A Study of Functional Similarities of the Promised Government in Shia and Jewish Thoughts
By: Saeeda Moeen Najafabadi
Abstract:
The ideal society or the Promised Government in the last age is among the common subjects which have been focused on by various religions. Plenty of content can be found within the texts of these religions about the circumstances of the appearance of the Promised, his rule and the attributes of those times. Related to that, the Shia and Jewish schools, being experts in this field, have considered the Government of the Promised from various aspects. In this research, effort is made to study the future functional processes of the Promised Government more tangibly and according to the contemporary structures, while comparing and reconciling both schools to describe the similarities of these two approaches by two divine religions more clearly.
Keywords: Promised Government, Shia, Messiah, Function, Jews.
Preface
The anticipation of Savior’s appearance is a general and common belief. Various religions and sects have informed about his appearance and each religion and school of thought is talking about the unique global government by taking inspiration from their divine Books and sayings of their Prophets and believe that a reformist will come and will fill the world with justice; the reformist which will put an end to inhumane crimes and injustice and will lay the foundation of a unique global government on the basis of justice and real freedom. Meanwhile we can name the two high approaches of Shia and Jewish, each one of them is in struggle to sketch the Promised Government for their own followers.
In this research, we are searching to answer this question: “What are the similarity aspects of the Promised Government’s functions in Shia and Jewish political thoughts?” It is a question in answer of which we will try to describe the political structure and operation of such a government then examine it in the light of comparative analysis method and the theory of political system. However it should also be said that there lies a difference between these two schools in their views about the Government of the Savior, but the aspects of similarities will be discussed in this research.
Functions of the Government
To better understand this study, it is necessary to get more familiar with some words. As the comparative analysis method is a practice which results in the form of gaining the valuable information about property, shape, scope and function of a theory or an institution under that theory, while comparing the similar theories and institutions, here it is also a criterion by which the Shia’s system of Mehdaviat can be compared to the structure and the foundation of the Promised Government in Judaism.
For better results of the approach of comparative method, various patterns will be used to organize the readings. The model of systematic analysis of political system is one of the most important of models, by use of which, the structure and function of the theories of government can be explained better. In this approach, the axis is the political system, and each political system consists of bilateral deeds, by means of which, the values, services and goods are allotted to all the sections of society. The political system contains various structures to perform its activities where each one of these structures performs its own specific function. (Almond, 2002, p: g)
Moreover, the political system is composite of interconnected political activities which have been committedly practiced by a large number of functionaries. This political system consists of correlated elements containing institutions and specific groups; this attribute is called “structural elements” or generally “the structure of political system”. Corresponding, the kind of defined relations between structures, existing within a political system is called “the output of the same structure” or in brief, “the function of political system”. In other words, each structure performs specific jobs or functions enabling the political system to compile and implement its own policies. (Ferhi, p: 15)
In this research, while examining the procedural, systematic and structural functions, which are some of the fundamental functions of a government, we will also study functions of the Promised Government.
A: Procedural Functions
Procedural function contains specific activity which compiles and implements the policies which are necessary in all kinds of political systems and it also has a direct and essential role in compilation process of government procedures. Political process takes place when interests are described or explained and then put into the system as an input. In this stage, alternative policies get considered while this is one of the most important measures which governments take for their citizens. In the next stage, legislation or imperious politicization takes place, which is the pivotal stage of political process.
However all politics should be applied and implemented whereas in case of opposition or violation, there should be some kind of judicial process. In this stage, the political objectives are realized and their consequences are examined. (Almond 2002, p: 189)
These functions also exist in the Promised Society but in a different shape from today’s societies. Certainly in such a society, decision making process of government and the demands of people are not as difficult as today’s, so sincerity and solidarity will come out among the people, mercy and affection will fill the hearts, social equality and consolation will be seen, no one will tort others and cooperation and helping others will become a general obligation. It is reported in a tradition from Imam Sadiq (AS) as:
In the time of appearance of our Qaim it will become general obligation to provide livelihood to one another and to strengthen them. (Hure Aamuli, 1692, v8, p: 418)
In that age, there would be no place for practice of greed, stinginess and cupidity in living and social relations, and honesty will rule the social conduct as everyone will live together brotherly, in a manner that anyone will take, what he needs, from the pocket of his brother in faith while neither one is ashamed nor other is inconvenienced. Such a relation and commitment between brothers in faith is one of the social conducts of those times. (Mustafa Dilshad Tehrani, 2003, p: 53)
Specification and Compilation of the Interests
In such a society, public demands and expressions for their needs and interests are in various forms and perhaps a few people have to go through some steps to express their demands, and public affairs get settled easily and without the necessity of any complaint or grievance.
