MAHDI – THE AWAITED - and KALKI AVATAR – THE AWAITED
The subject of Mahdi (the awaited) is such that it has since long perplexed the minds of even some of the most staunch believers of Ahlulbayt. Till now, those who believed in the coming of Mahdi had to live with continuous assaults of criticism, pertaining to their belief about his reappearance. So much so that while the subject is hotly discussed in their internal circles, particularly due to the fact that it is on this belief that the foundations of their religion rest, they shy away from discussing the long life of Mahdi in front of others, mostly due to fear of being mocked and criticized. Not anymore!
Isn’t this enough of a proof that all major religions of the world, who came at different times and prospered in areas which were largely unconnected at that time, carry this concept of final salvation, coming of a messiah of the oppressed, the weak, the underprivileged and the downtrodden? Be it Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam – all believe that when the world will be full of vices and evil, God will finally send a Divine Person, who will make the world a better place to live. Hindus call him the Kalki Avatar; there are several narrations pertaining to him in various scriptures. That this concept of final deliverance is universally acknowledged is itself a proof of its truthfulness as well as of the fact that all the Messengers who propagated it belonged to one common source.
However, most of the accounts of his arrival are hazy and unclear. There is only one small group in the Muslims who claim to know his true identity and believe that the Mahdi has already taken birth about 1200 years ago, at a place called Samarrah in present Iraq. They believe that as per the will of God, Mahdi disappeared from public view when still a child. Yet, he continues to live and work to guide all humanity towards the worship of One God. When God would Will and when the time is appropriate, he will appear again, to lead the world towards God. This alone had been the mission of all his 13 predecessors, who collectively form the Divine Self, and it is in this pursuit that they all were killed. Mahdi is the last Divine Proof on earth, whose very presence ensures that the world is surviving. For that reason, many in the aforementioned community of Muslims, regard him as Baqiatullah, the remaining part of (the Manifest Self of) Allah.
We are repeating again lest you forget! it is unfortunate that the same group, who clung to the 14 names in the most adverse of circumstances, is no longer the greatest worshipper of God. Fact is that while the Ahlulbayt (Devatas) themselves continue to be revered at all their congregations, the lofty ideals that they lived and died for have been forgotten. This pattern is similar to that of Krishna, Rama, Moses, Jesus, Buddha and Moses – who all had strived to preach unity of God and righteousness, but the world deified them and elevated them higher or equal to God, in their hearts at least, if not on paper. There is no reason for this small group, who claim to hold on to the Ahlulbayt, to feel proud because apart from keeping alive the traditions and incidents from the lives of some of the 14 Ahlulbayt, majority of these people have lately begun to desist from their teachings and might be disowned by these very Ahlulbayt, when the last proof of God on earth would arrive in person.
For this reason, we strongly disagree with the view of those who claim that the Mahdi would convert all people to their religion. All who claim to be following Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism or Islam, their beliefs and faith have common origin in that One Straight Path shown by God’s messengers. Yet, majority of the believers of these so-called different faiths have deviated from the straight-path. In all likelihood, if Mohammad were to come now, he would disown majority of the Muslims. Likewise, Rama or Krishna would disown the Hindus, Jesus would disown the Christians and Moses would disown the Jews.
With deviations in all faiths, who are we to claim that Mahdi – one who is truly related to all of the aforementioned figures - would convert people to our religion. There is no difference between the path shown by Mohammad, Rama, Krishna, Moses and Jesus. If they appear so different from each other, that is our doing.
This is why we claim that none of the revered figures, attributed to various religions, would recognize the self-confessed followers of theirs, if they were to arrive in this age. Not that there are no more rightful believers of the God, in each faith. But they have been confined to the side-lines in the face of dogmas and rituals, their officiating priests and most importantly, the blind adherents. Moral and spiritual degradation in society has reached the levels that the time of deliverance is not far. Mahdi’s appearance is not a distant reality anymore.
Considering the fact that all the Messengers and Ahlulbayt of God who lived as normal human beings died disillusioned when faced with tortures and hardships at the hands of man, we should not doubt the traditions that Mahdi would, for the first time, gain victory over the adversaries of God and in this manner his victory will be the victory of all the preceding Messengers, Devatas as well as the Manifest Self. Since God has never championed adherence to His path due to force or compulsion, and since matters of choosing between right and wrong has been left upon our consciousness, it is wrong to say that the coming of Mahdi will be accompanied by use of force. Man, through his own wisdom and intellect, will himself find the path. He will recognize that the awaited Messiah – through whatever name we call him – is our own. The deviations that occurred to the Straight Path will get exposed and what will remain will be that True Path, shining brighter than ever before. So that none could ever say that he was not guided!
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A group of scholars, amongst them being the learned and mystic traditionist Mohammad Khwaja Bukhari in his book ‘Fasl-ul-Khetab’ has narrated that Mahdi was born close to dawn of 15th Shaban, 256 A.H. (at present in 2016, the year is 1437 A.H.). Her mother, Nargis, was a Roman princess, who had left the life of grandeur and opulence to live with the Imam Hasan Askari (the 11th Imam or the 13th Ahlulbayt of God). Imam Hasan Askari’s aged aunt, Hakimah, was alongside Nargis at the time of delivery.
‘Fasl-ul-Khetab’ narrates: “When Hakimah’s looks fell on the child she took him in her arms and went towards Hazrat Hasan. Hazrat embraced him and rubbed his blessed hands over his back and eyes and then placed his mouth over his mouth. Thereafter he recited ‘Azan’ (call to prayer) in his right ear and ‘Eqamah’ (establishment of prayers) in his left ear and then said: ‘O aunt, take him to his mother.’ Hakimah obeyed and took the child back to his mother. Hakimah says: “Once again, I visited Hasan Askari’s house. All of a sudden, I saw Hazrat carrying a child who was wearing a yellow dress and the baby’s face was beaming with light.” Then, his love superseded my heart and I said: “O my Master, what have you to say about this blessed child?” He replied: “O aunt, he is the same Expected one about whom we were given glad-tidings.” Then, I threw myself on the ground and prostrated as an expression of thanksgiving. Author says: “What we have narrated before and what we shall narrate later on, necessarily proves his birth because those tradition comprises several parts. One of the parts indicates that he is the twelfth successor while another shows that he is the twelfth legatee. Still another portion indicates that he is the twelth Imam and leader and another indicates that he is the ninth from the progeny of Husain (the third Imam). Others reveal that he is the fourth from the offspring of Imam Raza (the eighth Imam) and yet others reveal that he is the son of Hazrat Hasan Askari. Another part indicates his occultation and the fact that he is concealed from the public-view and cannot be recognized… Most of the scholars of Sunnis have clearly stipulated the successive transmission of these traditions and compendiously reckoned their issuance to be decisive. Thus, resorting to this obligation will amount to refutation of the Holy Prophet and rejection of what has come from him through successive transmission notwithstanding that which Allah says in Quran:
Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed.
Thirdly, being bound over the matter of non-existence of Mahdi and the continuation of the life of Imam Hasan Askari until the end of time when Allah has foretold the birth of Mahdi. Reply: Here too, we cannot consider this saying to be correct because Shias and Sunnis are unanimous over this fact that Hasan Askari has already passed away in the year 260 A.H. Taken for granted that Imam Hasan Askari has lived till now and is still alive, why can’t we assume the same for Mahdi and compel ourselves in believing him to be still alive and living. This is because if a decree on such a matter is permissible then there exists no difference between these two cases so that we may say that it is possible in the case of Imam Hasan Askari but not so for Mahdi. Fourthly, as per the consensus of Shias and Sunnis, Imam Hasan Askari has passed away. However, Allah (All Glory be to Him) with the Power that He possesses shall make him alive in the near future primarily for the birth of Mahdi. Reply: There is no proof which gives evidence to the truthfulness of this saying. Although Allah is having Power over all things and His Might cannot be denied yet, the reason for the rejection of continuation of Mahdi’s life is because it is considered to be an improbable affair and contrary to the custom (as is in vogue amongst us) notwithstanding the fact that the chances of making someone alive after death and restoring him back to life after non-existence appears to be more remote and unusual than continuation of life. In addition, the restoration of Hasan Askari’s life after his demise may be in reference to ‘Reja’t’ (return to life), the same which we Shias believe. Fifthly, being bound over believing that Mohammad Mahdi has been born and is still living. Moreover, he is being given sustenance and just like other people who seek means of livelihood he too seeks means of livelihood until the time when Allah wishes him to fill the earth with equity and justice just as it had been filled with cruelty and oppression. Thus, He shall command him to emerge and inspire him to bring about a complete reform.”
This is exactly what Shias believe though we must confess that their concept of Reja’t (return to life) has not been fully understood.
The author of ‘Tazkerat-ul-Al while mentioning the children of Imam Hasan Askari says: “Amongst them is Imam Mohammad son of Hasan, son of Ali, son of Mohammad, son of Ali, son of Musa, son of Jafar, son of Mohammad, son of Ali, son of Husain, son of Ali b. Abu Talib. His agnomen is Abu-Abdullah and Abul-Qasim and he is the successor, ‘Hujjat’ (Proof) Master of the age, ‘Qa’em’ (Upholder) and ‘Muntazir’ (Awaited one). He shall be the last Imam. The author of ‘Matalib-us-Su’ool’, after mentioning the place of birth of Hazrat Mahdi (May the blessing of Allah be upon him and his holy forefathers) says: ‘However, his name is Mohammad, his agnomen is Abul-Qasim and his titles are ‘Hujjat’ (Proof) and ‘Khalaf-Saleh’ (Virtuous successor). He has also been called as ‘Muntazar’ (Awaited one). Ibn-Hajar in his book ‘Sawa’eq’, after mentioning about Imam Hasan Askari writes: ‘He did not leave behind any successor but his son Abul-Qasim Mohammad Hujjat whose age at the time of his father’s demise was five years. However Allah granted him wisdom at that time and he has been called as ‘Qa’em’ and ‘Muntazar’. The author of ‘Noor-ul-Absar’, after mentioning about Mahdi says: ‘His name is Mohammad and his agnomen Abul-Qasim. The Shias have given him such titles as ‘Hujjat’, ‘Mahdi’, ‘Khalaf-Saleh’, ‘Qaem’ and ‘Saheb-uz-Zaman’. The most famous amongst them is Mahdi.”
