Viladat -e- Imam Mehdi (a.s)

Imam Mehdi(a.s) AS SUNNI REFERENCES

All Muslims agree that at the end of time, Imam Mahdi (pbuh) will reappear to make justice prevail on earth after being overwhelmed with injustice, corruption, and tyranny. However, the dispute between the different schools of thought is as to who he is, and whether or not he has been born yet. Great scholars emphasize that the Mahdi is coming and is a member of the ahl al-bayt (the Family of the Prophet):

Imam Bukhari narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf): "How will you feel once the son of Mary descends among you, and your leader (imam) is from you?"[115]

Imam Muslim narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf): "A caliph will be appearing at the end of the time of my nation." Timridhi and Abu Dawud, commenting on this hadith, say that this caliph will be the Mahdi.[116]

Abu Dawud narrates from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf): "If there remained but a single day till the end of time, Allah would prolong that day till He sent a man from my progeny whose name will be like mine who fill the earth with justice and equity as it had been filled with oppression and tyranny." [117]

Ibn Majah narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf): "We are the ahl al-bayt for whom Allah has chosen the hereafter to this world. My ahl al-bayt after me will face difficulties, hardships, and persecution in the land until a people will come from the East, bearers of black banners. They will demand the right, but it will be denied. So they will fight and emerge victorious. They will be given what they demanded but will not accept it till they give the right to rule to a man from my ahl al-bayt who will fill the earth with justice as it was filled with oppression."[118]

Ibn Majah also narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf): "The Mahdi is from us, the ahl al-bayt. The Mahdi is among the children of Fatima."[119]

Tirmidhi narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf): "A man from my ahl al-bayt whose name is like mine will verily rule the world, and if there remains but a single day before the end of time, Allah will prolong that day till he assumes rule."[120]

According to the Shi'a school of thought, Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Mahdi (pbuh) was born in 255 h. (869 A.D.) on the 15th of the month of Sha'ban in the city of Samarra in Northern Iraq. His father was Imam Hasan al-Askari (pbuh), whose lineage traces back to Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (pbuh), and his mother was named Narjiss. He is the last of the imams of the people on earth, and with him the line of succession to the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) ends. Because of the necessity of having a representative from Allah present on the earth, he still, by the will of Allah, lives in this world - but out of public view. He will, however, reappear towards the end of human civilization to restore order and justice at a time when the world has been filled with evil and injustice.

Although the idea of the Mahdi still being alive after nearly thirteen centuries is difficult for some people to handle, the Holy Qur'an sets several examples of prophets who lived even longer than the Mahdi has lived, such as Prophet Jesus (pbuh), and al-Khidr (see 18:60-82 for his story with Prophet Moses (pbuh)). The Holy Qur'an also gives two other examples about people who died and then were resurrected by Allah. One is the exapmle of the Companions of the Cave (ashab al-kahf; see 18:25). The other is the example of 'Uzayr: "Or like the one who passed by the town, and it had tumbled over its roofs. He said, 'How will Allah ever bring it alive after its death?' So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years and raised him up again. He said, 'How long did you remain dead?' He replied, 'Perhaps I remained dead a day, or part of a day.' He said, 'Nay! You have remained dead for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink. They show no change'."[121] Furthermore, if Allah allows Propeht Abraham (pbuh), Prophet Moses (pbuh), and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) to perform certain miracles, then allowing the Mahdi to live for this extended period of time would not be difficult for Him, for He is capable of doing all things.

Notes:

[115] Sahih Bukhari, 4:143

[116] Sahih Muslim, vol. 2; Sunan Tirmidhi; Sunan Abu Dawud, 2:421

[117] Sunan Abu Dawud, 2:421

[118] vol. 2 hadith #4082 and 4087

[119] vol. 2 hadith #4082 and 4087

[120] al-Jami' al-Sahih, Tirmidhi, 9: 74-75.

