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Words
of Love for the Infallible Imam of the Age, Imam Mahdi (As), the only Love (Clinical
Psychologist) Javan Counseling (Psychological) Center In His Name, the Most High “From Canaan Joseph shall return, whose face, A
little time was hidden: Weep no more. Oh,
weep no more! In sorrow’s dwelling-place. The
roses yet shall spring from, the bare floor. And
heart bowed down beneath a secret pain. Oh
stricken heart joy shall return
again. Peace
to love-tossed brain-oh weep no
more.” (Hafez Shirazi) Sha’ban
15, 1423 was the birth anniversary of the promised one and the only real
savior of all mankind, the 12th infallible Imam of the Shi’a,
Imam Mahdi (A.S.), whose followers look forward to his reappearance day and
night. Best wishes and felicitations to all Shi’a Muslims, especially you
readers, on this happy occasion. Let’s
not talk about the present global mish-mash and the confused, unhappy,
alienated man, but let’s talk about the bright future of peace and
happiness at the-time of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (A.S.). The
Holy prophet (S) said: “Glad tidings be to you about Mahdi (A.S.).”
Thereafter he said: “The inhabitants of the heavens and the inhabitants of
the earth are happy with him.
He shall distribute the wealth equally, free Mohammad’s (S) nation from
need or want and comfort them with his righteousness.” Islamic
scholars, based on the infallible sayings, are of the opinion that the sign
of Mahdi (A.S.) is that he shall be harsh with rulers, generous with people
in distributing wealth, and gentle with the helpless in easing their pain. Hope
keeps man alive. The
master of the faithful Ali (A.S.) says about Mahdi’s (A.S.)
characteristics: “At the time when they
(people) shall suit the guidance to follow the desires. Mahdi (A.S.)
shall after the desires to follow the guidance. At the time when they shall
interpret the Qur’an to follow their (own)
prudence Mahdi (A.S.) shall realize (their) prudence to follow the
Qur’an. Mahdi (A.S.) shall demonstrate to you justice. Mahdi (A.S.)
shall enliven the commandments of the Qur’an and Sunnah which were
until then dead and lifeless. Imam Mahdi (A.S.) shall fill the earth with
equity and justice after it has
been filled with cruelty and
oppression.” The
Holy prophet (S) said: “There
shall emerge a person from my
progeny who will speak only my Sunnah. Allah will send rain for him
from heavens and the earth shall throw out
its bounties for him. He shall fill the earth with equity and justice
just as it had been filled with cruelty and oppression.” Furthermore,
the Holy prophet (S) while
mentioning the injustice and seditiousness of despotic rulers, said: “If
there remains not more than one day for
the earth, Allah will prolong the day until a person from my progeny
comes and rules. Then great events shall take place through his hands
and Islam shall manifest itself....” Hence,
not only Shi’a people but all people
throughout the world expect him day and night. Of
all the various ways and methods to prepare for his appearance, the author
as psychologist is of the opinion that “supplication” or “dua” is
the most important way. Due to lack of spirituality in today’s advanced
industrialized society, man has to prepare himself psychologically and
mentally for that. Islamic
supplications (duas) and salutations (Ziaraat),
gesides being sacred, holy, and divine blessings, are also great and
comprehensive treasures full of humanitarian concepts. Reciting them, like
attending a training course, leaves a very deep and good impression on our
personalities, the reason being that their interesting and meaningful texts
are narrated directly from our
prophet (S) and his infallible Household (A.S.) in which they
have taught various lessons about the sublime teaching of monotheism,
prophethood, and mastership (Vilay’at), moral sense,
laws, and ethics. Indeed the school of supplication is one of the
higher schools which has a great effect in the development of human thinking
and spiritual and social growth, if it is correctly used. Until
the Muslims all graduate from this school, their Islamic per- sonalities
will not become perfect. The
school is open for everybody day and night, and the repetition of its
lessons will always make people ascend from one stage to another. One
of these treasures which believers and those anxious for the reappearance of
the righteous and universal government of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) have set their
hearts upon is the glorious “Nudba” supplication. They renew their
allegiance with their Master during fixed occasions and hold emotional
gatherings where it is recited. Lamentation
(Nudba) and waiting for the meeting with His Holiness and the end of his
occultation, praying to hasten his reappearance, and expressing regret about
the turbulent and oppressive conditions of the modern world (the period of
the major occultation) are lessons which the Shi’a have learned form their
infallible Imams (A.S.) and their behavior is a pattern for their partisans: Sadir-e-Seirafi,
a distinguished companion of Imam Ja’far Sadeq (A.S.), said that along
with three other companions he visited Imam
Ja’far Sadeq (A.S.) in a very sad and sorrowful condition, sitting
on the ground. Like a mother who had lost her dear son and with painful
heart, Imam Ja’far Sadeq (A.S.) was crying, wailing, moaning and saying:
“My master, your occultation has snatched a way
sleep from my eyes, has taken my concentration and has deprived my
heart of tranquility. My master, your occultation has surrounded me
with a tragic suffering due to which I can never find sympathy and
consolation. Due to the loss of friends one after the other. Our gathering
is breaking. Calamities.
Hardships, difficulties, and disasters have so much pained my heart that I
do not feel the tears of my eyes and the yelling and crying of my heart.
