Should the oppression increase in the world for the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)?
A number of students from different universities of Turkey visited Razavi University of Islamic Sciences on a scientific tour during a trip to Iran and the holy city of Mashhad, and sat in the sermon of a professor of the university about Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
More than 30 male and female students from different universities in Turkey, who have traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran in a scientific-pilgrimage visit, visited the holy shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.) in the holy city of Mashhad.
Organized by the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, these young people who love the Quran and Itrat, also visited Razavi University of Islamic Sciences and sat in the preaching and belief sermon of Hojat al-Islam Dr. Sayed Mohammad Mousavi Baigi, associate professor, and faculty member of Razavi University.
A summary of this session, which was related to knowing Imam Mahdi (a.s.), and was the 86th part of the series “Waiting for the Savior”, is as follows:
The necessity of the existence of God’s Hujja (proof) at all times in the Shia perspective
Professor Mousavi Baigi considered the existence of God’s Hujja (proof) on earth as a necessary belief in Shiism, which also has a rational and philosophical reason, and said, “As long as man exists on earth, the earth will not be empty of divine authority.”
“The first man (Adam) was the Hujja of God, and this process has continued after him, so that in no period of human history, the earth has been empty of God’s Hujja. But the degrees and levels of God’s Hujjas are different, as mentioned in the Quran,” he added.
“According to our religion, Islam, the highest and most perfect prophet is Muhammad Mustafa (p.b.u.h), and there is no prophet after him to receive revelation, and he has brought everything that is necessary to guide mankind,” stated the faculty member of Razavi University.
“The end of Revelation and Prophecy does not mean the end of the existence of God’s Hujja, rather, the reason for the necessity of each of them is different. We believe that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was born, and he has a physical manifestation, and God has given him a long life, until he appears at the appointed time and does what he is assigned to do,” he added.
“Imam Mahdi (a.s.) has a duty that must be perfected. But this perfection is not in himself but is achieved through the improvement of God’s creation and His servants,” he continued.
Duties of a Muslim towards Imam Mahdi (as)
In expressing man’s duties towards Imam Mahdi (a.s.), the associate professor of Razavi University stated, “When we consider the Imam as an alive leader, we have duties towards him, which we do first for our own benefit. One of them is leaving the harams and performing the wajibs. Committing the sin makes the Imam sad and dissatisfied with us. Therefore, we must observe these matters in order to obtain his satisfaction.”
“Another of our duties is to pay attention to the Imam and to remember him, so that we can understand his presence at all times in life. That is, the Imam should be remembered, whether in times of difficulties and hardships, or in times of joy and happiness. It is better to greet the Imam after our prayers and worships. According to Islam, the answer of greeting is wajib. Therefore, he will answer our greetings, and the result will be effective in our lives,” he added.
In response to a question about the possibility of a face-to-face meeting with Imam Mahdi (a.s.), he confirmed this matter, provided observing certain issues, Mousavi Baigi referred to the story of the Isfahani locksmith (who met Imam).
He further spoke about the heartfelt connection with the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and their presence in religious gatherings and circles.
Considering the duty of man during the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), as man’s attempt to protect himself from hell and avoiding disobedience to God, and said, “After observing these things, we should help those around us as much as possible, and if we could, help others to escape dangers (of disobedience to God).”
Increasing knowledge and understanding is the highest task
The faculty member of Razavi University considered human beings to have a higher duty than religious and personal duties such as worship, which he introduced as knowledge and increasing the level of human knowledge of religion, God, the Prophet and the Imams, and said, “Imam Mahdi (a.s.) wants a wise Shiites. If we are other than this, we will go out of the right way during the Occultation of the Imam or even his Reappearance era.”
“Most of the oppression against Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is committed by some Shiites, by misrepresenting him, and having misconceptions. Some consider the Reappearance of the Imam to solve livelihood and economic problems. Others, God forbidden, see the Imam as a murderer who only comes to kill some! After all, everyone may have a wrong view of the Imam Mahdi (a.s.), and this ignorance is persecution of the Imam,” he added.
Should the oppression increase in the world for the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)?
“Some believe that there should be more oppression in the world for Imam Mahdi (a.s.) to appear. In this case, two points should be noted: First, oppression does not only mean murder, theft, and the like, but the greatest oppression to humanity is the oppression to beliefs, knowledge and understanding of God and religion,” Mousavi Baigi stated.
“Second, by oppression does not mean severe oppression. Because in this case, society will disintegrate,” he continued.
“For example: If there is 2% oppression in the world, it does not mean that oppression must be more than 50% for the Imam to appear. Because society can survive with Kufr, but with oppression, it will collapse,” the professor at university and seminary added.
“Therefore, oppression does not mean severe oppression. Even 10% of oppression in society is considered great oppression. Because anything out of the ordinary is excessive,” Baigi clarified.
