The Auspicious Occasion of the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal
The ninth day of Rabi' al-Awwal (corresponding to October 16th, 2021) holds profound significance in Shi'i religious observance, marking the inauguration of the Imamate and divine guardianship of the Promised Mahdi, the sole Savior of humanity. This position was assumed following the martyrdom of his esteemed father, Imam Hassan Askari, at a young age on the morning of the 8th of Rabi' al-Awwal. Consequently, the Awaited Mahdi commenced his Imamate on that very day, a mission that persists through the current period of Occultation until Allah decrees his universal manifestation to the world.
Historical Context of Imamate Succession
All prophets and Imams initiated their missions on divinely appointed days, during which they summoned humanity to Allah and the prophetic tradition. Imam Mahdi, as the final Imam, possesses such a day. His distinction lies in his status as the living Imam and ultimate Divine Proof (Hujjah); thus, commemorating the onset of his Imamate expresses our recognition and sacred duty toward His Holiness.
Analogous to Ghadir Khumm—wherein the Prophet designated Imam Ali as his successor, an event warranting perpetual veneration to uphold the institution of Imamate—the commencement of each Imam’s guardianship merits similar respect. The martyrdom of one Imam officially inaugurates the Imamate of his successor, necessitating simultaneous mourning for the departed and rejoicing for the new appointee.
Historical records indicate that it was customary, upon the martyrdom or demise of an Imam or caliph, to offer condolences to the successor while extending congratulations for his leadership or caliphate. For instance, following Imam Hassan Askari’s martyrdom, some individuals approached Ja'far, the Imam’s brother, with condolences and congratulations, erroneously assuming his succession. In reality, Imam Mahdi was the rightful Imam; however, due to grave threats to his life and oppressive Abbasid policies, his Imamate was not publicly proclaimed and remained concealed. For these security reasons, Imam Mahdi refrained from public appearances.
Preceding Imams faced varying challenges in their eras. During Imam Kāzim’s time, Harun al-Rashid ordered the execution of anyone designated by Imam Sādiq as successor, prompting Imam Sādiq to nominate seven individuals, including Harun himself. Under Umayyad and Abbasid rule, similar customs of condolences and congratulations prevailed upon a caliph’s death.
Distinctive Significance of Imam Mahdi’s Imamate
Unlike prior Imams, whose Imamate anniversaries were not publicly celebrated in subsequent years, Imam Mahdi’s case is unique: he remains alive, and we reside under his divine guardianship, conferring exceptional importance upon this occasion.
Commemoration serves to heighten attentiveness to him, preserve the doctrine of Imamate during the Age of Occultation, and intensify anticipation for his advent.
In the contemporary context, where adversaries of the Ahl al-Bayt challenge Imam Mahdi’s existence and question Mahdism, observing this day reinforces this foundational Islamic belief among the faithful and those awaiting his manifestation. It may also prompt inquiry among those unfamiliar with Imamate, facilitating greater understanding of its reality.
Eschatological and Social Implications
The 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal heralds a just global order and the emergence of an ideal spiritual society. The divine archetype of a righteous polity—articulated across religious traditions—entered its operative phase on this day. Occultation does not imply disconnection; the Imam resides among humanity, overseeing affairs imperceptibly. This day may initiate humanity’s preparation for his advent, warranting utmost veneration.
This occasion embodies thanksgiving for Allah’s supreme blessing. Programs of gratitude in mosques and gatherings are fitting. Aligning our thanksgiving with Imam Mahdi’s Imamate commencement, enriched by educational initiatives, would deepen knowledge of this exalted figure.
To adhere to religious precepts amid emerging complexities, continual knowledge acquisition and authoritative guidance are essential. Imamate perpetuates the Prophet’s mission; the Imam guides humanity. In the era of the Imam of the Age, he alone assumes this role, demanding particular reverence for his Imamate day.
Imam Mahdi uniquely bears responsibility for realizing divine ideals globally and purifying the world from corruption—the culmination of prophetic and Imamic endeavors. Thus, his Imamate’s inception merits distinctive joyous celebration.
Certain scholars designate this day as Eid Allah al-Akbar (the Greatest Eid of Allah) or the “Second Ghadir.” As companions pledged allegiance to Imam Ali at Ghadir Khumm, we renew allegiance to the living, present Imam Mahdi on this day, affirming devotion and loyalty.
Finally, grounded in two Qur'anic verses, Mahdism maintains an intrinsic connection to Ghadir.
Allah says in a verse that most of the commentators have interpreted it to point to the time of the Advent of Imam Mahdi,
﴿وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكمُ وَ عَمِلُواْ الصَّلِحَتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فىِ الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَ لَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لهَمْ دِينهُمُ الَّذِى ارْتَضىَ لهُمْ... ﴾[1]
“Allah has promised those of you who have faith and do righteous deeds that He will surely make them successors in the earth, just as He made those who were before them successors, and He will surely establish for them their religion which He has pleased for them…”
Of course, although, as the aforementioned verses indicate, the dominion of the righteous has manifested on earth at various historical junctures, the consummate and universal exemplar of this divine promise will be realized during the global Imamate of Imam Mahdi. This eschatological fulfillment represents the culmination of the Qur'anic vision of just governance, wherein righteousness prevails comprehensively and permanently, transcending the temporal and limited instances observed in prior eras.
