“IMAMATE A DIVINE COMMAND’’ 

Part 4 The Final.

A discourse by: Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.

“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate”

Imam Hussayn (a-s);

Imam Hussayn (a-s) the Warrior of Tawhid and the Saviour of Islam:

Imam Hussayn the Chief of the Martyrs (a-s) said: “None is in peace on the resurrection day except the one who fears ALLAH (swt) in the world”. (Bihar ul-Anwar vol. 449, p. 192)

Although I feel I have made this segment about the sufferings of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) a little long for this particular discourse, my goal here is not to give a history lesson but to show how even against the worst inconceivable conditions our Holy Prophet (saww) and the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) showed to all without any doubt their superiority and infallibility. At no time, did they ever move even a millimetre away from the message of Tawhid, outstanding ethics, extremely high virtues, the highest purity and the greatest example of human perfection ever to be seen in the history of humankind, may ALLAH (swt) bless them all with the very best of blessings. However I cannot finish this section without looking at the incredibly horrible sufferings that were forced on Imam Hussayn (a-s), his children, his family, his companions and his supporters. As the Holy Qur’an is the greatest miracle ever known to mankind, a miracle that will stay alive until the Day of Judgement, brought down to all-mankind by ALLAH (swt) through his Holy Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (saww). So it can be said that the tragedy in Karbala, on the day of Ashura year 61 A.H. is the greatest sacrifice in the name of Tawhid (Monotheism), undying love for ALLAH Azz wa Jall, and how this event affected humankind and will also stay alive until the Day of Judgement. For who by the Divine gift of Imamate was so generously given by ALLAH (swt) to Imam Hussayn (a-s) and defended by him (a-s) until his last breath. Today this great Divine gift of light is well alive in the soul of our present Imam; Imam Muhammad Ibn Hasan Al-Askari Al-Mahdi (a-s) (may ALLAH (swt) hurry his advent) and will be, until the Day of Judgement. (In future articles Insha’ALLAH we will have the chance to look closer at many of the events that took place in Karbala, on the day of Ashura year 61 A.H. for now I must keep this section short in order to stay in touch with the present subject).

The sufferings of Imam Hussayn (a-s):

Imam Hussayn the Chief of the Martyrs (a-s) said: “A nation which buys the pleasures of the living beings in exchange for the wrath of the creator does not get salvation”. (Maqtal Khawarzami, vol. 1, p. 239)

After the death of Mu’awiya instead of leaving the Khalifat to Imam hussayn (a-s) (who now after the martyrdom of his brother Imam Hasan (a-s) was the next Divinely chosen Imam), as agreed in the peace treaty with Imam Hasan (a-s), Mu’awiya instead betrayed his word and pledge and left the authority of the Islamic Ummah to his drunkard monkey loving atheist son Yazid (may ALLAH curse him). With this betrayal, the leader and representative of Islam to the entire world was a tyrant, murdering fornicating hater of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, the Holy Prophet (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). Not only this, but he hated and despised all goodness and purity, everything he touched turned sour and died. Yazid represented absolutely everything Islam is against, as Islam is Pure Truth and Yazid was Dirty Falsehood. ‘From early youth, Yazid took to evil ways and led a dissolute life. He trained a monkey to ride an ass and compete in races against reputed horsemen’. (Shahid-e-Insaniyyat chapt: 13, p. 45: Allamah Ali Naqi Naqvi) ‘Al-Waqidi quoted ‘Abd Allah ibn Hanzala as saying: “During Yazid’s rule we feared that stones would rain upon us as he did not spare his step-mothers, daughters and sisters from his lustful advances. He drank liquor freely and neglected to offer prayers’. (Shahid-e-Insaniyyat chapt: 13, p. 46: Allamah Ali Naqi Naqvi / Al-Sawa’iq, 135).