Meanwhile, all human needs are met because the most basic human needs are material and economic but in those times his other needs whose fulfillment has a vital role in human move to the perfection will become pivotal. Imam Sadiq (AS) says:
There are three things to which all the people are needy: peace, justice and plenitude. (Ibne Shuba Alharani, 1974, p: 236)
And these three needs will be met to their ideal extent in the government of Hazrat Mahdi (Aj). Moreover, there will be such a control over issues in the government of Hazrat Mahdi (Aj) that he will become aware on his own whenever a need rises.
Based on that, the communication between Imam and people is such that they are aware of necessities and words of one another directly and in result, the link is direct, so there is no need of means like parties and other mediums and compilation and specification of interests is taking place without any difficulty.
Legislations and decision makings are also vigorous and great in that government, and meanwhile, reforms arise from the great and universal calling of Islam and there is a great planning to struggle against tyranny. In those times, since facilities are abundant, and government is expanding, the Mahdavi (Aj) Government also needs comprehensive planning, Jihad and tireless struggle. In that era, policy making will be made so precise that peace will be restored in society in a very short period of time, which will engulf the whole world.
Based on Jewish books, peace and harmony will rule the earth; all the human beings will be calling upon Allah and worshiping Him. Peace and honesty will also be established to promote people’s prosperity, in such a way that peace will take in the entire universe and poverty will be liquidated. Nations will convert their destructive gears to the constructive ones and all the people will become loving to each other and virtue seekers, in such a manner in which the Jewish Book says:
He will bring the peace in bounty for the nation, all the war tools, military outfits, soldier’s boots will be eliminated. (Isaiah 9:4)
Or in another place, it is reported from Isaiah:
They will break up their swords into ploughshares and their spears into shears; no nation will put out their swords on other nation and will no longer learn wars.
It can be understood from all the contents of Old Testament in this field that since this government will be an ideal government, there will be no longer need of mass communications and political parties to inform the government about public demands; basic issues are related with provision of material necessities now, but the spiritual matters will be given first priority in that era because people’s basic needs and their interests will be fulfilled in best manners and as they will be in search of virtue, they will overlook some of their material interests or will enjoy them as minimal as they need.
Legislation
In this government, the pivot and foundation of all the legislations and regulations are divine commandments and Quran. Though other than laws and regulations, Imam (Aj) himself conveys a set of teachings which are the secondary commandments and he himself postures them and communicates them to the functionaries and people. The Commander of faithful (AS) says about that Imam Mahdi (Aj) will harmonize the opinions, laws and demands with Quran, as:
He will turn the desires congruous with the guidance of revelation while people will have been conjoining the guidance with their desires. And whereas in the name of the Commentary of Quran, they will have been imposing their own various notions on the Quran, he will make the thoughts contingent upon holy Quran. (Syed Razi, Sermon 138, p: 183)
In fact, his most important measure in the field of policy making and restoration of Islamic laws is the offering the proper and correct understanding of the Islamic laws and complete implementation of them. On the basis of this belief, reviving teachings of Islam, always and everywhere, has the ability to fulfill needs of various societies and if needed, it can deduce new rules and regulations from Holy Quran.
In the religion of Judaism, prophet Isaiah also delicately explains the establishment of the Messiah’s government and states that in those times injustice and oppression would be eliminated and justice will be widespread. Poverty will be vanished and people’s material and spiritual necessities will be fulfilled. Everyone will adopt the noble morals and the curtains of darkness and ignorance will be unveiled and people will live in affluence:
My opted ones will keep their hands out of work; they will not bear improper pain, they will not give births because of unease, since children are the blessing seekers of God and their ancestry are with them, and before they call me, I will answer them. (Isaiah 65:23-25)
So, in the presence of perfection, there is no difficulty in this government in the field of legislation and Messiah will establish the divine commandments on his own and then implement them.
Judgment
The Promised will implement divine commandments on the earth and will get back the right of oppressed from the oppressor. Imam Sadiq (AS) states:
When Qaim e Aale Muhammad (Peace be upon Him and His Household) (Aj) will rise, he will adjudicate on the decrees and judgments of prophet Dawood (AS) and will not need witness or proof. Allah will inspire commandments to him and he will act according to his knowledge and will perform judgment. (Tabsee, 2001, p: 195)
In fact, he will do the best in the field of execution and judgment, albeit his companions and functionaries will assist him in these matters.
Hazrat Mahdi (Aj) will bring judgment on the basis of divine book and will drive the whimsical towards godliness and will make all the thoughts and ideas contingent upon Holy Quran. He will impeach unjust officials and functionaries precisely, and will punish severely whoever found guilty, to save these grounds. He will exercise new procedures, regarding his era and developments taken place throughout the history, to manage the matters and to save justice, people’s rights and the prestige of belief. In the era of Hazrat Mahdi’s (Aj) government, everybody will get his rights. As a tradition is reported from Imam Baqir (AS) as:
After the rise of Mahdi (AS) nothing will remain from somebody’s rights on anyone’s behalf, but that which will be demanded and paid back to its owner.
