IMAM MUHAMMAD AL-MAHDI (A.S.) ..brief

IMAM MUHAMMAD AL-MAHDI (A.S.)

“He who dies without knowing the Imam of his time, dies the death of ‘jahiliyya’-age of ignorance

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)

Name: Muhammad bin Hasan
Titles: Al-Mahdi (the guided one),
Al-Hujjat (proof of Allah),
Al-Muntazar (one who awaits the orders of Allah),
Al-Muntazir (one who is awaited),
Sahebuz Zamaan (master of the age),
Al-Qaim (the present one).
Kuniyya: Abul Qasim
Birth: Friday 15th Sha’ban 255 a.h. in Samarra (Iraq).
Mother: Sayyida Narjis
Father: Imam Hasan Al-Askery (A.S.)

His Birth

Sayyida Hakima who was the sister of our 10th Imam relates that she went to her nephew’s (11th Imam) house for iftaar on the 14th of Sha’ban 255 A.H.The 11th Imam asked her to stay as his son was to be born soon. There was no sign of pregnancy on Sayyida Narjis.The 11th Imam asked her to recite Suratul Qadr on Sayyida Narjis. At the time of Fajr on 15th Sha’ban Sayyida Hakima heard the Sura being recited from the womb of Sayyida Narjis. The 11th imam told her that the birth would occur very soon.

As soon as the 12th Imam was born he did sijda and proclaimed the oneness of Allah and the Prophet hood of the Prophet (S.A.W.)

He also recited the 5th aya of Suratul-Qasas

“And We intend to bestow (Our) favours upon those who are weak in the land and make them the Imams (leaders) and make them the heirs”.

On his right hand was written the 82nd aya of Suratu Bani Israel

“The truth has come and falsehood has vanished; Indeed falsehood (is a thing by nature) vanishing”.

The 11th Imam only told a handful of his most trusted believers of the birth of his son and to a few of his household slaves.

One of the women slaves called Naseema relates that when she went to see the baby Imam in his cradle she greeted him with salaam and was replied to.

She then sneezed and Imam said:

“Yarhamukallah – it is a blessing from Allah and you have 3 days immunity from death”.

GHAIBAT

Ghaibat e Sughra 260-329 A.H..

Ghaibat e Kubra 329…………..

Why Ghaibat?

Imam As-Sadiq (A.S.) – prevention against being killed

Ishaq bin Yaqub (on authority from 12th Imam) says that all the Imams were under oppressive rulers. Our 12th Imam is hidden in order to rise in arms with obedience to no one.

Muhammad Yaqub Al-Kulayni has said that ghaibat is a test from Allah to test the steadfastness of belief in Imam.

If he is to remain in Ghaibat, what is the use of his existence?

Belief creates hope giving strength to the oppressed.

It is a deterrent for the committing of injustice as one is always aware of the constant presence of the Imam.

Why insist on 12? Why Imamat not continued and last Imam near Quiyama to do 12th Imam’s work?

For one who is to cleanse the earth of all wrong and injustice is necessary for him to be born near early Islam and carry pure and pristine Islamic ideas. It is necessary to look from his vantage point at all the upheavals in the world. Personal experience of the past will make him fearless of the seemingly invincible superpowers no matter how strong they are.

Why Ghaibat e Sughra?

To make the Shias used to approaching scholars instead of Imam himself. It started during the time of the 10th Imam who was under almost constant house arrest in Samarra and continuing through.

GHAIBAT E SUGHRA

260 – 329 A.H.

This was the minor concealment in which Imam appointment representatives (Naibs, Safirs……)

There were 4 representatives:

1. Uthman bin Saeed (A.R.)

2. Muhammad bin Uthman (A.R.)

3. Husayn bin Rawh (A.R.)

4. Ali bin Muhammad Samry (A.R.)

Uthman bin Saeed (A.R.)

