The Golden Era of Reappearance

8. Divine Proof ================

It is necessary that we pay attention to the following:

Whatever we have highlighted here is just one dimension from the innumerable aspects of Imam az-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.), that is, a glimpse of his universal government after his reappearance.

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is the last link in the sequence of guidance and light. He is the inheritor of the perfections of the past Prophets(a.s), the Holy Prophet (s.a.w), Janabe Fatema (s.a) . This aspect has been mentioned in Dua an-Nudba and other reliable supplications. In dua an-Nudba we address Imam (a.s) thus:

“ O son of the divinely guided leaders, O son of the illuminating moons, O son of the clear paths, O son of the witnessed proofs, O son of the straight path.”

Tens of such modes of addressing Imam (a.t.f.s.) can be seen in supplications and ziyaraat. These terms not only underline the personal inheritance but also highlight the spiritual and religious legacy of Imam (a.t.f.s.).

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is the heir of the perfections of the preceding infallibles (a.s). Perfections of the preceding infallibles (a.s) Virtues and merits ascribed to these exalted personalities are equally applicable for Imam az-Asr (a.t.f.s.).

Allah, the Almighty, has conferred a boundless ocean of perfections and virtues, which has wrecked the ship of human intellects and thoughts. (That is, to fathom their virtues and station is beyond human understanding).

Who is the Divine Proof?

Indeed, this is a critical question that needs to be addressed. The (innumerable) traits of sunlight (that is, Allah’s proof) cannot be descried by a particle. There is only one way and that is to seek its description from the sun itself.

• The Imam (a.t.f.s.) is a human being with celestial qualities, heavenly physique, divine command, holy soul and a great secret of Allah. His essence is angelic and his attributes are divine. His characteristics are endowed by Allah and he has been selected by the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.). He is aware of the unseen. All these traits are specific to the holy Ahlul Bayt (a.s). None can equal the progeny of Muhammad (s.a.w.a) in these qualities and perfection.[^1]

• From our (Ahlul Bayt (a.s)) virtues and excellence, nothing has been related to you but a single alphabet from all the alphabets.[^2]

• (O Ahlul Bayt (a.s))! Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, has placed you at a station inaccessible to others. Your virtues are unprecedented and none can overwhelm you in them. None can scale the heights that you have scaled and none can hope to rise to the rank that you have ascended. (Imam Ali Naqwi (a.s) in the Ziyaarat –e – Jaamea’h Surely, man’s power of comprehension and conception are simply incapable of perceiving their exhorted status. Therefore, let us bow our heads before the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) (in submission and expression of our helplessness) and enrich our hearts with the words of Imam Sadeq (a.s):

“ One who desire that his faith attains perfection, must sincerely confess, ‘My belief in all instances and under all circumstances is in conformity with the teachings of th Ahlul Bayt (a.s), explicit or otherwise. I acknowledge absolute faith in all those things that have reached and that which have not reached unto me from them (a.s).[^3]

From the garden of Light and Knowledge of the Pure Ahlul Bayt (a.s), we present a bouquet of fragrant flowers to their lovers. It should be borne in mind that the dimensions and facets of Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) government are too diverse for man to grasp. The things that have reached unto us in the form of reliable and authentic tradition are just a few from among the thousands.

We beseech the Almighty Allah to increase our faith and certitude in our master, Imam Zamaan (a.t.f.s.), every moment. Light up the eyes of the believing friends with the sight of his (a.t.f.s.) government. Accept their supplications. Let the invocation taught by the Imam (a.t.f.s.), who is concealed from the eyes but close to the heart, flow on their tongues:

“O Allah! Surely we are inclined to you concerning the noble government (of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)).

Though which you will honour Islam and its followers.
And though which you will degrade hypocrisy and its followers.
And make us in it among those who invite (others) towards your obedience.
And the leaders towards your path.
And through which you will bestow upon us the nobility of this world and the hereafter.
Aameen! O Lord of the worlds![^4]

[^1]: (For the detailed traditions from Ali ibn Abi Taalib (a.s) addressing Taariq ibn shahaab, refer Behaar al-anwaar, vol. 25, pg- 172-173)

[^2]: (Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 25, pg. 283, Tr. No.30.)

[^3]: (Al-Kaafi, vol.1, pg. 391.)

[^4]: (Last few sentences from Dua al-Iftetah. This supplication was instructed by Imam az-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.) himself and has ordered us to recite it every night during the holy month of Ramazan.)