Imam Mahdi

"What Remains with Allah is better for you if you are believers (11:86)" The Birth of the Imam (A.S): Al Hujjat ibn Al -Hassan Al – Mahdi (as) the 12th divine leader of Islam was born on dawn, Friday the 15th of Shaaban 255 AH correspondent to 868 AD in the house of the 11th Imam (as) in the city of Samerrah (Iraq). His honorable father is Imam Hassan Al-Askari (as), and his modest mother was the daughter of Caesar’s son, Joshua, and from the generation of Samoan one of Jesus’ apostles. She was so preferable that Imam Hassan’s daughter called her “The mistress of herself and her family”. Hakimah was herself one of the noble ladies in her time, but she called herself “Nargis’s servant”. Imam Muhammad al- Mahdi’s name is that of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his agnomen Abal Qassim is also that of the Holy Prophet (SAW). He is almost 1150 years old and his life will last as much as Allah wishes. Mahdawiah in the Qur’an and Narration As a promise it is mentioned frankly in the Holy Qur’an : “And certainly we wrote in the book after the reminder that (as for) the land, My righteous servants shall inherit the earth”. (Chap 21:105) Islam will become an international religion and other religions will disappear. Also in the Holy Quran it is written that one of the relics of His Holy existence is above point: “It is he Who sent His Apostle with the guidance and the true religion, that he may make it overcome all of the religions, though the polytheists may be reluctant” (61:9) It means that He sent this religion with His Messenger Muhammad (SAW) in order to overcome all other religions and eventually all the people obey it . The Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah will send one of my family to overcome injustice and cruelty through justice, even if only one day of this world is left” (Ahmad Hanbal , vol -1 p.99). Another narration from the Prophet (SAW) says: “Resurrection will not happen until a man from our household will govern the world whose name is as mine.” (A.Hanbal Vol 1 pp. 376, 430). Imam Ali (as) says: “In fact the world is never deprived of a Hujjah (Imam), either obvious and known hujjah, or a hujjah who is hidden from the people’s eyes. Mahdi (A.S.) in Shia One of the common beliefs among all nations and religions is believing in a divine savior who is the cause of vast blessings and charity for human being. Of course, such savior differs from one nation to another; and it would be discussed in the article: “Mahdi in religions”. Believing in a savior is in human’s nature that causes hope giving and inspiring. Shia- like other schools - insists explicitly on existence of a savior, Mahdi (AJ), but the difference is that in Ithna’ashari Shia, (the Shia who believes in all the twelve Imams) believing in Mahdi is one of the school’s principles and prayers to Allah and acceptance of worships would be accomplished only by believing in this important base. In this article, definite believing in a savior in other religions and nations will be discussed and specially, Shia’s opinion about Mahdi (AJ) will be emphasized. We will declare Mahdi’s (AJ) characteristics from Shia’s point of view, his occultation and his basic role in the world. Also we will explain the era of his reappearance and the golden period of his governorship briefly. Shia believes in this heavenly Promised (Mahdi (AJ)) firmly and has fully talked about him. Below, the aspects of this belief are declared. Who is the Savior according to Shia belief? Shiites believe that the Savior (Mahdi) is the ninth son of Imam Hosain (AS), (the third Imam of Shiites), son of Imam Ali (AS), and Imam Hosain (AS) is son of Fatimah (AS), the great Prophet’s daughter. Mahdi (AJ) is son of Imam Hasan Askari (AS) (the eleventh Imam of Shiites). According to reliable narratives from the honored Prophet of Islam (PBUH), Mahdi (AJ) is his namesake. He was born in the city of Samereh in Iraq in year 255 (Hejri Ghamari) and is one of the longeval people of the history. Shia believes that he is alive but away from people’s eyes and his occultation (not absence) is the will of Allah but this occultation has protected his life. Mahdi (AJ) is the twelfth Imam of Ithna’ashari Shiites and their greatest leader in the world at present and Shiite’s flag is in his hands. His location is not known exactly and Shiites believe that he lives among people. He is the most pious, just, learned and truthful of all the people. Shia considers him as an “Infallible” (means he is away from any sin and fault). He is the real commentator of Holy Quran and performer of right commandments of Islam. He is the most similar person to the Prophet (PBUH) and whom Allah gets, to give His blessing to the world. He has occulted for an unknown period, but benefits mankind like the sun behind the clouds. He is the kindest of all people and everything for Shiite is from him. His occultation has many reasons, which we will describe in article “Occultation”. There would be Faraj, relief (reappearance) after this occultation according to Allah’s will. At first, he will rise from Mecca and will organize a worldwide revolution to spread justice. He will eradicate all the wicked and will propagate honesty and theism. He will govern the entire world several years and people will experience a divine government, which was desired by all previous prophets and Imams, in the golden era of his appearance. In this era, Jesus Christ will come from sky to the earth to help Mahdi (AJ). The number of his generals is 313 (the number of soldiers in the first battle of Islam) who are the outstanding people in the history. Most of them are not for that time but they will be got alive by Allah to help Mahdi (AJ) and likewise the enemies of previous Imams to be punished by him. More details about this era will be discussed in the article: “Reappearance Era”. And finally, after years of his governorship, he will be martyred by the most vicious of all people and that is the time when all people will die and will be raised by Allah’s will in the day of resurrection (for the last judgment). Our Role as Shi'ites So now, what is a duty of a Shi'ite? What responsibilities does he have? Truly, are we reckoned among the real followers of His Eminence (Imam al Mahdi)? If we study the lives of the devout Shi'ites (followers) of the Holy Imams before the Twelfth Imam, and consider their sacrifices without the slightest hesitation, we shall at once awake from our neglectful slumber and realize our weakness and guilt. Were not Salman al-Farsi, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, 'Ammar ibn Yasir and Malik al Ashtar, the