The Belief concerning Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and the scholars of Ahle
SunnatREF:ALMUNTAZAR.COM
.!.
Every era has a distinct Imam (leader).
Some people consider the Holy Quran to be an Imam. There are others who
differ. The Holy Quran is not a book for any specific age rather it is
a book for all times. The discussion about the Imam of the Age assumes
greater importance in the light of the 71st verse of Surah Bani Israel,
(Remember) the day when We will call every people with their Imam.
It is with reference to this verse of
the Holy Quran, that both Shiah as well as Sunni traditionalists have
reported the famous tradition of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a).
One who dies without recognizing the Imam of his Age, has died the
death of (the era of) ignorance.
There are some who allege that the
belief in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is only concocted by the Shias to soothe
their hearts that were afflicted by defeats in history. This allegation
necessitates a discussion on whether the belief in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is
peculiar only to Shias, or is it found in other sects of Islam as well
.When we glance at the books complied by the scholars of other sects,
it becomes clear that their reliable books, not only extensively
discuss about Mahdaviyat but also consider the belief in Imam Mahdi
(a.s.) as a pure Islamic belief. They accept that traditions in this
regard are numerous.
The belief concerning Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
and the Holy Quran He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the
religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all
religions, though the polytheists may be averse.
(Surah Taubah (9): verse 33)
The exegesis of the above verse is
explained by Saeed Ibne Jubair who reports that this verse refers to
Imam Mahdi (a.s.) who is from the pure progeny of Hazrat Fatemah Zahra
(s..a.) This view is also echoed by Hafiz Ganji Sha’faei in his
compilation, ‘Al Bayan Fi Akhbaare Saahebiz Zamaan’ (chapter 24, page
155) and by Shablanji in ‘Noorul Absaar’ (page 176)
In addition to the above there are
several traditions from the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.) explaining
verses of Quran which discuss the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
These are reported extensively by Janab Sulayman Qunduzi Hanafi (d.
1293 AH) in his celebrated compilation, ‘Yanaabiul Mawaddah’. The 71st
chapter of this book is dedicated to those verses of the Holy Quran
which have been revealed about Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and his
companions.
One of the several verses quoted in this chapter is the 105th verse of
Surah Ambiya. The verse states, And certainly We wrote in the Book
after the reminder that (as for) the land, My righteous servants shall
inherit it.
Regarding the above verse, the author
brings forth a tradition from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and Imam Jafar
Sadiq (a.s.) which states, In the above verse, righteous servants
refers to Hazrat Qaem (a.s.) and his companions.
In the same way, Ibne Sabbaaghe Maliki
in his book ‘Fusoolul Mohimma’ (chapter 12, page 345), while referring
to the 61st verse of Surah Zukhruf narrates. Mahdi (a.s.) is the one
who will be present in the last era. The signs of Qiyamat will be
apparent after his reappearance.
This means that the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will be near to Qiyamat.”
A similar narration is reported by
Abdullah Ibne Masood from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). This tradition
is also reported by Abu Saeed Khudri and Abu Hurairah and has been
included in the following books – ‘Musnad’ of Ahmad Hanbal (vol. 1, p.
376), ‘Sunan of Tirmidhi’ (vol. 6, book 34, chap. 52, trad. 2231, p.
505) and ‘Majmauz Zawaaed’ (Haithami, vol. 7, p. 315). The tradition is
as follows, Resurrection will not occur till a person appears from my
Ahle Bayt (a.s.) whose name will be my name. In other words, while
Resurrection is a certainty, it will not occur till the reappearance of
Imam Mahdi (a.s.). We can thus assert that the reappearance of Imam
Mahdi (a..s.) is necessary and undeniable, just as Resurrection.
The Holy Quran states, Those who do not
believe in it would hasten it on, and those who believe are in fear
from it, and they know that it is the truth. Now most surely those who
dispute obstinately concerning the hour are in a great error.
(Surah Shooraa (42): verse 18)
With reference of the above verse, the
book of ‘Yanaabiul Mawaddah’ (vol. 71, p. 425), reports a tradition
from Mufazzal thus, “When Mufazzal asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.) about the
above verse, he said, The doubters are those who will ask that when
Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was born; when will be reappear. O Mufazzal, remember
that these talks are similar to harbouring a doubt in the decree and
destiny of Allah. And these people will bear a heavy loss in this world
and the hereafter.
A similar tradition is reported by
Sudair Sairafi The long period of occultation will cause many to deny
(his existence) and will lead them into misguidance with discussions
that he has not been born others will say that he was born, but he
died; some will say that the 11th Imam (a.s.) did not have any son;
others will say that the spirit of the Qaem (a.s.) is embodied in
another person. All these discussions are inappropriate, corrupt and
fraudulent.
The above tradition is also reported by Abdullah Ibn Masood from the Holy
Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.).
A similar tradition is reported by Ibne
Hajar Asqalani in ‘Lisaanul Meezaan’ (vol. 5, p. 130) and by Jaabir Ibn
Abdullah from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as follows: Whoever denies
the Mahdi (a.s.) is as if he has denied everything that is revealed
upon Muhammad (s.a..w.a).
The truthfulness of the prophecies in
the tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) about the doctrines regarding Imam
Mahdi (a.s.) has been established beyond doubt.
Rejection of the belief in Imam Mahdi
(a.s.) is tantamount to apostasy in Islam because this belief is among
one of the pure fundamental beliefs of Islam. This has been evidently
clarified in verses and traditions. Despite all these proofs, if a
person chooses to reject the belief in Imam Mahdi (a.s.), he has gone
out of the sphere of Islam.. We seek the help of Allah that He protects
us from misguidance in the last age.
