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34. Help Of The Imam Of The Age ('A)

Haji Mu’min has also narrated: During my youth, I was so eager to meet the Master of the Age that I decided not to eat or drink till I don 't see him (it was an oath due to innocence and severity of eagerness) and I did not eat anything for two days. On the third day when I had become very weak, I took a little water. After that I fell into a swoon and saw Hazrat Hujjat, Imam Zaman ('a) who asked me why I was acting in that manner and putting myself into peril. He said: I am sending food for you, have it.

I regained my senses when one third of the night had passed. Masjid Sardzak was absolutely empty and someone was knocking at the door. I opened it to find a gentleman covering his face with a scarf to avoid identification. He removed a vessel of food from his cloak and said twice: Have it, have it and don 't share it with anyone. After you have finished, place this container below the pulpit. After that he went away and I returned inside to find that it contained cooked rice and roasted chicken. I found it so delicious that I cannot describe it.

The following day Mirza Muhammad Baqir, a very religious and nice gentleman arrived before sunset. First he asked me for the container and then he gave some money in a small purse and said: You have been ordered to undertake a journey. Take this money and accompany Aga Sayyid Hashim (prayer leader of Majid Sardzak) who is leaving for Holy Mash-had. On the way you would meet an elderly man from whom you will gain much.

Haji Mu’min says: I used that money to join the entourage of Sayyid Hashim and set out from there, till I reached Tehran. When we passed Tehran, a person with an illuminated conscience signaled and the vehicle stopped and he joined us with the permission of Sayyid Hashim, because he had hired the vehicle. He took a seat next to me. On the way he spoke on a number of moral issues and dispensed advices and also informed me about all the circumstances that I was going to encounter till the end of my life. He told me that, which was for my well-being. Everything he told me proved true. He advised me not to eat outside and said: Doubtful food is harmful for the heart. Along with him was a dinner spread. When he wished to eat, he took out fresh leavened bread and offered some of it to me. Sometimes he gave me green resins.

When we reached the Qadamgah (Nishapur), he said: My death is near and I won't be able to reach holy Mash-had. When I am dead, my shroud is with me and twelve Tomans are also there in it. Arrange a place for my burial in the holy courtyard of Imam Ali Al-Ridha ('a). My last rites would be performed by Aga Sayyid Hashim. He says: I was absolutely horrified at this, but he advised me not to panic and inform anyone till he was dead. When our vehicle reached Mount Turk, it slopped there as the way to the mausoleum of Imam Ali Al-Ridha ('a) proceeded from there. All the visitors alighted and started reciting salutations to Imam Al-Ridha ('a).

The driver was collecting tips for showing the dome. That old gentleman went into a corner, faced the holy tomb and wept bitterly saying: I am not as much worthy to be able to reach your holy shrine. After that he lay down facing the Qibla and covered himself with his cloak from the head.

After a moment when I removed the cloak, I saw that he had passed away. All the passengers gathered around us when they saw me weeping and wailing. l narrated to them some personally witnessed facts, by which all present there were deeply moved. They brought his corpse to the city in that same vehicle and buried it in the holy courtyard.