Rational reasons for Imamate and Mahdism - First series

Imamate (leadership) has to be understood…

Since “understanding the generalities” is the realm of wisdom and “Understanding the details” is the realm of the five sense, normally the intellectual reason can’t be used to prove detailed matters. For example intellect just know two plus two is four and everything happens for a reason.

In Mahdism scope, intellect suggests "it is not only good, but essential to comprehend some issues like introduction, appointment and the existence of a divine guide for humans" but "recognition and verification of the Imam to actual persons" is not something wisdom can do solely, we have to refer to the Quran, the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and miracles of the claimant of Imamate.

In other words, intellectual and logical reflection is a mean to explain that existence of an Imam is essential in every time, but verification of that fact to Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is something else.

(Selected from the book “Adele e aqli e Imamat wa Mahdaviat” (Rational reasons for Imamate and Mahdism); Rahim Latifi)

 

Where to start with?

To investigate and reason the principle of Imamate, we should first understand Allah and His prophet; because these are the prerequisites for the subject of Imamate. Therefore the information that is uploaded with the title of “rational reasons for Imamate and Mahdism” is on the assumption that we have already investigated, understood and accepted its prerequisite (that means Monotheism, Resurrection, Prophethood and Divine Justice).

This is a list of some “rational reasons for Imamate” that we are going to study later on: Mercy of Allah, purposefulness of creation, the need to an interpreter of revelation, divine grace, the means of divine grace, the issue of perfect human, the regulation of the possibility of highness and… .

(Extracted from the book “Adele e aqli e Imamat wa Mahdaviat (rational reasons for Imamate and Mahdism)”: Rahim Latifi)

 

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1001facts about Imam Mahdi - First series

Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Power)

Laylat al-Qadr is the night of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) on which angels are sent down on him and present the destiny of affairs to him. The infallible leaders have said while interpreting the Surah of Qadr: “On this night, angels bring the destiny of one year to the Absolute Guardian of the Time, present it and hand it over to him.”

(The book “al-Kafi”, the book “al-Hujjah”)

 

The features of the Minor Occultation era

1- It was a short period and lasted almost 70 years.

2- Imam Mahdi (PBUH) was not totally hidden during this era, but he was in contact with his Special Deputies and sometimes these Deputies made appointments for people.*1

3- Imam Mahdi (PBUH) had 4 Deputies during this era that he himself appointed every single one of them and other representatives were chosen by these four ones. After this period, there is no particular person as his special Deputy but everyone who is qualified (like Islamic Jurists) can be his General Deputy.

4- It was possible for some people to see Imam and recognize him during the Minor Occultation era, but in the Major Occultation era no one sees him or if someone does, would not recognize him.*2 If some special ones do see and recognize him, they are not allowed to tell people except by Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) permission.

( 1-Al-Ghayba al-Tusi, p. 216; 2- Pazuheshi piramun-e zendegi-e nuvvab-e khas-e Imam Mahdi (A research on Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) Special Deputies lives), Ghaffar Zadeh, p.33 )

 

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Mahdavi Prayers and Salutations - First series

In the subject of “Mahdavi Prayers and Salutations”, we are going to study topics like prayers related to Imam Mahdi (PBUH)

some special prayers for days and months, resorting to Imam Mahdi (PBUH), Ziarahs (a type of salutations) and …We recommend all of you, helper to Imam Mahdi (PBUH), to find the book of Sahifah Mahdiah by Sayyed Murteza Mujtahedi Sistani and use it.

The prayer of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)

Qutb Ravandi writes: “The prayer of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), may our souls be his ransom, has two Rakats. In each Rakat the Surah “AL-FAATEHAH” should be recited and once arriving “Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek” this verse should be repeated 100 times and after finishing the prayer, salute Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his progeny100 times and then ask Allah your need.” (Da’avat Ravandi, p. 89)

This prayer is not exclusive to special time and place and reciting a Surah is not obligatory after the Surah “AL-FAATEHAH” and no specific benediction is recommended after the prayer.