The Islamic Ummah had to rise up against such an unacceptable misfit in the seat of leadership of all the Islamic Ummah and who was to represent the Religion of ALLAH (swt) to the entire world. While the Ummah whispered about uprising against Yazid, they had no real intention in mind, but to hope someone would fight for them. We must realize that after many years of tyranny and despotism under the evil Dynasty of Bani-Umaya and so long ago since anyone could openly show them and teach them the true Islam, without being beaten, tortured, aggressed and killed, in that time the True Islam was an underground movement, struggling to keep the Message, Miracle, Proof and Guidance of ALLAH (swt) (the Holy Qur’an) alive in the hearts of the believers. Although the oppression and domination over the Muslims, filled many of them with fear and cowardice. Only one who was Infallible in all the ways, who was of a special and pure spirit, who stood only for the truth and truly and completely believed and loved ALLAH (swt), Islam, the Holy Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) could stand up and save this Pure Truth that is Islam and sacrifice all for it. This man was Imam Hussayn Ibn Ali (a-s). Despite the fact that most of the Ummah turned away from him, corrupted by bribes or intimidated by threats, Imam Hussayn (a-s) never even moved a millimetre away from his most Divine mission. For Imam Hussayn (a-s) did not ride to Kufa then get backtracked and pushed towards the desert of Karbala, for any kind of material position, power, or for his own desires, no, Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) spirit was chosen even before his birth, to be the greatest example in all history of struggling against oppression, for the only reason to defend Tawhid and to be one of the closest ones to ALLAH (swt). Any other reason would not have pushed Imam Hussayn (a-s) to such an extent had it not been completely necessary, in order to save mankind from the agonies and destruction of life without Islam.

The people of Kufa sent thousands of letters to Imam Hussayn (a-s), in order that he would go to kufa and overthrow the evil ruling empire. Imam Hussayn (a-s) sent his cousin and trustee Muslim Ibn Aqil (r-a) in order to check the sincerity of the people. Yazid the accursed in order to silence the masses of supporters of Imam Hussayn (a-s) in Kufa sent Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad. The great scholar Hujjat al-Islam Shaykh Muhammad Mehdi Shams Al-Din reported: ‘Ibn Ziyad, from the time he arrived in Kufa and took charge of the suppression of the movement of Muslim Ibn Aqil, had attempted to leave the impression in the minds of the people that the movement was the handiwork of the Kharijites and the Harurites. There is no doubt that the efforts made to give the revolution of Al-Hussayn (a-s) this characteristic became more serious and intense in order to produce reactions in the masses. This attempt did not succeed in winning credibility with the masses. Instead of putting the revolution of Al-Hussayn (a-s) outside constitutionality, the Umayyad regime, in its entirety, was put outside constitutionality, and increasing numbers of people who rejected it after the extent of its distance from the truth in its claim to represent Islam became understood through the effect of the revolt of Imam Hussayn (a-s)’. (Rising of Al-Hussayn (a-s): Shaykh Muhammad Mehdi Shams Al-Din. P.12-13)

Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) Martyrdom:

Imam Hussayn the Chief of the Martyrs (a-s) said:  “I do not see death except prosperity and do not consider life along with oppressors and tyrants except affliction and anguish”. (Tuhaf Al-Uquul, p. 245)

Despite the fact that Imam Hussayn (a-s) along with his caravan of peace (his children, his wife, his family members and their wives and children, some of his companions and their wives and children, and some supporters of Tawhid and the true message of Islam), were forced into the desert of Karbala, betrayed by the Kufians, with only death waiting for them, Imam Hussayn continued to teach, preach and live the purist example of the true message of Islam and Tawhid until his death. Many bribes and promises of governorship were offered to Imam Hussayn and some of his family members (ex: Abbas Ibn Ali (a-s)) but this Holy Imam (a-s) who lived purely and truthfully under the Divine Command of ALLAH (swt) refused any such foolish offers and so did any one of his family members (a-s) and companions (r-a).  To increase pressure on Imam Hussayn (a-s) and his followers, the ruling regime in Kufa began to carry out many atrocities against the Holy Imam (a-s) and his family and supporters. Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad (may ALLAH Azz wa Jall curse him) sent a letter to the regime’s commander of the Shaïtins army; Umar ibn Sa’d (may ALLAH (swt) curse him), Who commanded around 33,000 men. (According to: Bihar ul-Anwar, vol. 5, p. 182 / Abu Mikhnaf p. 32 / Tarique-Asame-Kufee, p. 269). In this letter delivered 3 days before Ashura day ibn Ziyad orders ibn Sa’d: ‘“Prevent Hussayn and his followers from reaching the water supply. They should not be allowed ever to taste a drop of it”. Umar ibn Sa’d then stationed 500 men along the river in order to prevent Imam Hussayn (a-s) and his followers (r-a) from obtaining a drop of water.’ (Kitab Maqtal Al-Hussayn, Abu Mikhnaf, p. 49 English translation)

