Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-6

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In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful

Part 1: Expecting the Signs vs. Expecting al-Qa’im (PBUH)

1-6- The significance and the purpose of specifying the signs

Specifying the signs before the time of reappearance has its own advantages and benefits both before and after the occurrence of the signs. As we mentioned, some of the foretold events are related to the hardship of people before the reappearance of the Imam (PBUH) and warn people about the situations that they may face if disappearance is prolonged. These prophecies urge the believers to turn to Allah and supplicate to Him with the hope that He may alleviate or cancel such hard situations and accommodate an easy and early relief. Thus, such warnings are, by themselves, constructive if people react to them by turning to Allah before the actual manifestation of the signs.

On the other hand, if a sign does finally occur, it strengthens one’s faith in the reappearance of Imam (PBUH) and increases his anticipation. Once a sign occurs, a believer realizes that it was among the signs foretold, and thus, his faith and confidence will increase, and he trusts that the time of reappearance is closer than ever. Thus, the foretold events should not be ignored or considered as insignificant before and after their occurrence.

Nevertheless, the signs were not given for the purpose of predicting the time of reappearance or for urging people to search the scientific data to estimate the time of the occurrence of the sign itself. Rather, they serve as reminders for people only after they occur miraculously. The signs were described in order to keep us alert, aware, and mindful of Allah, but not to enable us to make any kind of prediction.

Keeping in mind the issue of al-Badaa, all the mentioned signs before his arrival, even if they finally occur, they may happen miraculously in an unpredictable manner. As we have seen in a tradition quoted earlier, some of the signs such as an eclipse of the moon at the end of the month can only happen miraculously. Even for some other signs that can occur naturally and can be predicted by the available physical information, they may still occur supernaturally and thus their predicted schedules may be proven wrong. The most interesting observation is that, one of the mentioned signs at the end of the time is the rising of the sun from the west^[[1]], which shows that Allah will miraculously change the direction of the heavenly bodies, and thus, all astronomical data will change according to the new movements. This means that all timely predictions based on the available astronomical data may be proven false due to this single miracle of Allah. Moreover, this makes possible many other events that are considered physical impossibility including the double eclipse mentioned earlier. Similar to the advent of the Imam (PBUH), the signs before his advent are Allah’s miracles, all of which remind us the power of Allah and His sovereignty. Their miraculous nature assures that they are signs from Allah, not from people.

Hence, instead of worrying about the time of the occurrence of the unpredictable signs before the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH), one should care about keeping faith in the Imam (PBUH) and following his customs. Only in that way, will one be safe from the afflictions of the end of time no matter how the signs finally appear. If some signs appear he will gain more hope and energy that the appointed time is fast approaching, and if he did not observe the signs, he will still remain hopeful to receive the Imam (PBUH) because he believes that Allah is never restricted by His creation including His previous will and has power to do all things at any moment.

Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-5

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In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful

Part 1: Expecting the Signs vs. Expecting al-Qa’im (PBUH)

1-5- Continual expectation due to the unpredictability of the time of reappearance

The Shia traditionists narrated:

رُوِيَ عَنِ الصّادقِ (ع) أَنّهُ قالَ لِبعضِِ أَصحابهِ: كُن لِما لا تَرجُو أَرجى مِنكَ لِما تَرجُو، فَإِنَّ مُوسَى بنَ عِمرانَ (ع) خَرَجَ لِيَقتَبسَ لِأَهلِهِ ناراً فَرجعَ إِلَيهِم وَ هُوَ رَسولٌ نبَِيّ‏ٌ، فَأَصلحَ الله ُ تَباركَ وَ تَعالى أَمرَ عَبدِهِ وَ نَبيّهِ مُوسى في لَيْلَةٍ. وَ كَذا يَفعَلُ الله ُ تَعالى بِالقائِمِ الثّاني عَشَرَ مِنَ الأئمةِ (ع) يُصلِحُ  الله ُ أَمرهُ في لَيلَةٍ كَما أَصلَحَ الله ُ أَمرَ مُوسى (ع) وَ يُخرِجُهُ مِنَ الحيرةِ وَ الغيبةِ إِلى نُورِ الفَرَجِ وَ الظّهورِ.

Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) said to his companions, “Be more hopeful on the things that you consider far-fetched than that which you presume very likely. Verily, Musa Ibn Imran (PBUH) went to bring fire (to provide heat and light) for his family and when he came back to them he was an apostle, and this way, Allah rectified the matter of His servant and His Prophet, Musa (PBUH), within a night. In the same way, Allah shall treat al-Qa’im, the twelfth of the Imams (PBUT). He shall rectify his matter in one night and shall take him from complication and concealment to the light of relief and reappearance.”[[1]]

There are many other Shi’i transmitted traditions, which convey the similarity of the sudden advents of some ancient prophets (PBUT) with that of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH).[[2]]

The following tradition also shows that we should expect the reappearance of al-Qa’im at every moment and make ourselves ready for his arrival because his coming is very unpredictable. It is narrated:

تَوَقَّعْ أَمرَ صاحبِكَ ليلَكَ وَ نَهاركَ، فَإِنَّ الله َ  كُلَّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأْنٍ‏.

Imam Ja’far Ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (PBUH) said, “Anticipate the rule of your master in every day and night of your (lifetime), for indeed Allah (says about Himself) ‘Every day He brings in a (new) situation.’ (55:29)”[[3]]

The notion of continual awaiting and hoping to see the golden days of the universe at any moment has many positive benefits in our lives. It constantly reminds us the absolute power of Allah. The faithful servants who believe Allah has power to do all things, should not consider any goodness far-fetched from Him. Moreover, so long as we expect the Imam (PBUH), we are hopeful for a better future and will not be disappointed by the difficulties and the problems of our present life no matter how severe they are. In addition, when we realize that Allah may advance the advent of al-Qa’im (PBUH) to a very near future, we do our best to prepare our spiritual state to receive him. In Part II of this work, some divine prescriptions that make us prepared for receiving al-Qa’im (PBUH) will be presented.

As we have seen, the existence of al-Badaa plays a central role in our way of expectation of al-Qa’im (PBUH). Due to the possibility of Badaa, the signs foretold are subject to change. According to the traditions, waiting for the Imam (PBUH) at any moment is the best deed and the most significant act. If the signs were unchangeable or could not be advanced, there would be no point to wait all the time and in every moment. Having faith in alteration of the characteristics and the time of the events by Allah, everyone would keep himself ready every morning, every evening, and all the time in between to receive the Imam (PBUH). A person who has no faith in the alteration of signs and thinks of the reappearance of the Imam (PBUH) in terms of the sighting of all the signs is actually waiting primarily for those signs and then for the Imam (PBUH). Such an individual may deny Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) if he were to reappear without some of the signs being fulfilled. In contrast, the traditions give prime importance to the promise of the reappearance of the Imam (PBUH) and consider the appearance of the signs as a less important issue. Abu Ubaida al-Hadhaa narrated:

عَن أَبي عبيدة الحذّاء قالَ: سَأَلتُ أَبا جَعفَرٍ (ع) عَن هذَا الأَمرِ مَتى يَكونُ؟  قالَ: إِن كُنتُم تُؤمِلونَ أَن يَجيئَكُم مِن وَجهٍ فَلا تُنكِرونَهُ.

I asked Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) about this matter (i.e., the reappearance of al-Mahdi (PBUH)). He (PBUH) replied, “Because you expect that it comes to you in a (certain) way, do not deny it (if it happens in another way).”^[[4]^]

It is now clear that we should wait for the reappearance of Imam (PBUH) and not for the signs, and further, should not consider the Imam’s reappearance before witnessing all the foretold signs impossible. It is only in this situation that imploring Allah to hasten the reappearance of Imam (PBUH) is meaningful. Allah is free to shower His blessings any time He wants. He has created a leader for this task long ago and has kept him on call in concealment. He can order the reappearance of the Imam (PBUH) even before the sighting of the signs, can change, or miraculously expedite the occurrence of the signs for his early reappearance. Indeed, much more than any of His followers, the Imam (PBUH) himself is eagerly waiting for receiving Allah’s permission at any moment.

Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-4

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In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful

Part 1: Expecting the Signs vs. Expecting al-Qa’im (PBUH)

1-4- The sudden nature of the advent of al-Qa’im (PBUH)

The Shia and the Sunni traditionists have narrated many traditions, which state that the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will be rectified by Allah within just one night. In other words, the time of the Imam’s reappearance is very unpredictable and depends on Allah’s sudden choice of action, and his advent will take place miraculously. The Sunnis have narrated from Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyya (RA) and Imam Ali (PBUH) that the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said:

عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (ص): الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ، يُصْلِحُهُ الله ُ في لَيْلَةٍ.

“al-Mahdi is of us Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). Allah shall rectify his matter within a night.”[[1]]

In some other traditions, the Imams (PBUT) stated that the time of the reappearance of al-Qa’im (PBUH) is like the time of the Hour (of resurrection), which is completely unpredictable and is known only to Allah. The time of resurrection has not yet been decreed and Allah shall enforce it suddenly once He wills. Di’bil narrated:

وَ أَمّا مَتى فَإِخبارٌ عَنِ الوَقتِ. وَ لَقَد حَدَّثني أَبي عَن أَبيهِ عَن آبائهِ عَن عَليٍّ (ع) أَنَّ النّبيَّ (ص) قيلَ لَه: يا رَسولَ اللهِ  مَتى يَخرجُ القائِمُ مِن ذُرِيَّتكَ؟ فَقالَ: مَثَلهُ مَثَلُ السّاعَةِ،  لا يُجَلِّيها لِوَقْتِها إِلاَّ هُوَ ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّماواتِ وَ الأَْرْضِ لا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلاَّ بَغْتَةً.

Imam Ali Ibn Musa al-Ridha (PBUH) said, “As for news of the time (of reappearance), indeed my father told me having heard it from his father who heard it from his ancestors who heard it from Ali (PBUH) that it was asked from the Prophet (PBUH&HF), ‘O the Apostle of Allah! When will al-Qa’im from your offspring appear?’ He said, ‘His similitude is the similitude of the Hour (of resurrection). ‘None but He shall manifest it at its time. It is heavy for the heavens and the earth. It will not come to you except suddenly.’ (7:187)”

Allah states in the Quran:

يَسْئَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْساها قُلْ إِنَّما عِلْمُها عِنْدَ رَبِّي لا يُجَلِّيها لِوَقْتِها إِلاَّ هُوَ ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّماواتِ وَ الأَْرْضِ لا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلاَّ بَغْتَةً يَسْئَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْها قُلْ إِنَّما عِلْمُها عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ لكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‏.

They ask you about the Hour – when will be its appointed time? Say, The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone). None but He shall manifest it at its time. It is heavy for the heavens and the earth. It will not come to you unless suddenly. They ask you as if thou were eager in search thereof. Say, The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not. (7:187)

In fact, the traditions state that some of the Quranic terms and verses that apparently refer to the day of resurrection alternatively refer to the day of the rising of al-Qa’im (PBUH) as well. These terms include, “the hour (al-Saa’a)”^[[2]^], “the hereafter (al-Akhira)”^[[3]^], “the days of Allah (Ayyam Allah)”^[[4]^], “the day of the religion (Yawm al-Din)”^[[5]^], “the day of emergence (Yawm al-Khuruj)”^[[6]^], etc. One of the most important common specifications of both events is their sudden, unexpected, and miraculous manifestation.

Once Allah makes Badaa and creates His decree on the sudden advent of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH), the first one who will become aware of it is the Imam (PBUH) himself through divine inspiration. Allah states in the Quran:

فَإِذا نُقِرَ فِي النَّاقُورِ، فَذلِكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوْمٌ عَسِيرٌ، عَلَى الْكافِرِينَ غَيْرُ يَسِيرٍ.

Then, when it is knocked in Naqur, that day will be a tough day, far from easy for the disbelievers. (74:8)

Mufadhdhal Ibn Umar narrated:

عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (ع) فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِذا نُقِرَ فِي النَّاقُورِ، قَالَ: إِنَّ مِنَّا إِمَاماً مُظَفَّراً مُسْتَتِراً. فَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ إِظْهَارَ أَمْرِهِ، نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً فَظَهَرَ، فَقَامَ بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى.

