Hawzah News Agency- In the previous section, it was explained that the hadiths which speak about intidhar — “anticipation” — can be divided into two general categories.
The second category concerns “Intidhar al-Faraj in its specific meaning”, which we will now discuss.
2. Specific Intidhar al-Faraj (anticipation for relief)
In this sense, intidhar refers to anticipating for a future that embodies all the characteristics of a divine society — a world ruled by justice, faith, and truth — the only true example of which will be realized during the rule of the final divine representative, the sacred existence of Imam Mahdi (pbuh).
Some sayings from the infallible Imams (pbut) express this beautifully:
Imam Baqir (pbuh), when describing the religion that pleases Allah, after listing several qualities, said:
«...وَالتَّسْلِيمُ لِاَمْرِنا وَالوَرَعُ وَالتَّواضُعُ وَاِنتِظارُ قائِمِنا...»
“...And submission to our command, piety, humility, and awaiting the rise of our Qaim (the one who shall rise).” (Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 23)
Imam Sadiq (pbuh) said:
«عَلَیْكُمْ بِالتَّسْلیمِ وَالرَّدِّ اِلَينا وَاِنْتِظارِ اَمْرِنا وَامْرِكُمْ وَفَرَجِنا وَفَرَجِكُم.»
“You must hold fast to submission (to Allah’s will) and refer all matters back to us, and await our affair and your own, our relief and yours.” (Rijal al-Kashshi, p. 138)
From these narrations we learn that awaiting the rise of Imam Mahdi (pbuh) is not merely a path leading to the promised society in the future — the anticipation itself has value.
If a person lives in sincere anticipation, it makes no difference whether he reaches the time of rise of the Imam or not.
A man once asked Imam Sadiq (pbuh):
«مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى هَذَا الأَمْرِ مُنْتَظِراً لَهُ؟»
What do you say about a person who dies while holding firm to this cause — anticipating for it?
The Imam replied:
«هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ كَانَ مَعَ القَائِمِ فِي فُسْطَاطِهِ.» ثُمَّ سَكَتَ هَنِيئَةً، ثُمَّ قَالَ: «هُوَ كَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ.»
“He is like one who was with the Qa'im (Imam Mahdi) in his encampment.”
Then the Imam paused briefly and added:
“He is like one who stood alongside the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).”(Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 125)
This discussion continues…
Adapted from “Mahdism Textbook” by Khodamorad Salimian with slight modifications.
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