‘The foot soldiers fiercely attacked Imam Hussayn (a-s) from the right and from the left. He (a-s) responded to the ones on the right and forced them to flee. He (a-s) did the same to the foot soldiers on his left and put them to flight. By ALLAH, I have never seen such determination from a person who had lost his sons, his family, and his followers. None possessed a stronger spirit or more courage the he (a-s). By ALLAH I have never seen anyone like him. Hussayn (a-s) dispersed any attack from the right or the left flank as the goats flee when the wolf pounces on them’. (Kitab Maqtal Al-Hussayn, Abu Mikhnaf, p. 78 English translation)

‘Hani ibn Sabeet Qaizi reported: “I was in karbala and standing by the horsemen when a small boy came out of the camp of Hussayn Ibn Ali (a-s). He was scared and was staring left and right. Suddenly a horseman from the army of Umar ibn Sa’d dashed his horse, reached the little boy, leaned forward on his horse, struck him with his sword and killed him. It was at this time that Shimr launched his attack to pillage and plunder the camp of Hussayn Ibn Ali (a-s). Imam Hussayn (a-s) said to Shimr (the accursed) “Shame on you! If you do not subscribe to the tenets of Islam at least live like a free and respectable man. Have patience; after an hour everything which belongs to me will be yours”.’ (Muqatil ul-Talibeen: Abu Faraj Ishahani. (r-a) 284 A.H. to 356 A.H. p.81 English translation).

‘Sayyed Ibn Tawoos says: “When Imam Hussayn (a-s) was exhausted by numerous wounds and looked similar to a porcupine full of arrows and spears in him, Saleh ibn Wahab Yaznee (may ALLAH (swt) curse him) thrust a lance at his flank and he (a-s) fell on his cheek upon the ground from the horses back. Then he (a-s) said: “In the name of ALLAH! And by ALLAH! And by the creed of the prophet of ALLAH!” Then he (a-s) stood up”. The narrator says: “Sayyedah Zainab (a-s) came out of the door of the tent calling out: “O my brother! O my master! O my family! I wish the heavens would fall upon the earth and I wish the mountains would scatter upon the desert””’. (Nafasul Mahmoom: Shaykh Abbas ibn Mohammad Reda al-Qummi (r-a) p. 307, English translation)

‘Now lying with his bleeding wounds on the flaming sand of the burning desert, Hussayn (a-s), desirous of offering his prayers gathered the sand in front of him and himself engaged in his last prayer (Namaz) on earth, resting his wounded forehead on a heap of the burning sand. Thus ultimately the wounded Imam lay in communion with the LORD’. (Hussayn the Saviour of Islam, S.V. Mir Ahmad Ali, P.187)

The last words to be heard from: Imam Hussayn the Chief of the Martyrs (a-s) was this supplication to ALLAH (swt):  “I seek patience over thy providence. There is no God but THEE, O helper of succour-callers! I have no beloved but THEE. O THOU art the ONE WHO is Eternal and Reviver of the dead. O THOU art Omniscient and Witness of all deeds! Thou Rule between me and these people as THOU art the best Ruler of all”. (Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the Tragic Saga of Karbala: By: Ali Nazari Munfared, P. 278)

‘Then Shimr ibn Dhi al-Jawshan (may ALLAH (swt) curse him) shouted at the foot soldiers and the cavalry: “Why are you waiting for the man? May your mothers be deprived of you!” So they attacked Imam Hussayn (a-s) from every side. Zar’a ibn Sharik struck him on the left shoulder blade and cut into it. Another of them struck him on the shoulder. He (a-s) fell prostrate on his face. Sinan ibn Anas al-Nakha’i stabbed him with a spear and killed him. Khawali ibn Yazid al-Asbahi hurried to him (a-s) and bent down to cut off his Holiness’s head but he trembled too much.  Shimr said to him: “May God crush your arm, why are you trembling?” Then Shimr bent down and decapitated Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) body. Shimr lifted the head and handed it to Khawali Saying: “Take it to the commander Umar ibn Sa’d”. (Kitab Al-Irshad: Shaykh al-Mufid (r-a) p. 363, English translation)

