Story No. 490 – Imam al-Mahdi (as): How he guide us? [Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili]

There was a pious man called Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili who was traveling through the desert with a caravan of people, when he got lost.

Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili searched and searched for the caravan but could not find them. It became dark as night set in. He was all alone in the hot desert, tired, hungry and frightened.

He was about to give up and prepare himself for death when he suddenly saw some water. He went to the water, drank some and then did wudhu (ablution) and offered his Salaat (prayer).

After his Salaat he did not have any more strength and lay there waiting for death.

All of a sudden he saw a person riding a horse getting closer and closer to him.

When the horse rider reached Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili he said Salaam to him and asked him what the matter was. Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili explained that he had lost his caravan and was hungry.

Horse rider asked him why he did not eat the melons that were lying beside him. Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili asked the rider not to make fun of him as he had searched all over for food.

Horse rider said he was not joking, and ask to look behind him. Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili looked and there were three melons.

Horse rider then told him to eat one of them and to take the other two with him and pointed out the direction he was to go in. He also told Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili that at about sunset he would reach a tent and from there he would be guided to his caravan.

Then Horse rider disappeared. Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili says that was when he realized that it was our 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as).

Syed Muhammad Jabal Amili did as he was told and sure enough the next day at sunset he reached the tent and was directed to his caravan.

Conclusion: Although we cannot see our 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as), but he can see us and knows when we are in need of his help and comes to help us

Story No. 489 – Imam al-Mahdi (as) Children Stories: How he guide us? [Mujtahid Allama Majlisi (a.r.)]

There have been many examples in history, where 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as) has guided and helped his followers:

There once lived a great Mujtahid (Muslim Jurist) named Allama Majlisi (a.r.). Once this Mujtahid was asked what to do with the body of a pregnant woman who had died. Should the dead woman be buried as she was or should she be cut open and the child removed, then the woman buried?

Allama Majlisi (a.r.) decided that the woman should be buried as she was, with the child.

When the people were carrying the coffin to the grave, a horseman appeared and said that Allama Majlisi (a.r.) had decided that the baby should be removed, and this was done.

A few years later Allama Majlisi (a.r.) was visited by a man with a small child. The man told Allama Majlisi (a.r.) that this was the same child that had been cut from his mother after Allama Majlisi (a.r.) had sent the horseman telling the people that he had changed his instructions.

Horseman immediately realized that the horseman must have been Imam al-Mahdi (as) who had come to his help, preventing him making a grave mistake.

From that day Allama Majlisi (a.r.) stayed in his house refusing to give anymore advice to the people, in case he made another mistake. In a few days he received a letter from Imam al-Mahdi (as) telling him that he should not worry and should continue to guide the people. If by any chance he made a mistake, Imam al-Mahdi (as) would come to his help and solve the problem.

The duties of each and every Muslim in the time of Ghaibat-e-Kubra (Major Occultaion) is:

  1. To be the caretakers of Islam.
  2. To pray for the safety of 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as) and give Sadaqah for his safety.
  3. Ask Allah (SWT) to make 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as) appearance soon, so that he may come and fill the world with truth and peace.
  4. Whenever the name of 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as) is said, you should stand, placing your right hand on your head and bow your head. You should also recite Salawaat after his name.

Conclusion: Holy Prophet Muhammed (saw) has said that if someone dies without knowing the Imam (as) of his time, his death is that of an unbeliever. We must therefore carry out our duties to our 12th Imam, Imam al-Mahdi (as) who is still alive and in Ghaibat (concealment).

Story No. 488 – Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) and Hazrat Ibrahim / Abraham (a.s.) [Occultation (Ghaibat) of past prophets]

Dear children,

It is now more than 1,170 years since our beloved Imam – Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) has gone into major occultation (Ghaibat-e-Kubra). Ghaibat of Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) is an examination for us. This is because we cannot meet our beloved Imam like the Shias of the earlier times. We can speak to our friends and even our foes, but we cannot speak to Imam (a.t.f.s.). That is why Ghaibat is a difficulty for us, we should pray to Allah (SWT) to remove this calamity with Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) earliest reappearance.

