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.)
No comments:
Post a Comment