Hawzah News Agency- Based on discussions about Imam Mahdi (AS), several narrations from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) and other sources outline the nature, conditions, and theological implications of this return.
Six Key Features of the Return
- A Day Among the "Days of Allah"
The Return is described as one of the great events in divine history, included among the “Days of Allah”. Imam Sadiq (AS) states:
«أَیَّامُ اَللَّهِ ثَلاَثَةٌ یَوْمٌ یَقُومُ اَلْقَائِمُ عَلَیْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَ یَوْمُ اَلْکَرَّةِ وَ یَوْمُ اَلْقِیَامَةِ.»
“The Days of Allah are three: the day of the Qa'im, the day of death, and the Day of Resurrection.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 63)
- A Defining Marker of Shia Belief
Belief in the Return is considered a hallmark of the Shia identity. Imam Sadiq (AS) affirms:
«لَیْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ یُؤْمِنْ بِکَرَّتِنَا.»
“He is not one of us who does not believe in our return.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 92)
- Selective, Not Universal
The Return is not for all people. It is reserved for those with pure faith or extreme enmity toward truth, i.e., the most righteous and the most wicked.
Imam Sadiq (AS) explains:
«إِنَّ اَلرَّجْعَةَ لَیْسَتْ بِعَامَّةٍ وَ هِیَ خَاصَّةٌ لاَ یَرْجِعُ إِلاَّ مَنْ مَحَضَ اَلْإِیمَانَ مَحْضاً أَوْ مَحَضَ اَلشِّرْکَ مَحْضاً.»
“Indeed, return is not general, but specific. Only those return who have perfected their faith or disbelief.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 39)
- Imam Hussain (AS) to Lead During the Return
Among the first to return will be Imam Hussain (AS), who, according to narrations, will rule during the age of justice and peace that follows Imam Mahdi’s (AS) reappearance.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
«أَوَّلُ مَنْ یَرْجِعُ إِلَی اَلدُّنْیَا اَلْحُسَیْنُ بْنُ عَلِیٍّ عَلَیْهِ السَّلاَمُ فَیَمْلِکُ حَتَّی یَسْقُطَ حَاجِبَاهُ.»
“The first to return to this world will be Al-Hussein ibn Ali (AS), and he will rule until his eyebrows fall over his eyes due to old age.”
(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 53, p. 46)
- A Call to Rise: The Supplication of the Covenant
True followers who pass away before the advent of Imam Mahdi (AS) may still return to assist him, provided they have remained spiritually connected.
According to traditions, anyone who recites the "Du'a al-Ahd" (Supplication of the Covenant) forty mornings consecutively may be resurrected to serve the Imam upon his return.
The supplication reads in part:
«... اللّٰهُمَّ إِنْ حالَ بَیْنِی وَبَیْنَهُ الْمَوْتُ الَّذِی جَعَلْتَهُ عَلَیٰ عِبادِکَ حَتْماً مَقْضِیّاً فَأَخْرِجْنِی مِنْ قَبْرِی ...»
“O Allah, if death—Your decree for Your servants—comes between me and him (Imam Mahdi), then raise me from my grave in my shroud…”
(Mafatih al-Jinan; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 99, p. 111)
- Voluntary for Believers, Compulsory for Disbelievers
The Return is described as voluntary for believers—who may choose whether to rise and serve—or remain in divine peace. For disbelievers and hypocrites, however, it occurs against their will.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
«إِذَا قَامَ أُتِیَ اَلْمُؤْمِنُ فِی قَبْرِهِ فَیُقَالُ لَهُ یَا هَذَا إِنَّهُ قَدْ ظَهَرَ صَاحِبُکَ فَإِنْ تَشَأْ أَنْ تَلْحَقَ بِهِ فَالْحَقْ وَ إِنْ تَشَأْ أَنْ تُقِیمَ فِی کَرَامَةِ رَبِّکَ فَأَقِمْ.»
“When the believer rises in his grave, he is told: ‘Your master has appeared. Do you wish to follow him?’”
(Al-Ghaybah, Sheikh Tusi, vol. 1, p. 458)
A Call for Readiness
These teachings, derived from works like "The Jewel of Creation" and traditional sources such as Bihar al-Anwar, underscore the Shia belief that true readiness for Imam Mahdi's return transcends life and death. The promise of revival and active participation in establishing divine justice offers both hope and responsibility for the faithful.
This doctrinal principle continues to be a subject of study in seminaries and among scholars engaged in eschatological research.
Adapted from “Negine Afarinesh, The Jewel of Creation,” with slight modifications.
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