28 Jun Imam Mahdi is the remover of all misfortunes
You may have, perhaps, come across individuals who in their mind conjure that the holy being of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) is like that person who will wield his sword blindly, will set off rivers of blood, will chop-off heads and will go on a carnage. More upsetting than this is the fact that these individuals pass-on their own way of thinking and blatantly erring mindset to others and thus tamper the benevolent being and the justice oriented persona of Imam (a.s.) in the minds and thoughts of others. Consequently, they instill fear in a large portion with regards to Imam’s (a.s.) blessed reappearance, which dissuades them to pray for his reappearance.
This is a big cruelty on a personality whose being is all about love, affection, compassion and mercy. Even certain religious individuals jokingly or due to lack of attention say negative things about Imam (a.s.). For instance they talk about Imam-e-Zamana’s sword slicing their throats or someone else’s.
On one radio program (In Iran), which was related to Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.), in one of their reports they tried to know the point of view of one of the schools of Tehran on the subject of reappearance. They discovered that 70 out of 100 students didn’t want Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) to reappear. When they were asked the reasons for not wanting Imam (a.s.) to reappear, they said, “If Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) comes he will behead us.”
This is a situation where one wants to shed tears of blood and wishes to tear the heart out. Can anything more distressing be imagined than this?
That kind-hearted Imam (a.s.) from who’s blessings not only do his friends and followers are alive but even his enemies are breathing and earning their livelihoods through him. That very Imam (a.s.) who is more compassionate than a father, more affectionate than a mother and more helping than a brother. That benevolent Imam (a.s.), after who’s reappearance we know that there will not be a drop of tear in an orphan’s eye and no one will die of hunger, no one will writhe in pain, no one will stay in prison, all borrowers will have done with their loans, no poor will not have to sleep on the street and no table mat will be devoid of bread. That sympathetic Imam (a.s.) who will take revenge on behalf of the oppressed ones and protect those who were harassed in the past. That Imam (a.s.) who has promised to put to rest all miseries and remove all difficulties and enrich the impoverished. To introduce him as someone who is happy to wield his sword and shed blood is atrocious and an unpardonable crime.
If we have only been highlighting his lightning swordsmanship till now, then we need to implore Allah the Exalted for forgiveness and beseech Him to pardon us for being sacrilegious towards a holy being who is indeed a manifestation of mercy.
The fact is that that the holy being Hujjat ibnul Hasan (a.t.f.s.) is the seal of Imamate exactly like the Last of Prophets (s.a.w.a.s.), the Mercy for the entire universe[1] and his sobriquets are كاشف البلوىٰ (remover of misfortunes) and غوث رحمة الواسعة (the succor and one with far-reaching mercy)[2] and كهف (Kahf, Ha, Fe). All these titles of Hazrat (a.s.) have constantly come in traditions, supplications and ziyarats.
Ziyarat-e-Jamea Kabeera, in which Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Haadi (a.s.) has enumerated the best of ways to acquaint with Imamate in form of a ziyarat — has remembered the Ahl al-Bayt of Prophet (a.s.) as the source of mercy, those with extreme forbearance, humility, magnanimity, the real fountainhead of love, the removers of sorrow and those who alleviate afflictions.
Imam Raza (a.s.) says: An Imam is a companion, sympathetic, a caring father and a bigger helper than a brother and is more beneficent than what a mother is to her infant child and is a refuge for the servants of Allah.[3]
In the era of occultation, the Almighty Allah has made Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) a refuge, safe haven and one who renders justice to the vulnerable and helpless. He is an Imam (a.s.) who will provide salvation and in the light of reliable traditions he will be most gracious with all and good-natured. In his era of reappearance he will invite people towards the true religion in a friendly manner. He will impart astonishing knowledge on the Heavenly Book. He will complete the argument on every place and every being through admonishments, advises and teaching that will be suitable for the age. Even if someone may be partly inclined to accept the truth, he will attain the truth and slowly and gradually the People of the Book will bring faith in him like this.
