The Era of Patience

O impatient ones! Allah (SWT) will not become hurried in regards with the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) due to the hurry and rush of ..people”‌

Believing in a saviour and his mission of settling the affairs of humanity is an accepted concept among all Divine religions, and mankind has been long waiting for the fulfilment of this aim.

This agenda (removing oppression from the earth and establishing a just government) is a huge project and a fundamental element of Allah’s (SWT) plan for future of all societies. However, for this purpose to be fulfilled, intellectual and mental growth is essential. Moreover, accepting it requires deep faith and spiritual power of people.

The problem with religious people is that they hurry in helping Allah (SWT) and punishing the oppressors, while Allah (SWT) has based his actions on rules and wisdom. Therefore, the Prophets and their successors made effort to train people with increasing their understanding and intellect. They taught people to fulfil their personal and social obligations, and leave the affairs in the care of Allah (SWT) while waiting for relief.

Hence, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) and the Ahl-Ul-Bayt (PBUT) have emphasized the importance of avoiding hurry and rush in regards with the reappearance of Imam Mahdi(PBUH) and praised those who wait and have patience in several narrations. Some examples of such narrations are as follows:

1- Imam Sadiq (PBUH) has told Muhazzam about avoiding hurry in regards with the matter of reappearance:”‌ … Rushing to take the government will lead people to destruction. However, Allah will not hurry due to people’s hurry. Rather this matter (ruling of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)) has a set time. Before that time, the affairs of people will not be hastened or postponed a second”‌ (1).

2- Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam Ali (PBUH) has advised people to wait by saying,”‌ Await the relief, and do not be disappointed from the mercy of Allah; because the best of deeds with Allah (SWT) is awaiting the relief. As long as faithful person is awaiting our affair, it is as if he is rolling in his blood in the way of Allah (SWT)”‌(2).

Also, Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) has quoted the Messenger of AllahAllah (PBUH&HP) who said,”‌ The best act of worship is awaiting the relief”‌ (3).

3- As for the reward of the patient ones at the end of time, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) has said to his companions,”‌ A group of people will come after you whose individuals will be rewarded as much as fifty people among you”‌. The companions asked,”‌ O Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP)! We have accompanied you in the battles of Badr, Uhud, and Hunayin; and the Holy Quran has been revealed about us”‌. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) replied,”‌ If what falls upon them while they have patience would fall upon you, you would have not kept patient like them”‌ (4).

Indeed, rush and hurry is undesirable in any matter, and would lead to failure. The matter of reappearance is no exclusion for this general rule. The means to this goal is patience and waiting. Nevertheless, one important point in this regards is that avoiding hurry about the reappearance of the saviour is not in conflict with praying and asking Allah (SWT) to hasten his reappearance; because Allah (SWT) provides means for every matter based on wisdom, and no event will take place unless the means are available. The matter of reappearance is similar in the sense that its occurrence has some requirements and preconditions.

The fact that we have been ordered to pray so that the reappearance would be hastened refers to hastening the fulfilment of the requirements and means. It is different from asking Allah (SWT) to hurry in this matter without any basis (5).

(The above is a selection taken from “The Encyclopedia of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)”‌, by Shaykh Ali Kourani (with some changes and additions))

Features of Imam mahdi’s Government

Revival of the Sunnah

Imam Mahdi is a divine figure who is on occultation and will reappear at the end times to establish justice in the world. He will establish a just government and will prepare the grounds for man’s perfection in all dimensions. There are many traditions (hadith) handed down both by Sunni and Shia scholars regarding his occultation and reappearance. According to many traditions the Imam will reappear at a time when the world is full of oppression and suppression. He will reappear to save the world from oppression and establish justice.

Also there are some traditions on the way of his governance. Some of the features of his government are discussed below.

 Revival of the Holy Book and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)

After his reappearance, Imam Mahdi (AJ) invites people who are sick of oppression, injustice and wickedness to embrace three principles of Unity, Prophecy and Imamate. According to the narrations, during his era, education will be developed at its most and all prophets and Imams’ instructions will be used to raise human beings and help them attain moral excellence.

