In The Name of Allah
What are our duties during occultation? What should we do to make him satisfied? We can divide the answer in three parts. 1- To Await (Intezar) 2- To recite recommended supplications during the occultation (Dua) 3- Purifying the self (Taqwa.) 1. Awaiting: To await for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is highly recommended right from the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.) till Imam-e- Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself. There are plenty of traditions to prove this. The Holy prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.) said, "Best deed (Amal) of my nation is to wait for Faraj (Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.))." " One who await for reappearance and Faraj of Imam Mahdi. Is like the one who gives his blood in the way of Allah." If we refer the Islamic books under the title of Intezar Faraj we can find plenty of traditions about Intezar. 2. Recommended Duas during occultation:- There are many Dua's recommended to be recited during the occultation, of which some of them are recommended by Imam himself, such as Ziyarate Ale Yasin, Dua-e-Istighasa, Dua-e-Nudbah, Ziyarat-e-Sardab etc. 3. Taqwa: In the traditions, it is said that during the occultation a person who waits for him should be pious. He should have firm belief in Allah, Prophet and Imams. He should refrain from sin and try to protect the religion and belief of the people. They should try to guide the people towards the right path so that the ground for his reappearance is ready. The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.) was sitting with some of his companion and suddenly he said "Alas! I wish I could meet my brothers." Abu Bakr and Umar said, "Are we not your brothers? We believe in you and we migrated with you" The Holy Prophet replied, "You are my companions. You accepted Islam and migrated with me but "Alas I wish I could meet my brothers..!" Again they asked the same question, Holy Prophet replied the same answer. Then they asked "O, Prophet who are those people? The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.) replied, "My brothers are those who are during the Akher-uz-zaman. They will believe in me although they have not seen me." Remembering Imam (a.t.f.s.), An Important Responsibility The first step in fulfilling this duty is to increase our love towards Ahlu'l-bayt (p.b.u.t.). As Imam Jafer-e-sadiq (p.b.u.h.) says..."Surely for every act of worship, there is another superior to it and love for us Ahlu'l-bayt--is the most superior act of worship." Beharul anwar vol.27 , page91 trad 148. 1. To organize gatherings and assemblies (majalis) wherein Imam zanman (a.t.f.s) is remembered. Enliven the hearts of your children and believers. In Beharul anwar pg200 vol1 you will see these words. Hearts are enlivened with the remembrance of imam and sins are forgiven. The hearts will remain alive on that day when all other hearts will be dead. 2. Read and narrate the incidents of people who have met imam-e-zaman (a.t.f.s) o that the desire of meeting imam is revived in the hearts. 3. So before performing any action we must think whether imam will be pleased with it or not. 4. In the month of Muharram or even otherwise, whenever we cry for the martyrs of karbal a, we should offer our condolence to the one who will avenge the blood of imam Hussain(p.b.u.h.) and we should pray for his early reappearance. 5. We must celebrate the birthday of imam (a.t.f.s) on 15 Shabaan in such a way that people inquire about the occasion. Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) as portrayed in Hadith-e-Qudsi Hadith-e-Qudsi are those concepts and ideas, which are although revealed to the prophets in the same manner as revelations are made but some are expressed in the words and phrases of the prophets and not of Allah. There is a difference between Hadith-e-Qudsi, Quranic verses and the traditions of Masumeen (A.S.). Often Hadith-e-Qudsi was revealed with different messages for different concepts. In this brief disquisition, we would like to ascertain about the various dimensions of the personality of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) but only in the light of Hadith-e-Qudsi ; In the luminescent sky of Imamate the position of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is like a sparkling star. Allah, the Almighty has also remembered Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) with the same agnomen. As said in Hadith-e-Qudsi: "Amongst them Al-Qaem is like a sparkling star"(Kamaluddm, pg. 252). As the Holy Quran has also confirmed that:-"THAT BEACON WAS AS IF A SPARKLING STAR". The position of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) could also be understood by the fact that Allah, the Exalted, loves him and holds him dear who endears him. He has made the love of Imam (a.t.f.s.) obligatory upon the people. As it can be found in Hadith-e-Qudsi that: "O Mohammad! Love him (Mahdi) because I love him and whosoever-loves him, I love him too". Same love is mentioned in the Holy Quran in these words :-"SOON Allah SHALL BRING FORTH A PEOPLE- WHO ARE LOVED BY Allah AND THEY ARE LOVED BY HIM." In this ayat Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and his companions are referred as ' a people'. Though the whole world may perish but certainly one day Allah will bring forth such people l) Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is the true friend of Allah, veritable representative and a guided proof on His creatures:-"He would be My true friend and a veritable guided (representative) on My creatures." 2) There are some sentences in Hadith-e-Qudsi which point out at the pedigree of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). For instance, when Hazrat Musa (a.t.f.s.) inquired about the chain of guidance after him, then he was replied as: "O Musa! Verily he (Mahdi) would be from the lineage of Ahmed (the Holy Prophet (S.A.) ) and his off springs."(Behar, Vol. 36, pg. 370) The occultation of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is mentioned in Hadith-e-Qudsi in these words:-"He will undergo a prolonged occultation." 3) The Divine Promise would be fulfilled through Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). It includes many important aspects of the aims of creation encompassed by the affairs of guidance. The series of guidance for men is continued through various modes and means. The messages of God were conveyed to man through various sources. There was only one aim behind it that man may be guided so that he may achieve success and prosperity in this world and hereafter. Some of these aims were achieved by the earlier guides but it will culminate with the reappearance of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) because the series of guidance could attain perfection only through the station of Imamat. Whatever promises are made by Allah shall be fulfilled after the reappearance of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.), e.g. 'the earth will be cleansed from all the evil powers', the establishment of a Divine Order, revival of defunct nations, discovering the hidden treasure troves, dissemination of Divine Knowledge's, nullifying the effects of all the cultures, the halal things will be declared permitted and the haram things will be made haram, the Almighty will aid and assist His religion and wreak vengeance on all the Satanic powers, finally the Divine Kingdom will be established. In the times of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), only Allah will be worshipped and none else."And whoever is Qaem from amongst you, I will inhabitate My earth through him. Through him only, i will eliminate My enemies from the earth. My friends will be made his successors. "(Amali-Saduq, pg. 505) 4) The condition of society after the reappearance: One thing is very clear that all religious commands will be followed up during the rule of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). Apart from this there are also some other special characteristics of his rule which are mentioned in Hadith-e-Qudsi. Like in his rule, the whole universe will eulogize and extol him and each and everything will be engaged in praise and approbation. Only pious, upright and virtuous men will live on earth. The Divine destiny will be manifested and angels will support him. The kingdom and ruler ship will be only of Imam Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and the truthful men will they enjoy position, no wrong or injustice will be done to them nor will they be encumbered. The earth will be replete with the bounties of Allah. The flag of justice and equity will flutter on the whole world, whose fruition would be seen in his rule. " The treasure troves and wealth mines will be discovered by My orders. He is the proof (of God) who will fill this earth with justice and equity."(Ja waharus Saniya by Shaikh Hurre Ameli, pg. 2 79.) These were some of the facts which were mentioned in Hadith-e-Qudsi about the excellence of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and it should be remembered that these are the sayings of Allah, which again prove the excellence and meritorious position of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). This goes a long way in enhancing our recognition of Imam (a.t.f.s.). O Allah! Hasten His Reappearance Quran and Etrat Internet University <http://university.etrat.net/> http://university.etrat.net --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "shiagroup" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/shiagroup?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