But be attentive, when plants and roses are groomed, some unwanted dangerous grass, too, grows along with them and they prove to be counter-productive for the growth of plants and roses. Therefore, it is necessary to uproot these blades of grasses which cannot be done without the razor-sharp justice of Allah because when the Justice of Allah is in place, the oppression will be annihilated for the oppressed and tortured ones can heave a sigh of relief. The group of despots, who refuse to tread the straight path or don’t pay heed to the advises and no weapon is effective in reforming them, then they will be brushed aside.
Have you ever contemplated why the holy being of Imam (a.s.) is remembered as the Peacock of Heavens?[4] Perhaps the subtlety behind this comparison is that when a peacock spreads its wings he dazzles the eyes. When Hazrat (a.s.) reappears he will astonish the onlookers and leave their intellects amazed with his heavenly being and divine character.
We read this some portions of Ziyarat of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.):
اِلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ رَبِيْعِ الاَنَامِ وَ نَضْرِةِ الْاَيّامِ
Peace be upon the spring of hearts and freshness of the day
In Dua-e-Ahad we ask Allah:
Oh Allah, through this hands re-establish your cities and grant Your servants a true life.
Imam (a.s.) is a wholehearted spring and cause of energy, freshness and eternal life. The true nature and life of man will manifest itself when he reappears. It will be that occasion when everyone will have a true taste of life and tranquility. Really, if it will be like this then how does one describe the way we are currently living our lives?
We should be certain that we aren’t aware of the blessings which will come into existence following his reappearance. We are also ignorant of the fact that through the abundantly sufficient and efficient hands of Yusuf-e-Zahra (s.a) humans will be getting good deeds, relief, blessings, beauty and perfection as gifts. At the time of Imam’s (a.s.) auspicious reappearance mankind will get unimaginable gifts of faith, comfort and peace. Take a look at the following traditions:
The Noble Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.) says:
My nation will enjoy so many blessings during Mahdi’s rein that none of it would have been witnessed before. [5]
I give you the glad tidings about Mahdi (a.s.), who will be sent towards the people. The people staying on earth and in the heavens will be contented and happy with him.[6]
All nations will come under his refuge. For instance, like how the honey bees seek refuge in their queen. He will make justice so common in the entire world that golden Islam will get its glitter restored. He will not wake up a sleeping one rudely nor will he shed the blood of an innocent. [7]
He will acquaint the hearts with the worship and obedience. The lap of justice will be spread everywhere. Through him Allah will batter the fort of lies. Barbarity and oppressive tendencies will be annihilated and the shackle of lowliness and degradation around people’s neck will be removed.[8]
There’ll be no poverty. People will want to give charity but they will not find a needy person. Whoever they will try and offer wealth, will say that he is not in need of anything.[9]
The birds will be chirping in their nests. The fishes will be in a playful mood in the water. Dried springs will run over and the plantations will double.[10]
The inhabitants of skies and earth will love him. There will be more rain and the earth will spread its greenery everywhere so much that those living will wish that the dead ones come to life to witness this form of justice.[11]
The skies will continuously shower mercy. No seed will remain under the ground and everything will grow. Wealth will be showered on everybody on this day in a manner that when anybody says, “O Mahdi! Please grant me?” They will be told…take whatever you wish![12]
Ameerul Momeneen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) says:
When one of my son will reappear then the affairs of the people will ease so much that the dead ones will visit each other and convey the good news of his reappearance.[13]
There will be plenteous rains and the earth will manifest its greenery. Animosity and malevolence will vanish from the hearts. Wild and domestic animals will live in such a harmony that a woman can safely walk from Iraq to Syria and on this long road which will have a sizeable population, her footsteps will land only the grass that grows on the ground despite the fact that her adornments will be on her and no beast will attack her. She will keep walking on this peaceful road without an iota of fear in her heart.[14]
