Factors of the Promised Mahdi (PBUH) Reappearance
Part 2
Maybe, that’s why one of the signs of the beginning of Imam Mahdi’s revolution is spreading of oppression in the world. This can be proved by two ways:
1- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) considered the spreading of oppression as a sign of the beginning of the revolution and in a hadith which is narrated by Islamic scholars, he said: He fills the world with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. [16]
2- When the pressure and repression gets too much, it will be a source of explosion. Social explosions are like mechanical explosions which the explosion happens at a specific pressure. In fact the spreading of corruption by the oppressors of the time makes the revolution closer. As a result, they water the seeds of the revolution until the crisis reaches its climax and the revolution occurs. Of course, it should be noted that spreading of corruption is not enough, but also increase of the awareness in this field is necessary.
The purpose of raising awareness is that men realize their position and value and they consider toleration of oppression and corruption as living a shameful and deadly life that is not appropriate for human dignity. Then, by evaluating their condition and facilities and the oppression of arrogant powers, they sow the seed of revolution in prepared lands and try to water it in different ways. Needless to say, as long as the public do not get such awareness and people are not aware of their values and they don’t evaluate their own and others facilities, there will be a blind revolution which cannot guarantee people’s benefits.
In other words, for the realization of a revolution, the spread of corruption or existence of a competent leader is not enough, but in addition to this, it is necessary to have spiritual and intellectual preparation so that people pay the cost of revolution, which is sacrifice and martyrdom for the goal at the right time. Otherwise, lethargy, laziness and satisfaction with the current situation, resides in the spirit of the society and the idea of revolution won’t come to their minds and with sticking to sentences like “anyone should care for his own, “other peoples are not my concern“ and etc., they prefer the current situation which is combined with a kind of indolence over the uprising and revolution and enduring of imprisonment, torture, murder and death [17].
Moreover, for the realization of the uprising of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), there has to be a prepared army and an efficient Task Force to support Imam (PBUH) and to obey his commands. So, in this hell of oppression, corruption and discrimination, some devoted people have to grow to be the messenger of justice spring. This group should be equipped with the power of faith and piety, and they should be devotee.
Briefly, if the spreading of corruption and oppression results in “Enzelam” –acceptance of oppression and tyranny-it will never be a factor of an uprising against it. It can only be useful when it is a preface for a battle in order to achieve justice and goodness. Obviously, this preface shall never realize unless people know the badness of oppression and on the other hand they also recognize the symbols of individual and social righteousness and piety and the only way for this recognition is invitation of people to righteousness and piety.
There are several hadiths which say that several groups at different times pave the way of the reappearance by reforming movements in human societies .These hadiths are gathered in some books [18].
We mention one of these hadiths here: The writer of Kashf al-Ghumma narrates from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he said:”Some people from the east arise and pave the way for Imam Mahdi (PBUH)” [19]
- E) Piety and avoiding sins:
In the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Holy Imams, which determines the tasks of awaiting people, there has been a tall of piety, devotion, chastity, goodness,firmness, avoiding from sins and closeness to God. As an example, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said: “Whoever is pleased to be among the companions of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), has to wait and act in piety and good morals, while waiting. If such a person dies before Imam’s Reappearance, his/her reward is as the one who has been in reappearance era. So try (for goodness) and wait .Enjoy this waiting O blessed group“[20]
Scholars of the past have written several books about duties and tasks of the awaiting people in the occultation era or they dedicated some chapters of their books to this issue such as “Al-Najm Al-Sagheb” written by Ayatollah Allameh Mohaddith Nouri (D. 1948), two books of “Mekyal al Makarem” and “Duties of people in the occultation time of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)” written by Ayatollah Musavi Isfahani (D. 1969). In these books and other books like them, reappearance factors and the duties of the awaiting people are mentioned only based on the narrations of the holy Imams.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi writes about the necessary preparations for the Global Governance: some types of preparations are necessary for the world to accept such governance:
1- The intellectual and cultural preparation: The intellectual level of the world public should get so high to know that for example, “race” or “different geographical areas” are not significant issues in human life and the difference in colors, language and countries can’t separate mankind from each other.
2- Social preparation: the people of the world must get tired of oppression and existing governments, they must feel the bitterness of this material and one dimensional life and even they have to get disappointed from the possibility of solving current problems in future with continuing this one-dimensional way.
3-Technology and communicational Preparation: Contrary to what some people think that reaching to social development and a world full of peace and justice can only be achieved by destruction of new technology, the existence of these advanced industries not only doesn’t disturb a global just governance but also it may be impossible to achieve such a goal without it. Moreover, Miracle is a logical exception in the current system of nature to prove the truth of a divine religion, not to run the usual system of community. [21]
4- Individual preparation: First of all, the global governance needs elements with high humanistic values and preparation to bear the burden of such widespread reforms.
Primarily, it is necessary to raise the level of intellect, knowledge, emotional and intellectual capacities for implementing such a great program. The real awaiting person cannot have a passive role in such a great plan. [22]
Footnotes:
[16] Al-Ihtijaj, vol.1, p.69
[17] It should be noted that it’s been a long time that the corruption has covered the world. The corruption of superpowers has reached its climax in many areas of the world and particularly Africa and Asia. From the day the West developed the idea of dominating over the East, it has added to its oppression every day in different parts of the world and has fettered millions of people. Checking the condition of colonized countries of Africa and South Asia is an illustrative and clear proof of this issue.
[18] For more information please refer to: Ruzegar-e-Rahaii, Kamil Sulaiman, Vol. 2
[19] Kashf al-Ghumma, vol.3; Mu’jam Al-Ahadith Al-Imam Mahdi, vol.1
[20] Bihar al-Anwar, vol.52
[21] Hokumat-e-Jahani-e-Imam Mahdi (PBUH), Ayatollah Nasir Makarim Shirazi
[22] Hokumat-e-Jahani-e-Imam Mahdi (PBUH), Ayatollah Nasir Makarim Shirazi