As we must be aware, this book Kamaaluddin was written by the great scholar Sheikh Saduq (a.r.) on the orders of Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) himself. Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) commanded Sheikh Saduq (a.r.) to record the Ghaibat of the previous prophets (a.s.) in the book. In this way Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) wanted the people to know that Ghaibat was a common trait of the previous prophets (a.s.).

Here we shall discuss the Ghaibat of one of Allah’s greatest prophets. This prophet is among the five Ulul Azm prophets. He even has a Surah of Noble Quran named after him. Can you guess his name?

He is Hazrat Ibrahim / Abraham (a.s.), for whom the fire was made cool by Allah (SWT). He was Khalilullah as he was always seeking help only and only from Allah (SWT). However, before Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) could reach that stage he had to remain in Ghaibat for a long period of time due to the evil king of his time Namrood.

Namrood was a wicked king who claimed to be god. He was very powerful and ruled over the entire world. Everyone was afraid of him and did not dare oppose him. Namrood led a very comfortable life without anyone to challenge him. This was until he was informed by a learned person in his kingdom about the birth of a child who would challenge him and finally overcome him. This made Namrood very nervous and he made immediate plans to prevent the birth of the child.

Namrood ordered his men to hunt down infants and small children in his kingdom and kill them all. His men did as they were commanded and began killing all the infants and children in Namrood’s kingdom. Thousands of infants were killed because of Namrood’s fear of that one infant who would finally overcome him.

Yet, Allah (SWT) the Almighty protects whosoever He wants and as a result, Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was born despite such difficulties. But it was dangerous for his mother to keep Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) in the house as Namrood’s men could come anytime to check upon her. So she took him to a cave at some distance from the city and left him there. In this way Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was all alone in the cave with no one to care for him.

Although apparently Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was lonely and helpless in the cave, he wasn’t exactly abandoned. Allah, the Almighty, is not One to desert His special friends in difficulty. So while Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was in the cave hungry and thirsty, Allah (SWT) arranged food for him in a most amazing manner. The food came in the form of milk from Hazrat Ibrahim’s (a.s.) thumb. Yes! Allah caused milk to flow from Hazrat Ibrahim’s (a.s.) thumb. When a servant relies only on Allah for help, then He never disappoints him.

In the cave, Allah (SWT) caused Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) to grow very fast. So much so that he grew in a day how much other children would grow in a week and he grew in a week how much other children grew in a month and he grew in a month how much other children grew in a year! One day, his mother visited the cave, expecting to see him dead. When she saw a big, handsome, healthy boy she was very surprised and embraced him. She then visited him regularly in the cave. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) remained in Ghaibat inside the cave, away from the people, for quite some time. His Ghaibat ended when he was big enough for people to consider him as a youth than a boy.

Dear children, this was the interesting incident of Hazrat Ibrahim’s (a.s.) Ghaibat. We learn some very important lessons from it:

1. Ghaibat was common among the previous prophets and Allah (SWT) kept even the Ulul Azm prophets in Ghaibat to protect them from evil kings. So if Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) is in Ghaibat it is not something strange and unbelievable.

2. Allah, the Almighty, never abandons His servants in difficulty. First He helped Hazrat Ibrahim’s (a.s.) mother from Namrood’s men and then He helped Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) himself while he was all alone inside the cave.

3. Allah, the Almighty, is aware of His servants’ needs, like He was aware of Hazrat Ibrahim’s (a.s.) hunger. Therefore, whenever we have any need we should turn only to Allah (SWT) and He will help us, no matter how great our problem may be.

4. The evil kings try their best to harm Allah’s Hujjat, but Allah (SWT) protects them from all evil, while the kings are unaware of it.