A number of students from different universities of Turkey visited Razavi University of Islamic Sciences on a scientific tour during a trip to Iran and the holy city of Mashhad, and sat in the sermon of a professor of the university about Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
More than 30 male and female students from different universities in Turkey, who have traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran in a scientific-pilgrimage visit, visited the holy shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.) in the holy city of Mashhad.
Organized by the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, these young people who love the Quran and Itrat, also visited Razavi University of Islamic Sciences and sat in the preaching and belief sermon of Hojat al-Islam Dr. Sayed Mohammad Mousavi Baigi, associate professor, and faculty member of Razavi University.
A summary of this session, which was related to knowing Imam Mahdi (a.s.), and was the 86th part of the series “Waiting for the Savior”, is as follows:
The necessity of the existence of God’s Hujja (proof) at all times in the Shia perspective
Professor Mousavi Baigi considered the existence of God’s Hujja (proof) on earth as a necessary belief in Shiism, which also has a rational and philosophical reason, and said, “As long as man exists on earth, the earth will not be empty of divine authority.”
“The first man (Adam) was the Hujja of God, and this process has continued after him, so that in no period of human history, the earth has been empty of God’s Hujja. But the degrees and levels of God’s Hujjas are different, as mentioned in the Quran,” he added.
“According to our religion, Islam, the highest and most perfect prophet is Muhammad Mustafa (p.b.u.h), and there is no prophet after him to receive revelation, and he has brought everything that is necessary to guide mankind,” stated the faculty member of Razavi University.
“The end of Revelation and Prophecy does not mean the end of the existence of God’s Hujja, rather, the reason for the necessity of each of them is different. We believe that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was born, and he has a physical manifestation, and God has given him a long life, until he appears at the appointed time and does what he is assigned to do,” he added.
“Imam Mahdi (a.s.) has a duty that must be perfected. But this perfection is not in himself but is achieved through the improvement of God’s creation and His servants,” he continued.
Duties of a Muslim towards Imam Mahdi (as)
In expressing man’s duties towards Imam Mahdi (a.s.), the associate professor of Razavi University stated, “When we consider the Imam as an alive leader, we have duties towards him, which we do first for our own benefit. One of them is leaving the harams and performing the wajibs. Committing the sin makes the Imam sad and dissatisfied with us. Therefore, we must observe these matters in order to obtain his satisfaction.”
“Another of our duties is to pay attention to the Imam and to remember him, so that we can understand his presence at all times in life. That is, the Imam should be remembered, whether in times of difficulties and hardships, or in times of joy and happiness. It is better to greet the Imam after our prayers and worships. According to Islam, the answer of greeting is wajib. Therefore, he will answer our greetings, and the result will be effective in our lives,” he added.
In response to a question about the possibility of a face-to-face meeting with Imam Mahdi (a.s.), he confirmed this matter, provided observing certain issues, Mousavi Baigi referred to the story of the Isfahani locksmith (who met Imam).
He further spoke about the heartfelt connection with the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and their presence in religious gatherings and circles.
Considering the duty of man during the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), as man’s attempt to protect himself from hell and avoiding disobedience to God, and said, “After observing these things, we should help those around us as much as possible, and if we could, help others to escape dangers (of disobedience to God).”
Increasing knowledge and understanding is the highest task
The faculty member of Razavi University considered human beings to have a higher duty than religious and personal duties such as worship, which he introduced as knowledge and increasing the level of human knowledge of religion, God, the Prophet and the Imams, and said, “Imam Mahdi (a.s.) wants a wise Shiites. If we are other than this, we will go out of the right way during the Occultation of the Imam or even his Reappearance era.”
“Most of the oppression against Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is committed by some Shiites, by misrepresenting him, and having misconceptions. Some consider the Reappearance of the Imam to solve livelihood and economic problems. Others, God forbidden, see the Imam as a murderer who only comes to kill some! After all, everyone may have a wrong view of the Imam Mahdi (a.s.), and this ignorance is persecution of the Imam,” he added.
Should the oppression increase in the world for the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)?
“Some believe that there should be more oppression in the world for Imam Mahdi (a.s.) to appear. In this case, two points should be noted: First, oppression does not only mean murder, theft, and the like, but the greatest oppression to humanity is the oppression to beliefs, knowledge and understanding of God and religion,” Mousavi Baigi stated.
“Second, by oppression does not mean severe oppression. Because in this case, society will disintegrate,” he continued.
“For example: If there is 2% oppression in the world, it does not mean that oppression must be more than 50% for the Imam to appear. Because society can survive with Kufr, but with oppression, it will collapse,” the professor at university and seminary added.
“Therefore, oppression does not mean severe oppression. Even 10% of oppression in society is considered great oppression. Because anything out of the ordinary is excessive,” Baigi clarified.