Imam Sadeq (a.s.) says:
When Mahdi will reappear his clothes will be similar to that of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) and he will strictly act on Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.s.) conduct.[15]
In some traditions we find that due to the blessing of Imam-e-Zamana’s (a.s.) arrival, his conduct and policies, people will be free from poverty and hunger. They will be needless of materialistic wealth. Hazrat (a.s.) will call them: “Come, this is the same thing for which you would fight with your relatives and would even spill each other’s blood to get hold of it. You would even trample the honour of religious duties. You were guilty of doing things which was forbidden by Allah.” After this he will grant them so much wealth that no one would have ever given to them.[16]
On the basis of authentic reports we get to know is that in his time all diseases will have a cure. The blind will have their eye-sight restored. There will be considerable rain and no piece of land will be barren but it will have a herb or a flower blooming on it. The earth will have a lush green appearance and every tree will bear a fruit. The bodies will be healthy and ages will even cross the hundred-year barrier. The time of the days and the years will increase tenfold. Farmers will gain maximum harvest from their lands. Animosity will remain far from the hearts and people will be very benevolent with each other. Not only this but the human intellect will achieve perfection and predators will lose their attacking instincts. Sheep and wolves, cows and lions will live together. Wealth will be abundant and greed and avarice will be extinct I such a way that one will not be able to find a beggar to give charity.
Children will play with snakes and scorpions without any danger. All the evils will be extinct and the people will sincerely worship Allah the Exalted and they will not associate anyone or anybody with Him.
Territorial restrictions will be repealed and every inch of the earth will be governed by one authority. Any person wishing to travel from the East to West will have the right to travel without any hindrance. No one will stop anyone and why shouldn’t it be like this? Hasn’t Allah created all the species and the universe for this household? In Hadis-e-Kisa we read the words of Allah:
O My angels! O Residents of My Heavens! Verily, I have not created a canopy-like sky, the stretched earth, the illuminated moon, the bright sun, the rotating planets, the flowing oceans and the ships that sail in it, but for the love of these Five.[17]
It’s worth reminding here that, traditions say, much of bloodletting will occur in the world prior to the reappearance and that is mainly due to self-imposed wars. The super powers of the world will fight each other, as Imam Reza (a.s.) says:
Before Qaem’s (a.t.f.s.) rise there will be such killings and massacres that will not even stop for a moment.[18]
That said, we don’t deny that Qaem (a.s.) will rise with the sword. That is because there are numerous traditions that have emphasized on this. But it is beyond question that Imam-e-Asr’s (a.t.f.s.) sharp-edged Zulfiqaar and Hazrat’s (a.s.) strength and wrath will befall those who have continually smothered justice and killed innocent and helpless individuals and struck the sword of disbelief and malice on the friends of Allah — who don’t understand any other language but that the language of a sword.
For those who roam the streets, gullies and bazaars to fulfill their daily needs and strive hard in pursuit of their sustenance — if these people do commit mistakes inadvertently, through ignorance or are lured by someone to commit an error — then there is no evidence present to suggest that their heads will roll in front of Allah and his vicegerent. These individuals may be filled with fear and apprehension though one cannot find a reason for it. Because, following Imam Mahdi’s (a.t.f.s.) reappearance not only a majority of Shias will welcome him but a greater part of the general population will be inclined towards him due to their innate nature and will bring faith in Hazrat (a.s.) after witnessing his character, method and qualities.
Those who are immersed in polytheism, disbelief and hypocrisy, will naturally, tremble at hearing Hazrat’s (a.s.) distinguished name. They are apprehensive of his reappearance, much like the kings of Bani Abbas (or like the Pharaoh who was alarmed of Hazrat Musa’s (a.s.) birth) who imposed all possible restrictions on the eleventh Imam (a.s.), which included keeping him under close watch. They felt in their own illusory ways that they could stop the promised Imam from coming into this world and they were willing to martyr this heavenly son.
