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Issues no.1-7
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Imam Mahdi in the Quran (part 4)
Surah al-’Isrā’, verse 81
Allah in Surah al-Isrā’, verse 81 tells the Prophet,
﴿وَ قُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَ زَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كاَنَ زَهُوقًا﴾
“And say, ‘Truth has come and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.’”
An explanatory narration:
«عن أبى جعفر علیه السلام فِى قُولِه عَزَ وَ جَلَّ: (وَ قُل جاءَ الحَقُّ وَ زَهَقَ الباطِلُ) قال: «اِذا قامَ القائِمُ ذَهَبَتْ دَولَةُ الباطِلِ»[1]
It is narrated from Imam al-Bāqir (the fifth Imam of Shia) to have said regarding to the meaning of “And say, ‘Truth has come and falsehood has departed.”, “Whenever the Upriser (Imam al-Mahdi) arises the authority of falsehood will be annihilated.”
Points for consideration:
1. When the truth comes there is no room for falsehood: The verse tells us that both the truth and the falsehood will never be in full authority. Wherever there is a falsehood, the truth is not there and vice versa. This means that when the last Imam comes since he will have a full authority over the world, falsehood will not be found anywhere. Yes, it is not impossible for the truth and the falsehood to exist partially at the same time and to oppose each other, but the final victory of the truth will be achieved at the time of the advent of Imam al-Mahdi and the evil will be uprooted forever.
2. The promise of Allah will be fulfilled: Allah ordains the Prophet to tell people that the truth will finally overcome the falsehood. Allah’s promise will never fail. Many authentic traditions refer to this point that the best example of the truth will happen at the end of the time when the Last Imam arises. It is also important to note that falsehood will have power if is practiced within a powerful and organized government. Therefore, if the corrupt governments lose their authority, all forms of falsehood that are dependent on them will become powerless and extinct. When the Imam comes and his government takes root on the earth, it is the time when the truth, instead of falsehood, will be widespread and powerful.
3. Falsehood is doomed to depart: Allah clearly says that falsehood will never survive forever since “falsehood, [by nature], is ever bound to depart’. It means that as long as the Imam has not come, those who are with the truth should not be disappointed even if falsehood appears to be dominant and mighty. As a result, those who follow the truth should always try their best to move against the falsehood and hope to ease the path for the Imam to come sooner.
Surah Maryam, verse 75
Addressing the Prophet, Allah in the 75th verse of Surah Maryam says,
﴿قُلْ مَن كاَنَ فىِ الضَّلَالَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَانُ مَدًّا حَتىَّ إِذَا رَأَوْاْ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَ إِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكاَنًا وَ أَضْعَفُ جُندًا﴾
“Say (to people), ‘Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension (in wealth and time) until when they see that which they were promised - either punishment [in this world] or the Hour (of resurrection) - they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers.’”
This verse contains a form of divine retribution for the deviate people who have been given an extended wealth and a lot of chance in this world, but they misused them and added to their corruption and even perverted others. Allah here makes them informed that their time will come to an abrupt end.
Then in the following verse, Allah talks about those who wanted to stay firm and guided and says,
﴿وَ يَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْاْ هُدًى وَ الْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَ خَيرٌ مَّرَدًّا﴾
“And Allah increases guidance to those who were guided, in and the enduring good deeds are better to in the sight of your Creator and Nurturer for reward and better for recourse.”
An explanatory narration:
«عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قال: «...أَمَّا قَوْلُهُ (حَتَّى إِذا رَأَوْا ما يُوعَدُونَ) فَهُوَ خُرُوجُ الْقَائِمِ وَ هُوَ السَّاعَةُ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَ مَا نَزَلَ بِهِمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَلَى يَدَيْ قَائِمِهِ فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ (مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَكاناً) يَعْنِي عِنْدَ الْقَائِمِ (وَ أَضْعَفُ جُنْداً) قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ (وَ يَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدىً) قَالَ يَزِيدُهُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ هُدًى عَلَى هُدًى بِاتِّبَاعِهِمُ الْقَائِمَ حَيْثُ لَا يَجْحَدُونَهُ وَ لَا يُنْكِرُونَه»[2]
Abū Basīr narrates from Imam al-Sādiq (the sixth Imam of Shia) to have said, “…In this verse ‘until when they see that which they were promised’ refers to the time that the Upriser (Imam al-Mahdi) arises and those who are in their error will face that time soon and will realize what would happen to them of divine punishment by the hands of Allah’s Upriser. This is the meaning of the words of Allah saying ‘they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers’ and they will know it when the Upriser comes.” Then, the narrator of this tradition adds that he asked the Imam about the meaning of this part of the verse where Allah says: “And Allah increases guidance to those who were guided.” and the Imam replied, “Allah will increase the guidance for people who were guided because they have decided to follow the Upriser and not to disobey or reject him.”
