For more than 1,400 years, Muslims have anticipated the arrival of the Qaim or the Mahdi. They hold a strong and convenient belief that when the Savior of Mankind emerges the Muslims alongside their scholars and leaders, will unanimously recognize and support him, pledging unwavering loyalty and allegiance.
However, upon the arrival of the awaited savior, they failed to recognize him, instead rejecting him and labeling him as a liar, blasphemer, heretic, disbeliever, and even the Antichrist Dajjal. From the moment Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq emerged among the people, showcasing his undeniable knowledge and calling for the supremacy of God, and even invoking his name in the Will of Prophet Mohammed the evidence compellingly supported the truthfulness of his claim. Despite demonstrating his legitimacy in the same manner as every truthful vicegerent of God before him, people spared no effort to concoct the most ludicrous and illogical excuses to disbelieve in him. They argued that he couldn't be the Mahdi because he spoke English, dressed in modern attire, interacted with women without observing hijab, and utilized the internet to spread his message. Some even claimed that his teachings were too unconventional to align with those expected from the Mahdi.
It's not surprising to witness the awaited Mahdi being treated in such a manner. The Qur’an recounts Prophet Noah’s situation, stating:
“But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, 'This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allah had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers. He is not but a man possessed with madness, so wait concerning him for a time.'”
- The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 23 (Mu’minun), Verses 23-25
Prophet Hud also encountered similar opposition from his people.
“The eminent disbelievers among them said, 'Indeed, we see you as foolish, and indeed, we think you are lying.'”
- The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 7 (Al-Araf), Verse 66
If the past Prophets and Messengers were met with such disdain from the people, how can we expect that the awaited Savior of Mankind, the Mahdi, will not face the same treatment or worse? Muslims are aware that Prophet Mohammed faced the most severe challenges among the Prophets and Messengers. He had enemies from every direction, endured numerous assassination attempts, and was cursed by the majority. Can we then presume that the awaited Mahdi will have it any easier?
Imam Al-Sadiq said, “If the Qaim rises, he will endure more suffering than the Prophet of Allah did from the ignorant people of the Jahiliya. The Prophet of Allah was sent to them while they were worshiping stones, rocks, sticks, and carved wood. Verily, our Qaim, if he rises, will go to the people, and all of them will interpret the book of Allah against him and use it as proof against him.” - Kitab Al-Ghayba (Book of Occultation), Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 305
Muslims today envision themselves as those who will stand by the Mahdi when he comes. However, there are narrations indicating that this may not be the case. In fact, these narrations suggest that so-called Muslims will reject him, while those who seem pagan will accept him.
Aba Abdillah said, "When the Qaim (Riser) emerges, those traditionally seen as the people of this matter will depart, and those akin to sun and moon worshippers will enter into it." - Kitab Al-Ghayba (Book of Occultation), Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 330
In other narrations, we find that people of Arab and Persian descent will become adversaries of the Qaim. Imam Al-Sadiq states,
“If the Riser/Qaim emerges, there shall be nothing between him and the Arabs and Persians except the sword.” - Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 389
Imam Al-Sadiq also said,
“With the Qaim, there are few from the Arabs.” - Mizan Al-Hikmah (Scale of Wisdom), Mohammed Al-Reyshahri, Vol. 1, p. 186
Aba Abdillah said,
“Fear, O Arabs, for verily I have bad news for you: none shall emerge from among you with the Qaim.” - Ghaybat Al-Tusi, Al-Shaikh Al-Tusi, Vol. 1, p. 496
In other narrations, we also find that Muslim scholars would become adversaries of the Mahdi. The twelve Imams have stated,
“When Imam Mahdi emerges, he shall not have a clearer enemy than the religious scholars. For this reason, he and the sword are like brothers. Without the sword, the religious scholars would have issued decrees for his killing. However, God presents him with the sword, generosity, and kindness so that they may obey him, fear him, and accept his judgment, albeit without genuine belief. Rather, they harbor disbelief in their hearts.” - Yanabi’ Al-Mawadda Li-Dhawi L-Qurba, Sulayman b. Ibrahim Al-Qunduzi Al-Hana, Vol. 3, p. 215
All these narrations have found fulfillment in our lifetime. It's not difficult to discern the prevailing views people hold toward our call and the Black Banner under which the Mahdi rises, bearing the inscription "Allegiance is to Allah."
The Ahlul-Bayt declared,
"Verily, we Ahlul-Bayt have a banner. Whoever advances beyond it has renegaded, and whoever lags behind it has perished. Whoever follows it has truly followed [us]. 'Allegiance is to Allah' is inscribed upon it!" - 250 Signs until the Appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Tabatabai, p. 26
With the rise of this black banner came a surge of oppression, curses, and abuses from Muslims, once again fulfilling another prophecy.
Abi Baseer narrated that Aba Abdillah said in a lengthy discourse about the Qaim of the Family of Mohammed,
“Then he will unfurl the banner and will march beneath it, leaving none in the East or the West who will not curse it. Yet, it is the banner of the Messenger of Allah, with which Gabriel descended on the day of Badr.” - Kitab Al-Ghayba (Book of Occultation), Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 318
The Companions of the Qaim also face harsh judgment and accusations from the people. Prophet Mohammed described the companions of the Qaim, saying,
“Verily, they are considered disbelievers by the people, yet in the eyes of God, they are pious. They are deemed liars by the people, but in God's eyes, they are truthful. They are seen as impure by the people, but in God’s eyes, they are pure. Cursed by the people, yet blessed by God. Considered oppressors by the people, yet just in God's eyes. They have triumphed through their faith, while the hypocrites have lost.” - Al-Malahim wal Fitan, Al-Sayyid ibn Tawus, Vol. 1, p. 268
Though we may be cursed in the eyes of the people, we are truly blessed by God and united in the assembly of His Holiness, the Riser of the Family of Mohammed. He has raised the banner of promise, reuniting God's chosen people once more.
"In that day, the Lord will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of His people from Assyria, Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt, Cush, Elam, Babylonia, Hamath, and the islands of the Mediterranean. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth." - The Holy Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 11-12
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