Take thee also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in One vessel, and make Bread...(Ezekiel 4:9).

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

“My twelfth descendant will disappear in such a way that he will not be seen at all. There will come a time when there shall remain nothing but a name from Islam. And, there shall remain nothing but a trace from the Qur'an. At that time Allah will permit him to revolt and through him Allah will reinforce Islam and revive it.” - Muhammad al-Khatam al-Anbiyah

Notes: Muntakhab al-athar, p. 98.

Two years ago when i wrote the first incarnation of this text i was overwhelmed with the profundity of these two eclipses occurring this soon. It was not lost on me that we have all seen so many signs fulfilled in such a short a time. Much of what i wrote presumed that the reader already accepted the fact that we are living in the time of fulfillment of the "Apocalypse" (Revelation). If one is dead set against believing that, then it is unlikely they will ever accept anything to the contrary, no matter how compelling the evidence. It assumed that the reader was not averse to the notion that an end to this deviant global society WILL indeed come. As well it assumed that one believed in the fulfillment of prophecy itself.

The problem that i found was that many - even those who profess Islam as their din - in their hearts remain skeptical of the reality of prophecy. Some are so shocked to hear that there are these things transpiring that synchronize with prophecy from thousands of years ago, that they shut out the relevant facts and write off the connection as mere coincidence after coincidence.

Prophecies abound from the 14 Ma'sumin regarding the "end of the Age" or Zaman. Later in this text we will explore just what this "Age" is, and what the next one is, in the understanding of the Eastern Hindu and Buddhist traditions. But before we get to where we're going, we need some preparation in the form assuring that the reader understands that without question we are living in a time, THE time, that was prophesied so long ago.

The Sixth Imam Ja'far As-Sadiq is recorded as saying:

"The believer, in the time of Qa'im, while in the east will be able to see his brother in the west and he who is in the west will be able to see his brother in the east"

Notes: Az-Zanjani, Aqa'id, p. 255

In what other age besides this one could such a thing occur? With video cameras, televisions and now even cell phones with cameras a commonplace reality, this prophecy is fulfilled to the letter. As well, just a few of the literally HUNDREDS of signs that have been fulfilled include:

"Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport; People will ride on saddles that aren't saddles." We see this fulfilled with the advent of the automobile.

"The distance on earth will become short." We see this fulfilled with modern forms of transportation like automobiles, trains and airplanes. Far distances are spanned in a short period of time.

"Horses will not be used in wars." This too has been replaced by modern forms of warfare, airplanes, guerrilla warfare and the like.

"The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan." This of course has proven one of the most central matters to the instability of world peace. What seemed like an impossibility actually came to pass.

"Very tall buildings will be built." This one is perhaps an UNDERSTATEMENT it was fulfilled so accurately.

"Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure." We see a global crisis in AIDS as well as in rampant Sexually Transmitted Diseases in general.

"Men will pass by people's graves and say: 'Would that I were in his place'." Of course in no other recorded generation has there been the epidemic of suicides at the rate that we now see.

"Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same religion." This occurred in World War Two, where both the Nazi's and Britain along with the United States (Yajuj and Majuj), both claimed to be the true representatives of Christianity.

"Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes." The popular western culture of the day propagandizes clothes that are barely coverings. While there are some somewhat modest women, the majority of the youth dress little different than prostitutes on the street.

Saoban reported that Muhammad said: "It is near that the nations will call one another against you just as the eaters call one another at their dishes. Some body enquired: Shall we be few at that time? He said: No, you will be numerous at that time, but you will be so many rubbishes like the rubbishes of a torrent. Allah will then certainly take away the fear of you from the minds of your enemies and will certainly throw weakness into your hearts. Some body enquired: O Rasul'ullah, what will be (the cause of) weakness? He replied: Love of this world and dislike for death."

Notes: Abu Dawud 24

With these, just a few of the Ahadith on the signs of these times we are living in, borne in mind, the Muslim should not have a problem accepting that the Ma'sumin were talking about this very age, the transition between what the Vedas called the "Kali Yuga" and the "Saya Yuga."

It is not expected that the heart of every kuffar who reads this will be turned. However, it is expected that with this the Mu'minin will appreciate the urgency of preparation and mobilization for the Inevitable.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS

The analogy that has often occurred to me was of a man jumping off of a cliff. When he first jumps he is plunging at the lowest velocity. However, as he continues in his descent he picks up speed. So too is it with the near global Beast that we find ourselves living within. It was that way with the build up of technology, with the spread of global colonialism and warfare, and it is that way too with moral indifference and decadence. This global Beast and the societies that it manifests within, are set on the course to Hell, full speed ahead. As they approach their destination, like the man who approaches the ground after having jumped off a cliff, the speed and intensity of the signs of these times increase in number of occurrences and in specificity.

So when i was prompted, so to speak, to contact the astronomical associations that i did in regards to this matter, i was somewhat skeptical myself. i did not expect to hear that this was something so soon. i did not expect to hear that the first time the double eclipse of Shahar Ramadan occurred - since that month of fasting was implemented for the Ummah - was when the 12th Imam was 28 years old. Not only is this significant that it occurred first within his lifetime (since fasting in the month of Ramadan was instituted), but at the age of 28, whose mystical implications are undoubtedly not lost on the `urafa. Moreover, i NEVER expected that there were prophecies that foretold that the very dates of the 2003 Ramadan eclipses, and stated that this alignment of dates in the Holy Month of Ramadan was the first in the history of Heaven and Earth. This will be explored in depth as we continue.

From Sun up to Sun down...The Cosmic Month of Ramadan...Malachi, chapter 4.

When the first communiqué was sent out about this finding i was overwhelmed and in a state of apocalyptic fervor. That is not to say that i now believe one word of what i wrote was factually inaccurate. However, i do recognize that i was completely unaware as to how many people would read the text and how global of an impact it would have (both positive and negative).

When i began my investigation, i found literally NOTHING on the web about it. i found literally NOTHING in print about it, save the ahadith that are recorded herein. Yet in time many would devise sites that were purporting to defuse the fervor that began with this text. They would lean heavily on the quote from Kitab al-Irshad expressing a reverse order of eclipses, and disregard all other ahadith that disagreed with that narration and agreed with those hadith that do not speak of things that are LITERALLY "Science Fiction" (since a reversed order of eclipses would require an entire rearrangement of the Galaxy.

As well, some such individuals would note the frequent PARTIAL double eclipses and say "See these things happen ALL the time." (2 Peter 3:1-7). They could not have been further from the truth. But all of this is explained and has been widely accepted by Mu'minin all over the world. (Mu'min...The believers, as opposed to the Kafir or those who repudiate God and His messenger...Malachi 3 and 4). It is not hard to believe this unless you are trying to find fault with it, and trying to explain it away.

i did not realize that there were so many who would go to no ends to convince people that this was not going to happen. Yet at the same time ALL of these critics have been silent in confronting me personally. Usually you will find websites or fatawat that say this is not true. They have not confronted me to hear my response. They assume that what i wrote originally was all the information that i had on the subject. Thus, if they found anything that fell outside of the spectrum of what i introduced, then they assumed this was a hole in the text, rather than something that i simply had omitted out of urgency to get the message out to the Ummah and specifically to the Mu'minin.

However, we should not expect fair dealing from the majority of so-called `ulama. These same are the ones who racialistically conceal the ethnicity of the A'immah after Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq, those who teach that only people of certain ancestries can marry others of the same. Those same do not truly want the Imam to rise (though they do not admit this to others, or in most cases even to themselves). Those same are devouring the Khums that he and his Jaysh are due for the GLOBAL REVOLUTION. Those fat-cat, so-called `ulama do not want to give half the khums to the poor and the other have to the Revolution and Dawah of Al-Qa'im. They would rather spend it on their own vain pursuits and luxuries.

Some `ulama are genuine though, and to them we give our support. Naming them is not necessary. As `Isa al-Masih (Jesus) said, "You will know a tree by its fruits." So too do we know the true `ulama by their deeds. Who is genuinely spreading Islam? Who is supporting the poor? Who is backing the cause of the oppressed? These are your `ulama, those of knowledge who not only READ the words of Hadith, but take them to heart.

This text reflects additional information that i held back for one reason or another at the time of authorship. Insha'Allah you will find that this further strengthens your Iman of the imminence of the Imam al-Mahdi's Rise (of which no one knows the specific time), and further shatters the critics who would love to relegate the Rise to the hypothetical, and presumably DISTANT future; one where they are not required to take action, choose a side, and prepare for battle.

With that, i present these truths for your edification...

Al-Yamani

While some of the minor signs have been relayed above, there are signs that we are told bear more significance than others. The topic of this text itself is perhaps the greatest of all of these signs, as it is said to bear the weight of Ten signs itself. Among some of the other major signs is the sign of "Al-Yamani" (the Yemenite).