So, when the Imam comes it is a time that one of the examples of the mentioned verses comes into existence and Allah will make manifest the dignity of the believers and the abjection of non-believers completely.
Points for consideration:
1. The chance for those who are in their error will not last forever: Allah gives everyone enough time to decide for what he wants to do and people out of their free will can choose what to do. But if they decide to misuse this given fortune, they should know that it won't last for them forever. There, of course, will be a time when they will realize how weak they have been even though they have enjoyed a lot of power and time. This is a promise from Allah and it will never fail. When Imam al-Mahdi arises, this divine promise will be accomplished fully and it will be the time of a complete victory of believers over non-believers.
2. The appearance of the Imam will take place abruptly: The Imam will arise suddenly; therefore, it is necessary for those who want to accompany him to be prepared in advance. No one should think that since the appearance is delayed for a long time it also may last too much longer as well. Those who want to do something positive should decide on it before it is too late.
3. When the Imam comes Allah will add to His blessings to the believers: Based on the abovementioned narration, Allah promises the believers that at the time of the Imam’s advent He will increase those who were guided in guidance. This promise will take place at that time since there is no injustice, corruption, or oppression in the world. The Imam will make the world a good place for those who want to be guided to practice their religious duties.
4. Guidance is not separated from following someone: No one can be guided by himself without having recourse to divine leaders. Guidance in this verse is attributed to Allah which means Allah should help man to be guided. However, this guidance is done through some special ways the best of which is an Imam. Consequently, the more one knows his Imam and follows the divine leaders the more he will be guided. During the time of Occultation, those who wanted to be more guided have to try to know their Imam better.
Surah Yūnus, verse 48
Allah in Surah Yūnus (Jonah), verse 48 says,
﴿وَ يَقُولُونَ مَتىَ هَذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِين﴾
“And they (the non-believers) say, ‘When is (the fulfillment of) this promise, if you should be truthful?"
Though the context of this verse implies that the non-believers are in doubt of the Hereafter, some authentic traditions interpret it as the non-believers who are in doubt of the final victory that will happen by the Last savior at the End of Time. However, this is one of the meanings of the verse that does not contradict the first meaning since it is proved in its own place that the meaning of a verse is subject to various layers of meaning and a verse can have multiple examples.
An explanatory narration:
«قَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ علیه السلام: «مِنَّا اثْنَا عَشَرَ مَهْدِيّاً أَوَّلُهُمْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ آخِرُهُمُ التَّاسِعُ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ هُوَ الْقَائِمُ بِالْحَقِّ يُحْيِي اللَّهُ تَعَالَى بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَ يُظْهِرُ بِهِ دِيْنَ الْحَقِّ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ لَهُ غَيْبَةٌ يَرْتَدُّ فِيهَا قَوْمٌ وَ يَثْبُتُ عَلَى الدِّينِ فِيهَا آخَرُونَ فَيُؤْذَوْنَ وَ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ مَتى هذَا الْوَعْدُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صادِقِينَ أَمَا إِنَّ الصَّابِرَ فِي غَيْبَتِهِ عَلَى الْأَذَى وَ التَّكْذِيبِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُجَاهِدِ بِالسَّيْفِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ (صلی الله علیه و آله و سلّم)»[3]
It is narrated from Imam al-Hussain bin Ali bin Abī Tālib (the third Shia’s Imam) saying, “There are twelve Mahdis[4] of us (the Household of the Prophet) and the first one is the Commander of the Faithful Ali bin Abī Tālib, and the last one is the Upriser (Imam al-Mahdi) who is the ninth infallible man in my progeny. He is the Imam who will establish the truth and by him, Allah Almighty will revive the earth after its death and help His religion overcome other religions even if the idolaters dislike it. His occultation will last so long that some people will be deviated (from the divine religion) and others who have stayed firm in their beliefs will sustain great troubles and the non-believers will say to them, ‘When is (the fulfillment of) this promise if you should be truthful?’. (O people!) Know that everyone who in the time of his Occultation remains patient in difficulties vis-à-vis, those who reject him he is like a warrior who at the time of the Prophet fought against the enemies (to protect the Prophet and Islam).”
