This is the paper which Dr. Zhaeer A. Khan submitted in the seminar.
The Doctrine of Mahdism - A Rational Scientific Point of View
Zaheer Ahmad Khan and Khan M. Asim
301, Centre Court, Sec. 23, Nerul (E)
Navi Mumbai – 400706, INDIA
asim_zahir@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
ALLAH created all mankind from a single pair of male and female, divided it into nations and tribes for the purpose of knowing each other. HE gave them wisdom and knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong by sending bearers of glad tidings, warners and guides as and when need was there. Starting from Adam (AS) to Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) a large number of prophets came to this world bringing the same message of Islam. The Message of all the messengers except Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) was subject to time and space. Who (PBUH) finally came with the clear command, “ We sent thee not but as a Mercy for all creatures”.
After the departure of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) no more prophets will come to this world and the DEEN has been completed. ALLAH as per Quranic injection has also taken the responsibility to protect the Quran eternally.. There have been MUJADDID and MUJTAHID in every century for the restoration of true faith based on Quran and Sunnah. Almost all sections of Ummah except a few individuals, like Ibn-e-Khuldoon, do believe in the arrival of Hazrat Imam Mahdi. They also agree that Hazrat Imam Mahdi will come near the Day of Judgment when there will be almost total chaos and collapse of the system. Some what similar concepts about ‘The Divinely Guided One’ are found in the books of followers of other faiths.
What Hazrat Imam Mahdi will do? He will overhaul the system, fill the earth with justice and equity, restore true religion and usher in a short golden age lasting seven, eight or nine years before the end of the world. What a tragedy the Ummah is praying for the early arrival of Hazrat Imam Mahdi! Does it want an early collapse of the system, forces of evil to flourish, the followers of the true faith to be persecuted so that Allah will have mercy on it and send Hazrat Al-Mahdi? Are we not running away from our own responsibilities to spread and establish the rule and law of Allah on earth? The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has brought the complete message. He has shown us the way to follow it properly. The Prophet (PBUH) and his companions have faced the forces of evil and tyranny for the establishment of Islam on earth. They have not escaped from their responsibilities by simply praying for the early arrival of Hazrat Al-Mahdi. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Ahle-bait gave their lives for the establishment of just-society based on Islam. Imam Hussain (RA) has done his duty and not left his share for Hazrat Imam Mahdi. The forces of evil are again trying to create nonsense on the earth and the system is collapsing. Be it carpet-bombing of a nation or the use of nuclear bombs, their only objective is to create rule of terror and disorderliness. Who has to stop it? Of course only the followers of true faith can do it. How? By uniting Ibn-e-Adam on the basis of guidelines provided in Quran and Sunnah. So instead of simply praying for the early arrival of Hazrat Al-Mahdi let us do our own duty. His late arrival may in fact provide us time and opportunity to do our duty as individuals as well as nations of the world.
KEY WORDS: MESSAGE, Justice, Tolerance, Equality, Unity, Peace,
Duty.
INTRODUUTION:
“O mankind! We created
You from a single (pair)
Of a male and a female,
And made you into
Nations and tribes, that
Ye may know each other”
(Al-Quran )1
So says the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe – ALLAH Subhanahu-talah. He not only created Adam and Eve and their progeny, gave them wisdom to distinguish between right and wrong but also showed them the right path and promised a bearer of glade tidings, a warner and a guide to every people. (Al-Quran )2,3. Starting from Adam (AS) to KHATIMUNNABIAN – Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) a large number of prophets came to this world bringing the same message – INNADDINA INDALLAHIL ISLAM with the very objective, “ Do not mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order (Al-Quran )4. All the Messengers except The KHATIMUNNABIAN – Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) came for a particular area and time i.e. their message was subject to time and space. The objective was to arrest the entropy of this disturbed world and establish the era of peace and harmony. Finally came The Holy Prophet (PBUH) with the clear command, “ We sent thee not but as a Mercy for all creatures” (Al-Quran )5. There is no question now of race or nation, of a “chosen people” or the “seed of Abraham”; or the “seed of David” or of Hindu Arya-varta; or of Jew or Gentile, Arab or ‘Ajam (non-Arab), Turk or Tajik, European or Asiatic, White or Coloured; Aryan, Semitic, Mongolian, or African; or American, Australian, or Polynesian. To all men and creatures other than men who have any spiritual responsibility, the principles universally apply.