"There will be three appearances in one year, one month and one day. The Sufyani, the Khurasani and the Yamani. The standard of guidance will not be among them, except the standard of the Yamani, because he will summon (people) to the truth." - Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq

Could it be that the world famous Yemenite `Usama Bin Ladin, is in fact this Yamani who was said to fight against the Sufyanic system, and against the nations of Yajuj and Majuj? (Britain and America). The initial Shi'a reaction would be that this could not be; that the man is a "Wahhabi" like we are told by the Western propaganda machine. But in reality he is not a Hanbali "Wahhabi," he is a follower of Shafi'i fiqh. He blessed the Ahl'ul-Bayt in his speeches, those same speeches that the western media will not air the entire translation of. The FBI recently said that they have recent UNRELEASED footage of him by a chalk board that has ahadith about Al-Qa'im on it. They fear who this "Mahdi" is that he was expecting and writing about, because they fear he will be far worse for them than Yamani, and that Yamani will team up with him.

"U.S. military intelligence experts are studying a video clip of Osama bin Laden in which he stands before a dry-erase board with an Arabic phrase written upon it – "awaited enlightened one," reports Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin. "No one who has seen the video is quite certain of the meaning or the context. But, the Hadith, a collection of Islamic holy writings that supplement the Quran, predicts a messianic figure will arise in the last days of history. This "Mahdi," along with the "Prophet Jesus," will lead the believers to victory over the infidels.

"The video raises the question of whether bin Laden sees himself as this Mahdi or if he is expecting another to arise and lead. Either way, the addition of a dimension of Islamic prophecy to the global terror war may seriously complicate matters for planners in the West." Is bin Laden the 'Mahdi'?: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34469 As we see from the article, there is no data that supports the notion that Bin Ladin believes he is the Mahdi. Rather, there IS intelligence that says he is actively planning and coordinating his efforts in conjunction with his own expectations of the Mahdi....

THE SIGN EQUAL TO TEN WEIGHTY SIGNS

"At length, when the sight is dazed, and the moon is buried in darkness, and the sun and moon are joined together - the Day of That will Man say: 'Where is the refuge?'" Al-Qur'an, Sura 75:7-10

Allah gives a sign that Mahdi will be among us when a double eclipse occurs in the month of Ramadan.

"It has been reported from Abu Ja'far that the event of the Mahdi's appearance shall be attended by two clear signs which will carry with them the weight of ten strong signs. These are the solar and the lunar eclipses; and a similar sign has never happened ever since Adam came upon this planet."

Notes: Ikmal al-Din, p. 361

This Hadith is key to understanding the matter of the Double Eclipses. Where as Shaykh Mufid notes in Kitab al-Irshad, that Imam Al-Baqir is reported as claiming that the Double Eclipse itself will be the sign that has not existed since Adam was sent down upon the Earth, other Ahadith such as this one above tell of the Double Eclipses being one sign and the sign that has not happened since Adam came to Earth is ANOTHER.

Unlike the four madahib of the non-Shi'a sects we do not hold that our Ahadith are "Sahih" though some sources like Nahj'ul-Balaghah are taken relatively so. But when we have two slightly different ahadith, we are not to disregard them both, nor are we to absolutely regard them both. Rather, we are to investigate them, hold them to the light of Reason (`Aql) and take them with the proverbial "grain of salt."

So when Shaykh Mufid reports rare accounts that the order of the eclipses is reversed from what is astrologically possible, it does not mean we should dismiss this notion out rightly, but it does mean that we should view it within the context of being a MINORITY of reports along those lines in comparison to the ones that claim the times of the eclipse are in accordance with the Nature Order of things, and that the sign that has not happened since Adam was send down upon the Earth are two different things. Thus, i do not find it unreasonable at all to focus on the bulk of the Ahadith which are in fact scientifically sound, and to pass over the Kitab al-Irshad narration that even admits itself it is incomprehensible. Taken as a whole, this text most certainly makes the case that the prophesied Double Eclipse of the Month of Ramadan were speaking of this very year and this very month of fasting that we find ourselves in now.

Nonetheless, there need be no confusion about the matter. There is a specific alignment of the Eclipses of the the Holy Month of Ramadan that Imam al-Baqir (as) said has never happened before. That alignment is occurring in the month of Ramadan 2003 on the 8th and 23rd of November.

Non-Shi'a hadith tells us the following: "Of our Mahdi there are two signs which have never taken place ever since the Earth and the Heaven came into existence. One is that in the month of Ramadan the moon shall be eclipsed on the first of its nights and the sun in the middle of its days, and such a sign has never occurred ever since the creation of the Earth and the Heaven."

Notes: Dar al-Qutni, vol. 8, p. 188

Dar’ul-Qutni reports to have heard from Imam Muhammad Baqir the following statement: “Our Mahdi shall be accompanied by two signs the like of which have not happened since the creation of the Heaven and the Earth, namely, that in a certain month of Ramadan there will be an eclipse of the moon on the first of the three nights usual for such eclipses and in the same month in the second of three days assigned for the solar eclipse there will occur an eclipse of the sun.”

Thus, we see that there are not only ahadith that list the Double Eclipse as a singular sign and the sign that has not occurred since the time of Adam (as). Dar al-Qutni and Ikmal al-Din reports that the timing of the Lunar Eclipse on the first of the three days assigned for it and the Solar Eclipse on the second of the three assigned for it is a specific timing of the Double Eclipse of Shahar Ramadan that has not occurred EVER, not merely since Adam an-Nabi (as) came down to Earth, but since Heaven and Earth themselves were created. Later this will be explored down to the last detail; demonstrating that the 13th of the Month of Ramadan (8th of November), and 28th of the Month of Ramadan (23rd of November), are in fact the first of the three nights usual for lunar eclipses and and the 23rd is the second of thee days assigned for solar eclipses.

The specifications for the dating of the eclipses in the reversed order hadith are erroneous, as the timing during the month of Ramadan that the non-Shi'a version, and a narration in Kitab al-Irshad, states is a physical impossibility. First of all the moon could not be told to be eclipsed on the first night, since it is virtually invisible then anyway. Even if it did eclipse then, this would be a fruitless sign since it is nearly invisible at that time anyway. An eclipse at that time of the month would be totally invisible. No human eye would be able to see this sign of the darkened moon of the first night, and yet it is given as the primary sign of the advent of the return of our Imam al-Mahdi.(continued)...

According to rabbinic tradition Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyarcanus was a disciple of Yochannan ben Zakkai, who was said to be a disciple of Hillel, the great expositor of the Torah in the time of Christ. We shall see that Yochannan ben Zakkai and the Essene, John (Yochannan) the Baptist (the "son of Zachariah"), were one and the same, or rather that the Yochannan of rabbinic fame acquired the name after the Kabbalistic doctrines of the early Church passed into Judaism via the original Schimon bar Yonah (Simon Peter) and others, and that this Rabbi Eliezer was one of chief agents of these transmissions. His association with the Essenes, the first Christians, and possibly with Paul (Elisha Ben Abuyah), was the eventual cause of his censure and excommunication from the rabbinic circle. Nevertheless, in a work ascribed to him many centuries later entitled The Chapters of Rabbi Eliezer the Great, there are two chapters dedicated to the course of the Sun and the Moon, and another concerned with the intercalation periods between them both...

Ostensibly these chapters seem primarily concerned with assuring that these two luminous bodies appear in the heavens at the time they are supposed to, marking the times and the seasons in their proper order, so that Passover is always observed in the spring of the year, and the High Holy Days of the Seventh month are always observed when the Sun is falling in the West at the time of the Autumn equinox. But a closer examination reveals these chapters to be concerned, not specifically with heavenly bodies (although the precept always holds: As Above so below), but with the conjunction of the Male and Female principles in their appointed times. In these chapters we are told that the Sun's path through the planetary spheres is a cycle of 28 years, bringing it back to its place of origin again--a cycle that has continued since the time these two great lights were created together in the Genesis account. (Genesis 1:16). And that the cycle of the Moon is 21 years, before it returns to its place of origin in respect to the other planets again. Starting out together, according to this purely apocryphal (though neverthless accurate prophetic) account, it means that the two must come together every (28 X 21) 588 years. Ten times 588 years is 5,880 years. Likewise, when we calculate the times according to their Jubilees (periods of 49 years each, as we are commanded to at Leviticus 25:8), we see that the whole time of the Adamic epic (from Genesis to Revelation) is also (120 X 49), or 5,880 years. And in this circle we discover three periods of 40 Jubilees each: a period of 40 Jubilees between the time of Adam to the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 40 Jubilees more to the time of Christ, and 40 Jubilees, or 1,960 years, from the time of Christ to our own, and to another of the many cosmic events that are falling in place together at this time in history, one that has everything to do with the joining together in our time of the two sides of the Tree of Life--Male and Female, "Christian and Jew" (True Muslims)...not to fail to mention, Things Above with Things Below.

And neither may our strictly literalist brethren go to calculating in order to prove such things incorrect--(jot, tittle, seconds, minutes, hours, days...)--for all the times and events of God have their own complexities, and their own catching up with each other to do. Be sure that all things are locking in place together, but also that Divine Grace still presides over the wheels of Time, and over the whole process of revelation:

"'For the vision is yet for the appointed time. At the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it lags toward the moment; it will not be belied.' (Habakkuk 2:1-3)...