Points for consideration:
1. The Occultation is one of the most difficult divine trials: It is the will of Allah to test people in different ways. According to many traditions, the period of Occultation takes such a long time that many people go astray; the majority of people would say that the Imam has not been born and some would believe that he has died. Only the true believers are resolute in their belief. Also, some who believe in the Imam, since they do not see him, would not remain steadfast as required. It shows how much it is important to maintain faith and remain steadfast when the Imam is physically absent.
2. The believers are not shortsighted: Those who do not believe in Allah and Imamate just see the current situation and are blind about the future. They just know that the Imam is not present and think that if they continue with their corruption there is no serious impediment for them. As a result, they assume that this suitable condition will last for them as long as they are alive. They are suspicious about the promise of Allah to be fulfilled. This is why they mock the believers by saying “When is (the fulfillment of) this promise if you should be truthful?” But those who are with Allah and believe in His promise; and know that their Imam is alive, see the ultimate good destiny which will take place at the time of the Imam’s appearance.
3. To wait for the advent of the Imam requires to remain patient: One of the strongest means by which to survive during Occultation is to remain patient and steadfast. To lose hope and become shaky is one of the most damaging hazards. To remain patient is so important that Allah gives those who are tolerant a reward similar to that of those people who helped the Prophet on the battlefield.
[1].’Usūl al-Kāfī, Vol. 8, p. 287, hadith 432.
[2].’Usūl al-Kāfī, Vol. 1, p. 431, hadith 90.
[3]. Kamāl al-Dīn wa Tamām al-Ni‘mah, Vol. 1, P. 317, hadith 3.
[4]. The word Mahdi here does not refer to one’s name. It Points for consideration to the Arabic meaning of the word which is “the one who is guided”.
Surah al-’Isrā’, verse 81
Allah in Surah al-Isrā’, verse 81 tells the Prophet,
﴿وَ قُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَ زَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كاَنَ زَهُوقًا﴾
“And say, ‘Truth has come and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart.’”
An explanatory narration:
«عن أبى جعفر علیه السلام فِى قُولِه عَزَ وَ جَلَّ: (وَ قُل جاءَ الحَقُّ وَ زَهَقَ الباطِلُ) قال: «اِذا قامَ القائِمُ ذَهَبَتْ دَولَةُ الباطِلِ»[1]
It is narrated from Imam al-Bāqir (the fifth Imam of Shia) to have said regarding to the meaning of “And say, ‘Truth has come and falsehood has departed.”, “Whenever the Upriser (Imam al-Mahdi) arises the authority of falsehood will be annihilated.”
Points for consideration:
1. When the truth comes there is no room for falsehood: The verse tells us that both the truth and the falsehood will never be in full authority. Wherever there is a falsehood, the truth is not there and vice versa. This means that when the last Imam comes since he will have a full authority over the world, falsehood will not be found anywhere. Yes, it is not impossible for the truth and the falsehood to exist partially at the same time and to oppose each other, but the final victory of the truth will be achieved at the time of the advent of Imam al-Mahdi and the evil will be uprooted forever.
2. The promise of Allah will be fulfilled: Allah ordains the Prophet to tell people that the truth will finally overcome the falsehood. Allah’s promise will never fail. Many authentic traditions refer to this point that the best example of the truth will happen at the end of the time when the Last Imam arises. It is also important to note that falsehood will have power if is practiced within a powerful and organized government. Therefore, if the corrupt governments lose their authority, all forms of falsehood that are dependent on them will become powerless and extinct. When the Imam comes and his government takes root on the earth, it is the time when the truth, instead of falsehood, will be widespread and powerful.
3. Falsehood is doomed to depart: Allah clearly says that falsehood will never survive forever since “falsehood, [by nature], is ever bound to depart’. It means that as long as the Imam has not come, those who are with the truth should not be disappointed even if falsehood appears to be dominant and mighty. As a result, those who follow the truth should always try their best to move against the falsehood and hope to ease the path for the Imam to come sooner.
