Introduction
The present era, in which we are living, is known as 'Ghaibat Kubra' (major occultation). It is a period when there is no special representative of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) through whom we can contact him or correspond with him (a.t.f.s.). This era will continue till as long as Allah wishes and Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) does not reappear. When he (a.t.f.s.) does reappear, people will be blessed with the opportunity to meet him in person. They will get the good fortune of presenting themselves in his honourable presence. Thus, till Imam (a.t.f.s.) does not reappear and remains in occultation, we will be deprived of numerous priceless blessings. Among the most important characteristics of the major occultation is that it is the era of ordeal and tribulation.
1. Tyrant Rulers:
One of the calamites of the present times is the absence of a fair, honest and impartial government based on true Islamic principles that enliven the human spirit and values. When we look around us, we find man-made, oppressive and tyrannical laws imposed upon the masses by corrupt and dishonest leaders who are at the helm of affairs. Thus we find that oppression is commonplace in all parts of the world. The more one tries to suppress these oppressions through force and tyranny, the more aggressively they raise their heads.
2. Trial and Examination:
spanThis is the age of ordeals and tribulations. The biggest calamity of the time is that our Imam (a.t.f.s.) is concealed from our eyes while tyrants are ruling the world. The dark clouds of oppression are found everywhere. It is highly probable that a person may make a blunder and fall into the valley of deviation. Among the many perils of the present times, three of them are most dangerous.
In traditions, this period of occultation is referred to as the era of trials and examinations. This is a stage when the steps of an individual can falter if he does not continuously seek help from Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.a.). If we don't seek refuge in them, then in today's ever increasing stressful lives and social pressures, a small lapse or error will lead to the destruction in the Hereafter.
Traditions have described this period in various ways. Their scrutiny will give a clear picture about the ordeals of this era. We have the good fortune of enumerating a few of the trials and tribulations mentioned in traditions. Along with Shia traditions we have also mentioned the traditions mentioned by the Ahle Sunnat.
3. Difficulties and Calamities:
In traditions, calamites and difficulties have been mentioned as one of the features of this period. People will be engulfed in such severe and acute calamities that they will wish for death.
In a lengthy tradition, Imam Baqir (a.s.) says,
'Hazrat Qaim (a.t.f.s.) will appear among the people at a time when they will be living in fear. Earthquakes will be common and people will be surrounded by corruption and difficulties. Plague will spread; there will be a terrible war amongst the Arabs and grave differences of opinions among the people. Religion will be scattered while circumstances would keep on changing continuously. These calamites will be so severe that every morning and evening an individual would pray for death. All this will be due to the troubles every person will receive from his fellow being. People will eat each other.'
(Beharul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 231)
A person desires death only when he is surrounded by calamities and the whole society is a victim of deviation. Today, the world finds itself surrounded by calamities mainly due to the actions of a few defiant, oppressive, cruel, merciless, self-centered, proud, devilish, human-faced but animal-natured individuals. These oppressions are being perpetrated upon the world under different pretexts while every day new kinds of weapons of destructions are being unleashed. Every day, violence erupts in a new form and the day is not far when the whole world becomes a heap of gunpowder.
What is surprising is that those who possess a huge arsenal of armaments and are capable of wreaking maximum havoc upon mankind and whose substantial portion of trade revenue comes from the sale of arms and defence equipments, are the same nations who are today blowing the trumpet of being the 'guardians of mankind'!!! On one side they supply arms and ammunitions to the terrorists in order to further their business interests and on the other side, they are waging a war against terrorism!!!
In such turbulent times, the only thing that gives solace to man is the belief in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). This belief grants an inner strength to an individual, enabling him to confront all kinds of trials and difficulties
Our responsibilities
Through the above mentioned traditions, our Imams (a.s.) have given us a graphic explanation and a complete picture about the conditions of the last era. But does our responsibility end only by knowing these traditions? No. Rather, it increases manifold. Some of these responsibilities include:
(a) Rectification:
This is because the present condition of the society is a result of our own actions. As the Holy Quran mentions 'Corruption has spread on the land and the oceans because of the hands of men have earned'.
Also Allah the High mentions in the Holy Quran,
'Surely Allah does not change (the conditions of) a nation until they themselves change (their own conditions)'
(Surah Raad (13): 11)
(ii) Therefore, if the current state of affairs is a result of our moral decay and sinful actions, then the improvement of the society can only materialise if every individual pays attention to his own self and takes steps to perfect his moral character.
(b) To turn towards Imam (a.s.):
When a person suffers from any kind of physical ailment, then he visits a doctor for its rectification. Similarly, if we find that our religion, actions and morals have become flawed and defective, then it is essential that we turn towards Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and present ourselves before his sacred presence. Because Allah has appointed him (a.s.) for the purpose of the spiritual cleansing and upliftment of the people. Naturally, we ourselves will have to go to the doctor, present our case to him, listen carefully to his advice and act upon it and not give in to our personal opinions and inclinations.