5. Ghaibat is a great difficulty for Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) and for us and we should pray for Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) safety and earliest reappearance.

Story No. 487 – Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) and Hazrat Dawood / David (a.s.) [Occultation (Ghaibat) of past prophets]

Dear Children,

It is now more than 1,170 years since our beloved Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) went into Ghaibat (occultation). The Shias are unable to contact him like the Shias of the previous era used to meet their Imams (a.s.). Today we face so many problems. If only our beloved Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) was with us, in front of us, he would solve all our problems. That is why we should pray to Allah (SWT) for the earliest reappearance of Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.).

Kamaluddin is the book written by Sheikh Saduq (a.r.) on the command of Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) himself. In this book Sheikh Saduq (a.r.) has recorded several incidents of the past Prophets (a.s.) and their similarities with Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.).

Hazrat Dawood / David (a.s.) was a prophet of Allah (SWT). He behaved very nicely with people and was a very brave man. One day he took his flock of sheep for grazing. Suddenly one lion came and took away one of the sheep. Hazrat Dawood / David (a.s.) chased that lion and captured him. He opened the mouth of the lion and recovered the sheep.

Allah (SWT) revealed a book to Hazrat Dawood / David (a.s.) called ‘Zaboor (Book of Psalms)’. It contains many Duas (supplications). When Hazrat Dawood /David (a.s.) used to pray and glorify Allah (SWT), mountains and birds would join him. He was so strong that Allah (SWT) made iron melt in his hands.

At the time of Hazrat Dawood / David (a.s.) there was an evil king named Jalut (Goliath). Hazrat Dawood / David (a.s.) used to live in another city which was ruled by Talut (Saul). Once there was a war between Talut and Jalut. The army of Talut was very afraid of Jalut and his forces. The brothers and father of Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) once went to fight against Jalut. He (a.s.) said, “I will not go to fight Jalut because he cannot fight against me.” His father and brothers laughed at him and went to the battlefield.

After some time, the food in Talut’s army was over. Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) was asked by his father to carry some food for the army. On his way to the battlefield, Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) passed by a stone. Suddenly the stone started speaking with Allah’s permission,

‘O Dawood, pick me up and kill Jalut with me. Allah (SWT) has created me so that you can kill Jalut with me.’ Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) picked up the stone and went to the battlefield.

On reaching the battlefield Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) was surprised to see that Talut’s army was afraid of Jalut and were trying their best to kill him.

Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) said, ‘Why are you so afraid of Jalut? By Allah (SWT), if I see Jalut I will kill him.’

The people reported this to the king Talut. Talut called Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) and asked him, ‘Why do you think that you are so brave that you can kill Jalut?’ Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) said, ‘One day a lion came and took away one of my sheep in his mouth. I chased the lion, caught him, opened his mouth and recovered the sheep. I have done this many times.’ Allah (SWT) revealed to Talut that the person on whom your armour fits will kill Jalut.

When Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) wore that armor it fitted him perfectly. The king and the people were surprised. Talut said, ‘I hope Allah kills Jalut through Hazrat Dawood (a.s.).’

Next day the war started. Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) saw Jalut in the battlefield. He removed the stone from his pocket and aimed it at Jalut. The stone hit Jalut between the eyes. It cut his head and pierced the brain. He died instantly.

People started shouting joyously, ‘Dawood has killed Jalut’. Soon they made Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) their king.

Dear Children, our beloved Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) has some similarities with Hazrat Dawood (a.s.). Our Imam (a.t.f.s.) will have a standard (Alam).

Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) will carry this standard everywhere. Just like the stone spoke to Hazrat Dawood (a.s.), the standard will announce, ‘O friends of Allah, kill the enemies of Allah!’

Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) will also carry a sword. When the time of his reappearance will draw near, Imam Mahdi’s (a.t.f.s.) sword will begin speaking by Allah’s permission. It will urge Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.), ‘O Allah’s Caliph, rise and fight against the enemies of Allah.’ Then Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) will reappear and fill the world with justice and equity.