This refers to the fact that the final moment (as in the birth-process itself) may be protracted beyond anything the prophets have foretold, for God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform...This is addressed to the men of truth, those who carry out the law (Torah), who do not relax from serving the truth even though the final moment be long drawn out. Assuredly, all the times appointed by God will come in due course, even as He has determined in His inscrutable wisdom." The Habakkuk Commentary, the Dead Sea Scriptures, pp.321,322.

Sun

THE SUN AND MOON

These two phenomena of the lunar and solar eclipses (conjunctions) will take place in a much different order. As the non-Shi'a hadith says it, with the solar eclipse occurring in mid-month, this would require the moon to suddenly double its speed of movement after the onset of the month! To believe not only that the moon would suddenly double its speed after the onset of the month is unreasonable enough in itself. However, coupled with the fact that a lunar eclipse on the first night of the month of Ramadan would be physically impossible to see, we must conclude that the scientifically unfounded version of this Hadith is unreasonable and the portion of it referring to the dates in the month of the eclipse must be rejected as plainly unscientific and unreasonable. Imam `Ali ar-Riza tells us that we must understand Islam through Reason:

"The greatest of miracles of Allah is the human mind. It allows ideas to be thought through and reasoned out. Islam appeals to human reason. Man must accept Allah through reason and not through miracles."

Muhammad ar-Rasul'ullah has said: "Almighty Allah has endowed upon mankind nothing better than reason. Sleep of a wise man is better than the waking hours of an ignorant. Rest of a wise man is better than the movement of ignorant. Allah has not send any Nabi or Rasul without first perfecting his reason; and his reason stands superior to all the reasons of (the people of) his community...

"No creature can ever discharge his obligations to Allah unless he comprehends those (obligations). All the worshippers weighted together can not reach the height of excellence of a wise man. The man of reason who are the possessors of understanding minds about whom Allah said: "...But none will grasp the Message except men of understanding." Al-Qur'an, Sura 2:269, 3:7

Usul al-Kafi, part 1 Hadith #11

So, following in the study of astronomy that Imam Sadiq also studied and taught, it is unreasonable to imagine that the scientifically unacceptable scheduling of these eclipses will occur in the order said by some narrations. As well, since Imam Al-Baqir mentions this sign in this way, in MOST versions of the Hadith, yet make no mention of the reversed dates of the eclipses in their relationship to the month itself, then it would be REASONABLE to accept only that the sign is that of the double eclipse during the Holy month of Ramadan.

The Double Eclipse is scheduled for November the 8th and approximately November 23rd of 2003. Fasting for the Month of Ramadan of 2003 began approximately on the 27th of October to approximately the 27th of November (depending upon what part of the world you are in). The Month of Ramadan being a 30 day lunar period, both the eclipse of November the 8th and November the 23rd will fall in this Holy Month. The November 8th Lunar eclipse will be visible from: Europe, South West Asia, Africa and America. The November 23rd Solar eclipse will be visible from Antarctica and the South Indian Ocean.

Notes on the double eclipse during the coming Ramadan of 2003: Bao-Lin Liu and A.D. Fiala, "Canon of Lunar Eclipses, 1500BC- AD3000", 1992; Willmann-Bell Inc., Richmond, Virginia.
Or: J. Meeus and H. Mucke, "Canon of Lunar Eclipses, -2002 to 2526", 1983 (2nd edition); Astronomical Office, Vienna.

Eclipses may also be examined with computer software such as EclipseMaster, MoonTracker, SunTracker and AstroCalc; Zephyr Services, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. To help with this AstroCalc was modified to print out celestial positions of the Sun and Moon near each Ramadan (i.e. every 354.367 days).

See also H. Mucke and J. Meeus, "Canon of Solar Eclipses, -2003 to +2526", 1983; Astronomical Office, Vienna
Websites that note the dates of these eclipses are:

Nasa Eclipse Watch Site - Eclipses for 2003 - http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2003.html

The FAS Eclipse Page - http://www.fedastro.freeserve.co.uk/eclipse/index.html
2003 The Year of Cold Eclipses: 4 central eclipses in one year! - http://eclipse.span.ch/2003.htm

Yet still we are told that the Ummah will deny the signs of our Rabb, and will reject the Imam al-Mahdi until such Great Tribulation arises that they are left with no alternative but to follow him. May Allah strengthen our Iman that we might have the eyes to see and the ears to hear the Truth that the Ruh speaks to the Ummah. May Allah hasten the Imam's Return, and may Allah lead all who read this to recognize the Imam Al-Mahdi when the sign is given that he is among us!

THE NEW TEACHINGS, ACTIONS, SHARIAH AND KITAB OF THE MAHDI

Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old, behold, I do a new thing, now it shall spring forth...shall ye not know it?...(Isaiah 43:18).

"Now the interpretation of the sacred scriptures is based on the undermeaning in the allegorical narratives, for these look on the whole of their law code as being like a Living thing, having for a Body the spoken commands, and for a Soul the unseen thoughts stored up in the words (in which the rational soul of the student begins to contemplate things native to their own nature), the interpretation, as it were, in the mirror of the words and names, catching sight of the extraordinary beauties of the ideas contained in them, unwrapping and unrobing the symbols from them, and bringing to light the naked inner meanings, for those who are able with a little suggestion to arrive at an intuition of the hiidden sense from the apparent meaning." Philo, On the Contemplative Life.

...For he that is hanged is accursed of God...(Deuteronomy 21:22,23; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Zech.12:10

"Woe to those who see in the Law only simple narratives and ordinary words. Were this really the case then we could even today comprise a law equally worthy of admiration. But it is all quite otherwise...Every word of the Law contains an elevated sense and a sublime mystery...The narratives of the Law are but the raiment in which it (the higher Law) is clothed. Woe to him who mistakes the garment for the Law itself.

It was to avert such a calamity, that David prayed, 'Open my eyes that I may behold wonderous things out of Thy Law.' (Psalm 119:18)." Introduction to the Zohar, The Kabbalah and its Symbolism, by Gershom Scholem.

"The rabbin speaks of the complete abolition (abrogation) of the commandments. This was interpreted by the Kabbalists to refer to the complete spiritualization of the Law under the dominion of the Tree of Life. (Talmud Nid 61b)." Kabbalah, by Gershom Scholem.

Whatever commandment We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?...(Sura 2:106).

When the heavens burst asunder,

And obeys its Lord and it must.

And when the earth is stretched (out)

And casts forth what is in it and becomes empty (of its mysteries),

And obeys its Lord and it must.

O man! surely you must strive (to attain) to your Lord, a hard striving until you meet Him.

Then as to him who is given his book in his Right Hand,

He shall be reckoned with an easy reckoning...(Sura 84.1-8).

Fadl ibn Yasar heard Imam Baqir saying: "When our Qa'im rises he will face so much difficulty from the people, that even An-Nabi during the period of Jahiliyah (pre-Islamic times) did not face." Fadl asked: "Why should that be so?" The Imam said: “When An-Nabi was appointed people worshipped stones and wood. However, when our Qa'im arises people will interpret the ordinances of Allah against his interpretation, and will argue with him and dispute by means of the Qur'an. By Allah, the justice of the Qa'im will enter inside their homes, just as the heat and the cold enter them.”

Notes: Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 7, p. 86.

It is said that Al-Mahdi will have a much more difficult task than Muhammad, because he will be confronted with the argumentative dogma of 1,400 years of subjective and cultural interpretation of a Din that the masses have only learned of second hand. It is for this reason that Ahadith tells us that the Arabs will struggle with Al-Mahdi.

“When the Qa'im emerges he will come with a new Commission, a new Book, a new conduct and a new Judgment, which will be strenuous for the Arabs. His work is nothing but to fight, and no one will be spared. He will not be afraid of any blame in the execution of his duty.” - Imam Ja'far As-Sadiq

Notes: Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 7, p. 83.

Imam Sadiq has made the aforementioned role of the Mahdi explicit: "When the Qa'im rises he will emulate the conduct of the Prophet, except that he will elaborate the traditions of Muhammad."

Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 52, p. 347.

Imam Sadiq relates: “When our Qa'im arises he will call people anew to Islam, guiding them to the old thing from which people have turned away. He will be called Mahdi because he will guide people to the thing from which they have been separated. He will be called Qa'im because he will be commanded to establish the truth.”

Notes: Kashf al-ghumma, Vol. 3, p. 264; Mufid, Irshad, p. 240, 343.

As Shi'a, we clearly believe that Imam Al-Mahdi will bring a new Kitab (a new Book), and a new Shari'ah. However, if there were any group in Islam that did not have severe misunderstandings and false dogmatic interpretations of the Din then this would hardly be necessary.

Imam Sadiq says: “I can witness the Qa'im wearing the particular garment and taking out the letter of the Prophet sealed with a golden seal, and after breaking the seal he reads aloud to the people. The people disperse from him as the sheep do from the shepherd. And no one besides his wazir (vizier) and eleven chiefs remain with him. Then people begin to search for a reformer everywhere. But, since they do not find anyone besides him who can help them, they rush towards him. By Allah, I know what the Qa'im is telling them which they refuse to acknowledge.”

Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 52, p. 326

The rules binding upon the average people will not be necessary, nor incumbent upon the Imam Al-Mahdi.

“Two cases of bloodshed are permissible in Islam. But no one executes the divine ordinance in those two cases until Allah sends the Qa'im from the Ahl'ul-Bayt who can execute Allah's injunction in those cases without requiring any witnesses: one is the case of a married man committing adultery who will be stoned by him; and the other is the case of a person refusing to pay the Zakat.” - Imam Sadiq said

Notes: Bihar al-Anwar p. 325

In another tradition Imam Sadiq said: "When the Qa'im from the family of Muhammad appears he will judge among people without requiring witnesses in the manner of Dawud and Sulaiman (David and Solomon)."

Notes: Bihar Al-Anwar p. 320.

With these things considered, it is not difficult to understand how such mass opposition to the Mahdi will occur. Al-Imam Al-Qa'im will tell people what their "itching ears" DO NOT long to hear. For that reason the masses who profess Islam with their lips will oppose him. Furthermore, it is for that reason that so many who profess Islam with their lips, but cling only to the traditions they were taught as part of their culture (and not part of their sincere SUBMISSION to Allah). It is for that reason that these same people will do anything within their power to deny the fulfillment of the Ayat'ul-Mahdi .

WILL THIS RETURN BE PHYSICAL?

Generally it is understood from Ahadith that this will be the primary sign that Imam Al-Mahdi has returned. However, i do not wish to speculate as to whether or not this means he will be physically visible. (For both He--The Divine One--who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one...Hebrews 2:11). Nonetheless, in all likelihood that is the case, as has been understood from Ahadith from the beginning. However, this does not mean that he will return saying "i am Al-Mahdi." In all likelihood he will keep his identity a secret, at least at the beginning, or else the governments of the world (and the masses who will be offended by him), would simply send people to assassinate him. We are told that the majority of the Ummah will reject him. We are told by Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq that "the Arabs will struggle with him," and that his teachings will be difficult for them to accept. We are told that 40,000 Ulama will die at the hands of the Mahdi and his Shi'a.(What kind of death)? These are not small waves the man will be making in the Ummah.

"People are asleep, but when they die they wake up." Hadith of Muhhamad.

How do you deny Allah and you were dead and He gave you life? Again He will cause you to die and again bring you to life, then you shall be brought back to Him...(Sura 2:28).

Verily I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live...

Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, in which all they that are in the graves, shall hear his voice.

And they shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of Life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of death...(John 5:25-29).

One Hadith tells of a delegation of Muslimin who are sent to ask him if he is the Mahdi, and when asked he DENIES that he is Al-Qaim. (John 1:19-27; Luke 3:15-18). Later the group who asked him returns to those who commissioned them to go to ask him. They tell those who sent them that he denied being the Mahdi. Then those who sent them said "Now we KNOW that he MUST be the Mahdi!" Those charlatans who parade themselves around for praise and self aggrandizement, openly professing that they are the "Mahdi" have in fact singled themselves out as the dajjalin that they in actuality are. For the TRUE nature of the TRUE Imam is not one of self praise and self glory. Rather, as the Hadith says, "His mission is nothing but to fight." (Revelation 12).

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq has explained: "That which makes the condition of the Master of the Command (the twelfth Imam) resemble Yusuf is that in spite of being mature and wise, and in spite of having associated with him before, Yusuf's brothers could not recognize him when they came to him [in Egypt] until he introduced himself to them. Moreover, in spite of the fact that the distance that existed between Yusuf and Yaqub was no more than eighteen days, Yaqub had no information about him. Then why are these people denying that Allah can do a similar thing for Hu's Proof, the Master of the Command? He too can interact with people, walk around their market place, sit on their carpets and still they would not recognize him! He would continue to do that until Allah permits him to introduce himself."

Notes: Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 52 p. 154.

So we must realize that in all likelihood he will not advertise the fact that he is the Mahdi at first, but will rather call people to his cause of revival of Islam, and Jihad against kufr and oppression. May Allah help us all to recognize him when he rises!

"Ilyas Al-Injil": UNDERSTANDING THE COVERT NATURE OF THE RISE

Like Idris ibn Yared and the 12th Imam, Elijah or "Ilyas," attained immortality. From a "Jewish" perspective there are about five recorded people in the Tanakh who attained such a state. Muslims traditionally agree with Jews definitively on both Idris and Ilyas. The Book of Malachi in the Tanakh closes with a prophecy that "Eliyahu" would return "before the coming of the Great and Terrible Day of YHWH." It further goes on that "he will turn the hearts" of men or a great curse would follow.
"Remember the Torah of Moshe my servant, which I commanded to him in Chorev for all Yisra'el, even statutes and ordinances. Behold, I will send you Eliyahu Ha'Nevi before the great and terrible day of the YHWH comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." - Mal'akhi (Malachi) 3:22-24.

The P'rushim (Pharisees), disbelieved that Yahya was in fact Ilyas, because they tried to ensnare him regarding this issue. In this age where the Ayat'ul-Mahdi will come to pass and we will be affirmed that prophecy has been fulfilled and the Imam is actively present among us in the capacity of his raja, we can expect that this will most certainly be the case. In fact the Mahdi will not be like the Imposters who have come and gone like the tides - advancing then receding. He will not base his Movement and the New Shariah that will be revealed through him by saying "everyone listen to me because i am Al-Mahdi." Rather, he will be like Yahya was.

The P'rushim came to Yahya (John) and asked him if he was "Ha'Nevi" meaning the coming Prophet Muhammad. Yahya said no. Then they asked him if he was "Mashiach" meaning `Isa Al-Masih and again he replied no. Then they asked if he was Ilyas making his raja' and he said "i am not"."ani ayn." This however, was a declarative statement vastly different than if he would have meant "no, i am not." If he meant "no, i am not Eliyahu" when he said "i am not" then he would have said "ani lo".

However, by saying "i am not" (ani ayn) he chose his words carefully. The interesting thing about the words "Ani" and "Ayn" is that they are the same tri-consonantal roots, different only in the sequence of ordering. There is a mystical secret in this. That is that true Existence of Self (ani) is the Existence of the "Ayn" or Vast Face Nothing. The whole of `Irfan is contained within the Understanding of this Reality of "i am not" (ani ayn). This is why to every question before this his reply was "no". This is also why `Isa Al-Masih clearly stated that Yahya WAS in fact Eliyahu making his Raja' min Ghaybah:

"As these went their way, Yeshuah began to say to the multitudes concerning Yochanan, 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king's houses. But why did you go out? To see a Nevi (prophet)? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a Nevi. For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my Messenger before your Face, who will prepare your Way before you.' Most assuredly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than Yochanan the immerser; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. From the days of Yochanan the immerser until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Nevi'im (Prophets) and the Torah prophesied until Yochanan. If you are willing to receive it, this is Eliyahu, who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." - Matthew 11:7-15

`Isa Al-Masih was asked about the Raj'a of Nabi Ilyas, as this was prophetically a prerequisite for the coming of "Mashiach."

They asked him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Eliyahu must come first?" He said to them, "Eliyahu indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Adam, that he should suffer many things and be despised? But I tell you that Eliyahu has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him." Mark 9:11-13

And an Angel of Allah proclaimed this to Zakariah: "A Malak of YHWH appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Z'kharyah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the Malak said to him, "Don't be afraid, Z'kharyah, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elisheva (El-Sabat - Elizabeth), will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yochanan. You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of YHWH, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Ruach Ha'Qodesh, even from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Yisra'el to YHWH, their Eloah. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Eliyahu, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the Just; to make ready a people prepared for YHWH." Luke 1:11-17

Open the pages of the Book of Isaiah...Malachi, chapter 4.

IMAM AL-MADHI IN EASTERN TRADITIONS

Most world religions believe in some type of Apocalyptic leader-savior who will come upon Earth during a time of great corruption and destruction. He will usher in a new age of righteousness. Similarly most traditions hold that this individual will come with a complementary helper. In the Judaic tradition it is Eliyahu and Mashiach; in Christianity they are the Two Witnesses of the Book of Revelation (Genesis 18 and 19; Matthew 17:1-6), Christians also anticipating the return of Elijah as one of those Witnesses, as well as anticipating the return of "Christ." In Islam there is the expectation of the Mahdi and Masih. Though the names vary slightly from language to language and culture to culture, the underlying description and often even the names themselves are the same.

In the Hindu tradition the Mahdi or "Elijah" archetype is referred to as the Kalki Avatar. In Buddhism he is called Maitreya, the future Buddha who will renew Buddhist principles and guide others into a state of Nirvana.

Christianity in the West....Buddhism in the East

According to Hindu belief many believe that there have been as many as 28 avatars, there are ten main avatars that are more commonly believed to have come down to earth at various cyclical stages. Interestingly the Qur'an mentions approximately the same number of main Prophets, yet Islamic tradition maintains that there are 124,000 Prophets in all, sent to all nations and peoples.

