Question 1
The Almighty Allah reckons Himself to be Sufficient as the Helper of mankind. In this regard, verse 31 from Chapter Furqan explicitly sas,
“And sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and a Helper.” (Qur’an, 25:31) Or verse 36 from Chapter Zumar says,“Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?” (Qur’an, 39:36) But, in Dua’e-Faraj of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), we recite,
“Suffice me (solve my affairs) for you both are sufficient (as solver of my affairs); and help me for you both are my helpers.”
In continuation of this ‘Dua’, we say :
“O my master, O the master of the age! Help me, help me, help me.” In other words, we seek help from Allah’s messenger (s.a.w.a.), Amir-ul-Mu’mineen (a.s.) and Saheb-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and we reckon all of them to be sufficient as our helpers. Don’t these two issues contradict one another?
Question 2
How do the Imams as well as Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) know the deeds, thoughts and reflection of others? Are they acquainted in the same manner as Allah has dominance over the thoughts of human-beings? Are they aware of the smallest thought that can pass in one’s mind? If the reply is positive, then how does their knowledge differ with Allah’s Knowledge?
Question 3
What is the meaning and explanation of the following verse, well-known about Hazrat Mahdi’s advent and government ?
Question 4
Can one find any prophecy about Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) in the past heavenly Books?
Question 5
What customs and resemblance does Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) has in common with the past prophets?
Question 6
How is Imam’s dressing at present and what would be his dressing during his advent? Does he wear modern and common clothes, like the common mass, or does he wear some special clothes?
Question 7
In Ziarat of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), we read,“Salaamun-ala-Aale-Yasin” . By virtue of verse 130 of Chapter Saffat (Salaamun-Ala-El-Yasin),“Aale-Yasin” is interpreted to be the holy Prophet’s progeny and Hazrat Mahdi. Please elaborate on this subject.
Question 8
How can it be proved that Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is alive and not died ?
Question 9
Why did Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) have two occultation: ‘Sughra’ (minor) and ‘Kubra’ (major)?
Question 10
Doesn’t Hazrat Mahdi’s existence in the society, during occultation, contradict the very meaning of occultation (Ghaibat) and his concealment? Doesn’t such appearance in gatherings nullify ‘Ghaibat’?
Question 11
During occultation, Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) has recommended the Shias to refer to the narrators of traditions:
Are the narrators of traditions ‘Faqihs’ and ‘Mujtahids’?
How is the relationship between Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and the narrators and jurisprudents? Do they enjoy special relation or are they like the common people? (In other words, do they meet Imam?)
Question 12
Should we accept or reject those who claim to have seen Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)?
Question 13
We know people who have prayed the Almighty Allah for years to allow them to meet Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) or at least yearned to see him. Why such enthusiastic persons have remained unfortunate?
Question 14
Is there a difference between the common man and the scholars in their meetings with Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)? If so, what is the difference?
Question 15
During occultation, how does Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) look into the affairs of all the people of world? Does he recognize each and every individual? How would this be during his reappearance?
Question 16
How can one prove longevity of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) from the viewpoint of science and reason? Doesn’t his long life contradict the law of nature?
Question 17
As per traditions, it is said that when Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) reappears, he would kill the enemies of Islam and Qur’an to such extent that blood would flow to the level of his horse’s knee. On the other hand, we see reliable traditions mentioning that Hazrat would spread justice, equity, love, and kindness among people. How do we reconcile these two issues?
Question 18
About Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), we read in Dua-e-Nodba that:
“Where is the distressed one, whose request is answered by Allah” ?
Has Allah promised that He would respond positively to the one who prays? About His prophet, Allah says,
“Ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, Allah will not forgive them” . (Qur’an, 9:80)
So how can we say that Hazrat Mahdi’s requests are definitely answered? Why is he called the distressed one? Why doesn’t he requests for his distressed state?
Question 19
Is it correct that Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will reappear at a fixed near future time, and most of the“signs of his Reappearance” have already been fulfilled, and the requirements are nearly prepared for his coming?
Question 20
What does it imply when we say that the earth will be filled with tyranny before Imam’s reappearance? Is it that there wouldn’t be any justice left? Will the common people too ill-treat and oppress one another? Is the claim made by the Western countries that the rule of justice prevails in their countries true and correct?
Question 21
What do we mean by saying that Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) would invite the people towards their own respective books and beliefs? Wouldn’t he invite the people to Islam and Qur’an?
Question 22
Will Jurisprudence (Fiqhahat and Ijtihad) that is practiced in our time, continue to prevail during the Hazrat’s time, or would they vanish completely?
Question 23
In traditions, Hazrat Mahdi’s government is likened to Hazrat Dawood’s government. From what viewpoint, their governments resemble one another?
Question 24
What difference does Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) have with other prophets and Imams such that amongst all the prophets and Imams it is only Hazrat Mahdi who can fulfill Allah’s Will and meet the peoples hope? Is it that the other prophets and Imams couldn’t fulfill this aim? Will Hazrat Mahdi compel the people to accept his rule? Doesn’t the holy verse say, “There is no compulsion about religion ?”
Question 25
As per some traditions, Jesus Christ will accompany Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) during the Reappearance. Would the Christians bring faith in Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and turn Muslims, or would they rebel against him?
Question 26
Based on verses 14 and 64 from Chapter Maeda, considering that polytheism and blasphemy would remain until the day of resurrection, would the land become free from polytheism and blasphemy during Hazrat Mahdi’s rule?
Question 27
We know that Hazrat Mahdi’s satisfaction and happiness, with respect to us, lies in our true and correct belief (creed) and virtuous deeds. How and by what means can one achieve this momentous issue?
Question 28
The more a person becomes familiar with Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) the more he desires to acquire his Imam’s satisfaction. What should we do to attract our Imam’s satisfaction more and more?
Question 29
We hear that the Imams (a.s.) had the desire to see the twelfth Imam. Was it because they believed the twelfth Imam possessed a much higher spiritual status, or it was their enthusiasm for a universal Islamic government, monotheism, and justice that created that desire in them?
Question 30
After Reappearance, the world would become attractive and lovable and the human society would turn into an ideal society. Before Reappearance and during occultation, what are the main duties for preparing such an environment and society?