Imam Al-Mahdi: The Awaited Hope for Humanity

Part 2

Similarly the Abbasid Caliphate was well aware of the Mahdi and of how he would fill the world with justice and truth after it had been filled with injustice and falsehood from several traditions originating from the Prophet Muhammad. These narrations are present to date in both Shi’a and Sunni books.

“The world will not come to an end until a man from the descendants of Husayn takes charge of the affairs of the world and fills it with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny.”

At the age of five, after the tragic martyrdom of his father, the eleventh divine successor of the Prophet Muhammad – Hassan son of Ali, the Mahdi went into a minor occultation. During this period, the Mahdi was in contact with his followers through appointed deputies. This lasted for a period of about sixty nine years.

A few days before the death of his fourth and final deputy the Imam informed his followers, through his deputy, that there would be no more deputies after the death of the current one and after this period the Imam would go into a Major Occultation, which would continue until the day God grants permission to the Imam to manifest himself.

During this period, none would be able to approach the Imam through deputies or through direct contact. In regards to the duration and the importance of this period, the Prophet Muhammad was once asked about the nature of the reappearance of the Mahdi. In his reply the Prophet likened the time of the Reappearance of the Mahdi to that of the Hour of Resurrection and then narrated the Quranic verse;

“He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you save unawares” (Holy Quran: Chapter 7, Verse 187)

An important question is raised in relation to this specific period, by those who doubt or question the existence of the Mahdi. What is the benefit of the Imam to his followers during his occultation?

In order to answer this question, one should realise that the position and the role of an Imam is not only to administer the affairs and the needs of the Ummah, rather he is the link between man and God, the link between the material and the spiritual worlds. Moreover, his physical presence or absence has no bearing on his position in regards to this role. This can be derived from one of the sayings narrated by the Imam himself;

‘My benefit (to the people) during my occultation is similar to that of the sun when it disappears from sight behind the clouds.’ - [Bihar Al-Anwaar, Ch. 53, Pg. 181]

Examining the above saying from a scientific approach, we understand that just like how the Earth is sustained with the Sun’s energy and light irrespective of whether it is behind clouds, similarly, we derive immense spiritual benefit from the Imam regardless of whether he is physically with us or not.

Furthermore, one can also obtain another important role of Imamate from the saying above. Today, we know that the Sun is the centre of the solar system and its existence nourishes and nurtures for the planetary objects around it, similarly the Imam’s sole presence, whether active or not, is of paramount importance as it is the source of life for all as without the existence of God’s proof on Earth the world is tantamount to complete annihilation.

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 (SAW), it has a direct relationship with our own actions, as he says;

‘The best of actions is awaiting Al-Faraj (the return)’

The emphasis in this saying is on the word ‘actions’, because it is in reference to participating in an action in order to bring about that awaited time. From this narration stems the School of Awaiting which is a comprehensive study into the necessary approaches and actions of the Muslim community in order to hasten the appearance of the return.

It is this exact approach that the AhlulBayt Islamic Mission (AIM) undertakes as its core doctrine, and it is through this that all AIM projects are run. It is therefore the objective of the AhlulBayt Islamic Mission, to outwardly promote a platform for the blessed return in all fields of life, and to encourage and motivate the masses to embrace true Islam and work towards the fulfillment of the command of Allah on Earth.

AIM believes that the solution to all problems be they on a worldly or individual level, and that the completion of the Divine plan is realized with the return of the Imam of our time. Based on this and on the narration mentioned earlier, AIM believes that it is the duty of every Muslim to continually remember the central significance of the Imam and to place all efforts in to working for the return of the Imam.

It is therefore necessary for everyone to work tirelessly for this objective and to remember that this mission is the only legitimate solution to the problems faced by mankind at large. It is the responsibility of everyone to remind those around them of this sacred mission and it is likewise their responsibility to sacrifice their time, efforts and even their finances for the cause of the awaited Imam.

It is a frequent saying amongst many Muslims, when they remember the martyrs of Karbala to chant: “If only we were with you, for surely we would have been victorious.” We today have that option, we have an Imam in occultation waiting for us to reach out towards him. He is patiently waiting for that time to come where a small group of people would truly be of his followers such that he may appear and lead this Ummah towards salvation, and yet we as a people sit and do nothing.

The AhlulBayt Islamic Mission, calls on everyone to join its ranks and help in this sacred mission to bring about the return of the Imam of our time, for surely as the Imam himself stated:

“In my return is your return"

Other Links:

Some Ways for Waiving the Remaining Time of Occulation (Part 1)

Some Ways for Waiving the Remaining Time of Occulation (Part 2)

Some Ways for Waiving the Remaining Time of Occulation (Part 3)