The belief in the Imamat, awaiting, and reappearance of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.

The belief in the Imamat, awaiting, and reappearance of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is a mirror, which reflects the peak and perfection of true Islam. In it lies the cure of oppressed mankind and the remedy for tyrannized humanity. In which one can observe justice, equity, brotherhood and fraternity, instead of injustice, oppression and tyranny. In which one sees the manifestation of pure monotheism (Tawhid) and sincere worship instead of polytheism and unbelief.

In which man, free from all sorts of dangers, hazards and insecurities, is worshipping the One God. It is the reappearance of the Imam who will raise the standard of a divine government. Who will destroy and uproot the oppressors and raise the oppressed slaves to unprecedented glories. Whose advent will be a living portrait of perfection of religion, completion of bounties and satisfaction of the Lord.

The Creed of Imamate The belief of Imamate is that important pillar of Islamic belief, without which the religious structure remains incomplete. The acceptance of all actions depends on the belief in Imamate. When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) commenced his mission with Daawat al-Zul Asheerah, along with the call for Divine Monotheism, proclamation of his own messengership, he (s.a.w.a.) also announced the mastership and vilaayat of Ameerul Mu’mineen (a.s.).

He invited one and all for accepting this invitation. From then onwards, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) kept informing and announcing the people about Imamate and Caliphate. Finally, on 18th Zilhajj, 10 A.H., in the vast plain of Ghadir al-Khumm, in front of a crowd of 1,24,000 pilgrims, he (s.a.w.a.) not only announced the successorship and Imamate of Ameerul Mu’mineen (a.s.) in clear terms, but, even ordered the people to pay allegiance to ‘Ali (a.s.). The Muslims duly obliged.

Later, in the destruction of Harith Ibn No'man, people also saw the fate of him who denies ‘Ali's mastership. Along with the announcement of the mastership of ‘Ali (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) also declared the Imamate and mastership of his eleven descendants. On various occasions, and in numerous ways, he made it clear that after him, till the Day of Judgment, the number of his successors and caliphs shall remain only twelve.

The first of them will be ‘Ali (a.s.) and the last, Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). In a number of traditions, he has also mentioned the names, titles, agnomens, and characteristics of these twelve successors.