Where is the Enlivener of the Signs of Religion and Its
People?WWW.ALMUNTAZAR.COM
The
above phrase and sentences similar to it form a part of the prayer of
Dua-e-Nudbah which we generally recite on Friday mornings. They
illuminate our hearts with the remembrance of Imam (a.s.). The sentence
itself is very beautiful and meaningful though it is a request. It
poses the question ‘Where is he?’ in the impatience of one who is
awaiting (intezaar). The recitor is restive, is concerned and weeping
on the separation from the Imam (a.s.).
These beautiful sentences of supplication make the teachings of
religion alive again. The phrases of dua reflect the concern of days
passing without the realization of the Promise and this makes the
recitor gloomy.
It is impossible to articulate the sentence in its entirety; rather we attempt
a short summary for the readers.
It is a fact that the Almighty God has revealed the Holy Qur’an and
sent His Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as a guide and salvation for mankind. The
mantle of guidance was passed on to the pure Progeny (a.s.) after the
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Attachment to their holy persona was a
guarantee of salvation against all deviation and corruption.
But the Ummah’ not only erred in protecting the religion but
blatantly changed and altered it for their selfish material means and
ends.
So, on one hand, there was Ali Ibne Abi Taalib (a.s.) who arranged
the Holy Qur’an according to the will of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)
and did not leave his house till he had completed the tabulation of the
Majestic Qur’an according to the teachings and testament of the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
Then, he (a.s.) presented the completed work before the government
of the time, which, due to its expediency, did not consider the Holy
Qur’an tabulated and categorized by the ‘Door of the City of Knowledge’.
On the other hand, the fountainhead of religious teachings and
Divine recognitions were the sayings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) had explained the Islamic Laws
through his words and deeds during the entire span of 23 years of his
Prophethood. Again due to its expediencies, the government of the time
placed a ban on the narration of these traditions. Therefore, the
traditions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) remained confined to the
memories of the individual companions, which in due course were
entombed in those hearts forever.
Correspondingly, the Ahle Bait (a.s.), who were the protectors and
the teachers of the religion, were placed under perpetual house arrest.
The people whom Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had gifted all the
sciences of religion and Divine recognition and made them the center of
all teachings, were effectively sidelined. Varied restrictions were
imposed upon them.
However, in times of difficulty when they had no solution, they consulted the
Ahle Bait (a.s.) out of sheer necessity.
Please consider the following:
The problems in human existence are never limited. Man faces newer
challenges every day. Similarly, the teachings of Islam are not limited
to some laws but cover the entire gamut of life. There is no facet of
life wherein Islam law is not present.
As there were restrictions imposed upon the centers of Islamic
knowledge and learning, people started acting upon their likes and
dislikes in the matters of daily consideration. People started using
their limited knowledge for clarifying the Holy Qur’an.
It is pertinent to note that most of these individuals had spent the
bulk of their lives in disbelief and polytheism. They had spent a long
time in ignorant beliefs and rituals and these had become a part of
their lifestyle. When man becomes habitual to something, he does not
pay attention to its immorality. So, it was impossible for them not to
be affected by these old practices.
Since these people were extremely pious in the eyes of the people
and were adorned with the title of ‘companionship’, the populace
accepted all of their words as religion. The resultant effect was the
incorporation of mortal views and ideas in the elucidation and
explanation of religion. This change was a gradual process and hence
nobody realized it. A time came when these things were accepted as part
of religion.
So, the answer to the question, ‘Does the teachings of the religion
of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) require a revival?’ is abundantly
obvious.
Now, is there anyone who can give it a fresh lease of life? It is
apparent, that every person searches the answer to the question ‘Why
has the original effect of this pure faith diminished?’ Allama Iqbal
has in his poetry lamented this sad state of affairs… why is this
happening?
The answer is thus. The effect was in the Islam brought by the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) voiced by his infallible speech and presented to the
people devoid of any change. The purity in Islam presented it
tremendous effect.
The religion that we practice today, maybe in part Divine and in
part the exegesis of human thought. If the religion was the same pure
Islam brought by Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), then there would never be
such variance in ideology. These very differences indicate the lack of
purity and the prevalence of amalgamation. For, the proof of the
Divinity of Qur’an:
‘Do they not then meditate on the Qur’an? And if it were from any
other than Allah, they would have found in it many a discrepancy.’
(Surah Nisaa (4): Verse 82)
It is an undisputable fact that there has been adulteration in
religion, but where and to what extent is still not identified. A
parameter or test is required for judging what is untainted and what is
mixed.
The Almighty has, in every era, kept an Infallible Imam (a.s.) as a
check for what is true and what is false. The governments kept them
under constant imprisonment or under guard so that they were beyond the
reach of the commonality.
When Allah grants permission for the reappearance of Hazrat Mahdi
(a.t.f.s.), this standard for truth and falsehood will become clear. He
is infallible and possesses the true revealed religion as expounded by
the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
He is the inheritor of the Glorious Qur’an. When he reappears and
presents Islam, the people will exclaim, ‘This is a new Islam, a
different religion.’ The reason for it is that people would be
habituated to the religion adulterated with human thoughts. The faith
explained by Imam (a.t.f.s.) will appear different in concurrence.
Islam will not be new; rather, it would be cleansed of all additives.
Deviation in Views
One of the problems faced by Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) is the
ideological deviation of the people. It is very difficult for a person
to forgo an idea that he has instilled, nurtured and has fought for its
establishment and survival. This conundrum will not be faced by the
polytheists, who will adopt the alluring ideals of Islam with
promptness. They cannot support their corrupt thoughts through Qur’an
and traditions.