For more references on this topic, see Fath al-Bari, al-Hafiz, 5:362; al-Sawa'iq, ibn Hajar al-Haythami, 2:212; Muntakab al-Athar, Allahah Lutfullah Safi, which includes over sixty hadith from the Sunni sources and ninety hadith from the Shi'a sources

[121] Qur'an 2:259

http://www.al-islam.org/discussions_mahdi/

http://lectures.hussainiat.com/audio/lectures/Album.aspx?ALID=473

Shab-e-Bara'at --- Night of blessings and glory

The night between 14 and 15 Shaban, known, as 'Shab-e-Bara'at' is the night of blessings and glory.

Hazrat Imam Jafer-e-Sadiq (AS) reported that Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) was asked about the merit and excellence of this night then Imam replied,

" It is one of those nights being bestowed with honor and dignity. In this holy night Allah grants His servants and forgives them with His graciousness, kindness and FAVOR. So try to find out nearness to Allah. In fact this is that glorious night that Allah Almighty swore by Him 'not to turn back any one empty handed.'

The honor of this night touches heights and elevation as in the same night at the time of seher (pre-dawn) Hazrat Saheb al Asr-e-Wazzaman - the 12th successor of Holy Prophet was born in the year 255 A.H. in Samarah, Iraq.

There are many Aamal reported to be performed in this night - some of them are as under:

1- To take bath

2- Cease to sleep and spend the night in ibadat, prayer, recitation of Holy Quran and istighfar as was the practice of Hazrat Imam Zain ul Abedeen (AS);

3- To recite Ziarat of Imam Hussain (A.S) which is the best amal of this night and a source of forgiveness of sins. It is reported from Hazrat Imam Zain ul Abedeen (A.S) that he who wants to shake hand with the souls of one lakh and 24 thousands prophets, should recite ziarat of Imam Hussain (AS):

4- To recite dua-e-kumail

5- To recite hundred times:

Subhanallahe Wal humdulillahe Wa allahokber Wa la Ilaha Illalla

( Imam Baqir (AS) said he who recites this will be pardoned and Allah will fulfill his all wishes of the world and hereafter)

6- To offer 4-rakaat prayer with 2 Salams. In each rakat recite sura Ikhlaas hundred times after sura Hamd.

OR

To recite 10-rakaat prayer with 5 Salams. In each rakat recite sura Ikhlaas ten times after sura Hamd.

7- To present Areeza-e-Hajaat in the bargah of Hazrat Saheb al Asr (ATF) at the time of pre-dawn.

******************
15th of Sha'aban is the day of glory, honor, dignity and blessings as it is the Birth anniversary of Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (Ajja lallahu farajahu).
He is the Imam of our era and a hadith of Holy Prophet (PBUH &HP) goes:

'One, who dies without knowing the Imam of his time, dies a death of ignorance (Jahalat).'

Hazrat Imam Mehdi, al-Qa'em, Saheb-al-Asr Wazzaman (ATF) is our Imam, Imam of our era and as the verse 71 of sura Bani Israel says:

"(Remember) the day (of Judgement) when we shall call every people with their Imam."

We will be called and presented with our Imam on resurrection day.

The messenger of Allah Muhammad (PBUH & HP) said, " If there was one day left for the world, Allah the Almighty will prolong that day so that my son, whose name is the same as mine, will arise. He will fill the world with justice and fairness as it was filled with oppression and tyranny.

Some aamal of this glorious day are:

1- To wear new and fine dress;
2 -To keep fast;
3 -To recite ziarat of Hazrat Saheb al Asr (ATF)
4-To pray for Imam's haste appearance

اللهم كن لوليك الحجة ابن الحسن صلواتك عليه وعلى آبائه، في هذه الساعة وفي كل ساعة، ولياً وحافظاً وقائداً وناصراً ، ودليلاً وعيناً ، حتى تسكنه أرضك طوعا وتمتعه فيها طويلا، برحمتك يا أرحم الراحمن"