Anonymous user
Imam Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Mahdi (a): Difference between revisions
Imam Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Mahdi (a) (view source)
Revision as of 14:33, 17 December 2018
, 17 December 2018→In Hadiths: supplement added
imported>Shakeri (→Moral and Religious Characteristics: supplement added) |
imported>Shakeri (→In Hadiths: supplement added) |
||
| Line 280: | Line 280: | ||
After al-Samuri's death, the connection through Special Deputies came to an end and the Occultation entered a new phase. This phase of the Occultation came to be known in recent sources as the [[Major Occultation]]. According to most Shiite sources, the fourth deputy died in 329/941, but [[al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] and [[al-Fadl b. al-Hasan al-Tabrisi]] take it to be in 318/930.<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Kamāl al-dīn wa tamām al-niʿma'', vol. 2, p. 503.</ref> | After al-Samuri's death, the connection through Special Deputies came to an end and the Occultation entered a new phase. This phase of the Occultation came to be known in recent sources as the [[Major Occultation]]. According to most Shiite sources, the fourth deputy died in 329/941, but [[al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] and [[al-Fadl b. al-Hasan al-Tabrisi]] take it to be in 318/930.<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Kamāl al-dīn wa tamām al-niʿma'', vol. 2, p. 503.</ref> | ||
==In Hadiths== | ==Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a)== | ||
{{main|Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a)}} | |||
The signs of the time when the Imam (a) reappears can be found in hadiths and in the Qur'an as interpreted by the traditions. Based on these sources, when the time of the reappearance approaches, three major phenomena will be seen in the world: | |||
# Widespread oppression and evil. | |||
# Enemies such as [[The Uprising of al-Sufyani|al-Sufyani]], [[Nasibis]], and others who work against the Shi'a in [[Iraq]] and other Muslim lands. These people will conquer [[Syria]] and rule there. | |||
# The helpers of the Imam (a) who promote his name and his cause in the world. | |||
==Oral and Written Sayings== | |||
The term [[Tawqi'at al-Imam al-Mahdi (a)|tawqi']] mostly indicates the writings of the Imams (a) and especially of Imam al-Mahdi (a), but sometimes this term has been used also for his oral sayings. In sources such as ''[[Kamal al-din]]'' by [[al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] and Mu'jam ahadith al-Imam al-Mahdi (a), not even the oral sayings of the Imam (a) but also the sayings of his special deputies have been collected under the title al-tawqiʿat. The tawqiʿat of the Imam (a) (about 80 sayings) are mostly issued during the Minor Occultation and on various topics. | |||
==The Status of Imam al-Mahdi in the Qur'an and Hadiths== | |||
===In the Quran=== | |||
Imam al-Mahdi (a) and the appearance of a savior in the end times are not explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an. However, according to Shiite exegetes, many verses of the Qur'an (250 verses according to some scholars) refer to this doctrine. There are two kinds of verses that have been regarded as referring to the doctrine of Mahdi: | |||
* '''The verses that emphasis on the necessity of existence of an Imam.''' Based on Qur'anic verses, Allah has chosen for every people an imam to guide them, such as Qur'an 13:7: "… and there is a guide for every people," about which [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]] is reported to have said, "In every generation, there is a guide from us who guides them to what the Prophet of God [s] has brought". | |||
* '''The verses that give glad tidings about the rule of the righteous over the earth.''' Several verses of the Qur'an promise the righteous and the oppressed that they will rule over the earth and that the truth and justice will prevail: "Certainly We wrote in the Psalms, after the Torah: 'Indeed My righteous servants shall inherit the earth'" (21:105). In another verse, God declares that "We desired to show favour to those who were abased in the land, and to make them imams, and to make them the heirs" (28:5). According to several hadiths, this verse refers to the return of Imam al-Mahdi (a). Furthermore, we read in Qur'an 24:55 that | |||