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We quote from a book on Mahdi: “So far, whatever we have written about Mahdi and his characteristics, necessarily proves that he has been raised to the position of Imamate and he held this glorious position when he was only five and yet a Junior. Now we wish to see whether it is possible and permissible for one to hold the position of Imamate at the age of five or is it that the Prophets, Messengers and their successors are bound to first reach adolescence and attain physical development or else! In this regard, we say: Research in this matter is related to theology and here it is out of place to discuss it in length. However, briefly we say: What has been verified is this that the matter of Messengership, Prophethood, Imamate and successorship lie in the Hands of the Exalted Allah and nobody else has any choice or authority in this regard. Therefore, as per the intellect, this implication will be allowed for and with presence of proof, there shall be no objection if an infant becomes a Prophet or a child becomes an Imam because the Glorious Allah can amass together all the qualifications of an Imam or a Prophet in the childhood period itself. Verily, reason accepts this that the Exalted Allah makes someone as His friend and then appoints him as His Prophet and Messenger or chooses him as a leader and Executor in his very childhood period. This is because there exists no weakness in the Power of Allah and the story of Isa and Yahya’s Prophethood bear testimony in the truthfulness of what we say.”
It is to be noted that neither Hindus, nor Jews, Jains, Christians and Muslims should doubt this. Hindus already recount tales of Rama, Hanuman and Krishna, when still young, performing superhuman activities. Likewise, Jains too talk of superhuman activities being performed by Mahavira while still a child. Jews, Christians and Muslims acknowledge Yahya being bestowed prophethood at a very young age while Christians and Muslims acknowledge Isa (Jesus) speaking when only a day-old.
The author of ‘Yanabi-ul-Muwadda’ after mentioning the matter of Mahdi’s birth, narrates on page 452 from the book ‘Fasl-ul-Khetab’ as such: ‘About him (Mahdi), it has been said that the Exalted Allah granted him wisdom, in his childhood and also made him a ‘Hujjat’ [Proof (of Divine Powers)] for the people of the world. As, He says with regard to one of His Prophets:
O Yahya! take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while still a child.
Also, Quran says about Jesus:
They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? He said: Surely I am the servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet.
Ibn-Hajar in his ‘Sawa’eq’ (on page 114) after mentioning the incident of the demise of Imam Hasan Askari writes: “‘He did not appoint anyone as his successor but Abul-Qasim Mohammad Hujjat whose age at the time of his father’s demise was five years. However Allah granted him wisdom at that time. (82) At the time of his father’s demise he was five years old and Allah granted him wisdom in his very childhood just as He made Prophet Yahya as an Imam in his infancy and appointed Isa as a Prophet in his childhood. Also, Shabrawi in Al-Ettehaf (on page 179) mentions his successorship to have started at the age of five after his father’s demise and reckons his birth to have occurred in the night of 15th of the lunar month of Shaban. Ibn-Khallkan too (in Wafiyat-ul-A’ayan Vol. 1 Pg. 451) has mentioned the birth of Hazrat to be on the 15th Shaban 255 A.H. Suyediin ‘Saba’ek-uz-Zahab’ (page 78) has mentioned his age at the time of his father’s demise to be five years. Also Abul-Fidah Vol. 2 Pg. 45 mentions the birth of Hazrat to have occurred in the year 255.”
As per traditions scattered in various books Krishna, Jesus and Ali – all spoke at the time of birth. The story of the Virgin Mary proves that Jesus was born without father. If all these are true events that actually happened, why do we have to doubt that God could not bestow powers on a child five years old? Noor it was that was working in the body of infant Krishna when he spoke, Noor it was that was working in the body of Jesus when he spoke and also in the body of Ali. Earlier in this BOOK, we have narrated the incident of the young infant girl who was replaced with Krishna in the prison. Narrations tell this girl flew out of the reach of Kansa and told him that one who was to be his nemesis had already taken birth. This girl was surely not a Prophet. She is said to have flown in the sky, and then spoke. [It is sorry that the same people who narrate the story of this girl flying in the sky need to invent airplanes for Hanuman to travel from Lanka to Himalayas and back.] The Noor of Devatas has been bestowed with great divine powers, it continues to descend in human bodies to start using it as its office; if the Noor descended in the body of a five year old child, how we can doubt when our own religious scriptures give various other examples as well.
We have already narrated that Ahlulbayt are the creators of the cosmos, the superior most creations of God on whom He has bestowed His own powers. There should be no doubt anymore.
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Conditions during the time of latter Imams were such that their lives were spent mostly in imprisonment or house arrest. As regard to Imam Hasan Askari – the eleventh Imam – there was yet another reason for spy’s hovering his house day and night. This was the abundance of traditions from the time of Prophet, Ali and later Imams about Mahdi and the deliverance that he would bring about. Such is the number of these traditions that they can only fit into an independent book. Caliph of the period naturally had reasons to be afraid, as he knew in heart that he was usurper and unrighteous. Spies were appointed to keep a close watch if any child took birth in the house of the Imam. Consequently, Imam Hasan Askari himself was poisoned to death at the first opportunity.
In spite of all these arrangements, there was no stopping God’s will. Imam Mohammad Mahdi took birth in the wee hours of night without anybody coming to know. Imam Hasan Askari kept it a well-guarded secret and only a few most trusted friends were allowed to meet the child. The king got to know of the child’s birth only when the latter had disappeared by the order of God.
The following narration from Ahmad ibn Obaidullah, whose father was the Amir of Samarra and a close aid of the Caliph in keeping a watch on Imam’s house, tells how the state appointed doctors and guards had been forced upon the Eleventh Imam, so that they could keep watch on his activities and inform the king in case a child was due. This shows how rampant were the traditions of Prophet Mohammad and earlier Imams in this regard. See:
“When Imam Hasan Askari fell ill (due to the effect of poison given by the Caliph’s men), the Caliph called for my father to inform him about Imam’s illness. My father immediately rushed for the Capital and soon returned back. He came back with five special and trusted men of Caliph who were all reliable to him and one of them was Nuhrair Khadem. He ordered these five men to protect Imam’s house and inquire of his health. He called for several doctors and charged them with the responsibility of looking after Imam every morning and night. Two days later, news came of Imam’s deteriorating condition. My father rushed to visit him and commanded the doctors not to leave Imam alone. Afterwards, he called for the Chief Judge and ordered him to bring ten of his companions who were reliable from the viewpoint of faith, trustworthiness and piety. The Chief Judge summoned those ten men to Imam’s house and ordered them to remain besides Imam day and night. They too remained at Imam’s service until he passed away. Imam Hasan Askari passed away in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal 260 A.H. and a tumult took place in the city of Samarrah. The Caliph sent several of his men to Imam’s house and they in turn searched Imam’s rooms and sealed off everything they could find. They also searched for Imam’s son (i.e. Imam of the Age). They brought midwives in order to examine the slave-girls (of Imam Hasan Askari). One of the midwives said: ‘So and so slave-girl is pregnant’. The Caliph charged Nurair Khadem, his companions and other women to keep watch over her. Thereafter, they became busy in Imam’s funeral and the entire city came to a standstill. The Bani-Hashim, the commanders, writers and all the common people attended Hazrat’s funeral. On that day, the city of Samarrah resembled the Day of Judgment. As soon as Imam’s body was given the ritual wash and was shrouded, the Caliph sent forward Abu Isa Mutawakkil to recite prayers over Imam’s dead-body. When Abu Isa came close to Imam’s dead-body, he lifted the shroud and exposed his face to the Bani-Hashim, (who were from the Alawites [descendants of Ali]) Abbassids, commanders, writers, judges, jurisprudents and the common people and then said: This man is Imam Hasan Askari who has died a natural death. During the entire period of his illness, so and so doctor, so and so judge, so and so trusted person and so and so just person had been present and they can all bear witness on this affair. After this, he covered Imam’s face and recited prayers over his dead-body and in his prayers he recited five times ‘Takbeer’ (inaugural phrase). By his commands, Imam’s dead-body was taken out from his house and was laid buried in his great grandfather’s house. After Hazrat’s burial and the people’s dispersal, the Caliph and his companions engaged in seeking the whereabouts of his son (Imam of the Age). They properly searched various houses. They desisted from distributing Hazrat’s inheritance. Those people who were charged with the responsibility of keeping watch over the slave-girl continued their task for two years until they realized that she had not been pregnant. Thereafter, they distributed Hazrat’s inheritance between his mother and brother (Jafar-e-Kazzab). ‘
Several traditions tell that Imam Hasan Askari fell ill on the first day of Rabiul-Awwal in the year of 260 A.H. and passed away on the Friday the eighth of Rabiul-Awwal of the same year. At the time of his demise, Imam Hasan Askari was twenty-eight years old. He was laid to rest in the same house, which he had in Samarrah and where his great-father was buried and appointed his son for the establishment of the just government. Imam Hasan Askari would keep secret the birth of his son and would conceal his affairs because situation of that time was unfavourable. The Caliph of that time searched severely for Imam’s sons and strived to know about their affairs because belief on Mahdi had become widespread amongst the Shias and who were expecting him to come. During his life, Imam Hasan Askari never disclosed his son in public and after his demise too, the enemies never got the chance of recognizing his son.