Meanwhile, his judgment is also matchless. In a manner that it should be said justifiably that none is persecuted a single iota nor is suffering from misdeeds and no one is sustaining pain. Hazrat Mahdi (Aj) will command and govern according to the absolute religious commandments and will establish the justice among people and so no one will be able to transgress others. (Askari, 1981, v: 1, p: 82)
Imam (Aj) of the times will endow Islam the actual realization by following the footsteps of Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him and His Household) through uprooting all the heresies arisen from the atmosphere of ignorance, and will implement the Islamic commandments as same as revealed to the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him and His Household), while government functionaries to provinces and various cities will be assisting him whereas having responsibility of implementation law and judgment under his own supervision and will be accepting other tasks.
In those times, fulfillment of rights will absolutely take place and there will remain no chance of mistake in judgment and judicatory because Imam (Aj) will live among the people and will perform the judgment by himself and will rely on revelation and divine knowledge, so he will command like Dawood (AS) and Suleiman (AS), without need of any proof or witness.
From the Jewish perspective, too, Isaiah has explained the subject of jurisdiction and establishment of government in his book as under:
Instead, he will arbitrate the deprived in judgment and surely he will issue instructions for the oppressed. (Isaiah 11: 1, 9)
So, Messiah will look after his matters nicely by establishing his jurisdiction and all the flaws and faults will be nipped off, because he is an ideal leader who, by divine blessings, becomes aware of all the matters and prevents from damage.
Many expressions can be seen about his universal jurisdiction. It is stated as in Psalm:
Hence he will ask peacefully his people and his saintly men, not to return towards the ignorance. Indeed, he will look forward to justice from earth and Heaven, God will bestow respected faces and earth will give its product while justice will flaunt in front of him. (Psalm 85: 8, 12)
Thus in this way, he will nicely manipulate the social government affairs and also plan well regarding public desires and demands, he will place justice as his supreme objective; in such a way as they have attributed him with the characteristics of the son of God or Messiah in the field of universal arbitration, to the extent that often they have given him God-like rank too.
Finally, his decent jurisdiction is explained well in Psalm as:
He will bring the nations towards fair arbitration, Heavens will become pleased and earth will become joyful, the sea and its angel will roar, fields with all they contain will be thrilled, then all the trees of jungles will start singing in front of God; because he will come; he will come for the arbitration of world, Heavens will announce his justice and all the nations will see his majesty. (Psalm: 96, 97)
And like this, he will start exercising jurisdiction in the world. However, when talking about the ideal society, this point gets focused in people’s view that how desires and necessities will be fulfilled. It should be said that this question arises among the people who are witnessing this society from a far away, else in the light of that, which is said about the spiritual degrees and perfection of the people of those times, surely this case will not be pointed out in this form.
So, as the fulfillment of needs is essential for human life in the ideal government, no matter in the religion of Judaism or Shia, the issue of public necessities and desires is also discussed and enormous traditions are reported explaining the condition of life process in that era.
According to Shia traditions, because nothing will be enclosed and hidden from Imam in those times, needs shall be fulfilled easily by his full control over circumstances; for the reason that the knowledge of the needs will be acquired surely by him in a direct form. According to the texts of Jewish holy books, the Promised will endow the peace and harmony, which is a basic necessity of human life while governing over the world. It is reported in sayings of Isaiah: “I will answer them before they call” which can be applied over the knowledge of people’s unexpressed needs; indeed it is same as stated in Shia religion, which is explained here too.
In the field of establishment of government too, the Promised of Shia will fulfill public needs and demands according to Quran and Islamic law. These decision makings under the light of divine laws are also considered as of a vital function of that government in Judaism too. From the aspect that the leader of such a society is aware of the public desires, decision making is performed directly from the divine leader and with the blessings of God, accepted and then implemented.
One of the most important attributes which is mentioned for any ideal society is the circumstances of judgment and implementation of laws. The condition of judgment and justice of Promised Mahdi (Aj) is reported in Shia religion as matchless and unique, for which, Shia believes that such a justice has not been seen in any age. It is even believed in grant of blessings and divine aid for the position of judgment and arbitration, in such a manner that no mistake or error will take place and even the dead will also wish to benefit from this judgment and regard of rights.
This matter is also much emphasized in the religion of Judaism and as this Promised is recognized with attributes of judgment and justice in predictions of prophets like Daniel (AS) and Isaiah, judgment and justice are considered as a sign of that era.
However, it should be said that one of the pivotal issues which is common in both religions is about parameters of procedural function and especially the circumstances of judgment and implementation of justice throughout Utopia (Madina e Fazila) of the Promised which are most emphasized in both religions and are considered as most important measures of the Promised in the ideal society.
B: Systematic Functions
Another one of basic functions in society is systematic functions which are the determining factors of change in system or its stability. We consider three functions of socialization, selection of functionaries and communication as systemic functions, which don’t have direct influence on the composition and implementation of public policies, but have vital importance for a political system and have a casual role in strengthening the political process and influencing its elements. Socialization is a way to transmit thoughts and beliefs of a generation to the next, the same process which is called cultural transition. Selection of political workers means the selection of people for political activities and government posts, and finally, communication, which is supervision on flow of information within society and various structures comprising the political system.