We should always pray to Allah (SWT) to hasten the reappearance of Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.). We should pray that Imam (a.t.f.s.) comes soon and establishes a divine government just like Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) became the just ruler over the people.

Story No. 486 – Similarity between Hazrat Mehdi (a.s.) and previous Prophets (a.s.)

Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Al-Mahdi is from my progeny. His name is the same as my name. And his kuniyat is the same as my kuniyat. In his physique and character he looks exactly like me. He will be in a state of occultation and there will be confusion (Hayra) in which people will wander about (deviate). Then he will come forth like a sharpy shooting star to fill the earth will justice and equity as it was filled before with injustice and inequity.”

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (a.s.) said, “Certainly in the Qaem of the Progeny of Muhammad (saw) is the similarity to five prophets, Yunus bin Mati, Yusuf bin Yaqoob, Musa, Isa and Muhammad, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.”

Thus, his similarity to Yunus bin Mati (Jonah) is his reappearance after Ghaibat. He looked like a young man in spite of his advanced age.

And, his similarity with Yusuf bin Yaqoob (Joseph) is his Ghaibat (occultation) when he was away from the sight of the general, as well as the special people; due to the fear of his brothers.

His affair was hidden from his father and in such a condition when there was no distance between his father and family and his friends.

And his similarity with Musa (Moses) is persistent fear, and his prolonged Ghaibat and a secret birth, and his return by the permission of Allah (SWT), and his assistance by the people in subduing of the enemy.

And his similarity to Isa (Jesus) is the controversy among the people with regard to him. A group of them says; ‘He is not yet born.’ Another group says, ‘He is dead’ and some say: ‘He was killed and crucified.’

And his similarity with his own grandfather, Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, is his advent with the sword. He shall slay the enemies of Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and the unjust, and the tyrants.”

Imam Sajjad (a.s.) said, “In the Qaem is a similarity to Nuh (Noah) and that is his long life.”

Story No. 486 – How a five year old boy can become the Imam of the mankind?

Some question that how Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj), the 12th Imam of the Shias, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj), who was a five year old boy when his father Imam Hassan Al-Askari (as) passed away, can become the Imam of mankind? Is it possible?

First, we must question whether or not in the history of religion, the phenomenon of young leaders has a parallel. Undoubtedly, there is. Noble Quran strikes a number of examples which are worthy of mentioning:

We have the example of Hazrat Isa/Jesus (as) who became prophet and spoke to people when he was a baby in the cradle:

“But she pointed to the baby. They said: ‘How can we talk to one who is a CHILD in the cradle?’ He said: ‘I am indeed a servant of Allah. He HAS GIVEN me Scripture and ASSIGNED me a prophet, and He has made me blessed wherever I be, and has enjoined on me Prayer and Zakat as long as I live.'” (Noble Quran, 19:29-31)

Thus Hazrat Isa/Jesus (as) became prophet and received revelation and Book while he was less than two years old!

Furthermore, in few verses before, Noble Quran mentions the case of Prophet Yahya (John), to whom Allah (SWT) said:

“‘O Yahya! Take hold of the Book with might,’ And We gave him the appointment (of prophethood) in his CHILDHOOD.” (Noble Quran 19:12)

So if a two-year old boy can become a prophet and receives revelation and Scripture, then why cannot a five-year old boy become an Imam?

The third example is Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) who was appointed by Allah (SWT) the heir of his father, Prophet Dawud (David), and became the king of his community while he had not reached the age of puberty.

Have you ever heard of prodigies? They are kids between the ages of four to 18 that exhibit signs of exceptional skills that are usually found in highly qualified adults only. Here are some examples from the modern history:

John Stuart Mill (1806-73), a 19th-century English philosopher and economist, advocated utilitarian reforms in his many writings and as member of Parliament. A child prodigy, Mill had mastered Greek by the age of 7 and studied economics at the age of 13. His works express his social thought with great clarity and thoroughness. (The Bettmann Archive)

The French thinker, mathematician, and scientist Blaise Pascal (1623-62) has been credited not only with imaginative and subtle work in geometry and other branches of mathematics, but with profoundly influencing later generations of theologians and philosophers. A prodigy in mathematics, Pascal had mastered Euclid’s Elements by the age of 12. Pascal invented and sold the first calculating machine (1645).