As Imam Baqir (A.S) narrates: “during Imam Mahdi’s era, people will learn knowledge and wisdom to the extent that a housewife at home will be able to judge freely on the basis of the Holy Prophet’s acts and the Qur’an.”‌ [1]

In addition, Imam Baqir (A.S) says: “He will invite people to stick to the Holy Qur’an, Prophet’s Sunnah and Imam Ali’s leadership and avoid the enemies.”‌ [2]

As Imam Ali (A.S) says in sermon 138 (Nahj al-Balagha): “Upon Imam Mahdi’s reappearance, he will direct desires towards (the path of) guidance at a time when people have turned guidance towards desires, and he will draw their attention to the direction of the Qur’'an while the people try to interpret the Qur'an according to their own views. He also punishes all those agents who did evil for their wrongdoing. He will show you the just way of behavior and revive the Qur’an and Sunnah which are neglected by the people.”‌ [3]

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

Endnote:

1.Ghaibat al- Na’mani , P. 238

2.Bahar al-Anvar, Vol. 51, P. 47

3.Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 138.

(s Moses (A.S) Superior to Muhammad (PBUH

It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (A.S) that a Jew asked the holy prophet (PBUH): “Whether you are superior or the prophet Moses to whom God used to speak and had revealed Torah to him and had made his walking stick a miracle and had split the sea for him and had always shadowed him under the clouds?”‌

The holy prophet (PBUH)told the Jew: “Indeed a person should not boast and consider his own self as superior to others nevertheless the truth is that when Adam committed a mistake by his own freewill and wanted to seek forgiveness he prayed: “My God! I implore You to forgive me for the sake of the rights of Muhammad and Ale Muhammad on You.”‌ Then God forgave him. Similarly when prophet Noah (A.S) was afraid of storm and feared that his ark may sink, he prayed: “My God! I implore You to save me for the sake of the rights of Muhammad and Ale Muhammad, then God saved him from drowning. Similarly when Abraham (A.S) was thrown into the fire he prayed: “My God! I implore You to save me from fire for the sake of the rights of Muhammad and Ale Muhammad, then God saved him from the fire and made it cool and safe.

And when Moses had thrown his walking stick which became a python, he was afraid of the python and prayed: “My God! I implore You to protect me from this python for the sake of the rights of Muhammad and Ale Muhammad, then God said: “Don’t be afraid you are the superior one.”‌

Ye Jew! If Moses were present now without believing in my prophethood, his faith would not benefit him nor his prophet hood.”‌

Ye Jew! Imam al Mahdi (A.S) will emerge from my posterity and Jesus, son of Maryam, shall be sent by God to assist him. Jesus (A.S) will advance him to lead the congregation prayers and shall pray behind Imam Mahdi (A.F). (Amali e Sheikh Sadooqh P.287 4/320)

Note: The first creation of God was light i.e. the souls of Muhammad (S.A) and Ale Muhammad (fourteen Mas’umeen), they were created many million years before Adam and Eve and they perceived all the creations of God which were created as & when necessary.

Comparison of muslimand chirstian prayers

We will mention some examples of Christian worship in comparison with what we have mentioned about Islamic worship. The Bible says: And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew: 6)

We will discuss a few points from this prayer: It begins by addressing God with the word: Our father, in the heavens!

The application of the expression ‘father’ to God, if it is with realization, then Exalted is Allah, the One, the Unique, the Needless, Who begets not, nor is He begotten. If it is anthropomorphism, then High is His Might that He be ascribed with human characteristics. In such a situation their prayers and worship would be for the created and not the Creator.

As for worship in Islam, then it is for Allah, the Exalted, Who has nothing whatsoever like unto Him. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing; thus, the intellect does not deny Him recognition. He cannot be anthropomorphized with His creation.

After this praise for God, we see that the Christian prayer teaches him to ask for the bread for his body which is like grass for the body of an animal.

A Muslim, however, after praising his Lord in his prayer, seeks the light of vision in his wisdom so that he may find the right path to move to the purpose of his creation and the success in the way of his goal: Keep us on the right path. Thus, there is not any treasure more noble and precious than guidance which is the perfection of the human being. There is no path to the goal more fair, more right and nearer than the right path. And there is no goal higher and above Allah, the Blessed and Exalted.

