Reflections on Imam Mahdi (I)

The aim of the seminar, which was organised to mark the middle of Shaaban, one of the holy months, was also to celebrate the birth of Imam Mahdi. The members used it to review the current developments in the Muslim community, identify our pitfalls guide against them. They also reflected on the coming of the […]

The aim of the seminar, which was organised to mark the middle of Shaaban, one of the holy months, was also to celebrate the birth of Imam Mahdi. The members used it to review the current developments in the Muslim community, identify our pitfalls guide against them. They also reflected on the coming of the Imam Mahdi and what it means for Muslims. The event took place at the Gamji Gate theatre in Kaduna on June 15 2014. The organisers explained that the date was not the exact day for the mid Shaaban but the event was scheduled on a weekend to enable workers to attend and it was attended by an impressive crowd of young people and a few elders.
The Master of Ceremony, Sheikh Tahir Umar Suleiman intro-duced the dignitaries. Malam Tahir Muhammad Kano opened the event with Quranic recitation while Malam Mujahid Sani read the Ziyara. I sat with the women leaders and members of the Althaqalyn Foundation, prominent among them was Malama Fatima Yunus, popularly known as known Ummu Shahida.
The keynote address was presented by Sheikh Hamzah Muhammad Lawal and it was a discourse on the Imam Mahdi. I have heard and read so much about the Imam Mahdi and the Mahdist movement in countries like the Sudan and felt one could learn from other perspectives and I did. The lecture was delivered in Hausa and as I listened to the Sheikh I tried to take my notes in English and share with my audience the perspective from the Sheikh verbatim. ‘The days and night of Nisfuh Shaaban are time for prayers and days of blessing for all. It is a day of blessing for the Ahlul Bayt (The Prophet’s progeny) It is also the birthday of Imam Mahdi who was born 255 after hijrah. Allah decrees things on this night. The Imam remains protected and hidden and Allah creates what He will. Imam Mahdi will appear at the end of time and fill the world with equity. He will end injustice and oppression. He will be a grandchild of the Prophet Muhammad SAW through his daughter Fatima Zahra. He is Imam Al Mahdi Al Mumtazah, the one we are all waiting for. All scholars agree that he is the Imamun Hujjah. Ibn Khaldum the famous scholar and historian wrote about him. The Zabura (Psalms) of Prophet David AS predicts that the meek shall inherit the earth, referring to the servants of Allah the salihu and sahibun . Allah says He will give victory to His faithful servants who are oppressed on earth. Surprisingly, even communists believe that when it reaches its perfection, the communist state will be a utopian state that will be free from oppression and injustice.
The focus of our discussion today is not to deliberate on whether Imam Mahdi is born or not yet born although we believe he is born already. Our focus today is what the appearance of Imam Mahdi will mean to us and the (Daula) Caliphate he will establish which will bring justice and equity. It will eradicate poverty and conflict and there will be equity, peace and prosperity. He will fill the world with as much justice and equity as we have oppression and injustice today. The Prophet SAW predicted that a time will come when injustice and oppression will fill the world and we are there already.
 All over the world there is oppression, chaos, violence and unjust wars. From Iraq to Syria, Ukraine, Palestine, Nigeria etc The Imam Mahdi remains hidden because of all these acts of crime against humanity, grievous sins and iniquity. The violence in the world today is unbelievable, about 25 million people have been killed in United States covert wars, the world economy is collapsing and we also witnessing the manipulation of world events by powerful countries to create violence and forced regime change as we saw in Libya and Egypt and are witnessing the same in Syria. In fact chaos is being created in the Middle East in order to protect Israel.
There is dislocation of hopes and governance does not address the needs of the common people. The Minister of Finance said government will promote filmmakers and singers. This is a sign of descent into loss and inequity. At the international level, the United States is investing in establishing entertainment television channels that will invade our sensibilities, erode morals and invade privacy. Democracy is now equated with liberty, freedom, the right to erode faith, blaspheme and promote immorality. We have only one option-people of faith Muslims and Christians should unite and fight this reign of Satan. Most Christians believe that the United States is a Christian state but it is not. Those who rule the world today have demoted religion in their affairs and do not worship God. Faith is on trial and stakeholders in faith movements should end our divisions, unite and fight the disciples of Satan. In Iraq, Shiia and Sunni leaders came together and decided to end manipulation of divisions among them by their enemies and they issued a fatwa to combat Satanists. That is the type of cooperation we need to address the divisions among us which enemies of faith people manipulate to create chaos. We have to speak out against iniquity and scholars should play a leading role in this struggle. ‘The ink of the scholar is as precious as the blood of the martyr’.  Let us plan and run together and get saved together.’ When the Imam finally appears, there will be no controversy about him because he will be recognized and people will follow him. Everywhere will witness the pronouncement of Kalimatu Shaddah.
As we wait for the expected event we are like a man who is sinking in deep water and expecting divers who are already on their way to come and rescue him. He is hopeful but there is nothing he can do to hasten their coming. His faith can only strengthen him and keep hope alive. That is the situation we are in today. The faithful have love for each other, have hope and great expectations. Once we are ready and determined to do this, Allah will support us. We need saviours and change leaders to pave the way for reformation of our communities.’ When I left the venue of the event, I visited my study group teacher to ask for his perspective on Imam Mahdi. I will share his views in my next write up.