This duty mentioned separately in traditions and hence it is also discussed as a separate duty. For example, in Man La Yahzarul Faqih, Imam Sadiq (as) is reported to have said, One who could not do good to us, he should do good towards our righteous Shiahs and friends, he shall get the reward of helping us. And those who could not visit us should visit our righteous friends, they shall get the reward of our Ziyarat (visitation).
A similar tradition is reporte from Imam Kazim (as) who said, One who is unable to visit us should pay a visit to a righteous follower of ours, as a reward for our Ziyarat will be written for him; and one who is unable to do a favor on us should do favor to our righteous follower, and the reward of doing a favor to us will be noted in his account. (Kamiluz Ziyarat page 319 Chapter 105)
Pleasing the believers during the time of Ghaibat makes the Imam (as) very happy. Pleasing the believers is possible through monetary assistance and physical help. Sometimes their pleasure is obtained by solving their problems or recommending their case to some authorities or even by praying for them. At other times we could make them happy by giving them respite for the repayment of a debt. Thus while performing any of the above actions if the intention of the doer is that Imam (as) will be pleased with it, he will get the reward for it. Rather, there is more virtue in this than merely pleasing the believers.
Imam Sadiq (as) said, Those of you who please a believer should not think that you have pleased only this believer. By Allah! He has pleased us! Rather by Allah! He has pleased the Messenger of Allah (sawa). (Al-Kafi volume 2 page 189)
Imam Sadiq (as) that he said, One who pleases a believer, it is as if he has pleased the Messenger of Allah (sawa) and one who pleased the Messenger of Allah (sawa) has pleased the Almighty Allah and similar is the case of one who makes a believer sad. (Al-Kafi volume 2 page 192)
It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said, Allah revealed to Prophet Dawood (as) – Indeed, a servant of Mine performs one good deed and I make Paradise lawful for him. Dawood (as) asked: O Lord, what good deed is that? The Almighty Allah replied: He gives a joy to a believer servant of Mine, even though it might have been with a single date. Dawood (as) said: O Lord, it is appropriate that one who recognizes You should not lose hope from You. (Al-Kafi volume 2 page 189)
- Read More: Duties of Shiahs in Ghaybat