Similarly, if we our desirous to improve ourselves, actions and character, then we should focus and turn towards Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and present ourselves in his (a.s.) holy presence. We should weep and plead before him and with utmost sincerity and request him for the rectification of our selves. Allah has granted him (a.t.f.s.) such immense powers that a single "spiritual glance" from his side upon the servant is enough to cause a transformation in the individual. Just as Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) turned the hearts of the polytheist towards Islam and persuaded them to lead a positive and beneficial (Islamic) life. Or how Imam Husain (a.s.) brought about a change in Janabe Zohair (r.a.) and Janabe Hurr (r.a.). Certainly, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is in occultation but he is not oblivious of us. He is conscious and is a witness to each and every action that we perform. In one 'tauqee' he (a.s.) says 'Now we are residing far from the dwellings of the oppressors, since Allah considers this best for us as well as our Shias till the time the tyrants rule the world.
'However, our knowledge encompasses all the news concerning you and nothing about you is concealed from us'
If this is the case, then we should take ourselves in his sacred presence and beg for our rectification and improvement. For this, we don't have to go anywhere. What is required is that from the bottom of our hearts, we should repent for our sins and attach ourselves to him (a.t.f.s.) and call upon him (a.t.f.s.). And to make our prayers more effective, we should mention the calamities that befell upon Imam Husain (a.s.) and ask Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) to fulfill our wishes for the sake of Imam Husain (a.s.). Neither our actions are of any value nor is our character such that we can present ourselves before Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) without a strong mediation and hope to receive his blessings. The grief of Imam Husain (a.s.) is the best means for the fulfillment of our wishes. As Imam Mahdi (a.s.) says
'I pray for the believer who cries on the calamities that befell my grandfather Imam Husain (a.s.) and prays for my reappearance.’
(Mikyalul Makaarim, vol. 2, pg. 36)
(c) Patience:
It is one of the crucial responsibilities in these difficult and testing times. Here patience has a few aspects. But before elaborating on those facets it is necessary to first understand that patience does not mean that a person remains a passive spectator to all that is happening around him. Rather, 'patience' implies 'steadfastness' and 'resoluteness'. As the Holy Quran says,
'One hundred patient individuals are equal to two hundred individuals (who lack patience).'
It means that patience is that attribute that amplifies the might of an individual and increases it manifold.
(i) Patience on oppression:
Today, oppression is common and is as its peak. Rulers are inventing newer means for tormenting the people. In such testing times, glad tidings are for those believers who adopt patience and protect their religion. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) narrates,
'Don't you know that the one who is awaiting our affair (rule) and in the process is patient upon the difficulties and fear, then on the Day of Judgment, he shall be in our group?
(Beharul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 256, tradition 147)
(ii) Patience on calamities:
When the guardian of the house is away then all kinds of problems descend upon it. This is because the enemies come out of their hiding places. In this period of occultation, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is not apparently present among the people. Hence, they are engulfed in various kinds of problems. Abu Saleh Kanani once met Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and said, 'O Abu Abdillah! I complain to you of the anguish caused to me by my children and brothers. (These are words of Abu Saleh, yet today everyone has a similar complain). Imam Sadiq (a.s.) replied,
'O Aba Saleh! Surely truth has a government and falsehood too has its government. In both these reigns, people of the opposite group are humiliated. The least of the troubles that a believer shall receive in the reign of the false government is oppression from his children and humiliation from his brothers. If a believer gets any comfort during the dishonest government then in return he will certainly face some kind of difficulty or calamity. Either in matters relating to his body or children or wealth. Till such time that Allah does not purify him from all the filth that has accumulated on him due those worldly comforts. So that when the true government is established he should get his complete reward. So be patient and remain contented.'
(Usul al-Kafi, vol. 2, pg. 447, tradition 12)
This tradition gives us an idea that in the days of major occultation, troubles and difficulties will not be only from the polytheists and oppressors i.e from outsiders, but even from our near and dear ones. We have mentioned earlier that to remain steadfast on the true religion, act upon the teachings of Ahle Bait (a.s.), to perform our religious obligations for the sake of Allah, not to act against the tenets of the religion inspite of the accusations and criticism of the people, is the highest level of patience. In these circumstances, the best example for us is Hazrat Hujjat b. Hasan Askari (a.t.f.s.). His right (of caliphate) was usurped, he had to go into occultation, the objections raised against him, the oppressions that engulfed his Shias, living far away from the people, living a prolonged life in occultation - these are calamities and difficulties which he (a.t.f.s.) has been enduring for over 1,000 years. These tribulations are beyond human understanding and perception.
We should sincerely beseech and beg in front of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) by the means of Imam Husain (a.s.) that he grant us the twin noble traits of being patient and steadfast on religion. Undoubtedly, this is the only door that can grant us security from the destruction of the present era.
O Allah! Hasten the reappearance of our master Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.).
Written by Admin
We are group of Shia students whose aim is to make reach the fact about real islam and answer the doubts raised against shiaism in mondern days.
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