Since the creation of this world, when the offspring of Hazrat Adam (a.s.) began inhabiting the earth under the light of intellect and guidance, and took measures to establish supremacy over others, the elements of turmoil and mischief became apparent in human life.
When human civilization took its first step, Haabeel was killed by Qaabeel and this created an upheaval on the earth. The wickedness of Qaabeel continued to find all its elements spanning for about four centuries after Haabeel was buried.
After passing through the tumultuous waves of time, the history of second Adam i.e. Hazrat Nuh (a.s.) was penned down. The result was the great deluge wherein the upheaval established its signs to the extent that his son denied the belief of his father in the divine religion saying that the deluge that comes from your Allah cannot reach the height of the mountain and thus, he sought protection from divine retribution by climbing the mountain. At last, Allah had to comfort His apostle saying that “He is your son but not your progeny”. The far-reaching effects of this upheaval were underestimated till we realised that there are certain external factors that can separate a father from his son. Going ahead, we also saw that a son dissociated himself from the misdeeds of his father, Mohammad ibn Abu Bakr is a case in point.
Gradually, as the time advanced, the upheaval with all its brazenness continued to emerge in a way that it became evident in all the civilizations of the world. Here, it would be appropriate to mention a few of its innumerable methods and ideologies.
All the countries of this world since ages have followed either of the four patterns of rulership: Monarchy, Democracy, Socialism, and Dictatorship (of which Hitler and Mussolini are on top of the list).
At one time, such form of government was also found in Greece, Rome, and other countries. Several books have been written regarding this, but we do not find any such country where all the elements of mischief, right from the beginning till today, cannot be seen. Just by changing clothes, a person’s temperament, behaviour, attitude, approach, ethics, etc. does not change because it is in his nature. But it is always the common masses that bore the distortion, exploitation, cruelty, and violence. The smoke of rebellion continued to rise in every era thereby creating disorder in the society. This anxiety never ended, and people struggled to find peace for themselves.
In the seventeenth century, the government was taken away from Church (i.e. religion), monarchy was limited to just represent the divine religion (i.e. limited to religious arena) and a new model of democracy was put into practice.
In a nutshell, the intellectuals of the world came forward to form a structured government, but none of them proved to be effective. Inequality, poverty, misappropriation, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor is seen everywhere. The representative of the feudal lords, who hold the reins of the government, ruled as per their interests and any sort of emerging rebellion was suppressed with military power. Here, a question arises as to “Has Allah not arranged for a land free of corruption, oppression, and inequality and that which provides a dignified atmosphere, ruled by individuals of high intelligence and ethics? And is there a path where people can write their own history?
The Creator, who created human beings and excelled them over other creatures, established a series of leaders and guides for them since their creation and provided all the necessary means and resources of guidance for them. He instilled capabilities in their innate nature to resist this turmoil and avoid its traps. He established the rulership of such guides over the world, on whom blessings descend and they never go astray and established signs, in the light of which they continue to move on.
Holy Quran is the word of Allah, and it says:
“Certainly, We sent Our Messengers with clear arguments, and sent down with them the Book and the Scale, so that people may conduct themselves with equity.”[1]
Were human beings to tread this path of the pleasure of Allah, this transient world would be a prologue and a source of divine rewards and pleasure in the hereafter. This path is known as the “right path”, the travellers of which partake of great bounty without any fear or danger. This is the path where the turmoil often attacks but those with intellect quell and subject it to degradation and eternal punishment.
To complete the argument, it is necessary to mention the history of resistance of the virtuous ones to this turmoil.
Firstly, let us clarify that there is a difference between invasion and turmoil. In invasion, the two armies directly confront each other whereas turmoil disrupts the internal law and order of the nation. The foreign forces instigate a particular group against its government to make it weak. This is one form of turmoil. The oppressive rulers coerce the minorities, who continue to fail their sinister plans by continuing to tread the goodness. This is that right path that Allah has paved for His Prophets and successors in every era. Allah establishes His supremacy through this small number of individuals who have always instilled fear in the hearts of the tyrants. Soon, a time will come when a person, an embodiment of divine power, would reappear and put an end to all the corruption and mischief on this earth and fill it with justice and equity.
The nation of Hazrat Nuh (a.s.) pelted stones at him so much that the zenith of human patience and forbearance came forth. However, after the deluge of revenge, only eighty humans survived. It is a matter of profound thought and concern as to how Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), with the ark of Hazrat Nuh (a.s.), set an example of salvation for his nation upon martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.). Undoubtedly, Karbala is an ark of salvation. Is not the oppression of Hurmula (l.a.) along with his three-pronged arrow obliterated? But even today, the elegy of Janab Ali Asghar (a.s.) melts the heart of even the most hard-hearted person.
For the sake of brevity, we mention that at the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), the mischief of the oppressors would have increased greatly, when the inheritor of Zulfiqaar will put them under it while saying that this is just a beginning of their punishment. The annals of history are filled with innumerable turmoil and conspiracies of evil minded, at the same time, on the other hand, we also have the caravan of the righteous and virtuous. Their leader guides them like the sun behind the clouds, providing them the much-needed courage, enthusiasm and intelligence.
O our Master! How many innocent people are being killed by these mischievous rebellions. We earnestly plead to you for the early reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) has ordered us to patiently await his reappearance. As a nation, we have been awaiting our Imam (a.s.) for ages, enduring all the atrocities and have entrusted our lives to him.
Allah instructs us in Holy Qur’an to await and declares Himself among those who await. However, only those put to test by Allah shall be delivered in the end. It is the word ‘awaiting’ that brings us comfort during this intense trial though it is the most difficult thing to perform while being considered akin to death. Our salutations to our Imam (a.s.), who encourages us to await and gives us the opportunity to live a tranquil and peaceful life in this era of oppression and corruption.
O, the one who always keeps an eye over us like an affectionate father! When we feel the true sense of ‘awaiting’ in the depths of our hearts, we realize that the one we are awaiting, continues to bless us with numerous bounties every moment. O my master! When we say “Yaa Saahebaz Zamaan Adrikni” during hardships, the tears that roll down our cheeks are a witness to the fact that it is only through you, that we will get rid of these hardships.
[1] Surah Hadid (57), verse 25
