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During the period of Ghaibat, it is the responsibility of every being, rather of every believer, that he establishes a spiritual contact with the Imam of the Age (a.t.f.s.). When a person acquires the recognition of the Imam, a unique relationship is established wherein the heart, as per its capacity becomes a reflection of the characteristics and ethics of the Imam (a.t.f.s..). 

Allah the Almighty informs us in the Holy Quran,'O those who believe! Be patient and enjoin patience amongst one another and remain in contact. And be careful of your duty to Allah lest you succeed.'(Surah Ale Imran (3): 200)

The above verse has been explained by the Holy Imams (a.s.) in various exegesis of the Holy Quran thus - O those who believe! Remain patient and steadfast during the period of Ghaibat of the Imam of the Age; be steadfast upon the right path as compared to your enemies and remain in contact with the awaited Imam. Obey the laws and regulations of Islam as laid down by Allah for surely in it is your success.(Tafseer al-Burhaan by Sayed Haashem al-Bahraani (r.a.) under the aforementioned verse)

 Some people harbour the misconception that since we are living our lives in the period of the major occultation, it is impossible to maintain 'contact' with the Imam and there is no way by which we can have a relationship with the Imam of the Age (a.t.f.s.). It is important that we clarify this point over here.  

As regards the traditions that are available on this matter, it is true that during the period of the major occultation, the person who claims that he can meet the Hidden Imam (a.t.f.s.) whenever he desires is a liar. It is equally true, however, that during this period there are numerous instances of people having been blessed by a visit from the Imam (a.t.f.s.), either in person or through a spiritual experience like a dream. 

A little attention to this point will clarify all doubts about the matter of contact with the Hidden Imam (a.t.f.s.). For surely this grace - the opportunity to meet the Hidden Imam (a.t.f.s.) - is a direct consequence of the love and benevolence of the Imam (a.t.f.s.) himself. 

Secondly, it is not necessary that contact be maintained only by regular meetings in person. A relationship need not be established only through physical contact. Rather, a relationship through spiritual means can also be defined as a contact. In reality, it is the establishment of this spiritual relationship that confirms the distinguished status of a believer.. And this is the relationship that every believer can establish and through which he attains such heights of recognition and eminence that he always perceives himself to be in the honoured presence of the Holy Imam (a.t.f.s.) and conducts himself and his affairs as if he is constantly under the watchful eyes of the Imam (a.t.f.s.). We have the example of Sayyed Ibne Taoos (r.a.) who narrates in the 'Supplication on the Day of Friday': 

'O Allah, I seek nearness to You through a sincere heart (I consider myself lowly before your Might and Majesty), and to your representative - Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) through an obedient body (my body is subservient to the commands of the Imam and I seek benefit from the parts of my body such that the Imam is pleased with my actions) and to the Holy Imams (a.s.) through a humble heart (I prefer them over myself and seek obedience to them)." (Jamaal al-Usboo', pg. 152) 

Sayyed Ibne Taoos (r.a.) has drawn our attention to establishing a relation with the Imam of the Age (a.t.f.s.) and even guided us along this path. He outlines how one should present his questions before the Imam (a.t.f.s.) and seek a response from him. In his advice to his son, he (r.a.) mentions: 

'O my son, if ever you are presented with a difficulty, the solution of which you desire to seek from Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), may our lives and souls be sacrificed upon him, then remember the tradition reported by Muhammed Ibn Yaqub Kulaini (r.a.): One day a person came to Abul Hasan (a.s.) and asked him, "If a person wishes to place his desires before his Imam, just as he would place it before Allah, then what should he do?" Imam (a.s.) replied, "If he has any desire, then he must bring it to his lips (he must express his desire); he will receive the reply for it." 

It is necessary to clarify the above statement of the Imam. The statement indicates in a simple manner that if one has any needs then he must present it through the medium of prayers and tawassul (seeking help through the mediation of the Imam). It is true that the Imam (a.s.) is aware of the deepest secrets of our heart; nevertheless, he (a.s.) prefers that his followers put forth their desires verbally and express their helplessness with sincerity.

The absolute contact of Sayyed Ibne Taoos (r.a.) and his nearness to Imam (a.t.f.s.) was such that the latter (a.t.f.s.), with his benevolence and special grace, had blessed him with deep knowledge and hidden insights. Sayyed Ibne Taoos (r.a.) continued to bask in the shade of Imam's (a.t.f.s.) generosity till the end of his life. Such was the perfection of his recognition that Sayyed Ibne Taoos (r.a.), while speaking to his son about the conditions of the reappearance of the Imam (a.t.f.s.) quotes the following verse and says:"Allah preserves whatever He wishes. And obliterates what He wishes"(Surah Ra'ad (13): 39)