PROPAGATE THE REMEMBRANCE OF YUSUF-E-ZAHRA
At the outset please our hearty greetings
on the auspicious day of the birth anniversary of Baquiytullah-I1-Aazam Hazrat Imam Mahdi
(A.S.) whose holy name is refered to not only in the Quran but also in the holy scriptures
of the earlier Prophets (A.S.).
This Divine Personality, the last nomine of
the last Prophet of Islam (A.s.), will spread the teachings of Islam in the four corners
of the world. He will change the strife-torn, miserable, unjust & tyrannical world
into a garden of peace, justice and tranquility virtue and righteousness.
He will gather all the disintegrated true
beleivers on the platform of purity and righteous persons, their due status & honour
in the society, whilst the enemies, the unjust and evil persons will be degrated and
dishonoured.
He is the son of Ummul-Momineen Hazrat
Khadija (S.A.), the Queen among the Arab ladies, He is the apple of the eyes of Hazrat
Fatima Zahra (S.A.) the lady of the two worlds - This and the hereafter - and Ali (A.S.),
the magnificient, leader of the Pious Believers. He is the chosen son of the Holy Prophet
of Islam Mohammad-e-Mustafa (Pbuh) the last jewel in the crown of Prophethood. He is the
one who is the responsible personality of Islam, the only divine representative on this
earth. He is none other than Hazrat Hujjat Ibnil Hasan-Al-Askari, Mahdi, Aakhrezzaman.
The meaning of the
title Imam-e-Zaman (A.S.):
A title reflects the personality of man.
His characteristics and qualities are projected through it.
Nowdays such linstances are extermely
numerous where this dictum rarely comes true. The titles are some times promiscuous
bestowed without knowing the actual meaning by the patrons and by the patronized which is
out of context here.
The Prophets of God are familiar by the
titles added with their names which throw light on their prolity and innate qualities
endowed in them by the creator. The prophet Moses (A.S.) is addressed as
"Kaleem-Ullah" as he had conversation with the Creator of the world, while our
last prophet as is specifically mentioned in the Holy Book is known as Rehmatullil Alamin
- the one whose existence is a source and fountain of blessings in this world and in the
world here after. Like - wise his progeny is also profusedly blessed.
Unlike others, the appellations of dignity
of Imame-e-Zaman (A.S.) have each got their own significiance separately. Janab Muhaddis
Noori (may God shower His blessings on him) the author of the book "Najm us
Saquib" has mentioned one hundred eighty two names and titles of Imam-e-Zamana with
positive references.
Those who are fond of reciting prayers
(Dua) not only for consecration and happiness but with a view to attain and get mastery of
the philosophy and high ideals taught by the descendents of the Holy Prophet, are fully
aware of innumerable titles of Imam-e-Zaman (A.S.) mentioned in those prayers (Dua). In
this context, Dua Nudba and Ziyarat-e-Al-e-Yasin etc deserve special attention. All those
Dua are collected and have found place in Mafateehul JInan. In this article we will throw
light in detail only on one title.
Imam-e-Zaman (A.S.)
In our prayers (Dua) and in day to day
conversation this assumed name is directly and closely linked with our exalted Imam Mahdi
(A.S.). No sooner as we hear or utter this noble appellation attenton is at once drawn to
the Awaited Imam (A.S.). Imam-e-Zaman, Imam-e-Asr, Saheb-e-Asr and Vali-e-Asr are all
synonyms and directly attached with the last Saviour. We have become accustomed to hear
them but have never bothered to know the facts related with them. It is because of this
reason that doubts are germinating in our minds. Once the actual meaning is grasped our
minds will never be clouded with such notions.
This assumed name is combination of two
words, first is Imam, Saheb and Wali while the second is Zaman and Asr. An Imam is called
so as he is always ahead of every body except God while other are always behind. He always
leads while others are directed ad guided by him. This particular point becomes clear when
we pray together (Namaz-e-Jamaat) where all the gesture of Imam are strictly followed by
his followers. When he performs "Rukoo" it is copied as it is by his followers,
when he prostrates they also prostrate : In short and Imam holds sway over his followers
over the Imam. Saheb and Wali means master and commander. So the followers are dictated by
the master.