"And verily We have raised in every nation a Rasul (Messenger), (proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun Taghut (all false deities). Of the people were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth)." Al-Qur'an, Sura 16:36

Such Messengers are referred to in Hinduism as having emerged in different ages of the world, and to have consisted of different proportions of the essence of the Divine. Their number is variously stated, ranging from ten to twenty-eight, finally becoming indefinitely numerous. This is likened to Islam's 28 primary Anbiyah or Prophets, and the seemingly incomprehensible 124,000 Anbiyah who arose throughout all nations and peoples.

WHEN WILL THE KALKI AVATAR COME?

For Hindus, Kalki is the Avatar of the impending age. It is believed that he will come to the earth at the end of an age of Destruction "when corruption is beyond every measure of control, necessitating the end of the world." This end of this age of Destruction is commonly referred to as the Kali Yuga, or dark age. According to the Bhagavad Gita, one of the Hindu Holy Scriptures, an Avatar will come, "Whenever there is decay of righteousness... and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I, Myself come forth... for the destruction of evil-doers for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness. I am born from age to age." - Bhagavad Gita, fourth discourse

The word "Kalki" is actually an abbreviation of the word "Niskalankh." Niskalankh means the same as "My name is," which means "Nirmala," or "spotlessly clean." Something that is spotlessly clean is "Niskalankh" - without any spot marks. Now this incarnation has been described in many Puranas as will be coming on this Earth on a white horse in a village of Sambhalpur. They call it Sambhalpur. However, the literal meaning of the word "Sambhalpur" means "bhal" is the "forehead." "Sambhal" means "at that state." Thus, Kalki is situated at your "bhal." Bhal is the forehead and here he is/was born. That is the real meaning of the word "Sambhalpur." So far from describing a literal place where the Imam Al-Mahdi, the Kalki Avatar must be born, this speaks of his awakening "birth" of consciousness.

The Vishnu Purana, another sacred Vedic text also reflects this belief: "He will then re-establish righteousness upon the Earth, and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, the Age of Purity." - Vishnu Purana 4:24

"Kalki will be the one who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things... [he will] be endowed with eight superhuman faculties. By his irresistible might he will destroy all the barbarians and thieves, and all those whose minds are devoted to iniquity" - Vishnu Purana 4:24

"When deceit, falsehood, lethargy, sleepiness, violence, despondency. grief, delusion, fear, and poverty prevail, that is the Kali Yuga..."

"...mortal beings will become dull-witted, unlucky, voracious, destitute of wealth yet voluptuous, and women, wanton and unchaste?.

"Petty-minded people will conduct business transactions and merchants will be dishonest. In the Kali Yuga, men will abandon their parents, brothers, friends, and relatives. They will occupy high seats and will preach religion. People will have their minds weighed down with constant anxiety and fear. This will be due to devastating famines and heavy taxation. The land will not grow food-crops, and the people will always be in fear of impending droughts."

Note the undeniable similarities between this "Kalki Avatar" and the "Imam al-Mahdi" of Shi'a Islam.

"Listen to the good news about the Mahdi! He will rise at the time when people will be faced with severe conflict and the earth will be hit by a violent quake. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He will fill the hearts of his followers with devotion and will spread justice everywhere." Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51, p. 74

"The world will not come to an end until a man from the descendants of Husayn takes charge of the affairs of the world and fills it with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny." Bihar al-Anwar, 51, p. 73.

WHO IS MAITREYA?

Another clear correlation with the Islamic traditions of the Imam al-Mahdi is the Maitreya Buddha. Maitreya, in Buddhism, is a "being of enlightenment" who is said to reside in Tushita Heaven awaiting rebirth. Maitreya is a "Bodhisattva," a figure who denies himself entry into the Paradise of Nirvana. Maitreya did this out of compassion and his desire to help others. Overtime, Maitreya has evolved into a figure that will free the world from suffering upon his rebirth. Because Buddhism itself is so pervasive in several diverse regions of Asia, Maitreya holds different meanings. Maitreya is as universal to Buddhists as Gautama Siddharttha himself. What remains common is the fact that: "In every Buddhist culture Maitreya is a symbol of hope, of the human aspiration for a better life in the future when the glories of the golden past will be regained" - "Maitreya, the Future Buddha"

Maitreya as described in The Mahaparinirvana Sutra Chapter V, Verses 1-14:

"And Ananda, holding back his tears, said to the Buddha: 'Who will teach us when you are gone?' And the Blessed One answered: 'I am not the first Buddha who has come upon the Earth, nor shall I be the last. In the right time, another Buddha will arise in the world, a Holy One, a Supremely Enlightened One, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, Knowing the Truth, an incomparable leader of men, a Master of Spirit and mortals. He will reveal to you these Eternal Truths. He will preach his Dharma, Glorious in its Origin, Glorious in the Middle, and Glorious in its end, in the Spirit as well as the letter. He will proclaim a life of Dharma, wholly Perfect and Pure, even as I now proclaim.' Ananda said: 'How shall we know him?' And the Buddha said: 'He will be known as Maitreya which means, the friend.'"

BUDDHA IN THE QUR'AN

The initial rejection of this notion by the so-called orthodoxy, is that most mainstream Muslimin do not hold Buddha as a Nabi, and thus render all narrations, from him and all prophecies of the future from the Buddhist tradition as invalid. However, just because one of the 124,000 Anbiyah might not happened to have been mentioned in the Qur'an, this does not make them any less Prophets of Islam. To ensure that no one would be misled by the relatively short list of Prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, it was affirmed that:

"And, indeed We have sent Rusul (Messengers) before you; of some of them We have related to you their story; and of some We have not related to you their story, and it was not given to any Rasul (Messenger) that he should bring a sign except by the Leave of Allah. So, when comes the Commandment of Allah, the matter will be decided with Truth, and the followers of falsehood will then be lost." Qur'an, Sura 40:78

“And Rusul (Messengers) We have mentioned to you before, and Rusul (Messengers) We have not mentioned to you - and to Musa (Moses) Allah spoke directly” Qur'an, Sura 4:164

Nonetheless, Buddha IS a Nabi, and one mentioned in the Qur'an at that.

"And Ismail, and Idris, AND ZHU-L-KIF. All were of the steadfast." Qur'an, Sura 21:85

Zhu-l-Kifl an-Nabi, meaning "the one from Kifl," is mentioned by name twice in the Qur'an; here as well as in Sura 38:48. This title, "Zhu-l-Kifl" (rather than a name), refers to Shakyamuni Buddha. The name "Kifl" is the `Arabic form of "Kapila," an often used form of "Kapila Vastu."

The Yusuf `Ali Commentary on 21:85 says:

"Dhul-Kifl literally means 'possessor of, or giving, a double requital or portion.' It is said that probably Dhul-Kifl is an Arabicized form of Ezekiel." The latter part of this tafsir is unacceptable. Ezekiel is an anglicized version of the Hebrew "Yechezqial" which is "Heziqiyal", in `Arabic.

When i say that "Zhu'l-Kifl" means "the One from Kifl" it is an attempt to translate the meaning, the approximation, into English. The mid-twentieth century Urdu scholar Abu'l-Kalam Azad, in his Quranic commentary Tafsir Sura Fatiha, was the first that i have seen to go on record that the Prophet Zhu'l-Kifl, meant "the one from Kifl," and that this figure, mentioned twice in the Quran (21:85 and 38,48) as patient and good, referred to Gautama Siddharttha (as). Although most scholars identify Zhu'l-Kifl with the Prophet Ezekiel, Azad explained that "Kifl" is the Arabicized form of Kapila, short for Kapila Vastu.

This is not hard to see, since there is no "p" in the `Arabic letters, and words that would normally get a "p" like "Palestine" or "Persia" are given an "Fa." So with that in mind you have the same core consonantal letters of "KFL" for the name of this location. Compare this to the popular notion that "Zhu'l-Kifl" is an `Arabicized form of "Yechezqial." The core consonants are totally different. There is no "qaf" there is an extra "lam" there is a "kaf" instead of a "qaf." There is absolutely no reason to imagine that this is the `Arabic form of Ezekiel. (Unless one understands the "double portion").

Nonetheless, the first part that renders the name as meaning the "possessor of kifl" is correct, since Gautama Siddharttha's father was in fact the ruler of Kapila, and the profound thing about the Buddha was in fact that he was offered anything his heart desired, but he rejected the illusions of the Dunya in pursuit of the enlightenment that he found beneath the Fig Tree.

To be sure, there will be many who out rightly attack this position. They will extol their familiarity with `Arabic as their native language. They will attack myself for not being a product of `Arab or Persian culture. There is not a single word of this text that is concerned with such individuals. As the Qur'an says:

"As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe." Al-Qur'an, Sura 2:6

Such individuals wish to hold some exclusivity on Islamic culture. To such individuals `Arab culture is Islamic culture, and Islamic culture is `Arab culture. The cannot separate the two in their minds, and accordingly their efforts at "dawah" become nothing more than an attempt at imposing cultural assimilation on those who come into the fold of Islam.