Wolfgang was the greatest musical child prodigy who ever lived. He began composing minuets at the age of 5 and symphonies at 9.

Beethoven’s own talent was such that at the age of 12 he was already an assistant to the organist Christian Gottlob Neefe, with whom he studied.

Sarah Caldwell, born Maryville, Mo., Mar. 6, 1924, is a conductor and producer. A child prodigy in both mathematics and music, before reaching the age of ten.

While not exhaustive, the list serves the purpose of demonstrating that this phenomenon occurs naturally among normal human beings from all walks of life. Therefore, scientifically speaking, it is quite possible that a child demonstrates abilities that adults can not.

Also religiously speaking anything Allah (SWT) desires will happen no matter how strange. Indeed Allah (SWT) asserts unequivocally in Noble Quran that if He wanted something, all He has to do is to say to it is: “Be! and it will be!”.

Story No. 485 – If you want Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) to visit you?

A man of knowledge was longing for meeting with Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj), and he suffered agonies of not being granted the chance and for a long time he underwent severe austerity and pursued spiritual seeking.

It is well-known among the Tullab (Islamic seminary students) of Hawza in Najaf-e-Ashraf and the scholars of the holy shrine of Imam Ali (as) that every one who finds the honor to go the Masjid-e-Sahlah to perform the evening and night prayers every Tuesday uninterruptedly for forty nights, they will be graced with meeting Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj).

For a while, he struggled to this end but to no effect. Then he resorted to the occult sciences and numerical symbolism and started self-discipline and other ascetic and rigorous practices in seclusion, anxiously seeking to meet the Hidden Imam, Hazrat Baqiyatallah (aj) but all in vain. However, as a consequence of his nightly vigilance and lamenting and wailing at dawns, he had developed some kind of insight and intuition, and occasionally some illuminating flash would be graced on him. He would fall in ecstasy and rapture, often having certain visions and hearing some subtleties.

In one of these mystical states, he was told: “Your seeing and being granted an audience with Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) will not be possible, unless you make a trip to such and such a city”. Quite difficult as it sounded at first, but for that sacred purpose, it appeared to be so convenient.

Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) in the Blacksmiths’ Bazaar

After several days the above-mentioned man arrived in that city and yet even there he carried on his self-discipline and ascetic practices in seclusion that intended to last forty days long. On the thirty seventh day, he was told: “Right now Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) is in the blacksmiths’ bazaar, in a shop belonging to an old locksmith; so, be quick to go now and seek his audience”.

He stood up and as he had already seen in his ecstatic vision, rushed the way down to the old man’s shop where he saw Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) sitting there and talking amiably with the locksmith. When he greeted, Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) responded and beckoned him to keep silent, and asked him to watch what happens next in the shop.

At this moment I saw a bent, fragile, old woman with a walking stick who showed us a lock with her shaking hand and said: “Will you, for God’s sake, buy this lock from me for “three shahis”?. I need three shahis.”

The old locksmith took a look at the lock and found it intact, and then said: “My sister! This lock costs “Two abbasis” because it’s key will cost no more than “ten dinars”; so if you give me ten dinars, I will make a key to this lock and then its value will be ten shahis and not three.”

The old woman answered: “No, I do not need that, I only need the money; if you buy this lock from me for three shahis, I will pray for you.”

The old man said with utmost naivety: “My sister! You are a Muslim, and I too claim to be a Muslim. So why should I buy a Muslim’s property for a low price and deny someone’s right? The value of this lock is already eight shahis; if I want to benefit from it, I’ll buy it for seven shahis, for it is unfair to make more that a shahi profit in a deal of only two abbasis. If you are sure you want to sell it, I’ll buy it for seven shahis and not three, and I repeat again that the real price is two abbasis. Since I am a businessman I buy it for one shahi less.