 

The prayer of the Holy Mosque of Jamkaran

Hasan ibn Muthlah says: “My master, Imam Mahdi (PBUH), told me: “People should be eager for (come to) this place (Jamkaran) and cherish it and offer 4 Rakats of prayer: two Rakats for salutation and honor of the mosque and in each Rakat recite the Surah al-Hamd once and the Surah al-Ikhlas seven times and recite the special dhikr (invocation) of every Rukoo (bowing with the hands on the knees) and Sujud (prostration) seven times.

And after those, two Rakats for Imam Mahdi (PBUH), in each Rakat recite the Surah “al-Hamd”, once reaching “Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek”, repeat it a hundred times, then finish the Surah “al-Hamd” and recite the Surah “al-Ikhlas” after that and recite the special dhikr of every Rukoo and Sujud seven times and offer the second Rakat the same way. When the prayer is completed, say “There is no God but Allah” and recite the Tasbih of Lady Fatimah (PBUH) and prostrate and recite salutation a hundred times.”

 “Then he said: “Anyone who offer this prayer is like he has offered it in the Kaaba.””

(Jannah al-Ma’va, p. 231)

 

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The importance and the necessity to pray for the Reappearance - First series

“The etiquette of prayer” 1/2

Now that the importance of praying and its wonderful effects came to light, (by the previous number of this subject) we proceed to study the etiquette of praying. It is written in volume 93 of Bihar al-Anwar: “If you don’t observe the condition of praying, don’t expect your prayer to be answered.”

1. Prayer should start with the name of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “A prayer that starts with “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful” won’t be rejected.” *1

2. A prayer should include the praise and worship of Allah. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) says: “Any prayer that is offered without the praise and worship of Allah before it, is incomplete and fruitless.”*2

3. Salutation to Prophet Muhammad and his Progeny. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Your salutation to us makes both your prayer accepted and your deeds pure.”*3

4. Seeking intercession. It has come in Verse 35 of the Surah al-Ma’ida: “Seek the means of approach unto Him” (meaning Ahl-al-Bayt).

5. Confessing sins. Imam Sadiq (PBUH): “Prayer consists of praise of Allah and then confessing sins…”*4

(1. Bihar al-Anwar 93/313; 2. Al-Kafi 2/503; 3. Bihar al-Anwar 94/54; 4. Bihar al-Anwar 93/318)

 

The etiquette of prayers 2/2

The continuation of previous number↩️

6- It should not be out of negligence and it must be offered with deep attention. Imam Sadiq (PBUH): “Allah does not answer prayers of a neglectful person. So pray carefully and attentively.”*1

7- Purity of food, drink and clothes. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “One who wishes his prayers to be answered, his food and trade must be Halal (pure).”*2

8- Paying the rights of the people. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said: “Allah says” “I swear by My Honor, I will never answer prayers of the oppressed one who has done the same to another one.””*3

9- Abandoning the sin which is obstacle to answering the prayers. Imam Baqir (PBUH) said: “A servant asks Allah a favor … Then the servant commits a sin and Allah tells the angels: “Do not grant his need and deprive him of it.””*4

10- Being optimistic to the acceptance of the prayer. It is said in a Hadith: “When you are praying, ask Allah with all your heart and soul, and then believe in the acceptance of it.”*5

11- Persistence and insistence on prayers. It is written in the Old Testament: “Do not get tired of praying because I (Allah) won't get tired of answering.”*6

(1& 5-Bihar al-Anwar 93/323; 2 & 6-Bihar al-Anwar 93/372; 3-Bihar al-Anwar 93/320; 4-Bihar al-Anwar 73/328.)

 

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Mahdavi Lifestyle - First series

The concept of Mahdavi lifestyle

Lifestyle is the combination of actions and thoughts that together makes the puzzle of our life as a whole.

The awaiting person should choose a lifestyle that makes his master smile when his deeds are presented to Imam Mahdi (PBUH). So, firstly it is necessary to be acquainted with the lifestyle that is approved by Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and then employ it in daily life carefully.