"Allah has promised those of you who have faith and do righteous deeds that He will surely make them successors in the earth, just as He made those who were before them successors, and He will surely establish for them their religion which He has approved for them, and that He will surely change their state to security after their fear, while they worship Me, not ascribing any partners to Me. And whoever is ungrateful after that it is they who are the transgressors." | |||
This verse, too, is interpreted in several hadiths as referring to Imam al-Mahdi (a) and his companions and helpers. | |||
===In Hadiths=== | |||
The issue of Imam al-Mahdi (a) was an old issue in Islam, and in particular, Shiism. Since the Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi was promised by the [[Prophet (s)]] himself, the name, "al-Mahdi", was since then well-known. Even before the Imam's (a) birth, tens of books were written about him by the Shi'as. After the Imam's (a) birth, many other books were still written about him. Thousands of books have so far been written about different aspects of the Twelfth Shiite Imam. Here are some of the most reliable such books: | The issue of Imam al-Mahdi (a) was an old issue in Islam, and in particular, Shiism. Since the Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi was promised by the [[Prophet (s)]] himself, the name, "al-Mahdi", was since then well-known. Even before the Imam's (a) birth, tens of books were written about him by the Shi'as. After the Imam's (a) birth, many other books were still written about him. Thousands of books have so far been written about different aspects of the Twelfth Shiite Imam. Here are some of the most reliable such books: | ||
| Line 302: | Line 322: | ||
There are many Shiite hadiths about the place and significance of Imam al-Mahdi (a). These hadiths are concerned with the character of Imam al-Mahdi (a), the character of people who expect him, the virtues of expecting the [[Al-Faraj Supplication|relief]], [[Signs of Reappearance]], as well as events occurring at the time of his Reappearance, and the world after the Reappearance. | There are many Shiite hadiths about the place and significance of Imam al-Mahdi (a). These hadiths are concerned with the character of Imam al-Mahdi (a), the character of people who expect him, the virtues of expecting the [[Al-Faraj Supplication|relief]], [[Signs of Reappearance]], as well as events occurring at the time of his Reappearance, and the world after the Reappearance. | ||
==Relation between the Shi'a and Imam al-Mahdi (a)== | |||
During the [[Major Occultation]], Shiites do [[tawassul]] to the Imam of the Time (a) and ask him for his prayers and attention. Their love for their Imam (a) causes them to strive to get closer to him and long to meet him. Moreover, according to Qur'anic verses and hadiths, the Imams (a), with God's permission, are aware of the spiritual and material conditions of people and their prayers can improve their situations. Therefore, the Shi'a believe that the stronger their relation with the Imams (a) the more they benefit from the Imams' (a) prayers and attention. The supplications of [[Al-'Ahd Supplication|Ahd]] and [[Tawassul supplication|Tawassul]], the prayer of Imam al-Mahdi (a), visiting Jamkaran and Sahla mosques, [[Ziyarat Al Yasin]], paying alms for the health of the Imam (a), the celebrations related to the fifteenth of Sha'ban, and many poems that are composed about him are manifestations of the relation between the Shia and their Imam (a). | |||
===Instructions Regarding the Relationship with the Imam (a)=== | |||
In ''[[Mikyal al-makarim]]'', Musawi Isfahani has collected a number of instructions with regard to the relationship with Imam al-Mahdi (a), some of which are as follows: | |||
{{cb|2}} | |||
* Knowing the Imam (a) more | |||
* Following his example | |||
* Remembering him and attending the sessions that are held for this purpose. | |||
* Longing to meet the Imam (a). | |||
* Awaiting his return. | |||
* Having the decision to help the Imam (a) during his occultation and when he reappears | |||
* Helping the Shi’a | |||
* Working against the oppressors and evil people | |||
* Praying for the Imam (a) | |||
* Remaining patient during the Occultation | |||
* Not setting a specific time for his return | |||
* Doing ziyarah on his behalf | |||
* Paying sadaqa for his health and safety | |||
* Doing tawassul to him in special places and times | |||
