What are the similarities between Imam Mahdi(atfs) and the previous Prophets?
Excerpt – 6
Book – Ghaibat e Tusi
Author – Shaikh al Tusi (ar)
Chapter -1: Discussion on the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (atfs)
(Part 5)
In this excerpt we present a tradition of Imam Sadiq(as) and its analysis highlighting the similarities between some of the Prophets(as) and Imam Mahdi(atfs)
Imam Sadiq (as) narrates: “Allah (swt) has bestowed three qualities to our Qaim (atfs), which He gave to three apostles. He destined his birth is like the birth of Musa (as), his disappearance, like the disappearance of Isa (as), and his longevity, like the longevity of Nuh (as). Moreover, He made the lifespan of His virtuous servant Khizr (as), a proof for the long life span of Imam Mahdi (atfs)”.
1. As for the birth of Musa (as), the fortune-tellers had informed Firon that a Prophet will be born in Bani Israel, who will bring an end to his kingdom. So Firon sent his army to cut open the abdomens of pregnant ladies, until he murdered more than 20000 babies. But still Musa(as) was saved by Allah(swt) from getting killed.”
Likewise, the tyrants took out their swords for the murdering the Family of Prophet Muhammad(sawa), and to cut off his progeny in order to make certain they have killed the Qaim(atfs).
This tradition gives us a definitive understanding that the birth of Imam Mahdi(atfs) is kept hidden in order to save his life.
2. As for the disappearance of Isa (as), Allah (swt) refutes the Jews and Christians in the following verse from the Holy Quran:
‘And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so…'(Surah Nisa 4:157)
Likewise, inspite of so many false claims and opinions about Imam Mahdi (atfs), Allah (swt) has kept him hidden from people upto a certain time, after which he will reappear. Even Prophet Isa (as) will return then and pay allegiance to him.
3. As for the longevity of Nuh(as) when he prayed for relief, Allah instructed him to plant seeds with a promise that relief would arrive when these seeds became fruit bearing trees. But when the seeds would become fruit bearing trees, Allah would lengthen the period by repeatedly instructing to plant trees again. This happened several times till many people of weak faith deviated. Then ultimately when very few with pure faith remained, Allah ordered the construction of the Ark.
Similarly, one of the reasons that Allah (swt) has extended the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (atfs) is that, the sincere believers are thoroughly separated from the disbelievers. Moreover, when Imam Mahdi (atfs) finally establishes his rule by the Will of Allah (swt) , there will be no hypocrites amongst his companions.
May Allah (swt) keep us steadfast amongst the sincere companions of Imam Mahdi (atfs) in this lengthy occultation.