Imam Mahdi (AJ) says: 

“We are not negligent of your affairs and are not forgetful of your remembrance. Had it been so, then terrible calamities would have struck you and your enemies would have destroyed you. Fear Allah, strengthen your hands, so that we may relieve you of the tribulations that have afflicted you.” (Beharul-Anwar, Vol.53, Chap.21)

Such love, kindness, affection and fondness are not found even in the parents, let alone anyone else. After seeing so much kindness and compassion, whose heart will not be moved for action? Whose eyes will not shed tears at the separation from such an Imam, while his love is glowing in his heart? When we see such magnanimity we yearn to place our forehead at his feet. But the burdens of sins benumbed our agility and the clutches of bad character retarded our steps.

The main reason of being deprived from his esteemed presence, as explained by Imam (AJ) himself is that: 

“It is our Shias (May God give them the grace of obedience) would have fulfilled their covenants with united hearts then surely there would have been no delay in our meeting and they would have received the blessings of our visitation. But the things which increased the distance between us are that news, which we have received about them regarding those actions which we dislike and which we do not expect from them.” (Beharul-Anwar, Vol.53, Chap.21)

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), it is a good opportunity to have a glance at him through verses of the Holy Quran and Traditions received from Holy Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) and his infallible Household.  

A)    IMPORTANCE OF SUBJECT:

1. Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: “Whoever dies without recognizing the Imam of his time dies the death of ignorance?”

It clearly indicates that cognition of infallible Imam (Divine Leader) is compulsory for each and everyone.

2. Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) is reported to have said: 

“There will be twelve Caliphs and successors after me. Verily the proofs of God on the creatures are twelve. Of them first will be my brother and last of them will be my son.”

They asked: “Which of your brothers and which son?” he replied: “My brother Ali, son of Abi-Talib. My son Mahdi, the one who will fill the world with justice and equity in this world as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression.”  (Faraaedus-Simtain, Vol.2, Page 226)

3. Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h): 

“Even if a single day will remain from the eve of doomsday, God, the Almighty will prolong that day to such an extent till He raises a man from my Ahle-Bait (AS) (progeny).”

B)    Who is Mahdi (AS)?

After clarifying that cognition of Imam is a must and there will be twelve successors after the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), now it s better to know him as it is found in Islamic Traditions.

According to many authentic documents available in Islamic Sources, following identification has been found for Imam Mahdi (AJ)

Name: Mohammad

Agnomen: Abul Qasem

Title: Mahdi, Qeam, Montazar and Hujjah.

Birth: Friday, fifteenth of Shaban 255 (A.H)

Father: Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS)

Mother: Nargis Khatoon

Commencement of minor occultation and Imamate: 260 (A.H)

Commencement of major occultation: 329 (A.H)

Similarity with Prophet Noah (AS): Longevity

Similarity with Prophet Moses (AS): Concealed birth

Similarity with Prophet Job (AS): Patience

Similarity with Prophet Jesus Christ: Brilliance

Place of reappearance: the Holy Kaaba

Time of reappearance: None knows except God

C)    Awaiting In the Perspective of Responsibility

Awaiting (Intezar) is result of two conditions. Firstly, he is not satisfied with the present situation and secondly, he expects the improvement in his circumstances. If either of these conditions are not fulfilled, then it is not awaiting and the person concerned is not awaiter (Muntazar) [In Islamic terminology, awaiter is equal to expectant].

The awaiting of Imam Mahdi (AJ) also holds the same distances characteristics. Even here awaiting purports that awaiter is not satisfied with his present circumstances and is hoping for a bright and better future.

The believer is a witness to the assault of the enemies of Islam which they are inflicting on Islam with their full might and munitions. The genuineness of beliefs and deeds are not judged as per the criterion set by the Holy Quran and Traditions. Instead, they are examined through the clannish prejudice and norms set by cumstances, a genuine awaiter should not sit idle. Rather, the Holy Quran has instructed him in these words.

 “And say to those who do not believe that you act as much as you can. We are also trying. You all await and surely we all are waiting.” (Holy Quran Chap. Hud: 122)

It is open challenge for the enemies that let them make their best efforts. In the light of this challenge, can anyone say that awaiting implies sitting idle and remaining obvious? Or awaiting means to remain always alert and defeat enemies on every front.