The old woman perhaps would not believe what the man said. She was upset and complained that nobody had been willing to buy that price. She said she begged them to buy it for three shahis but no one agreed and here there is someone who is prepared to pay seven shahis. The old man paid seven shahis to the old woman and purchased it from her, though he could have got that lock for three shahis.

When the woman turned back to leave, Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) said to me:

My Dear! Did you watch the wonderful scene? You do likewise, become honest and truthful like that locksmith and then I will come to see you. You won’t have to find me.

There is no need for ascetic seclusion and resorting to Jafr (numerical symbolism). Self-discipline and various travels will not be required; instead show good sincere action and be a proper, honest Muslim so that I can interact with you.

Of all people of this city, I picked out this old man, since this man is religious and knows Allah (SWT). And you observed the trial he went through: This old woman requested all in the bazaar, to fulfill her need and since they found her desperate and needy, they were all seeking to buy (her lock) cheap than the actual worth of it. Nobody bought it even for three shahis. This old man, however, bought it for its real price, real worth, i.e. seven shahis. Thus, every week I pay a visit to him and show kindness and amiability to him.”

This is how equity in transactions is effective in self-building and attaining Allah’s favor. You create equity in your transactions and Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) of the time will come and visit you personally.

Equity in all tasks, especially in transactions is an important issue that has been highly stressed in Islam. Imam Ali (as) said: “Equity is the best of virtues.” And he further said: “The greatest reward is one granted for equity.”

Taken from Life and Times of the Famous Scholar Shaykh Rajab Ali Khayyat

Story No. 484 – Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) and Truthful Barber

The distinguished scholar, Sheikh Baqir Kadhimi, who lived near Najaf-e-Ashraf, narrates that a truthful barber, once related the following story:

I had an old father, whom I served diligently. I exercised such great care never to be neglectful towards him, that I would even place water for him in the toilet and remain in wait outside till he emerged. All throughout (the week) I would be watchful of him, except on Wednesday evenings when I would proceed to Masjid-e-Sahlah hoping to meet Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj).

One Wednesday I was very busy and did not find a spare moment until it was almost sunset. Nevertheless, I set off towards Masjid-e-Sahlah alone in the dark. It was a moonlit night and I still had one third of the journey to cover when suddenly I observed an Arab, seated on a horse, coming towards me. I said to myself, “This Arab is surely going to loot me”, but when he had come closer, he spoke in the local dialect, and sought to know where I was heading for?

I told him that I intended to go to Masjid-e-Sahlah, whereupon he inquired if I had anything with me to eat. When I replied that I did not, he spoke with some sternness, and said: “You have some food in your pocket.”

Putting my hand into my pocket, I found some raisins, which I had purchased for my son but had forgotten to give him.

The Arab then said: “I recommend you to serve your father”, and, repeating this three times, he suddenly disappeared.

It was only later that I realized that it was Baqiyatallah, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (aj) himself that I had seen and that he was not pleased that I stopped serving my father, even for the purpose of going to Masjid-e-Sahlah on Wednesday evenings.

Story No. 483 – Length of Hazrat Baqiyatallah, Imam Mahdi’s (aj) Life and future of this World

We believe that the lengthening of a man’s life is not an impossibility, because it is explicitly said in the Noble Qur’an that:

“We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty:” (29:14)

What is more, research undertaken in the biological sciences has corroborated the possibility of lengthening the human lifespan. Even great scientists are of the opinion that food and drugs may be prepared which can prolong man’s life. The late Ayatullah Sadr [A learned scholar of Qom (1882-1953), father of the well-known Imam Musa al-Sadr of the Lebanon.] in his book “al-Mahdi”, quoted from a scientific article written in 1959 which stands as a witness to what we have said above. Here we shall give a summary of it. Authoritative scientists say that all the basic tissues of the animal body can live forever, and it is possible for man to live for a thousand years, provided that it doesn’t happen that the thread of his life is severed.

