Muharram Mourning Commemoration in Liverpool
In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Muharram Mourning Commemoration in Liverpool
To respect Ashouraa, Shia run mourning commemorations for 10 days starting from the 1st day of Muharram. Similar to previous year, Liverpool Towhid Centre* has planned for mourning commemoration in the final five days of the decade, 1st to 6th of December ending to Ashouraa from 6pm to 8pm. As a special programme on Ashouraa, a separate event will be held at its noon when it has been declared that the story of Ashouraa was at its peak. The events will end by serving supper to the guests of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT).
The events are the outcome of hard work of some people, particularly the students, who have spent lots of their time to arrange, plan, manage and run the events. So, it is highly worthy to patronise their efforts by attending the events. This is further to the bonus due to highlighting the affairs of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT).
*Liverpool Towhid Centre, Cochrane St., Heyworth St., Everton road, L5 4LJ
Liverpool Shia Society
Was That Just to Say, “Ali, I Love You”?
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Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Amir al-Mo'menin, Eid Ghadir, Ghadir Khum, Imam Ali, Liverpool Shia, sermon, Sunni, The Holy Prophet of IslamIn the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Was That Just to Say, “Ali, I Love You”?
I have a story and would like to share it with you.
Last summer, it was extremely hot and I was hosting a great friend of mine and his family coming from Tehran to Mashad. They stayed with us for a few days to do what they had come for to Mashad. Afterwards, they packed up to return to Tehran. It was about midday, around 11 O’clock when they left. After an hour, I called him on his mobile asking, where they were. “We are about 50 km from Mashad on our way to Tehran. We’ll in-shaa-Allah arrive in Tehran tomorrow. Anything up?”, he replied.
- Can you please drive back to Mashad as quickly as you can? Something crucial has risen and I’ve got to talk to you about it.
* What do you mean by crucial?
- You just come back. I’ll tell you what.
* Come on! Please tell me over the phone. It’s really too hot to drive back to Mashad again. I should be in Tehran by tomorrow for an important job to do.
- No excuses! You should get back here right now.
* Couldn’t you tell me later?
- No way mate. I should talk to you today.
Poor friend; I insisted and he found no way but to return to Mashad in such hot weather while his car had no air-conditioner. While I found him so eager to hear the crucial matter, I told him, honestly from my deep heart, “I love you!” But I don’t understand why he got mad and why he looked at me so angrily. He shouted, “Was that all???” I just said, “Yes.”
* You had already told me you loved me, hadn’t you?
- Well, yes but this time it was more formal…
He was really angry with me when he understood I made him to get back this long distance just for telling I loved him. His family was all angry and about to kill me. But, believe me; I just tried telling him I loved him heartedly in front of others.
Whoever heard the story advised me what I did was absolutely wrong and foolish. What about you? What do you think?
.
.
.
That’s right! No wise accepts that. I made them getting back in such miserably hot day only and only to tell him I liked him.
So how is it possible to agree with Sunnis claiming that the Holy Prophet stopped 120,000 people for 3 days in a hot desert under sharp sunshine just and just to say, “Ali, I love you”, “O people, Ali is my friend”? I cannot believe he would do so.
الحمد لله الذی جعلنا من المتمسکین بولایت امیر المؤمنین و الائمة المعصومین علیهم السلام
Sent by Ma'sumeh Khosravi
Liverpool Shia Society
Eid Ghadir Party 2011 at Liverpool Towhid Centre
In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Date : 12/11/2011
Time : 19:00 – 21:00
Venue : Liverpool Towhid Centre, Cochrane St, Heyworth St, Liverpool, L5 4LJ
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-8
In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Part 1: Expecting the Signs vs. Expecting al-Qa’im (PBUH)
1-8- Is lack of the occurrence of signs a reason for the delay in relief?
The occurrence of the signs indicates that the reappearance of al-Qa’im is about to take place. However, if Allah wants to respond to people’s supplication for an early relief, He may expedite, change or cancel some of the decreed events. The question that may arise here is that, will there be any confusion among people in recognizing Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH)—once he starts his mission—due to the changes in some of the signs? Moreover, if there would be no confusion that he is the promised Mahdi (PBUH), why would then some people oppose him?
According to the traditions, once Allah calls Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) to reappear, all people around the world, believers and disbelievers likewise, will become aware of him immediately and without any shadow of doubt. In the following tradition, it is mentioned that his reappearance will be as clear as sunshine and will be identified by all people. Narrated Jabir Ibn Yazid:
عَن جابرِ بنِ يَزيدَ عَن أَبي جَعفرٍ الباقرِ (ع) أَنه قال: اُسكنُوا ما سَكَنَتِ السَّماواتُ و الأرضُ … فَإِنَّ أَمرَكُم لَيسَ بِهِ خَفاءٌ أَلا إنّها آيةٌ مِنَ اللهِ عَزَّ و جلَّ لَيسَت مِنَ الناسِ. أَلا إِنّها أَضْوَأُ مِنَ الشَّمسِ، لا يَخْفى عَلى بِرٍّ وَ لا فاجِرٍ. أَ تَعرِفونَ الصُّبحَ؟ فَإِنَّهُ كالصّبحِ لَيْسَ بهِ خَفاءٌ.
Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) said, “Be calm so long as the heavens and the earth are calm… Verily your matter (i.e., the movement of the Imam (PBUH)) shall not take place secretly as it shall be a sign from Allah, not from people. Be hold! It shall be brighter than sunshine so much so that it shall not remain hidden from the righteous and the evildoer (likewise). Do you know morning/dawn? It shall be like the dawn without anything hidden in it.”[[1]]
According to another tradition, Imam al-Ridha (PBUH) explained the sentence, ‘Be calm so long as the heaven and the earth are calm’ as ‘Be calm so long as the heaven is calm from the call (of Gabriel) and the earth is calm from sinking the army (of al-Sufyani).’[[2]] These two signs are among the five definite signs that we discussed earlier.
We do not know of anything brighter than sunshine, which could be sensed by our faculties. The reappearance Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will be clearer than that. The above tradition proves that Allah has guaranteed He will not let anyone remain ignorant of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH). It also warns the believers against joining the hidden agenda of those who pretend to be the Mahdi, by stating that Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will starts his mission openly, and will be immediately identified by all people. However, according to the next tradition, once the Imam (PBUH) reappears, no one would be able to believe in him if he denied him, disbelieved his existence, his rights, or his Sunna before the time of his reappearance; or, it is better say, believing in him at that time will be of no use for a disbeliever. It is just like believing in Allah on the Day of Judgment, which will be of no benefit for the disbelievers. Those who entertain doubt about his existence during the time of occultation (after truth has reached them through the traditions) will have no way to escape from his sword once they meet him (PBUH). Allah states in the Quran:
… يَوْمَ يَأْتِي بَعْضُ آياتِ رَبِّكَ لا يَنْفَعُ نَفْساً إِيمانُها لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمانِها خَيْراً قُلِ انْتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنْتَظِرُونَ.
… On the day that certain signs of your Lord do come, no one would benefit from believing in (that sign) if he did not believe (in that) before, or such belief is no good for him. Say, “Wait! We too are waiting.” (6:158)
Ibn Ri’aab narrated that, on the commentary of the above verse, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (PBUH) said:
فَقالَ (ع): الآياتُ هُمُ الأَئِمّةُ وَ الآيةُ المُنتظَرةُ القائِمُ (ع). فَيَومَئِذٍ لا يَنفَعُ نَفساً إيمانُها لمَ تَكُن آمَنَتْ مِن قَبلِ قيامِهِ بِالسَّيفِ، وَ إِن آمنَتَ بِمَن تَقَدَّمَهُ مِن آبائِهِ عَلَيهِمُ السَّلامُ.
“The ‘Signs’ are the Imams (PBUT), and the ‘expected sign’ is al-Qa’im (PBUH). On that day, no one would benefit from believing in (that sign) if he did not believe in him before his rising by sword even if such a person believed in (the Imamat of) his ancestors, peace be upon them.”[[3]]
In some other traditions, rising of the sun from the west has been mentioned as a sign after which having faith will not be helpful for the disbelievers.[[4]]
As we have shown, there is nothing to worry about identifying Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) once he emerges. We should only worry about our belief before his reappearance since believing in him after his reappearance will be of no benefit at all. Those who will oppose Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) when he does appear will not doubt that he is the Imam (PBUH). They will oppose him because they did not believe in the sayings and practices of him and those of his fathers, as they do not match with their innovations and the innovations of their fathers.
The terrifying news amongst the foretold events is that most of those who believe in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will doubt his existence over time due to the length of the time of occultation and because of various trials and afflictions that befall people during this period. Therefore, when the Imam (PBUH) starts his mission, the believers will be very few in number. Saqr Ibn Dilf narrated:
فَقُلتُ لَهُ: يَا ابنَ رَسولِ اللهِ! وَ لمَ سُمِّيَ القائِمُ؟ قالَ: لأِنهُ يَقومُ بَعدَ مَوتِ ذِكرِهِ وَ ارتدادِ أَكثرِ القائِلينَ بِإمامتهِ. فَقُلتُ لَهُ: وَ لمَ سُمِّيَ المُنتَظَرُ؟ قالَ: لِأَنَّ لَهُ غَيبةٌ تَكثُرُ أيّامُها وَ يَطولُ أَمَدُها، فَيَنتَظِرُ خُروجَهُ المُخلِصونَ وَ يُنكِرهُ المُرتابونَ وَ يَستَهزئُ بِذِكرهِ الجاحِدونَ وَ يَكثُر فيهَا الوَقّاتونَ وَ يهلِكُ فيهَا المُستَعجِلونَ وَ يَنجُو فيهَا المُسَلِّمونَ.
