A Short Biography of Imam Mahdi (as)

Hazrat Imam Mahdi (as) is the twelfth and last of the chain of the Purified Imams (as) and the divine successors.

The discussion about Imam Mahdi (as) is one of the most comprehensive discussions in Islam along with discussions on Tawheed, Imamate and Qiyamat. We find books upon books which have been written about every aspect ...

Every religion and community recommends a general or specific greeting before starting any conversation. This greeting is like a practice which everyone is commonly expected to adhere to. Islam has also put a lot of em...

Awaiting the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (as) is one of the duties of Imam Mahdi (as). But this “waiting” is not that a person sits idle and “waits.” Rather this period of Ghaybat is a time for the Shiahs to act a...

The concept of Ghaybat has been discussed extensively in traditions. Right from its concept to preparation and duties of Shiahs in this period. Readers will also note that the beauty of these narrations lies in t...

The concept of Ghaybat has been discussed extensively in traditions. Right from its concept to preparation and duties of Shiahs in this period. Readers will also note that the beauty of these narrations lies in t...

The present era, in which we are living, is known as Ghaybate’ Kubra (major occultation). It is a period when there is no special representative of Imam Mahdi (as) through whom we can contact him or correspond wi...

Allah, the Blessed, the High says in the Holy Quran: “The day when We will call every people with their Imam” (Surah Bani Israel, verse 71)

Allah, the High at various places, has promised guidance...

What is the Benefit of a Hidden Imam?

Whenever the discussion of Ghaybat crops up, queries of various kinds invade the  minds of the people. The most common among them being as to wha...

The present era, the period of the occultation of our Last Imam (as) is quite different from all other periods in the journey of human excellence. Man has made more progress in the last four hundred years than th...

One of the best acts during the Ghaybat of Imam Mahdi (as) is Intezar or Awaiting his reappearance. This discussion consists of a number of aspects and for each aspect there are numerous supporting traditions.

Imam Reza (as) said, If one maintains relations with and helps (does ehsaan upon) any needy Shiah, it is as it he has maintained relations and helped (done ehsaan) us. (Kamiluz Ziyarat page 319)

One of the duties of Shiahs in Ghaybat (occultation) is to compose poetry or couplets in praise of Imam (as) and recite these poems etc. These two activities are ways to help Imam (as).

This is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Imam’s (as) followers. There is no doubt regarding its praiseworthiness and preference. Numerous traditions and supplication make a mention of this quality...

This duty is similar to performing good deeds on behalf of Imam Mahdi (as) such as sending a person for Hajj, Ziyarat and also other good deeds. This is also included among the duties of Shiahs during Ghaybat.

Giving Sadaqah on behalf of Imam (a.s.) proves one’s love and friendship for him. The correctness of this statement is based on whatever has been recorded concerning the giving of Sadaqah or praying on behalf of ...

One of the duties of a believer is to be sorrowful in the separation of Imam (as). It is a sign of one’s attachment to Imam (as).

In the poetic collection of Imam (as) the follo...

It is obligatory to learn about the signs of reappearance that are taught to us by the Imams (as). These signs will help us to understand and differentiate between the true Imam Mahdi (as) and those who falsely c...

It is well known that loving Ahle Bayt (as) is obligatory. Affection for them is a part of our faith and a conditions for acceptance of our deeds. Many traditions have been recorded for this, but there is special...

It is the duty of a believer that he must set apart a share of his wealth and property in the service of Imam Mahdi (as). He should continue this every year. This is obligatory for all whether, rich or poor, whet...

This duty mentioned separately in traditions and hence it is also discussed as a separate duty. For example, in Man La Yahzarul Faqih, Imam Sadiq (as) is reported to have said, One who could not do good to u...

Supplication (dua) is a subject that holds a very significant place in Islam. A lot of emphasis has been placed on embracing it. In light of traditions, we find that supplication is referred to as a ‘weapon’ by w...

Let us begin this topic by asking one question – what was the tamannah (deep desire) of Ameerul Momeneen (as). If there was anything that Imam Ali (as) asked for himself from Allah, it was the gift of a ...

It is recommended to gift the reward of reciting the Quran to Holy Prophet (sawa), Hazrat Fatemah Zahra (sa) and the Holy Imams (as).

Ali Ibne Mughira asked Imam Kazim (as), My ...

One of the duties during the period of Ghaybat is to recite Salawaat and salutations upon Imam Mahdi (as). There are several reasons for the same.

Some of these are given below:...

Every religion and community recommends a general or specific greeting before starting any conversation. This greeting is like a practice which everyone is commonly expected to adhere to. Islam has also put a lot...

The manifestation of this duty is through the remembrance of Imam Mahdi (as) through the mention of his Fazael (merits, excellences or special qualities).

Proof for this is base...

As much as possible, one should strive in the service of Imam (as) because traditions say that the universe exists due to the grace of Imams and in this era because of the presence of Imam Mahdi (as). 

While discussing the topic of marefat of the Imam of the time – everyone knows the famous tradition – Man Mata Wa Lam Yaref Imama Zamanehi Mata Meetatan Jahiliyyah – One who dies without the recognising ...

It is the duty of every believer to weep in the separation of Imam Mahdi (as) and help others in weeping for the same. We must mourn the difficulties that befall Imam (as). It is a duty of the Shias in the Ghayba...

A believer should always mention Imam (as) with the best of the titles. For example, Hujjat, Qaem, Mahdi, Sahibul Amr and Sahibuz-Zaman etc. He should refrain from uttering his actual name, which is the name of H...

This is one of the duties of the Shiah in Ghaybat of Imam Mahdi (as). In Ziyarat Ashurah, a believer announces to Imam Husain (as) – Silmun Le Man Saalamakum, Wa Harbun Le Man Haarabakum, Wa Waliyyun Le Man W...

To obtain knowledge about the special characteristics of Imam (as) and to have information about the ‘certain’ signs of his reappearance. This is obligatory according to texts (Quran and Hadith), and reason....

The next important duty is to organize programs where the virtues of Imam (as) are narrated such that people pray for Imam (as).

Even if one has to work very hard to organize su...

This is an important duty of the Shiah. Various traditions have been recorded emphasizing this duty.

The great scholar Shaykh Kulaini in Al-Kafi, Nomani in his book Al Ghaybah a...

One of the responsibilities during Ghaybat is that we regularly supplicate Allah to grant us the correct Marefat (recognition) of Imam Mahdi (as). This is because gaining knowledge is not restricted to writing an...

Whenever one utters the name or title of Imam (as) one should stand up in respect, as had been the practice of the Shiah community. A report says that one day the name of Imam Mahdi (as) was mentioned in gatherin...

This is also a highly recommended action and it is established in several ways, including accepting that giving Sadaqah on Imam’s (as) behalf is Mustahab (recommended) and also

Criticizing the scholars has always been a pastime among the masses. Whenever there is a discussion related to them, everybody has something to say against them. Each one has a few ‘interesting’ anecdotes to narr...

To seek a mediator implies to gain proximity to an individual in order to achieve one’s objective through the mediator’s recommendation and arbitration. One of the duties of Shiahs, in every age, especially durin...

The discussion about the Mahdi has been taken up extensively in traditions – both from sources of the Shiah and the Ahle Sunnah. Several books on the subject have been written over the years on the topic. What is...