His Birth
At dawn, on the 15th Sha'ban 255 A.H., the rays of the illuminating world shone with a powerful shaft of light into a human form which became the source of existence for the universe. Yes, finally, the Divine Promise was fulfilled and Imam Mahdi (AS), was born in spite of the efforts of those who denied him. It is one of history's miracles that the Umayyids, 'Abbasids and other opponents of this Holy Imam attempted to extinguish this divine light but met with complete failure.
The cruel and tyrannical caliphs of the Bani 'Abbas had heard that the
Twelfth Imam of the Shiites would establish a just Government and would rule over the east and west of the world, and would destroy the foundations of injustice. Therefore, to counter this event, they tortured and shed the blood of the Shiites as much as they could.
In the year 235 A.H., Mutawakkil, the 'Abbasid caliph, ordered the Tenth Imam Mohammad Hadi (AS) and his family to be shifted from Medina to Samarra', his seat of government, so that he could keep a close watch on the Imam of the Shiites. Similarly, Mu'tamid, the 'Abbasid caliph, the Pharaoh of the time, was afraid of the son of Imam Hassan Askari (AS). He formed a group of detectives and midwives who had the mission of frequently searching through the houses of the Alawiyyin, and especially the house of Imam Hassan Askari (AS) so that if a newly-born child were found, he could be killed immediately.
The search to find and kill Imam Mahdi (AS) was intensified when Imam Hassan Askari (AS) left this world for the eternal one. This is because everyone knew that on that day the command of Divine Leadership
(Imamate) was to be entrusted to the Twelfth Imam, and the universe would come under his authority.
Mu'tadid, one of the tyrant 'Abbasid caliphs who ruled from 279 to 289
A.H., decided all at once to destroy the entire family of Imam Hassan Askari (AS) when he heard that more than twenty years had passed since the birth of the son of Imam Hassan Askari (AS) and that he was still living in spite of the attempts of the preceding caliph to kill him. One of Mu'tadid's officers said: "Mu'tadid has ordered me and two other persons, each of us to mount a horse and to proceed to Samarra' in full speed without even stopping for prayer. He gave us the address of (Imam) Askari and instructed us to enter his house without his permission and to bring him the head of whoever we find there." As a matter of fact, they were unaware that the same power which had protected the Imam from the former caliphs would give him protection from his evil, because: Allah disdains (nothing) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are adverse (IX 32).
At dawn, on the middle day of Sha'ban in the year 255 A.H., Imam Hassan Askari (AS), beheld the heavenly, shinning face of his son who was to fulfill all Divine promises and glad tidings. Not more than three days had passed after his birth when the Eleventh Imam took the holy child to his companions and told them: "After me this will be your master of authority and my successor, and he is the 'Support ' (al-Qa'im) for whose appearance all people will wait; when the earth is full of injustice and tyranny, he will fill it with peace and justice."
The Minor Occultation:
When Imam Hassan Askari (AS) died, the office of Divine Leadership
(Imamate) was transferred to the Last Luminous Pearl of the Household of the Holy Prophet (S), Imam Mahdi (AS). Although His Eminence did not appear amongst the people, some persons in whom he had trust and confidence were allowed to visit him and present him the problems and questions of the Shiites. And they communicated to the people the guidance and commands of the Divine Luminous Light.
From the viewpoint of faith, confidence and virtue, these were distinguished persons among the Muslims who were mediators between the Imam and the people. And in due time they conveyed the guidance of His Eminence to the people. By studying the degree of the character and perception of the belief and piety of these individuals, not only does the greatness of their personalities become clear to us, but we become more familiar with the Imam of the Age, because, among the sayings of these distinguished, trustworthy and reliable companions of the Holy Imams, one finds the signs of the greatness of His Eminence (Imam Mahdi), Among the companions of Imam-e Zaman, four became his most famous and confidential deputies who acted as mediators between the Imam and the people, and they are known as the Nawwab al-arba'ah (the four deputies).
