Ahd prayer is a prayer aiming to form a connection between Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and us. In this prayer, we pledge allegiance to that Imam and we promise to do certain things and make preparations for establishing his Mahdavi government of “Justice”. This prayer acts as an illuminating guide for our activities.
- Love for Imam Mahdi (PBUH) must be collective.
We say in the “Ahd” (convention) prayer that: “Convey (our salutations) to our Master- Imam Mahdi- the Guided, the Upriser in your command- the Salutations of Allah be upon him and his Pure Fathers, from all believing men and women .” Convey to Imam Mahdi (PBUH) from whom? “from all” faithful men and women. That is an important point itself.
- The follower of a universal Imam should think universally as well
When we make a pilgrimage, we’d better consider it a pilgrimage on behalf of all the believing men and women. When we give alms, we’d better do so with the intention of averting disasters from all the believing men and women. We should not say “O’ God, forgive the believers who have prayed in this mosque.” What about other believers who said their prayers in other mosques? Include everyone. How ungenerous you can be! If you are awaiting the universal Imam, then you should think universally as well. Anyone who is waiting for the public edification should consider the public welfare. Don’t differentiate between yourselves, your children, your community centers, and your mosques (and others’). “From all the believing men and women.”
- Love for Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is without borders
This boundless love in Ahd prayer is understood through these phrases: “فِی مَشَارِقِ الْأَرْضِ وَ مَغَارِبِهَا” in the east and west (of the earth) ‘وَ سَهْلِهَا وَ جَبَلِهَا” in flat and mountainous lands, “وَ بَرِّهَا وَ بَحْرِهَا” in the sea and on earth. See, how constructive this prayer is. What significance is there to explain about oneself or to introduce oneself? These phrases are inclusive. All (creatures). Seas, lands, plains, mountains, the east the west, an affection without borders. This is very beautiful.
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