I asked Imam al-Jawad (PBUH) why Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) is called al-Qa’im. He (PBUH) replied, “Because he will rise after his remembrance is dead (in the society) and when most of the believers in his Imamat have turned back (from their belief).” I asked why he is called al-Muntadhar (the awaited). He (PBUH) replied, “Because there shall be an occultation for him whose period shall be prolonged. The sincere ones shall wait for him, the doubtful ones shall deny him, those who reject him shall ridicule his remembrance, and those who propose a time (for his reappearance) shall increase. During that period, those who hasten in movement (al-Musta’jilun) shall perish, and those who submit (to Allah’s commands and decrees) shall be saved.”[[5]]
Another tradition is narrated by Mufadhdhal Ibn Umar, who said:
عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (ع) يَقُولُ: إِيَّاكُمْ وَ التَّنْوِيهَ. أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَيَغِيبَنَّ إِمَامُكُمْ سِنِيناً مِنْ دَهْرِكُمْ وَ لَتُمَحَّصُنَّ، حَتَّى يُقَالَ: مَاتَ قُتِلَ هَلَكَ بِأَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ. وَ لَتَدْمَعَنَّ عَلَيْهِ عُيُونُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَّ كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السُّفُنُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ. فَلا يَنْجُو إِلاَّ مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ فِي قَلْبِهِ الإِْيمَانَ وَ أَيَّدَهُ بِرُوحٍ مِنْهُ. وَ لَتُرْفَعَنَّ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ رَايَةً مُشْتَبِهَةً لا يُدْرَى أَيٌّ مِنْ أَيٍّ. قَالَ: فَبَكَيْتُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ: فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ؟ قَالَ: فَنَظَرَ إِلَى شَمْسٍ دَاخِلَةٍ فِي الصُّفَّةِ، فَقَالَ: يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ تَرَى هَذِهِ الشَّمْسَ؟ قُلْتُ: نَعَمْ: فَقَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ لأََمْرُنَا أَبْيَنُ مِنْ هَذِهِ الشَّمْسِ.
I heard Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying, “Be hold! By Allah, your Imam shall disappear for a number of years in your lifetime and you will be afflicted with hardship until some people say he (PBUH) has died or has been killed, which valley is he in? Verily the eyes of the believers shall remain full of tears for him, and you will be overturned as the ships are overturned in the waves of the sea. None would survive but those from whom Allah has taken oath, in whose heart He has written faith, and has helped them by a spirit from Him. And there shall appear twelve confusing banners that will not be recognized from one another.” I cried and said, “What could we do at that time?” He (PBUH) looked towards the beam of sunshine that was in the room and said, “O the servant of Allah! Do you see this sunlight?” I said, “Yes.” He (PBUH) continued, “By Allah! Our matter (i.e., the movement of al-Mahdi (PBUH) once it starts) shall be more evident than this sun.”[[6]]
Musa al-Baghdadi narrated:
عَن مُوسَى بنِ جَعفرٍ البَغداديِّ قالَ: سَمِعتُ أَبا محمدٍ الحَسَنَ بنَ عليّ ٍ (ع) يقول: كَأَنّي بِكُم وَ قَدِ اخْتَلفْتُم بَعدي فِي الخَلَفِ مِنّي. أَما إِنَّ المُقِرَّ بِالأئِمَّةِ بَعدَ رَسولِ اللهِ المُنكِرَ لِوَلَدي، كَمَن أَقَرَّ بِجَميعِ أَنبياءِ اللهِ وَ رُسلِه ثُمَّ أَنكرَ نبوةَ مُحمدٍ رَسولِ اللهِ (ص). وَ المنكرُ لِرسولِ الله (ص) كَمَن أَنكرَ جَميعَ الأَنبياءِ لِأَنَّ طاعةَ آخرِنا كَطاعةِ أوّلِنا وَ المُنكرَ لِآخرِنا كَالمنكرِ لِأولِنا. أَما إِنَّ لِوَلدي غَيبةٌ يَرتابُ فيهَا الناسُ إِلاّ مَن عَصَمَهُ الله ُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
I heard Imam Hasan al-Askari (PBUH) saying, “I see that you will differ (with one another) after me concerning my successor. Whoever accepts the Imams after the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) but denies my son is like a person who accepted all the prophets and the apostles but denied the prophethood of Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF). And whoever denies the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) is like one who has denied all the prophets. This is because obeying the last of us is like obeying the first of us and denying the last of us is like denying the first of us. Beware! Verily, for my son there shall be an occultation during which all people shall fall into doubt except those whom Allah protects.”[[7]]
According to the traditions (some of which will be quoted in Part II), denying the transmitted teachings of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) is equivalent to denying the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). Thus, some of those who claim to believe in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) as the twelfth Imam during the time of occultation will oppose him after his reappearance because they used to oppose their teachings and follow their own inventions. Fudhail Ibn Yasar narrated:
عَنِ الفُضَيلِ بن يَسار قال: سَمِعتُ أَبا عبدِ اللهِ (ع) يقول: إنَّ قائِمَنا إِذا قامَ استَقبلَ مِن جَهلِ الناسِ أشدُّ مِمَّا استَقبَلهُ رَسولُ اللهِ (ص) مِن جُهّالِ الجاهليةِ. قُلتُ وَ كيفَ ذاكَ؟ قالَ: إنَّ رَسولَ اللهِ (ص) أَتَى النّاسِ وَ هُم يَعبدونَ الحِجارةَ وَ الصُّخورَ وَ العيدانَ وَ الخشبَ المَنحوتةَ. وَ إِنَّ قائِمَنا إِذا قامَ، أتى الناسَ وَ كُلُّهُم يَتَأوَّلُ عَليهِ كتابَ اللهِ يَحتَجُّ عليهِ بهِ. ثم قال: أَما وَ اللهِ لَيَدخُلنَّ عَلَيهِم عَدلُهُ جَوفَ بُيوتِهِم كَما يَدخُلُ الحَرُّ وَ القَرُّ.