Surah Maryam, verse 75
Addressing the Prophet, Allah in the 75th verse of Surah Maryam says,
﴿قُلْ مَن كاَنَ فىِ الضَّلَالَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَانُ مَدًّا حَتىَّ إِذَا رَأَوْاْ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَ إِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكاَنًا وَ أَضْعَفُ جُندًا﴾
“Say (to people), ‘Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension (in wealth and time) until when they see that which they were promised - either punishment [in this world] or the Hour (of resurrection) - they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers.’”
This verse contains a form of divine retribution for the deviate people who have been given an extended wealth and a lot of chance in this world, but they misused them and added to their corruption and even perverted others. Allah here makes them informed that their time will come to an abrupt end.
Then in the following verse, Allah talks about those who wanted to stay firm and guided and says,
﴿وَ يَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْاْ هُدًى وَ الْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَ خَيرٌ مَّرَدًّا﴾
“And Allah increases guidance to those who were guided, in and the enduring good deeds are better to in the sight of your Creator and Nurturer for reward and better for recourse.”
An explanatory narration:
«عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قال: «...أَمَّا قَوْلُهُ (حَتَّى إِذا رَأَوْا ما يُوعَدُونَ) فَهُوَ خُرُوجُ الْقَائِمِ وَ هُوَ السَّاعَةُ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَ مَا نَزَلَ بِهِمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَلَى يَدَيْ قَائِمِهِ فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ (مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَكاناً) يَعْنِي عِنْدَ الْقَائِمِ (وَ أَضْعَفُ جُنْداً) قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ (وَ يَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدىً) قَالَ يَزِيدُهُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ هُدًى عَلَى هُدًى بِاتِّبَاعِهِمُ الْقَائِمَ حَيْثُ لَا يَجْحَدُونَهُ وَ لَا يُنْكِرُونَه»[2]
Abū Basīr narrates from Imam al-Sādiq (the sixth Imam of Shia) to have said, “…In this verse ‘until when they see that which they were promised’ refers to the time that the Upriser (Imam al-Mahdi) arises and those who are in their error will face that time soon and will realize what would happen to them of divine punishment by the hands of Allah’s Upriser. This is the meaning of the words of Allah saying ‘they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers’ and they will know it when the Upriser comes.” Then, the narrator of this tradition adds that he asked the Imam about the meaning of this part of the verse where Allah says: “And Allah increases guidance to those who were guided.” and the Imam replied, “Allah will increase the guidance for people who were guided because they have decided to follow the Upriser and not to disobey or reject him.”
So, when the Imam comes it is a time that one of the examples of the mentioned verses comes into existence and Allah will make manifest the dignity of the believers and the abjection of non-believers completely.
Points for consideration:
1. The chance for those who are in their error will not last forever: Allah gives everyone enough time to decide for what he wants to do and people out of their free will can choose what to do. But if they decide to misuse this given fortune, they should know that it won't last for them forever. There, of course, will be a time when they will realize how weak they have been even though they have enjoyed a lot of power and time. This is a promise from Allah and it will never fail. When Imam al-Mahdi arises, this divine promise will be accomplished fully and it will be the time of a complete victory of believers over non-believers.
2. The appearance of the Imam will take place abruptly: The Imam will arise suddenly; therefore, it is necessary for those who want to accompany him to be prepared in advance. No one should think that since the appearance is delayed for a long time it also may last too much longer as well. Those who want to do something positive should decide on it before it is too late.
3. When the Imam comes Allah will add to His blessings to the believers: Based on the abovementioned narration, Allah promises the believers that at the time of the Imam’s advent He will increase those who were guided in guidance. This promise will take place at that time since there is no injustice, corruption, or oppression in the world. The Imam will make the world a good place for those who want to be guided to practice their religious duties.
4. Guidance is not separated from following someone: No one can be guided by himself without having recourse to divine leaders. Guidance in this verse is attributed to Allah which means Allah should help man to be guided. However, this guidance is done through some special ways the best of which is an Imam. Consequently, the more one knows his Imam and follows the divine leaders the more he will be guided. During the time of Occultation, those who wanted to be more guided have to try to know their Imam better.
