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• 13 Sha'ban 1436

Sayyid Kashmiri talks about the virtues of the night of 15th Sha’ban and the issue of the Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) and says:
• The issue of Imam al-Mahdi (a.j.) is one of absolute and fundamental certainties by consensus of all Muslim scholars.
• No other issue in our Islamic world enjoys as many narrations and Hadiths as this one.
• A group of great scholars and researchers from the majority of the Muslim world prove his birth (a.j.) and his presence among us.
• It is essential to talk about the issue of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) because of its ideological, political, cultural, religious, spiritual, jihadist and divine meaning.
• In the State of the Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) the world will be blessed with security and stability and the emergence of all good things.
• Three responsibilities lie on the shoulders of scholars, intellectuals and those concerned with this issue.

Speaking on the occasion of the birth of the Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.), he said:

“The night of 15th Sha’ban brings with it a double celebration:

The first: To celebrate the virtue and the greatness of this night which is considered the most virtuous of nights after the night of power (Lailatul-Qard) in the holy month of Ramadhan and according to the following saying of Imam al-Baqir & Al-Sadiq (a.s.):
(هي أفضل ليلة بعد ليلة القدر ، فيها يمنح الله تعالى العباد فضله ، ويغفر لهم بمنّه ، فاجتهدوا في القربة إلى الله فيها ، فإنها ليلةٌ آلى الله تعالى على نفسه أن لا يرد سائلاً له فيها ، ما لم يسأل معصيةً. وإنها الليلة التي جعلها الله لنا أهل البيت بإزاء ما جعل ليلة القدر لنبينا (ص) فاجتهدوا في الدُّعاء والثناء على الله تعالى عزّ وجلّ)

Therefore the believers should not miss the opportunity to benefit from the specific acts of worship of this night - because of their rewards.
The second: To celebrate the birth of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) which is one of the absolute and fundamental certainties by consensus of the two Muslim schools of thoughts – referred to by more than six thousand Hadiths and narrations; whereas none of our other Islamic issues have this much Haiths and narrations. (See the book by Sahykh Lutfullah Safi Al-Golpayagani called ‘Muntakhab Al-Athar Fil-Imam Ahl-Thani Ashar a.s.) In this book all the Ahadith from both schools are mentioned.

There is no great disagreement between Muslims over this issue. Some say that he (a.j.) has yet not been born and will be born at the end of time; while others agree with us on his birth and presence among us, as follows:

1- Abu Salim Kamal-Uddin Mohammad ibn T’alha ibn Mohammad ibn Abi al-Haasn Al-Nassibi Al-Shafi’i
2- Mohammad ibn Yusuf Al-Shafi’i who was an 11th century scholar, substantiated the narrations about Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) in his book ‘Al-Bayan Fi Akhbar Sahib Al-Zaman’. He said he is the 12th Imam who and was born the year 255 A.H. Also Noor Al-Din Ali ibn Mohammad ibn Al-Sabagh Al-Maliki, who was a top scholar of the Maliki faith, said the same thing in his book.
3- The erudite preacher Shams-Uddin Abu Al-Mudhaffar Yusuf ibn Qiz-Ghali ibn Abdullah Al-Baghdadi Al-Hanafi, also known as Sibt ibn Al-Jouzi in his book ‘Tathkirat Khawas Al-Ummah Fi Marifatul A’immah’.
4- Al-Shaykh Al-Akbar Muh’i-Din Abi Abdullah Mohammad ibn Ali ibn Mohammad ibn Arabi Al-Hatami Al-Ta’I Al-Andalousi, who is buried in the Salihiyah district of Damascus in his book ‘Al-Fotoohat Al-Makkiyah’, proves the existence of the Imam and his birth. Also Noor-Uddin Abdul Rahman ibn Ahmad ibn Qawam-Uddin Al-Dashti Al-Jami Al-Hanafi. The same has been reported form the Shafi’i who wrote Shar’h Kifaya ibn Al-Hajib – renowned in ‘Shawahid Al Nuboowa.
5- This matter was also proven by Jamal-Uddin Atallah ibn Al-Sayyid Ghiyath Fadhlallah ibn Al-Sayyid Al-Rahman, the well known narrator of Hadith in his book ‘Roudhat-ul-Abab Fi Seerat Al-Nabi (s.a.w.w.) and his household and companions.’
6- Al-Hafiz Mohammad ibn Mohammad ibn Mahmood Al-Bukhari knows as ‘Kahjeh Parssa’ proves this in his book ‘Fasl Al-Khitab’
7- The erudite Abdul-Rahman, a sufi Shaykh in his book ‘Miraatul-Assrar’ (The mirror of secrets).
8- The judge ‘Shahab-Uddin in his book ‘Hdayatul-Soua’da’.
9- Shaykh Sa’ad-Uddin Al-Hamoui in his book ‘Al-Khass Fi Ahwal Al-Muntadhar’.
10-Shaykh Abdul-Wahab ibn Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Sha’rani Al Massri, the renowned erudite in his book ‘A-Yawaqeet wal Jawahir Fi Bayan Aq’aed Al-Akabir’ proves with irrefutable evidence the birth of the Imam (a.j.) and his existence.
11-Imam Al-Bayhaqqi Al-Shafi’i proves this in his book ‘Sha’bul-Iman’.
12-Imam Yahya ibn A’qab in his book ‘Shar’ul-Daiyra’.
13- Al-Balathi in his series of books
14-Shaykh Al-Balkhi in his book ‘Ynabi’ Al-Mawadda’ proves with irrefutable evidence the existence of the Imam (a.j.)
15- Jama-Uddin Al-Sayooti in his treatise ‘Ihya’ Al-Mayyit Bi Fadha’il Ahlul-Bayt a.s.’
16-Al-Hafiz Jamal-Uddin Al-Zarandi Al-Madani in his book ;Mi’raaj Al-Wossol Fi Ma’rifat Alil-Rasool’.
17-Shaykh Abdullah ibn Mohammad Al- Motairi Al-Madani in his book ‘Al-Riyadh Al-Zahira Fo Fadh Al-e-Bayt Al-Nabi (s.a.w.w.) and his pure household’.
18- Al-Molawi Ali Akbar Assad-Ullah Al-Marwadi in his book ‘Al-Mokashafaat’
19-Ibn Al-Khashaab in his book ‘History of the birth and death of the Imams (a.s.)’.