Of course, it necessitates that a believer should never exult on his strength but should always rely on God. Because reliance on God, gives victory to weaklings over their stronger adversaries.

   Imam Sadeq (AS), Sixth Imam of the Infallible Household of Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) said: “The one who desires to be among the companions of Hazrat Qaem (AJ), then he must wait, adopt piety and behave courteously. If he dies in such a condition before the advent of Qaem (AJ), then his reward will be similar to the one who attains his Qaem’s (AS) era. Hence strive vigorously, await his arrival, congratulations to you all for you relentless awaiting.” (Ghaibat-e- Nemani, Chap.11, Tradition No.16)

    He is the true awaiter who always seeks to please his Imam (AJ). His every effort is directed at achieving the invaluable pleasure of Imam (AJ) and it is but evidence the pleasure of Imam is in abiding by the tenets of Islam and not in its sacrilege.

Out of many responsibilities which a true awaiter has to reserve for himself, is to build his character. Character building implies following the tenets of Islam, developing good traits and purifies his self in such a way that every aspect of his personality should reflect the teachings of progeny of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h). Often the friends and helpers of Imam Mahdi (AJ) are described with such superlatives:  “Those who will believe in hidden Imam, they are the most pious ones and their faith is of the highest degree. They will establish prayers and spend generously in the way of God. They believe firmly in the Holy Quran and other divine scriptures and they are certain of the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamat).” (Tafsir-Nurus-Saqlain, Vol.1, Chap, Baqareh)

“They are obedient, sincere, honorable, good doers, patient, devout, helpers of the oppressed, cordial and pure hearted.” (Kamaluddin, Chap.43, Tradition No.19)

“Their hearts are of steal. If they cast a glance at an iron mountain, it will crumble and reduce to bits.” (Ilzamu-Naaseb, Vol.1, Page 67)

 “They will be braver than lions and sharper than spears.” (Beharul-Anwar, Vol.52, Chap.27, Tradition No.17)

 “They will worship at night” (Muntakhabul-Asar, Section 9, Chap.3, Tradition No.1)

 “In the period of occultation, they will hold religious convictions and will not allow the devil to meddle with their faith."(Kamaluddin, Page 51)

These excerpts were extracted from various traditions which clarify that in the period of major occultation, one of our pivotal responsibilities is to absorb the teaching of progeny of Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) in our character and personality so that we may not wander hither and thither while our beloved Imam (AJ) is far from our eyes.

It is a proven fact that as much as a man holds Imam (AJ) dearer that much he will be attracted towards good deeds and demeananse. And he will cleanse his self from bad habits and vices. Numerous such incidents can be found in the books, stories of those rolex replica persons, particularly youths who felt the love of Imam (AJ) in their hearts which changed their entire lives. Undoubtedly, love is such an elixir by which every impossible is made possible.

Let’s end this with address to our beloved, expected infallible Imam Mahdi (AJ) as such:

“O, Master, be a witness I pledge to thee even if your occultation is prolonged to such an extent that my life is on the verge of exhaustion. Still my certitude will enhance every moment. Your love will keep on increasing manifold. With the increment in my trust in you. I will keep waiting for you unswervingly and I shall be waiting for (your) call of Jihad (Holy War) relentlessly.

May my life, my wealth, my children, my family and whatever God has conferred upon me, be sacrificed for you and I leave them in your authority.” “(Supplication to Imam Mahdi (AJ)”

So it becomes clear that after this short explanation that a true awaiter never becomes tired of waiting for Imam. He keeps on exerting continuously instead of being a silent spectator.

And Humbly, along with those true awaiting believers lets’ recite a part of Nudbeh supplication:

“O’Allah, set a relationship between us and him,[Imam Mahdi (AJ)] that grants us the honor of the company of his ancestors. And let us be of those who seek their company and reside in their shelter. And help us in fulfilling our dues to him and in striving hand to his obedience and to avoid disobeying him. And grant us his pleasure and bestow on us his affection and his compassion and his supplication and his goodness. Whereby, through him we may receive the vastness of our mercy and success with you.”

By A.R. Ghavidel