It can be said in this relation that basically, common structures will be totally changed in those times because there will be uprising based on new judgment and law in that era, while most of discourteous laws and rules will be abolished where as new law and custom will supersede them. Public intellect will become perfect and as a result, the reformist ideas will grow steadfast in accomplished political, social and economic modes. This Cultural Revolution is as deep and pervasive that all people will learn knowledge and wisdom.
Socialization
According to the traditions, he will reform all human communities and will build the Islamic society in actuality. He will fully utilize the means of education and so he will deliver correct and godly educational teachings. From the aspect that people will become perfect, the same will be the leading fact of people towards socialization too. Albeit this is due to dissemination of knowledge and culture, as a tradition which is reported form Imam Baqir (AS) says:
Whenever our Qaim (Aj) rises, he will put his hand over people’s head, so as a result, he will concentrate their intellects, so, their minds will become perfect.
So people’s intellects will become perfect and high culture will prevail in society because everyone will internally reach perfection, become clean from mean qualities and no one will remain needy to others. So people’s socialization and promotion of their culture and knowledge will start from inside of each human in society of the end of times and by favors of Imam of the last times (AS), will reach perfection.
People’s thriving and exaltedness is also focused in ideal government of Judaism. The ground to gain ethical and intellectual perfection will be available in those times, which is a prerequisite of the establishment of ideal government, in the view of Judaism. Maimonides (Ibne Maimoon), the Jewish philosopher and scholar, believes that what distinguishes the Messiah’s era is divine knowledge and religion not the generosity or physical miracles, as the greatest blessing in his view is that mankind will be able to overthrow the obstacles of war and conflict to spare its full time for study and wisdom and to act upon the divine law. He considers the knowledge, wisdom and reality as the attributes of that magnificent era and believes that Messiah himself will be wiser than Suleiman (AS) and approximately equivalent to Musa (AS) in glory. He will teach the word Allah to all the nations and they will listen to him. It is reported in Isaiah as:
World will be filled up with the cognition of Allah, like as the waters which cover sea beds. (Isaiah 9: 11)
Through these descriptions, we can say that a great scientific and cultural change will take place in those times as all the people will bring faith in one God. Various new fields of knowledge and wisdom will open on mankind and its level of knowledge will rise high.
Unification of nations and people all over the world is also emphasized in various chapters of the Bible; however Zion or Jerusalem is also described as only source of divine inspiration in some traditions of Holy Books. It is reported as:
Let us come up to the mountain of God and the house of Jacob’s God, so that let Him teach us his own paths and so that we carry on His course because the divine law will start out from Zion and God’s word will be expressed from Jerusalem. (Cranston, 1998, p: 26)
So, it should be said that all the divine knowledge and wisdom will be focused on by man in those times and people will be seeking perfection. In such conditions, the ideal society will come into existence while people will become homogenous.
Selection of Functionaries
Functionaries play an important role in society guidance; meanwhile people who undertake such a responsibility in an ideal society should be holding special attributes. Companions of Hazrat Mahdi (Aj) are the great honorable people whose matches are rare in the history of mankind. These agents are from various nations and will be summoned in special ways at the time of rising. These people, who are determined to command from before, will undertake the command of soldiers and military operations.
Imam Mahdi’s (Aj) government is described to be composed of prophets, their successors, virtuous, pious of those times and from the time before, and from heads and elders of the companions of holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him and His Household), from which, we can understand a few names and their responsibilities in the light of traditions; like Hazrat Isa (AS) who is called by several names in traditions like Vizier, Successor, Commander and Government Head. It is reported in a tradition that Hazrat Isa (AS) will say to Imam Mahdi (Aj):
Certainly I have been sent in title of Vizier, not as Emir or Commander. (Majlisee, 1960, v: 13, p: 1122)
Meanwhile other people are also mentioned here, as Imam Sadiq (AS) states:
When our Qaim will rise, he will bring out 25 men from the nation of Musa (AS); those who have performed rightly judgments and behaved justly, seven men from the Companions of Cave, Yousha (AS), successor of Musa (AS), the Faithful of Pharaoh’s ancestry, Salman Farsi (RA), Abu Dajana Ansari (RA) and Malik Ushtar (RA) from the back of Kaba. (Rijali Tehrani, 2000, p: 217)
Moreover, Imam Mahdi (Aj) has the companions who will defend him against enemies in holy wars and battles. It is reported in the book of Kamal Uddin from the sixth Imam (AS):
In your same mosque (i.e.: in Makkah) 313 persons will appear soon, about whom the residents of Makkah know it better that their fathers and forefathers did not bring these men forth. They will be holding swords in their hands, on each of which a word will be written, from which a thousand other words will be revealed. Then Allah Almighty will blow a wind to go each valley and proclaim: “He is the Mahdi (AS) who will perform Dawood (AS) and Suleiman (AS) judgments and will not need witness for his status”. (Ibne Babweh 2001, v: 2, p: 387)
These 313 persons are mentioned repetitively among these traditions who are the companions and defenders of Imam (AS) of the times. The commander of faithful (AS) states in his attributes as:
May Allah bless their hearts with tenderness and love! They will not be frightened from anyone’s departure and will not express happiness on anyone’s joining. They will be 313 in number equal to the number of companions of Badr, the match of whom cannot be found among their decedents or forth comers. Their number is 313, equal to the number of companions of Taloot (AS), those who got passed through the waters of the river. (Suleman, 1997, p: 410)
The functionaries of government are considered among these 313 persons, the groups which are called by the names of: Nobles, Companions, Leaders, Turbans, Pillars, Divine Dignitaries, Defenders and Executives, Jurists, Treasurers, Men of Judgment, etc. However it should be noticed that in the beginning of appearance, companions of Imam (Aj) of the times are 313 and then afterwards they will grow rapidly in number, in a manner that in the very beginning, it will reach ten thousand. So, his specific companions are not more than 313, which are basically military and civil commanders of the generous government of the Promised Mahdi (Aj) and who will start his reformist movement with a division of ten thousand soldiers.
