Let us better understand Imam Mahdi

April 8, 2025 Imam Mahdi (hgr) in Qur’an, Imam Mahdi (hgr) in Shi’a and Sunni sources 0

Introduction:

In a Hadith, ImÄm BÄqir (pbuh) stated, “Islam was built upon 5 pillars: Prayer, Zakat1, Hajj, Fast, and WilÄya2.†ZurÄra3 asked, “Which one is the best?†His Excellency stated, “WilÄya is the best; because it is as a key for them.â€

UsÅ«l- e- KÄfÄ«, Vol. 3, P. 30, Narration. 5)

The issue WilÄya is so essential, without that, our praying and other rituals are not accepted [by God].

Satan prayed for 6000 years, but he will be sent to the heal. It is because, he didn’t accept the WilÄya of God’s caliphs or successors [Shia ImÄms (pbu th)]. As everything is weighed with the WilÄya of the ImÄm (ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr)), whom we obey, realizing the concept and rank of imamate and WilÄya is of great importance.

Realizing Imamate to understand Wilayah : 

To know the ImÄm and believe in WilÄya, one should pass through three processes:

1- “Oral” process: To know the ImÄm (mgehr)’s name and identification information.

2- “Believe the heart” process: To believe in the heart, in the rank of Imamate.

3- “Practical†process: To obey the ImÄm (mgehr) and become similar to him.

 

Imam Hussain said: “Someone like me does not pledge allegiance to someone like him (Yazid).” (Irshad of Sheikh Mufid, p. 200)

This means that a follower (Ma’moom) should resemble their leader (Imam) and bear some of their qualities.

The Imam as a Path to God: Imam Sadiq said: When God rebuked Iblis (Satan) for his disobedience, Iblis replied, “I will make up for it.” God asked, “What will you do?” Iblis said, “I will pray for You so much that no one has ever prayed like this.” God responded, “I want to be worshipped the way I desire, not the way you want.” (Tafsir Qomi, Volume 1, p. 42)

In reality, accepting the guardianship (Wilayah) of the Imam means obedience to God.

The Status and Rank of Imamate:

The Imam as the Mediator of the Universe: In every era, there is an Imam, and the entire system of existence, including humans, animals, angels, and more, continues through the Imam.

Acceptance of the Guardianship of Imams as a Condition of Faith: God’s will is such that faith and the acceptance of Islam are dependent on the acknowledgment of the guardianship of the Imams. In verse 67 of Surah Al-Ma’idah, God says: “O Messenger, convey that which has been revealed to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not delivered His message.” This revelation refers to the leadership of Ali ibn Abi Talib, Amir al-Mu’minin.

The Identity-Giving Nature of Following the Guardianship: On the Day of Resurrection, every individual will be gathered with their Imam and recognized by the name of their Imam of the time. God states: “The Day We call every people with their Imam” (Surah Al-Isra, 71).

Guardianship Leads to Prosperity: The Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever dies without knowing their Imam of the time has died a death of ignorance.” (Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’mah)

The Imamate as the Basis for Measuring Actions: Our actions should align with the conduct of the Imam and bear the essence of their deeds.

The Higher Status of Imamate over Prophethood: Prophet Ibrahim, Khalil Allah, and one of the Ulul Azm prophets, was granted the rank of Imamate at the age of 99 after succeeding in divine tests: “And [recall] when Ibrahim was tried by his Lord with commands, and he fulfilled them. [Allah] said, ‘Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.'” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 124) Other prophets, like Prophet Dawood, Prophet Sulayman, and the Holy Prophet Muhammad, also attained the rank of Imamate.

The Imam is like the Kaaba: The Imam does not need our obedience; instead, we must move toward the Imam and draw closer to them. Lady Fatimah Zahra said: “The Prophet of God said: The example of the Imam is like the Kaaba, around which people circulate, but it does not circulate around anything.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 36, p. 353)

Unique Attributes of Some Imams: Although the Infallible Imams are one light and each acts according to the conditions of their time, some Imams possess unique attributes specific to them. For instance:

  • The title Amir al-Mu’minin is exclusive to Imam Ali.
  • The vast generosity and power of attraction are special to Imam Hussain.
  • The promised global just government belongs to Imam Mahdi.

The Status of Imam Mahdi:

Understanding Imamate has two stages. First, we must comprehend the rank and position of Imamate itself. Then, we proceed to know and recognize the Imam of our time. This means moving from understanding the significance of Imamate to understanding the personality of the current Imam:

  • In a narration, it is stated: “Indeed, the Imams from the progeny of Hussain are nine, and the ninth among them is their Qa’im (the one who rises), their manifest, their hidden, and the best among them.” (Al-Ghayba by al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 102)
  • Imam Hussain is the first Imam who will return during Raj’ah (the return). He will be among the companions of Imam Mahdi, and they will live together for some time.
  • All the requests that we have for other ImÄms (pbu th), [First] must be signed by ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr), and the final confirmation is made by ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr).
  • In a narration, Prophet Muḥammad (pbuh&h) stated His Excellency MahdÄ« (mgehr)’s virtues, ‘MahdÄ« (mgehr), is like peacock among settlers of the heaven’. (BiḥÄr al-AnwÄr, V.51, P. 105)

ImÄm Ḥusayn (pbuh) ‘s ImÄmate time was in 61 AH. We must get to know our ImÄm of time [ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr)], so not to get involved in deviant sects. Therefore, we must take the time to get to know ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr), and increase our knowledge and improve cognitions about His Majesty by reading books and listening to speeches. ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr), is our alive and present ImÄm. We ought to make a hearty relationship with him; though, His Majesty doesn’t need our affection. It’s we who need him.

The ways to love to ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr)

The ways to love ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr) are very easy. We will experience that these apparently easy affairs change our circumstances. After a while, it also causes us to easily avoid the temptation to sin:

  1.  Daily reading of the Quran (even one page) and presenting its oblation to ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr)’s Excellency.
  2. Presenting SalawÄt [peace be upon him and his family] to His Excellency.
  3. Pilgrimage on behalf of ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr). This has two advantages:
  4. First, our pilgrimage will be accepted. Second, the ImÄm (mgehr) will pilgrimage on behalf of us; since Ahl al Bayt (pbu th) never accept favors from others.
  5. Allocating a part of our monthly income (even one percent of it) to ImÄm ZamÄn (pbu th). This causes us not to bring HarÄm foods home, as a respect to ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr). Second, God will bless our whole income, due to that percentage.
  6. Daily speaking to His Excellency: Speak to ImÄm Zaman (mgehr) for at least five minutes (before sleeping, for example). And we would better report to him our daily activities.
  7. Ask forgiveness for sins that prevent us from The Emergence.
  8. Raise the Mahdaviiat flag, and make others familiar with ImÄm ZamÄn (mgehr).

 

Professor Raefipour’s speech, April 2019