Coming to the discussion about the
frequency of these traditions especially in the books of other sects of
Islam, the book of Al-Sawaaequl Mohreqah (Chapter 11, Book 1, page 256)
reports this narration from Abul Hasan Aaberi thus:
These traditions are numerous and a
majority of the narrators of these traditions have reported them from
the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a),
He (Imam Mahdi [a.s.]) will reappear and will be from my Ahle Bayt
(a.s.). He will end oppression and injustice from this earth and
establish a government based on equality and justice. It will be during
his period that Hazrat Isa (a.s.) will reappear and will pray behind
him.
Abul Hasan Aaberi is highly respected
amongst the Ahle Sunnat.. His full name was Muhammad Ibne Hussain Ibne
Ibrahim Aaberi Sajistani (d. 363 AH). One of his famous books is
Manaqabush Shafaei’.
Ibne Khaldoon writes on page 367 of
‘Al-Muqaddemah’, “It is famous in every era of the Muslim community
that, in the last age, a person from his Ahle Bayt (s.a.w.a) will
reappear. He (a.s.) will be a firm pillar for religion and will make
justice and equality common in society. All the Muslims will be
subservient to him and he will rule over all Islamic countries. His
name will be Mahdi (a.s.).”
Janab Shamsuddin Muhammad Safaarini, a
scholar from the Hanbali sect (1114-1188 A.H.) writes in his ode –
“Adduraatul Muziyyah Fee Aqeedatil Firqatil Marziyyah” about the belief
in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and regarding his reappearance as follows -
“Whatever has been revealed in the Holy
Quran and traditions about the signs of resurrection is the truth.
There is no doubt in it.”
After this he says, “The sheer number
of traditions reported about Imam Mahdi (a.s.) has reached to the
extent of the belief being authentic. And this is considered amongst
the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat as a part of their belief. To believe in
Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is among the necessities of religion. This is
the view of the scholars and even the Shias agree on this.”
Till now, we have concluded that the
belief in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is a pure Islamic belief and one who denies
it is an apostate. Traditions that have been narrated on this subject
are so many that their authenticity is beyond doubt. Now let us turn
our attention to the genealogy of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and understand what
is referred to in the traditions as the “Ahle Bayt” of the Holy Prophet
of Islam (s.a.w.a).
‘Arful Wardi Fee Akhbaril Mahdi’ (vol.
2, p. 166) and ‘Jam’ul Jawaam’e’ by Hafiz Jalaaluddin Suyuti (vol. 1,
p. 5) report this narration from Aabri that Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.)
reports from his father, Imam Zainul Abedeen (a.s.) and he from his
father till the narration reaches Janabe Fatemah Zahra (s.a.) who
reports,
The Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a) said, O Fatemah! I give you glad tidings of
Mahdi. He is from your progeny.
* korn all mixed up issues s bonuscd
This tradition further highlights the
merits of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). This is because the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a)
mentioned this to Janab Fatemah (s.a.) as a matter of pride that the
Mahdi of Islam would be from her progeny.
In addition, a Hadis-e-Qudsi is
reported about Imam Mahdi (a..s.). This tradition is narrated by Jaabir
Ibne Abdullah Ansari, who saw it written on a green tablet – Lauhe
Fatemi. A scholar has reported this tradition in great detail as
follows -
Jabir Ibne Abdullah narrates that I
take Allah as my Witness that I saw this written on a tablet – In the
Name of Allah, the Most Beneficient, The Most Merciful.
This is a scripture descended from the Wise and Supreme God to Muhammad
(s.a.w.a.), His Prophet, His Light, His Messenger, His Luminous veil
and the Guide towards Him. Gabriel has brought this from the Lord of
the Worlds…. I have raised no Prophet who completed his life and ended
his time, except that I appointed a successor for him. O Prophet! I
have made you superior to all prophets and made your successor superior
to all successors. After him (Ali [a.s.]), I granted you honour through
Hasan (a.s.) and Husain (a.s.), your beloveds and your grandsons. On
the basis of love and hate for their descendents, I will reward or
punish the people.
The first among them is Ali (a.s.), the
leader of worshippers and the ornament of My previous appointees. After
him is his son Muhammad (Baqir) (a.s.). He is the splitter of My
Knowledge and the treasurer of My Wisdom. Those who are skeptical of
Jafar’s (a.s.) position will soon perish. I shall raise Jafar’s (a.s.)
position. I will glorify him and make him happy by favoruing his
followers, helpers and friends. After him I have selected Musa (a.s.).
One who denies any one of them has denied My bounties. One who denies
the eighth (successor) of them it is as if he has denied all My
successors. Surely, Ali (a.s.) is my friend and helper. It is necessary
for Me that I shall make his eyes cool through his son Muhammad (Taqi)
(a.s.). He will succeed him. He is the inheritor of My knowledge and
the treasurer of My wisdom. After him I shall perfect the goodness in
his son Ali (Naqi) (a.s.), who is My successor and helper.. In his
progeny I shall bring out Hasan (a.s.) who shall invite people to My
path and serve as the treasurer of My knowledge. Then I shall complete
this lineage by his son M H M D, a mercy for the Universe. These are My
true successors. Through them I shall remove obscure and blinding
insurrection and correct the corruptions. Through them I will release
my servants from bondage and slavery. On these people are continuous
blessings and mercies from their religion. These are the ones who are
rightly guided. The minarets of light for the guidance of mankind.
(Faraedus Simtain, Shaikhul Islam Hamui Shafaei, Chapter 2, pages 137-139)
This is a very valuable tradition
explaining many things. In this tradition, the twelve successors of the
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) are introduced clearly along with their names
and special merits. These are the same twelve succesors who are
reported in the authentic tradition narrated by Jabir Ibne Abdullah and
which is reported in Sihah Sitta.
We pray to Allah, morning and evening, that He hastens the reappearance of our
beloved Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Amen.
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