Obedience
The Prophet (S) and Imams (as) are our leaders and role models in this life, they represent Allah (swt). Surely if we claim to love them, then we
should follow them at least out of respect, especially when we know for a fact that they are the perfect human beings. If someone does not pray,
can they really claim they love the Ahlulbayt (as)? If a woman does not do hijab, if a person listens to music, drinks alcohol, cheats, lies or kills,
can any of these claim that they love the Ahlulbayt (as)? If the Ahlulbayt (as) tell us that something is wrong and against Allah (swt), then the
person who loves them will obey them!
It is a given that we should obey them, however, the existence of love towards the Ahlulbayt (as) alone is enough motivation for us to do so.
Moreover, the existence of this love is dependent on how much we obey them. By indulging in sins, the connection with the beloved Imams (as)
will eventually become weaker and it is only a matter of time that our love towards the Ahlulbayt (as) will fade completely, leaving behind it
nothing but profile pictures and slogans that mean nothing, when the heart of the individual is not with them.
AMBASSADORS
Today, the term "lover of the Ahlulbayt (as) " has more or less become a flag representing a religious sect. This automatically makes each one of
us who claims to love the Ahlulbayt (as) a representative. Just as when someone knows our nationality, they will associate us with people from our
country, claiming love for the Ahlulbayt (as) will make the person an ambassador whether they want it or not.
If someone loves their country, would they want to misrepresent it? Clearly not! As ambassadors, we have the obligation to educate people about
the school of the Ahlulbayt (as). We need to show them the beauty of following the 12 Imams (as) and the 12 Mahdis (as), as written in the Will
of the Prophet Muhammad (S). We need to give everyone a reason to follow them. Imam Al Sadiq (as) says, "Beautify us and do not be a
disgrace upon us." (A'yan Al Shia)
How could one go about that? One needs to first learn before they can relay the narrations. Thus loving the Ahlulbayt (as) starts by learning
about them and their life, and then informing others about them. How many of us today attempt to read, no X] \