Answers by Imam Mahdi (af) himself!
Tabish Zaidi
Answers by Imam Mahdi (af) himself!
On the commands of Allah Imam Mahdi (af) is in occultation right from
the commencement of his Imamat. Hence as compared to his forefathers his
meetings with his Shias have been very few. The people present their problem
before his esteemed self in the form of letters and areeza.
An areeza is a letter of requests written by the Shias to the Imam of their
time. The Imam has also reciprocated in a similar manner. The letters of
Imam-e-Zaman (a.f) are also terminologically called as "Tawqee".
These Tawqee's have been assimilated in several books. Ayatullah Syed Hasan
Shirazi has compiled these letters in a book called 'called
"Kalemat-ul-Imam al-Mahdi". This single book contains all the letters
of Imam (a.s.) which are found in different books.
Originally the book was
written in Arabic. Dr. Syed Hasan Sabzawari has translated this book into
Persian by the same name. The answers to the questions mentioned below, have
been given by Imam (a.f.) himself. These replies have been compiled from
various letters that were sent to him (a.f.) in the course of his Ghaibat. To
that extent the letters of Imam (a.f.) constitute "half a meeting"
with him, and the same is being presented in your service.
Q.1. Where do you live in these days of your
occultation?
Ans. Presently, we are living away from the settlements of the oppressors. Till
such time that the reins of the worldly governments are in the hands of
oppressors and tyrants, Allah has willed for us and for our Shias that I should
live away from the people. However, we are cognizant of all your actions. At
this point we are dwelling amidst some remote mountains. The place is
surrounded by gardens. I am staying here because of the unbelievers. But very
soon I will move to the plains that are not very far from the society.
Q.2. What is the reason for the Shias
being involved in so many calamities and afflictions?
Ans. One of the reasons is that the Shias are perpetrating those actions which
the people of the past avoided. These Shias have forgotten the covenant of
Allah and have violated it.
"And had our guardianship and protection not been there, then the
calamities would have surrounded you from all sides and destroyed you" .
(This connotes that Imam (a.s.) nullifies most of the calamities with his
existence. Else the plight of the Shias would have been most pitiable.)
Q.3. In these last days, what is the best mode of
keeping one's self safe from evils and corruption?
Ans: Piety and abstinence. I pledge for the salvation of the one who does not
desire any rank or position in any acts of evil and corruption. The believer
who possesses the fear of Allah and is prompt in returning the people their
dues, will be secure from the evils of the time. And the one who acts miserly
in disseminating the bounties of Allah to the people, will be from among the
losers on the Day of Judgement.
Q.4. What are our responsibilities in
your occultation?
Ans : Perform those actions which bring you closer to our love and affection
and refrain from all those actions that become the cause of our displeasure and
dissatisfaction.
Q5. How is it possible to meet you?
Ans : If our Shias (may Allah grant them the taufeeq of obedience) had been
united in fulfilling the pledge, then certainly there would have been no delay
in our meeting and they would have been graced with this opportunity several
times. However, their actions are most unbecoming of Shias, and have kept them
away from us.
Q.6. How can we disgrace and humiliate
Shaitan?
Ans. Reciting namaz on the dot of time at its very outset (Awwal-e-Waqt) is a
cause of disgrace for Shaitan.
Q.7. Can a person utilize for his personal use a
thing which has been endowed (Waqf) for you?
Ans : If the thing has been handed over to us then the person has no right over
it - whether he needs that thing or not.
Q.8. What do you have to say about those
people who use your things for their own personal benefits?
Ans : To use someone's belongings without his permission is prohibited. Hence
the one who considers our money as permissible and usurps, has actually filling
his stomach with fire and will surely be thrown in Hell.
Q.9. Can we eat and drink or do business
with a person who earns through illegal means?
Ans : If the person has some other source of livelihood also, then it is not
prohibited to eat and drink or do business with him. But if he has no other
source of livelihood save his illegal income, then it is prohibited to interact
with such a person.
Q.10. What is the order regarding the
performance of "Sajdah-e-Shukr" after completing a wajib namaz?
Ans : "Sajdah-e-Shukr" is among the highly recommended acts and is
very much emphasised. Just as an obligatory (wajib) act is superior to a
recommended (mustahhab) act, in much the same way, the
"Sajdah-e-Shukr" which is performed after a obligatory namaz is
superior to the one which is performed after a recommended namaz.
Q.11. Will the believers give birth to children in
Paradise?
Ans : In paradise, neither will the women become pregnant nor will they have
their menstrual cycles. In fact only those things will be available that will
be a source of comfort for the eyes and the heart.
Q.12. Can we keep Khak-e-Shifa (soil of
Karbala) in the grave?
Ans : Yes it can be kept in the grave. And by the command of Allah, the threads
of the shroud get mixed with the soil.
Q.13. Can a rosary (Tasbeeh) be made of
Khak-e-Shifa?
Ans : There is no adornment for a Tasbeeh more excellent than Khak-e-Shifa.
Among the virtues of a tasbeeh made of Khak-e-Shifa is that often a person is
lost in his thoughts and just turns the beads of the tasbeeh in his hands, yet
he will get the complete reward of reciting that tasbeeh.
Q.14. Can we prostrate on Khak-eShifa?
Ans : It is permitted to prostrate on Khak-e-Shifa. In fact, it is a source of
distinction.