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Saduq in his book ‘Elalush-Sharayeh’ has narrated from Abdullah-ibn-Fazl Hashami as saying: “I heard Sadiq Aal-e-Mohammad (Imam Jafar Sadiq -the sixth Imam) saying (foretelling): “For the ‘Saheb-e-Amir (Master of the Affairs) there shall occur an occultation during which every men of vanity will fall into doubt and skepticism.”
I said: “May I be sacrificed for you. For what reason?”
He replied: “For a reason which we are not at liberty to divulge.”
I asked: “What is the reason for Hazrat’s Occultation?”
He replied: “The reason for Hazrat’s Occultation is similar to the reason for concealment of the past Divine Proofs.”
[This is evident that the Divine Proofs were concealed for a purpose and are supposed be unearthed at a later time. People, even 1200 years back were aware that until certain Divine Proofs are not unearthed, occultation would not end. Link of occultation to Divine Proofs is evident in the aforementioned tradition. The fact that some of them are getting unearthed now, in our times, shows that the time for his arrival is near.
Question is why were the Divine Proofs concealed? Answer lies in God’s confidence shown in front of angels regarding man. As per description given in Quran, when angels asked God whether he would create someone who would commit bloodshed on earth, God replied with “what I know, you know not”. This statement shows His enormous confidence in man’s ability. Despite the mazes and hurdles created by Zulmat and its agents to digress mankind from those Divine Proofs, certain people will find the proofs for themselves. We must remember, it is man who is here to give the test and not Devatas (Ahlulbayt).]
“The reason behind Mahdi’s Occultation will not be disclosed but after his emergence just as the reason of Hazrat Khizr’s actions (meaning the drilling of a hole in the boat, the killing of a lad and the repairing of the wall) was not divulged until Musa and Khizr decided to part company. O son of Fazl. This affair is a divine affair, this secret is a divine secret and this concealment is a divine concealment. We must accept that all His actions are based on Wisdom, even if the reason for them is not known to us.” This saying is the truth which should be confessed and certified by every Muslim. Verily, very often a person seeks the reason and philosophy for some of the Divine Acts for the sake of gaining certainty and tranquillity of his own self and not that he wishes to use his confirmation and rejection as a means for perceiving the reason of Divine actions or not.”
The reason of occultation was kept secret but now it is out in the open. Courtesy the Vedas and Upanishads! In spite of the knowledge of innumerable traditions from the Prophet as well as the mention of Mahdi in Quran, Muslims who claimed to be the believers in Quran and Prophet yet Mahdi - the awaited - and Kalki Avatar - the awaitedkilled all the preceding Imams as well as Fatima. They would have done so in case of Mahdi as well if occultation had not happened. Nobody knew then that the Noor’s presence on earth is essential for the sustenance of the world. They as the guardians of the 14 spheres have been given the authority and control not only over the affairs of the universe but the Noor is also linked to the higher self within us. They are related to the vital breaths inside us. It is because of them that all creatures breathe. More importantly, nobody knew then Mahdi was indeed Baqiatullah (the remaining part of Allah), which we have proved him to be. Had Mahdi too been killed, the world would have remained no more. Therefore, the last of the 14 Devatas or Ahlulbayt, who together comprise the Manifest Self, because of whom all creations took birth, had to wait. That wait is about to end as God has ordered him to prepare to come. Deliverance is not far anymore!
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Says the writer: “The benefits of Imam-e-Zaman’s existence from our view-point (i.e. Shia view-point) are of two types:
Firstly, Hazrat like other people is alive and the common people derive benefit from his existence whether present or absent and whether apparent or concealed.
Secondly, the benefit which is derived from Hazrat’s occupation (of the earth) was previously reasoned that due to fear and insecurity it is not obligatory for Hazrat to carry out the second type. However benefits of the first type will necessarily be derived from Hazrat’s existence. The simile, which has come in the tradition of Jabir-ibn-Abdullah Ansari, is as follows:
Imam is like a sun hidden behind the clouds.
This simile is one of the most elegant and beautiful kinds of simile. Various benefits and effects are derived from the sun’s existence even though there are clouds that are hiding it. But the benefits grow manifold if there are no clouds and the rays are reaching us unhindered. Imam too is the same. I believe, this comparison has been made from two aspects and there exists two reasons for this (one aspect when the sun is covered by clouds and the other aspect when the sun is not covered by any object and its light glimmers). Deriving benefit from the sun and making use of it by the living and rather the non-living creatures is happening whether it is manifest or concealed under the clouds. Every creature derives its own pleasure and share from it with the difference that when it is manifest and glimmering, the benefit derived is more than when it is covered and concealed. Imam too is like the sun in these two afore-said cases. This is the view of the Shias about Imam. However the Sunnis believe that the benefits and effects derived from Imam’s existence is confined to the second type (i.e. non-absence of Imam).
To this, we reply as such:
Some of the Sunnis reckon Mahdi’s occultation to mean that he is invisible and cannot be seen. However, just as mentioned before, their reckoning is far from truth. Rather, his occultation means that he cannot be individually recognized and seen.
Thus, it has come down in some traditions that after Mahdi’s emergence people will say: - ‘We used to see him before too.’ Verily Mahdi is absent (amongst us) but attends the gatherings and meetings. He also speaks to the travellers and other people. Rather, very often he presents himself during the Hajj season. He wears the ‘Ehram’ (pilgrim’s garb), recites the call of ‘Labbaik’, performs the ‘tawaaf’ (circumbulation) and concludes his Hajj by visiting his honoured grand-father and great fathers’ shrines especially at times of special ‘Ziarats’. Thus Mahdi is present amongst the Islamic community but is not physically recognized. On the contrary, we say: Who can dare say that during the major occultation it is not possible to come in contact with Mahdi whereas historical and other books provide us with evidences that a section of people have received the honour of seeing and meeting him. This matter is not inconsistent with the tradition which says: ‘If anyone claims that he has seen Mahdi, then reject his saying’. This is because by context of the first part of the tradition it only means that anyone who claims the special deputyship should be denied. Rather we can say: Mahdi is one of the members of society and rather the most important member. It is possible that he acts upon his responsibility even though it may not be obligatory for him. Verily, it is possible that Mahdi may come in contact with the Kings, rulers, princes and ministers and make some recommendations to them about reforms, maintenance of order and running of the affairs whether they follow his recommendation or not. He sits with the Jurists, scholars, writers and the learned people and discusses with them such topics as divine theology, moral rectifications and literary matters. In every field, he guides them towards the truth and right way irrespective of whether they act upon his sayings or not. He meets the traditionists, historians and scholars of ‘Rijal’ and guides them to the true saying, truthfulness of the concerned matter, authenticity of relation (of narration) and their incorrectness irrespective of whether they approve his sayings or not. Talks takes place with the preachers, inviters (towards the Divine path), clergymen and guides too and he reveals to them the way of reaching their objective in an easier way be it they act upon it or not. He visits the helpless, needy, sick and afflicted people and fulfills the wishes of the needy and cures the sick. Mahdi strives for all these affairs without being recognized and he is never stingy in doing good to others. So it’s absurd to say: How people benefit from the hidden Imam!? Verily, very often Mahdi replies to matters having to do with principles and other secondary matters; very often he solves the religious or worldly affairs; very often he cures the sick; how often he delivers the poor; very often he helps the helpless; very often he quenches the thirsty and very often he holds the hands of the disabled. This book and other books which have been written by reliable scholars (who were not recognizing each other and were living in different places and different times) contain such evidences which bear testimony to the truthfulness of what we have written. A person, after going through the particulars and contexts of these kind of evidences will gain certainty in the veracity of some of them.”
These are just a few benefits that people derive from Mahdi, as believed by Shia scholars till now. What none of the Islamic scholars knew till date was that as one of the fourteen Devatas, the Noor of Mahdi even comprises the conscience inside each of us and he is the Divinely Appointed ruler of our organs of action and senses. Both as Deva or Noor and as Mahdi when the Noor descends in a human body, his role is to lead mankind towards God. As Deva, he has continued to guide in all times, as Mahdi, he is going to remain in occultation until man himself unearth the Divine Proofs and get to understand the Divine Creation Plan with God, Manifest Self, the Devatas in Noor state and the Noor descending in human bodies as a Divine Rope between man and God and come to the path shown in various scriptures.
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This is something that we never knew till now. The study of Upanishads, Vedas and Gita alongside the Quran has enabled us to solve some of the most lingering mysteries regarding the coming of Mahdi and what’s stopping him from doing so.
As you have seen till this stage that the Devatas or Ahlulbayt are the Divine Proofs of God on earth. Pleased with their intense worship and sacrifices, God had given them complete control over the affairs of running of this world. It is they who control time and it is they who control death and rebirth, salvation and freedom from the cycle of rebirth. It is they who are the leaders of heaven and who will decide who is to go there and who is not to enter. It is they who are linked with consciousness, thus in that capacity all the good acts performed by us are associated with them. Their purpose is to guide and show the way and pursue endlessly to bring back the deviated humanity to the worship of One Absolute God.
In spite of their complete control, including their control over death, rain, thunderstorms, quakes, etc., there are certain things that they, and not even the God, can do. For instance, it is not possible that God resort to deceit, trickery, falsehood and any such evil to accomplish His aims. Neither is it possible for the Devatas to do so, as they are the Manifest Proofs of God on earth, consequently the Manifest Proofs of all the virtues and characteristics that God possesses.
Continuing with the aforementioned statement, it is not possible for the Devatas to use force on his opponents, but in self-defence. If they do this, it would be in contradiction to the Quranic statement as per which religion is a matter of choice and there is no compulsion in it. From this, we can safely conclude that Mahdi – the last of the Ahlulbayt – too will not use force but in self-defence. This shows that Mahdi, with a sword in hand, has either been inserted by the writers associated with the Court of the Caliph who were being paid for doing so, or his coming would eventually lead to forces of untruth and pseudo-religiosity combining to attack him and his supporters.