To such individuals non-Semitic anbiyah are a major threat. Even though the Qur'an tells us clearly that such individuals were sent to ALL nations and peoples, the status quo of the corrupt `ulama will try to explain away those who do not fit their cultural interpretation. Nevertheless, Muhammad said clearly: "There was a prophet of Allah in India who was dark in color and his name was Kahan."

Notes: "Taarikh-i-Hamdaan Dailami" Baab-ul-Kaaf. See Pocket book p: 854 by Malik Abdur Rehman Khadim 6th edition Published in 1952.

To the status quo that cannot even accept the myriad of ahadith about the Nubian mother of the 12th Imam, such notions would definitely be unpopular to say the least.

WHO WAS THE BUDDHA?

Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. His original name was Siddharth (meaning one who has accomplished). He was also called Sakyamuni, i.e. the sage of the tribe of Sakya. He was born in the year 563 B.C.E. in the village of Lumbini near Kapila Vastu, within the present borders of Nepal.

Moreover, allusion is made in the Ayaat of the fig tree (Ayaat 95:1-5) to the fig as a source of Enlightenment. Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment at the foot of this fig tree. This is a subtle and batini reference to be sure, but it is clear that the Qur'an is referring to the fig as something on par - in terms of Wahy (Revelation) and Ilham - with Mount Sinin (Sinai) which is mentioned in the second Ayah.

Of course this is known by Shaiyatin such as the so-called "Mulla" Umar. This is why he was so zealous in destroying the Buddhist statues that are permitted to remain as national artifacts under Shariah al-Islami. Buddha never claimed to be Allah nor did he ask or instruct that he should be worshipped in any way or form. According to the Dhammapada: "The Jathagatas are only Preachers." He came with the same Risalah that all Anbiyah came with, that there is no god, no deity to be worshiped, there is only Allah. This is the essence of Islam taught by the Buddha, the great Nabi al-Islam, Zhu-l-Kifl.

"And they broke their religion (into sects) between them: to Us shall all come back." Al-Qur'an, Sura 21:93

Some might wonder then why there are all of these "different" religions. Why is there "Buddhism" why "Christianity?" Yet did "Christ" ever utter the word "Christianity?" Did Buddha ever call people to bow before idols of him, or to seek after any state other than "Nirvana" or "Fana?" No, this Ayah clarifies that it was mankind who broke off, diverting in many directions from the original teachings of the Anbiyah. These were not the teachings of the Anbiyah, but rather the sectarianism of man, and the Fitnat'ud-Dajjal.

WHEN WILL MAITREYA COME

Of his own correlative return - as the second of the Two Witnesses - `Isa al-Masih relayed the prophecy: "And you shall hear of wars & rumors of wars...For nation shall rise against nation, & kingdom against kingdom." Matthew 24:7

According to Nicholas Roerich, author of Heart of Asia (c. 1927):

The Last Angel, by Nicholas Roerich

"It is predicted that the manifestations of Maitreya shall come after the wars. But the final war shall be for the cause of the True Teaching. But each one rising up against Shamballa shall be stricken in all his works. And the waves shall wash away his dwellings. (Daniel 9:26; Revelation 17:15). And even a dog shall not answer to his call. No clouds but lightening shall he see on the final night. And the fiery messenger shall rise up on pillars of Light. The Teaching indicates that each warrior of Shamballa shall be named the Invincible. The Lord Himself hastens. And his banner is already above the mountains. Your pasture shall reach the Promised Land (and it is not in Palestine).When you tend your flocks, do you not hear the voices of the stones? These are the toilers of Maitreya, who make ready for you the treasures." Kalki Maitreya

Maitreya is claimed to have said, or it was said of his nature: "Without disturbing anyone, I will chose my moment. Even when you see me, do not run after me. If you run after me, you will lose me. If you parade me, you do not know who I am. I cannot be monopolized - I belong to everyone. I have not come to create followers. Each of you should continue to develop within your own religious tradition. Respect your own religions, your own ideologies - in brief, your own thought form, and you will experience the Master. I do not want you to believe in me. I want you to experience me. If you take one step towards me, I will take two steps towards you. I will lend you my strength. I am always with you." (This, of course, is the Higher Self--the Angelof Divine Presence--speaking to the collective lower self).

"The approaching Maitreya is symbolized with His feet set upon earth-the symbol of haste. It is predicted that the manifestation of Maitreya shall come after the wars. But the final war shall be for the True Teaching. But each one rising up against Shambhala shall be stricken in all his works. And the waves shall wash away his dwelling. And even a dog shall not answer to his call. Not clouds but lightning shall he see on the final night. And the red messenger shall rise up on pillars of Light. (Isaiah 63:1-4; 66:15-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). The teaching indicates that each warrior of Shambhala shall be named the Invincible. "

The traditions surrounding Maitreya describe him taking on a variety of forms, such as a slothful student, a companion of the Buddha, or a kind tutor. In China, he is revered as a folk deity who wanders the country with a third eye in his back. In addition, Chinese emperors and empresses have claimed to be the incarnation of Maitreya in order to achieve political security. Sometime in the 4th or 5th century, Buddhist monks brought the cult of Maitreya to Korea, where followers established him as a god of fertility who grants infants to barren women and answers the prayers of children. In Japan, celebrated teacher Kukai claimed he was Maitreya when he founded the Shingon (Pure Word) sect of Buddhism in the early 9th century. Maitreya remains one of the few bodhisattvas revered in both Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.

At the moment of Maitreya's birth, Buddhist law is said to have completely degenerated, requiring a new revelation. The Islamic perspective is that Gautama Siddharttha, the Qur'anic "Dhu'l-Kifl" did not teach any "ism" or schism. He did not teach "Buddhism" but rather taught us the Natural Religion, the Religion of Nature, the "Din al-Fitrah" as Muhammad called Islam. In Truth he taught that there is No god only Allah, and that Nirvana, or "Fana" in `Arabic, is attained through Submission, literally "Islam" to Allah.

By some accounts, Maitreya will lead all beings still trapped in the cycle of rebirths to nirvana. Others maintain that he will preach for 60,000 years, after which he will enter nirvana and his doctrine will endure for another 10,000 years. This is remarkably similar to the 50,000 year Zaman al-Masih or Era of the Messiah in Islam. It is mentioned in the Qur'an as the day whose measure is 50,000 years. This is clarified by the great `Arif Mulla Sadra who accurately interpreted that this 50,000 year "Yawm" is the Day of Resurrection, or "Yawm Al-Qiyyamah."

"Al-Mala'ikah (The Angels) and Ar-Ruh (the Spirit/Primordial Messiah) Ascend unto Hu (Allah) in a Day the measure whereof is 50,000 years." Al-Qur'an, Sura 70:4

In Sura 70:4 we are told that the Malaikah and the Ruh will Ascend to Hu over the course of 50,000 Dunya years. This refers to the 50,000 year Zaman Al-Masih that will transpire after the Rise of Al-Qa'im and the 309 Reign of Mahdi Al-Hussayn, the successor to Imam Al-Mahdi. Mulla Sadra commented on these Quranic words by explaining that "those of old (al-awwalin)" means "your fathers and those who came before you." "Those of later time (al-akhirin)" stands for "those who will come after your time." He interprets the words "an appointed day (miqat yawm ma'lum)" as "the time of promise (ajal) that Allah appointed to his servants, and the Day of Resurrection (yawm al-qiyamah)." After a brief quotation from al-Zamakhshari's Qur'anic commentary on a grammatical point, he interprets the Day as follows:

"It is a day which encompasses all the created, for it includes all days on account of its extent being fifty thousand years. In a similar way, the Earth of the place of resurrection (mahshar) has the capacity to receive all of them, for it contains all the earth. This is confirmed by `Urafa (Mystics). The ma'iyah (togetherness) with, and the jam'iyah (comprehensiveness) of the created are of a kind different from that of temporal or spatial togetherness. In what mode is it? The totality of separate times does not constitute another time and the totality of separate spaces does not constitute another space. The totality of al-dar (this world) has no world except in the sense that it has another mode of being."

1999-2003: TRANSITION FROM THE KALI YUGA TO THE SAYA YUGA

The most startling correlation between these traditions however, is the dating. While Shi'a Islam teaches that no one knows the exact date of the Imam's Rise to political and military power, we DO believe that he has been with us for some time. We believe that the Earth is in fact NEVER devoid of the Hujjat'ullah. Nonetheless, we are given the sign of the double eclipse of the Holy Month of Ramadan as indication of the imminence of the Rise. That double eclipse occurred both when the Imam was 28 years old, and it is also occurring for the last time in hundreds and hundreds of years this very year of 2003. More significantly, it is occurring this last time in the exact same way that Imam al-Baqir foretold that it would.

1975 - 2003 (28 YEARS)

Not coincidentally, the Kali Yuga officially ends transition into the Saya Yuga - thus closing the possible time frame for the Kalki Avatar to emerge - in the summer of 2003. These are signs for those who reflect.

