In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful
The invaluable legacy of the Household [Ahl al-Bayt] of the Prophet (may peace be upon them all), as preserved by their followers, is a comprehensive school of thought that embraces all branches of Islamic knowledge. This school has produced many brilliant scholars who have drawn inspiration from this rich and pure resource. It has given many scholars to the Muslim ummah who, following in the footsteps of Ima-ms of the Prophet’s Household (‘a), have done their best to clear up the doubts raised by various creeds and currents within and without Muslim society and to answer their questions. Throughout the past centuries, they have given well-reasoned answers and clarifications concerning these questions and doubts.
To meet the responsibilities assigned to it, the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly (ABWA) has embarked on a defence of the sanctity of the Islamic message and its verities, often obscured by the partisans of various sects and creeds as well as by currents hostile to Islam. The Assembly follows in the footsteps of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) and the disciples of their school of thought in its readiness to confront these challenges and tries to be on the frontline in consonance with the demands of every age.
The arguments contained in the works of the scholars belonging to the School of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) are of unique significance. That is because they are based on genuine scholarship and appeal to reason, and avoid prejudice and bias. These arguments address scholars and thinkers in a manner that appeals to healthy minds and wholesome human nature.
To assist the seekers of truth, the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly has endeavored to present a new phase of these arguments contained in the studies and translations of the works of contemporary Shi-‘ah writers and those who have embraced this sublime school of thought through divine blessing.
The Assembly is also engaged in edition and publication of the valuable works of leading Shi-‘ah scholars of earlier ages to assist the seekers of the truth in discovering the truths which the School of the Prophet’s Household (‘a) has offered to the entire world.
The Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly looks forward to benefit from the opinions of the readers and their suggestions and constructive criticism in this area.
We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the genuine Islamic teachings as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (s.).
We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and to enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Ima-m al-Mahdi-, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).
We express our gratitude to Hujjat al-Isla-m wa’l-Muslimi-n Shaykh Najmuddi-n T.abasi-, the author of the present book,[1] and Mansoor Limba, its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office. /
Cultural Affairs Department
Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly
Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly
Preface
In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful
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All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may the blessings of Allah be upon our Master and Prophet, Muh.ammad, and his pure progeny, and may the curse of Allah be upon all their enemies.
The region of Shu-sh[2] had been then newly liberated from the clutches of the infidel Ba‘athist forces and the people were gradually returning to the town. At that time, I had the honor to be in the presence of a group of the dear combatants. Given that opportunity, I delivered a series of lectures at the central mosque of that historical city on the topic of the Ima-m of the Time (‘atfs)[3] based on the book Bih.a-r al-Anwa-r compiled by ‘Alla-mah Majlisi-.
At that moment, my attention was drawn to the point that concerning the Ima-m of the Time (‘atfs), notwithstanding the diverse discussions being raised such as the secret behind longevity, the philosophy of occultation [ghaybah], factors leading to the advent and the like, no sufficient research and worthy investigation had been made on the manner of his uprising, system of government and method of rule. As such, I decided to conduct a research on this subject; perhaps, I could offer answers to the questions that everybody, more or less, would pose.
One of the questions that occupy the mind of many people is this: How will the Ima-m (‘atfs) eliminate the various political systems—having different views and capabilities—and establish a unified global system?
How will his administrative system and program operate in which there will be no oppression and tyranny, corruption, and starvation in the world?
This idea prompted me to conduct intensive research and study for four years, and the result of such an endeavor is the book, which is hereby presented to you, dear reader.
In the first part of this book, the state of affairs in the world prior to the advent of the Ima-m (‘atfs)—which is replete with war and killing, destruction and famine, death and disease, tyranny and oppression, and insecurity and aggression—is examined. It is concluded that the people at that time will be in despair with respect to the various doctrines, schools and governments each of which will claim to be the proponent of human rights, happiness and salvation; they will lose hope as to the improvement of the undesirable conditions in the world, and will expect a reformer to come to give them salvation.
The second part of the book deals with the manner of the global uprising and revolution of H?ad?rat[4] Mahdi- (‘atfs); a movement that will start by his declaration at the vicinity of the Ka‘bah in Mecca. His true followers and companions throughout the world will join him. The central command headquarters will be formed; the army organized; commanders appointed; and extensive operations conducted.
Ima-m Mahdi- (‘atfs) will appear and engage in uprooting tyranny and oppression in society. This society is not confined to the land of Hija-z,[5] the Middle East and Asia; instead, it is global in scope.
