1. It is narrated that when (people) asked Imam Mahdi (AS) to give them his footwear or garments for good-fortune as a memento and a blessing, the Imam would give it to them and say: "Take it and wear it; do not keep it as a blessing (barkat) in the house. Even if you put on the skin of this servant (of Allah), you will never be saved from the Hell, unless you do what this servant of Allah asks you to do."

2. It is narrated that reposing faith in Imam Mahdi (AS) is deeds ('amal); not doing (good deeds) is rejected (mardud). Allah says: "And they say: 'None entereth Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.' These are their own desires. Say 'Bring your proof (of what ye state) if ye are truthful.' Nay, but whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, his reward is with his Lord; and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." 1

3. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) told (his companion) Haris (RZ): "O Haris! How was your morning?" Haris (RZ) replied: "In a state that I was a true believer." This was the claim of Haris (RZ) about the reality of his faith (iman). Prophet Muhammad (SLM) did not leave him without his providing proof of his claim. The Prophet said: "See what are you saying? Everything has a reality and what is the reality of your faith (iman)?" In other words, everything has a reality with a proof and what is the proof of your faith. In reply, Haris (RZ) said: "I have made my self (nafas) abandon the world, I remained awake the whole night, I kept myself thirsty through out the day, to me the worldly wealth (gold and silver) are equal to stones and lumps of clay, I remained in a state as if I was seeing the Empyrean (arsh) of my Lord (Allah) openly without any hindrance, as if I was seeing the inmates of the Paradise, meeting each other, and the inmates of the Hell falling on each other in Hell." Prophet Muhammad (SLM) then said: "You spoke the truth. You spoke the truth essentially. You spoke the truth essentially." Hence, a believer (mumin) should be like this, as Allah has said: "Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): 'If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." 1

4. The companions (RZ) asked Prophet Muhammad (SLM): "O Messenger of Allah (SLM)! What is the sign of faith (iman)?" The Prophet (SLM) answered: "The love for Allah." Then again they asked: "What is the sign of the love for Allah?" "The love for Quran," the Prophet (SLM) said. They asked: " What is the sign of love for Quran?" "The love for the Prophet (SLM) ." They asked: " What is the sign of the love for the Prophet (SLM)?" "The following (ittiba') of the Prophet (SLM)," said the Prophet (SLM). "What is the sign of ittiba'?" they asked. The Prophet (SLM) replied: "Renouncing the world." "What is the sign of renunciation?" they asked. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) said: "Three things: give up what is non-existent, sacrifice what exists and make one's heart (or mind) indifferent to wealth and pomp." Hence, that is what a mumin too should seek, as Allah has said: "Say, 'Obey Allah and the Apostle.' But if they turn back, then Allah liketh not those who turn away (kafirs)." 2 Hence, there is no salvation without obedience. There will be no benefit without deeds ('amal) on the Day of Resurrection.

5. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) said: "O Fatima (RZ)! Do (good) deeds, and do not rely on being my daughter." Allah says: "So when the Trumpet shall be sounded, the ties of kindred shall cease between them that day, and they shall not be able to ask for one another's help. They (whose deeds) shall weigh heavy in the scales, they indeed shall be blessed. But whose (deeds) shall be light in the scales,- those are they who having lost their souls, shall abide in Hell.''3

6. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: Bring your deeds to me, not your genealogy.'' It is said that Paradise is for him who obeys, even if he were a negro slave, and Hell is for him who disobeys, even if he were a Qureshi nobleman.''

7. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: "O son of Adam! On the Day of Resurrection, the question asked will be about the gain (by good deeds) and not about genealogy.'' Allah has said in respect of Noah's son: "And Noah called on his Lord and said: 'O Lord! my son is of my family and Thy promise always holds good; for, Thou art strictest of those who give decisions.' He (Allah) said: "O Noah! (My promises always hold good), but he (thy son) is not of thy family; his conduct has not been righteous. So this, thy attitude is not correct. Do not plead before Me in a matter of which thou hast no real knowledge. I do not wish thee to be counted among the ignorant" (S. 11 : 45 and 46 SAL).

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