Article ID: 16

Article Date: 2011-02-09

Writer: Ayatollah Javadi Amoli

The response of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli to questions about the possibility of the long life of Imam Mahdi

Ayatollah Javadi Amoli⁽¹⁾ answers :

1 - How is the existence of the holy Imam Mahdi justified from a philosophical perspective? Is there a philosophical reason to affirm His existence?

Regarding the blessed existence of Imam Mahdi, an "intellectual proof of possibility" is presented; that is, based on rational judgment, it is possible for a perfect human to have a long lifespan.
We are accustomed to seeing short lifespans. However, if a person is aware of all natural causes and factors, arranges what is beneficial for them, and avoids what is harmful, they can lead a long life. This matter is extraordinary; it is not beyond reason. A "miracle" is also something that is extraordinary, but not beyond reason. Science has not yet accessed such phenomena, as science pertains to ordinary matters rather than extraordinary ones. Miraculous occurrences take place in matters that are contrary to the norm.

2 - How is the Life of Imam Mahdi Justified Scientifically?

First:

The long life of Imam Mahdi is contrary to habit but not contrary to causality; that is, it is not typical for someone to live for a thousand or ten thousand years, but in an extraordinary manner (an exception to the norm), this is possible.

Second:

If we understand what a human being is and who governs their body, this question will not even arise for us; for example, such questions do not arise at all for the mystics and great philosophers.
I once visited a respected dentist who mentioned that some people's teeth can remain healthy and unbroken for a hundred years; however, if steel works for a hundred years day and night, it becomes worn out. The reason is that when steel and iron wear out, nothing replaces them; however, a person's teeth are replaced every day, with new cells taking the place of dead and old ones.
With this explanation, all the particles of the body are in a state of movement and replacement, and the human soul controls all the movements of these particles. Now, if a perfect human soul oversees the best replacement of cells contrary to the norm and exerts precise control over various parts of the body, a perfect human could potentially live for millions of years (this is something that has been validated by modern medicine).
" Mulla Rumi "⁽²⁾ gives an example: If you sit for a day or night beside a flowing river, where the water moves gently, and you observe the reflection of the sun or moon in it, you will notice that hundreds of reflections come and go, yet you feel as if you have been facing the first reflection for hours, whereas the mirrors and multiple reflections come and go every moment.
He beautifully expresses in a poem:
“Water has transformed in this atmosphere several times - the reflections of the moon and the reflections of the stars remain.”
He expresses beautifully in another lyric poem:
"O brother, you are the very thought- The rest of you is merely bone and root."
Therefore, if someone recognizes the soul and its dominion over their body and understands the flow, movements, and replacement of the particles of the body as being under the control of the soul, and if they have some familiarity with wisdom and mysticism, then the question of how a human can live for one or two million years or more would not arise for them. If the connection between the soul and the Creator of the universe was such that it endowed a specific power beyond that of ordinary individuals, one could manage, as they govern their own body, the external environment as well, for everything outside their soul also falls under its governance.
The esteemed presence of Imam Ali states in the "Qas'ah" sermon of the precious book of Nahj al-Balaghah: "I was in the presence of the Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him) when the polytheists of Hijaz said to him, 'If you are a prophet, bring us a miracle so that we may believe in you.' They then said, 'Command half of the tree in front of you to separate from the other half and come to you.' The Prophet replied, 'If I do this, will you believe?' They said, 'Yes.' Imam Ali continues, 'I saw that the tree split in two, one half remained in its place while the other half moved forward until its branches were upon our shoulders.'
The polytheists then said, 'Command the other half to move from its place and come to you as well.' The noble Prophet Muhammad completed this task too. Then they said, 'Command both halves of the tree to rejoin and return to their original position.' Despite all of this, the polytheists still did not believe.
All miracles and extraordinary occurrences are beyond normality, but not beyond reason. The impossibility of reason, such as 2×2=5, does not allow for any miracles or extraordinary phenomena;^{(Explatation)} nonetheless, the life of Imam Mahdi is beyond normality, but not beyond reason.

3 - What is the Qur'anic evidence for the existence of Imam Mahdi?

The late Kulayni, in his esteemed book Al-Kafi, has narrated in a chapter about the Imams (peace be upon them)⁽³⁾ to refer to Surah "Al-Qadr"⁽⁴⁾ It is mentioned in Surah Al-Qadr that every year there is a Night of Decree, during which angels, accompanied by the esteemed Gabriel, descend to the earth with all decrees and matters.
When the angels bring down the decrees and matters to the earth, they must entrust them to someone, as ordinary individuals cannot host the angels and receive the issued decrees. Therefore, the only one who serves as the host for the angels and receives these affairs and destinies is the blessed Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him). Thus, according to the narrations cited by the late Kulayni, it is understood that on the Night of Decree, when all the angels, along with Gabriel (peace be upon him) or the Spirit, bring down the decrees of affairs, they must deliver them to someone and report to him; the recipient of these affairs is, in fact, the blessed Imam Mahdi.

4 - How can we recognize Imam Mahdi?

Recognition is of two types: "historical recognition" and "true recognition," the latter being more important than the former. The significant issue is that we should recognize that blessed figure in truth, and He should see us; it is not merely about our ability to see Him.
During the time of the Prophet of Islam, who holds a higher status than all Imams, many people saw that blessed existence. However, God the Exalted stated about them: “You see them looking at you, but they do not see” (Quran, Surah Al-A'raf, Verse 198). They have the ability to see, but they do not possess insight⁽⁵⁾ The skill lies in being in a state where the blessed Imam Mahdi can see us.
In the Holy Quran, it is stated that God, who is all-seeing, will not look at certain individuals on the Day of Resurrection: “...and God will not speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor purify them...” (Surah Al-Imran, Verse 77). His honorable gaze⁽⁶⁾ is not directed at those individuals.
If we move on the right path, that blessed figure will see us.

Footnotes:

1. Ayatollah Abdullah Javadi Amoli (born 1933) is a theologian, philosopher, mystic, Quran interpreter, and one of the most prominent Shia religious authorities in Iran. In the Shia sect, a religious authority refers to a qualified jurist (faqih) whom people consult on religious and jurisprudential matters and follow. In other words, a religious authority is someone who derives legal rulings based on their knowledge and expertise in Islam and guides people in religious matters.
2. Mulla Rumi, also known as Maulana, Molavi, and Rumi, is one of the greatest and most prominent Persian poets and mystics. He lived in the 7th century AH (13th century AD). He is globally renowned for his works, especially "Masnavi Ma'navi" and "Ghazaliyat-e Shams," which have been translated into various languages.
3. Referring to the 12 Imams in Shia belief.
4. The 97th Surah of the Quran that has 5 verses. It is a chapter with few and short verses but with very great and magnificent meanings.
5. Insight (Basirat) in language means sight, clear vision, and knowledge. In terminology, it refers to a deep and intrinsic understanding of issues, especially vital and spiritual matters. Insight goes beyond mere visual perception and involves grasping the truth and essence of matters.
6. Honorable gaze refers to the attention and importance given to an individual or issue in a way that reflects the high status and dignity of that individual or matter. This type of gaze is usually accompanied by respect, reverence, and admiration.

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