SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- 1- The rise of Imam Zaman (as) is one of the most important incidents to take place in this world, to the extent that he has been given the title of “The Promised one of all Religions” and “The Universal Reformist to the People of the World”. 2- Since his appearance is of so much significance, it must be accompanied by signs that have never taken place before, like the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- A thorough analysis of the theological basis of Mahdiism (the belief in Imam Mahdi as and his coming) calls for a detailed and profound discussion which we will leave for another time. Here, we will briefly mention a portion of the basis of this concept and belief: Great theologians link the concept of Mahdiism to the “Law of Grace” which is a famous one in theology and have proven the necessity of the existence of…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) The answer to this question lies in explaining why the occultation took place, what the awaiting of the Mahdi (aj) truly means, and what the benefits and outcomes of having a concealed imam are. It has been said in our hadiths that one of the reasons for the occultation is so that he won't have to pledge allegiance to anyone, or so that he will be protected from being killed. Of course, these reasons can't…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) - When two individuals know nothing about each other, there is no way they can have a relationship, unless at least one of them knows the other sparking a two way knowledge and awareness that will finally end in a relationship. As for having a relationship with Imam Mahdi (as), he is one end of the relationship that knows us very well and has affection for us. What is left for us, the other end,…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- “Raj’ah” literally means ‘to return’, and in Islamic terms, refers to the return of certain people from the dead. These people may consist of dedicated believers and pure mushriks (polytheists) alike. It has been narrated that after the reappearance of the Twelfth Imam (aj) and his establishment of a global Islamic government and prior to the Day of Judgment, certain individuals will be raised from their graves and brought back to this world. Belief in the raj’ah,…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- Awaiting the reappearance [intizar al-faraj] is one of the basic fundamentals of Islam, especially Shiite. Awaiting the reappearance means aspiring and yearning for freedom and deliverance from inequalities and injustice, and for elimination of the difficulties facing the people of the world. Those who await the reappearance believe a divine man –called Mahdi in Islam – will reappear at the end of time, a man who will do away with oppression and replace injustice…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- Praying for the well being of Imam Zaman (aj) is an Islamic command that has its own reasons, even if we never learn of those reasons. Some of the reasons though, can be the following: 1- Praying for his well-being factors into such and Allah (swt) knows that at all times, there will be some who pray for that, thus ensuring his well-being at all times. Of course, this doesn’t mean that if no…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- There are three categories of reports in regards to the domicile of the Imam of Time (atf): The first category of reports does not introduce a special residence for the Imam. Although some of the narrations in this category consider the deserts and mountains as his residence, on the whole, according to the first category of reports the Imam's residence is not fixed. The second category of reports says that the Imam lives invisibly…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- At present we are living in the period of Greater Occultation which is the period of “general deputyship”. That is, guidance of the Shiites is an obligation as well as a responsibility of the grand jurists and prominent religious scholars who bear the necessary qualifications and the eligibility to guide people, and it is also the duty and obligation of the people to follow and obey them. As for why the Imam of Time…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- The occultation of the Imam of Time (atf) does not mean that the Imam is living a paranormal or different life. For example, he is not living in a cave and the likes of such places. In fact, according to some traditions the Imam is living among the people in a way such that he is not recognized. The only difference between the Imam and the ordinary people is in the longevity of the…