The second verse is the verse of Ghadir, in which Allah declares,
﴿...اَلْيوَمَ اَكَمْلَتُ لَكُم دينَكُم وَ اَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيكُم نِعمَتي وَ رضَيتُ لَكُمُ الاِسْلاَمَ ديناً...﴾[2]
“…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have pleased for you Islam as religion…”
Putting these two verses together, we realize that the very religion which Allah has approved and perfected on the day of Ghadir Eid will be implemented in its most complete and exemplary form through the agency of Imam Mahdi. This convergence underscores a profound and intrinsic connection between the doctrine of Mahdism and the event of Ghadir. Consequently, according value to the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal and articulating its theological and historical significance aligns directly with emphasizing the centrality of the Prophet's succession (caliphate). The matter of prophetic succession held such paramount importance in the divine order that Allah addressed the Prophet directly, stating,
﴿...وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَما بَلَّغْتَ رِسالَتَه...﴾[3]
“…If you do not do that (to not introduce Imam Ali as your successor) then you have not delivered your Mission of prophethood…”
As a result, we are likewise obliged to accord due attention to the doctrine of Succession (khilāfah) on both the day of Ghadir and the day marking the Imamate of the Last Successor—Imam Mahdi.
Of course, our emphasis lies not merely in outward celebration but in the profound renewal of allegiance (bay'ah) to the Imam of the Time. In particular, this occasion demands clear elucidation of humanity's enduring need for the Infallible Imam and, reciprocally, the expectations the Imam holds for his followers in this era of Occultation.
The ninth of Rabi' al-Awwal provides an opportune moment to reaffirm the fundamental principle that the earth shall never be devoid of Allah's Proof (Hujjah). Moreover, the inhabitants of the earth attain true security and guidance solely through the presence of this Divine Proof, whose existence safeguards cosmic order and spiritual equilibrium.
Imam Sādiq narrates from Imam Ali, who is reported to have said,
«...وَ اِعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اَلْأَرْضَ لاَ تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ وَ لَكِنَّ اَللَّهَ سَيُعْمِي خَلْقَهُ مِنْهَا بِظُلْمِهِمْ وَ جَورِهِمْ وَ إِسْرَافِهِمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ؛ وَ لَوْ خَلَتِ اَلْأَرْضُ سَاعَةً وَاحِدَةً مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ لَسَاخَتْ بِأَهْلِهَ...»[4]
"…Know that indeed the earth cannot be void of a Divine Authority but Allah will not, later on, let His creatures see him because of their oppression, cruelty, and committing sins. If the earth becomes void of a Divine Authority even for one moment, it collapses with all its inhabitants…"
On this day, the religious scholars should try to improve people's knowledge about the Imam since it is related from the Prophet to have said,
«مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ إِمَامَهُ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّة»[5]
“The one who dies while he did not recognize the Imam of his age his death is like those who died at the Age of Ignorance."
In the contemporary era of the Imam's Occultation (ghaybah), one of the paramount obligations incumbent upon the faithful is to acknowledge that every facet of human existence—encompassing social, economic, cultural, and broader Mahdist dimensions—falls within the scope of willful acceptance of the wilāyah (guardianship) of Imam Mahdi. This recognition entails viewing all spheres of life as governed by his living authority, thereby integrating personal and communal conduct with the enduring principles of Imamate.
Shi'i communities have traditionally observed ceremonies on the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal to proclaim, even after more than a millennium, the unbroken presence of their Imam. Is this not sufficient cause for profound joy—a day that awakens awareness of the uninterrupted continuity of Imamate since the Prophet's demise, and reminds us that cultivating adequate ma'rifah (knowledge) of our Imam revitalizes the heart with spiritual vitality and renewed eschatological hope?
A suggestion
If we designate the period from the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal—the inauguration of Imam Mahdi's Imamate—to the 17th of this month, the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet, as the "Decade of Imamate and Prophethood," we would have undertaken a profoundly significant initiative, thereby optimizing the spiritual opportunities afforded by these consecutive occasions. On this day, scholars bear three pivotal responsibilities:
First, they must endeavor to enhance societal ma'rifah (knowledge and recognition) of the Imam, fostering deeper theological and historical awareness.
Second, they should cultivate greater emotional and spiritual affinity toward the Imam, encouraging the faithful to habituate themselves to maintaining an intimate heartfelt connection with him, engaging in inner dialogue, and seeking his intercession in both material and spiritual afflictions.
Third, they ought to elucidate the specific duties and obligations incumbent upon believers during the Age of Occultation (ghaybah).
From one perspective, the 9th of Rabi' al-Awwal may hold even greater significance than mid-Sha'ban—the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi. While Sha'ban is undeniably sacred, it is in Rabi' al-Awwal that the Imam assumed stewardship of the "ship of Imamate," symbolizing the vessel of salvation and security for all humanity, thereby conferring upon this day a distinctive eschatological and soteriological primacy.
The need to strengthen knowledge and insight when facing doubts
In the contemporary era in which we live—an age characterized by pervasive doubt and misconception—the deliberate propagation of skepticism by certain organizations has become a primary endeavor. The proliferation of such doubts significantly intensifies the responsibility of Islamic scholars ('ulamā'), who are tasked with refuting these challenges through the most articulate, persuasive, and empirically grounded methodologies. The efficacy and expansion of these doubts stem largely from deficiencies in people's religious knowledge (ma'rifah) and spiritual insight (basīrah). Conversely, individuals endowed with robust faith and comprehensive knowledge remain steadfast, analogous to how, during an earthquake, structurally frail buildings collapse while those erected on solid foundations endure unscathed.
May Allah hasten the appearance (faraj) of our Imam and grant us the grace to be among his sincere and devoted companions.
Source: The Final Hope, October 2021, Issue no. 7
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