ALLAH (swt) said: “Those who do wrong shall come to know major upsets and reveals by which they will be overturned”. (The Holy Qur’an 26 Ash-Shu’ara 129)

Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) sacrifice, a call that needs understanding:

Until Imam Hussayn’s (a-s) last breath, he spoke piously and with eloquence, even when wounded in the worst ways; he had lost his sons, brothers and companions, he (a-s) laid in the burning sand bleeding profusely, cut up and speared all over his body, what did he do? He supplicated to ALLAH Azz wa Jall, praised ALLAH Azz wa Jall, asked for justice against those who did not: “follow what ALLAH has sent down” (The Holy Qur’an 2 Al-Baqarah 170) and who did not follow the Divine Command: “O you who believe! Obey ALLAH and obey the Apostle and those in authority from amongst you”. (Holy Qur’an 4 Surah An-Nisa 59). For only a Pure and Infallible man can possibly live through such atrocities and keep the same mentality, faith, ethics, beliefs, piety, etc…

Imam Hussayn (a-s) was the purest defender of Tawhid ever to have lived on earth despite every possible kind of evil trying to prevent him from being so. His Mission like the Mission of all the 14 Infallibles (a-s) was a Divine command. Each and every one of the 14 Infallibles (a-s) suffered at the hands of Tyrants, Shaïtins, the Ignorant, and the Arrogant. We can write volumes and volumes of books about this exact subject and we would not even scratch the surface. I believe Insha’ALLAH that for purposes needed for this discourse this will suffice and in the future Insha’ALLAH we will have the chance to investigate these issues more closely.

 We now understand without any doubt that the Holy Imams (a-s) and their Islamic Mission was a Divine Command. From Imam Ali (a-s) who the Prophet Announced to the world by the Command of ALLAH (swt) right up to our present Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) are (after the Prophet Muhammad (saww)) the only righteous Divinely chosen leaders for all humankind until the Day of Judgement and the only Infallible successors to our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) until the Day of Judgement. And until the day of Judgement the earth will never be without one of them to enlighten the true believers, to inspire security to us, to guide us, and to reinforce justice against those who repress us. This is a Tenet of Islam and anyone who does not follow and believe this Tenet of Islam, his Islam is not complete and he is in fact among the ignorant masses lost in polytheism, because he is not following the command: “O you who believe! Obey ALLAH and obey the Apostle and those in authority from amongst you”. (Holy Qur’an 4 Surah An-Nisa 59).
 

Conclusion: Our duty in following our current Imam; Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) (may ALLAH (swt) hurry his advent);

“In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate, Alif-Lam-Mim. This Book, there is no doubting it, a guidance to those who guard (against evil), those who believe in the unseen and keep up the prayer and spend out of what WE have given them. And who believe in that which has been sent down to thee and they are sure of the hereafter. These are on a guidance from their LORD and these it is that shall be the successful ones”. (The Holy Qur’an 2-Al-Baqarah, 1-5)

Are we True Companions to Imam Al-Mahdi (as)?

 Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (a-s) said: “And indeed I am the safety and security for the people of the earth”. (Bihar ul-Anwar vol. 53, p.181: Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi (r-a))

The question we need to answer to complete this discourse is: Are we truly sincere followers of the true Islam, believers in ALLAH (swt) and companions and supporters of Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s)? When we look at the faithful companions of Imam Hussayn (a-s) and their steadfastness to Islam, even in the face of the most violent martyrdom, I can say without any doubt, I am nowhere near to such a high position. We cry for Imam Hussayn (a-s) and declare: “I, my father and mother are at your disposal. Profound is my sorrow for you!” and “O! How I wish I was in Karbala with Imam Hussayn (a-s)!” Yet most of us can’t even fulfill our Islamic obligations which ask from us the smallest of efforts. We like to think of ourselves as pious believers but many times and in many situations we forget the importance of our Islamic ethics.