‘Amr Hadeed’ , which Imam (a.s.) will bring along with him at the time of reappearance, has been explained in different ways in the traditions of noble Imams (a.s.). This makes it amply clear that true Islam hasn’t reached the people yet.
If a teacher is absent from the class for some reason and doesn’t explain the book to his students, will it be fair that when he returns to the class he will test the students for the lesson which he had not taught? Can such an action then be expected from the most beneficent of teacher, who will reappear, to provide absolute salvation to mankind, their guidance and grooming of humanity? It is true[19] that Imam (a.s.) will interrogate the chief of oppressors, tyrants and the perpetrators of injustice with a good degree of severity. But Imam (a.s.) will inspire and guide a majority of those who were victims of these tyrants.
The fear of Imam’s (a.s.) sword is predominantly found in the Shia community and that too in a strange manner. It’s hard to fathom why do we get overwhelmed with fear when we are frequently seeking help from Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) and other Infallible Imams (a.s). These magnanimous personalities are aware of our condition and regardless of being familiar with our sins, blemishes and mistakes how well they treat us. They don’t drive us out of their presence. Instead, they fulfill our needs. Despite of this grace and nobility of our own Infallible Imam (a.s.) what is the reason then, to be scared or frightened of him?
On the eve of Me’raj Almighty Allah informed His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) concerning Imam Mahdi (a.s.):
He will make lawful what I’ve made lawful and make unlawful what I have prohibited. I will take revenge from My enemies through him. Allah’s representatives and servants will be comforted by his arrival and his afflicted Shias will find cure.[20]
Imam Sadeq (a.s.) tells Ibrahim Karkh:
O Ibrahim, he will remove the woes and sorrows of Shias after a lengthy calamitous, frightening and horrifying period which will be severe and grueling.[21]
It is hard to believe that a benevolent leader, who prays for his sinful followers in front of Allah and will specifically come to grant cure and remove the sorrow from the heart of his afflicted Shias will put them to sword when he reappears. Sayed ibn Tawoos (r.a.) says I heard Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) saying the following prayer in the holy cellar (Samarra) at dawn:
O Allah! It is certain that our Shias have been created from the rays of our light and our superior teenat (dust). They have committed excessive sins relying on their love for us. If the sins (that they have committed) is related to me, then forgive them, for, it will be a cause of happiness to us. If they have harmed each other then establish reconciliation between them. Please improve their conditions and give them even my part of the Khums so that they are contented. Make them enter Paradise and save them from fire of Hell and because of their sins do, not consider them at par with Your enemies.[22]
Certainly, Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) has a kind eye over all his Shias, who are his spiritual children. The examples of which are plenty and can be found in the narrations of the Infallibles (a.s.):
We are happy in your happiness and sorrowful in your sorrow.[23]
Imam Reza (a.s.) says:
None of our Shias fall sick, but that we too fall ill with them. None of them get sorrowful but that we too are sad in their sadness. None of them get happy, but that we too are happy in their happiness.”[24]
Keep in mind that by this, we don’t intend to start the trend of inclining the people towards sins. As, the sins committed by the Shias annoy and offend Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.). But this too should be borne in mind that not all the companions of Ameerul Momineen Ali ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.) were at par with Salman, Abu Zar and Miqdad, or like Zurarah and Hesham ibn Hakam who were friends and companions of Imam Sadeq (a.s.). This is because among the followers of the Noble Imams (a.s.) there were obeying ones and sinners, the just ones and transgressor too. So, did then the Pious Imams (a.s.) abandon their friends and sincere ones, who were involved in sins or put them to sword? Certainly, the answer to this will be in the negative.
We come across some narrations which even give preference to Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) over other Imams in some aspect. As those people were living their lives in the presence of an Imam and thus they could benefit from their blessed beings. They could get their answers from them. They could visit their Imam (a.s.). But in this period of occultation, the Shias are akin to that child whose benevolent father has gone on a voyage and he doesn’t have the affectionate shelter over his head.