On the commentary of verse, “Then, when it is knocked in Naqur,” (74:8) Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) said, “Certainly, of us will be an Imam who will be victorious and will be hidden. Once Allah, the Glorious, wills to manifest his affair, He shall impact his heart with a hint, and thereupon, he will emerge and will rise by the authority of Allah, the Glorious.”^[[7]^]

Moreover, Abu Jarud narrated:

وَ بِإِسنادِه رَفعهُ إِلى أَبِي الجارودِ قال: قُلتُ لِأَبي جَعفرٍ (ع): جُعِلتُ فِداكَ، أَخبِرني عَن صاحِبِ هذَا الأَمرِ. قالَ: يُمسي مِن أَخوَفِ النّاسِ وَ يُصبِحُ مِن آمَنِ الناس، يُوحى إِليهِ هذَا الأمرُ لَيلَهُ وَ نهارَهُ. قال: قلت: يُوحى إِليهِ يا أبا جَعفرٍ؟ قالَ:  يا أبا جارُود! إِنّه لَيسَ وَحيُ نُبوةٍ وَ لكنهُ يُوحى إِليهِ كَوحيهِ إِلى مَريمَ بِنتِ عِمران وَ إِلى أُمِّ مُوسى وَ إِلَى النَّحلِ. يا أبا الجارود إِنَّ قائِمَ آلِ مُحمدٍ لَأَكرمُ عِندَ اللهِ مِن مَريمَ بِنتِ عِمرانَ وَ أمٍّ مُوسى وَ النَّحْل‏ِ.

I said to Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (PBUH), “May I be sacrificed for you, inform me about the holder of this matter.” The Imam (PBUH) replied, “He turns from the most fearful person to the most confident overnight, and his program will be revealed to him in a matter of one night and one day.” I asked, “Is this revealed to him?” The Imam (PBUH) replied, “O Aba Jarud, this is not the revelation of the prophethood. Rather, it will be a revelation similar to the one that He gave to Maryam, the daughter of Imran, to the mother of Moses, and to the honeybee. O Abu Jarud, the Qa’im of the family of Muhammad (PBUH&HF) is more honorable than Maryam, the mother of Moses, and the honeybee!”^[[8]^]

The fear of the Imam (PBUH) is mainly due to the dangers and calamities that threaten those who love him. The sudden change of the state of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) from the state of fear to the state of security, which is also pointed out in verse, “He will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange,” (24:55) shows that even the Imam (PBUH) does not know the time of his reappearance until Allah initiates Badaa, makes it a knowable reality, and permits his reappearance to save the servants of Allah. Thus, like his followers, the Imam (PBUH) himself is one in expectation. Of the titles that have been mentioned in the traditions for Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) are: “the expected (al-Muntadhar)” and “the expectant (al-Muntadhir)”.

All the above pieces of evidence, among others, prove that the time of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) is of pending matters (Mawquf) and that his coming is very unpredictable and sudden. This event will be one of the greatest manifestations of Allah’s power, which will take place at the time that most people would consider it unfeasible. Allah will suddenly make Badaa and will fully accommodate the Imam’s advent within one night. Although the reappearance of al-Mahdi (PBUH) is in Allah’s will, the time of his reappearance has not yet been decreed.

Birthday Anniversary of Imam Ridha (PBUH) Has been cancelled

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Due to technical issue this event has been cancelled,

Please accept our apologize

Birthday Anniversary of Imam Ridha (PBUH)

admin    News     Imam Reza, Imam Ridha, Liverpool towhid centre

In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful

Birthday Anniversary of Imam Ridha (PBUH)

Liverpool Towhid Centre is to run a celebration event to highlight the great birthday anniversary for Imam Ridha (PBUH).  There will be lecture and lots of celebration.  The event starts at 7 pm and lasts until 9 pm on Sunday, 09 October 2011.

The address is:

Cochrane Street
Heyworth Street
Liverpool     L5 4LJ

Hope to see you all again.

Liverpool Shia Society