Discussions Concerning al-Mahdi
(May Allah hasten his return)
Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Lutfullah as-Safi al-Gulpaygani
Translated by: Sayyid Sulayman Ali Hasan
Introduction
With the Name of Allah, the Kind, the Merciful
“O’ Master of the Age, grant us succor!”
Allah has called all of His creation to obedience to Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return), since obedience to him is obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is obedience to Allah, and Allah has created the entire universe to obey and worship Him.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنُّ وَالإِنْسُ إِلاَّ لِیَعْبُدُونِ
“And I have not created the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [1]
In order to “obey the Mahdi (peace be upon them)” one must carry his guardianship and love in the heart; and to attain his love, one must recognize him.
Without recognizing the Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return), his love cannot take hold in the heart. And without loving him, obeying and following him do not come about. And without following him, devoutness is not possible. And without devoutness, perplexity and misguidedness and wandering in the darkness will result; it is as we have been taught in the form of supplications:
اّللَّهُمَّ عَرِّقْنِی حُجَّتَکَ فَإِنَّکَ إِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْنِی حُجَّتَکَ ضَلَلْتُ عَنْ دِیْنِی
“O’ Allah, make me recognize Your authority, for if You don’t make me recognize him, I shall go astray in my religion.”[2]
And they have said:
مَنْ أَنْکَرَ الْمَهْدِی فَقَدَ کَفَرَ