There is another important observation. Due to their relationship with God and His virtues, it is not possible for any of the Devatas to renege on the promise, made by any of them. If you have seen in history, there are innumerable instances where Prophet Mohammad or rest of Ahlulbayt went out of the way to honour the promises, even though their acts at times led them or their supporters to trouble.
How can we then expect that Mahdi would renege the promise made to Satan, at the time of creation of Adam? If you recall the description given in Quran of the creation of Adam, you will notice that Adam was shown certain faces, which were that of the Devatas or Noors of Ahlulbayt. This means that the Ahlulbayt were on one side and Adam on the other. If these Devatas or Noors had existed prior to creation of Adam, we can safely conclude that even Satan, who had spent a long period in the company of the angels, was aware of their presence. Naturally, he had no objection to their presence and perhaps even acknowledged their high position. His objection came when angels were asked to supplicate to Adam. Showing confidence in this man’s ability, God told to the angels what He knows (as regard to Adam), no one else was aware of. And Satan extracted a promise from God that if he is allowed to work till the Day of Judgment, he would digress the entire humanity away from God.
It is evident from this discussion that the promise of Adam was related to Adam and his progeny and the Ahlulbayt were not included in it. That is why, when the Ahlulbayt came to earth to live like human beings, they only showed how Satan can be defeated and did nothing, neither waged a war, against Satan itself. Their role was only to guide and show the way and man was to defeat the Satan through his own effort, for the fulfilment of God’s promise. Otherwise, we all agree that these Noors or Devatas, who are all-powerful and have been given control over life and death, could have made Satan extinct whenever they so desired.
As part of their role to lead the mankind towards the desired Straight Path, the Ahlulbayt kept sending Messengers and Prophets, but each time Zulmat (whose agent is Satan) was successful in leading us astray. When people stopped worshipping the Devatas themselves, Krishna (in whom one of the Noor of Devatas was working) tried to stop the worship of Devatas and lead us to the worship of Absolute God, and we ended up worshipping Krishna himself. Buddha too, once again, tried to highlight the Straight Path or Dhamma and we went on to cut all relationship of Buddha with the Absolute and even concluded that Buddha was just preaching the theory of cause and effect and there was no God in existence. Some even began to call Buddha as god. Wherever the Devatas were introduced, people were misled by Zulmat so much so that they started worshipping the Devatas. Various cults that worshipped just one or few of them and those which worshipped the linga or the female vulva were result of gross deviations. All true teachings of Rama and Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Moses and rest of the Messengers were ignored or altered. Zulmat, with its ability to use deceit, trickery, fraud and lead the man to the beckoning of material desires, was able to digress mankind time and again, so much so that most of these Messengers or Avatars died with only a few followers.
This was followed by a period when all the Devatas decided to take birth in human form one after another and the spirit of truth, as per the words of Jesus, descended on earth in totality. Zulmat continued to use its time-tested methods, so much so that the Ahlulbayt, in their human form, had to lead a life of torture and hardship. Consequently, 13 of them were killed, under instigation of Zulmat. At all times, they were bound by the promise that the Manifest Self of God had given to Satan. They wanted to honour God’s promise, as per which it were common men like us who were to defeat Zulmat and raise our selfs to the desired level. Then only will be able to defeat Zulmat.
From this, it is clear that Zulmat will be defeated by us or at least by a sizeable number of common human beings like us for the God’s promise (as well as the confidence on man) to be honoured. The Ahlulbayt, including Mahdi – the last of them – won’t come to fight our war. It is our war and it is to be won by us. At all times, they will continue to guide us, through consciousness, through showing the signs of God in the form of tsunami, quakes and cyclones, and through assisting us whenever we seek guidance or assistance from them. When this has been achieved, and the entire mankind knows truly the position of this spirit of truth in the Divine Creation Plan, and is ready to follow their path, the last of the Ahlulbayt, the last remaining Manifest Proof of God on earth, Baqiatullah, will come in front of us.
This shows that all the narrations that speak of Mahdi avenging the death of his forefathers or indulging in an armed conflict to lead us to truth are a result of the sabotage, that we have already seen happening in the case of earlier teachings, like those of Rama, Krishna and Buddha and those of the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and Quran. Mahdi will not come and forcefully bring people to truth. Mahdi will come when a certain number of us has already identified truth and treaded till desired levels on the path.
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Jabir-ibn-Abdullah Ansari narrates a lengthy incident wherein a Jew approaches the Holy Prophet and asks him various questions which results in his converting to Islam. One of the questions which the convert had asked was about the successors to the Holy Prophet himself and the Prophet’s reply that they were twelve in number. He counted each one of them by name until he got to the name of Imam Mohammad Hasan Askari. Thereafter he said: ‘After him shall come his son Mohammad who will be known as Mahdi, Qa’em and Hujjat. Then he will disappear temporarily, reappear again and when he does so he shall fill the earth with equity and justice. Since by then the earth would have been filled with cruelty and oppression. Blessed are those who are patient during the period of his occultation and blessed are those who are steadfast in their love towards him. They are those whom Allah has praised in His Book with such words:
Quran is a guide to those who guard (against evil), those who believe in the unseen i.e. Mahdi and his occultation
Also, Allah says:
They are those who belong to the Party of Allah; Know that the Party of Allah are the victorious ones.
Hasan ibn Khalid has narrated from Imam Ali Raza about Mahdi where he mentions that he would be the fourth from his descendants and that when he reappears, the earth would be engulfed with the Divine Light. Thereafter Imam continued as such:
He is the one whose reappearance shall coincide with the call of a caller from the sky such that all the inhabitants of the land shall hear this cry: - ‘Know that the Hujjat (Proof) of Allah has appeared near the House of Allah. So follow him since the truth is in him and with him.’ The word of Allah too refers to the same.
In the third chapter of ‘Eqdud-Durar’ its author narrates from Harith-ibn-Mughaira Ansari that he asked Abu Abdullah Husain-ibn-Ali as such: ‘By what sign should we recognize Mahdi?’ He replied: ‘By (his) calmness and (his) dignity.’ Once again I asked: ‘By what sign?’ He replied: ‘By recognizing the ‘forbidden’ and ‘permissible’ affairs and the need of the people towards him and his own needlessness from others.’ At another place, it is said: ‘Mahdi shall bring out from the cave of ‘Anthakia’ the books and shall bring out from the lake of ‘Tabariah’ the Zaboor which contains all that the family of Musa and Haroon have left behind and which was carried by the Angels and contains the Tablets (pieces of stone or wood on which divine matters have been written) and the cane of Musa. Moreover Mahdi is superior to all the people in knowledge and insight.’
See, it is very much clear from this narration that people will return to God’s path when they will recognize Mahdi’s importance from their respective books and not when forced to come to the path of Mahdi under duress or force.
Kaab-ul Akhbar says: ‘I have found in the Books of Prophets about the characteristic of Mahdi and that his commands are not oppressive and violatory in nature.’ At another place, his characteristic is defined in the following manner: ‘He shall distribute wealth equally, will execute Justice among the people and bring to a halt the altercations.’ Another tradition mentions the generosity of Mahdi in following words of Prophet Mohammad: ‘Verily Mahdi shall be from my Ummah’. Thereafter he said: ‘A person shall approach him and say: ‘O Mahdi grant me something.’ Then he shall pour wealth unto him to the extent, which he can carry.
At another occasion the Holy Prophet said:
The rulers of the earth are four - two of them believers and two apostates. The two believers are (Prophets) Zul-Qarnain and Sulaiman while the two apostates are Bukht-un-Nasr (Nebuchadnezzar) and Nimrod. Soon a person from my progeny shall gain control over it (i.e. the earth).
Another tradition from Prophet Mohammad goes like this:
If there remains not more than a day from the life of the earth, Allah will appoint a person from my progeny. He shall fill the earth with equity and Justice just as it had been filled with cruelty and oppression.
There is another tradition cited from Ali, which says:
I asked the Messenger of Allah: Will Mahdi be from (our) progeny of Mohammad or will he be from some other progeny? He replied: No, he shall be from Us. Allah shall bring the religion to completion through his hands just as he expanded it through us. By our blessings they (i.e. the people) shall be released from turbulences just as they got released from polytheism. By our blessings Allah will unite their hearts after conspiratorial animosity just as He united their hearts after polytheistic animosity. By our blessings, they shall turn into brothers in faith after having become enemies to each other.
Note the term ‘expanded it (the religion) through us’. Tradition also says that those who had turned enemies because of diverse faith shall turn into brothers in faith because of our (Ahlulbayt’s or Devata’s) blessings.
Another tradition from Imam Mohammad Baqar, the fifth Imam, says:
Mahdi shall emerge on the day of ‘Ashura’ (and that is the day when Husain was martyred perhaps on Saturday the tenth of Moharram) between ‘Rukn’ and ‘Maqam’ (at Makkah) and on his right will be Jibreel (Gabriel) and on his left Mikail (Michael.) Allah will gather his Shias (friends) around him from everywhere and the earth shall roll up for them.
It is said that when Mahdi would come, all the three Prophets who are still alive would be with him. This will include Jesus, who would confirm Mahdi’s high position. (No doubt Noor was also working in Jesus). A tradition from Prophet Mohammad says: ‘How be your position at that time when the son of Maryam shall descend amongst you and your Imam shall be from you.’ The same tradition with similar reference has also been narrated by the book Sahih-e-Muslim.