followers of the contemporary Imam 'Ali, Amir al-muminin , peace be on him, and are we too the followers of the Imam of our Age ? Was not Maytham at-Tammar, who did not cease to praise 'Ali, the Lord of the faithful, a follower of His Eminenee 'Ali, and are we too, who are passing with the Imam of our Age through a strange period, the followers of His Eminenee ? Were not the martyrs of Karbala', who with love strived in the way of defending the Imam of their time, Husayn , peace be on him, and were martyred, the followers of His Eminenee, and are we too, who refuse to give our wealth, lives and other means in the way of the Imam of our time, His Eminenee 's followers ? Is a person like Hisham ibn Hakam, who in his extraordinary and valuable debates erushed and defamed the opponents of the Divine Leadership (Imamate) in such a way that he was called the "assistant of the Imam" by Imam as Sadiq, peace be on him, a Shi'ite? And are we too, who are sluggish in fulfilling our foremost duty to reeognize the Imam of our time, Shi'ites ? From what we read of the glad tidings in the Qur'an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet and the infallible Imams, the Imam of the Age (Imam e Zaman) has speeial responsibilities which other Imams did not have. Imam e Zaman will establish a Universal Government. He will fill the earth with righteousness and justiee. He will exploit the earth's treasures and natural resources. He will improve and develop the land, and in this way people's awareness and understanding will improve. Therefore, do not the followers of His Eminence have a very particular duty? Should not the Shi'ites endeavour to obtain the competence and merit of being His Eminence's special Companions when he reappears by Divine Command ? Therefore, let us see what our duties are and how we should observe them. Undoubtedly, our first duty is to beeome aequainted with him. Recognizing Imam e Zaman is so important and essential that in the Holy Prophet's traditions we read: He who dies without reeognizing the Imam of his age is like one who had died during the jahiliyyah (the pagan era before the advent of Islam). To die during the jahiliyyah means a death devoid of Islam and faith. And it is obvious that one who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age is counted in the group of the faithless. In another tradition, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir , peace be on him is quoted as having said on the same subject: One who dies without having (accepted) the Imam, it is as if he died in the jahiliyyah, and people are not exempted from recognizing their Imam. Therefore, we must endeavour to recognize His Eminence (Imam e Zaman) for the sake of Islam and our faith, and so that we may be reckoned among those who have gained salvation and among the faithful. Another duty of the Shi'ites during the major occultation, which the Holy Imam have alluded to, is the question of being ready for the Saviour Hence, the first step for salvation is to recognize the Imam of the age; and the second step is to be prepared for the establishment of just Government by His Eminence. One who is waiting (muntazir) and preparing himself for the appearance of the Imam must have the characters and merits of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, and should sacrifice his life and wealth in his way. For this reason Imam as-Sadiq, peace be on him, said: One who waits for our commands is like a person who sacrifices his own blood in the way of Allah. One who dies while expecting the Government of al-Qa'im is like one who is in the presence of al - Qa'im (Imam al-Mahdi). After a pause he added: But he is like one who has been struck with a sword while accompanying him. Then he insisted further by adding: Nay, by Allah! He is like one who has been martyred in the presence of the Messenger of Allah. Are we reckoned among those who are expecting His Eminence? Are we at least waiting for the Divine Promise of the Authority of Allah (Waliyyu'llah) in the same manner as we wait for the return of our loved ones from a journey?In another tradition, Imam as-Sadiq , peace be on him narrated the virtues of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi , peace be on him saying: If one takes pleasure in being among the companions of al-Qa'im, then he must wait for him and must act with good behaviour and modestly. If he dies before the appearance of al- Qa'im, then he will be rewarded like one who has followed him. Then act diligently, and await, that this effort and awaiting will give you delight, O' you who have found salvation. Shi'ites must have a devout link with His Eminence during the occultation. Their hearts and souls should be filled with love and affection for him. Their thoughts should be devoted to his service and their desire should be to meet him. Their prayers should be to ask for the blessing of Allah to be showered on His Eminence, and their supplication should be for salvation. Their existence should be one welded and fused unit, and their life should blaze with love for him. * * * Dua for Imam al Mahdi, peace be on him: O Allah! We ask of Thee to favor us with the gift of being obedient to Thee, and Detach us from being disobedient to Thee. Bestow on us being sincere in intentions; and Provide us with the knowledge of what is sacred. O Allah! Honor us with guidance and honesty, and Direct our tongues to what is right and wise; Fill our hearts with comprehension and knowledge, and Cleanse us from the forbidden and doubtful. O Allah! Prevent [our hands] from committing oppression and theft, Lower our gaze [out of modesty] from the immoral and disloyal, and Block our ears from hearing the vain talk and slander. Endorse our scholars with the gift of piety and fitting advice, and the learning ones with hard work and desire to learn. Bless the listeners [to Thy scholars] with wisdom and compliance, and Impart recovery and comfort to the sick ones from illness and disease, and bless the dead among them with kindness and mercy. O Allah! To our old people, award dignity and peace of mind, To our young people, confer repentance and turning away from sin, and To our women, bestow modesty and chastity. O Allah! Supply the rich with humility and abundance; and the poor with patience and contentment. Let those fighting in Thy way be victorious, and the imprisoned be freed and unfettered. Let the rulers be just and kind and the ruled be fair and with good conduct; Bless the ones on pilgrimage with abundance and support, and help them complete what is obligatory on them. With Your Grace and Kindness, O Most Kind, Full of Grace!