Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and the longevity – Part 2

IMAM MAHDI (A.S.) AND THE LONGEVITY – PART 2

( A Series of 3 research articles on the Longevity of Imam Mahdi (atfs))
Evidences show that the masses and researchers in the late decades of 4th A.H believed the standard lifetime to be one hundred and twenty years and the blessed lifetime of Imam Mahdi (a.s) (who is living now between Muslims) from 375 AH has crossed this limit and converted to nonstandard. From this time now among parts of people there have been raised some questions about his Excellency’s longevity.
4th Century
Sheikh Sadooq was the first researcher in the field of Imam Mahdi’s (a.s) longevity.
Available documents and evidences show the first researcher who had gone through the issue of Imam Mahdi’s (a.s) longevity is “Abu Ja’far Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Babuyeh Qummi known as Sheikh Sadooq (deceased in 381 A.H). He in his book namely Kamal-Addin and Tammam-al-Nim’ah has discussed in details on this subject matter and has answered to the opponents’ questions.
He also has assigned a comprehensive chapter in the above mentioned book for “The Long Lived” (people with too long lifetime); named tens of people with more than 120 years lifetime and introduced a brief description over each one life span.
Amongst these long lived that many had been lived before Islam occurrence and a number after Islam, there have seen life spans between 120 up to 3000 years. The respectful author writes at the end of this chapter of his book:
The traditions about the people with lone lifetime in my book are not only peculiar to Shiite but our opponents also have quoted from various references endorsing them.
From Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) there is a tradition that he says:
“Everything which has happened between previous prophets’ followers will be happening between my followers too.”
Now that longevity has been seen in primitives why do some deny the Al-Qa’im (He Who Arises) of Muhammad’s descendants only for his longevity? Especially that, a plenty of true traditions have been received from Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his descendants (a.s)?!
It is highly noteworthy that late Sadooq has reviewed this issue only through historical experiences and people with too long lifetime and has not argued for the other rationales that he could cite for.
Fifth century
• Sheikh Mufeed
The other researcher who has worked on Imam Mahdi’s (a.s) longevity is Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ibn No’man known as Shekh Mufeed (336-413 AH).
He has discussed on this matter from two methodologies: firstly he entered through historical experiments and recalled many followers of the other religions having had too long lifetime; and then referring to Holy Qur’an he has cited Prophet Noah (a.s) who had lived nine hundred and fifty years amongst his people.
• Kerajeki
Another researcher in the A.H. fifth century who has argued in depth about Imam Mahdi’s (a.s) longevity is Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Osman Kerajeki from Tripoli (deceased in 449 A.H) and has released an independent book as “The rationales upon correctness of the longevity of Imam Owner of Time” (Arabic: البرهان على صحّة طول عمر الأمام صاحب الزمان).
The above mentioned researcher at first referring to Holy Qur’an recalls for too long life span of Prophet Noah (a.s) and Prophet Khidr (a.s) and then writes about the Devil who according to Holy Qur’an assertion has lived from Adam era or even before that time until now.
He after that cites many of the long lived people whose longevities are affirmed by the Jewish and Christians alike as well as Muslims.
• Sheikh Tusi
The third researcher who has worked on the subject matter and made big countermeasures for answering to the questions arisen about the longevity is Muhammad Ibn Hassan Tussi (385-460 A.H).
He in his book “Al ghaybah” (The Occultation) has surveyed on this issue through two methodologies:
Firstly he seizes to the traditions which have been brought by the owners of “Seven The True” (Sehah-e Sittah) of the Sunni about The Antichrist (Al-Dajjal) who was born in The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) time and has continued his life until his uprising at the end times.
Secondly he submits historical experiments and cites numerous the long lived in the history.
To be continued in part 3 …….

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