The Necessity of Hope for the Emergence

Introduction

With the end of the imposed war [Iraq’s attack on Iran] and resumption of Nudbah prayer rites, whispers were raised in society about giving hope for the proximity of Imam’s emergence. In dealing with this issue, some strongly opposed it and proceeded to deny it. And some became extremist and hurriedly equated the signs of emergence [with the current era’s incidents]. In contrast to these two groups who had an irrational view of emergence, according to the divine traditions another group, had a logical view of global and regional developments. Also, [they] considered these developments as the preconditions of the emergence.

Reasons for Hope for the Emergence

A believer should always hope for the proximity of the emergence. This hope is logically supported and is not an emotional view.

 

Divine laws

The world is being ruled through a series of divine laws, and believers should think according to the laws and principles that govern human life. Some of the Divine laws are as follow;

• The oppression of the oppressors isn’t consistent
• The false [evil] thought in the world
• The effectiveness of the resistance and uprising against the oppressors

Global preparedness

People of the world have reached a dead-end in all areas and ideologies. And to overcome this deadlock, the need for a savior is being felt.

Continuity of resistance movement

The resistance movement in the years after the [Islamic] Revolution, shows it will go on and is in progress. According to divine tradition, with the help of the resistance, one can hope for the emergence.

[the tradition was mentioned in] Surah Muḥammad, Verse, 7:

To help the Islamic republic system

The most important and main action to pave the way for the emergence is to help the Islamic Republic system. Obedience to the Walī e Faqīh, propagating and promoting the principle of the Wilāyat e Faqīh, is the main factor to strengthen the Islamic Republic system. Serving Wilāyat e Faqīh is serving humanity and the best kind of service.

To increase one’s spirituality

[It is done] through actions such as praying, holding forty-day prayers in a row, reciting the Qur’an, etc.

To increase one’s knowledge

[It is done] through actions such as taking part in Twitter Storms, studying, discussing in social media to accompany others, etc.

What if the emergence was not coming?

Here there is a religious suspicion that, if we make people hopeful but the reappearance doesn’t occur, then what will happen? What if it hurts people’s faith?

In response, it should be said that these statements are false for the following reasons;

• In the holy Quran, Allah (SWT) states, “…Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)…”[1] But sometimes the prayer is not answered due to Divine discretion, or the answer to the prayer is not apparent.
• In the holy Quran, Allah (SWT) states, “If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you…”[2] But in some cases, the truth’s party is defeated in the battle, and many people are martyred.
• The Qur’an speaks of occult aids, but Muslims were defeated in some battles.

Do these issues harm the faith of the people?

If we rationally make people hopeful and then the promise of God does not occur and some people convert from true faith, it will be just because of the weakness in their own faith! We should not avoid reasonable making people hopeful, just because of the weak faith of some.

Badā’[3] is one of the Divine laws (i.e. a determined promise from Allah’s side, that can be changed according to the actions of the believers). About the emergence, some elders have said, “It is imminent, but be careful! Badā’ may occur!”

Allah puts people on trial to test their faith, and sometimes these trials are [in the form of] changes in Divine laws. We do our own duties and give people hope. But if it does not happen, so it will be at Allah’s discretion.

 

A speech by Mr. Panahian

Issue; The Necessity of Hope for the Emergence

A summary of a virtual speech in April 2020

Prepared in Mahdaviiat unit of Masāf Institute, Mahdiaran  @Mahdiaran

 

[1] …ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ…  “…Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)…” [40:60]

[2] إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّـهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ…  “If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you…” [47:7]

[3] Badā’ (revealing after concealing, or alteration in the divine will) is a Shia Islamic concept regarding the Will of God. It refers to God revealing his will about a decision, wherein the people thought his will had already been made on that issue, as the Shia believe that God has knowledge of the ultimate outcome