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Several books are available on this subject alone. We recount here only a few incidents. Firstly, Shaikh Abdul-Wahab Sha’rani in his book ‘Tabaqat-Urafa’ while writing about Shaikh Hasan Araqi says: I went along with Sayed Abul-Abbas Harithi to meet Shaikh Hasan Araqi. The latter said: Should I narrate to you the story of my life right from its beginning until now. I shall relate in such manner that as if you have been my intimate friend right from childhood. I replied: ‘Yes, you may please narrate.’ He said: ‘I was a youth amongst the craftsmen of Damascus. On Fridays, we used to occupy ourselves in playing, drinking and gambling. It was on one of those Fridays that I received some sort of an inspiration from Allah that: Have you been created for such deeds? Therefore, I gave up my usual activities and fled away from my companions. They pursued me but could not find me. I entered the mosque of Bani-Umayyah and saw a person on the pulpit who was speaking about Hazrat Mahdi. By this, I became eager in meeting Mahdi. There was not a single prostration which I used to perform and not ask Allah to fulfill my wish for meeting him. In one of the nights, while being engaged in the recommended prayers, I saw all of a sudden someone sitting behind me. He rubbed his hands over my back and said: ‘O my son, the Compassionate Allah has granted your wish. I am Mahdi, what do you want.’ I said: ‘Will you come with me to my house?’ He replied: ‘Yes’. Then we went together and on the way he said: ‘Take me to some lonely place.’ I took him to a lonely place and he stayed there with me for seven days.
The author of ‘Yanabi-ul-Muwadda’ narrates (an incident) from the book ‘Kashful-Ghumma’ of Shaikh Ali-ibn-Isa Arbali who in the view of Shias and Sunnis is a reliable person. The said author relates as such: People narrate stories and incidents about the miracles of Imam Mahdi which describing them would take a long time. However I shall narrate two of them which are closer to our time and which have been narrated to me by a group of reliable brothers. First: There lived a man named Ismail-ibn-Hasan between the two cities of Hilla and Furat. My brothers narrate from Ismail that there appeared a boil on his left thigh which was the size of the palm of one’s hand. Doctors who looked at his boil expressed their inability in curing it. Thereafter, Ismail left for Samarrah and visited the graves of (tenth Imam) Imam Ali Hadi and (eleventh Imam) Imam Hasan Askari. Later he entered Sardab. There he beseeched the Compassionate Allah and sought help from Mahdi. Then, he entered the Tigris River, took the ritual wash and changed his clothes. Suddenly he saw four riders coming from the direction of the city of Samarrah. One of them was an old man holding a spear in his hand while the other was a youth wearing colourful clothes. The one holding the spear was coming from the right flank while the other two were coming from the left flank. The youth who had put on colourful clothes was coming from the centre. This youth asked Ismail as such: ‘Will you go tomorrow to your family?’ Ismail replied: ‘Yes’. He said: ‘Come close to me so that I can learn about your problem.’ Ismail went close to him. He bent down and pressed his thigh with his blessed hand and then sat back on his saddle. The old man who was holding a spear in his hand said: ‘You have been cured.’ He is your Imam.’ The four riders left and Ismail too followed them. Imam said: ‘Return back’. Ismail replied: ‘I shall never separate from you’. Imam said: ‘It is for your own good that you go back’. Ismail replied: ‘I shall not part from you under any circumstances.’ The old man interrupted us and said: ‘Have you no shame! Your Imam has twice commanded you to go back and yet you are disobeying!’ Ismail stopped. After Imam went forward a few steps, he turned back towards Ismail and said: ‘When you will reach Baghdad, the Caliph Mustansi Billah will forcibly summon you. When he shall offer you something, you refuse to accept it. Also tell our son Razi’uddin to write on your behalf to Ali-ibn-Awaz. I will too beckon him to give you whatever you wish.’ After this Hazrat left with his companions and Ismail’s eyes lay fixed at them until he could see them no more. He sat on the ground for some time and started to weep because of his separation from them. He then went to Samarrah where the people surrounded him and said: ‘Why do we see you so much changed? What has happened?’ Ismail said: ‘Do you know who were these riders who had left the city and had gone towards the river?’ They said: ‘They were from the nobles and are the owners of cattles.’ Ismail said: ‘They were Imam and his companions. The one who had put on colourful clothes was Imam and it was he who rubbed his blessed hand over my wound spot.’ They said: ‘Allow us to see for ourselves.’ When Ismail displayed his thigh to them there was not even a scar left to be seen. People started tearing his clothes to get lucky charm and then took him to the treasure house so that others could not reach him. Later, the Caliph’s representative came and inquired about this incident and asked his name, his background, his native place and the purpose of his exit from Baghdad in the first week. The next morning after reciting his prayers Ismail left the city of Samarrah before a huge crowd. On the way he reached one spot where people had gathered in great number and were inquiring about his name, genealogy and the place from where he came. When they saw and recognized him by the afore-said signs, they began to tear his clothes and took them away as blessings. The Caliph’s representative wrote a detailed report on this incident and dispatched it to Baghdad. The minister called in Sayed Raziuddin to inquire from him the authenticity of this incident. When Raziuddin (who was one of Ismail’s companion and had been Ismail’s host before leaving for Samarrah) and some others saw Ismail they descended down. When Ismail showed his thigh to them and they could not see any trace of the wound, Raziuddin remained fainted for almost an hour. After gaining consciousness, he caught hold of Ismail’s hand and took him to the Minister. Raziuddin cried and said: ‘He is my brother and the most beloved of all men.’ The Minister inquired from Ismail about that particular incident and he in turn described it in length. The Minister ordered the doctors who had previously seen Ismail’s thigh to come forward. When they arrived he asked: ‘When did you last see his wound?’ They replied: ‘Ten days before.’ The Minister displayed Ismail’s thigh and when the doctors saw no trace of it, they said: ‘This is the act of Messiah.’ The Minister said: ‘We know who has performed this act.’ The Minister took Ismail before the Caliph. The Caliph asked Ismail to give account and Ismail explained in detail all what had occurred for him. When the Caliph presented Ismail with a sum of one thousand dinars, the latter said: ‘How dare I take even a little of this offer.’ The Caliph said: ‘Whom do you fear?’ He said: ‘From the one who cured me because he has forbidden me from accepting anything from you’. On hearing this, the Caliph began to cry. Ali-ibn-Isa says: ‘I was once narrating this incident to a group of people who were around me. Shamsuddin, who was Ismail’s son was also present but I had then not recognized him. Shamsuddin said: ‘I am Ismail’s son’.’ I said: ‘Had you seen the wound on your father’s thigh?’ He replied: ‘At that time, I was only a child. However I had heard this matter from my parents, relatives and neighbours and saw the place of wound after it had been cured. I could not find any trace of the wound and hair had grown on that spot.’ Ali-ibn-Isa further says: ‘I inquired about this incident from Sayed Safi’uddin Mohammad-ibn-Mohammad and Najm’uddin Haider-ibn-Amir too and they informed me of this incident and said: ‘We had seen Ismail before and after his recovery’. Moreover his son related to me that his father after his recovery, went to Samarrah for forty times so that he would perhaps get the honour of visiting him once again.
Second: Sayed Baaqi Athwah Alawi Hasani related to me that his father Athwah did not acknowledge the existence of Mahdi. He would often say: ‘Whenever Mahdi comes and cures me, I will confirm the people’s saying’ (about Mahdi). When we had all gathered for the Isha (night) prayers, we heard a shriek from our father. We went close to him and he said: ‘Imam passed from here at this very moment. Look out for him.’ We went in search for him but could not find anyone. We returned back and then our father said: Someone approached me and said: ‘O Athwah!’ I replied: ‘At thy service’. He said: ‘I am Mahdi. I have come to cure you’. He stretched out his hand, pressed my thigh and then left. Narrator says: After this incident, he used to run like a deer and there was not a trace left. Ali-ibn-Isa says: I inquired this incident from Sayed Baaqi’s son and he too admitted it.
Once a person asked Imam Mohammad Baqar about the time when Mahdi would emerge. He replied:
At the time when men will imitate the women and women will imitate the men; when women will ride on saddles; when people will cause their prayers to die and will follow their carnal desires; when people will turn usurers; when shedding of blood will become something insignificant; when trade and business of the people will be based on usury; when people will openly commit adultery; when they will make towering constructions; when they will consider lie to be lawful; when they will accept bribes; when they will follow their lusts and desire; when they will sell their religion for this world; when they will sever their relation (with others); when they will hold under obligation the one whom they feed; when they will consider forbearance to be the sign of weakness and feebleness and injustice to be an honour; when their rulers will be evil and their ministers liars; when the trustworthy amongst them will be traitors; when the helpers amongst them will be unjust; when the reciters of Quran will be transgressors; when cruelty and oppression will become manifest; when divorce will increase; when people will engage in debauchery and libertinism; when forced witness and lie will be accepted; when they will engage in drinking and gambling; when men will be mounted on; when women shall engage with women (indecent acts); when people will consider ‘Zakat’ to be a booty and charity to be a loss; when they will fear from the tongues of the wicked people; when Sufyani shall revolt from Syria and Yemen; when ‘Baidah’ which is between Makkah and Medina will sink; when a child from the progeny of Mohammad will be killed between ‘Rukn’ and ‘Maqaam’ and when a live voice will be heard from the heavens crying out that the truth is with Mahdi and his followers. It will be then that our Qaem will emerge. Traditions about Mahdi’s emergence substantiate each other. Traditions manifest the luminous of Hazrat’s light. It will not be long when the gloomy day and night of his Occultation will turn into brightness and luminosity. Due to his emergence the desired dawn shall rise and the veil of darkness of the night will be set aside. Hazrat will emerge from behind the veil of Occultation and the hearts will be filled with joy. His Justice, will reach the horizons and the luminousness of his Justice will be more than luminousness of the luminous moon.
Imam Ali is narrated as having said:
Awaiting for the ‘Faraj’ (deliverance) is the best act of worship.
