THE TWELFTH INFALLIBLE IMAM MAHDI (A.T.F.)

Every religion in the world is waiting for the for the appearance of a “Savior”. The Muslims are also waiting for the Savior; the Shia Muslims and a majority of Sunni Muslims believe that he was born. He was named after the name of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He is also called by other names like Saheb az-Zaman, Mahdi, Qa’im etc.  His father was the Eleventh Infallible Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.).

At the death-bed the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had said, “I am leaving behind two weighty things; the Glorious Qur’an and my Pure Progeny. If you are attached to both, you will not go astray” As there is a constant struggle between Truth and Falsehood from the commencement of life on this planet, the same phenomena continued after the sad demise of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). The Umayyads and Abbasids continued to imprison, isolate, murder and poison the Pure Progeny of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). After the martyrdom of the Infallible Imam Hasan al-Askari by the Abbasside king, Allah (s.w.t.) saved the 5-year Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and placed him in occultation (invisible to the people). He will reappear when Allah wishes and fill the world with justice as it would be filled with oppressions and injustice.

There are many questions relating to his abnormal disappearance, which may be addressed as follows:

1.      How a 5-year-old boy can become the Imam of the mankind? Muslims gladly accept the Prophet hood of Prophet Isa when he was an infant!

2.      How can Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) live so long? Prophet Noah had lived and preached for 950 years. Prophet Isa is still alive and must be about 2000 years old! Al-Khizr is still alive, he was before the time of Prophet Musa, hence he must also be 3,000 years old. Hanafi scholar Sibt ibn al-Jawzi in his book “Tazkirat al-Khawas al-Ummah” page 325-328 gives the names of 22 people believed by Muslims to have lived from 300 to 3,000 years. Allah (s.w.t.) is most Powerful and when He (s.w.t.) intends to do anything, He says “Kun Fa Yakoon” and it is done. No one can dare to challenge His Will.

3.      Why Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) disappeared? When Allah (s.w.t.) ordered Prophet Adam and Shaytan (l.a.) to descend on earth and promised (out of His love for the mankind), He will send Guidance to humanity. “When My Guidance comes to you, those who follow it will not go astray.” (Ta-Ha 123). Consequently, He sent 124,000 prophets and after the demise of His last Messenger the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), and to continue with the Divine promise of Guidance, He started the Golden Chain of Imamate. The Infallible Imam Ali (a.s.) was the first Imam and Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) was designated as the last. But the hostile forces of evil continued either to slay or poison the eleven Divinely appointed Imams, hence to continue the Guidance of humanity, Allah (s.w.t.) placed Imam Mahdi in Occultation. Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) is guiding the humanity apparently obscured from the eyes but functioning as sun is supplying light and energy from behind the cloud!

After the “Great Occultation “till the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.), the Muslims were directed by Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) to follow such learned scholars who possessed complete and through knowledge of Halal and Haram. Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) said, “…turn to the narrators of our traditions, because they are proof to you, while I am the proof of Allah to them.”

Hence, the Shi’i Muslims unanimously elect the most pious and knowledgeable scholar as the Grand Marjah who leads a very simple life and responsible for the spiritual, social guidance of Muslims as a whole, protects Islam if attacked. He looks after the poor and needy.

It is the duty of his (Imam)s followers to practice what they believe – watch for Halal and Haram, practice the “Furu’-e-Deen” Branches of Islam, comply with the rights of the people specially the relatives, read and understand the Glorious Qur’an as frequently as practical, try to be a good representative of our Imams in our social dealings.

Sources: Life of Imam Mahdi by Allama Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi, The Sun behind the clouds by Allama Baqir Majlisi (r.a.) A shi’ite Encyclopedia – Special Specifications of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.)   

NIGHT PRAYER (NAMAZ-E-SHAB OR NAMAZ-E-TAHAJJUD)

The Night Prayers has been referred in the Glorious Qur’an in many places , some of them are; Surah al-Asra’ Ayah 79, “Say your special (Tahajjud) prayer during some part of the night as an additional (obligatory) prayer for you alone so that perhaps your Lord will raise you to a highly praiseworthy position.” Surah al-Muzammil Ayahs 1-4, “You who have wrapped yourself up with a mantle, worship Allah for a few hours at night. (Worship Him) for more or less than half of a night and recite the Qur’an in a distinct tone.” Surah al-Dha’riyat Ayah 17-18, “They slept very little during the night and asked for forgiveness in the early morning.” Surah al-Sajdah Ayah 16, “Their sides give up rest in beds in order to pray before their Lord in fear and hope. They spend for the cause of Allah out of what We have given them.”

The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) quotes the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) as saying that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said that a person who performs the Salatal Layl gets the following 24 benefits:

“Secures Allah’s Pleasure, makes friends with the angels, is the Sunnah of the prophets, increases knowledge, physical fitness, drives Shaytan away, protection from enemies, causes acceptance of du’as and virtues, increase in sustenance, lightens his grave, companionship in the grave, facilitates questioning in the grave, provides shelter and clothes on the Day of Resurrection, protects from Hell Fire, gets Allah’s pardon, increases the weight of good deeds on the Scale, facilitates the crossing on the Bridge of Sira’at, and forms the Key to the Paradise.”

The Night Prayer may be performed from mid-night to the time of Adhan Fajr. The night prayer consists of 3 parts; Nawafil 8 raka’at, Shaf’a 2 raka’at, Witr

Nawafil may be performed like morning prayers 4 times. It is recommended to recite Surah Hamd in first raka’at followed by Surah Tawhid. In second raka’at recite Surah Ka’firun after Surah Hamd.

Shafa’ also like morning prayer but recite Surah Hamd and Surah Na’as in the first raka’at. In the second raka’at, recite Suarh Hamd and Surah Falaq.

Namaz-e-Witr consists of reciting Surah Hamd 1 time, Surah Tawhid 3 times, Surah Falaq 1 time and Surah Na’as 1 time. Recite following in Qunoot:

Bismillah HirRahman nirRahim * Laa Ilaha Illallahul Halimul Karim * Laa Ilaha Illallahul Aliyyul Azim * Subhaanallahi Rabbis Samaawaatis Sab * wa Rabbil Arzinas Sab * wa Maa Fihinna wa maa baynahunna * wa Rabbil Arshil Azim * Wal Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil Aalamin.

Pray for the forgiveness of 40 or more Mu’mineen/Mu’minaat by taking individual names after “Allahummagh Firli” Recite Astaghfirulah Rabbi wa Atuubu Ilayh 70 times

Recite Haadhaa Maqaamul A’idhi Bika Minannaar 7 times

Recite “Al-Afwa” 300 times

Recite Rabbigfirli warhamni wa tubalaiyyi, Innaka Anta Tawwaburrahim

Complete the Namaz s usual by Rukuu, Sajdah, Tashahud, and Salaam

As Ta’khibaat, recite Tasbih-e-Fatima Zahra (s.a.), recite Ayatal Kursi, perform “Sajdah of Shukr” (5 times Subbuhun Quddusun Rabbil Malaekatil wa Ruhi)

                Sources: Ramadhan with the Holy Qur’an by Muhsin Qarati

                                Taqwa Advice of Ahlul Bayt by Sayyed Hussain Tooyserkani

                                Salat Layl by H.T. Kassamali

                                Duas.org