I heard Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying, “When our Qa’im (PBUH) rises he will face the ignorance of people more severe than what the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) faced during the days of al-Jahiliyya.” I asked, “Why should it be so?” The Imam replied, “The Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) came to people who were worshipping the stones and the carved wood. However, our Qa’im (PBUH) shall come to people all of whom will interpret the Book of Allah against his interpretation, and will argue with him by means of that. By Allah, al-Qa’im shall cause his justice to enter within their houses, just as the heat and the cold enter them.”[[8]]
During the period of occultation, people gradually leave the traditions of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT), interpret the Quran according to their own opinion, and prefer the words of fallibles to the words of infallibles. Consequently, many religious instructions will be forgotten as if they had never been a part of the religion. On the other hand, they will consider many man-made ideas as if they really have been a part of the religion. When Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) comes, he will fight all the innovations and will restore the true religion. For this reason, at the beginning of his mission, many people will think he has brought a new religion. Muhammad Ibn Ijlan narrated:
رَوى مُحمدُ بنُ عَجلانَ عن أَبي عَبدِ الله (ع) قال: إذا قامَ القائِمُ (ع) دَعَا النّاسَ إِلَى الإِسلامِ جَديداً وَ هَداهُم إِلى أَمرِ قَد دُثِرَ وَ ضَلَّ عَنهُ الجُمهورُ. وَ إِنّما سُمِّيَ القائِمُ مَهدِيّاً لِأنه يُهدى إِلى أَمرٍ مَضلولٍ عَنهُ، وَ سُمِّيَ القائِمُ لِقِيامهِ بِالحقِّ.
Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) said, “When our Qa’im rises he shall call people anew to Islam and shall guide them to the things that were eliminated and from which people had turned away. He is called Mahdi because he will guide people to the thing from which they have been separated. He is called al-Qa’im because of his rise for (establishing) the truth.”[[9]]
Thus, the opposition to Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will not be due to people’s failure in identifying him, but rather due to their disbelief in the original laws of the religion, their overlooking of the transmitted traditions, and their following man-made ideas and opinions in the domain of religion.
[[1]] al-Ghaiba, al-Nu’mani, p. 200, Hadith 17; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 139, Hadith 49.
[[2]] al-Amali, al-Tusi, p. 412, Hadith 926; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 189, Hadith 17.
[[3]] Kamal al-Din, p. 336, Hadith 8; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 51, Hadith 25; vol. 52, p. 149, Hadith 76 (a similar narration from Abu Basir).
[[4]] Tafsir, al-Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 384; Tafsir, Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, vol. 1, p. 221; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 6, p. 34, Hadith 46.
[[5]] Kamal al-Din, p. 378, Hadith 3; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 30, Hadith 4.
[[6]] al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 336, Hadith 3; p. 338, Hadith 11; Kamal al-Din, p. 347, Hadith 35; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 281, Hadith 9.
[[7]] Kamal al-Din, p. 409, Hadith 8; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 160, Hadith 6
[[8]] al-Ghaiba, al-Nu’mani, p. 296, Hadith 1.
[[9]] al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 383; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 30, Hadith 7.
______________________________________
Previous Parts:
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Introduction
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-1
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-2
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-3
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-4
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-5
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-6
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-7
Liverpool Shia Society
Dua Arafa and Eid Adhaa (Qurban)
admin News Adhaa, Dua Arafa, Eid, Ghorban, Hazrat Moslem, Liverpool Shia, Manchester Islamic Institute, QurbanIn the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Dua Arafa and Eid Adhaa (Qurban)
Manchester Islamic Institute (MII) is to run Dua Arafa programme on 6 November 2011. The programme will start at 14.00 and will be continued by commemorating Hazrat Moslem’s martyrdom anniversary. Dua Arafa is one of the loveliest duas which has been recommended numerously.
In addition, MII will celebrate Eid Adhaa (Qurban) on 7 November 2011. Celebration commences at 07.40 and the attendees will perform eid prayers at 08.00. MII is used to prepare great celebration for Eid Adhaa and LSS encourages the Muslims to attend this memorable ceremony.
Hope to see you all.
Liverpool Shia Society
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-7
In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Part 1: Expecting the Signs vs. Expecting al-Qa’im (PBUH)
1-7- Will there be any confusion in identifying al-Qa’im (PBUH)?
The occurrence of the signs indicates that the reappearance of al-Qa’im is about to take place. However, if Allah wants to respond to people’s supplication for an early relief, He may expedite, change or cancel some of the decreed events. The question that may arise here is that, will there be any confusion among people in recognizing Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH)—once he starts his mission—due to the changes in some of the signs? Moreover, if there would be no confusion that he is the promised Mahdi (PBUH), why would then some people oppose him?