These scientists do not speak on the basis of guesswork or surmise, for they have arrived at their conclusion through scientific experiment.

The miracles of the prophets, the cooling of the fire for Hazrat Ibrahim al-Khalil, the turning into a serpent of Hazrat Musa al-Kaleem’s staff, the bringing to life of the dead through Hazrat Isa al-Roohullah, and so forth, are all against the usual flow of things, but Allah (SWT) brought another order into existence by His own power and a miracle occurred; all Muslims, Jews and Christians, believe in miracles. Similarly for the length of the life of the Imam of the Age there remains no place for any kind of objection, because if someone says that such a length of life is impossible, his claim cannot be at all accepted after the stipulation of the Noble Qur’an concerning the length of Hazrat Nuh’s life, and also after the latest revelations of biology. If it is said that it is possible, but against the normal natural order of things, it can be retorted that the length of life of the Imam of the Age is against the natural order just as the miracles of the prophets, and is carried out according to the will of Allah (SWT). Someone who believes in the power of Allah (SWT) and the occurrence of the miracles of the prophets cannot have the slightest objection to the length of the Imam’s life.

Hazrat Baqiyatallah, Imam Mahdi (aj) has occulted for an unknown period, but benefits mankind like the Sun behind the clouds. There would be relief (Faraj) after this occultation (Ghaibat) by the will of Allah (SWT) which is known as “Reappearance” era.

At first, Hazrat Baqiyatallah, Imam Mahdi (aj) will rise from Makkah and will organize a worldwide revolution to spread justice. He will destroy all the wicked and will propagate honesty and theism. He will govern the entire world several years and in the golden era of his appearance, people will experience a divine government, which was desired by all of previous prophets and Imams. In this era, Jesus Christ (Hazrat Isa al-Roohullah) will come from sky to the earth to help Hazrat Baqiyatallah, Imam Mahdi (aj). The number of his leading companions are 313 (same as the number of soldiers in the first battle of Islam at Badr) who are the outstanding people in the history. In fact most of them do not belong to that time but they will gain their lives once again by the command of Allah (SWT) to help Hazrat Baqiyatallah, Imam Mahdi (aj). Further, he will punish the enemies of previous Imams.

And finally, after years of his governorship, he will be martyred by the most vicious of all people and that is the time when all people will die and will be raised by Allah’s (SWT) will in the day of resurrection for the final judgment.

Gar Ho Meri Hayat Meray Ikhtayar Main,
Sadiyaan Guzaar Doun Ga Teray Intezar Main

Moula Ab Aap Parda-e-Ghaibat Uthyae,
Do Din Tu Zindage ke Guzaroun Bahar Ke

Story No. 482 – City of Birds in the light of a Hadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)

City of Birds in the light of a HadithThe place was very lonely and it seemed that there was none except Allah (SWT) in that place. It was surrounded by mountains. It was called the ‘City of Birds’. The city was the most beautiful place on earth. The birds over there led a very comfortable life. There were all kinds of birds – parrots, sparrows, pigeons, and etc.

 

At the break of dawn, the cock’s cry used to wake up everyone and then everyone began working. There lived a family of pigeons in that city. In that family there were several baby pigeons. These baby pigeons were very beautiful. They were milk white and there were brown lines along their necks, which added to their beauty. They used to wake up with the rising Sun and used to do salaam to the Sun with a lot of love and respect.

 

The Sun replied to their salaam and used to converse with them. The Sun loved them more than the other birds. Everyday the Sun used to wake them up and encouraged them to work.

 

The days passed in this manner, until it was winter. The birds, which could not tolerate the extreme cold, flew to another warmer city. Slowly many birds left the city and the place became very lonely.

