Hawzah News Agency- After humanity endures a long era of tyranny and oppression, the world will finally enter a time of righteousness with the emergence of the final Proof of God. Leadership will be placed in the hands of the righteous, fulfilling God’s definite promise.
This era of righteousness, initiated by Imam Mahdi (AS), will last until the end of the world. The cycle of oppression and tyranny will not return. God Almighty conveyed glad tidings to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the final infallible leader’s rule:
«لَأُدِیمَنَّ مُلْکَهُ وَ لَأُدَاوِلَنَّ الْأَیَّامَ بَیْنَ أَوْلِیَائِی إِلَی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَةِ.»
“I will make his kingdom last, and I will continue the days among My friends until the Day of Resurrection.”
(Kamaluddin, Vol. 1, p. 256)
In this narration, God promises that after Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) assumes leadership, His governance will endure and the Earth will continue to be ruled by God’s chosen ones until the end of time.
Imam Baqir (AS) also affirms:
«دَوْلَتُنَا آخِرُ الدُّوَلِ وَ لَنْ یَبْقَ أَهْلُ بَیْتٍ لَهُمْ دَوْلَةٌ إِلَّا مُلِّکُوا قَبْلَنَا لِئَلَّا یَقُولُوا إِذَا رَأَوْا سِیرَتَنَا إِذَا مُلِّکْنَا سِرْنَا مِثْلَ سِیرَةِ هَؤُلَاءِ.»
“Our government is the last of the governments. No household will rule unless they have ruled before us, so that when our government is established, people will not say: ‘Had we ruled, we would have governed just as they did.’”
(Al-Ghaibah, Sheikh Tusi, p. 473)
This signifies that the divine government established by Imam Mahdi (AS) will be the final and ultimate form of governance, setting a new divine standard that no worldly authority can surpass or replicate.
It’s important to distinguish between the era of divine rule following the Imam’s reappearance and the personal duration of Imam Mahdi’s (AS) own rule. According to numerous narrations, the Imam will rule until the end of his blessed life. His reign must be long enough to implement a complete global transformation and establish justice across the world.
Estimating how long this might take, however, is not possible through speculation. It must be derived from the narrations of the infallible Imams (AS). Considering the Imam’s divine capabilities, the unseen support granted to him, the presence of sincere companions, and the global readiness for justice at the time of his reappearance, it is conceivable that his mission may be fulfilled even within a relatively short timeframe.
Narrations regarding the duration of Imam Mahdi’s (AS) rule vary significantly. Some traditions suggest it will last 5, 7, 8, 9, or 10 years. Others mention durations of 19 years and a few months, 40 years, and even 309 years.
Determining the exact duration is challenging. Some Shiite scholars, noting the frequency of narrations mentioning 7 years, have leaned toward this figure. Others suggest that these 7 years may refer to years of divine reckoning, with each year equating to ten of our current years.
This discussion remains open and continues in scholarly circles.
Adapted from (Negin-e- Afarinesh) The Jewel of Creation, with slight modifications for clarity.
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