Sunday 12 August 2012

Section 5: The 12th Imam, Q's 30-34

This section deals with the 12th Imam, Imam Mahdi (as) who Shias believe is the last of the 12 Holy Imams and descendent of the Holy Prophet. He is currently the hidden Imam, under Allah's (SWT) protection who we believe will one day return to earth to restore order in the world with Allah's guidance.

Q30: Who is Imam Mahdi (as)?

The Shia belief in the Mahdi (as) is not some unorthodox or unconventional belief. All of the three Abrahamic faiths, including Islam, believe in the concept of a messiah, or one who shall return. Shias are quite clear as to who this person is, whilst Sunnis have as yet, not defined who it will be.


However, looking through traditions in the Al-Kutub Al-Sittah‎ (the six authentic books of the Ahle Sunnah), there are a few which confirm who the messiah could be. Sunan Tirmidhi narrates that the Prophet said "The world will not come to pass until a man from among my family, whose name will be my name, rules over the Arabs."

Sunan Abu Dawood narrates: "Even if only a day remains for the Day of Judgement to come, yet Allah (SWT) will surely send a man from my family who will fill this world with such justice and fairness, just as it initially was filled with oppression."

Furthermore, in another narration it is even more specific: "The promised Mahdi will be among my progeny, among the descendants of Fatima." This is also reinforced by Sunan ibn Maajah: "The promised Mahdi will be among my family."

Ahle Sunnah scholars also narrate that not only will there be this Mahdi, but he will return with Prophet Isa (Jesus). It has been narrated that Prophet Isa will pray behind the Mahdi upon his return.

"Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: "A section of my people will not cease fighting for the Truth and will prevail till the Day of Resurrection." He said: "Jesus son of Mary would then descend and their (Muslims') commander would invite him to come and lead them in prayer, but he would say: No, some amongst you are commanders over some (amongst you). This is the honour from Allah for this Ummah." (Sahih Muslim, Book 1, No. 293)
The only real difference is that Shias believe that the Mahdi is already born, already alive but in occultation. Sunni Muslims believe the Mahdi is still to be born.

Q31: How can a small child become an Imam?

Shias are often criticised for believing in an Imam who was a young boy. Imam Mahdi (as) was a small child when his father, the 11th Imam, Hasan al-Askari (as) was martyred. The critics argue that such a young person would not be able to lead the Muslims and be an infallible guide for mankind.


For non-Shia Muslims, there should be no real surprise about such a belief. The Holy Quran clearly indicated how a child can be guided by God as was the case with Prophets Yayha (John the Baptist) & Isa.
"(We said:) "O John, hold fast to the Book;" and We gave him wisdom right from boyhood," (Surah 19, Verse 71)
Prophet Isa was a baby when he spoke from the cradle. Youth, childhood, even babyhood, is no barrier to receiving revelation or inspiration from Allah (SWT):
"O sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked person, nor your mother sinful!" But she pointed towards him. "How can we talk to one," they said, "who is only an infant in the cradle?" "I am a servant of God," he answered. "He has given me a Book and made me a prophet, And blessed me wherever I may be, and enjoined on me worship and zakat for as long as I live, And be dutiful to my mother. He has not made me haughty or rebellious. There was peace on me the day I was born, and will be the day I die, and on the day I will be raised from the dead."  This was Jesus, son of Mary: A true account they contend about." (Surah 19, Verses 28-34)
Q32: How can Imam Mahdi (as) still be alive today and be over 1,000 years old?

Again, we should turn to the Holy Quran which clearly states that Prophet Nuh (Noah) lived till he was almost 1,000 years old: 

"We sent Noah to his people, and he lived with them a thousand years minus fifty. Then they were caught by the deluge for they were evil." (Surah 29, Verse 14).
The Holy Quran also states that Prophet Isa didn't die but was raised into heaven. 
"And for saying: "We killed the Christ, Jesus, son of Mary, who was an apostle of God;" but they neither killed nor crucified him, though it so appeared to them. Those who disagree in the matter are only lost in doubt. They have no knowledge about it other than conjecture, for surely they did not kill him, But God raised him up (in position) and closer to Himself; and God is all-mighty and all-wise." (Surah 4, Verses 157-158)
Jesus is still alive and yet Sunnis doubt the Shias for believing Imam Mahdi (as) is alive - despite the fact that Jesus would have been already over 1,000 years old when the occultation of Imam Mahdi (as) began.

Then, of course, there is the Devil, Satan, who was born before Prophet Adam and is still with us - he is a Jinn who has not died. Are we then expected to believe that Allah (SWT) allows Satan to live as long as he likes but cannot prolong the life of his representative on earth, Imam Mahdi (as)?

Q33: How can Shias believe in an Imam you cannot see?

Just because you cannot see something, doesn't mean it cannot exist, otherwise how can we believe in the existence of Allah (SWT)? There are also the angels and jinns. All Muslims believe in angels that they cannot see like Jibraeel (Gabriel) who brought revelation to the Holy Prophet, or the angel of death. Then there's Satan who despite his invisibility, has the power to do us harm; to manipulate and trick us and whisper in our ears as described by Allah in Surah 114 of the Holy Quran.


Yet, when we Shias say we believe in a positive force, authorised by Allah (SWT), and that this force, this hidden Imam, is alive and available to Muslims as a spiritual (if not a physical) guide, we are accused of being crazy and irrational.

Q34: Why do Shias believe that the Holy Prophet and the Imams are infallible?

"I call to witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped That your companion is not confused, nor has he gone astray, Neither does he speak of his own will. This is only revelation communicated, Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect." (Surah 53, Verses 1-5)

The Holy Quran makes it quite clear that the Holy Prophet doesn't speak out of his own desire, Allah (SWT) is vouching for him and who are we to say or believe otherwise? Some Sunni scholars argue that the Holy Prophet was only infallible in religious issues and that in private he made mistakes. Some say he forgot to pray on time or perform correct wudhu. If that was the case, how could we know that the Holy Prophet was giving us correct information if he was an ordinary fallible man? Today, how can we be sure that Fajr is two units not three units? If the Holy Prophet was fallible, maybe he made a mistake or misremembered when communicating the number of rakaats to his companions. The truth is that infallibility goes hand-in-hand with prophethood and with all forms of divinely-inspired religious leadership and guidance.

However, the Holy Quran also mentions other people, besides the Holy Prophet, who are also infallible. Satan is quoted as saying:
"He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected." [Allah] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved, Until the Day of the time well-known." [Iblees] said, "My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all. Except, among them, Your chosen servants."" (Surah 15, Verses 36-40)
Who are the "chosen servants?" Jalaluddin al-Suyuti in his book Dur al-Manthur, after the revelation of Verse 33 of Surah 33 - Ayat of Tathir, states that according to the companion and cousin of the Holy Prophet, Abdullah ibn Abbas: "The Messenger of Allah recited Ayat of Tathir and then said: "Thus Me and my Ahlul Bayt are clear from sins."

There are people other than the Holy Prophet who are infallible and sinless. We believe them to be the 12 Holy Imams and Bibi Fatima (as). That concludes this particular section and I'll next be moving on to discuss the Holy Quran and Prayer (Namaaz) inshallah.

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