Posted by: TheMajlis
IMAAM MAHDI ACCORDING TO THE Hadith, Imaam Mahdi (alayhis salaam) will make his appearance at the age of 40 years. We have been hearing for decades that Imaam Mahdi has already been born. In terms of this theory or conjecture, Imaam Mahdi should now be well over 40 years, yet he has not made his appearance. Since the early 90’s the theory of Imaam Mahdi’s imminent appearance was being propagated by some learned men. The obsession with his imminent appearance constrained some Ulama to even fix the year of his appearance. This theory became a somewhat grounded belief. Hence some Ulama claimed that Imaam Mahdi (alayhis salaam) would appear during the Hajj of the year 1424 A.H. (2003). The certitude which they had developed induced them to advise the Hujjaaj not to proceed to Mina during the Hajj of 1424 as there would prevail great strife and bloodshed which will be triggered by Imaam Mahdi’s appearance in that year.
POSTPONEMENT But, the event never materialized. Muslims had been told repeatedly by some Ulama that Imaam Mahdi would appear in the year 2001. When he did not appear in 2001, the date was extended to 2002, then 2003. After all these predictions and postponements have failed, we now ‘hear’ nothing but silence from the quarters of prediction. HALLUCINATION One aged shaikh of tasawwuf who incidentally is a professor and an author of several Deeni books had exceeded all limits of propriety in this matter, informed us as recently as a few months ago that he had been in telephonic communication with Imaam Mahdi (alayhis salaam), and that the announcement of his appearance is imminent. While we cannot accuse the eminent shaikh of fabricating a lie, we shall not be rendering him an injustice by concluding that he has become the victim of hallucination. Those who make predictions of ‘certitude’ regarding the appearance of Imaam Mahdi (alayhis salaam) exceed the prescribed limits of the Shariah. It is incorrect and impermissible to attempt to supersede the Shariah. While Imaam Mahdi’s appearance is a fact of the Shariah, the precise occasion of his appearance has been withheld from our knowledge. It is improper to seek to give clarity to issues which the Shariah has left ambiguous. LUDICROUS The Shariah has not revealed the exact time or year of Imaam Mahdi’s appearance. It is therefore improper and ignorant to attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the date of his appearance. Those who exceed the limits of the Shariah always succeed in making themselves appear ludicrous. Imaam Mahdi (alayhis salaam) will appear at the decreed time of his appearance. Awareness of the precise time is of no significance. Of significance is our preparation for the journey beyond the Qabr—the journey which commences with Maut.
| 