For example, what good will it give me if the rewards I receive by praying 5 times a day, are voided because away from my prayer mat, I conduct myself as an animal? Another example, maybe I’m so focussed on only certain duties, I forget to ever accomplish certain others ex; I spend my time in prayers and worship, but when someone needs my help I’m not there to help, or I avoid to serve our Islamic community in any way, therefore all my efforts are voided down the line. We must remember all of our Islamic Duties are of equal importance, by avoiding some of them, we are only hurting our chances to enter paradise after this transient life. Yes, surely we all pray and fast during Ramadan. But are we promoting the good and forbidding the evil, are we paying our Zakat and Khums, are we being good to our wives and children, are we really putting to practice our beliefs as our Imams (a-s) did, and as their supporters and companions did? In reality we cannot really expect our Imam’s (a-s) advent while we are not behaving as ALLAH (swt) Commands us to in the Holy Qur’an. Can we really expect Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) to receive us with open arms, while we have not put to practice the Sunnah of his (a-s) grand-father; the Holy Prophet of Islam (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s)?

The Prophet Muhammad (saww) was sent to all mankind, so therefore the 12 Holy Imams are also to be followed by all mankind. None of us can expect any kind of support, if amongst us Muslims we are divided. We must not only preach unity but practice it as well. We know through the Holy Qur’an and correct Hadith that oppression, vice and all sorts of evil will rule in this transient life, until Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) will appear and clean the world of evil. We must be sure and very careful not to fall into the trap of this evil, and may ALLAH (swt) forbid we ourselves become one of the ignorant wrongdoers. Our salvation is well identified for us, we truly do believe in Reward and Punishment, in Paradise and Hell, in good and evil. So we must all understand that by living by proper ethics, that will build our human virtue and protect us from sins and making mistakes. And our guidance from ALLAH (swt) is the Holy Qur’an and our guides on earth are the Prophets (a-s), especially our Prophet Muhammad (saww) and the Holy Imams (a-s). Therefore they (a-s) are all our keys to Pure Human Virtue and our teachers in the best of ethics and we will not be able to enter the door of salvation if we are missing any of the keys.

Once we have truly filled our hearts (souls) with these great blessings that ALLAH (swt) sent to us, once we have truly taken our Islamic Duties seriously and truthfully then and only then can we dare to ask ALLAH (swt) to reveal to us Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s). At that moment we will be prepared and ready for that greatest day, and then we will truly understand our position with the Holy Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s), our souls and beliefs will be eternal. At that moment we will be like those great companions of Imam Hussayn (a-s). This is our test here in this life, this is the great Jihad, now we must prove to ourselves and with the help of ALLAH (swt) (for HE is our only help), that we truly can be the best of slaves to ALLAH (swt), the highest of believers in the Holy Qur’an, and the best of brothers to the Prophet Muhammad (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). For the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “How eager I am to meet my brothers”. So Abu Bakr and Umar said: “are we not your brothers? We have believed in you and migrated with you”. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “No doubt you have believed and migrated, yet I am eager to meet my brothers”. Then he repeated the statement. Then he (saww) said: “You are my companions. But my brothers are those who will come after you have gone. They will believe in me, love me, help me, and confirm me-without ever having seen me. How I wish to meet my brothers”. (Al-Amaali: Shaykh al-Mufid (r-a); 7^th Assembly, Hadith # 9)

The Lineage, the Occultation, and the Command to follow Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s)

Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (a-s) said: “So know it that the right of Imamate is with us and among us. And who so ever says it to be with others than us, he is a blamer and a liar. And nobody except us claims it to but the gone astray and deviated one”. (Kamal Uddin vol.2, p. 511)

We can find many Hadith about Imam Al-Mahdi and his lineage, the Occultation, and the command to follow him in many books; here I only want to narrate a small amount of them:

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “The Mahdi is from my Ahlul-Bayt (a-s) from the offspring of my daughter Fatimah (s-a)”. (Kitab al-Ghaibah / Bihar al-Anwar vol. 51, p.148 Eng/translation)

Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a-s) said: “All praise is due to ALLAH (swt) who did not take me out of the world until HE showed me my successor; most resembling the Messenger of ALLAH (saww) in features and character. ALLAH Azz wa Jall will keep him safe during his occultation, then HE will make him appear; and he will fill the earth with equity and justice as it would be filled with injustice and oppression”. (Mukhtasaru Ithbati’r-Raj’ah: Al-Fadl ibn Shadhan year 260 A.H. Hadith #10)

Abu Basir narrates that Imam Al-Sadiq (a-s) said: “there is a similarity with Prophet Yussuf (a-s) and in the Qa’im (Imam Al-Mahdi) (a-s)”.