There should be no doubt for the true Mu'min that the Maitreya, the Kalki Avatar and the Imam al-Mahdi are ALL the exact same anticipated figure. The question that you now face is what does this mean to you. Can these worldwide correlations be mere coincidence? Can this be all just superstition and legends of the ancients?

"And of them there are some who hearken to you, and We have laid veils upon their hearts lest they understand it, and in their ears a heaviness; and (even) if they see every sign they will not believe in it, so that when they come to you they dispute with you, those who disbelieve say : ' This is nothing but the legends of the ancients'." Al-Qur'an, Sura 6:25

While those who chose not to see what is laid plainly before them will scoff and doubt, these correlations just further reaffirm the resolve of the true partisans of the Imam al-Mahdi, those who await, educate and train themselves and others in the unwavering FAITH that his Rise is IMMINENT.

Has Such a Sign Ever Happened Before?

Lunar and solar eclipses occur often during the same month. However, they do NOT occur often during the month of Ramadan. Of those that do occur every couple of hundred years or so, almost all are in fact "partial" eclipses which are not considered "true eclipses" nor can such partial eclipses be seen without telescopic enhancement. There is no question as to whether these were considered eclipses in the past, since these were completely unobservable. We know that the Shi'a Hadith on this matter clarifies that "...in a certain month of Ramadan there will be an eclipse of the moon on the first of the three nights usual for such eclipses and in the same month in the second of three days assigned for the solar eclipse there will occur an eclipse of the sun."

Accordingly we know that, while it is significant that the first of such signs in the month of Ramadan since it's implementation as the month of the Islamic fast occurred when the Imam was 28, the REAL significance is in the fact that it is THIS Shahar Ramadan in which the alignment that Imam Al-Baqir foretold will be fulfilled.

So our beloved Imam was ALREADY with us for 28 years when this double eclipse happened. We also know that the one of 2003 will be the last FULL Double Eclipse in the Month of Ramadan for many hundreds of years. Taken in conjunction with all of the other signs of the times, and with the Eastern traditions that relay the Kalki Avatar will emerge in the year 2003, there can be little doubt as to the significance of this pair of Eclipses in 2003.

So we are not told that the Ramadan eclipse at the advent of his return has NEVER happened - in fact we KNOW it happened for the first recorded time when our Imam was 28 years old. We are told only that this will be the sign of his return. It will not signify that his return is "close" but it will signify that the "Great Tribulation" of the Dajjal is close as Sura al-Qiyamah alludes to. We know that this reference in Al-Qur'an cannot be the double eclipse of the Imam's 28th year in 283 AH/896 CE, because we are told that in the "Day of That" people will ask "where is the refuge,” or "where can we fly to." Accordingly, these Ayaat specify, “In the Day of That” - not in a day hundreds of years later.

Guru Granth Sahib says in the scripture sacred to the Sikhs: "When the Nishkalank Avtar will appear, his coming will be proclaimed unto the whole world; and the sun and the moon will give his evidence."

We also know that the double eclipse of the Imam's return is the one referenced in the following earlier Kutub Al-Anbiya...

"The stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine" - Isaiah 13:10

Similarly we read: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Adam in heaven." - Matthew 24:29

Here it is confirmed that "then shall appear the sign of the Son of Adam in Heaven." This is a different sign than the aforementioned double Ramadan eclipse that is noted earlier in that same verse. The final "sign of the Son of Adam in Heaven" is a sign of the return of `Isa Al-Masih, as he was referred to by himself and by other as the Son of Adam, including in the book of Matthew which that prophecy was reported.

So we know that the double eclipse of the most significance was not the one of 283 AH/896 CE, as that one was not also corresponding with the return of `Isa Al-Masih, as the one in Az-Zaman Ad-Dajjal will be.

What Did the A’immah Say About the Timing of the Eclipses In the Month, As Opposed to Non-Shi'a Ahadith?

Dar’ul-Qutni reports to have heard from Imam Muhammad Baqir the following statement: “Our Mahdi shall be accompanied by two signs the like of which have not happened since the creation of the heaven and the earth, namely, that in a certain month of Ramadan there will be an eclipse of the moon on the first of the three nights usual for such eclipses and in the same month in the second of three days assigned for the solar eclipse there will occur an eclipse of the sun.”

This version clarifies “the first of three nights usual for such eclipses.” This is a very big difference than the Sunni misinterpretation that says “the first of three nights” - which implies that the eclipse would be during the beginning of the month and thus invisible. Al-hamdulillah, the majority of narrations on this matter are scientifically sound. The A’immah told us that we should use Reason above miracles. Muhammad also told us to seek out `Ilm (science) even if we must go to China. We must never trade Reason and Science for fantasy and myth....

The Lunar Eclipse has occurred on the 13th of Shahar Ramadan, "the first of the days usual for such eclipses" as was said by Imam Al-Baqir. And the Solar Eclipse is on the 23rd of November. This is the 28th day of Shahar Ramadan, "the second of three days assigned for the solar eclipse." There can be no denying the matter. We are given the specific days of the eclipse in the range of days in which they can feasibly occur. The Double Eclipse of Shahar Ramdan 2003 has come to pass on the EXACT dates that Imam al-Baqir foretold.

Lisan al-Arabi is another famous Arabic lexicon. Under the term “qamar” it says that is, the term “qamar” is used after the third night up to the end of the month. Muhammad used the term “qamar” and not “hilal.” Thus, it could not be the moon of the first night, as wrongly interpreted. To believe that the solar system will somehow change is scientifically ridiculous. If such a thing were to happen then this would throw the tides into disarray as well as cause other acts contrary to nature. Also there is the question of what would make the Earth and Moon change their course to accomplish such an eclipse at the times contrary to nature? Certainly the Anbiya observed signs of natural occurrences, they did not foretell of signs where Allah alters nature just to make a point. Rather it is the other way around, in the occurrences of nature, and the movements of heavenly bodies are signs for those who reflect. When the Anbiya observed these they realized the meanings of the signs. This does not mean that said signs are a result of Divine alteration to the natural order of the Universe, but rather that the Divine illuminated those with eyes to see to have a glimpse of what these astrological signs mean.

BUT AREN'T WE TOLD THAT NO ONE KNOW THE TIME?

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salma ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn Hassa’n from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Kathir who has said the following:

"Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abd'ullah that Mihzam came in and said to the Imam, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, enlighten me about this matter that we wait for. When it will take place?" The Imam said, "O Mihzam, those who give it definite time have lied, the expediting ones perish and salvation is for those who are submissive."

Notes: H 917, Ch. 82, h 2

“I asked Abu ‘Abd'ullah, about al-Qa’im. He said, ‘Those who give it a definite time have spoken lies. We, Ahl al-Bayt, do not set a definite time.’”

Notes: Al-Kafi, H 918, Ch. 82, h 3

Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn ’Isma‘il al-Anbari from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Ibrahim ibn Mihzam from his father who has said the following.

“We mention before Abu ‘Abd'ullah the kings from the descendants of so and so. The Imam said, "People have perished due to their haste for this matter. Allah does not expedite it because of the haste of people. For this matter, there is a goal towards which it proceeds. Once they will reach that goal they then will not be able to move it forwards or backwards, even by one hour.”

Notes: Al-Kafi, H 922, Ch. 82, h 7

Certainly only Allah knows the specific date and time of Mahdi’s Rise but we do know that as the signs are revealed his return will be confirmed, exponentially increasing confirmation will be given as to the immanence of his return from occultation. For instance, once he is actually here - whether he says "i am the Mahdi and i am here" or not - then certainly only Allah KNEW the time of his return, but OBVIOUSLY at some point that knowledge will be revealed, not only to the Ummah at large, but first to his Inner Circle of 12 (11 and his Wazir), and then to the 313 Taliyah Al-Mahdi.

There is no Hadith that says we will NEVER know when he will return. For the sign could be a sign that his return IS ALREADY HAPPENING. He might already be among us, just as the first double eclipse happened when the Imam was already alive for a number of years. Significantly all astrological reports confirm that this is the last double eclipse during the month of Ramadan to occur in the foreseeable future. In 2,155 one will come close but it will not actually be a full eclipse and will not be visible to the naked eye - and thus is not a true eclipse, nor was it considered one at all in the time of Muhammad and the A'immah.

Would it not reason that if this is the sign of the Rise of the Imam then the last one for at least many hundreds of years - when all of the other signs have been revealed - will be of a great significance? Essentially it comes down to accepting that this will be the double eclipse in the month of Ramadan that signifies his return from occultation, or not accepting such a sign at all. Since all of the other signs have been fulfilled that are required before his Rise, then there no reason but lack of Iman to doubt this clear proof of his presence among us.

The wise shall understand...(Daniel 12:10).

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, He will shew them His covenant...(Psalm 25:14)

Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know Him not see His days?...(Job 24:1)

Surely the Lord will do nothing but He revealeth His secrets to His servants the prophets. The Lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord hath spoken, who can but prophecy?...(Amos 3:7)

.Measure thou the time diligently...Then shalt thou understand that it is the very time wherein the Highest will begin to visit the world which He made.