According to the traditions, once Allah calls Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) to reappear, all people around the world, believers and disbelievers likewise, will become aware of him immediately and without any shadow of doubt. In the following tradition, it is mentioned that his reappearance will be as clear as sunshine and will be identified by all people. Narrated Jabir Ibn Yazid:
عَن جابرِ بنِ يَزيدَ عَن أَبي جَعفرٍ الباقرِ (ع) أَنه قال: اُسكنُوا ما سَكَنَتِ السَّماواتُ و الأرضُ … فَإِنَّ أَمرَكُم لَيسَ بِهِ خَفاءٌ أَلا إنّها آيةٌ مِنَ اللهِ عَزَّ و جلَّ لَيسَت مِنَ الناسِ. أَلا إِنّها أَضْوَأُ مِنَ الشَّمسِ، لا يَخْفى عَلى بِرٍّ وَ لا فاجِرٍ. أَ تَعرِفونَ الصُّبحَ؟ فَإِنَّهُ كالصّبحِ لَيْسَ بهِ خَفاءٌ.
Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) said, “Be calm so long as the heavens and the earth are calm… Verily your matter (i.e., the movement of the Imam (PBUH)) shall not take place secretly as it shall be a sign from Allah, not from people. Be hold! It shall be brighter than sunshine so much so that it shall not remain hidden from the righteous and the evildoer (likewise). Do you know morning/dawn? It shall be like the dawn without anything hidden in it.”[[1]]
According to another tradition, Imam al-Ridha (PBUH) explained the sentence, ‘Be calm so long as the heaven and the earth are calm’ as ‘Be calm so long as the heaven is calm from the call (of Gabriel) and the earth is calm from sinking the army (of al-Sufyani).’[[2]] These two signs are among the five definite signs that we discussed earlier.
We do not know of anything brighter than sunshine, which could be sensed by our faculties. The reappearance Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will be clearer than that. The above tradition proves that Allah has guaranteed He will not let anyone remain ignorant of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH). It also warns the believers against joining the hidden agenda of those who pretend to be the Mahdi, by stating that Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will starts his mission openly, and will be immediately identified by all people. However, according to the next tradition, once the Imam (PBUH) reappears, no one would be able to believe in him if he denied him, disbelieved his existence, his rights, or his Sunna before the time of his reappearance; or, it is better say, believing in him at that time will be of no use for a disbeliever. It is just like believing in Allah on the Day of Judgment, which will be of no benefit for the disbelievers. Those who entertain doubt about his existence during the time of occultation (after truth has reached them through the traditions) will have no way to escape from his sword once they meet him (PBUH). Allah states in the Quran:
… يَوْمَ يَأْتِي بَعْضُ آياتِ رَبِّكَ لا يَنْفَعُ نَفْساً إِيمانُها لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمانِها خَيْراً قُلِ انْتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنْتَظِرُونَ.
… On the day that certain signs of your Lord do come, no one would benefit from believing in (that sign) if he did not believe (in that) before, or such belief is no good for him. Say, “Wait! We too are waiting.” (6:158)
Ibn Ri’aab narrated that, on the commentary of the above verse, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (PBUH) said:
فَقالَ (ع): الآياتُ هُمُ الأَئِمّةُ وَ الآيةُ المُنتظَرةُ القائِمُ (ع). فَيَومَئِذٍ لا يَنفَعُ نَفساً إيمانُها لمَ تَكُن آمَنَتْ مِن قَبلِ قيامِهِ بِالسَّيفِ، وَ إِن آمنَتَ بِمَن تَقَدَّمَهُ مِن آبائِهِ عَلَيهِمُ السَّلامُ.
“The ‘Signs’ are the Imams (PBUT), and the ‘expected sign’ is al-Qa’im (PBUH). On that day, no one would benefit from believing in (that sign) if he did not believe in him before his rising by sword even if such a person believed in (the Imamat of) his ancestors, peace be upon them.”[[3]]
In some other traditions, rising of the sun from the west has been mentioned as a sign after which having faith will not be helpful for the disbelievers.[[4]]
As we have shown, there is nothing to worry about identifying Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) once he emerges. We should only worry about our belief before his reappearance since believing in him after his reappearance will be of no benefit at all. Those who will oppose Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) when he does appear will not doubt that he is the Imam (PBUH). They will oppose him because they did not believe in the sayings and practices of him and those of his fathers, as they do not match with their innovations and the innovations of their fathers.
The terrifying news amongst the foretold events is that most of those who believe in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will doubt his existence over time due to the length of the time of occultation and because of various trials and afflictions that befall people during this period. Therefore, when the Imam (PBUH) starts his mission, the believers will be very few in number. Saqr Ibn Dilf narrated:
فَقُلتُ لَهُ: يَا ابنَ رَسولِ اللهِ! وَ لمَ سُمِّيَ القائِمُ؟ قالَ: لأِنهُ يَقومُ بَعدَ مَوتِ ذِكرِهِ وَ ارتدادِ أَكثرِ القائِلينَ بِإمامتهِ. فَقُلتُ لَهُ: وَ لمَ سُمِّيَ المُنتَظَرُ؟ قالَ: لِأَنَّ لَهُ غَيبةٌ تَكثُرُ أيّامُها وَ يَطولُ أَمَدُها، فَيَنتَظِرُ خُروجَهُ المُخلِصونَ وَ يُنكِرهُ المُرتابونَ وَ يَستَهزئُ بِذِكرهِ الجاحِدونَ وَ يَكثُر فيهَا الوَقّاتونَ وَ يهلِكُ فيهَا المُستَعجِلونَ وَ يَنجُو فيهَا المُسَلِّمونَ.