Mahdavi lifestyle is the same as the religious lifestyle; but who cares about Mahdism and the Reappearance, does these religious actions with the intension of satisfying his master. For example when he is training a child, he thinks about how to raise a child who is a helper to Imam Mahdi (PBUH). Or when he gives alms, his first intention is Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) well-being.

In this section of Mahdavi Messages, we are looking to state the points that give our lives flavor of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).

 

The tableau of life

An awaiting person always heeds the issue that he’s awaiting the Reappearance and not the presence in his choices and finds Imam Mahdi (PBUH) present and an observant over his choices.

An awaiting person has a narration installed on the wall of his heart like a tableau and constantly thinks about it in various moments of his life and chooses his lifestyle based on this narration.

Musa ibn Sayyar says: “Imam Reza (PBUH) and I arrived in Tous. We heard whimpering… A few people were attending a funeral. I saw Imam Reza (PBUH) dismounted from his horse and approached the corpse. He lifted him and brought him close to himself. When the corpse was taken near the grave, Imam Reza (PBUH) came and stood above the corpse. He put his hand over the corpse’s chest and said: “I give you the good news that you’re in heaven. From now on, there is no fear for you.”

I asked: “Do you know this deceased?” He said: “Don’t you know that our Shiites’ deeds are presented to us every morning and night? Then if we see a flaw in their deeds, we would ask Allah for their forgiveness and if we see a good deed we would ask for his reward.”” (Bihar al-Anwar, v. 49)

 

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The duties of the awaiting people - First series

“Constant expectation for Imam Mahdi’s Reappearance”

One of the duties of the awaiting people is to wait for his reappearance and to prepare themselves for that enormous event. God in the Quran accounts worshiping as a goal of human creation.”

The Prophet says while interpreting this verse in the Quran that the best worship is expectation for Imam Mahdi’s Reappearance

Mekyal al-Makarem, volume 2

A reminder:

We should examine ourselves to see how much we are really waiting for Imam Mahdi.

 

Remaining patient in annoyance and denial

Imam Sadiq (PBUH): “When you are faced with difficulty and hardship in our way, be patient and recommend each other to resist.”

“Every person who is waiting for imam Mahdi and is patient in tolerating the annoyance and fear in this way, he will be in our company in the other world.”

Mekyal al-Makarem, volume 2—  Rouzeh Kafi, page37

Types of patience in the occultation based on narrations:

1. Being patient for the duration of the occultation

2. Being patient against annoyance and denial and ridicule of the opponents.

3. Being patient against calamities and disasters

4. Being patient when you see believers’ calamities caused by enemies while you cannot defend them.

 

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The Reappearance Signs - First series

The signs

It’s human nature to be curious about future and whatever is going to happen. This the reason why fortune telling is flourishing. These fortune tellers are either divine and their sayings are based on revelation (heavenly), or devilish and earthly.

Meanwhile, the promise of coming a savior is mentioned in all religions and cults, but coming of this savior also has signs for not losing the way, there are many narrations concerning this subject which indicates the importance of it and its positive and negative effects in personal and social life…

But the important point is to check the documentation and interpretation of these narrations and Hadiths which needs special attention.

 

Why the signs?

When autumn comes, leaves turn yellow and slowly fall. It’s a sign of the beginning of autumn, yet not autumn itself; but rather the messenger of the beginning of this season and it has no role in occurrence of autumn.

The yellowness of the face is the sign of disease, but the reason of disease is not “the color of the face”.

The signs of the Reappearance are also messengers of the Reappearance and have no role in occurring this divine order and are merely guidance signs and path indicators.

In other words, the signs play no role in hastening the Reappearance; but are rather the sign of approaching the Reappearance. In order for the Reappearance to occur, we should make the preparations for the Reappearance and not be looking for the occurrence of the signs.

