Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is the distressed one

While interpreting this verse of Holy Quran:

أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ‌ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ

Or, Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him.

Imam Jafar Sadeq (a.s.) says: This verse is revealed about the Qaem (a.s.) from the progeny of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.). By Allah he is the distressed one. He will offer two units (rakat) of prayers near Maqame Ibrahim and pray to Allah. Allah will answer his prayers and remove his difficulties and shall make him the Caliph on the earth.”

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) says:

By Allah! He [Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) ] is so distressed that is said about him ‘Or Who answers…It is for this reason we recite in Dua-e-Nudba:

اَيْنَ الْمُضْطَرُّ الَّذِي يُجَابُ إِذَعَا؟

Where is the distressed who is answered when he calls upon Allah?

In the explanation of this statement it is said: Any person who holds a position or a rank, however, after being delegated to the rank has been kept away from this status by the people who have usurped his position and stop him from doing his duty and he does not have the authority to exercise his rights and many of his enemies do not want him to perform his duty or mission then such a person is called مضطر (the distressed one).

Now, what can be more distressing in the universe than the fact that the Divine Proof of Allah (a.s.) and the Preacher of Holy Quran and religious commandments, even though present, has been left watching from the sidelines how the oppressive, tyrant rulers — hypocrites and those given to debauchery — wish to distort the Holy Quran and finish off the traditions and customs of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Furthermore, they want to change the face of Islam and cause harm to their lovers and followers and make them an object of ridicule and insults.[16]

We read the following words in the famous recommended dua of Imam-e-Asr’s (a.t.f.s.) first deputy:

So, O My Lord, the One who dismisses adversities. When a distressed person calls upon You, You accept his plea and free him from his grief and agony. Therefore, remove the adversities of Your Friend.