The Importance of Love for Imam Mahdi A.S
part 4
Indeed love for Imam Husain (a.s.) is the reward of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). This is because Imam (a.s.) rescued Islam, Allah's chosen religion, which was propagated by his grandfather, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). O lovers of Imam Husain (a.s.)! The criterion for love is to follow the beloved in letter and in spirit and to give preference to his wishes and desires over our own. We should pay attention to what Imam Husain (a.s.) has said concerning his ninth son, Allah's last proof, and we should try to act upon it. We should mould our behavior and disposition according to it and we should be careful that we are not accounted among the ungrateful ones.
Abdul Rahman bin Sulait narrates that Imam Husain (a.s.) said, 'There will be twelve guides from amongst us. The first one is Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) - Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.), while the last one is my ninth son the Qaim (A.S.). Through him Allah will enliven the dead earth and will make the rightful religion subdue all other religions even if this displeases the apostates. There is an occultation for him, which will be the cause of one group of Muslims rejecting him and returning to disbelief after belief, while another group will continue to believe in him and will remain steadfast in their faith. Those who will remain steadfast will become the target of taunts and it will be said to them, if reappearance is indeed a promise then when will the promise be fulfilled. Those who are patient and steadfast on the intense difficulties of occultation will attain the status of a warrior who has done jehad alongside the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) against the infidels." (Kamaluddin, vol. 1, chapter 30)
The above tradition related by Imam Husain (a.s.) highlights a few very pertinent points.
a) Allah's final proof will be the ninth son of Imam Husain (a.s.).
b) He will rise one day after his occultation.
c) His occultation will be prolonged.
d) Allah shall subdue all other religions with the religion of truth.
e) He shall enliven the earth after its deterioration.
f) The nation shall be divided in two sections. One shall steadfastly believe in him while the other shall reject him.
g) The steadfast ones shall be subjected to intense difficulties and calamities.
h) The steadfast group shall enjoy the same position as that of the early Muslims who did jihad alongside the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) against the apostates.
This tradition underlines the importance of love for Imam Mahdi (A.S.). The bond of love must be firm and resolute. It should not be that we accept Imam (A.S.) by our tongues and fall short in our actions. It should not be that we become despair about the rise of the nation. Even if we aren't struck by pessimism and doubt, it should not be that we believe in Imam (A.S.) as if it is folklore of a person who will rise one day and will establish truth and justice and will usher in an era of goodness where no evil will exist and in this entire affair we don't have to do anything except sit and watch.
This is the time when we should sit back and reflect on ourselves. We should for a moment consider the loyal companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who accompanied him (s.a.w.a.) in the battles and willingly gave up their lives to attain martyrdom. Indeed their character, certainty, determination, faith, love for Allah and love for His Apostle were so firm and unshakeable that we get some idea of what is expected from us. Then we realize that we have not fulfilled the obligations of love. We have not honored the pre-requisites of attachment. And if it is not so then why is the occultation of Imam (A.S.) being prolonged to such an extent? Imam's (A.S.) reappearance depends upon the steadfast ones of the Islamic nation who are being disgraced but are patient and steadfast on difficulties and everyday recite the verse
'I bear witness in letter and in spirit that certainly you are Imam Mahdi (A.S.).' (Ziyarate Salaamullahil Kaamil, Mafaateehul Jenaan)
To perform religious obligations today is a Himalayan task. To strive and struggle with the self against the calamities and disputes in this age and to nurture love and affection (for Imam (A.S.)) is indeed difficult. We are passing through the era about which Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had said "when the earth shall be filled with injustice and oppression". Satan is working overtime to deviate the people. Man is involved in all kinds of diseases, related to the body and the soul. There are new calamities emerging every day. The prophesies of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) about the last era are unfolding in front of our eyes. There are a thousand means of deviation and destruction but hardly any source of survival. Man's intellect is stumped and the whole society is engulfed in this epidemic and is unable to decide on a particular course of action, no matter how simple it is.
Source: imamalmahdi.com
Other Links:
Responding to Some Points Raised By Ibn Khaldun (Part 2)
The Existence of the Mahdi is certain
Other Opinions from Ibn Khaldun
People Awaited the Appearance of the Mahdi
The Jurists of Medina and the Mahdi Traditions
