#twelfthimam

The greatest characteristic of this belief among Shias is that it engenders hope. The Shia community is not reliant only on its prominent historical events in the past. It also looks forward to the future. A person who believes in the issue of Mahdism on the basis of Shia ideology does not empty his heart of hope even in the most difficult circumstances. There is always a ray of hope in the heart of such a person. They know that this dark era and this era of oppression and illegitimate domination will definitely come to an end. This is one of the most important results and achievements of this belief. Of course, Shia belief in the issue of Mahdism is not confined to this point: "People all over the world feed from his blessings and the heavens and the earth gain strength thanks to his existence" [Commentary on Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 4]. Such is the belief in Mahdism. This bright flame and this shining light has existed in Shia societies in the course of past centuries and it will continue to exist. By Allah's favor, the era of anticipation will come to an end.

We should wait. The outlook of religions towards the final destination of the caravan of mankind is a very promising outlook. The spirit of waiting and establishing a close relationship with the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and anticipating the day when he reappears is really one of the greatest gates of salvation [faraj] for the Islamic community. We are waiting for salvation. This anticipation itself is salvation. This anticipating is the gate to salvation. It is promising and revitalizing. It prevents us from feeling desperate, ruined, hopeless and confused about the future. It gives us hope and it provides guidance. This is the point about the Imam of the Time (God's greetings be upon him).

Belief in the Imam of the Time (a.j.) is a component of religions’ worldviews. That is, just as divine religions hold viewpoints within their general worldviews about the universe, mankind, origin and the end of human life’s trajectory—about genesis and resurrection—they also hold viewpoints in their worldviews about the final destination of the caravan of humans. A worldview is a great system which lays the foundation for all the thoughts, obligations and rules of religions. It addresses the issues of the afterlife and the hereafter. Another issue is where the mankind is heading to. If we liken the human community throughout history to a caravan which is taking a specific path, then we are faced with this question: Where is this caravan going? What is the destination of this caravan? What is the end of this path? This is a serious question and every worldview should answer it. Religions have answered this question... all of them believe that this caravan will reach a favorable, sweet and pleasant destination in the end. The main characteristic of this destination is justice. Justice has been humanity's general request from the first day until today and it will remain mankind’s main request until the end. Those people who try to believe in variety, diversity and change in their principles and main philosophies cannot deny the fact that humanity has had certain requests from the first day until today, the most important of which is justice. Humanity is after justice. It has never changed its mind about this demand and in the end, this demand will be met.

Awaiting requires that we prepare ourselves. We should know that a great event will take place and we should always expect it to happen. We can never say that the event will not happen in a few years nor can we say that the event will happen in the near future. We should always wait for it. Those who are waiting should develop characteristics and manners that are expected in the awaited era. This is the requirement for awaiting. If there is supposed to be justice, truth, monotheism, purity and submission to God in the awaited era, then as the people who are waiting, we should get closer to these qualities. We should become familiar with justice. We should prepare ourselves for justice. We should prepare ourselves for accepting the truth. These are the consequences of awaiting.

The issue of waiting [for the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)] is an inseparable component of Mahdism. It is one of the key concepts for understanding religion and the general movement of the Islamic Ummah towards the lofty goals of Islam. Awaiting means expecting an event that will definitely happen. This is the meaning of awaiting. Awaiting means that this future is definite. This is especially true if we are awaiting a living and primed entity. This is a very important issue. We are not awaiting someone who has not been born yet. No, we are awaiting someone who exists and is present among us. There are certain narrations according to which people can see him, but they do not recognize him. In certain narrations, he has been likened to Prophet Joseph whose brothers used to see him. He was present among his brothers and he used to sit beside them, but they could not recognize him. It is such a clear and motivating truth. This facilitates awaiting. Humanity needs this awaiting and the Islamic Ummah needs it even more. This waiting puts responsibilities on the shoulders of human beings.

If Mahdism did not exist, it would mean that all the efforts by divine prophets, all prophetic missions, all the strenuous efforts of divine prophets were futile. Therefore, the issue of Mahdism is an essential issue. It is one of the central divine teachings. For this reason, as far as I know, in all divine religions, there are teachings which are essentially the equivalent to Mahdism. However, these teachings have been distorted and blurred over time and it is not clear what they are trying to say. The issue of Mahdism is among the undeniable Islamic realities. That is to say, Mahdism is not limited to Shia Islam. There is a consensus among all Islamic denominations on the end of the days-- which includes when Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his re-appearance) establishes ultimate justice in the world. There are valid narrations [confirming that] by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and Islamic luminaries from different denominations of Islam. Therefore, there is no doubt in this regard. However, Shia Islam has an advantage among other denominations; because the issue of Mahdism is not an ambiguous issue in Shia Islam. The issue of Mahdism is not a convoluted issue; it is not complicating to understand. It is clear. Mahdism has an epitome and we are familiar with this epitome. We know his characteristics. We know his ancestors. We know his family. We know when he was born. We know the details. And this familiarity is not based on Shia narrations alone. There are non-Shia narrations that clarify the details for us. Followers of other Islamic denominations should pay careful attention in order to understand this clear truth.

The topic of Mahdism is among the main topics in the cycle and set of noble religious knowledges; such as the topic of Prophethood. That is, it is comparable to prophethood: this is the importance that we should attach to the issue of Mahdism. Why? Because Mahdism represents what all prophets were sent for - namely, building a monotheistic world on the basis of justice using all the capacities that Allah the Exalted has bestowed on humanity. This is the era that will come after the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (God's greetings be upon him and may God hasten his re-appearance): the era in which monotheism and genuine spirituality will be dominant over the entire life of human beings, the era in which justice will be established in the real sense of the word. Well, this was what prophets were sent for.

he Shias are awaiting the arrival of the promised savior-- Imam Mahdi (a.s.) -- and are not lost in their fantasies; they are searching for an existing reality. He is alive and lives among the people. He sees people. He can feel their sufferings. Those who are lucky enough and have the capacity sometimes meet him without recognizing him. He does exist. He is a real human: a known being with a given name; his parents are known and he lives among the people and with them. This is how our—the Shias’—belief is. And the followers of other faiths who do not believe in this reality have never been able to provide any logical reasons to reject this belief. There are several obvious and strong reasons, also accepted by Sunni Muslims, which are a testimony to the existence of this exalted servant of God. All these reasons provide evidence that Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) is living among us - and we are all aware of his characteristics. This is what has been cited in many non-Shia sources as well. The birth date of the pure-hearted son of Imam Hassan al-Askari (a.s.) is known to everyone. His miracles and those who are connected with him are also known to us. God Almighty has granted a long life to him. These are the characteristics of the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) whom all the nations of the world, all ethnic groups, and people from all faiths and races have been impatiently waiting for at all times. These are the beliefs of Shia Muslims about this important issue.