The Christians do not forgive the people who have committed sins against them, nor do they forgive loans to people. Then how can they say this prayer, because with the words: as we also have forgiven our debtors; they would be lying in their prayers. Based on logic, lying is one of the evil acts and according to divine laws it is one of the major sins. Nearness to Allah is not possible through evil deeds and serving Him through sins. Repenting by sinning is another sin.

By: Ayatullah al-Uzma Shaykh Hussein Vahid Khorasani

Source: al-islam.org

?What Does It Mean to Wait for the Return of Imam Mahdi

?What Does It Mean to Wait for the Return of Imam Mahdi

To wait for the return of Imam Mahdi means:

A) To get to know Imam Mahdi, as the innocent establisher of justice and the pioneer of faith.

B) To have faith in Imam Mahdi being the Imam and our divine and just leader.

C) To have love for justice and for human values.

D) To have hope in a bright future.

E) To try to establish the rule of justice.

F) To be committed to the rules of religion and morality.

G) To have the spirit of commitment and accepting responsibilities.

To wait for the return of Imam Mahdi is considered as the best prayer of all, and such a believer has a high position and if he dies while Imam Mahdi is absent, he will have the dignity of those who are there after the return of Imam Mahdi and fight for him and for God.

An important point to mention is that it is true that it is not our duty to try to meet Imam Mahdi, as some scholars believe that this is very unlikely to happen and even if it does, it happens to people like Moghaddas Ardabili only, and not to ordinary people, no matter how good and religious they are.  But it is different to meet with Imam Mahdi than to be in contact with him. Our duty is to be in contact with Imam Mahdi and to say the Nodbeh Prayer, Ziarat Al Yasin Prayer, Ahd Prayer, Imam Mahdi’s prayer, and to go to Jamkaran in order to keep this contact with Imam and in order to pray for his material and spiritual problems to get solved.

Translated by: Sadroddin Mus

Imam Al-Mahdi, the Promised Saviour

Imam Al-Mahdi, the Promised Saviour

The belief in the Mahdi is not only an essential doctrine deep-rooted in Islamic faith but rather it is an embodiment of human nature regardless of one’s religious affiliations. For it is the universal desire of humans as a whole to try to achieve or at least witness the realisation of the ultimate objective of their existence, through which they will achieve perfection and social happiness in their entirety. Therefore by reason of inner necessity and inspiration, humans will see a day when society will be replete with justice.

More importantly, from a religious perspective the concept of the Mahdi is the culmination of human struggle in their path towards God the Almighty. It is when true Justice will be established through human hands but with Divine succour resulting in the prevalence of truth over falsehood and all its offshoots.

Certainly those fortunate and blessed individuals who will take part in this grand culmination of servitude, which will result in the prevalence of Truth over all forms of falsehood will be those whose conviction in the Mahdi and the promised day is resolute.

We therefore have to be mindful of what we do and should endeavour in making our souls pure by nourishing them with the Divine light thus making our souls the abode for Allah and his beloved angels. Spiritual perfection should be our goal and if there is any doubt as to whether the Imam is aware of our acts and is overlooking the welfare of his followers, a saying by the Imam should suffice;

‘We have not ignored your consideration, and have not forgotten your mention; otherwise hardship would have descended upon you and your enemies would have exterminated you.’ [Bihar Al-Anwaar, Ch. 53, Pg. 175]

The Imam is therefore watching over our affairs and is patiently awaiting our response to his call. The matter regarding the return of the Imam is not one simply related to awaiting a time frame chosen by the Almighty Allah, rather in accordance to the narration from the Prophet (PBUH), it has a direct relationship with our own actions, as he says; ‘The best of actions is awaiting Al-Faraj (the return)’

Source: aimislam.com

Those people who Expect Imam Mahdi should do the following

Those people who Expect Imam Mahdi should do the following

· To Be in Contact with the Other People who Are Waiting for the Return of Imam Mahdi

People who are waiting for Imam Mahdi to return know that Imam’s program is an international one and that he needs a lot of companions in order for his movement to be victorious. Therefore, those who are waiting for the return of Imam Mahdi keep their contacts with the other believers and try to increase the number of Imam Mahdi’s lovers. Being in contact with other believers adds to people’s spirituality and as said in Qur’an,

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety).”‌ (Al-Ma’idah: 2)

·  To Pray for Imam Mahdi to come back sooner

The true believers expect their beloved one every second and they ask God to bring him back as soon as possible. Therefore, one of the duties of the believers is to pray for the return of Imam Mahdi all the time.