* Reciting the related supplications and ziyarahs | |||
{{end}} | |||
===Meeting the Imam (a)=== | |||
{{main|Meeting with Imam al-Mahdi (a)}} | |||
*'''Prior to Major Occultation''' | |||
In historical and hadith sources of the Shi'a, such as ''[[al-Kafi]]'', ''[[al-Irshad]]'', ''[[I'lam al-wara]]'', ''[[Kamal al-din]]'', ''[[Kitab al-Ghayba (al-Tusi)|al-Ghayba]]'' by [[al-Tusi]], and ''[[Al-Ghayba (by al-Nu'mani)|al-Ghayba]]'' by [[al-Nu'mani]], the names of the people who met Imam al-Mahdi (a) when [[Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a)]] was alive and the accounts of their meetings are recorded. Most of these people were servants or companions of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a): [[Abu Nasr Zarif]], [[Ahmad b. Ishaq al-Ash'ari al-Qummi]], Abu Ali b. Mutahhar, [[Sa'd b. 'Abd Allah al-Ash'ari al-Qummi]], Ya'qub b. Manqush, Abu Ghanim al-Khadim, Kamil b. Ibrahim, ... | |||
It is also reported that during the sixty-nine years of the Minor Occultation, apart from the four deputies, several people met the Imam (a): Ibrahim b. Idris, Ibrahim b. Abdih al-Nayshaburi and his servant, Abu l-Adyan (Imam al-Askari's servant), Abu Sa'id al-Ghanim al-Hindi, Abu Abd Allah b. Salih, Abu Hasan b. Wajna' al-Nusaybi, Abu Ali Muhammad b. Ahmad b. Hammad al-Mirwazi al-Mahmudi, Isma'il b. Ali al-Nawbakhti, [['Ali b. Ibrahim b. Mahziyar]], Muhammad b. Isma'il, Muhammad b. Shadhan al-Nayshaburi, and some others. | |||
During that period, there were also several people who falsely claimed to be the deputies of the Imam (a), such as [[Ahmad b. Hilal al-Karkhi]], Muhammad b. Nusayr al-Numayri and [[Muhammad b. Ali al-Shalmaghani]]. These people were condemned and cursed by the Imam (a). | |||
*'''Meeting the Imam (a) During the Major Occultation''' | |||
There are two views as to the possibility of meeting the Imam (a) during the Major Occultation: some scholars deny the possibility, and the others consider it possible. Those who deny the possibility sometimes adduce the hadiths that regard those who claim to have met the Imam (a) as liars, sometimes their denial is because they doubt the honesty of those who claim so, and sometimes they just want to prevent deceptions and false claims. | |||
Contrary to the view of this group of scholars, there are hadiths, supplications, and rituals in Shiite traditions instructed for those who want to meet the Imam (a). At least two hadiths with authentic chains of transmitters state that meeting the Imam (a) is possible for his followers. Great Shiite scholars such as al-Shaykh al-Saduq, al-Shaykh al-Mufid, and al-Shaykh al-Tusi believed in the possibility of meeting the Imam (a) and devoted a chapter in their books to the list of the people who had met the Imam (a). | |||
There are numerous reports of the meetings between the Imam and the people. According to [[al-Hurr al-Amili]], [[Sayyid Abd Allah Shubbar]], and [[Lutf Allah Safi Gulpayigani|Ayatollah Safi Golpaygani]], these reports are [[mutawatir]]. The names of some of these people are as follows: [[Muhammad Husayn Na'ini]], [[Sayyid b. Tawus]], [[Ibrahim al-Kaf'ami]], [[Muhammad Taqi Majlisi]], [[Abu l-Hasan Sha'rani]], [[al-Shaykh al-Hurr al-'Amili]], [[Ahmad b. Muhammad Ardabili|al-Muqaddas al-Ardabili]], [[Mirza Muhammad Astarabadi]], [[al-Shahid al-Thani]], [[Al-Sayyid Muhammad Mahdi Bahr al-'Ulum]], [[Sayyid Ni'mat Allah Jaza'iri]], and [[Shaykh Murtada Ansari]]. | |||
===Supplications and Ziyarahs=== | |||
In addition to general ziyarahs one can recite for all the Imams, there are various supplications and ziyarahs that are specifically for Imam al-Mahdi (a), such as the following: | |||
{{cb|2}} | |||
* [[Al-Nudba Supplication]] | |||
* [[Al-Faraj Supplication]] | |||
* The supplication that starts with the phrase "Salam Allh al-kamil al-tamm" | |||
* [[Ziyara Al Yasin]] | |||
* [[Al-Ghariq Supplication]] | |||
* [[Al-'Ahd Supplication]] | |||
* Special salawat for Imam al-Mahdi (a) | |||
* The Ziyarah of Friday | |||
{{end}} | |||