I asked Imam al-Jawad (PBUH) why Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) is called al-Qa’im. He (PBUH) replied, “Because he will rise after his remembrance is dead (in the society) and when most of the believers in his Imamat have turned back (from their belief).” I asked why he is called al-Muntadhar (the awaited). He (PBUH) replied, “Because there shall be an occultation for him whose period shall be prolonged. The sincere ones shall wait for him, the doubtful ones shall deny him, those who reject him shall ridicule his remembrance, and those who propose a time (for his reappearance) shall increase. During that period, those who hasten in movement (al-Musta’jilun) shall perish, and those who submit (to Allah’s commands and decrees) shall be saved.”[[5]]
Another tradition is narrated by Mufadhdhal Ibn Umar, who said:
عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (ع) يَقُولُ: إِيَّاكُمْ وَ التَّنْوِيهَ. أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَيَغِيبَنَّ إِمَامُكُمْ سِنِيناً مِنْ دَهْرِكُمْ وَ لَتُمَحَّصُنَّ، حَتَّى يُقَالَ: مَاتَ قُتِلَ هَلَكَ بِأَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ. وَ لَتَدْمَعَنَّ عَلَيْهِ عُيُونُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَّ كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السُّفُنُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ. فَلا يَنْجُو إِلاَّ مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ فِي قَلْبِهِ الإِْيمَانَ وَ أَيَّدَهُ بِرُوحٍ مِنْهُ. وَ لَتُرْفَعَنَّ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ رَايَةً مُشْتَبِهَةً لا يُدْرَى أَيٌّ مِنْ أَيٍّ. قَالَ: فَبَكَيْتُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ: فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ؟ قَالَ: فَنَظَرَ إِلَى شَمْسٍ دَاخِلَةٍ فِي الصُّفَّةِ، فَقَالَ: يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ تَرَى هَذِهِ الشَّمْسَ؟ قُلْتُ: نَعَمْ: فَقَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ لأََمْرُنَا أَبْيَنُ مِنْ هَذِهِ الشَّمْسِ.
I heard Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying, “Be hold! By Allah, your Imam shall disappear for a number of years in your lifetime and you will be afflicted with hardship until some people say he (PBUH) has died or has been killed, which valley is he in? Verily the eyes of the believers shall remain full of tears for him, and you will be overturned as the ships are overturned in the waves of the sea. None would survive but those from whom Allah has taken oath, in whose heart He has written faith, and has helped them by a spirit from Him. And there shall appear twelve confusing banners that will not be recognized from one another.” I cried and said, “What could we do at that time?” He (PBUH) looked towards the beam of sunshine that was in the room and said, “O the servant of Allah! Do you see this sunlight?” I said, “Yes.” He (PBUH) continued, “By Allah! Our matter (i.e., the movement of al-Mahdi (PBUH) once it starts) shall be more evident than this sun.”[[6]]
Musa al-Baghdadi narrated:
عَن مُوسَى بنِ جَعفرٍ البَغداديِّ قالَ: سَمِعتُ أَبا محمدٍ الحَسَنَ بنَ عليّ ٍ (ع) يقول: كَأَنّي بِكُم وَ قَدِ اخْتَلفْتُم بَعدي فِي الخَلَفِ مِنّي. أَما إِنَّ المُقِرَّ بِالأئِمَّةِ بَعدَ رَسولِ اللهِ المُنكِرَ لِوَلَدي، كَمَن أَقَرَّ بِجَميعِ أَنبياءِ اللهِ وَ رُسلِه ثُمَّ أَنكرَ نبوةَ مُحمدٍ رَسولِ اللهِ (ص). وَ المنكرُ لِرسولِ الله (ص) كَمَن أَنكرَ جَميعَ الأَنبياءِ لِأَنَّ طاعةَ آخرِنا كَطاعةِ أوّلِنا وَ المُنكرَ لِآخرِنا كَالمنكرِ لِأولِنا. أَما إِنَّ لِوَلدي غَيبةٌ يَرتابُ فيهَا الناسُ إِلاّ مَن عَصَمَهُ الله ُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
I heard Imam Hasan al-Askari (PBUH) saying, “I see that you will differ (with one another) after me concerning my successor. Whoever accepts the Imams after the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) but denies my son is like a person who accepted all the prophets and the apostles but denied the prophethood of Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF). And whoever denies the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) is like one who has denied all the prophets. This is because obeying the last of us is like obeying the first of us and denying the last of us is like denying the first of us. Beware! Verily, for my son there shall be an occultation during which all people shall fall into doubt except those whom Allah protects.”[[7]]
According to the traditions (some of which will be quoted in Part II), denying the transmitted teachings of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) is equivalent to denying the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). Thus, some of those who claim to believe in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) as the twelfth Imam during the time of occultation will oppose him after his reappearance because they used to oppose their teachings and follow their own inventions. Fudhail Ibn Yasar narrated:
عَنِ الفُضَيلِ بن يَسار قال: سَمِعتُ أَبا عبدِ اللهِ (ع) يقول: إنَّ قائِمَنا إِذا قامَ استَقبلَ مِن جَهلِ الناسِ أشدُّ مِمَّا استَقبَلهُ رَسولُ اللهِ (ص) مِن جُهّالِ الجاهليةِ. قُلتُ وَ كيفَ ذاكَ؟ قالَ: إنَّ رَسولَ اللهِ (ص) أَتَى النّاسِ وَ هُم يَعبدونَ الحِجارةَ وَ الصُّخورَ وَ العيدانَ وَ الخشبَ المَنحوتةَ. وَ إِنَّ قائِمَنا إِذا قامَ، أتى الناسَ وَ كُلُّهُم يَتَأوَّلُ عَليهِ كتابَ اللهِ يَحتَجُّ عليهِ بهِ. ثم قال: أَما وَ اللهِ لَيَدخُلنَّ عَلَيهِم عَدلُهُ جَوفَ بُيوتِهِم كَما يَدخُلُ الحَرُّ وَ القَرُّ.
