Waiting for a Savior in
other Religions
In many religions there is
an expectation for a savior to come and help the release
from injustice. In Islam it is ‘Mahdawai’ which has a
great international philosophy, because Islam is an
international religion and Shia in its real meaning is
an international factor.
In addition to the Muslims especially the Shia,
followers of other religions like Jews, Christians,
Zoroastrians, and Hindus expect someone to come and
bring peace and justice to the world. In the book “Dead”
which is a divine book for Hindus, it is written: “In
the end of the world, after corruption of the world, a
leader will appear who is called Mansoor. He will master
all the world, he will know everyone whether a believer
or an unbeliever, and whatever he asks, God will offer
him”. (Beshatrat Ahdin, p.245).
In addition, in the book
“Yamaseb” by Zoroaster’s student it is written: “From
Arabs ground , Hashim’s sons, a man with a big head, big
body and big feet comes out, and continues his
grandfather’s religion with a large army, goes to Iran
and constructs the earth and fills the earth with
justice”. (Beshatrat Ahdin, p.258).
And in the Old Testament
the book of Genesis 18:20 “And as for Ishmael, I have
heard thee; Behold, I have blessed him and will make him
fruitful and I will multiply him exceedingly, Twelve
Princes shall he beget and I will make him a great
nation”
And in David’s Mazamir
(Zaboor) it is written: “ …and God will approve the
pious men who will become owners of the earth and will
settle in it for ever” (Mazmour 37, 10-37).
And in the Holy Qur’an it
is mentioned:
“And certainly we wrote in
the book after the reminder that (as for) the land, My
righteous servants shall inherit the earth”. (Chap
21:105),
Expectation and waiting
for Imam Mahdi(as) has a longer history than Islam. It
does not only relate to a specific race, region, or
religion.
Also in the Holy Qur’an it
is said:
“Allah has promised to
those of you who believe and do good that He will most
certainly make them rulers in the earth as he made those
before them rulers, and that he will most certainly
establish for them their religion which he has chosen
for them,
and that he will most certainly, after their fear, give
them security in exchange; they shall serve me, not
associating aught with me, and whoever is ungrateful
after this, these it is who are the transgressors”
(24:55)
and also in the Holy
Qur’an:
“And we desired to bestow
a favor upon those who were deemed week in the land, and
to make them the Imams (Leaders), and to make them the
heirs.” (28:5)
The above two verses are
examples to prove that at last, persons with great merit
will govern the world and lead the people. From the Holy
Qur’an two items are derived:
1. The final objective of
the prophets is two matters: Monotheism and Justice. The
first is about the relationship between man and his
lord, and the second is about interrelationship among
people.
2. Justice is not a desire, a mere wish or a daydream,
but a reality which the world moves towards it. It is
God’s tradition that he will govern the world in full
justice.
There will come a day in
which no cruelty, no injustice, no hostility, no
killing, no oppression, no lies, and no corruption will
exist in the world. It means that after a period of
corruption and ignorance finally the world will be
filled with equity and justice. And the reason for not
collapsing or destroying the world in future is the
expectance of The Mahdi (as) in coming and making man to
live a happy life. A period in which only peace,
humanity and morality will govern the world.
The Prophet of Islam (SAW)
calls that day, the day of light and human dignity.He
said :
“ Hazrat Al Mahdi (as)
will come in a situation that diversity and degradation
among the people is so high that the world will be
ruined. He will come and preserve humanity from damage
and corruption. Then God will enrich peoples hearts with
faith and love”
So Al Mahdi (as) is not a
thought of mere sitting and waiting, not a future
telling, but he is a true reality, a special personality
who himself expects his appearance. He lives among the
people, watches us and we watch for him, he is with our
sufferings and desires, and he shares our happiness and
our oppressions. His divine life is planned this way,
not to make himself appear and wait with other people
for the promised time.
Therefore, expectation for the factual savior of the
world does not mean to sit silent. Especially in the
case of obligations of the religion, i.e, “Jehad” – Holy
War in order to set God’s laws we cannot deprive
ourselves from the responsibilities , anyway the
Muslim’s job is to distinguish the right path from the
wrong, especially in calling the people to:
“Enjoining the good deeds and prohibiting the evil”.
Just as the Sun hidden
behind the clouds provides us with light and
warmth……..,
Imam Mahdi provides us with guidance even though he
is in Ghaybat, (hiding)…..
Expectation does not
deprive man from any of his responsibilities and does
not delay any of his actions , as it is mentioned in the
following narration:
“The best action is expectation for relief and
appearance which is a very preferable virtue and is
resulted from high and good faith”
Like wise it is mentioned in the narration’s that Jesus
the Son of Mary (as) will also reappear after the advent
of Al Mahdi (as), he will pray behind the Imam and
assist him in his task |
