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The universal government of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), establishment of justice and equity in the world, and the end of oppression and injustice, are amongst the fundamental beliefs in the religion of Islam. among the well accepted parts of Islam. To support this, we mention a famous tradition quoted by late Lutfullah Saafi Gulpaygaani (exp. 1443 A.H.) in his book “Muntakhabul Asar fi Imam al-Saani Ashar (a.s.)” in part 2, chp. 1 with reference to Sihaah-e-Sittah and other books, that Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:
“If there remains nothing of the life of this world except a day, Allah, the Almighty will send a person from my Ahle Bait, who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be filled with injustice and oppression.”[1]
Similarly, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said:
“Mahdi is from me…. he will fill the earth with justice and equity as it would have been filled with injustice and oppression. He will rule for seven years.”[2]
Note: Kindly pay attention to the main topics of these traditions that the earth will be full of justice and equity in the government of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), oppression will be obliterated, Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will be from the progeny of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). However, it is clear from the traditions that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is the son of eleventh Imam, Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.).
A characteristic of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
According to a tradition, when Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will reappear, Hazrat Isa bin Maryam (a.s.) will descend from heaven. According to Shias and Ahle Sunnah sources, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said:
“What will be your condition when Isa bin Maryam will descend, and your Imam will be among you?[3]
Similarly, it has been mentioned in the famous tradition of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):
“One who denies the reappearance of Mahdi, has indeed denied everything revealed to Mohammad, and one who denies the descent of Isa, has disbelieved.”[4]
(In part 7, chp. 8 of the book “Muntakhabul Asar”, three traditions have been mentioned about the descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) and it is also mentioned that Hazrat Isa (a.s.) will pray in the leadership of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.s.). The author has written that there are thirty-nine traditions in this chapter.)
Note: In these traditions, the descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) is at the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Here, many false claimants of Mahdaviyat have been proved to be imposters. And those who are now claiming that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) has appeared and that there is no need to wait for him, are also liars and imposters.
Earth will flourish under the rule of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
One of the features of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is that the earth will flourish and revive. In the last part of a lengthy tradition by Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), it is mentioned:
“…through Mahdi, the earth will be inhabited, purified, rivers will flow therein, evil and corruption will be effaced, and there will be abundance of goodness and blessings.”[5]
Note: Today, the earth is neither completely pure of corruption and evils nor are rivers flowing everywhere. Mischief and disorder are rampant. There is no abundance of goodness and blessings. But the liars and imposters are claiming that the Imam has already appeared and there is no need to wait for his reappearance.
A very special characteristic
One of the characteristics of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is that some people will return at the time of the appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s). For the details of Raj’at, readers may refer to “Al-Muntazar” magazine, special issue of Shabaan 1411 A.H, however, here we briefly explain the belief of Raj’at.
Raj’at is among the fundamental beliefs of Islam authenticated by Quranic verses and traditions. The meaning of Raj’at is “to turn”, “to return”. Terminologically, it refers to bringing back to life of some people again in this world before resurrection in Qiyaamat. Those will be revived in this world will die again and then be resurrected.
Shia scholars have written books about Raj’at. Shaikh Hurr-e-Aamili (a.r.) (exp. 1104 A.H.) wrote a book named “Al-Iqaaz minal Haj’ate fil Burhaan alal Raj’at” which has been introduced in “Al-Muntazar” magazine. He has written about three centuries ago that many books have been penned on Raj’at, both detailed and concise.
Allamah Majlisi (a.r.) has also written a book called “Raj’at”. This book consists of 144 pages, in which fourteen lengthy traditions have been quoted. Janab Abu Zar Bedaar has written the preface of this book and reviewed it. This book was published by “Inteshaaraat-e-Risaalat-e-Qalam” from Tehran in the year 1367 (Iranian calendar) i.e. about 35 years ago. From the eighth tradition of this book, we are presenting a summary about Raj’at as follows:
Mufazzal ibn Umar asked Hazrat Imam Sadiq (a.s.):
“Is the time of reappearance of the one whom people are waiting for and hoping for, i.e., the appearance of the Mahdi Saahib al-Zamaan (a.s), known and fixed?”
Imam (a.s) said:
“Allah, the Almighty has forbidden to set a time for his reappearance.”
After that, Imam (a.s.) presented evidence from the Holy Quran that the religion of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) will prevail over all other religions, even if the polytheists be averse to it. Then Imam (a.s.) mentioned about the believers from among the angels and the Jinn, then the arrival of Imam (a.s.) in Makkah and the descend of angels and the allegiance of people at the hands of Imam (a.s.).
One important aspect of this tradition is that the angels and Jinn will appear before people at the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and converse with people.[6]
In this detailed tradition, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has explained Raj’at and stated that all the Imams (a.s.) will return and so also Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) will also return. Each Imam (a.s.) will complain to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) about the injustice done to him and Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) will take avenge it.
