutrition (7:31))2.

Briefly, there are three main duties over every Muslim about God: to recognize Him, to declare the admission to Him, and to obey and worship Him. Duties of a Muslim towards him\herself and his responsibility in Islam, other people, and other creatures will be discussed in the next parts of the article.

Notes:
[i] Recognition and belief are two different concepts. The recognition of God means to accept His existence and all His divine attributes, while the belief in God means to have faith in Him. 

[ii] The two other categories of acts according to Islamic jurisprudence are: Recommended (Mustahab) acts and Detestable or abominable (Makruh) acts. Recommended (Mustahab) acts are those practices which are not compulsory in Islam, but a believer prefers to do it for God’s satisfaction. Detestable or abominable (Makruh) actions are not subject to punishment, but a believer abstains from them for God’s satisfaction.

References:

1. Imam Sajjad (AS), Treatise On Rights (Risalat al-Huquq).
2. Nahj al balagha, Letter 31.