How do we benefitfrom Imam Mahdi (AS) during his occultation?

The best answer to this question is what Imam Mahdi said himself:

“While I am in occultation people will benefit from me just as they benefit from the sun which has been covered from their sights by clouds. I am a protection for the inhabitants of the earth…”

This tradition has been narrated in similar forms by the prophet (PBUH) and many of the Imams (As). Al-majlesi has explained some of the different aspects of this comparison. We will concisely, write some of these here with slight changes:

Just as there would be no life on earth was it not for the sun, our hearts would not be enlivened with guidance was it not for the Imam.

Just as people await the appearance of the sun from behind the clouds so that they could benefit from it even more, the true faithful await the appearance of Imam Mahdi from behind the clouds of occultation so that they could benefit more from him.

Those who deny the existence of Imam Mahdi (AS) (become he is in occultation) are like those who deny the existence of the sun when it is covered by clouds.

When hidden behind the clouds, there are openings in which through, the sun can be seen by those who are in the right position, likewise it is possible that the Imam shows himself to some people while screening himself from others.

All creatures -not just faithful humans- benefit from the sun, likewise all creatures benefit from Imam Mahdi.

People benefit from sunlight as much as they expose themselves and their houses to it, likewise your hearts will benefit from his lights of guidance as much as you expose your hearts to it and remove the screens covering your heart.

He has also said in another tradition: “We will not be negligent in taking care of you and we will not forget about you, for if we had, hardships would have befallen you and your enemies would have destroyed you”

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