THE PHILOSOPHY:
After the departure of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) no more prophetswill come to this world and the DEEN has been completed, “ This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. ” (Al-Quran)6. HE has also taken the responsibility to protect the Quran eternally, “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)” .
(Al-Quran)7.
It is a historical fact that an ideal and best social system based on adal (justice) and ihsaan (kindness) was established during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and in the golden era of his (PBUH) rightly guided companions. Great thinkers irrespective of their race and religion have lauded its utility.
Later on with the passage of time any controversy whenever came up in the system to solve that there have been Mujadid (revivalist) and Mujtahid (jurist entitled to independent opinion) in every century. In the end, Hazrat Imam Mahdi will be doing the same. He will amend the corrupt system, recreate and revive the system given by the holy Prophet (PBUH).
Almost all sections of Ummah except few individuals, like Ibn-e-Khuldoon, do believe in the amad of Hazrat Imam Mahdi. No doubt there is difference in their conception, because it is arrival as per the Sunni traditions8 and rearrival from Ghaibatul Kubra9 as per the Shia traditions. But they do agree that Hazrat Imam Mahdi will come near the Day of Judgment, when there will be almost total collapse of the system and evil forces will be ruling the world. The authors of Encyclopaedia Britannica writing on ‘Messaiah and Messianic Movements’ have mentioned about similarly awaiting for the arrival of ‘The Divinely Guided One’ by followers of other faiths like Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism etc. Most of the Muslim groups differ with the concept. The Zoroastrian ideas of the arrival of soshyans (or sasohyant) at the end of days and the concept of Bodhisattva in Buddhism etc., are definitely the thoughts to be ponder over10. A similar thought comes to mind when one reads Islokas (stanzas) 7 and 8 Addhyaye (chapter) 4 of the Bhagvad Geeta11.
DUTIES AND DEMANDS:
What Hazrat Imam Mahdi will do? He will overhaul8,9 the system, destroy the forces of evil and disorderliness, fill the earth with justice and equity, restore true religion and thus establish a just society where in everybody will live in peace and harmony, and rule of Allah’s law will prevail. Hazrat Imam Mahdi’s arrival is most welcome. But waiting for Hazrat Imam Mahdi does not mean we abandon our own duties. Are we not running away from our own responsibilities to spread and establish the rule and law of Allah on the earth? The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has brought the complete message. He (PBUH) has shown us the way to follow it properly. His (PBUH) Companions (RA) have followed and practiced the same path. They have faced the forces of evil and tyranny for the establishment of Islamic values on the earth. They have done their duties and have not washed off their hands from responsibilities. The heart burning tragedy of Karbala has occurred because Hazrat Hussain (R.A.) preferred for martyrdom instead of surrendering to the forces of evil.
Sardaad, na daad dust der daste Yazeed
Haqqa ke binaye LA ILAHA ast Hussain
Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and almost his entire family gave their lives for the establishment of just society based on Quran and Sunnah. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) has performed his duty. Hazrat Hussain (RA) struck to his point of view and noble principles without bothering for the consequences and gave his life. Can’t we? Can’t we?? The forces of evil time and again are trying to create nonsense on the earth and the system is collapsing, whether it is carpet-bombing of a nation or the use of nuclear bombs, their only objective is to create terror and disorderliness. Who has to stop it? Of course, the followers of the true faith have to do it. How? By uniting all sections of Muslim Society on the basis of Quran and Sunnah and then extending this unity albeit alliance to all Abnai-e- Adam as a whole.
KHILAFAY PAYAMBER KASAY RAHGUZEED
NA HARGIZ BAMANZIL NA KHUWAHAD RASEED
Islam stands for fusion not for fission that too of cultures and civilizations not of atom. It stands for justice, equality, love, peace, harmony, unity, tolerance and integrity, not for injustice, inequality, hatred, disharmony, disunity, intolerance and disintegration. It also stands for, struggle for the establishment of just society. To call for the establishment of just society or end of a tyranny is not terrorism. The selfish motives of men in course of history have corrupted THE MESSAGE. ALLAH is Rahmaan (Most Gracious) and Raheem (Most Merciful), He will do justice to all;
“Those who believe (in the Quran).
