Beliefs

There are four evidences showing the legitimacy and the merits of visiting the tomb of the Prophet (s), as it is recorded in the book titled Kashf ul-Irtiyab p. 362-372: The First Evidence: The first evidence is found in the Holy Qur'an. Allah says, ...

There are four evidences showing the legitimacy an...

Despite their variety, the two groups of Qur'anic verses mentioned above show that man's actions have two aspects. One aspect concerns man himself, in that he has the option and the will to do whatever he wants. This is clear from the many Qur'anic v...

Despite their variety, the two groups of Qur'anic ...

The Third Spurious Argument: VISITING THE SHRVINES OF THE PROPHETS, IMAMS AND SAINTS Some people accuse the Shias of believing that it is permissible to visit the shrines of the Prophets, Imams and saints, building them, to seek blessings through the...

The Third Spurious Argument: VISITING THE SHRVINES...

The Second Spurious Argument: CONSTRAINT AND FREE WILL Some people find a problem with the Shias in that they believe neither in constraint nor in free will but that they adopt an interpretation in between and that they refute the Ash'arite concept o...

The Second Spurious Argument: CONSTRAINT AND FREE ...

The First Spurious Argument: Some people spuriously criticize the Shia for saying that it is impossible to see Allah whether in this world or in the Afterlife, and they quote some prophetic traditions saying that Allah can be seen in the Afterlife. T...

The First Spurious Argument: Some people spuriousl...

The occurrence of the signs indicates that the reappearance of al-Qa'im is about to take place. However, if Allah wants to respond to people's supplication for an early relief, He may expedite, change or cancel some of the decreed events. The questio...

The occurrence of the signs indicates that the rea...

We need to keep hope for divine relief, await the reappearance of al-Qa'im (PBUH) at any moment, and truly believe that Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) is the only solution for our tragedies in the world. According to the traditions, this is the most virtuous s...

We need to keep hope for divine relief, await the ...

As the first step, we should strive to have a true recognition (Ma'rifat) of the Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) with all his exclusive rights. This is one of the most important conditions for those expecting him, and is their prime duty. True recognition of th...

As the first step, we should strive to have a true...

The traditions differentiate between hastening (Isti'jal) and praying to Allah to hasten the universal government. The former is prohibited while the latter is commanded. In addition, in a number of verses in the Quran, Allah, the glorious, advices a...

The traditions differentiate between hastening (Is...

A number of narrations in the Shi'ite collections of traditions inform us of some signs that will take place before the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH). Some of these signs describe the hard condition of people in the world before his reappearan...

A number of narrations in the Shi'ite collections ...

We need to cleanse our heart of dirt so that the light of Allah could move in with the fullest magnitude. We should purify our love and affection for Ahl al- Bait (PBUT), and keep aloof from their enemies: Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) and Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH...

We need to cleanse our heart of dirt so that the l...

Specifying the signs before the time of reappearance has its own advantages and benefits both before and after the occurrence of the signs. As we mentioned, some of the foretold events are related to the hardship of people before the reappearance of ...

Specifying the signs before the time of reappearan...

Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) have emphasized that during the time of occultation we should make much supplication to Allah that He hasten the relief. In one of his correspondence with his followers through his second special deputy (at the end of the lesser oc...

Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) have emphasized that during the...

The manifestation of the signs depends on when Allah decides to make the Imam (PBUH) reappear. When Allah chooses to postpone or advance the mission of the Imam (PBUH), He may also change time of the appearance signs as a by-product of this decision....

The manifestation of the signs depends on when All...

One of our important duties during the time of occultation is to remember our Imam (PBUH) more often in gatherings and in private, and to make gatherings for his remembrance: I heard Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying, "Our Shia are compassionate among each...

One of our important duties during the time of occ...

As persons living in constant expectation, we should also teach what we know from Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) to other qualified individuals, narrate their traditions to people who are willing to hear us, and transfer what has been conveyed to us from their k...

As persons living in constant expectation, we shou...

The Shia traditionists narrated: Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) said to his companions, "Be more hopeful on the things that you consider far-fetched than that which you presume very likely. Verily, Musa Ibn Imran (PBUH) went to bring fire (to provide heat and ...

The Shia traditionists narrated: Imam al-Sadiq (PB...

Those living in expectation should learn and submit to the instructions of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) and act upon their commands, which are available to us in the form of Hadith. This can only be achieved if we study the traditions of Ahl al- Bait (PBUT) on...

Those living in expectation should learn and submi...

By the presented discussions in the previous part, it is now clear that of the major reasons for the occultation have been insincerity in our claims and our refusal to submit to the sayings of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). Allah, the most merciful, has assigne...

By the presented discussions in the previous part,...

The Shia and the Sunni traditionists have narrated many traditions, which state that the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will be rectified by Allah within just one night. In other words, the time of the Imam's reappearance is very unpredictable and de...

The Shia and the Sunni traditionists have narrated...

There are many pieces of evidence in the Quran and the traditions expressing that Allah may change what He has already willed and He may initiate a new will. However, as we discussed earlier, there is an exception for His Sunan and His promises that ...

There are many pieces of evidence in the Quran and...