The Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam (a.s.)

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of the general populace (Sunnis) that says the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “If a person would die without having an Imam, his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic period)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is true, by Allah.” I then asked, “What if the Imam would pass away and a person is in Khurasan and does not know who the executor of the will of the Imam (a.s.) is, is this good excuse for him?” He (the Imam (a.s.) said, “No, that is not a good reason. When the Imam passes away, the responsibility of his successor becomes incumbent upon those present with him in the same land, while the duty of traveling (to seek guidance) falls upon those not in his vicinity once the news reaches them. Indeed, Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, says: "But why should not a party from every group among them go forth to gain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them so that they may beware?" (9:122)
I then said, “What if they did went out to find out but some of them would die before they could find out?” He said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has said, “...and one who dies, after having abandoned his home to get near to God and His Messenger, will receive his reward from God...” (4:100)
I then asked, “If some of them would reach your town but would find out that you have closed your door and the curtains are drawn closed; you would not call them to yourself and there is no one to guide them to you. How then the will know about you?” He said, “They would know about me through the book that Allah has revealed.” I then asked, “How has Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, said it?” He said, “I know that you have spoken to me about before this day also.” I said, “That is right.” He then said, “Recall what Allah has said about Ali (a.s) and what the Messenger of Allah (sw) said to him about Hasan and Husayn and what Allah has specially said about Ali (a.s) and what the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said about him about his will to him and appointing him and their sufferings and the acknowledgements of al-Hasan and al-Husayn of such facts. Recall the will of al-Hasan and his delivering it to al-Husayn. Allah has said, “The Prophet has more authority over the believers than themselves. His wives are their mothers. The relatives are closer to each other, according to the Book of God...” (33:6)
I then said, “People speak about Abu Ja‘far (a.s) and say, “How is it that Imamah has stepped out for him from among all the sons of his father even though they are all relatives and older than him and those younger than him did receive it just because they were younger?” He said, “The one to possess this matter can be recognized through three evidences that are not found with other people. He must have greater priority to the preceding Imam and that he would be the executor of the will of the preceding Imam. With him there must be the Armaments of the Messenger of Allah (sw) and the document of his will. This document is with me and no one disputes it.”
I then asked, “Is that kept secret and hidden for fear from the rulers?” He said, “There is nothing secret and hidden for which there is no clear evidence available. What is there, my father entrusted to me. When he was about to leave this world, he asked me to call people to bear testimony for him. I then called four people from Quraysh, among them was Nafi‘ the slave of ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar. My father said, “Write down, ‘This is how the will of Jacob to his children reads, “God has chosen this religion for you. You must not leave this world unless you are a Muslims.” (2:132) Muhammad ibn Ali made the same kind of will to his son, Ja‘far ibn Muhammad and commanded him to shroud him in his own gown which he would use during his Friday prayers, that his own turban must be used for him, that the surface of his grave should be given a square shape, raised three inches from the ground and thereafter leave it that much only.
Thereafter he wrapped up the document of the will and asked the witnesses to leave saying, “May Allah grant you blessings.“ When they left I asked, “What was in it O father, that asked them to bear testimony to?” He replied, "I disliked that you might be overpowered and that it might be said, 'He did not make a will.' I wanted you to have clear proof. This is why, when a man enters a city and asks, 'Who is the executor of so-and-so?' it is said, 'It is so-and-so.'" I asked, "What if he included others in the will?" He replied, "Ask him, for he will clarify it for you."