Reformation of such a society full of injustice and corruption is indeed not an easy job, and the claimant reformer—the true claimant—would claim a great miracle and this miracle will be shown by him.
The third part of the book touches on the government of the Last Ima-m (‘a). In a bid to rule the world freed from tyranny and corruption as well as to realize the sovereignty of Islam, he will establish a powerful and efficient government through the assistance of his capable companions at his time and the great personalities from among the pious predecessors such as Hadrat ‘I-sa- (Jesus the Messiah) (‘a), Salma-n al-Fa-rsi-, Ma-lik al-Ashtar, S.a-lih. (‘a), etc. Albeit, their roles in overthrowing tyrannical governments cannot be dismissed, their main roles will be in the reconstruction and reformation of the world under the aegis of the universal government of H?ad?rat Mahdi- (‘atfs).
In this preface, what is worth-mentioning, though briefly, is that the present book is made possible by utilizing tens of books—both Sunni- and Shi-‘ah—and studying hundreds of h?adi-ths in a detailed and well-documented manner.
It is hoped that this book, which is an overview—though an inadequate one—of the Islamic society after the advent of the justice-spreader of Muh?ammad’s (s.)[6] Progeny, would be accepted by the Ima-m of the Time (‘atfs), be beneficial to all Muslims who are truly awaiting him throughout the world, and make them ready in paving the ground for his advent.
I beseech God, the Exalted, for the eminent religious authority Ima-m Khomeini- (r)[7] who showed us a manifestation of the government of Mahdi- (‘atfs) in Iran, to join the company of the prophets and the Ima-ms (‘a); for the success of those serving the Ahl al-Bayt[8] (‘a) and the country of the Ahl al-Bayt, and succor in safeguarding this prototype of the ideal community of Islam. At this juncture, it is necessary to mention some points:
1. I do not claim to have presented a new subject in this book as the h?adi-ths mentioned therein have been compiled by the ‘ulama-’ in the past; they have also made conclusions on some cases. The peculiarity of this book, however, lies in trying to present the subjects in a new and simple fashion understandable to laymen and free from technical terms and religious controversies.
2. The interpretations made on quoted h?adi-ths and in places where there are no references indicated are those of the author. As such, through more meticulousness and further research and collation of the h?adi-ths, other subjects can possibly be presented.
3. I also do not claim that all the h?adi-ths quoted in this book are authentic [s.ah.i-h.] and flawless. It has been tried, instead, to quote those that have been regarded by the scholars of h?adi-th [muh.addithi-n] and authors as reliable. Similarly, in some cases, no discussion about the chain of transmitters [sanad] of the h?adi-ths has been undertaken as I have not been in a position to posit or negate them. In many cases, meanwhile, through a brief tawa-tur[9] we will find the issuance of authority of the h?adi-th especially those that are traceable from the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a).
4. The h?adi-ths in this book have been compiled prior to the writing and compilation of the book, Mu‘jam Ah.adi-th al-Ima-m al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) [An Anthology of Traditions on Ima-m Mahdi-].[10] Therefore, those who are interested to conduct further research on this matter are advised to refer to that book which, thanks to God, I was able to compile, write and publish.
5. In so many h?adi-ths the words “as-sa-‘ah” [the time] and “al-qiya-mah” [the uprising] have been interpreted as the advent [z.uhu-r] of H?ad?rat Mahdi- (‘atfs). Thus, the h?adi-ths that indicate the conditions or signs of the “time” and the “uprising” have been presented in this book as the signs of the “advent”.
6. Some topics of this book require further research notwithstanding the fact that I have tried to explain them. It is hoped that through the help of God, we could publish subsequent editions of this book with further research.
In the end, as the saying goes, “He who does not extend gratitude to the people does not extend gratitude to the Creator,” I have to express my thanks and appreciation to my brothers and friends especially to my two esteemed brothers, H?ujjat al-Isla-m Muh?ammad Jawa-d and H?ujjat al-Isla-m Muh?ammad Ja‘far T.abasi- for their guidance, and to H?ujjat al-Isla-m ‘Ali- Rafi-‘i- and H?ujjat al-Isla-m Sayyid Muh?ammad H?usayni- Sha-hru-di- for rewriting and arranging the topics of this book. ?
Najmuddi-n T.abasi-
Qum, 1373 AHS
Qum, 1373 AHS