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The Major Occultation
After the year 329 A.H., when the major occultation commenced, the special deputation of Imam-e Zaman terminated. If anybody claims during the major occultation to be a mediator and a deputy, then, according to the declaration of Imam-e Zaman himself, that claimer is a liar. In the
Holy Imams' traditions, the purpose of the Imam's going into occultation is compared to the sun being behind the clouds yet being a source of vitality and life for living creatures. Likewise, while the Imam is behind the veil of occultation, he is still a source of the existence and remaining of the world.
Appearance of al-Qaim
The reappearance of the Imam in human society after the major occultation is not for the purpose of delivering any new message, nor any alteration in the system of human life, not already provided for or implied in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah. His reappearance is as the chosen executor of the divine law. He reappears with the sole purpose of reducing all religions of the world into one approved by God, namely Islam, and then seeing that it is extended throughout the world and practiced by every human being. He reappears to spread justice, prescribed by Islam, all over the globe. 'He fills the earth with fairness and justice, after the earth would be filled with injustice and aggression' (Majlisi, II, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 336). The apostolic reports assert that he will reappear with such divine power that all the temporal forces will be vanquished. He reappears not as a preacher of the divine will, as the pretending Mahdis of modern time would claim. He reappears as the powerful executor of the divine will and command. He reappears as the all dominating walayat. His 'total reappearance' is in the period wherein the spiritual mastership of perfect man over the realm of humanity will be manifested in the person of the Twelfth Imam, the last vicegerent of the last Prophet. He represents the Prophet Mohammad (S) in both name and the real meaning of the word. The Prophet Mohammad (S), as pointed out earlier, is the term divinely assigned to the created being who is the first and the last in degree of perfection in the arcs of descent and ascent, and who is in the highest possible stage of communion with the Absolute. So his reappearance is the manifestation of walayat, mastership of the Prophet Mohammad (S), on earth.
Some apostolic reports assert that the time will come when Imam Mahdi (AS) will be ordered by God to appear on the scene of humanity for the performance of the executive task assigned to him. He will then enter the sacred mosque at Mecca and keeping his back to the wall of the Ka'aba, declare his appearance to deliver mankind from the miseries of injustice and the licentious existence of the time. Hours prior to his declaration, there will be a similar declaration from Dajjal, the anti-Mahdi personality. Both declarations will be heard throughout the globe at once. The chosen devotees of Imam Mahdi (AS), who are the same in number as the faithful warriors of Badr, and others willing to respond to the sacred call will reach Mecca within a very short time. The communication throughout the world will be very quick. The people will see each other from remote places. These prophecies were made and recorded at a time when the natural forces and the means of communication at the disposal of man were confined only to donkeys, mules, horses and camels on the land, sailboats on the sea, and pigeons, hawks and other trained birds in the sky. Nobody had even dreamt of the modern means which man is using for communication and contact today. The impossible of that time is becoming the simple, fact of today.
Imam Mahdi (AS) combines in him the dignity of Moses in perfection, the grace of Jesus and the patience of Job. Thus, in the person of Imam Mahdi (AS) the two chosen branches of Abraham's issue are reunited. By the reappearance of Jesus, to follow the lead of Imam Mahdi (AS), the kingdom given by God to the family of Abraham will be manifested under the banner of Islam, the sole religion approved by God. The heavenly kingdom will be established on the earth, through Imam Mahdi (AS). He represents in name, nature and attributes, the last Prophet, Mohammad (S). His leadership will be accepted by Jesus, and other godly men of spiritual attainments will appear on the scene, of their own choice. Also some of their opponents will be forced into the scene by the agencies functioning in that realm. The reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) and his reign is termed as Zahour-Mahdi (AS). The appearance of Jesus is termed as Nozoul-e 'Isa (AS), the descent of Jesus. The appearance of other persons who died or their wicked opponents is termed as Raj'at. The process is termed as the minor resurrection (Qayamat-e Sughra), the rule of the perfect man over the world. It has to precede the major resurrection (Qiyamat-e Kobra), the manifestation of the divine kingdom over man and the universe.