The author of ‘Manaqib’ says: Awaiting for the ‘Faraj’ means awaiting for Mahdi’s emergence.
Recounting the events, Imam Ali said:
Mahdi is from us - the Ahlulbayt. Allah will set right his affairs in one night.
It is narrated from Prophet Mohammad:
A group of people will rise from the East and they will make preparations for Mahdi’s rule.’ When you see black flags coming from the direction of East, hasten towards them even if you have to crawl over ice because Mahdi who is Allah’s representative will be amongst them.
[Note that the preparations for Mahdi’s rule are related to the people from the east.]
Imam Mohammad Baqar said: Allah has set fear in the hearts of our friends and followers. When our ‘Qa’em’ who is Mahdi will emerge, one person from our followers will be more courageous than a fierce lion and sharper than the point of a spear.
Also Ali has said:
When the ‘Qae’m’ from the progeny of Mohammad will emerge, Allah will gather together the inhabitants of the East and West. His companions will be from Kufa and the brave ones who would assist him would be from Syria...
Imam Mohammad Baqar has mentioned some of the signs of Mahdi’s emergence: the revolt of Sufyani, Mahdi’s escape from Medina to Makkah until he says:
Allah will gather together for Mahdi 313 of his companions...
Ali said: Alas! and he repeated the word seven times and then said:
Mahdi will emerge at the end of time when those who would call out the name of Allah would be killed. Thereafter Allah will gather together a group whose sagacity and agility will be like a cloud and He will make their hearts intimate towards each other. They will neither fear anyone nor will they flee. Their number will be equal to the number of the companions of ‘Badr’. Neither the people of the past took precedent over them nor the people of the future will comprehend them. Their number will be equal to the number of the companions who crossed the river with the Saul...
At another instance, Prophet said:
Courageous men from Syria will hasten towards Hazrat along with their followers while sober men from Egypt too will join him. Yet another group will proceed from the East until they reach Makkah and swear allegiance to him...
And Ali said:
Bravo! to the people of Thaleqan because Allah has hidden treasures amongst them which are neither gold nor silver. Rather they are those people, who have recognized Allah in the true sense and they will be Mahdi’s helpers at the end of time.
There are innumerable traditions prophesying what would happen when Mahdi would arrive. Many of them are even from unreliable sources. It is not possible that Zulmat, who did so much to digress man from the path of the Divinities would have not tried to encroach these traditions which talk of a time when Zulmat would be defeated.
There are many prophesies which talk of fitnas (sedition and strifes) even among the followers of Mahdi and prior to his coming when it is said, several dubious Mahdis would make a claim. It is but natural as Zulmat, which had till now tried to keep man away from understanding the true path will use fresh tactics when its previous deviations get exposed.
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As per the information available to us from Quran, three Messengers of God are still alive. These are: Khizar, Idris and Isa (Jesus).
As regards to Khizar, we present an account of him from a book: Nabi Khizar is still alive up to this day. And he is not married. Allah has given him a stick with a lot of power. If he puts the stick in the water, it will become ship and if he puts it in the earth, it will turn into a tree and bear a lot of fruits. Nabi Khizar had come into the world 300 years before Prophet Isa (Jesus) and he is still alive today. And he has visited all the Imams and greeted them with salam. He also goes and visits our 12th Imam – Mahdi now and then. According to the history, it is said that he will re-appear with our 12th Imam. Allah has given Prophet Khizar a gift. If he touches any dry stick or plat with his hands, it at once turns green.
As regards to Idris, an account stated: Idris is one of the Prophets who is still alive. He was called Idris because he used to teach about the wisdom of Allah. It has been stated that he introduced the art of tailoring (stitching). He was the first man to make weapons. It is said by the 6th Imam that Prophet Idris used to live in a mosque in Sahlah where he used to stitch and pray to Allah.
As regards to Jesus, Quran states that he was not crucified, as per the beliefs of the Christians. It states that while people indeed put him on cross, thinking him to be Jesus, God lifted him on the sky and instead people crucified a man named Yehuda who had lead the king’s party to Jesus’s hiding place. When he came out of the place, after searching for Jesus inside, people saw him as Jesus while he kept saying that he was not Jesus.
Now see the view maintained by Vishnu Purana, which states that there are two people, one each from the solar and lunar races, who continue to live in this world since ages. Their names are given as Devapi and Maru. It seems that they are the names of Khizar and Idris, as Jesus was born after the time when this Purana was composed. It is stated by the Purana that they are still living in a particular village and will reappear to be part of the family of Manu, who is slated to appear in future. It clearly says that the sons of Manu remain in the Kali age, in same way as Devapi and Maru are still in existence. See the narration:
Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras, excellent Brahmans, men great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devapi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwaku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalapa; they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and becoming members of the family of Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwapara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age; to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devapi and Maru are still in existence.
The aforementioned description in the Vishnu Purana truly sums up what we tried to say in so many words.
Another proof that a man, even a common man like us, can be freed from old age and death in this world is mentioned in Chapter II of the Yogakundali-Upanishad.
Chapter II describes the “science called khechari which is such that one who knows it is freed from old age and death in this world.”
One who is subject to the pains of death, disease and old age should, O sage, on knowing this science make his mind firm and practice khechari. One should regard that person as his guru on earth who knows khechari, the destroyer of old age and death, both from knowing the meaning of books and practice, and should perform it with all his heart. The science of khechari is not easily attainable, as also its practice.
If common men knew this science, how can it be possible that Imam, who is the knower of all knowledge, who is the cause of letter ‘Aum’, would not be aware? Moreover, we have already proved from Upanishads that it is the Manifest Self who created this world so that there are more beings to worship the God, and Devatas are the first of creations who were made the guardians of the 14 spheres. Death, life, rain, food, happiness, all are bestowed on man by the Devatas and God is the Noor behind the Noors and He is the Judge of judges.
Fact is that scientists too do not call it a mere theory that it is possible to live for a long time. We present here excerpts from an article written in Al-Muqtaraf magazine about more than 80 years back. Titled ‘Does man live in this world forever’, it says: “What is life and what is death? Is it that death has been destined for every living being? Every grain of wheat is a living substance having a place in its own cluster. That cluster too is grown from another grain and that grain too comes into existence from another cluster and so on. As such, prying into the history of six thousand or more years becomes easy.
Sometimes it happens that a tree itself lives for 1000 or 2000 years but man does not live for more than 70 or 80 years. In rare cases, he may live for 100 years and the gastric particles remain alive and grow in order to preserve the generation. However all the parts die as though death has been destined for them. Centuries have passed since man has thought of relieving himself from the claws of death or at least increasing his lifespan. This is especially true so at present when man wishes to fight the various diseases and plagues with medicines. It has still not been ascertained that for example someone has lived for 100 years in recent times. However, reliable scholars say: The entire bodily-tissue of an animal is so endurable that it has no end and it is possible for man to live for thousands of years provided no accident severs his age. This opinion is not merely a conjecture. Rather it is something practical and has been confirmed by experiments. One of the surgeons was able to cut off a part of an animal and then keep it alive for many years more than the animal itself could have habitually lived. That is to say, the very existence of that cut-off part finds connection with the nourishment that is given to it. Thus it is possible that that part may live forever if ample of nourishment is given to it. The afore-said surgeon is Doctor Kas Carell who is occupied in Rockfeller, New York. He conducted this experiment on one part of an embryo of a hen which that part grew and remained alive for more than eight years. The afore-said doctor and others like him have experimented on the human parts such as the organs, muscles, heart, skin and kidney and have come to this conclusion that the said parts develop and remain alive so long as they are given ample of nourishment. Even Doctor Wimend Webrel who is amongst the Professors of ‘Society of Junes Hiknes’ says: It has been proved through experiments that the parts of a human body remain in working order due to nourishing power. Since this saying is based on scientific findings it is highly explicit and significant. Apparently, the first person who conducted this test on the body and part of an animal was Doctor Jack Lup who was one of the surgeons of Rockfeller Hospital in New York. The said doctor tested the way of birth of a frog from those eggs which were not inseminated and came to this conclusion that amongst the eggs some remain alive for a long period while some die very soon. This incident, induced Doctor Jack to conduct once again this test on a frog and consequently succeeded in keeping alive these parts too for a long time. Later Doctor Wern Luis and his wife proved that it is possible to keep the parts of a bird’s foetus in salt-water and allowing them to live. When some organic substance is added to it, the said parts tend to grow and multiply. Successive tests have revealed that it is possible for the parts of any animal which is kept in salt-water to remain alive and grow provided they are given food. However it is still not known whether those parts remain alive or not after turning old. Afterwards, Doctor Carell embarked on further tests and proved that these parts do not bring senility in an animal. Rather the life span of these parts is more than the normal life span of the animal itself. The said doctor started his experiment in the year 1912 and on this path faced many problems until he and his assistants finally succeeded in proving the following points: (1) The afore-said parts remain alive constantly provided they do not encounter certain occurrences which destroys them like deficiency in food and entry of some of the microbes. (2) These parts not only remain alive but grow and multiply just as they grow and multiply inside an animal’s body. (3) It is possible to know the measure of growth and increase of these parts and their relation with the nourishment given to them. (4) Time has no effect on them. That is to say, these parts do not turn old and weak through the passage of time. Rather, the slight effect of senility is not produced for them. Moreover, these parts grow and multiply in the current year in the same manner which they used to grow and multiply in the previous years. All these internal things reveal that these parts grow and remain alive if proper care and food is provided to them. Therefore the main factor which causes death is inattentiveness and not senility. So, what is the cause of man’s death? Why is it that man does not live for more than hundred years and rather lives normally for only seventy or eighty years? We may reply as such: An animal’s body possesses numerous and diverse parts and these parts have strong connection with each other. Not only this but the lives of some of them are dependent on the lives of others. Thus, when due to some reason or another, some of these parts turn weak and die, the other parts too die. Similarly it is the microbes which reduces man’s age and restricts it to seventy or eighty years. What has ultimately been concluded from tests and experiments is as such: The reason why man dies is not because he has completed seventy, eighty or hundred years but because the external factors enter some of his (internal) parts and kill and destroy them and since there exists a relation between these and other parts, the other parts too get destroyed. Thus, whenever medical science becomes powerful enough to destroy these external factors or at least prevent them from influencing the parts of our body, there can be nothing which can stop man from living hundreds of years just as some species of trees live for these number of years. It is not far when medical science and hygienic mediums will attain this lofty achievement and consequently the number of people living an average life will increase or that they will live twice or thrice the normal age.”