Yet, other severe and unbearable sufferings are imagined, that one more
difficult and fragile than the previous ones.” Sadir
said: “Calamity struck us and
our hearts became full of sadness and sorrow for Imam Ja’far Sadeq (A.S.).
We presumed that an unpleasant event had put Imam Ja’far Sadeq (A.S.) –
this mountain of patience and forbearance- in such a lamenting and mournful
condition. “We
said: O, Son of the best of mankind. May Allah not make you cry. For what circumstances are you
weeping in such a manner? His holiness heaved a sad sigh from his afflicted
heart and said: This morning I was looking at “The Book of Ja’far”,
the book of knowledge of various predictions until Qiyamat, which has been
assigned and made exclusive to Hazrat Mohammad (S) and his successor (A.S.).
It contains descriptions of the birth, occultation, delay
in the reappearance, and longevity of Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.), the
suffering of believers during the occultation, and the doubts and
uncertainties which arise in their hearts. Due to the prolongation of the
occultation and these things, grief and sadness has overpowered me...”
(Kamaluddin, pp. 352-357;Ghaibat-e-Tusi, pp. 104-108). Therefore,
considering the behavior of Imam Ja’far
Sadeq (A.S.) regarding the occultation of Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.), we
should also become said and depressed and express our wish and desire for
his reappearance by seeking
shelter in Allah and reciting Dua, bearing in mind that if He (Allah)
wishes, He can end the occultation of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) in one night itself.
Dua-ye
Nudba is one of the most important and famous authentic duas of the Shi’a.
The strength of the text and vocabulary and its meaningful themes increase
the reliability of this
document. This dua has been narrated by the great Seyed, the late Raziuddin
Ali ibn Taoos who was one of the great Shi’a scholars of the seventh
century A.H. He recorded this
dua in the seventh chapter of his great book “Iqbal” on pages 295 to
299. According
to Shi’a scholars, recitation of this supplication is recommended as
Mustahab (highly advised) on
four eics (holy days): Friday, Fitr (holiday
marking the end of Ramazan), Qorban (Adha, 10th
Zil-al-Hajjeh, the day of sacrifice) and Ghadir (the day on which Imam Ali
(A.S.) was appointed to be the real successor of the Holy prophet (S), i.e.
18th Zil-al-Haj). Therefore,
it is advisable to recite this great dua in congregation on Friday mornings
and on the other mentioned days, concentrating our minds in asking
forgiveness and reciting salawat in order to wash a way
our sins and remove the obstacles which have prevented our duas from
being answered. Then with full attention, weeping and moaning, we call on Imam Mahdi (A.S.) in the same way as Sadir has narrated from our sixth Imam, Hazrat Sadiq (A.S.). We cry and recite Nudba because of the occultation and being far a way from Imam Mahdi (A.S.). We ask Allah to Hasten his reappearance and thus end the corruption, persecution and injustice which are reigning in this world due to the absence of Imam Mahdi (A.S.). May Almighty Allah have mercy upon out Nudbas and lamentations. He may have mercy upon a weeping one from amongst the weepers and remove the chastisement of the occultation from amongst us. Thus, He may give us the grace and favor of the presence of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) once more. Following
are some quotations from this glorious supplication, which only
contains words of love about the holy
existence of Imam Mahdi (A.S.): “where is the chief of all
creatures and the God fearing? Where is the Accumulator of the words of
piety? Where is the Master of the Day of
Victory and the one who will spread the flag of guidance? Where is the
Uniter of the companions of virtue and divine pleasure? Where is the Avenger
of the blood of prophets and children of prophets? Where is the one ready
to annihilate the oppressors? Where is the Awaited one for
straightening the crookedness and dishonesty? Where is the one who is
expected (Imam Mahdi (A.S.)) to abolish oppression and transgression? Where
is the Enlivener of the tents of religion and its adherents? Where is the
Breaker of the might of the transgressors? Where is the Demolisher of the
edifices of polytheism and hypocrisy where is the Destroyer of the followers
of disobedience and rebellion?” The
words of love for him continue: “Would that I knew the far-off place where
you are settled. It is intolerable for me that I see the people but don’t
see you, and neither do I hear a sigh of breath nor (any) whispering from
you. “May
(I) myself be sacrificed for you who seems to be concealed (physically), but
not away from us. “May
(I) myself be sacrificed
for you who is the goal and aspiration of every faithful man and woman who
desires you, remembers you, and laments for you. “How
long must I wait for you, O my Master!
And how long and with which word should I praise you, and what secret talk
should I use with you? Is there any helper with whom I may prolong my lamentation and weeping? Is there a way, O Son of Ahmad (S),
through which you may be met? Will you see us gathered around you and you
are leading all the people? So, convey to him our greeting and salutations.
and increase his honor because of this (greeting), O Lord.” Hafez
said: The breath of Dawn’s musk-strewing wind shall blow, The ancient
world shall return to youth again, And
other wine from our spring chalice flow. The
pure White Jasmine a brimming cup, And
wind flowers life their scarlet chalice up, For
the star pale narcissus to adore. May
Allah hasten His reappearance. Wishing
all readers a blessed and joyous time on the birth anniversary
of Imam Mahdi (A.S.). Pardis
N.T., Tehran, Iran Reference. (1)
Holy Qur’an (2)
Bihar al-Anwar (3)
Muntakhab al-Asr (4)
Dua-ye Nudba (5)
Divan-e-Hafez (6)
Nahj-ul-Balaghan (7)
Kamaluddin |