 

One day, the cock crowed as usual. The pigeons and other birds began rising slowly. But today they did not see the Sun. The Sun was hidden behind a very dark cloud. With this, the birds felt very cold and uncomfortable. The baby pigeons asked their mother, ‘Why did the Sun not come out today?’

 

The mother pigeon took her little ones under the shelter of her wings and said, ‘Dear children, be patient, surely one day the Sun will come out.’

 

Many days passed, however there were still no signs of the Sun. Without the Sun, the birds felt more and more uncomfortable. And as the dark clouds surrounded them, the whole place was very dull and gloomy.

 

The birds used to sit alongside each other and consoled one another, ‘Don’t worry, surely one day the Sun will come out and drive the dark clouds away. It will fill our lives with light and happiness like before.’

 

But the dark clouds continued to surround the ‘City of Birds’. The thunder of the clouds frightened everyone, and the lightening made the birds feel very uneasy. The whole atmosphere was very tense. In this atmosphere, there were some who continued to do their work and were not affected by the thunder and lightening around them.

 

But there were some who were very afraid and even became hopeless of the Sun ever coming out again. They started telling the other birds, ‘O those who await the rising of the Sun, don’t be so hopeful of the Sun, because it will never come out again! You will never see it again. So don’t have any hopes on seeing the Sun, otherwise you will be disappointed.’

 

Such talks saddened the birds. They began thinking, ‘Will the Sun ever come out again?’ Then the dark cloud also began frightening the birds with its talks. The cloud said, ‘If you all don’t do as I say, then there will be so much snow, that all of you will be covered in it.’

 

Now while the cloud was saying this, suddenly it became very cold and it began raining heavily. Then some of the weak birds began believing the cloud and said, ‘O cloud, we believe you and will do as you command.’

 

However, the pigeons were not afraid of the cloud’s threat. They spoke to the other birds thus, ‘Dear brothers, what are you saying. Don’t be fooled with the dark cloud’s talks. Surely the Sun is present behind the dark cloud. One day the Sun will definitely come out from behind the dark cloud.

 

Hadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)However the situation was such that no one was listening to anyone and everyone had his own opinion.

 

Some were saying. ‘Surely the Sun has died’, while some were saying, ‘The Sun is unhappy with us and will never return’, while some others were saying, ‘The Sun has gone on a long journey and no one knows when it will return.’

 

There was a lot of confusion among the birds. Finally the birds decided that they would ask the Hoopoe’s advice about the Sun. So they all went to the Hoopoe’s nest and explained the matter to him. The Hoopoe listened to them very carefully. Then it said, ‘The pigeons are absolutely right. The Sun has neither died, nor has it gone away on some journey. Right now, the Sun is present above our heads.’

 

Then all those birds, which did not believe the pigeon earlier, were very surprised at the Hoopoe’s talks. They asked, ‘Is the Sun really present over our heads. But we cannot see anything. If the Sun had been there…

The Hoopoe interrupted them and said, ‘Just think a little and you will understand that whatever life is there on this earth, it is only because of the Sun. If there was no Sun we would all have died. Very often we don’t see the Sun with our eyes, but its effects are very clear to everyone. For example, at night we don’t see the Sun, but the Sun is very much there. It provides us with enough heat so that we remain alive.

 

Even when the weather is very cold, we get our heat from the Sun.’ ‘Don’t be so sad and disheartened. Be patient and pray so that the dark clouds go away and the Sun becomes visible once again. Pray so that our eyes can be comforted with a glance at the Sun.’

 

All the birds, especially the baby pigeons, prayed that night for the Sun. In the morning the Hoopoe, the birds and the pigeons woke up. The baby pigeons were very happy, and why not, their prayers had been answered. They all looked towards the sky very happily and said with love and affection, ‘O generous Sun. Peace be upon you!’

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “In occultation (Ghaibat) Imam is like a sun hidden behind the clouds.”

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