The Jurisprudence of the Signs of the Reappearance – Part two
Translator:
Akbar
Birami
Commentary
and Research:
Seyyed
Mahdi Mojtahedi Sistani
According
to the noble narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Almighty Allah
has placed signs for the reappearance of our great master, the Remnant of
Allah, Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance). Al-Shaykh al-Saduq
narrates with his chain from Muhammad ibn Muslim: I heard Imam al-Sadiq (peace
be upon him) say: "Before the Qa'im (the one who rises), there will be
signs from Allah for the believers."¹
Sometimes,
events occurring in the contemporary world cause us to pause and reflect on the
signs of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him); a pause under
whose shade the researcher gains a deep and correct perspective on the
knowledge of identifying the signs.
The
deep perspective that a researcher gains through the correct study of the signs
of the reappearance has two tangible and valuable results: Firstly, it can
answer the set of questions and conjectures that arise in his mind due to the
occurrence of these events; and secondly, it can take hold of and manage and
frame the misguided efforts of some of our believing brothers in equating the
events of today's world with the signs of the reappearance and making wrongful
correlations, and even reducing the personalities of the era of the
reappearance to the level of specific individuals and similar matters.
Such
correlations are certainly not correct, and one must pause regarding such
events, strive as much as possible, and prevent people from such behavior with
the narrations of the reappearance. These teachings always require the
existence of specialists, and in such matters, one must refer to specialized
and expert individuals. The status and position of this knowledge are like
other sciences and crafts; and among the behaviors that humanity is accustomed
to and the manner of the wise is based upon, is referring to the experts and
specialists in every craft and knowledge.
On
the other hand, in addition to the findings and events occurring in the
surrounding world, through which minds are drawn to the signs of the
reappearance, narrations have also reached us that call us to recognize the
signs of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him); among them is a
narration that Al-Shaykh al-Kulayni narrates with his chain from our master
Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) who said: "Recognize the sign; for if
you recognize him, whether this matter is hastened or delayed, no harm will
come to you."¹
Undoubtedly,
the meaning of the Imam's (peace be upon him) statement: "Recognize,"
according to the reliable opinion, is a recommended and preferable command; and
therefore, this narration always serves to portray the recognition of the signs
of the reappearance as good and recommended for the believers.¹
• Criteria
for Valuing the Culture of the Signs of the Reappearance
If
it is asked: "Why is delving into the knowledge of the signs of the
reappearance valuable and important?" Three reasons can be given for the
importance and value of the knowledge of the signs of the reappearance, and it
can be said as follows:
First
Criterion: Guiding from Knowing the Sign to Knowing the Sign-Bearer
It
is perfectly clear that the existence of a sign for something indicates the
existence of that thing; and many examples can be given in this regard; such as
the existence of roadside signs that inform us of the existence of specific
places like petrol
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