And those who follow the Jewish
(scripture),
And the Christians and the Sabains,
Any who believe in Allah
And the Last Day,
And work righteousness,
Shall have their reward
With their Lord on them
Shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”. (Al-Quran )12
AMAL SAY ZINDIGI BANTI HAI JANNAT BHEE JAHANNUM BHEE
YAH KHAKI APNI FITRAT MAIN , NA NOORI HAI, NA NAARI HAI
(The deeds and actions of a person will take him to Heaven or Hell. By its nature this clay pot i.e. human being, neither belongs to Heaven nor to Hell)
Let us do our duty. Let us not be in the rank of misguided human being supporting the DAJJAL. But let us be the supporter and followers of Hazrat Imam Mahdi. Let Allah give us wisdom and knowledge to recognize Hazrat Imam Mahdi and save mankind from the KAZIBS of Egypt, Qadiyaan, Jounpur so on and so forth. We are eagerly awaiting his amad but the struggle against injustice and tyranny can’t be postponed till then.
Remember there is still a vast majority of Abnai-e-Adam who want peace on the earth. The followers of true faith have added responsibility to do their duty because
Fain kunta laa tadri fatilka museebah
Wain kunta tadri fal museebatun aazam.
‘ (Of course it is misfortune and calamity if you don’t have knowledge, but if you do have knowledge it is greater misfortune and calamity) The reason being not making proper use of knowledge’.
It is high time to have positive dialogue with all those who believe in the Creator and Sustainer be the followers of Jesus, Moses, Buddha or the followers of Vedanta so on or so forth. If all sit together, analyse the situation, draw proper conclusions and implement the right, reject the wrong, peace will prevail on the earth, and Shaitan-e-Akber as well as Asghar will be wiped out. But before this our faith based on Quran and Sunnah has to be translated in to action. We repeat ‘Hazrat Imam Mahdi’s arrival is most welcome. But waiting for Hazrat Imam Mahdi does not mean we abandon our own duties’. So instead of simply praying for the early arrival of Hazrat Al-Mahdi let us concentrate and emphasize on our duty of TAAMURUNA BIL MAAROOFE WA TUNHA ANIL MUNKIRE.
.
“ Ye are the best
Of Peoples, evolved
For mankind.
Enjoining what is right,
Forbidding what is wrong,
And believing in Allah.” (Al-Quran)13.
REFERENCES:
1. Al-Quran Sura Al-Hujurat 49 Ayat13.
2. Al-Quran Sura Al-Rad 13 Ayat 7.
3. Al-Quran Sura Fatir35 Ayat 24.
4. Al-Quran Sura Al-Araf 7 Ayat 56.
5. Al-Quran Sura Al-Anbiyaa 21 Ayat 107.
6. Al-Quran Sura Al-Maa-ida 5 Ayat 3.
7. Al-Quran Sura Al-Hijr 15 Ayat 9.
8. Maulana Asad Qasmi Sambhali - Imam Mahdi Shakhsiyat Aur
Haqueequat, Kutubkhana Naimiah Deoband U.P. (India), May
2005, pp 321-429.
9. Mulla Baqar Majlisy(R.)- Biharul Anwar, Translated in Urdu by
Maulana Sayyed Hasan Imdad, Mahfooz Book Agency Karachi
(Pakistan) Vol. XI & XII, June 1992.
10. ‘Messiah and Messianic Movements’, Encyclopaedia Britannica,
Vol. XI, 15th Edition, William Benton Publishers Chicago/London/
Toronto/ Geneva/Tokyo/ Manila/Seoul,1973-1974, pp 1017-1021.
11. Bhagvad Geeta, Addhyaye 4 Islokas 7 and 8.
12. Al-Quran Sura Al-Baqarah 2 Ayat 62.
13. Al-Quran Sura Al-e- Imran 3 Ayat 110.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
We are extremely grateful to Moulvi Meraaj Qasmi and Maulana Riyasat Ali Saheb of Darul-Oloom Deobund, Maulana Sayyed Iftikhar Shia Isna Ashri Haji Jamal Devji Musafirkhana Mumbai, Prof. Mohammed Tahir, Prof. G.H. Hamlani, Mr. Shameem Tarique and Khan Ayesha Zaheer Anjuman-e-Islam Mumbai, Janab Ali M. Shamsi Markaze Fallah Nerul Navi Mumbai and Sayyed Hussain Abbas Groton U.S.A. for their valuable suggestions, last but not the least Mr. M.R. Mirzaei Director Cultural House of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Mumbai for giving an opportunity to write this piece.
THE AUTHORS:
1. Zaheer Ahmad Khan, 64,
Student of Quran,
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
University of Bombay,
Authored thirty research papers.
2. Khan M. Asim, 20,
Student of Bachelor of Mass Media,
Rizvi College, University of Mumbai.