I asked: “And what is that?”

He (a-s) said: “Perplexity and disappearance”. (Al-Ghaiba: Shaykh Tusi (r-a) / Kitab al-Ghaibah / Bihar al-Anwar vol. 51, p.148 Eng/translation: Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi (r-a))

Amir ul-Mumineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) said to Kumayl ibn Ziyad an-Nakh’iy: “The earth never remains without a Hujjah; either apparent and known or fearful and hidden lest ALLAH’s proofs and signs will be invalid”. (Mo’jam Ahadeeth Al-Imam Al-Mahdi, vol. 3, p. 67, Al-Ghayba: Shaykh Ibn Abu Zaynab An-Nu’mani (r-a) p.175 Eng-Trans)

Imam Al-Sadiq (a-s) said: “The world will not be empty of an Imam. Whenever the believers add something (a heresy) to the religion, He prevents them from that and whenever they omit something of it, he completes it for them”. (Basa’ir ad-Darajat p. 332, Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 221, Ilal ash-Shara’I’ p. 220, Al-Ghayba: Shaykh Ibn Abu Zaynab An-Nu’mani (r-a) p.176-177 Eng-Trans)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “Should not I give you, O people! The good news of Al-Mahdi (a-s)”

The people said: “Certainly”.

He (saww) said: “Then know that ALLAH (swt), will rise in my Ummah a just ruler and virtuous Imam who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be full of oppression and injustice; and he is the ninth from the children of my son Al-Hussayn (a-s); his name is my name and his kunya is my kunya. Truly there will be no good in the life after him; and his rule will continue until forty days before Qiyamat (Resurrection)”. (Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays Al-Hilali: Sulaym Ibn Qays Al-Hilali(r-a), Hadith # 91 Eng-Trans)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: “When you see Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) pledge allegiance to him, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalif of ALLAH Azz wa Jall, the Mahdi”. (Kitab al-Ghaibah / Bihar al-Anwar vol. 51, p.150 Eng/translation)

About the Advent of Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s):

Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (a-s) said: “Those who fix a time regarding the advent of Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) are liars”. (Kamal Uddin vol2, p. 483)

Imam Al-Sadiq (a-s) said: “Those who will disappear from their beds are 333 men –the number of the people of Badr, they will be at Makah in the morning; and this is the interpretation of the words of ALLAH Azz wa Jall: “Wherever you will be ALLAH will bring you together” (Holy Qur’an 2:148), and they are the companions of Al-Qa’im (a-s)”. (Mukhtasaru Ithbati’r-Raj’ah: Al-Fadl ibn Shadhan year 260 A.H. Hadith #21)

Imam Al-Sadiq (a-s) said: “If there are no people on earth except two men, one of them will be al-Hujjah (Imam Al-Mahdi) (a-s)”. (Al-Kafi, vol.1, p.180)

Imam Ali (a-s) said: “I could have killed the fleers and finish off the wounded (warriors) but I did not do so, fearing for the end of my companions that if they might be wounded, they would not be killed. However Al-Qa’im (a-s) is permitted to kill the fleers and to finish off the wounded”. (Bihar ul-Anwar, vol. 52 p. 353, Mustadrak al-Wassail, vol.11, p. 54, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3, p.117)

Imam Ali (a-s) said: “Blessed is the son of the best of the bondmaids! (Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s)) He will humiliate the arrogant and water them a bitter nauseous drink. His sword (weapon) will kill them terribly. Then the arrogant of Quraysh will wish they could redeem themselves with the world and all that it has just to be forgiven. He (a-s) will not stop until he pleases ALLAH Azz wa Jall”. (Al-Fitan by: ibn Hammad, vol. 1 p.350, Urf by: as-Sayuuti, vol. 2 p. 73, Kanzul Ommal, vol.14 p. 589, al-Malahim wel fitan by: Tawoos p.66, Ithbat al-Huddat, vol.3 p.539, Moj’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.117, Al-Ghayba: Shaykh Ibn Abu Zaynab An-Nu’mani (r-a) p.311 Eng-Trans)