Nay, these will be Muslim scholars who have nurtured such ideas in
their minds, struggled for their establishment, invited people towards
them and argued in their favour with Qur’an and traditions. These very
scholars will provide tremendous opposition to Imam (a.t.f.s.).
Such people are of three types.
1) The materialistic scholars
2) The wealthy
3) The aristocrats of pseudo-Islamic governments.
These are the very people whose deviant ideals and notions would hold no value
after the reappearance.
Imam Sadeq (a.s.) has elucidated this fact thus:
“When our Qaem (a.t.f.s.) appears, he will receive more tribulations
from the ignorant people and more severe than what the Prophet
(s.a.w.a.) had received from the ignorant people of paganism.”
I said: “How is that?”
He said:
“The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) came to people while they worshiped
sculptured stone and wood whereas when al-Qaem (a.t.f.s.) comes to
people, they will protest against him by interpreting the Book of Allah
according to their fancies.”
(Al-Ghaybah of Al-Numani Pg. 297)
It is apparent that the entire argument will ensue due to the
incomplete and misconstrued knowledge of the people. To submit in front
of the Imam (a.t.f.s.) is to surrender all their created personality
and imagined position before him. It is never easy to give up worldly
wealth and power.
But, that era would be totally different. The people of that time
would not have permission of dissension and discord and the people
declining to leave their corrupt notions would have to face strict
punishment.
An important supplication which sheds light on the above mentioned
topics is the salawat of Abul Hasan Zarraab Isfahani. This salawat had
been taught to him by Imam Asr (a.t.f.s.) himself in Makkah. Sayyed
Ibne Taoos (a.r.) comments about the Salawat: ‘Even if one were unable
to perform the remaining exhortations after the Asr prayers on Friday,
one should not abandon recitation of this salawat, for Allah has made
us aware of its wondrous importance’. This salawat is extremely
important with regards to concepts. Some of the wordings of the salawat
are thus:
O Allah! Put back, through him in original form, that which has been
uprooted from Thy religion, put in order again through him the
confusion created in Thy Book. Make clear, through him, the distortions
made in Thy commandments. So that Thy religion regains its true spirit,
on his hands, blooming and full of tenderness, progressive, up to date,
liberated, saviour, without doubts and uncertainties, without
suspicions and obscurities, there being no falsehood lingering around
him, nor any subversive activities in his presence.
Envisioning the changing face of true religion, the Holy Imams
(a.s.), much before the Occultation of Imam Wali Asr (a.t.f.s.) (Who is
the enlivener of the signs of religion) taught us supplications for
recitation. They exhorted the recitation of supplications and have
gifted numerous entreaties.
An important prayer in this respect is the supplication taught by
Imam Reza (a.s.) to his companion Yunus Ibn Abd al-Rahman. This
supplication has been noted in the a’mal of Friday. It has also found
mention in the rituals of the Cellar (Sardaab). Shaikh Abbas Qummi
(a.r.) has referred to it in the chapter of the Ziyarat of Imam Asr
(a.t.f.s.). It is a supplication for the safety of Imam (a.t.f.s.). It
carries great meaning in its phrases, is a cause for the benevolence of
Imam (a.t.f.s.) and has great effect.
The part of the prayer concerning our topic is thus:
(O Allah)! Honour the believers through him. Enliven the traditions
of the Prophets through him. Give the laws of the Messengers, a new
lease of life until the religion has (itself) returned to life. (A
religion) which is new, fresh, pure, absolutely correct devoid of
mistake or innovation.
Reflection upon the phrases makes it clear that religion in its
present form is not uncontaminated and pure. Intentionally or
unintentionally, influences which are not part of religion have been
introduced into it.
Also, the real standard for truth and falsehood is veiled from our
vision. General contact with him is unachievable. Hence,
differentiation between pure and adulterated has become very difficult.
Yes, when he reappears on Allah’s command, presents true Islam and
explains the exegesis of the Majestic Qur’an, we can then judge what
type of faith we had possessed.
The fortunate of that time would leave the ideologies, abandon their
old traditions and submit to him completely. We should always pray for
achieving such submission. Otherwise, the example of the Jews is
evident for us who waited for the coming of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)
but turned into his bitter opponents after his appointment and that
opposition continues till the present day.
Completion (Perfection) of Intellects
After his reappearance, not only will Islam shine in its pristine
glory but the intellects will also be perfected due to Allah’s
munificence.
It has been reported from Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.):
When our Qaem (a.t.f.s.) appears, he will place his hand upon the
heads of people, then the intellects would unify due to it and their
wisdoms would be perfected.
When the intellects are perfected, the reality of the world would be
clear and evident for them. The completion of wisdom is the perfection
of morals. The purified souls will accept readily when the religion of
Islam would be presented in its perfect form. The pure and chaste Islam
will spread universally.
People of that time will accept Islam voluntarily and not due to
force (due to their unambiguous recognition of Divine religion).
Appearance of Imam (a.t.f.s.) will herald the implementation of the
teachings of Islam. Prayers will gain a new flavour; supplications to
Allah will be with His true recognition and without the shadow of
polytheism.
May Allah (High and Mighty Be He) hasten the reappearance of my
master Hujjat Ibn al-Hasan al-Askari (a.t.f.s.) and include us from
among his supporters and companions and make us understand the reality
of religion.
Aameen!WWW.ALMUNTAZAR.COM
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