Q.15. Can we prostrate on the graves of
Imams(a.s.)?
Ans : You should not prostrate on the graves. However, you can touch your face
to the grave. And there is also no harm in performing namaz in front of the
grave.
Q.16. What do you have to say about
those people who exaggerate the position of Ahle Bait (a.s.) and ascribe them with Divinity (Godhood)?
Ans : I and all my ancestors, right from Adam (a.s.) till Mohammad Mustafa
(s.a.w.s) are the servants of Allah. Actually, we are aggrieved by those Shias
who are ignorant and whose faith is not even equal to the wing of a mosquito.
We detach ourselves from all those people who associate us with Allah.
Q.17. What will be the condition of the world and
the Muslims before your reappearance?
Ans : Before our reappearance, the hearts of the people will become hard and
full of injustice and inequality.
Q.18. Have you appointed anyone as your
special deputy in Ghaibat-e Kubra?
Ans : Before the rising of Sufyani and before the hearing of the voice from the
sky, anyone who claims that he can meet me (at will) is a liar and a malicious
person. (There is no special representative in Ghaibat-e-Kubra)
Q.19. Will those Sayyeds (descendants of
the Prophet s.a.w.s.) who deny your Imamat get salvation?
Ans. Allah does not have any exclusive relation with anyone (i.e. no one is
special in front of Allah). If someone denies our Imamat then he is not from
us. His example is like the example of Hazrat Nuh (a.s.)'s son.
Q.20. Is the time of your reappearance
decided? And does anyone have information about it?
Ans. (The time of my) reappearance is in the hands of Allah. And anyone who
claims otherwise is a liar.
Q.21. As you do not have a special
representative in the major occultation, then who should we resort to for
redressal of our religious problems?
Ans. You must refer (your questions) to the narrators of our traditions. We
have appointed them as our proof (Hujjat) upon you.
Q.22. What is the reason for your occultation?
Ans. Allah mentions in the Quran. "DO not ask those things about which if
you are told, you will not like it". (Surah Maidah: 101)
Q.23. When will your occultation end and
when will you reappear?
Ans. Do not inquire about those things that will not benefit you. And don't ask
questions about matters that are not your responsibility.
Q.24. Is it necessary to pay khums? And
is there some particular way in which it should be paid?
Ans. We accept your wealth only with this intention that you should be
purified. Otherwise, whatever Allah has bestowed on us is far superior than
what He has given you.
Q.25. Can the people derive benefit from
you while you are in occultation?
Ans : The people can derive benefit from me in my occultation just as they
derive benefit from the sun when it is concealed behind the clouds.
Q.26. What are the characteristics and
the status of Allah's guides?
Ans : Allah has protected them from all kinds of sins and purified them from
all kinds of defects and has made them clean from all sorts of vices. He has
appointed them as the treasurers of His knowledge and the custodians of His
wisdom. He has made them the focal point of His secrets and has strengthened
them with proofs. If all this had not been there then every person would have
claimed (this position) and it would not have been possible to discern truth
from falsehood. And knowledge would not be distinct from ignorance.
Q.27.What is the reason for the sending of Prophets
(a.s.) and Imams (as )?
Ans. Allah has sent the Prophets (a.s.) and Imams (a.s.) so that they should command
the people towards His obedience and refrain them from rebelliousness, and
inform the people about Allah and about the tenets of His religion.
Q.28. How should we test and disgrace
those people who falsely claim the status of Imamat?
Ans : Ask them about the Quran and the practical tenets (Ahkam). Inquire from
them about the laws governing namaz. You yourself will be able to gauge their
authenticity.
Q.29. At any point of time can the earth
ever remain devoid of the Proof of Allah (Hujjat)?
Ans : The earth can never remain devoid of the "Hujjat" of Allah -
whether he is apparent and manifest or concealed and hidden.
Q.30. Who is the Imam after Imam Hasan
Askari (a.s.)?
Ans : Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) has appointed that person as his successor and
vicegerent whom Allah has kept in occultation. (i.e. he only is your Imam).
Q.31. Are the Imams (a.s.) the creators
as well as the sustainers (of the people)?
Ans : Imams (a.s.) pray to Allah and He creates and gives sustenance because of
their supplications. Allah accepts their invocations and exalts their rank and
status.
Q.32. Till when can a person pray for a son?
Ans : A person should pray for a son till the fourth month of pregnancy.
Q.33. To whom does Allah give guidance?
Ans : The one who desires guidance gets it from Allah. The one who endeavors
for it, is bestowed with it.
Q.34. Is it proper to search for you?
Ans : The one who struggles and strives too much for searching me will (in
fact) direct the enemies towards me. And the one who guides the enemies towards
me has endangered my life. And the one who puts my life in danger is a
polytheist.
Q.35. What are the responsibilities of
the scholars (Ulema) towards the people?
Ans : They should meet the people with humility, and fulfill the needs of the
people. They should be accessible. We will help them in this regard.
Q.36. Can we give preference to the
needs of the relatives before the needs of others?
Ans : Imam Moosa ibn Jafar (a.s.) says: "If the relatives are in want then
Allah does not (even) accept your sadqah".
Q.37. But what if we have already made
the intention of helping someone else?
Ans : Distribute the money among both the parties so that you get the maximum
reward.
Indeed, we await that day when we can directly converse with Imame Asr
(a.t.f.s), illuminate our eyes and souls by his luminous light. (Amin).
