In a similar tradition with a slight variation...

In a similar tradition with a slight variation, Abu Sa’id asked Imam al-Sadiq: “Are al-Mahdi and al-Qa’im one and the same?” The Imam replied: “Yes.” Abu Sa’id went on to ask: “Why is he known as the Mahdi?” The Imam replied: “Because he will guide you to the hidden matters.” “Why is he known as the Qa’im?” The Imam said: “Because he will rise after he dies, that is, dies in the people’s remembering that he will rise for the great purpose.

(7)” It is evident that the two traditions are actually one. In the second tradition, death is interpreted as a death of the memory of his name. The belief that the Mahdi will die and then rise to launch his revolution was accepted by some people who were also responsible for fabricating traditions to support their belief. Thus, Imam Sadiq was asked: “Is there an example of Qaim (rising after death) in the Qur’an?” He said: “Yes.

A passage in the Qur’an speaks about the owner of the donkey, whose death was caused by God, and then God brought him back to life.(8)” In a long tradition Mu’awiya b. Abu Sufyan reports from the Prophet the following: The Prophet said: “After my death, an island by the name of Andalusia will be conquered. Afterwards, the army of disbelievers will overpower them . . .

At that point, a man from among the descendants of Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter, will rise from the farthest region of the Maghrib. He will be the Mahdi, the Qa’im. He is the first sign of the Hour. (9)” The tradition was probably fabricated by the Isma’ilis who founded a state in the Maghreb. Many such traditions are single in transmission and, therefore, the information in them cannot be regarded as reliable.

More importantly, in comparison to the numerous traditions about the Mahdi reported uninterruptedly, these traditions are not credible at all. NOTES: ____________________________________________________ 1. Fusul al-muhimma, p. 274 2. p. 164 3. Dhakha’ir al-‘uqba, p. 206 4. Ibid., p. 206. See also al-Sawa’iq al-muharriqa, p. 235 5. Yanabi’ al-mawadda, Vol. 1, p. 57 6. Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 7, p. 27 7. Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 7, p. 34 8. Ibid., Vol. 7, p. 28 9. Ibid., Vol. 7, p.

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