Will Imam Mahdi establish a complete new religion? Lecture delivered by Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider on 21 May 2016 for the birth anniversary of the Saviour of Humanity – Imam Mahdi (a.s) at the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Islamic Centre, Ottery, Cape Town You have often heard claims that the Shia believe that Imam Mahdi (a.s) will establish a completely new religion which is different to Islam and that this claim …

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Will Imam Mahdi bring new Quran, Sunnah, and religion? Narratives have been quoted by Shia imams that say that Hadrat “Mahdi” [AS] will appear with new book, Sunnah and religion and because of their enmity towards Shia, some of Wahhabis begin spreading doubt that Shias’ Mahdi will bring new book, tradition against Prophet [PBUH]’s Quran and Sunnah and will mislead people by his book. We mention to some of these …

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Is love for Ahlul-Bayt enough for salvation? In Muharram, we grieve upon hearing the narration of the epic tragedy of Imam Hussain (p) and, as a result, increase in love for him, his grandfather, and the values for which the third Imam (p) fought.  The goal for us is to develop the kind of love that is manifested in our actions. The Holy Quran calls to a love that is …

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What is the link between the observance of Arbaeen and the anticipation of the Imam Mahdi’s advent? In fact, the Arbaeen, the world’s largest pilgrimages, promotes the culture of awaiting Imam Mahdi and lays the groundwork for the Imam’s appearance. Arbaeen walk in modern history has gone beyond a Shiite ritual, and every year it draws people from different faiths, languages, and ethnicities. The presence of Sunni Muslims and Christians …

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What valuable lessons can we learn from the Arbaʿeen march?   Arbaeen is the epitome of a life endowed with liberty, dignity, and defiance against oppression and tyranny. Imam Hussein is indeed the liberator of humanity from all mundane concerns, whose shining path teaches sacrifice and altruism, particularly in today’s world, which is embroiled in wars and atrocities. Every year, during the Arbaeen, millions of Muslims step into the scorched …

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  Is Arbaʿīn walk to Karbalā an innovation? This is not the first time or the first person who has attempted to extinguish the ‘Light of God’: “They wish to extinguish God’s Light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected.” (Chapter 9, Ayah 32) Although one of my colleagues has answered the above misgiving in a very academic manner, I will Inshallah …

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10 Questions You Might Ask about Arbaeen Every year on the 20th of Safar, the second month in Hijri Calendar, a huge number of people from all over the world, Muslim or even non-Muslim, gather in Iraq to take part in a symbolic walk. People of Iraq for months before this day, eagerly prepare themselves to welcome the visitor of Imam Hussain’s (AS) shrine. They find it a great honor …

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 What is the Philosophy behind the Arbaʿīn Walk? The Arbaeen pilgrimage is not merely a long walk. Instead, it is a kind of movement in which despite being in publics, pilgrims have their own private relationship with Allah and Imam Hussain (AS), which finds a new form of divine immaterial dependence and conformance. Thinking about the goals and the history behind the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), the injustice and cruelty …

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Why did Allah allow enemies to overpower his Ḥujjat on the day of ʿAshūrā? Mohammad bin Ibrahim bin Ishaq Taleqani says: We had gone to meet Husain bin Ruh (ra) along with a group of people amongst whom, Ali bin Isa Qaisari was also present. One person went to Husain bin Ruh (ra) and requested to ask a question. Husain bin Ruh (ra) told him to ask whatever was in …

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Why did Shias take their Imams from Imam Hussain's progeny? Whether Mahdi is from Hussein's or Hassan's generation has nothing to do with people's opinion. Choosing an Imam is up to Allah, not people (73 Surah Anbia' / 24 Surah Sajdah). It is like saying why most of the prophets should be from Abraham's second son Isaac and not his first son Ishmael, it is God's will to place his …

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