·  To Give Alms

People should give alms with the intention of Imam Mahdi’s health. This pleases God and causes him to accept people’s religious deeds.

·  To be hopeful

People need to have hope in the battle and in the revolution of Imam Mahdi and they should take this hope to others too.

· To Always be Prepared to Fight for Imam Mahdi

As stated in a saying, each person should be prepared for fighting for Imam Mahdi, even if it contains the use of a single arrow only.

That is why they true believers should take part in Basij.

· To be Sorrowful, Because of the Inability to Meet Imam Mahdi

It is said in the Nodbeh prayer, “It is difficult for me to see the people and not to see you and not to hear what you say evidently and latently.”‌

Because those who are expecting Imam Mahdi cannot see him, they read the Nodbeh Prayer, the Al Yasin Prayer, the Ahd Prayer, Imam Mahdi’s prayer, and they go to the Jamkaran mosque to keep their contact with him and ask God to help Imam Mahdi solve his material and spiritual problems.

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi 

Blessing of Having Imam of the Time

Blessing of Having Imam of the Time

Having Imam of the Time is of valuable spiritual blessings of God we do not appreciate enough. He does not exclusively belong to any certain group but to the entire mankind. He intermediates divine blessings. Everything anyone has is due to his being but most people do not know him and are not in connection with him.

One reason for this great loss is that people do not know the Imam properly and miss the real meaning of respecting him.

By properly recognizing him as watching our deeds, we never do what he despises and on the other hand those lacking this recognition refer to their inner negligence and commit many sins.

They are referents of the following tradition:

“Whoever dies without knowing the Imam of his time, has died in negligence.”‌

Another reason for committing sins while aware of the presence God and Imam of the time is our carelessness. We know God and Imam of the time and feel their presence. Despite recognizing the Imam and trying not to be away from him, we do things that cause God and the Imams to be unsatisfied with us. This is due to our carelessness. We should do something to prevent this carelessness.

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

Getting to Know Imam Mahdi

Getting to Know Imam Mahdi

The first condition for the people who are waiting for Imam Mahdi is to get to know him. People do not wait for someone unless they know him and are aware of his good features. People wait for those whom they know well. Even if they know that someone is coming and they do not know him, they do not care and they do not wait for him. The same is true about those who are waiting for Imam Mahdi to come. Those who do not know him, like pagans and followers of other religions, never wait for him. But those do, who know him and are aware of his virtues and good characteristics.

Therefore, the first condition for those who are waiting for Imam Mahdi is that they get to know him.

 Of course people get to know the value and greatness of Imam Mahdi more, when they get to know him more and this will cause their thirst for seeing him to increase, while people, who are not aware of the value of Imam Mahdi, never feel the passion for meeting him. Therefore, they cannot be considered among those who are truly waiting for the return of Imam Mahdi.

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

?How Do the Companions of Imam Mahdi Join Him

?How Do the Companions of Imam Mahdi Join Him

According to the sayings, the companions gather around miraculously from faraway and close places at a night or in a morning in Mecca and they join Imam Mahdi there.

Imam Ali quotes from Prophet Muhammad in this regard, “God brings together the companions of Mahdi in Mecca, from east and west, in a blink of an eye.”‌

According to Imam Baqir, the companions of Mahdi get to Mecca miraculously and they join Imam Mahdi there.

The Presence of Women among the Companions of Imam Mahdi

Women too, are present among the companions of Imam Mahdi and they work as nurses. Different numbers have been mentioned in different sayings in regards to the women. According to a saying by Imam Sadiq there are thirteen nurses among the companions of Imam Mahdi, who take care of the injured and the sick. The name of nine of them has been mentioned in this saying. Some other sayings have talked about fifty women among the companions of Imam Mahdi, who work as nurses and aid the warriors of Islam. A greater number has been mentioned in some other sayings. That is probably because these sayings are about the women who accompany Imam Mahdi after his battle and they aid his army.