These functionaries possess the special attributes. Imam Khumeini (RA) states:
There will never be committed an injustice from the functionaries of Imam (AS) of the times; because they are the virtuous persons. In the case of injustice, unjust will be prosecuted and punished. Crime and sin will decrease to its minimum level in his government. (Imam Khomeini (RA), 2002, p: 18)
So, in fact, the matter of indecency and injustice in reference to the functionaries of Mahdavi government will become impossible, because in first step, functionaries of that Utopia are the enlightened persons and trained ones whose blood is kneaded with the diffidence of God and binding with commitment and duty while their faith in God has melted them down with itself and has built them from the beginning. They have acquired the skill of loyal judgment from their inner and from their spiritual excursion while setting themselves free from the restrains of longings, lusts and carnal desires.
Those, who are going to lead the ideal Jewish society under the guidance of Messiah, are the chosen ones of God. It is reported in Isaiah:
And your nation will be entirely just and pious and will take the earth in their inheritance forever. (Isaiah 21:60)
It is stated in Psalm as:
But the Anticipators of God will be heirs to earth; but forbearing ones will be heirs to earth and will enjoy the plentitude of peace. (Psalm, 29:37)
So, it can be understood that those who are serving in the government of Messiah are those whom God has chosen for this job. They are far away from indecencies and hypocrisy while seeking to serve Messiah and the ideal society; it is reported in Azra’s revelation as:
My servant Messiah will appear, along with those who have human spirit in them. (Azra-II 7:281)
With this explanation, he has the companions, necessarily not equivalent to heavenly society and possibly some fortunate persons from earth may accompany him, the chosen individuals from this world for their sanctity and good doings have honor to accompany the Jewish Savior to assist him in guidance of society. However most of what God will do for the ideal society is due to the existence of these functionaries and chosen ones and they, by themselves are the foundation layers for appearance:
“I will change the sky and give it blessings and light, and I will change the earth and give it blessings, and I will give chosen ones residence on it but the sinners and wicked will not place a step on it.” (Barak-II 1:30)
So, the functionaries in Messiah government are those who are the chosen ones by God and certainly such persons will not seek a goal other than prosperity of the ideal society.
Communications
Communication will also be at its climax in those times. Long distances will be covered in a little duration and seas will be trodden down under people’s feet. Some traditions point to riding the clouds too. Even the traveling without corporeal means is also reported similar to the journeys of Suleiman (AS).
Those times have also special attributes from the view of global audible and visual communications. It is reported in a tradition about the communication without external means, as:
When our Qaim (AS) will rise, Allah will endow our Shias (followers) a power, so that there will be no courier between them and Qaim (AS). He will talk to them wherever he would be and they will listen and see him; meanwhile he will be at his own location. (Majlisee, 1960, v: 52, p: 336)
So, in that era, a powerful and equipped system for picture transfer will come into existence, in a manner that no earth elevation or depth will hinder the viewing.
Comfort of coming and going from a place to place is another matter to which it is referred in traditions. Holy Prophet of Allah (Peace Be upon Him and His Household) states about such conveyance in those times:
A nation will come after you, that earth will be navigated and traversed under their feet and the gates of world will become open for them… earth will be covered in a matter of seconds, in a manner that if anyone of them will desire, will travel east and west in an hour. (Tabsee, 2001, p: 185)
All these traditions are describing the easy and light communication in Mahdavi Society and among the structures of system whereas in its result people will talk without any difficulty with the functionaries and governor of the society.