Golden Sayings of Imam Mahdi (AS)
1. I am the Mahdi. I am the Qaim of the time" (Bihar V.52 p.2) 2. "I am the one who will fill it (the earth with justice as it would be full of tyranny". (Bihar, V.52, P.2). 3. "I am the reminder of Allah on His earth". (Bihar, V.52, p 24) 4. "I am the avenger from His enemies". (Bihar, v.52, p.24)5. "I am the seal of successors". (Bihar, V.52, p.30) 6. And through me shall Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, drive away the calamities from my progeny and my Shia’s". (Bihar, V, 52, P.30) 7. Surely, I am indeed the (cause of) security for the inhabitant of
the earth". (Bihar, V 53 p181). 8. When Allah permits us to speak, truth will prevail and falsehood will vanish". (Bihar, V.53, p 196). 9. And as for those who fix the time (of re-appearance) they are liars". (Bihar, V,53 p.181).
10. Invoke more for the hastening of the re-appearance, for surely this is your safety". (Bihar). 11."There were none of my forefathers except that the allegiance of the oppressive rulers of their times was in their necks". (i.e. the
previous Imams were forced to pay allegiance). 12."As for deriving benefit from me in my occultation is like deriving benefit from the sun when it hides behind the clouds". (Bihar, V.53, p 181). 13."And surely on my re-appearance, whenever I reappear, there will be no allegiance in my neck of any of the oppressive tyrants". (Bihar. V, 53, p 181) 14."If any incident occurs (now) then refer for it to the narrators of our traditions. For surely, they are my proof on you and I am the proof of Allah upon them". (Bihar, V. 53, p 181). 15."For surely our knowledge encompasses information about you and none of your news is concealed from us". (Bihar, V. 53, p 175) 16."Surely, we do not neglect your conditions nor are we forgetful of your remembrance". (Bihar, V. 53, p 175). 17."Then each one of you should do those deeds which bring you closer
to our love". (Bihar, V. 53, p 176). 18."And you must refrain from (all such acts) which make you nearer to our displeasure and our anger". 19."Then nothing keeps us away from them except that they attach to us what we dislike". (Bihar. 53/177). 20."As for your wealth, we shall not accept it except that it should
be purified (halal). Then whoever wants, he can associate (with us) and whoever wants, he can sever". (Bihar, V 53 p 180). 21."Whoever eats from our wealth (i.e. Khums) even an iota then he is taking fire in his abdomen and soon shall he be castled in it". (Bihar V.53, p 183). 22."Allah’s, the Mighty and the Glorious, Destinies are not overpowered, and His intentions are not rejected, and His Grace is not left behind". (Bihar 53/191). 23."Seeking knowledge through any other means than us Ahle’Bait, tantamount to denial (in our mastership)". 24."Surely Allah the Almighty, did not create the creatures in vain and did not provide them freedom without reason". (Bihar V 53/194). 25."(Allah) sent Mohammad (S) as a mercy unto the worlds and completed his bounties through him". 26."And He sealed through him (Mohammad [S]) His prophets and sent him to the whole of mankind". 27."Surely, the earth can never be void of a divine proof, whether,
he is seen or hidden". (Bihar 53/91). 28."Allah, Mighty and Glorious be He, has denied the truth any thing except perfection and falsehood except destruction". (Bihar, 53/193). 29."Certainly there is no (physical) relationship between Allah, Mighty and Glorious be He and any body else". 30."Nothing is better than ritual prayer to make Satan bite the dust, then perform ritual prayer and make Satan bite the dust". (Bihar 53/182). 31."The thanksgiving prostration is amongst the most necessary and obligatory Sunnah". (Bihar 53 – 161). 32."I seek refuge in Allah from blindness after vision". (Bihar 53/191). 33."And from staying off after guidance". (53/191).34."And from the destructive acts and demolishing instigations". {Bihar 53/191)35. If you seek guidance you will be guided and if you search, you will find (the path)". 36. "Then do not ask questions which do not hold any meaning for you". (Bihar,V53 p181). 37. "And do not put yourself into unnecessary) trouble in gaining knowledge in which you have sufficed yourself". 38. "Surely the truth is with us and in us and non can say like this except us. And if any one says then he is a liar a deceiver. None claims thus other than us except a strayed and lost one. 39."Our hearts are the vessels of Allah’s intentions". Then whenever He is pleased, We are pleased". 40."If our Shias (May Allah give them opportunity of obedience) would be firm on their promises wholeheartedly, our meeting would not be delayed".
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