Imam Al-Sadiq (a-s) said: “There is not a single miracle among the miracles of the Prophets (a-s) and Imams (a-s), but ALLAH (swt) will show its like on the hand of our Qa’im, for completing the proof against the enemies”. (Mukhtasaru Ithbati’r-Raj’ah: Al-Fadl ibn Shadhan year 260 A.H. Hadith #14)

Imam Ali Al-Rida (a-s) said: “They will be tested through something that is severer and greater. They will be tested with a foetus in the abdomen of his mother and the suckling baby, until it is said that he has disappeared and that he is dead. They will say, ‘There is no Imam’. However, even the Messenger of ALLAH (saww) disappeared, and many others disappeared”. (Bihar-al-Anwar vol.51- Kitab al-Ghaibah p.228, Hadith #7 English-translation)  

Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (a-s) said: “And the advent and occurrence of deliverance pertains to the permission of ALLAH (swt)”. (Kamal Uddin, vol.2, p.484)

The Conclusion:

In selecting these particular Hadith we must now understand that:

1-   The Awaited Al-Mahdi (a-s) is definitely from the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s)

2-   The Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) is definitely the son of Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a-s) and was born in his (a-s) lifetime.

3-   The Prophet Muhammad (saww) commanded us to follow Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (a-s) under all circumstances.

4-   No exact time can be announced when the advent of Imam AL-Mahdi (a-s) will happen. However the world will be ruled by evil and oppression in the time of the advent. Only ALLAH (swt) knows the exact time and only ALLAH (swt) will decide the time of the advent.

5-   When the Holy Imam AL-Mahdi (a-s) will re-appear from occultation he will enforce justice and truth, therefore we must prepare ourselves to improve our conduct and be careful to do good truthfully so that we will not be his enemy we have all the tools to be successful Insha’ALLAH and we must no forget that Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) is our guide on earth. We must not loose ourselves in our own futile desires; our salvation depends on our behaviour and true beliefs.

6-   The Holy Imam Al-Mahdi’s (a-s) occultation was announced many times far before his birth, occultation and long very life spans are not something new to us as Muslims or for any other people who study history and religion. The great Scholar Shaykh Muhammad ibn Hasan at-Tusi (r-a) so correctly said about Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s): “His (a-s) long life is not a far-fetched idea, for during the past ages many other persons such as Prophet Shu’ayb (a-s), Nooh (a-s), Luqman (a-s), Khidr (a-s) and Isa (a-s), as well as Iblis and Dajjal lived 3000 years or more. Moreover long life is possible, and whatever is possible, is within the power of ALLAH (swt)”.

7-   Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) will be the final Proof and Divine Imam for all mankind the Day of Destruction, resurrection and Judgement will occur shortly after his rule. 

8-   Despite all the information given to us through the Holy Qur’an, the teachings of the Holy Prophet (saww) and the Divinely guided Imams (a-s), people will still deny Imam Al-Mahdi (a-s) and even say that he is dead we must at all times hold on to the ropes that lead to the Paradise, and those ropes are the Holy Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s). This is our test, Insha’ALLAH Ta’ala; ALLAH (swt) will guide us and protect us from the tricks and the traps of the Shaïtins. 

We started our discourse with the inspiration from the Qur’anic verse: And when it is said to them: Follow what ALLAH has sent down, they say: “Not that!  But we will follow what we found our fathers upon”.  What?  Even though their fathers were void of wisdom and guidance?  The parable of those who disbelieve is as the parable of one who calls; but they hear nothing, except a call and a cry.  Deaf, dumb and blind, so they understand not”.  (The Holy Qur’an 2 Al- Baqarah 170-171). And our goal was to understand that our duty is to logically follow the Divine Commands of ALLAH (swt), and that without any doubt that the Command of Imamate is one of these very important Divine Commands. For surely we do not want to be those in the parable of this verse: Deaf, Dumb and Blind.

May ALLAH (swt) protect, guide, and bless you all. Many thanks for all of your support and encouragement. As-Salam Alaykum wa Ramatullah wa Barakatuh.

Brother Ali Ja’afary Stump.