It is said that at the age of 11 years he was a servant in the house of the 9th Imam later to enjoy the confidence of Imam. He occupied the same position of trust with the 10th and 11th Imam who told Shias that after him they would not see the 12th Imam and would have to obey Uthman. After the 11th Imam’s martyrdom Uthman moved to Baghdad and disguised as a butter seller he set up the collection of khums for Imam. He served the 12th Imam for 18 months and received a letter near his death from Imam telling him to appoint his son Mohammed as the next representative.

Muhammad bin Uthman (A.R.)

He continued in his fathers footsteps also acting as a butter seller. He managed to keep Imam’s existence a secret from the Abbasids until the early years of the reign of Al-Mutadid. The rulers then started searching hard for Imam and killed countless mu’mineen with even the slightest resemblance to Imam. Spies were set up to probe the khums network. Imam issued an order for Shias not to take his name nor show mas’ala of khums to anyone until absolutely sure of them. As instructed by Imam he appointed Husayn bin Rawh as the next representative after his death in 305 A.H.

Husayn bin Rawh (A.R.)

His kuniyya was Abul Qasim. His sociable nature won him respect even from the Ahlul-Sunnah. He managed to keep his activities a secret from the rulers whilst maintaining good relations with them. It is to him that we address the ‘ariza’ to be delivered to Imam. He served faithfully until he died in Sha’ban 326 a.h. revealing the appointment of Ali bin Muhammad Samry after him.

Ali bin Muhammad Samry (A.R.)

He served for only three years. A week before his death he received a letter from Imam telling him of his forthcoming death and that there would be no representative after him and that Imam was now going into Ghaibat e Kubra (major concealment). Imam would then appear when Allah wills it. Ali bin Muhammad Samry died on 15th Sha’ban 329 A.H.

GHAIBAT E KUBRA

329………?

Imam’s ghaibat is described by the Aimma like that of Prophet Yusuf (A.S.) who was amongst his brothers yet they did not recognise him.

Imam is known to meet a believer on 3 occasions:

1. At the time of trouble.

2. He is present at every Hajj.

3. He attends the funeral of every believer who has no religious obligations pending on him/her e.g. Khums.

During this time he continues to guide. Numerous letters have been received from him by (to quote a few) Ishaq bin Yaqub, Sheikh Mufeed….

It is reported that 30 people all over the world meet with him regularly. It is also reported that Jaziratul Khadra (green islands) is a vast land in Imam’s kingdom occupied by a large number of Shia and governed by Imam’s family.

Responsibilities During Ghaibat e Kubra

1. Pray for Imam’s safety at all time.

2. Be in waiting for Imam at all times.

3. Give Sadaqa for Imam.

4. Pray for his re-appearance.

5. Whenever faced with difficulty (whether small or big) ask for assistance from Imam.

6. Whenever his name is heard or recited, one should stand if possible, send salaams on him, put hand on head and bow.

7. If possible perform Hajj/Umra for Imam. (Hajj-After own Wajibat)

RE-APPEARANCE ON IMAM AL MAHDI (A.S.)

However various indications have been given by our Aimma.

1. It will be the day of Friday.

2. It will be the 10th of Muharram.

3. The century will be an odd number.

4. There will be both a solar and lunar eclipse in the month of Ramadhan.

5. A voice will be heard announcing the appearance of Imam which will be heard by all in their own language.

6. Imam Ali (A.S.) related to Sa’sa bin Sawhaan:

The 12th Imam will appear when:

i) There will be a loud noise from the sky with which the eardrums will pierce.

ii) Nasibayn (Iraq) will burn on all four sides.

iii) Basra will be abandoned.

iv) Turkey will be ruled by Usmanis.

v) People will usurp that which they are trusted with.

7. People will carry music in their pockets.

8. The 5th, 6th and 7th Imams have said:

“A great man from the people of Qum will rise up and take a stand. He will invite people will invite people towards the truth. Brave people like strong mountains, not fearing fighting and having trust in Allah will come to his help………. Finally the enemy of Islam will withdraw………….. The rule of Islamic Law will be established by the people themselves”.