Therefore, when there shall be seen earthquakes and uproars of people in the world, then shalt thou well understand that the Most High spake of these things from the days that were before thee...

The times of the Highest have plain beginnings in wonders and powerful works, and endings in effects and signs...(2 Esdras 9:2-6)

He answered them, When it is evening (where the Sun sets in the West) you say, it will be fair weather for the sky is red, and in the morning (where the Sun rises in the East), it will be stormy for the sky is RED and lowering (descending)...

Hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of heaven but ye cannot discern the sign of the times...(Matthew 16:1-3).

In the latter days ye will consider it perfectly...(Jeremiah 23:20)

When the spirit of Truth shall come...(John 16:1-21)

Certainly one can be skeptical and doubt the matter just as the majority of the Ummah doubted the matter in 283 AH/896 CE. Allah has already told us in advance that most will not accept this sign and both Sunni and Shi'a masses will at first reject the Imam when he returns.

The sign of the double Ramadan eclipse does not mean our Imam will Rise on that specific date. In fact there are two dates in that month, so it would be impossible for it to be a calculation of THE date of his return. Rather it is a sign that his return is upon us, meaning that he may by that time already be returned but just not Risen to power.

We should not necessarily expect our Imam to Rise to power by that time, but it would be nothing short of lack of Iman to doubt that he will have returned in the context of planning his Rise with his 313 Mujahidin by that time. When Allah and the Anbiya and the A'immah tell us that this is what that sign means then who are we to second-guess them? Certainly his military Rise (not in the literal, or carnal sense) will take some time and coordination after that. But the Shi'a should know that his presence among us in a direct leadership capacity is assured by this sign, to all who recognize him at his appearance.

We cannot foresee the day Imam Mahdi will rise, but if Allah gives us a sign as monumental as this one, we can be sure that it is meant for us, not for people many years later. When a sign that we are told holds the weight of 10 Signs occurs, we would be foolish to imagine that this is a sign for any generation but this one. This does NOT mean that we know the time of his Rise, but it does mean we know that this is the Age of his Rise. However, a person should not say that this sign does not mean much in and of itself since we are told in fact that it means as much as 10 signs. So even if one is of the presumption that there are 10 more signs to be fulfilled then we are told that this sign alone is worth as much as them all put together. These are signs for those of Iman.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Sahl ibn al-Hasan al-Khurasani who was one of the followers of ahlul-bayt in khurasan (a province in Iran) came to Medina to meet imam Ja'far As-Sadiq. Sahl al-Hhurasani said: “O son of the Rasul Allah! You are of the A’immah of Ahl’ul-Bayt. What prevents you from getting your right (i.e. the rule) while you find more than one hundred thousand Shi'a who are ready to fight for you?” The Imam asked him to sit down, and then ordered to turn on the oven that was in the house. after the oven became very hot and turned red, the Imam said: “O Khurasani step into the oven and sit in it.” The Khurasani said: “My master, o son of the Rasul Allah! Do not punish me by fire and make it easy for me.” At this time, Harun al-Makki entered the room, and after the greetings exchanged, the Imam told him to put down his shoes and to sit down inside the oven. He did so and the Imam started talking to Sahl about Khurasan as if nothing has happened. After some time, the Imam said: “O Khurasani stand up and look inside the oven.” Sahl looked into the oven and saw Harun sitting cross-legged inside the fire. Then Imam As-Sadiq asked Harun to come out of oven and he came out healthy with no burn or injury. At this time, the Imam asked Sahl: “How many individuals do you know in Khurasan like this man?” Sahl replied: “By Allah, not even one.” The Imam confirmed his saying and said, “We do not rise at this time when we do not even have five helpers (like him). We know better about the proper time.”

Notes: al-bihar, v47, p123, hadith #172; also in manaqib by ibn shahr ashub

In preparation for the advent of the return of Al-Qaim we should ask ourselves some very serious questions. Firstly, are we personally ready for his return, or are we secretly longing for his return at sometime in the hypothetical future, so the burden of being among his Taliyah is not set upon us? Are we ready for the hard life that he will call us to?...

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the First Resurrection: on such the Second death (the death of the body itself) hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a (figurative period of a) thousand years...(Revelation 20:6).

(The Thousand years has to do with the Mystery of the Tree of Life, with the number Six--or the Kaaba--hidden in the center of it , thus with the mathematical/cubic multiple of 10 X 10 X 10. The number 1,000 then, represents the mind coming to spiritual perfection, and particularly the mind of those who can perceive the Mystery of Jerusalem Descending...Revelation 21:16):

THE EAST

THE WEST

(See Chapter 2).

The Kaaba in Mecca is a holy replica-below of the Greater Kaaba and the Holy City Above. It was Allah's means of keeping the children of the East connected to the higher Mysteries, and to the things that are about to unfold here at the Western ends of the earth....(Galatians, chapters 3 and 4...KJV).

Muhammad himself said: "Happiness is for the one who will attend the Qa'im of my Ahl'ul-Bayt and will follow him before his rise. This person will love his (Qa'im's) lovers and hate his enemies, and will accept the leadership of the A'immah from before his advent. These ones are my friends, and are the most sincere members of my Ummah whom I honor very much."

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 129

We must purify every aspect of our lives. Our Din and Iman must be ever-increasing in strength towards perfection. We should ask ourselves what our time would be best spent doing. Instead of wasting our lives away we must begin training for the inevitable. While many suffer throughout the world, millions of Muslimin sit back and passively accept oppression and tyranny as “the way things are.” For the true Muslim, complicity is no longer an option.

We must look at our diets and strive to eat healthy and eliminate the poison food and cigarettes that the system of Dajjal has force fed the world. We must take exercise very seriously and if we are not already, begin a serious strength and endurance enhancement program. We should all be training in Martial Arts. We all should familiarize ourselves with modern weapons and weapon-craft, as well as combat tactics on par with or superior to those of our enemies. Every one who wishes to be counted among the Shi’a Al-Mahdi should obtain a high-quality combat handgun and rifle of common model and caliber as the Taliyah Al-Mahdi. (Our author betrays himself now, is confused, and has lost his spiritual focus. The Mahdi of Light has not come to mortally slay any other living soul, but rather to deliver those caught in the throes of warfare, to do battle with those who do kill others in the guise of Light. This is the great difference that exist between the literal dimensions of Islam and the secret doctrines of Christianity. One bows down in absolute submission to Allah's will Five times a day, the other is commanded to "stand upon their Feet", as sons and daughters of God, and as heirs to God's kingdom...Matthew 5:1-19):

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

For the weapons of OUR warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;

Casting down imaginations, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, WHEN OUR OWN OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED...(2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the Power of HIS MIGHT.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (the collective power of man's own lower nature).

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (against others human beings in the literal sense), but against principalities, against powers, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth, and having on the breastplate of Righteousness.

AND YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.

Above all, taking the shield of Faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of Salvation, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD...(Ephesians 6:10-17).

If the prophecies of the 313 Mujahidin of the Mahdi strike you as unbelievable, and if you rightly recognize that you will never achieve such mastery of the mystic-warrior arts on your own - if you are asking yourself how to begin this monumental task of training for the coming Jihad against the system of Dajjal - then you should contact the Taliyah Al-Mahdi immediately to begin our “Path to Perfection” training lessons. You will be trained in every aspect of Din, `Irfan, Martial Arts, Firearms, modern weaponry, tactics, natural healing, dietary purity, exercise, strength and fitness...

And now we have come to the heart of the matter, to the conflict that God has both created and exploited in man, between his own natural, lower impulses, and his Christ-conscious mind that is struggling to be born. Islam is the conflict. Christ is the solution. One must now consider Chapter 18: The Mystery of Islam.

Islam has been a Sword in the Hand of Allah, an instrument of judgment. Islam is ultimately a judgment upon itself. Islam is the way of Peace for those who know the ways of Peace.

“Are you not pleased that your enemies are busy with each other [in conflict], while you are safe in your homes? When our Qa'im arises each one of you will gain the energy of forty men. Your heart will become like pieces of iron, which, if hurled against mountains, will break them through. You will be the leaders of the world and its keepers.” - Imam Al-Baqir

Allah does not Reveal to us signs with no importance or reason. The time of passive acceptance of wickedness, and kufr is passed. The time of complicity in the face of Dajjal’s war on Islam is no longer a reality that we can accept. Allowing the nations of Yajuj and Majuj to colonize and oppress the entirety of the world is not something that the true Shi’a can stand for. Now is the time of our Imam’s Rise. Now is the time to throw off the shackles of this world. Now is the time to prepare for battle and move forward to Eden!

“If our Shi’a would be firm on their promises wholeheartedly, our meeting would not be delayed.” - Imam Al-Mahdi.

We are not waiting for our Imam, he is waiting for us!
http://www.taliyah.org

Please see"

War

Chapter 17, The Allegory of Holy Warfare

Chapter 18, The Mystery of Islam