I heard Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying, “When our Qa’im (PBUH) rises he will face the ignorance of people more severe than what the Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) faced during the days of al-Jahiliyya.” I asked, “Why should it be so?” The Imam replied, “The Apostle of Allah (PBUH&HF) came to people who were worshipping the stones and the carved wood. However, our Qa’im (PBUH) shall come to people all of whom will interpret the Book of Allah against his interpretation, and will argue with him by means of that. By Allah, al-Qa’im shall cause his justice to enter within their houses, just as the heat and the cold enter them.”[[8]]
During the period of occultation, people gradually leave the traditions of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT), interpret the Quran according to their own opinion, and prefer the words of fallibles to the words of infallibles. Consequently, many religious instructions will be forgotten as if they had never been a part of the religion. On the other hand, they will consider many man-made ideas as if they really have been a part of the religion. When Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) comes, he will fight all the innovations and will restore the true religion. For this reason, at the beginning of his mission, many people will think he has brought a new religion. Muhammad Ibn Ijlan narrated:
رَوى مُحمدُ بنُ عَجلانَ عن أَبي عَبدِ الله (ع) قال: إذا قامَ القائِمُ (ع) دَعَا النّاسَ إِلَى الإِسلامِ جَديداً وَ هَداهُم إِلى أَمرِ قَد دُثِرَ وَ ضَلَّ عَنهُ الجُمهورُ. وَ إِنّما سُمِّيَ القائِمُ مَهدِيّاً لِأنه يُهدى إِلى أَمرٍ مَضلولٍ عَنهُ، وَ سُمِّيَ القائِمُ لِقِيامهِ بِالحقِّ.
Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) said, “When our Qa’im rises he shall call people anew to Islam and shall guide them to the things that were eliminated and from which people had turned away. He is called Mahdi because he will guide people to the thing from which they have been separated. He is called al-Qa’im because of his rise for (establishing) the truth.”[[9]]
Thus, the opposition to Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will not be due to people’s failure in identifying him, but rather due to their disbelief in the original laws of the religion, their overlooking of the transmitted traditions, and their following man-made ideas and opinions in the domain of religion.
[[1]] al-Ghaiba, al-Nu’mani, p. 200, Hadith 17; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 139, Hadith 49.
[[2]] al-Amali, al-Tusi, p. 412, Hadith 926; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 189, Hadith 17.
[[3]] Kamal al-Din, p. 336, Hadith 8; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 51, Hadith 25; vol. 52, p. 149, Hadith 76 (a similar narration from Abu Basir).
[[4]] Tafsir, al-Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 384; Tafsir, Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, vol. 1, p. 221; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 6, p. 34, Hadith 46.
[[5]] Kamal al-Din, p. 378, Hadith 3; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 30, Hadith 4.
[[6]] al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 336, Hadith 3; p. 338, Hadith 11; Kamal al-Din, p. 347, Hadith 35; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 281, Hadith 9.
[[7]] Kamal al-Din, p. 409, Hadith 8; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 160, Hadith 6
[[8]] al-Ghaiba, al-Nu’mani, p. 296, Hadith 1.
[[9]] al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 383; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 30, Hadith 7.
______________________________________
Previous Parts:
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Introduction
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-1
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-2
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-3
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-4
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-5
Moment by Moment: Expectation The advent of Al-Qa’im- Part 1-6
Liverpool Shia Society
Daily Ghadeer Text Messages
admin News Amir al-Mo'menin, Eid Ghadir, Ghadir Khum, hadith, Holy Quran, Islam, Liverpool Shia, prophet Muhammad, Prophet Muhammed, Sunni, The Holy Prophet of IslamIn the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
Daily Ghadeer Text Messages
We are approaching the greatest religious festive, Eid Ghadeer anniversary. Against some sorts of beliefs presenting Ghadeer as a separation point among the nation of Islam, it is clearly a unity point. However, lack of information with people, or in other words, preventing some facts to be heard by all Muslims has caused creation of the idea that Ghadeer would be a separation. The best solution to remove such belief is to release information and propagate the truth to all at the best.