“Kufa will become barren of Islamic knowledge……….. whilst Qum will become the centre of Islamic Fiqh………… so much so that it will spread throughout the world that not a single person will remain ignorant of the message of Islam”.

“These people will be the vicegerents of the 12th Imam. Their rule will continue and link with the appearance of the 12th Imam. They will not entrust the rule established by them to any but Imam on his reappearance”.

9. Imam Ali (A.S.) took Kumayl bin Ziyad to the outskirts of Kufa and showed him where he was to be buried. He then told him that all round his grave there would be tall buildings carrying the sign of Shaitan on them. The sign would be called Antennae.

10. Sufyani will appear. He will be a Jew but make himself apparent as a Muslim. He will be supported fully by the Christian governments and his mission will be to destroy Shias. He will offer booty to anyone who kills a Shia. The result will be such that even neighbours who have lived as brothers for years will kill Shias for money. He will be finally killed by Prophet Isa (A.S.)

Imam will appear in Makka and his ‘dhuhur’ will be in two stages (similar to Prophet hood of the Prophet).

1st Stage

This will be in secret and not announced to all (only to close followers).

2nd Stage

Open announcement on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura).

In the Dhulhijja of the preceding to Imam’s appearance on Ashura, 40 ‘mu’mineen’ who will be Imam’s closest companions will realise the nearness of ‘dhuhur’ and go for Hajj. They will not return home and on the 15th of Dhulhijja they will go to the Ka’ba and cry a lot.

One of them will be called by Imam, introduced and told to be the representative of the 40. They will all meet Imam between the 16th and 22nd of Dhulhijja. Imam will tell them that one of them will have to announce the arrival of Imam at the door of the Ka’ba but whosoever would do this would be killed immediately.

On the 25th Dhulhijja the announcement will be made and the announcer killed (This is the blood of Nafse Zakiyya – pure soul, those whose blood will touch the Ka’ba and who is mentioned in numerous prophecies).

His blood will be avenged 2 weeks later when Imam will appear himself at the Ka’ba.

Those who answer the first call will be 313 in number.

Imam’s army will consist of 10.000 mo’mineen.

Imam will establish his government in Kufa and his treasury in Masjidus Sahla.

Additional notes on the re-appearance of Imam.

In Sheikh Tusi’s ‘Ghaybat’, Abu Baseer quoted Imam Ja’fer As-Sadiq (A.S.) as saying “The call in the name of QAIM (i.e. Imam Al Mahdi (A.S.) ) will be made in the night of the 23rd Ramadhan and he will make his appearance on the day of Ashura, the day of Imam Husayn (A.S.)’s martyrdom”.

Sheikh Sudooq in his book Kamaaluddin relates from Zararah that Imam Ja’fer As-Sadiq(A.S.) said “The announcer will call the name of the Qaim (A.S.)”. I asked whether this call is for a particular group or if it is meant for everyone, Imam Ja’fer Sadiq (A.S.) said: “Shaitan will not leave the people alone. He will call late in the night and will plunge people into doubt”.

In the 13th volume of Bihar-ul-Anwar, Imam Al-Baqr (A.S.) is quoted as saying that “The Qaim will send one of his companions to Makka and will ask him to inform them that I’m sent by so-and-so to you and that we are the merciful Ahlul-Bayt and the Store-house of ‘Risalat’ (religious guidance) and ‘Khilafat’ and we are the progeny of Muhammad (S.A.W.) and from the time that the Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) left this world until now, we’ve been oppressed and deprived and our rights have been usurped. So we call you to befriend us. When that young man will utter these words, he will be caught and beheaded between ‘Rukn’ and ‘madam’ (in Masjidul Haram) and this young man is the ‘Nafse Zaki’………. And between the death of the ‘Nafse Zaki’ and the re-appearance of Imam Al-Mahdi (A.S.) there will not be a gap of fifteen nights”.

Syed Mohamad Masoom Abidi