Mahdism

Each of the Immaculate Imams (AS) is a bridge of knowledge leading to the Imams who follow, and it is important to understand their inner realities. The Imams’ authority is not confined to material life; it also encompasses the realms of the heart, the spirit, and human nature. Loving and accepting the authority of each Imam is his endorsement of our access to the grace of the next Imam’s authority. Accordingly, without the endorsement of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), we will not be granted the ability to experience the presence of the Imam of the Age (AJ).

“Baqiyyat Allah” refers to the pure remnant God has preserved. Imam Mahdi (AJ) is the distilled essence of the prophets and saints, whom God has left on earth to guide humanity. Accepting him as Imam is integral to faith and to turning away from injustice; it is better to be content with what God has preserved for the believers.

In the noble verse «وأورثنا الأرض نتبوأ من الجنه حیث نشاء» (al-Zumar, 74), “earth” refers to Paradise, since Paradise too has its own earth and heavens. Nevertheless, the earth of this world also belongs to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), and the oppressed will inherit it.

The Qur’an identifies God’s messengers, the Prophet’s Household (AS), and the Shiʿa among the foremost. Verses such as “And the foremost are the foremost” refer to this group, but they do not directly address the Rajʿa or relate to the 313 who return.

At the time of the ظهور of His Eminence, the Remnant of God Almighty (AJ), those who return at the Return will include the 313 companions as well as other groups. It is difficult to determine the exact number and identity of all those who will return.

The counsel to guard our tongues and stay at home in the End Times is a way to keep the secrets and plans of the Shiʿa concealed, while also protecting them from their enemies’ persecution. It does not mean passivity or refusing to help the Imam; rather, it keeps us from falling into the traps set by those who sow discord.

The hadith «إن المؤمن فی زمان القائم... لیری أخاه الذی فی المغرب» may plausibly be attributed to Imam al-Sadiq (AS), but it is not sound to link it to video-call technology. The Resurrection is not a repetition of the past; it is promised by God.