We address him as Imam-e-Zaman not due to
conviction in regard to religion. It is based on facts and has solid founations and thicks
back ground. Zamana means the sphere of existence or the whole creation. all the creatures
except God are covered in this sphere and nothing under the sky and on earth is beyond the
sphere of existence.
The above exegesis explains that the whole
creation-the earth, the sky, the moon and the stars, is in the domain of Hazrat Mahdi
(A.S.). The universe is in motion at his instance. The time can be changed by him and not
he by the time and environment.
After the revelation of these facts one can
understand easily the secret of Imam's longevity and youthful exuberance. All the
creatures have to go beyound the frontiers of life to the great unknow first by jumping in
the vanguard of youth and then to the tail end of the life called old age by evolutions
but the Imam (A.S.) is undisputedly invariable with this evolutin and would remain young.
The above points are supported by the Holy
Quran in Suratul Asr which runs as follows. "I swear by the Time; Surely man is in
loss. Except those who believed and did good deeds and advise for the truth and advise for
the patience".
Whatever gain and loss is mentioned in the
above Sura are for the individuals to face in the hereafter those who are indulging in all
the vices; enjouingthe colourful life and doing things which are out of tune with the
spirit of the religion. Imam-e-Asr (A.S.), Vali-e-Asr (A.S.) and other spiritual leaders
(Imams) are undoubtedly above all those things, though they lived and are living in this
world. Such type of question can never be raised in the mind against them.
A question that generally pricks the minds
of the people is that a being who is high in place of excellence and whose gandeur is
beyound the imagination of mankind and for whom this world inspite of all its vastness and
attractions nothing but trash why then such a being with all sublimity is kept out of view
?
Among all the Prophets of God, the foremost
and the last is Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa (SAWA( who came into being to elevate the minds
and to place the mankind in an honoured position. The mission was accomplished to a
greater extent in his life time but the whole-some results could not be achieved in spite
of the struggle of his predessors due to intrigues, so the very purpose of his teaching
and preaching to place the mankind could not be achieved as desired. The reappearance of
our last savior is motivated with an object to fulfil the un accomplished mission of the
last Prophet of Islam. "The Awaited" on would fill the world with justice as it
was full of tyranny and oppressions." So his noble existence is meant to achieve a
destined end.
It is now evident that Imam (A.S.) is root
(base) and the world is the tree spread in branches. Imam (A.S.) is before all others in
time while the world is last in time. It is a folly to treat it as exaggeration. It is
because of him the world is existing and the creatures owe their subsistances to him only.
He is the source of subsistances for the destitutes. The sky and the earth also owe their
sustenance to him.
To keep this point ever green in memory, it
would not be out of way to repeat the narratins of Ayatullah Waheed Khurasani referred to
him Mirza Ahmed son of Akhund Khurasani the author of "Kefayat". He narrates
that" my mother was unwell. Day by day her illness was getting worse. We were very
much puzzled. The doctors were in a fix. One day we received the news of the arrival of an
elderly person in Najaf-e-Ashraf expert in astronomy. My brother Mirza Mohammad and I went
to him and met him in the Holy tomb of Hazrat Amir-al-Momineen (A.S.). We told him that we
have come to inquire about an urgent thing from you. We will concentrate on that problem
conscientiously and you give us the reply. The elderly man moved the heads of rosary and
said that the disease had spread all over the body of the patient for whom you want to
enquire form me. The chance of recovery are very weak and within a day or two thepatient
would die.. Our intention was to inquire about the reason of illness of our mother. Second
time my brother thought consientiously and requested the saint to tell about it. The heads
of rosary were again moved by him but his facial expression suddenly changed. This process
was thrice repeated and all the three times he seemed to be much worried.
He then said that the man about whom they
wanted to know was first seen in Labanon and then was found in Kaba, now he is found in
Madina. He moved once again the heads of rosary said that I have witnssed that the sun was
circling around his head and he is Imam-e-Zamana (A.S.)
This point is pertinent as the Imam (A.S.)
is the centre of the universe so the sun has to circle around him.
Today we are living in the domain of such a
noble and exalted Imam (A.S.). It is a pity that we are claiming to be his followers but
have departed form the ways dictated and directed by him. If we are sincere in claiming to
be his followers, we must be attached to him spirityally to free ourselves form the
hardship of this world and the world here-after.
May
Allah increase our marefat about Imam-e-Mahdi (A.S)