 

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Seeking the Savior in Different Religions - First series

Savior Seeking in the Quran

Throughout history, in order to survive the catastrophes, people were waiting for a "savior"! Like Noah who saved people from drowning in a storm! Saving Lot from the city full of lustful people! Saving the Israelites from Pharaohs!

Therefore, due to this, God removed people with lustful life off the history; those who rejected Noah were destroyed! People of Sodom (Lut’s Tribe) were burned by the lightning! And also the drowning of Pharaohs in the Nile…

Therefore this whine of those who wait for a savior “Where is the destroyer of the buildings of hypocrisy and blasphemy? ” has a Quranic root.

Sura/Verse: ash-shu`araa' (The Poets) 169, Yoonus 73, al-Anbiyaa' (The Prophets) 71, al-Baqarah (The Cow) 49

 

Seeking the Savior in the Bible

Jesus Christ says about the Apocalypse: “Nations will be at war! Famine, pestilence and earthquakes will occur! People will hate each other! The sun will darken and the moon will have no light!”

Matthew, chapter24, verses 1to6

Whatever is said, this prophecy is much scarier than the terrible flood of Noah and the tale of Lot's folk!!! More importantly, humanity must experience and pass through all these calamities so that it can acquire the "merit" of believing in "the belief of salvation"! It is here that God does not get involved directly in "Saving" but sends his messengers to save the believers! Such as sending Moses, like sending Jesus...

Is it not the time for our "Savior Seeking" to get deeper?

 

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Visiting Imam Mahdi and Its Stories - First series

Just sinners read!

Sayyed Ibn Tawus says: “One early morning I was in the Sacred Cellar of Samarra, suddenly I heard my master, Imam Mahdi (PBUH), praying for his Shia:”

 “O Allah! You have created our Shia from our light and our remaining clay, they have sinned in reliance on our affection and our Wilayah; if their sins are related to You, forgive them that it makes us happy and what of their sins is related to them, correct them… and save them from the fire of hell, and do not gather them and our enemies together for Your wrath.”

(The book “Barakat e Hazrat e Wali-Asr” (the blessings of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)), p. 399)

Where are those who are afraid of their affectionate Imam because of their sins and find his Reappearance detrimental to them?

 

Iran, the land of Shiites of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)

After the pressures that escalated the situation of our country during the First World War and enemies rushed to occupy Iran, late Mirza Naeini (a great Shia scholar) complained to Imam Mahdi (PBUH). Mr. Naeini says:

 “I groaned a lot and complained to Imam Mahdi (PBUH). One day a revelation happened to me and I saw Imam Mahdi (PBUH) standing and beckoning me with his finger to look at a very high wall that was bent. Then I saw that Imam’s finger is pointing to the wall and he said:

 “This wall is Iran. It bends, but we have held it with our finger and we won’t let it be fallen. This is “our land of Shiites”, it bends, but we won’t let it be fallen.””

(The book “Majales e Imam Mahdi (PBUH) (Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) meetings)”; p. 261)

 

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The words of scholars - First series

Ayatollah Bahjat :

What sufferings (hardships) are incurred by Imam Mahdi (PBUH) who is the owner of the whole planet earth and how does he feel and how do we feel? He is in prison and is not happy and we are absolutely ignorant… 

In Bahjat’s Company, vol 1, p106

My friend, think about your Leader’s exile during which this vast world has become a jail for him...

 

The difference between Shiites belief in the Savior and others’

The difference that we Shiites have with other Islamic and non-Islamic sects is that we know this dear and great person; his name, his date of birth, his parents and his beloved ancestors, we know his “concerns”, but others do not know these... That's why Shiites’ resorts are "livelier" and "more enthusiastic" and "more meaningful" and "more focused"...

The basic principle of Mahdism principle is agreed on among all Muslims... But in the main part which is the "the knowledge of the Savior himself" there is inconsistent insight. Shiites, through their certain news, know the Savior by his name, specification, and his date of birth.

Supreme Leader, 74/10/17 - 84/6/29

 

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