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

?Who Are the Companions and the Helpers of Imam Mehdi

?Who Are the Companions and the Helpers of Imam Mehdi

 

The Companions of Imam Mahdi:

The companions of Imam Mehdi are special people with exceptional talents, who join Imam Mehdi in the first hours after his appearance. They form the primary core for the international battle of Imam Mehdi. They are the people who both start Imam Mehdi’s battle with their presence, and become the advisers and ministers of him after the victory of the battle and they will be responsible for a lot of tasks then. Imam Mehdi will conquer the world with their help and he will establish justice all over the world.

These people are called “The Companions of Imam Mehdi”‌ in the sayings of Imams. They, in comparison to the other followers of Imam Mehdi, have a superior position and are more honored. They will also have more important and more sensitive duties in the government of Imam Mehdi.

The Helpers of Imam Mehdi:

The helpers of Imam Mehdi are among those who support him after his appearance and they join his army. This means all the people who join Imam Mehdi after the battle starts. There are three groups among the helpers that join the army of Imam Mehdi gradually:

1. The first group consists of those who join Imam Mehdi after he appears and the news of his battle reach Mecca. After Imam Mehdi appears and these people join him, he starts his battle and leaves Mecca for Medina.

2. The second group consists of all the believers, who join the army of Imam Mehdi in the way and fight against the enemies of God.

3.The third group consists of the forces and armies that join Imam Mehdi from far and close places in order to fight against the army of Sofiani and to support Imam Mehdi’s battle.

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

The title of Imam Mahdi "Al-Qa’im" (The Riser): Part 3

The title of Imam Mahdi "Al-Qa’im" (The Riser): Part 3

Now, contemplate; how can this tradition””whose narrator is the champion of fabrication””be relied upon in opposition to those firm fundamentals and hundreds of reliable traditions

As for the reason for employing the title "Al-Qa’im" for the Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his return): "Al-Qa’im" means "the one who rises." The Imam shall rise against political conditions and religious and social deviations and fill the world with justice and equity after it had become filled with injustice and oppression. Additionally, the issue of rising with the 

The title of Imam Mahdi "Al-Qa’im" (The Riser): Part 1

The title of Imam Mahdi "Al-Qa’im" (The Riser): Part 1

QUESTION: As everyone knows, one of the titles of the Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return) is "Al-Qa’im" (The Riser). A tradition has been related regarding the reason for his being given this title that requires contemplation, since it apparently indicates that this title was given because that personage will reappear after death. Yet we have over approximately one thousand traditions regarding that personage, his occultation, and long life, in view of which that tradition cannot be relied upon. However, if some clarifications about its narrators, text, 

The Era of Patience

The Era of Patience

O impatient ones! Allah (SWT) will not become hurried in regards with the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) due to the hurry and rush of people…”‌

Believing in a saviour and his mission of settling the affairs of humanity is an accepted concept among all Divine religions, and mankind has been long waiting for the fulfilment of this aim.

This agenda (removing oppression from the earth and establishing a just government) is a huge project and a fundamental element of Allah’s (SWT) plan for future of all societies. However, for this purpose to be fulfilled, intellectual and mental growth is essential. 

Imam Mahdi (A.S) and the Wahabbis

Imam Mahdi (A.S) and the Wahabbis

After propounding the Qur'an and traditional arguments there remains no doubt amongst the Muslims, irrespective of his religion either Sunni, Shiite, Wahabi or non-Wahabi, regarding the belief in imam al-Mahdi (A.S) and it is proved beyond doubt that it is a genuine Islamic belief, but since the Wahabi sect is having a very narrow-minded belief about some of the concepts of Islam hence from its very inception, it has been a butt of rebuke from the Muslim scholars, therefore we analyze in this brief study Wahabis point of view about imam al-Mahdi (A.S). In fact the following proofs will clarify that like other Muslim scholars Wahabi Scholars also believe in the existence of al-Mahdi (Mahdaviyat) and they regard this belief as the climax of