8/3/2019 If the Mahdi(as) Appears - A. Nasir Makarem Shirazi

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Ayatollah NasirMakarem Shirazi

If Imam Mahdi AppearsSunday, 10 August 2008 21:58Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

Being that the day of Imam Mahdi's (may Allah hasten his reappearance) birth

anniversary is close, it is important to remember His Eminence and mentionsome matters about him that will help us improve and grow. Allama Majlisi hasrelated the following narration about Imam Mahdi inBihar al-Anwar:"When Imam Mahdi reappears, he will rule with justice, and no one will beable to discriminate against another. Roads and paths will become secure, theEarth will bring out its bounties, all rights will be returned to their rightfulowners, and no follower of a religion will remain until he becomes a Muslimand professes his faith."ExplanationSeven programs have been mentioned for His eminence in this narration:1 & 2. A just government and elimination of discrimination: The first part

of the tradition states that when Imam Mahdi reappears, he will rule with justice and wipe outdiscrimination.

The antonym of justice ('Adl) is injustice (Dhulm). And the word equity (Qist) is the opposite ofdiscrimination (Jawr). The difference between justice and equity is that justice means that another's rightis not taken, and equity means that discrimination does not take place. Thus, injustice means to take one'sright for one's own benefit, and inequity means to give one's right to another. For example, if I take John'shouse for myself, it is injustice. And if I take his house and give it to someone else, it is inequity. Theopposite of the first example is that I don't take John's house for myself; this is justice. And the oppositeof the second example is that I don't take his house and give it to someone else; this is equity. Therefore,equity is the lack of discrimination, and justice is the lack of injustice.3. Security of paths: The third part states: "And the paths will become safe and secure by him." Thismeans that all the paths and roads will become safe because of him.4. Nature will blossom: The next part says, "The Earth will bring out its blessings." The Earth will bringout its bounties and blessing, whether they are agricultural, mineral or other energy sources which arehidden from us.

5. The affairs will be placed in the hands of those who are qualified: The fifth part states: "All rightswill be returned to their rightful owners." He will return the affairs and positions to those who arequalified, in contrast to our time, where many positions and affairs are entrusted to unqualifiedindividuals because connections precede rules.6. Rule of Islam: The next part states, "And there will not remain a person of religion but that he willbecome a Muslim." No other religion will remain. All religions will become one religion, Islam.7. Hearts will be attracted to Islam: And finally, the tradition concludes by saying, "And they willprofess their faith." This has two meanings. Possibly it refers to the fact that everyone will follow theProphet's household, or that in addition to having faith in appearance, they will also have faith in theirhearts.The difference between submission (Islam) and faith (Eimaan) have been stated in Islamic narrations.Some narrations say that Islam is that thing that if a person professes, his life is protected and the meat heslaughters is permissible to eat, whereas faith is the source of salvation in the hereafter. In somenarrations it is stated that Islam is like the Sacred Mosque, and faith is the Ka'ba.It is possible that this wording in the hadeeth refers to the verse: "And the (Bedouin) Arabs said 'webelieve'; say, 'you do not believe, but say that we submit and faith has not yet entered yourhearts'" (49:14).The main tasks that His Eminence will carry out which can be seen from Islamic narrations can besummarized in four spheres:1. Correcting beliefs: A well-known tradition in Tafseer al-Qurtubi states, "There is not a house made ofstone or mud but God will enter in it Islam."2. Perfecting minds: An intellectual and scientific movement will occur. Allama Majlisi records inBiharal-Anwar, "When Imam Mahdi reappears, he will place his hand on people's heads and complete and

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perfect their thoughts and intellects. Perhaps the phrase "place his hand on people's heads" means thatthey will be trained by him.3. Justice and equity: It has been stated in numerous narrations inBihar al-Anwarthat he will fill theEarth with justice and equity, just as it was filled with injustice and inequity.4. Correcting morals: His fourth task is to wipe out moral decay and revive Islamic values. This can beseen from narrations about the signs of the reappearance. There are narrations which say that before theMahdi's reappearance, moral decay such as fornication, theft, bribery, cheating in sales, drinking alcohol,and murder will increase. What they intend is that the Mahdi will rise in order to wipe out these moraldecays. The system of values has been completely corrupted and Imam Mahdi will fix it.ConclusionImam Mahdi has an army, assistants, and helpers, as we read in Ziyarat Aale Yaseen: "O Lord, appointme as one of his devotees, followers, and helpers."In some narrations, it adds, "And appoint me as one who strives to defend Truth along with him."Those who want to be of his helpers must work within the framework of these four principles. Theprayers of one who does not have any of these principles and prays to God to make him a helper of ImamMahdi will not be answered.If the clerics establish this program, a character-building class will be formed. Prayer is good in its ownplace, but praying to be his devotee, follower, and helper will not come about only with prayer. Rather,one must become a pure monotheist and remove all forms of polytheism from his heart. He must actaccording to justice and equity among people and his household. We must revive moral values within

ourselves.If the purpose for his rising is properly proclaimed, it will change the face of society. One cannot beamong his ranks without having any of these principles. It is good to turn people's attention to the purposeof his program during these days of his birth anniversary so that they follow it.Also, beware that there are forces at work who want to use these religious celebrations and processions inorder to wipe out moral and religious values, just as those who wanted to build Masjid Dharar wanted towipe out the root of the mosque with a mosque. These values must be properly revived so that the enemycannot destroy them.It is hoped that God will answer this prayer in relation to all of us: O Lord, appoint us as his helpers,assistants, followers, devotees, and as the defenders of Truth along with him.The author of over a hundred books and articles on religious and social topics, including a commentaryon the Holy Qur'an, Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi is followed as a Religious Authority by millions of

Shias around the world today. He currently lives and teaches in the Holy city of Qum, Iran.EDITOR'S NOTE: Islamic Insights would like to thank Sayyid Baqir Imrani for translating this article

rom Farsi into English.

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