In Jewish ideal society, communication will be in its best too. It is described in Azra’s revelation as:
That day, there will be no sun, no moon and no stars, no clouds no thunder, no lightning, no wind, no air, no darkness, no evening and no morning, no summer and no spring, no autumn and no winter, no frost and no cold, no hail and no rain and dew, no moon and no night and no dawn, no glitter and no shine and no light but the only glory and magnificence of the Eminent God, by which all will witness whatever is placed in front of them, because that day will be like as weeks and years. (Cranston, 1998, p: 57)
So, in those times people will make communication with one another easily. In that era, eyes of spectators will not be obscured and ears of listeners will become heedful and hearts of auditors will perceive the cognition. Based on Isaiah, even the blind and the deaf will see and hear that day. So, there will be no difficulty for the communication between government and people. Besides the accretion in sight and hearing of all people, transportation will also become easy, as stated here:
But those who are anticipating the Lord will find new strength and will fly like eagle and will run but will not become tired. (Isaiah 31: 4)
By this strength, there will be no difficulty in social communications nor will exist the consequent problems and relations among people, groups, governors and general public will take place easily. Surely in those circumstances none will be oppressed and no error will occur in anyone’s right because the leader of society, in addition to being aware of the problems of society, will uproot the propagation of oppression.
Finally it should be said that in the ideal society of Jewish and Shia, reform and education of people are among the basic principles of its ideal government’s planning, because on account of all that is said, people will reach such a high state of mental level and awareness in that era which will cause an increase in their cognition and so their intellects will become perfect, in a manner that all the people will bring faith in the only God and will solely worship Him.
Other problems will also be eliminated and people will be protected from deviations and dishonesties due to divine teachings which would be ruling the society, meanwhile by expansion of knowledge, reality and deep perception, they will acquire the ethical and intellectual perfection.
However the difference, which is being observed in this section, is that this kind of perfection and ethical teachings are not specified to a person only or people of a specific place, but are considered general for all according to the religion of Shia, while in some of the sayings from Jewish books, the origin of this teaching and human education as the only divine source, is reported as Jerusalem, though it will be issued for all the people of world but the original place of this knowledge and law is among and through Jews whereas Jerusalem is reported as the original point of divine laws.
On the other hand, one of the axioms which are emphasized in both religions is the existence of pure ones and the chosen ones for the purpose of government. Those who are trustworthy, have the ability, with divine blessings and favor, to serve in the companionship of the chosen Promised and thus accompanying him in the great task of saving the world from tyranny and decay and guiding the world towards the prosperity, because they are the chosen ones who have proven their ability till before the appearance and earned the divine blessings and favor. They are blessed with the divine support, which is superior to all kinds of help.
It should also be said about communications that: in these ideal cities, advanced means of mass communication are mentioned, which bring more ease in social intercourse and communication, as reported in Shia traditions about using tools like clouds, and as said in Jewish books, flying like eagle too, are apparently the examples to better understand the progress of communication in those times. Moreover, as it is said about a kind of audio-visual communication between Imam (AS) or Promised and people, or among the people with one another, is allegedly a kind of cognition and insight as the result of spiritual and abstract perfection. Surely, it is taken as a kind of insight and intuition taken place in the hearts of people of those times, which increases the succor and consensus in people too, and reforms their communication with the leader and the Promised one in its best form.
Third group from the functions of political system is related with the outputs that are the administrative aspects of the political process, which are the same as the political effects, applied on society, economics and culture. These outputs are in fact the kinds of general politics which the government adopts to achieve its own purposes. These functions comprise various shapes of formulations, including formulation of conduct and applying controls over the conduct of people and the groups existing in society, drawing out resources or gathering them in the form of taxes and the like, and function of distribution or division of benefits and services among various groups of people, and indeed, are extraction, formulation and distribution.
Extraction of Resources
One of the greatest attributes of the Promised government is the plenty of blessings, because as people become obedient to God and surrender against His Proof, there remains no reason for earth and heaven to spare their blessings from people and from this aspect, the seasonal rains will begin to shower, rivers will be full of water, earth will become fertile, agriculture will flourish and society’s general conditions will be set on the course of economic welfare.
One of the difficulties which often cause the failure of governments is the lack of required resource supplies, but Allah will put His secret treasures on the option of His Proof and so no problem will rise during that government. Allah has granted all the energies of former prophets (AS) and all the authorities of Holy Prophet of Islam (Peace Be upon Him and His Household) and the Imams (AS) to Hazrat Mahdi (Aj) to let him strengthen his government all over the world.