In one of his poems, Sayed Halawa[25] has complained to Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) about the Shias’ plight, indignation and sorrow. This poem was recited in one of the gatherings and when one of the great personalities of Najaf-e-Ashraf got the opportunity to present himself in front of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.), he was told: Ask Sayed not to trouble my heart so much. This affair is in Allah’s hand and not in my hands. Keep praying so that Allah eases my reappearance.[26]
To summarize things, we should abstain from criticizing the pious being of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Furthermore, we should prevent to paint an unrealistic and stern picture of Imam (a.s.) and not frighten his friends and justice-loving people from his reappearance.
By creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety amongst the people regarding the reappearance through devilish means is like a group of rogues or hooligans who are distancing a youth from his family and putting him on a wrong path and when this youth attempts to return to his family he will be told: If you return, your father will punish you and possibly kill you.
The representatives of Shaytan have deprived the humankind to live their lives under the tutelage of their spiritual father and to prevent them from returning they keep citing the fear of sword.
[1] ‘And through his son ‘M’ ‘H’ ‘M’ ‘D’ I will complete it.’ From the subject that he will be a mercy for the entire universe. Usool-e-Kafi 1-528 (Hadith-e-Lau)
[2] Ziyarat-e-Aale Yaseen: والغوث رحمة الواسعة
[3] Usool-e-Kafi 1-200 (Kitabul Hujjat)
[4] Behaarul Anwaar, 51-91
[5] Muntakhabul Asar – 473
[6] Jaamea Ahadeesus Shia. 1-34
[7] Muntakhabul Asar — 478
[8] Behaarul Anwaar : 51-104
[9] Musnad Ahmad 2-53
[10] Behaarul Anwaar : 52-304
[11] Al Tashreef Balmamnan — 146
[12] Eqdud Durar – 195, chapter 7
[13] Kamaaluddin 2—653 (chapter 57, tradition 17)
[14] Mikyalul Makarim – 1-101.
[15] Behaarul Anwaar 47-54, Kaafi : 1-114.
[16] [16] Al-Ghayba An Nomani — 342
[17] Mafatihul Jinan, Hadis-e-Sharif-e-Kisa
[18] Behaarul Anwaar 52-152 (Quoted from Qarb al Asnaad)
[19] This is a warning for us so that we recognize the origin of recognizing Imamat and solidify the pillars of our recognition and fortify our determination to work with the feeling of submission and pleasure for Imam (a.s.). We need to keep the faith that Imam-e-Asr (a.s.) is the absolute truth and whatever comes out of his blessed lips is the word of Allah and the true religion. The truth is with Imam (a.s.), in Imam (a.s.)and on his side. How wretched and strayed are those people who, in the name of Quran and Sunnat, which is a figment of their own sick mindset and not the real Sunnat, will argue and go to war with Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) at the time of reappearance. According to narrations Imam (a.s.) will have endure such kind of tortures at the hands of these individuals which will be more in severity as compared to the harm and affliction borne by the Noble Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.). The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was raised among such people who due to their ignorance and arrogance were worshipping woods and stones. But this nation has lived on the diet of forgery for the last 1400 years and has been delivering their own interpretations ridiculous stories and innovations in the name of Islam, What’s more, they are even practicing it. Naturally then, it will be an onerous task to teach true Islam to these people.
[20] Behaar ul Anwaar : 36-245
[21] Behaar ul Anwaar : 15-144
[22] Behaar ul Anwaar: 53-302, Jannatul Mawaa, Hakayat 55
[23] Behaar ul Anwaar : 26 : 140-141; Basaaeru-Darajaat.
[24] Behaar ul Anwaar 26 : 140 and 154; Basaaeru-Darajaat
[25] Sayed Haider bin Sayed Suleiman Hilli (1246-1304) is counted amongst the famous poets in the history of Shias.
[26] Behaarul Anwaar 53: 331-336 (Jannatul Mawah)