The Belief in the Savior

From the first day that people set foot on this earth, the good news of the savior who would reappear at the end of time, essentially, put an end to the injustice of people. There came a promise of a global, unified government that would be based on justice and freedom. Prophets of God were the ones who conveyed this promise to their nations.

The Holy Qur’an also comprehensively informs us of this promise:

In the Torah, in addition to the believers inheriting the earth, it is explicitly stated that the believers are a great nation from the progeny of Prophet Abraham through his son Ismail. They are the continuation of the twelve Godly-appointed leaders and Imams of Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them. The savior, whose name is the “Qaem,” the one who rises, will rise in very difficult circumstances. Here are a few instances in the Torah:

In the Bible, there are clear references to the savior’s reappearance, the signs of his reappearance in the sky, and the fact that the timing of his return is hidden from everyone. Here are a few instances:

As for Islamic sources, they are replete with references to the savior in various aspects. Here is a brief examination of some figures:

1)      The savior is the son of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (the eleventh Imam), peace be upon him. There are 293 narrations to this effect.

2)      The savior is the ninth descendant of Imam Al-Hussain, peace be upon him. There 308 narrations to this effect.

3)      He is the twelfth and last Imam. There are 136 narrations to this effect.

4)      He carries the name of Prophet Muhammad. There are 48 narrations to this effect.

5)      He will have a very long occultation (absence). There are 91 narrations to this effect.

6)      He will have a very long life. There are 318 narrations to this effect.

7)      He will fill the earth with justice. There are 148 narrations to this effect.

8)      At his hands, the religion of Islam will prevail over all other religions. There are 47 narrations to this effect.

9)      There are 293 narrations about his birth.

10)   There are 657 narrations concerning his reappearance and the signs of his reappearance.

Just as the holy Prophet and the Imams, peace be upon them, had foretold, he was born the night of the 15^th of Sha’ban, year 255 A.H. in the holy city of Samarra, Iraq. On the 9^th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, year 260 A.H., right after the martyrdom of his great father, he became the final Imam. For about 69 years, his followers had access to him through the four deputies that he had. This period is known as the “minor occultation.” After the minor occultation, the “major occultation” commenced, and it has continued ever since. It has been eleven centuries now since the major occultation (329-1429 A.H.), till the day he will reappear with the guidance of God, the Almighty, to fill the world with peace and justice.

The world that we live in today is plagued with all types of anguish and agony. Hopelessness and despair have left a shadow on all parts of the world. On one hand, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters are striking societies around the world due to the rise in sins, corruption, and moral vices. On the other hand, wars, battles, killing, crimes, and betrayal are afflicting our communities. It seems that all doors of real hope are closed on this world.

This vast state of despair and hopelessness has triggered the rise in psychological and mental illnesses. Tens of millions of people are institutionalized in lunatic asylums. Youth with great potential and adequate education are falling into the dangerous traps of drugs.

Only divine books, at the forefront being the holy Qur’an, have promised us the reappearance of the savior and filled our hearts with hope for a very bright and prosperous future. These divine books have illustrated to us a future which gleams with joy and relief. Here is a glimpse of the era of reappearance, as inferred from the Holy Qur’an and narrations of Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them:

2) When our Qaem (the savior) will rise, the earth will beam with the light of its Lord. People will no longer need sunlight, darkness will vanish, and the average man will live in the savior’s kingdom until he will have one thousand sons.[14]

3) There shall be no one blind, handicapped, disabled, or suffering on the face of the earth.[15]

4) When the Qaem peace be upon him will rise, he will rule with justice, and oppression will be wiped out during his days. Safety will set in everywhere, the earth will cause its blessings to emerge, and everyone’s rights will be secured and given back.[16]

5) Even in the world of animals, predators and beasts will get along with the cattle.[17]

6) There will not remain a single ruin on earth except that he (the savior) will develop it.[18]

7) The inhabitants of the sky and the inhabitants of the earth will be pleased with him (the savior).[19]

8) People will wish the dead ones return back to life to witness how the Almighty God blessed the entire earth through him (the savior).”[20]

9) His face (the savior) is like a brilliant star.[21]

10) And he (the savior) is more compassionate to them (people) than their fathers and mothers.[22]

Hence, it is incumbent upon every human being who is familiar with difficulty, misery and melancholy, to raise his/her hands in supplication, asking the Almighty God to hasten the reappearance of that compassionate father—the final savior, Imam Al-Mahdi, peace be upon him.

The holy Prophet, peace be upon him, says, “The best action for my nation is to wait for the relief (the savior’s reappearance).”[23] However, not a passive form of waiting in which we do not do anything. Rather, a very proactive, positive form of anticipation—the kind of anticipation that one experiences when a very loved and dear one is on the verge of death and the doctor is called for to help. The kind of anticipation that a farmer experiences during a dry season in which his crops are vulnerable to being ruined. He anxiously scans the horizon, waiting for drops of rain.

To hasten the reappearance of the savior, we all have to truly feel desperate for that utopian era. We must all collectively beseech the Almighty God to bring us relief through the savior’s reappearance.

Imam Al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, has reported that the Children of Israel were supposed to be punished for 400 years. When they could not longer bear the punishment, they wept and cried for 40 days, imploring God to relieve them. As a result, God reduced 170 years from their punishment. Imam Al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said, “And if you also do so, God will bring relief to us. But if you don’t, the situation will continue to its appointed time.”[24] In other words, if you also don’t implore God, there will be no relief.