Our view is that if the hygienic rules and the religious and medical directives are observed it is not impracticable to live a lengthy life. The reverse is also true (i.e. non-observance of the afore-said rules will result in reduction in one’s life-span. When keeping watch over the hygienic formulas and their rules ensures a person’s health and prolongation of life it necessarily follows that the more the observance of hygienic rules the more longer will be a person’s life. Therefore, whenever the means of hygiene is kept at man’s disposal his age shall be prolonged to the extent which Allah wishes. The principles of these means are of three types: First: Observance (during the primary stage) when man is merely a matter. That is to say when he is in the rear of his father, the period of his transition to his mother’s womb, growth and development in his mother’s womb and the period of sucking milk when he is together with his mother. This is because observance of the hygienic principles by parents during this stage is the first step for ensuring a child’s health. How often we see a child dying during his infancy or childhood period because of his parents suffering from some disease and or their heedlessness in applying the means of a sound health and non-observance on their part of his (i.e. the child’s) hygienic principles. Thus the parents in such cases are the cause of this felony and they are responsible for depriving their child from living a natural and normal life. ‘Or would that the parents deem it necessary upon themselves to follow such rules and regulations and as a result save themselves from such blame. Second: Observance of those things which are the basis of man’s life like the air that he breathes, the food that he eats, the water that he drinks, the clothes that he wears and the environment in which he lives. This is because observance of the means and rules of a sound health in each of these five affairs with respect to quantity, quality, age, strength, weakness, time and place are the most important channels having influence over the health and long life of man. How many a person have been overtaken by death and have died before dying naturally. The reason for giving away one’s life, which by nature, is loved by every living creature is the non-observance of one of the afore-mentioned five affairs. A number of physicians and doctors have emphasized that majority of the people who die, do not die a natural death. Rather the main cause has been the external factors which come into existence by not observing the rules of a sound health with regards to the afore-mentioned affairs. Third: External occurrences and incidents and contact with natural phenomena like uncustomary heat and cold, pain and maladies, misfortunes and difficulties, grief and sorrow and actions and movements. All these greatly influence a person’s health and life span. If man observes the hygienic rules as per the afore-said three principles, then nothing can prevent him from living for hundreds and rather thousands of years in this world by the will of Allah! No matter how much we ponder over this point and probe into some of the appropriate books, we cannot find any objection and reason against this matter. Rather, too often a person doing research into this matter has come across some facts forcing him to testify in the subject of longevity. The mysteries of life and the faculties which have been deposited in man’s existence is always hidden and unknown. Today, medical science with all its advancement has not become cognizant with all those mysteries and has not perceived its realities the way it should have done so. Some of our friends who are doctors have confirmed this point. One of them says: Often it occurs that a patient is brought to me and as per the medical rules, I see him close to death. Rather his chance of survival is one percent. I then leave him aside and lose hope in his recovery. When on the same day or the next day I visit him for the time, I see him well and fine and the probability of his dying becomes one percent. On the other hand, how often it has occurred that I come across another patient whose case is just the opposite of the first patient. Verily, to live for hundreds of years is something unusual and uncustomary meaning that gathering together and obtaining the means of a sound health from all the aspects (which we previously pointed out) is earnestly a rare and scarce affair - and does not occur for majority of the people in most of the periods and places. However if those means are gathered together, it is possible for man’s life span to prolong habitually and naturally. So, the problem lies in gathering together and making available the means (of a sound health) and not in the means of a lengthy life. When you become fully conversant with what we have previously mentioned and become aware of the article written in the magazine ‘Al-Muqtataf’ you will realize that God’s statement in Sura ‘Saffat’ with regards to the story of Yunus is something customary:
But had it not been that he was of those who glorify (Us), He would certainly have carried in its belly to the day when they are raised.
Thus it is possible for man to live in the depth of the sea till the Day of Judgment. Why shouldn’t it be so when God has Power over all things?
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A very interesting article by D. Subramanian that appeared in The Hindu dated July 15, 2004 also stated that some scientists are now claiming that through decoding the human genome, it would be possible for human beings to live between 200 to 600 years.
The article gives example of Markandeya from Indian mythology, who was blessed by Siva to be sixteen years old forever. And the Biblical patriarch (Methuselah) apparently lived 969 years (Book of Genesis, 5:27).
As per the article, the regeneration and survival of a given body is similar to that of any machine. Damage is an ongoing process which is substantiated by the body’s repair machinery built-in. However, with time damage accumulates. This could be due to environmental assaults like radiation, smoke and chemicals or also during the process of chromosomes’ inability to make exact copies of themselves as cells multiply.
“Misuse of the body through unhealthy habits (drugs, smoke) and eating practices (obesity, diabetes) promote damage and decay, decreasing longevity. But what is the best way to do the opposite and lengthen life is not all that clear. It is here that much advice and many formulae are offered. If only we had the Methuselah formula!
A computer scientist working in a biology laboratory at Cambridge, U.K., called Aubrey de Grey has some remarkable ideas on this issue. He has sat down and listed out the various processes that lead to shortening of the life of our bodies.
Damage and decay occur due to two main processes. One is damage of cells due to the oxidation of the molecules within. Indeed oxidative damage is what occurs when we inhale smoke, expose ourselves to excessive sunlight, X rays or radioactivity. In effect, as scientists would point out, all oxidation is burning or cooking.
It changes the chemical structure and identity of molecules and robs them of their once intended function. Sure, it gives energy as a by-product, but it needs to be fine-tuned and controlled. Otherwise, it can lead to damage and disaster. The body has two protective mechanisms to control and overcome the ill effects here.
One is to have a handy supply of molecules called antioxidants that counteract oxidative damage. Vitamins A, C and E are examples. So are the substances present in many green vegetables and fruits.
Dr. de Grey suggests that regular antioxidant intake would control oxidative damage and reduce this life-threatening risk factor. A second factor he invites our attention to is the presence of the garbage-clearing mechanism in cells.
Many cells in our body have molecular machinery that identifies damaged molecules and their debris, collects them and clears them out of the system. Keeping this machinery in good shape, and finding ways and means of doing so over years would help lengthen the life span of an organism. Not doing so leads to disorders and diseases such as senility, dementia and Alzheimer.
The third factor is the policemen set-up that cells have in order to monitor and repair any damage that happens to the genetic tape, namely DNA. It is not clear yet how we can keep this security system safe from time-dependent loss of efficiency and to last forever. Dr de Grey argues that modern biology may well have solutions to this problem if not today, in the near future.
The fourth is the problem of the built-in ‘inefficiency’ in the way DNA is packaged in our chromosomes, and the manner in which chromosomes make copies of themselves when cells are multiplied and turned over, and tissues and organs kept in good order.
Each time such copying is made, a tiny piece of DNA at the end of the chromosome, called the telomere, is lost. This telomere loss is apparently a longevity clock, determining the life span of the individual. It does not seem to have any known function related to metabolism or reproduction – the two elements that together define life. If we can find a mechanism to reduce or get rid of this telomere-loss, perhaps we can lengthen life. There is an enzyme (called, what else, telomerase) that can actually stop this telomere clipping. Substances that activate this enzyme will surely be toted as ‘Kayakalpa’ products.
The fifth factor that Dr. de Grey highlights is the action of the mitochondria, the little powerhouses within cells that help the controlled oxidation of food using oxygen and generate energy for the cell. It is vital therefore that mitochondria are kept in tiptop condition.
Any defect or deficiency here would compromise cell efficiency. Indeed many disorders of the central nervous system and the brain are increasingly being identified as due to mitochondrial malfunction and keep the mitochondria operating full-throttle would help the body in full health and hopefully extend life.
The Five-fold path towards Methuselah would involve (1) daily antioxidant intake, (2) means to keep the garbage-clearing machinery in order, (3) repair damage to the DNA on a continuous basis, (4) find ways to keep telemores from clipping off and (5) have the mitochondria operate full-stream and fault-free.
Dr. de Grey’s belief is that if we focus research and find methods to realize these and other such life-extending goals, human longevity could be as much as 200 years. Indeed, he has thrown a challenge to researchers to realize this first in experimental animal models, and offers a prize for those who can produce a ‘Methuselah Mouse’. The coveted title is held by Yoda, a male laboratory mouse, which turned four in April last. This translates to 136 human years.”
The first reason mentioned is divine intervention because of which Markandeya was blessed to be sixteen years old. If that can be the case of one blessed by Siva, why can’t it happen to the one who enjoys a direct link with Siva? You will find several quotes of Lord Siva in this BOOK from various Upanishads that confirm this. Siva and the Noor inside Imam Mahdi, both are responsible for the creation of this world.
Moreover, it is said that there is an angel deputed to retrieve spirit, which eventually leads to death. We have seen that one of the Deva is called Mrtyu (death) and even Husain is known by the name Yama (Lord of death). This shows that even life and death have been given under the control of these Ahlulbayt, something that Muslims never knew till now. Those who themselves control death can live for as long as they wish. Even if this is not the case, it is clear that they are the best creation of God. If God decides to give life of 1200 odd years to one of His creations, who has already given long lives to several ordinary beings in the past (Bible gives several examples), can there be any doubt?