There are several traditions reported in regard to abundance of blessings, resources and wealth. Holy Prophet (Peace Be upon Him and His Household) states in a tradition:
Earth will give away its crops production and will spare nothing in itself. In those times, property and wealth will be stacked up. Everyone who will appear in front of Mahdi (Aj) and ask: “O Mahdi (Aj)! Give me something!” Mahdi (Aj) will answer him immediately: “Take it”. (Majlisee, 1960, v: 5, p: 88)
It’s only because of the nobility and piety of people and the justice and equality which will prevail in the society. Allah has stated about this topic related to the society of pious in Quran:
Then I said: “Ask forgiveness of your Lord, surely He is most forgiving, He will send down upon you the clouds, pouring down abundance of rain, and help you with wealth and sons, and make for you gardens and make for you rivers.” (Noah: 10-12)
This verse emphasizes on the abundance of blessings. It is reported in another tradition narrated in Bihar al Anwar that:
Earth will emit out its treasures for him (Hazrat Mahdi (Aj)) and he will distribute countless wealth and assets among people.
All these traditions are expressing that the facility to enjoy all the minerals and farms of earth will be available for people in the times of Mahdavi (Aj) government, in result of which people’s wealth and blessings will be increased and thenceforward deprivation and hunger will pack off from people. On the other hand, besides assets and wealth, welfare facilities and other matters will also come into order.
There is also reported in traditions about the habilitation of roadways and is stated that construction of waterways, bridges and dams over the rivers, especially between Karbala and Najaf will take place and the water canals and watermills will be constructed along with their roads, in which grains will be floured and everyone will have the right to use that watermills for free.
That is an era in which all the needs and demands will be granted, while the existing resources in the environment, will also be extracted. It is reported in a tradition from Imam Baqir (AS) as:
Whenever our Qaim will rise, a herald from Makkah will proclaim: “Hey, no one should bring eatables and potables with him”. His majesty will bring the stone of Musa ibne Imran (AS) with him, which is the load of a camel, and will not stay on any place, but there will come the fountains in flow, from which whoever a hungry will drink will be satiated, and whoever a thirsty will drink will be quenched, and their mounts will also be quenched till they enter Najaf which is in the valley of Kufah. (Ibne Babweh, 2001, v: 2, p: 387)
There will not be felt any shortage in fulfilling the needs of people of those times in Jewish ideal government too, in such a way that establishment of peace and security, which is from basic needs of people, will be performed in its best in those times. It is reported in a tradition:
In that day, I will take oath from them along with the animals of desert, birds of air and the insects of earth, and break down the bow and sword and war from earth and give them a sleep in peace. (Hosea, 18:2)
It is also reported in Ezekiel as:
I will save you from all of your dirtiness and filths, fertile the cereals and increase them and will no longer command a famine for you.
In other sayings, some of the blessings are counted and so plenty of blessings in those days are notified, because the reclamation and abundance are among the promises made to Bani Israel, as:
Your stacks will be as plentiful as their threshing will continue till the time of plucking the grapes, and your grapes will as abundant as their plucking will continue till the time of sowing the seeds. You will have sufficient food and I will endow peace and calmness in your land and you will go asleep with a quite mind. (Levites 5, 7:26)
Based on that, the situation of the world under Messiah’s control is described as in its best. The cultivation power of nature will increase to surprising and miraculous level. Meanwhile, descriptions about the parameter of some of crops are also found in Jewish books, as:
In the times of Messiah, man will bring a single grape on cart or by boat and will keep it in a corner of his house and will extract a big vat full of grape juice from it and will burn its remains in kitchen while a single grape, giving less than thirty bowls of wine will not be found. (Kutubot, 111B)
It is also reported in Ezekiel as:
He will force the trees to give fruits every month and people will eat from those fruits and find cure while there will grow every kind of edible fruit trees across the banks and both sides of that canal (which is flowing in Jerusalem and everyone will find remedy from it) whose leaves will not be faded and their fruits will not come to an end whereas they will bring fresh fruits every month, because its water will stream out from the shrine while their fruit will be for the food and their leaves will be for cure and remedy. (Ezekiel, 12:47)
So, resources will be abundantly extracted and used.
There are other points also reported in connection of abundance and plenty of resources in Jewish religion, which all rely on the expansion of welfare and comfort. However it should be said that the promises made by some of Rabbis about some matters like sewn clothes and baked bread which the earth will produce or other likely matters are the completely figurative interpretations which emphasize on the ease of livelihood obtainment in those times and these all refer to abundance of blessings and expansion of welfare in those times.
Function of Formulation and Distribution
Accurate programming, inspection of matters and their implementation in Mahdavi (Aj) government, along with use of endless divine knowledge by Imam is the thing which can rehabilitate all the regions and present a way and manner to ensure the life and welfare. These very plans and programs are from the basic factors of society’s development while accurate adjustment will be a factor towards better benefit and usage of farms and harvestable resources. There is no difficulty in prevention from wastage of resources when control of circumstances would be in the hands of a wise leader.
Also as the control of society would be under in the hands of appreciative persons or they would have a vital role in that, they will pay necessary attention to control the circumstances and prevent from misuse. Meanwhile His Excellency will use the resources for comfort and welfare of people being open-handed in management of matters from economic view. Henceforth no one will become poor anymore and all the earth will come into his and his companions’ control.