There are several supplications that are reportedly taught by Imam al-Mahdi (a) himself, such as al-Faraj supplication (beginning with the phrase "Allahumma azuma al-bala'" [O God! The Affliction has become so great!]), the supplications beginning with the phrases "Ya man azhar al-jamil" (O He who revealed the beautiful!), "Allahumma Rabb al-nur al-azim" (O God! O Lord of the great light!), "Allahumma-rzuqna tawfiq al-ta'a" (O God! Grant us the success of obeying you), and "Allahumma inni asʿaluk bi-ma'ani jami' ma yad'uk bih wulat amrik" (O God! I as You by the meanings of all the things by which the guardians of Your command ask You), Du'a Sahm al-Layl, the daily supplication in the month of [[Rajab]], [[Ziyara al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa]], and [[Ziyara al-Shuhada']]. | |||
===Intizar al-Faraj=== | |||
{{main|Intizar al-Faraj}} | |||
The Islamic tradition emphasizes the importance of awaiting faraj (freedom from grief or sorrow). One of the most important instances of this concept is hoping for and awaiting a bright future for the world, which, according to Shiite beliefs, will be realized by the return of the Twelfth Imam (a). Awaiting the return of Imam al-Mahdi (a) and the great merits of such awaiting are mentioned with different wordings in Shiite traditions; those who await the Imam (a) are said to be the “Friends of God” and “the best people,” who are like those who accompanied the [[Prophet (s)]] in the [[battle of Badr]]. | |||
Awaiting the faraj can have both individual and social significance; it is constructive if it is accompanied by striving to get prepared without losing hope and by fulfilling one's individual and social duties. The result of this kind of awaiting is the progress of oneself and one’s society. | |||
==Mid Sha'ban== | |||
{{main|Mid Sha'ban}} | |||
As was discussed above, according to the majority of scholars, Imam al-Mahdi (a) was born on the 15th of Sha'ban, and, hence, this day has become one of the most important Shiite festivals. Celebrations, illuminations throughout the cities and towns, and distribution of food and drinks are parts of this great festival. | |||
In [[Iran]], these ceremonies take place in several days, officially called "the Ten Days of Mahdiism." [[Jamkaran Mosque]] is one of the main places in Iran where the celebration of the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi (a) is held. The 15th of Sha'ban is an official holiday in Iran and called the "World Day of the Oppressed." In [[Iraq]], in addition to vast celebrations in Shiite regions, visiting the shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) is an important ritual performed by many Iraqi Shiites on this day. The Shiites of [[Bahrain]], [[Yemen]], [[Egypt]], [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], and [[India]] also hold monumental celebrations for the birthday of the Twelfth Imam on this day. | |||
==Imam al-Mahdi (a) in the Eyes of Others== | |||
===Non-Twelver Shiite Sects=== | |||
The belief in "al-Mahdi," the savior who will appear and establish justice in the world, is found in Non-Imami Shiite sects, such as [[Zaydis]] and [[Ismailis]], as well, though they disagree with the [[Twelvers]] as to the identity of the Mahdi and do not consider him to be the son of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a). | |||
Zaydis, in particular, believe that the last Imam in the chain of their Imams will be the promised Mahdi who will establish justice on earth. Throughout history, various Zaydi Imams who were killed in their uprisings—such as [[Zayd b. Ali]], [[al-Nafs al-Zakiyya]], Muhammad b. al-Qasim (d. 219 AH), Yahya b. Umar (d. 250 AH), and al-Husayn b. al-Qasim al-Ayani (d. 404 AH)— were considered by some Zaydis to be the promised Mahdi. | |||
===Sunnis=== | |||
In [[Sunni]] hadith collections, there are many hadiths on al-Mahdi and the savior of the end times, and some prominent Sunni traditionists, such as al-Shawkani, al-Saffarini, and Abd al-Haqq al-Dihlawi have stated that these hadiths are [[Mutawatir|mutawatir]] (massively transmitted). Based on these hadiths, the majority of Sunni scholars believe in al-Mahdi. The main common elements between their belief and the Shiite belief is the following: he is a descendant of the Prophet (s) and his namesake; his epithet is al-Mahdi; he will rise in the end times; he will defeat all the oppressors and establish justice on earth when it is filled with oppression; and Jesus will return to the earth with him. | |||
Sunni scholars do not agree with the Shi'a on the other characteristics of al-Mahdi. They usually believe that al-Mahdi is not a descendant of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari and that he will be born in the end times. | |||
==Further Reading== | ==Further Reading== | ||