Beliefs

Dr. Jalali: Now that injustice, oppression, disbelief and materialism have become so widespread everywhere, why does not the promised Mahdi appear so that he should put an end to the tumultuous conditions of the world? Mr. Hoshyar: Any insurgent or r...

Dr. Jalali: Now that injustice, oppression, disbel...

11:54:38The session began exactly on time. Dr. Jalali opened the meeting with his question. Dr. Jalali: The reality of human life today reveals a diversity of opinions, beliefs, and religions. It also reveals the factors which breed differences among...

11:54:38The session began exactly on time. Dr. Jal...

Engineer Madani: How reliable are the signs of the appearance of the Mahdi? Mr. Hoshyar: There are numerous signs of the appearance of the Master of the Command (may God hasten deliverance through him!) mentioned in the books on hadith. We cannot und...

Engineer Madani: How reliable are the signs of the...

Dr. Jalali: When is the promised Mahdi expected to appear? Mr. Hoshyar: No time has been fixed for his appearance (zuhur). As a matter of fact, the Imams have regarded those who fix the time of the Mahdi's appearance as liars. Thus, for instance, Fud...

Dr. Jalali: When is the promised Mahdi expected to...

The session began on time at Mr. Hoshyar's residence. Dr. Jalali: If I remember correctly Dr. Fahimi had a question regarding Jazira Khadra' in the previous meeting. Dr. Fahimi: I have been told that the twelfth Imam (peace be upon him) and his sons ...

The session began on time at Mr. Hoshyar's residen...

Dr. Fahimi: Where does the Imam of the Age live during the occultation? Mr. Hoshyar: His residence is not established. Probably he does not have a fixed residence, and lives invisibly among the people, interacting with them. It is also possible that ...

Dr. Fahimi: Where does the Imam of the Age live du...

Dr. Jalali: How Long Will the Hidden Imam Live? Mr. Hoshyar: The term of his life has not been fixed. But the hadith reported on the authority of the Imams introduce him as the one endowed with a long life. For instance, Imam Hasan `Askari related:Af...

Dr. Jalali: How Long Will the Hidden Imam Live? Mr...

Mr. Hoshyar: As you know, the Shi`a believe that the promised Mahdi in the Prophet's hadith is identical with Imam Hasan `Askari's son who was born in the year 255 AH/873 CE or 256 AH/874 CE. He has been alive since that time and continues to be in t...

Mr. Hoshyar: As you know, the Shi`a believe that t...

One of the issues that was extremely sensitive and worth investigating was the claim to invisible existence or occultation of some of the 'Alawid leaders. Any one among them who had the personal ability and qualities to become the leader immediately ...

One of the issues that was extremely sensitive and...

Dr. Fahimi: I have heard that after the short occultation began, there were some charlatans who, taking advantage of the ignorance of the ignorant masses, claimed to be the deputies and 'gates' (bab = 'mediator' between the Imam and his followers) of...

Dr. Fahimi: I have heard that after the short occu...

The session began on time at Dr. Fahimi's house. Dr. Fahimi welcomed the group and without wasting much time formulated his question with a brief introduction outlining the problem as he saw it. Dr. Fahimi: The personality of the Mahdi in the Shi'i t...

The session began on time at Dr. Fahimi's house. D...

One of the orations of the Nahj al-balagha points to the fact that the Imam of the Age during the occultation also is engaged in furthering the cause of Islam and solving the problems faced by the Muslims as much as he can. Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib sai...

One of the orations of the Nahj al-balagha points ...

Engineer Madani: If the Imam is the leader of the people he should be present among them. What is the benefit of having an Imam who lives an invisible life? What is the use of having an Imam who lives in the state of occultation for centuries without...

Engineer Madani: If the Imam is the leader of the ...

Dr. Jalali: We accept in principle the necessity of occultation for the Imam. But, the question arises as to why did he not appoint his special deputies during the Complete Occultation as he had done during the Short Occultation? Such an appointment ...

Dr. Jalali: We accept in principle the necessity o...

Dr. Jalali: In my view, if the Imam had entirely withdrawn from politics and had remained silent in the face of these tyrannical rulers' conduct, while continuing to provide moral and religious guidance, he would have been spared from the evil of his...

Dr. Jalali: In my view, if the Imam had entirely w...

Dr. Jalali: Does not God have the power to protect the Imam from the threat posed by his evil enemies? Mr. Hoshyar: To be sure, God's power is unlimited. However, generally God does things in the most normal fashion, using the regular channel of caus...

Dr. Jalali: Does not God have the power to protect...

Dr. Jalali: What would be wrong with the Imam suffering death in the path of reforming society and disseminating the true religion and defending the oppressed? Is his blood more dear than that of his forefathers who also suffered martyrdom in defendi...

Dr. Jalali: What would be wrong with the Imam suff...

Engineer Madani: If the Imam of the Age were visibly present among people, he would have been living in one of the cities of the world, guiding and directing the religious lives of the Muslims, and continuing to fulfil his obligations until the condi...

Engineer Madani: If the Imam of the Age were visib...

The group met at Dr. Jalali's house. The session began on time. Everyone was anxious to hear Dr. Jalali's questions. Dr. Jalali: What was the purpose of the Short Occultation? If the twelfth Imam was going to be in occultation, why did he not do so i...

The group met at Dr. Jalali's house. The session b...

Engineer Madani: If the Imam of the Age was living among the people, they would have been able to reach him and consult with him in times of need to seek solutions to their problems. That would have been better. In spite of such a need among his foll...

Engineer Madani: If the Imam of the Age was living...

Dr. Jalali: I am sure you know that it is customary among the people to rise when the word qa'im is mentioned. Is there any tradition to support this custom? Mr. Hoshyar: This custom is common among all the Shi'is around the world. It is related that...

Dr. Jalali: I am sure you know that it is customar...