Vahid Nooraddini, a fellow from Iran, has developed some 18 short messages to be easily sent by mobile sets in the form of text messages. Each message ends to one Shiite reference and one Sunni reference. The messages try to show that Ghadeer does not only belong to Shiites but to all Muslims and that it does not perform as a separation point.
People seeing these messages are kindly requested to send these messages to their friends and families.
“Certainly, I just conveyed what I have been ordered to convey as an argument against everyone, be him present or absent, a direct witness or not, and already born or not yet born. Hence, everyone who is present should convey (this sermon) to those who are absent, every parent should convey it to his/her children, (and they should continue to do so) until the Day of Judgement.” – A part of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HF) last public sermon delivered in Ghadeer Khum.
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Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Verse 67 in Chapter Al-Ma’ida has been revealed on Ghadeer day and for the sake of Imam Ali’s (PBUH) guardianship (walaya)?
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 290
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Hadith 249
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Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Verse 55 in Chapter Al-Ma’ida regards Imam Ali’s (PBUH) ring donation during prayers (salaah) and obliges acceptance of his guardianship (walaya)?
Shiite: Noor al-Thaghalain (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, verse interpretation
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Did you know that Verse 9 in Chapter An-Nisa urges everyone to obey Imam Ali (PBUH) and the other Imams (PBUT)?
Shiite: Kamal ad-Din, Vol. 1, Pg 222
Sunni: Shavahed Tanzil, Vol. 1, Hadith 202
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Did you know that, according to Verse 3 in Chapter Al-Ma’ida, one’s faith is completed by accepting Ghadeer and Imam Ali’s (PBUH) successorship?
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 290
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Hadith 211
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Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Verse 7 in Chapter al-Bayyina is about Imam Ali’s (PBUH) guardianship and that he is the best benefactor?
Shiite: Al-Burhan (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Dur al-Manthur, verse interpretation
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Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis agree Verse 7 in Chapter Al-Ra’d introduces Imam Ali (PBUH) as the best guide and director for Muslims?
Shiite: Al-Burhan (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad, Chapter 2, Hadith 990
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Did you know that Verse 7 in Chapter Al-Anbiya suggests Imam Ali and other Imams (PBUT) the meaning of “those who reminisce (possess) the Message?”
Shiite: Tafsir Saafi, verse interpretation
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, verse interpretation
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Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Imam Ali (PBUH) possesses full insight of the Holy Quran according to Verse 43 in Chapter Al-Ra’d?
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 229
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Pg 400
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Did you know that “holding fast by the rope Allah (SWT) has stretched for you” in Verse 103 in Chapter Al-i-Imran means grasping on belief in Imam Ali’s and other Imams’s (PBUT) guardianship?
Shiite: Ghayba No’mani, Chapter 2, Hadith 2
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Pg 168
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) introduced Imam Ali (PBUH) as his successor in his party after the reveal of Verse 214 in Chapter Ash-Shu’ara?
Shiite: Al-Burhan (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad, Number 841
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Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis have identically narrated the famous hadith “Whomever I am his master, this Ali is his master?”
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 293
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad Hanbal, Chapter 39, Pg 297, Hadith 18497
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) told Imam Ali (PBUH) that, “Your position to me is like Aaron’s to Moses?”
Shiite: Ershad Mofid, Vol. 1, Pg 8
Sunni: Sahih Bukhari, Chapter 13, Hadith 4064
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) has said, “Ali is of me and I am of him; and he is the guardian of the faithful?”
Shiite: Managheb Shahr-Ashoob, Vol. 3, Pg 51
Sunni: Sunan Tirmizi, Chapter 12, Number 3653
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (BUH&HF) mentioned, “My successors (imams) are only 12 ones?”
Shiite: Uyun Akhbar al-Reda, Vol. 1, Pg 64, Hadith 31
Sunni: Sahih Moslem, Vol. 9, Al-Amaarah, Hadith 3393
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “One who passes away while does not know the Imam of his time dies as those in the Jahiliyya era?”
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter ‘Ma Yajibo Ala an-Nas (What people are obligated to do), Hadith 2
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad, Chapter 34, Hadith 16271
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “I pass away while I leave two invaluable evocations: Quran and my family (Itra)?”
Shiite: Vasayel ush-Shia, Hadith 33144
Sunni: Sahih Moslem, Chapter 12, Number 4425
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “I am the capital of insight and Ali is its portal?”
Shiite: Kamal ad-Din, Vol. 1, Chapter 22, Pg 241
Sunni: Mustadrak Hakim al-Nishaburi, Chapter 10, Number 4614
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Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “Ali is with the truth and the truth is with Ali?”
Shiite: Khesal Sadugh, Chapter 2, Pg 496
Sunni: Tarikh Baghdad, Chapter 6, Section ‘al-Ya’, dekri man esmoho Yousef (the story of who whose name is Yousef), Pg 312
Liverpool Shia Society