Surah Yūnus, verse 48
Allah in Surah Yūnus (Jonah), verse 48 says,
﴿وَ يَقُولُونَ مَتىَ هَذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِين﴾
“And they (the non-believers) say, ‘When is (the fulfillment of) this promise, if you should be truthful?"
Though the context of this verse implies that the non-believers are in doubt of the Hereafter, some authentic traditions interpret it as the non-believers who are in doubt of the final victory that will happen by the Last savior at the End of Time. However, this is one of the meanings of the verse that does not contradict the first meaning since it is proved in its own place that the meaning of a verse is subject to various layers of meaning and a verse can have multiple examples.
An explanatory narration:
«قَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ علیه السلام: «مِنَّا اثْنَا عَشَرَ مَهْدِيّاً أَوَّلُهُمْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ آخِرُهُمُ التَّاسِعُ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ هُوَ الْقَائِمُ بِالْحَقِّ يُحْيِي اللَّهُ تَعَالَى بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَ يُظْهِرُ بِهِ دِيْنَ الْحَقِّ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ لَهُ غَيْبَةٌ يَرْتَدُّ فِيهَا قَوْمٌ وَ يَثْبُتُ عَلَى الدِّينِ فِيهَا آخَرُونَ فَيُؤْذَوْنَ وَ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ مَتى هذَا الْوَعْدُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صادِقِينَ أَمَا إِنَّ الصَّابِرَ فِي غَيْبَتِهِ عَلَى الْأَذَى وَ التَّكْذِيبِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُجَاهِدِ بِالسَّيْفِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ (صلی الله علیه و آله و سلّم)»[3]
It is narrated from Imam al-Hussain bin Ali bin Abī Tālib (the third Shia’s Imam) saying, “There are twelve Mahdis[4] of us (the Household of the Prophet) and the first one is the Commander of the Faithful Ali bin Abī Tālib, and the last one is the Upriser (Imam al-Mahdi) who is the ninth infallible man in my progeny. He is the Imam who will establish the truth and by him, Allah Almighty will revive the earth after its death and help His religion overcome other religions even if the idolaters dislike it. His occultation will last so long that some people will be deviated (from the divine religion) and others who have stayed firm in their beliefs will sustain great troubles and the non-believers will say to them, ‘When is (the fulfillment of) this promise if you should be truthful?’. (O people!) Know that everyone who in the time of his Occultation remains patient in difficulties vis-à-vis, those who reject him he is like a warrior who at the time of the Prophet fought against the enemies (to protect the Prophet and Islam).”
Points for consideration:
1. The Occultation is one of the most difficult divine trials: It is the will of Allah to test people in different ways. According to many traditions, the period of Occultation takes such a long time that many people go astray; the majority of people would say that the Imam has not been born and some would believe that he has died. Only the true believers are resolute in their belief. Also, some who believe in the Imam, since they do not see him, would not remain steadfast as required. It shows how much it is important to maintain faith and remain steadfast when the Imam is physically absent.
2. The believers are not shortsighted: Those who do not believe in Allah and Imamate just see the current situation and are blind about the future. They just know that the Imam is not present and think that if they continue with their corruption there is no serious impediment for them. As a result, they assume that this suitable condition will last for them as long as they are alive. They are suspicious about the promise of Allah to be fulfilled. This is why they mock the believers by saying “When is (the fulfillment of) this promise if you should be truthful?” But those who are with Allah and believe in His promise; and know that their Imam is alive, see the ultimate good destiny which will take place at the time of the Imam’s appearance.
3. To wait for the advent of the Imam requires to remain patient: One of the strongest means by which to survive during Occultation is to remain patient and steadfast. To lose hope and become shaky is one of the most damaging hazards. To remain patient is so important that Allah gives those who are tolerant a reward similar to that of those people who helped the Prophet on the battlefield.
[1].’Usūl al-Kāfī, Vol. 8, p. 287, hadith 432.
[2].’Usūl al-Kāfī, Vol. 1, p. 431, hadith 90.
[3]. Kamāl al-Dīn wa Tamām al-Ni‘mah, Vol. 1, P. 317, hadith 3.
[4]. The word Mahdi here does not refer to one’s name. It Points for consideration to the Arabic meaning of the word which is “the one who is guided”.