Secondly, structural biology is quoted to tell that damage accumulates in time. Suppose the person lives outside this realm of time, as the Muslims believe in the case of Jesus. Won’t the Einstein’s theory of relativity hold good for him? Outside factors like environmental effects like those of radiation, smoke and chemicals, which are also cited as reasons for degeneration won’t show their effect.
Misuse of the body through unhealthy habits (drugs, smoke) and eating practices contribute to this. Gita has extensively dwelled on the importance of food and right living. Those who were sent by God to tell us the perfect way to lead life must surely be aware of this.
Garbage-clearing mechanism in cells of our body is described in detail. However, various Upanishads are clearly describing that the Devatas were created from the pure essence of the Nature. Even Quran confirms to the perfect purity of the Ahlulbayt. If that is the case, it can be presumed that there is no garbage at all, thereby no fear of garbage-clearing mechanism to fail?
Even otherwise, in the case of Methuselah who lived 969 years, it shows that perfect or near-perfect healthy living including the perfect diet in the way it has to be taken, can prolong life. Who else would know how to lead a perfect life than one who has knowledge and control of all things?
Another factor is the policemen set-up that cells have in order to monitor and repair any damage that happens to the genetic tape. Scientists believe that through further advancements in modern biology, they may well have solutions to this problem. It is no wonder that those who are given control over our organs of senses and action may also be policing this area. They were those who kept saying, ‘Ask before I depart’ and if none asked significant questions, it was not the fault of one who had all the answers.
Degeneration is also said to occur in recopying of the DNA. The One Self who can create 14 as exact copies so much so that the Upanishads as well as Mohammad vouched for their exact similarity can also create the mechanism through which the copies are exactly similar. Degeneration occurs when a copy is photostatted and then the photostatted copy is again photostatted. In case, you are in possession of the original file and also the printer, no degeneration would occur. Devatas surely have that control.
The writer above has also talked of a longevity clock, set through loss of DNA part, each time during copying. Only those who believe there’s no God would say that this clock couldn’t be reset or set with a different timing right at the beginning. This BOOK on the lines of the various religious scriptures is not for those who do not believe in God.
Moreover, Krishna has called the knowledge of our self as the best of sciences. We do not know even a bit about this self at the moment. Is it that the self also plays a part in the longevity, and the one with the self-realized soul lives more? We will have to confess that we know nothing about this science.
If a mouse can be made to live equivalent to 136 human years while put in human-made perfect conditions, why do we find difficult to believe that those made as perfect by God or in other words those kept in Godly-perfect conditions can’t live 1360 years or more? We have written all this for those who are not aware of the Divine Role of Ahlulbayt. For those who are aware, it is the Ahlulbayt in their Noor state who control the phenomenon of life and death. This writer is of belief that the Devatas would have never died on this earth, had their lives not been put unceremoniously to end by the evil forces.
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You saw how Imam Ali and others had foretold of the conditions when Imam Mahdi would arrive. In Chapter XXIV, the Vishnu Purana gives an account of the conditions that would be there in future. Read this account and see if it is a true description of our society. If you find it to be true, see what the Puranas have to say subsequently: that we are all heading towards destruction and the only way in which we can save ourselves is through going back to the Vedas. This is something that is even endorsed by Gita, as per which our sins are leading to the decay of the world. What would all the wealth do that we accumulate, irrespective of means, when our children or grandchildren are no longer present to take benefit. Even if we do not believe in life after death, we have no choice but to go back to the true path taught in Vedas and other scriptures, if we want our children and grandchildren to live to enjoy the bounties of this world.
Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank; wealthy will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence; weakness will be the cause of dependence; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dignity; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The people, unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon them by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountain, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves; their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and sun, and rain. No man’s life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali Age shall decay constantly proceed, until the human race approaches its annihilation. When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth.
See how clearly the coming of the last remaining portion of Brahma is described. It is clearly stated that he still exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and he is the beginning and the end. Do we need to tell that this is the Imam or Aditya of this age, Mahdi or the Kalki Avatar? He is the last of the fourteen Devatas about whom we have already given a detailed chapter. Interestingly, the term ‘portion of that divine being’ is the exact translation of the term ‘baqiatullah’ which has been so often used in the books for Mahdi.
There is only one difference though. The account of the birth of this Deva is different from the traditions of the Muslims. Vishnu Purana says that the Kalki Avatar will take birth at Sambhala in Moradabad District in India. While Sunni Muslims too believe Mahdi will take birth in future, Shia Muslims are of the opinion that he was born about 1200 years back and then disappeared from public view at a young age by the order of God, but still continues to live by the grace of God, and will make an appearance at Kaaba, at an appropriate time, to show us the right path and rid the world of its evils. It appears it was this belief itself that was in all likelihood mentioned in the Purana, which has been changed with the mention of the Avatar taking birth in Sambhala in India. We are not saying this without any reason and will give proof of our statement a short time afterwards. At present, we give the subsequent description as it is given in the available copies of The Vishnu Purana.
He will be born in the family of Vishnuyasas, an eminent Brahman of Sambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with the eight superhuman faculties. By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then re-establish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity. As it is said: “When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and planet Jupiter are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return.”
Note that even the Shia traditions give some peculiar description about the solar and lunar eclipses, before the last of the Imams will appear, and the Christian traditions talk of few blood moons before the Messiah will arrive, but we have chosen not to include that here.
It is also said that when the portion of Vishnu returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as his sacred feet touched the earth, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishnu had departed … and thence forward the influence of the Kali will augment (which consists of 1200 years).
Now here is the proof of our statement that the text relating to the birth of the Kalki Avatar in Moradabad was added by some mischievous person at a later date. That person didn’t bother to change the later lines as he was only hurriedly changing the passages, which mention the names of Devatas or had apparent relationship to Islam. Just a few lines later, it is clearly stated that the Kali age commenced when the portion of Vishnu, returned to heaven. It is also stated that as long as his sacred feet touched the earth, the Kali age could not affect it. Also next line says that as soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishnu had departed, the Kali age would augment, and will continue for 1200 years. It would be naive to think that the Kalki Avatar is yet to take birth and then the Kali age would commence and continue for 1200 years, as nearly all the conditions described in the aforementioned prophesy are already applicable. Even if we believe that the Avatar would take place in Sambhala in India, then we will have to believe that the Avatar has already taken birth and now it is approaching the end of those 1200 years. But with no such incident in our knowledge, we have little choice but to fall back on the Shia version, as per which about nearly 1200 years have already passed since the birth of Mahdi; we do not know whether Vishnu Purana means exact 1200 years or ‘about 1200 years’ as per which 10-20 years more or less would be acceptable. Whatever be the case, it is better that we start preparing for an eternal life in the heavens rather than reaping benefits in this world and living an eternal life in hell.
Even if all this is not true, why don’t we keep in mind that none of us enjoying this world would be alive, say 100 years from now. Life on this earth is too short in comparison to the life hereafter. Is it not reason enough to live a life of virtue and righteousness and supplicate ourselves to the worship of the One Lord of the Universe; this is something that the Devatas desire from us.
We have something to say to people who are proud to say that they do not believe in God. Just suppose for a moment that you are wrong in your assumption, as we all were in our understanding of the Vedas till this date, and there indeed is a God. What will you do then? Is it not better to pay obeisance to an invisible, unfathomable God, and do good deeds, even if your mind could not conceive the presence of God? There are several psychological and physical advantages of worshipping God and social advantages of living a righteous life. At least you won’t have to run for cover when a God suddenly surfaces at the moment of your death. Remember, no cover will be available then and all those running from him will be pulled back towards His power, as you have seen on TV in the case of people who were running from Tsunami waves but the killer waves got hold of them. Death will not occur then because you are already dead. But the life, if you wish to call it so, will become hell!
Let us return to Vishnu Purana again! See how the following narration regarding the Kalki Avatar in the Vishnu Purana and that of Shias we have told earlier, are exactly similar. If nothing, this verily is proof that a God exists.
When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth.
If these are not enough proofs of our view, there is another. You have already seen earlier that an Imam had predicted that people would start having doubts about Mahdi, due to the long period of his invisibility. Vishnu Purana too states that 1200 years would be the time between the portion of Vishnu [baqiyatullah or the portion of (manifest self) of Allah, as per narrations in certain supplications dear to a section of Muslims] returning to heaven and his appearance again. Perhaps the Purana also knew that people would start having doubts about the very presence of Vishnu due to his long life. Therefore, immediately after talking about these 1200 years, Vishnu Purana starts talking of those who have been living for even a greater time, perhaps to give us a justification that this Avatar will indeed live for 1200 years.
See how the Vishnu Purana narrates the case of two persons who are still living, that too from a period much prior to the time when this Kalki Avatar disappeared. Not only the Hindu, the Christian and Jew scriptures clearly states that certain people are still living, from several hundred years. Muslims are of the opinion that not only three Prophets viz. Khizar, Idris and Jesus are alive since their birth but the Ashab-e-Kahf too continue to live since prior to Mohammad’s time. Interestingly, since Jesus and Ashab-e-Kahf were born after the Vishnu Purana was written, it were the Prophets Khizar and Idris who were alive when the Purana was written. We have shown earlier from the prophecy of an Ahlulbayt that when Mahdi will arrive, Khizar, Idris and Jesus will pay homage to him. Ashab-e-Kahf too will rise from their sleep. It is mentioned in books that Khizar goes and visits Mahdi now and then and he will re-appear with him. Interestingly, Vishnu Purana is also referring to the two persons and says that even they will come and become part of this Manu’s family.
We quote:
Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras, excellent Brahmans, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devapi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwaku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalapa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta and Dwapara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devapi and Maru are still in existence.
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