Iblis really observes the movements in this world. He observes the steps that believers go through to attend in the Emergence Era; It’s not like he is not aware of what’s happening in this world.
I have said many times that no philosopher or scholar has as much knowledge as Iblis. I don’t mean from the faith perspective, because Iblis has no faith. But his information is very extensive. Moreover, as it is interpreted from the state of Amir al-Mu’minin (pbuh) in the sermon 192 of Nahj al-BalÄghah, he [Iblis] has observed, witnessed, and has been the companion of angels for six thousand years in the Unseen World, the realm of MalakÅ«t1, and in the upper world. He observed, experienced, accompanied angels; He knows when the crucial moments are, and observes the world. He has news and information. He has armies and soldiers, and he is not joking.
He is seriously busy with numerous plans in the world. He is working indefatigable. Well, he is also aware of what has happened in Iran (the Islamic revolution in 1979). Also, he is aware of all these matters; where that revolution with such a global capacity has aimed at?
If believers want to reach the Emergence, they have to go through certain steps. They have to grow gradually and step by step to reach the Emergence. It is normal; the Emergence is a period of human perfection. That is a period for an individual to reach perfection. It demonstrates human capacities.
The Emergence is the era of rationality, spirituality and ethics, security, justice, and regulation; the divine and firm regulation. See, the Emergence era is such a time. When it is called “The era of rationalityâ€. It means, the period when concupiscence and fancy do not rule anymore; rather, the rationality prevails over them.
By “the era of ethics and spiritualityâ€, it means, it is not an era of immorality. Moreover, by “the era of justice†we refer to the era when oppression will be removed; at least social oppression and widespread oppression. Well, you see, the Emergence is such an era. [But] each individual needs to be patient to live in that era.
It is not like, that the humanity can directly enter The Era. No, he must grow step by step to reach a maturity to be able to be patient* for the emergence, to be able to tolerate rationality, justice, and governorship.
These are easy to say, but not easy to bear. It is easy to talk about justice, but not easy to endure [difficulties of] justice. Likewise, it is easy to talk about rules, but when the time comes to follow the rules, people usually beak it. So, at least Shiites, as the front circle of companions of ImÄm ZamÄn (mGehr), must be patient until the Emergence happen.
There should be at least an era for the Shiites in which, they practice WilÄya obedience, and submission to WilÄya, and not doubt him in skepticism; rather, admit him. They must practice tolerating the hardship of rules, WilÄya, and justice. As I said before, these are easy to say, but hard to do.
In his book, “Sharḥ Nahj al-BalÄghahâ€, Ibn Abi l-ḤadÄ«d; as well as, the author of the book “Al-GhÄrÄtâ€, both narrated that:
Once Amir al-Mu’minin (pbuh) was sitting with Malik al-Ashtar. His Majesty opened his heart to him, stating, ‘Malik! Why do some people desert our government and run toward MuÊ¿Äwiyah?’
1-It is the kingdom of heaven and earth.
*It refers to being patient to endure the troubles of The Last Era till they can experience the emergence.
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