These are just some of the authoritative Muslim scholars who prove to us that Imam Al-Mahdi was born in the year 255 A.H. in Samarra and that he is the twelfth Imam of the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) whose birth was heralded by the narrations and that he (a.j.) will appear at the end of time to fill the earth with justice and equality after it has been filled with injustice and oppression. The holy prophet (s.a.w.w.) highlighted this by saying: “If only one day shall remain of this world then God will prolong it until He sends a man from my household, similar in name to my name and his father’s name similar to my father’s name, who will fill the earth with justice and equality after being filled with injustice and oppression.”

This begs the question here, why such attention is being paid by Muslims and the followers of the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) to the issue of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) ?

Answer: Because of its ideological, political, cultural, religious, spiritual, jihadist and divine meaning. Furthermore, openness and reflection on the issue of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) makes us view a vast fertile plane where angelic hearts gather with human bodies and divine souls. A plane where justice prevails in the place of oppression; empty of fear; blessed with security; empty of the disease of hatred and loathing; filled instead with love and affection and fraternity; bliss and happiness – such is the State of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.)

In part two of the lexicon of Al-Tabarani & Na’im ibn Hamaad in his book ‘Al-Fitan’ and other sources, it is narrated from the prophet (s.a.w.w.) who said: My nation will be graced with blessings like never before. God will send upon them abundance from the sky and the earth will not spare them anything from her plants and there will be heaps of money. Man will stand up and say: Ya Mahdi give me. He (a.j.) will say: Take.

On these basis scholars academics and those concerned with the affairs of this Ummah must assume three responsibilities:

The first responsibility is to present the issue of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) and all its dimensions and proofs, consciously and thoughtfully so it can be debated in an objective and impartial manner. This will inform the Ummah the truth about the greatness, realism and comprehensiveness of Islam. Here, it must be pointed that some texts emanating from impure sources symbolize this issue negatively to distort its divine image.

Our scholars have countered these attempts with calm pens without hurting, defamation or undermining the beliefs of Muslims and this is how it should be. We are in an era where some are scheming to obscure this issue, for political, social and religious motives, creating suspicions on its sources of reference, contents and profound meanings.

The second responsibility is to consolidate the idea of Al-Mahdi (a.j.) ideologically - fully linking it to humanitarian consciences. Having complete faith in this issue will perhaps allow the individual to reach the point of certainty, which is a high degree of faith, because it is faith in the unseen that necessitates absolute confidence in the [promised] victory from God Almighty in the darkest and most tragic circumstances encountered by the Ummah in the light of the current situation in the world – especially what we see in Iraq where bloodshed, terrorism and Takfir is thriving; as a result of the support given to them by those who do not want good and prosperity for Iraq and the Iraqi people.

In such a situation we are in dire need to present this issue, because to believe in the Imam (a.j.) deepens our loyalty and love for Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.). They are the ships of salvation and the righteous path of God. Through the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) we find the truth and obtain knowledge of the book. In the Hadith it is said: “He who dies without knowing the Imam of his time, dies in a state of ignorance.”

Thus the belief in Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) is the heart of the Islamic faith and center of the belief revealed by God. The third responsibility is to prepare for the reappearance of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.). The role of scholars should not only be to highlight the issue of the Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) as such, but to transcend this by making it a reality, lived by Muslims and an eagerly awaited need - by linking this issue entirely with reality so that the believer practices his Islamic obligations in a manner to pave the way for the reappearance of the Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.).

This is a strategy and plan to educate the Muslim Ummah in faith and in the divine message.

From the above-mentioned three responsibilities, scholars have a huge task during the era of occultation to prepare and create a solid base for the State of the Awaited Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.)

In order to deepen the psychological and spiritual attachment with Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.) one has to commit to reading some of the authentic supplications from our immaculate Imams (a.s.). Like ‘Dua Al-Nudba’, to be recited during the era of occultation and especially on Friday afternoons. To persevere with reading this supplication will captivate the heart and connect the believer intellectually, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually with the Imam (a.j.). Among the supplications emphasized upon is ‘Dua Al-Ahd’, recommended for reading after morning prayers every day. It has been narrated from Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s.): “Whoever reads ‘Dua Al-Ahd’ for 40 mornings will be among the supporters of the Al-Qa’im (a.j.) and if he dies God will raise him from the grave and will give him one thousand bounties for each word and erase one thousand bad deeds.” Also to read ‘Dua al-Faraj’ and pay Sadaqa on behalf of the Imam (a.j.).”
(اللهم كن لوليك الحجه بن الحسن صلواتك عليه وعلى أبائه في هذه الليله وفي كل ليله ولياً وحافظا وقائداً وناصرا ودليلاً وعينا حتى تسكنه أرضك طوعا وتمتعه فيها طويلا برحمتك ياأرحم الراحمين)