The Need for the Imam — Page 45
D ar u rat-ul-Imam 45 recourse to it on his own. The true object of Bai‘at is to acquire the spiritual knowledge, blessings and signs which brings about true repentance. The real purpose of Bai‘at is to enslave oneself to the spiri- tual leader and guide, and to acquire, in exchange, the knowledge, spiritual insight and blessings which help to fortify the faith and sharpen the spiritual vi- sion and establish a pure relationship with God. Likewise, it offers salvation from the hell of this world and, consequently, of the hereafter. And, hav- ing cured the blindness of this world, it makes one immune from the blindness of the hereafter. In the presence of such a man who offers these fruits of Bai‘at , it would be the height of misfortune to turn away from him knowingly. My dear friend! as for ourselves, we are hungry and thirsty for spiritual knowledge, for truths and verities and for heavenly blessings, and even an ocean of knowledge is not enough to satisfy us. If, therefore, anyone seeks to have me as his follower, he can easily do so by way of this transaction, keeping in mind the significance and true philosophy of Bai‘at. lf he has such truths and verities to offer as have not been vouchsafed to me, or if some Quranic profundities have been dis- closed to him which have not been disclosed to me, then such a holy man is welcome to take my alle- giance, and to give me in return those spiritual