ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discussion On Imam-e-zaman(a.t.f.s.) The Perfect Personality of Imam-e-zaman (a.t.f.s.) This discussion is about Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) himself with regards to his personality in relation with Allah and his perfection, whether divinely endowed or acquired. Initially, it should be borne in mind that Allah the Almighty has not created all humans equal, and all that has b1een granted to mankind is not in uniform measure.

Of course, from one aspect- in their generality- they are all same but in most of the perfection and virtues, Allah has not created them similar. All humans are created on the nature of monotheism (fitrat-e-tauheedi), thereby enabling them to know Allah and worship Him. Therefore, in this regard, they are all responsible. But spiritual capabilities and attraction vary from person to person. What is the basis for this difference?

One facet of this difference is related to two points that should be borne in mind. One of them refers to the world termed in our traditions as the world of pre-existence (aalam-e-dhar)42. The second refers to divine grace and bestowal, whose unequal grant will not affect justice. What will be deemed to violate norms of justice is differentiation in rights, but as far as 'grace' is concerned, distinction does not enter the domain of justice.

Therefore, one differentiation is in rights and the other is in grace. If partiality is observed in rights, it is injustice. For instance, if a person owes each one of us fifty dollars, but while repaying, he pays me only thirty but pays the other person, seventy dollars. Then, this is injustice because I had an equal right on him. Another instance can be as follows: None of us present could demand from the host to bring various kinds of fruits like orange, pineapple, bananas, etc. for us.

So, had he not brought all these, he would not have meted any injustice to us because he did not owe it to us. On the morrow, had he invited other guests, and served them water only, they would not have the right to question him as to why did he differentiate between the two. He would be told that 'you don't enjoy any right over me.

I just wanted to shower my grace and bounty on the previous day's guests and hence the unequal treatment.' If the guests question as to what was the basis of your disparate treatment? Was it baseless and meaningless? He will reply that certainly it was neither.