MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT H.MAHDI A.S.
ANSERWED BY IMAM
On the commands of Allah Imam Mahdi 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.s) 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.s.) himself. These replies have been compiled
from various letters that were sent to him (a.s.) in the course of his Ghaibat. To that
extent the letters of Imam (a.s.) 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.
(Pg. 196-198)
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" (Pg.19)
(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. (pg. 190). 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. (Pg. 198-200)
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. (Pg.192)
Q5. How is it possible to meet
you?
Ans : If 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.(Pg. 200)
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. (Pg. 200)
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. (Pg. 200)
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.
(Pg. 200)
Q.9. Can we recite namaz
before a drawing or fire?
Ans: If a person is not from the children of idol
worshippers or fire worshippers then he can recite namaz.(Pg. 204)
Q.1O.Which chapter (surah) is
recommended for recitation in namaz?
Ans : One who does not recite the chapter of Qadr
(surahe "Inna anzalna'~ in his namaz then his namaz is not accepted. And the one who
does not recite the chapter of Tauheed (surahe "Quillo wallah'~ in his namaz, then
his namaz is not pure.
Q.11. But traditions also
speak about the rewards of reciting other surahs. For instance, it has been reported from
traditions that the one who recites surahe "Homazah" will get the reward equal
to this world?
Ans : There can be no disputing that he will get the
reward which is mentioned in the traditions (for reciting surahe "Homazah"). But
if a person forsakes any surah and recites surahe Qadr and surahe Tauheed, then not only
will he get the reward of reciting these two surahs but will also get the reward of the
surah which he has left (in order to recite these two surahs). Of course he can recite any
other surah that he wishes, but then he will have abandoned something that carries a lot
of reward. (Pg. 214-216)
Q.12.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. (Pg. 226)
Q.13.How can a person focus
his attention towards Allah before starting his namaz?
Ans :It is recommended (mustahab) to recite the
following in order to concentrate during namaz. Then he should Then he should say
"Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem" and start his prayers. (pg. 230)
Q.14.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.(pg. 232-234)
Q.15.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.(pg. 240)
Q.16.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 threadsof the shroud get mixed with the soil. (pg. 244)
Q.17.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. (pg. 244)
Q.18.Can we prostrate on
Khak-eShifa?
Ans : It is permitted to prostrate on Khak-e-Shifa. In
fact, it is a source of distinction. (pg. 244)
Q.19.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. (pg. 246)
Q.20.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 :1 and all my ancestors, right from Adam (a.s.)
till Mohammad Mustafa (s.a.w.s) are the servants ofAllah. 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. (pg. 264-266)
Q.21. What do you have to say
about people like Shalmagani, Sharaee, Nomairee and Abu Khatab who had falsely claimed the
status of being your special deputies?
Ans : We announce our disapproval of them and we
distance ourselves from such people and also from their followers. We also send our curse
on them. (pg. 282)
Q.22. What will be the condition
ofthe 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 .(pg. 282)
Q23. 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-eKubra)
Q.24.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. (pg. 286)
Q.25.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.(pg. 286)
Q.26.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 (Hujj at) upon you.(pg. 288)
Q.27.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) (pg. 290)
Q.28.When will your
occultation end and 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.(pg.
290)
Q.29.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.30.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.(pg. 290)
Q.31.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. (pg. 296)
Q.32.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.(pg. 294)
Q.33. 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
(Ahka~tm). Inquire from them about the laws governing namaz. You yourself will be able to
gauge their authenticity.(pg. 298)
Q.34. At any point of time can
the earth ever remain devoid of the Proof of Allah (Huji at)?
Ans : The earth can never remain devoid of the
"Hujjat" ofAllah - whether he is apparent and manifest or concealed and
hidden.(pg. 314)
Q.35.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) (pg. 314)
Q.36. 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.(pg. 228)
Q.37.Till when can a person pray
for a son?
Ans : A person should pray for a son till the fourth
month of pregnancy.(pg. 386-598)
Q.38.Can a person take your name
in general public meetings or gatherings?
Ans : If you publicise our name, they (the enemies)
will make it widespread. If you tell them about our place they will try to reach there.
(pg. 440)
The one who takes our name in an assembly is
accursed.(pg. 442)
(Please note, Hazrat, Hujjat, Vali-eAsr, Baqiyatullah,
Imam-e-Zamana, Mahdi etc. are the titles of Imam (a.s.) and not his name).
Q.39. What is the status and
position of the narrators ofter adihons?
Ans. Have you not read the saying of Allah in which He
says, 'And We made between them and the towns which Wehadblessed, other towns which can be
easily seen..."(sure saba 17)
Q.40. 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. (pg. 544)
Q.41. 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. (pg. 548)
Q.42. 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.(pg. 564)
Q.43. 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" pg. 252
Q.44.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.