In the Promised government of Shia, distribution of resources among people will also take place justly and everyone will be enjoying his rights, thus strictly following the principle of equality and justice will cause to regulate wealth and equality in distribution of resources while the goods needful of everyone will be prevented to be stockpiled and stored, so the basis of freedom from want will be laid.
Holy prophet (Peace Be upon Him and His Household) states as:
In the last times, a Caliph will rise who will endow the countless wealth. (Tabsee, 2001, p: 197)
His highness (Peace Be upon Him and His Household) also states:
In the last era, there will be a Caliph who will hand out the wealth to people and will not count it. (Tabsee, 2001 p: 197)
In those days, besides the fact that it will be an era of abundance and plenty, distribution of wealth will take place in such a way that people would not find anyone to pay alms and Zakah and all will be in the state of freedom from needs, as Imam Baqir (AS) states:
Mahdi (Aj) will divide the wealth equally among people as none will be seen needy to pay him Zakah. (Majlisee, 1960, v: 13, p: 84)
Similarly it is reported about the circumstances of distribution and payment of wealth that:
I am seeing your faith as a bird which escapes and palpitates in itself while no one is returning it back to you, but a man from our dynasty; Ahlulbayt (AS). In those times, he will give you remuneration twice a year and sustenance twice a month and you will obtain the wisdom in his times. (Majlisee, 1960, v: 13, p: 1123)
On the basis of this tradition, every six months, a compensation or financial help will be issued from Bayt al Mal (Treasury) and distribution of food and groceries will take place every two weeks and it will be distributed in a manner that excess or shortage will be prevented.
This subject itself confirms well that Imam’s (AS) generosity in distribution is so that he gives whatever anyone wants while there is no needy person.
But he will command on the basis of justice and will adopt the pleadings of poor. (Isaiah 5:11)
Due to the planning of Messiah, matters will be organized and controlled well from various aspects and the extracted and planned resources will also be distributed nicely. Though abundance of blessings and expansion of welfare among the nation of Bani Israel is emphasized in the books of Old Testament but meanwhile it is also pointed towards spread of blessings and welfare in other nations and people too, in a manner that all the destroyed cities will be rehabilitated again as there will be no ruins found anymore in the world. It is reported in Ezekiel as:
And your sisters, the city of Sodom and its daughters (surrounding villages) will return on their initial condition. (Ezekiel, 55:16)
Likewise the gathered resources will be distributed among all the nations to avoid any reproach or complaint and to profit all from divine blessings.
While preserving you, I will make treaty with the nation in order to let you commission the earth and divide its destructed parts.
Thus, besides plenty and abundance of ground resources, these resources will be distributed and managed well among all people of world and all will be benefited from these divine blessings.
On the basis of what we have stated, one of the most important factors which will cause comfort and welfare in Jewish and Shia Utopia, is the existence of abundant blessings and rehabilitation. However likewise what is stated in both the religions, the high and perfection-seeker spirit of the people of those times under the aegis of a wise leader’s government will cause the people to waive most of today’s needs and demands and avoid from greed and cupidity. Meanwhile that is the era about which it has been said that abundance of blessings, greenery and rehabilitation will reach to its utmost extent, in a way that earth will expose it’s all treasures and there will no poor and needy be found anymore. However in those times, abundance of blessings will also be increased.
So, rehabilitation and abundance of blessings and livelihood are among the attributes of the Promised government’s era according to both religions, which is by itself a factor of increment of willing and eagerness of people of various times to see that era.
Certainly, administration and management of matters will also be performed in a best manner due to insight and knowledge of the Promised Savior and his revealing justice and fairness. His highness, he will issue commandments for welfare of people in various cities in addition to looking after the matters justly. It should be said at last that the Promised government, described in both religions, have too much similarities in this field, for which they can be considered as divine originated. It is attempted to study these attributes as possible in this article and to draw a tiny picture from an aspect of this Promised government.
Conclusion
The Promised government and appearance of Savior are from the most important matters, which have been mostly described in divine religions. In this research, it is attempted to compare the functions of the Promised government, explained in both Shia and Jewish religions.
As we have seen, functions or the relations between structures of Promised government in these two religions have much resemblance, and perhaps it is their proof of being divine original, for example the justice and equality among people, existence of truthful companions and assignees along the Savior, struggling for reform and management of society, plenty of blessings and rehabilitation of earth and the noetic and cultural revolution of society are the common factors to which both religions have pointed to. On the contrary, matters like the number of companions and their introduction in Jewish books are less focused.
At last, this point should be mentioned that these similarities lie only in the section of Promised government’s functions, otherwise Jews doesn’t pay any importance to the matters which are much emphasized in Shia religion, like equality and evenness, they believe in ethnic superiority of Jews, even in the last ages.
Sources
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- Nahj al Balaghah
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[2] Seven days of creation of world are considered here
Source: International conference of Messianism in religions; India