Return of Imam Husain (a.s.)
In the tradition, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said to Mufazzal ibn Umar:
“Hazrat Imam Husain (a.s.) will appear accompanied by twelve thousand truthful ones and seventy martyrs of Karbala. There will be no better and pleasing return than this. A dome will be erected for Siddeeq-e-Akbar Ameerul Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) in Najaf whose one pillar will be in Najaf, one in Bahrain, one is Sana’a (Yemen) and one in Madinah.”
Then, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:
“As if I see the lamps and lanterns that illuminate the heavens and the earth are brighter than the light of the moon and the sun.”[7]
In short, this is a lengthy tradition running into 22 pages.
Note: It is also mentioned in this tradition that some of the Shias of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) also denied Raj’at, while it has been mentioned in the Holy Quran. The Raj’at of all Imams (a.s.) is certain. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), Hazrat Fatema Zahra (s.a.), the believers and the oppressors will certainly return, and revenge will also be taken.
In this last part of the article, we will discuss this matter from the twenty-fifth chapter of the book “Muntakhabul Asar”. This chapter mentions one hundred twenty-three traditions concerning that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will fill the earth with justice and equity in the same way that it will be filled with injustice and oppression. And at the same time, in other chapters of the same book, this tradition has been quoted with references. As an example, we quote one tradition:
Imam Husain bin Ali (a.s.) says:
“If there remains only one day for the world to end, then indeed Allah will prolong it to such an extent that a person from my progeny will reappear and he will fill the earth with justice and equity and justice just as it was filled with injustice.”[8]
This tradition has been quoted by the author from the book “Kamaaluddin” and the last narrator in the chain in Abdullah ibn Umar, who says that he heard this tradition from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
Worth noting
If we ponder upon these traditions and their meanings, it becomes evident that there are certain characteristics and signs of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), without which the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) cannot be acknowledged.
- When Imam (a.s.) will reappear, the earth will be filled with justice and equity while injustice and oppression will end. But justice is not yet fully established in this earth.
- Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is the only son of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), who will reappear.
- When Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will reappear, Hazrat Isa (a.s.) will descend from the heaven to this earth and pray Namaaz under the leadership of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Nothing as such has been seen yet.
- When Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will reappear, the earth will flourish, it will be purified, evil and corruption will end. But, today, the earth is full of evil and corruption.
- At the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), certain people will be returned i.e. brought back to life including Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), Hazrat Zahra (s.a.), all the Imams (a.s.), the good and righteous people, and the evil oppressors. Those who claim that Imam (a.s.) has reappeared, tell us if any of the above people has returned on this earth?
Apart from the above-mentioned characteristics, there are many other signs and characteristics such as the long life of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was born in 255 A.H. and today in 1445 A.H., his age is 1190 years.
Note: The Shias of Aale Mohammad (a.s.) are not waiting for the signs but for the actual reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Until the reappearance, they will wait with sincerity, devotion, enthusiasm and continuously pray for the reappearance.
We would like to draw attention of our readers to a specific point that, in history, there have been many false claimants of being Imam Mahdi or were attributed to Imam Mahdi. Various reasons besides these fraudulent claims were either to gain political prowess or rising to power or create discord among Muslims or create sects due to hatred and enmity towards Islam.
Allah, the Almighty is aware of everyone’s actions. The reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is among the fundamental beliefs of Islam and the characteristics of reappearance have been clearly described by Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), his immediate successor Hazrat Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and by his eleven successors (a.s.). The followers and Shias of Ahle Bait (a.s.) are awaiting the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) in the light of such characteristics.
“O Allah! Show us the bright and illuminated face (of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)).”
The darkness would have intensified, had it not been for the approaching morning.
[1] Muntakhabul Asar, part 2, chp. 1, pg. 142 quoting from Sunan ibn Dawood (printed at Egypt by Lataziya, vol. 2 /207); Yanaabiul Mawaddah, 432; Tirmizi; ibn Majah; and Noorul Absaar, chp. 2, pg. 154
[2] Muntakhabul Asar, part2, chp. 1 pg. 144 quoting from Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
[3] Muntakhabul Asar, part 2, chp. 1, pg. 144 quoting from Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
[4] Muntakhabul Asar, part 2, chp. 1, pg. 149 quoting from Faraaedus Simtain and Al-Burhaan fi Alaamaate Aakheruz Zamaan, chp. 12
[5] Muntakhabul Asar, part 2, chp. 1, pg. 157 quoting from Yanaabiul Mawaddah
[6] Raj’at, pg. 63
[7] Raj’at, pg. 57-78, h. 8
[8] Muntakhabul Asar, vol. 2, chp. 25, h. 1
