Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani's Message
on the 15th of Sha'aban

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful
السلام على مهدي الامم و جامع الكلم

Peace and greetings of Allah, prophets, angels and the Infallibles be upon  the last reserve of the existence, the last hope of the righteous and the oppressed, Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) with whose coming the entire creeds, faiths and religions will become crystal clear.  Indeed, the entire prophets and messengers of God have been awaiting his reappearance and all the nations end up in him. He is the one who will unite all Muslims under one cause, which is God's supreme cause (کلمة الله هي العلیا). He will hoist the monotheistic flag on the pinnacle of existence.  He will give an end to all waitings from the beginning of existence to the end.  The universe will reach its peak of perfection with his global government.

The truth is that, the belief in Mahdism has not been and is not exclusive to a particular sect or religious denomination. What some ignorant fanatics relate about Mahdism being particular to Shia is absolutely false and unwarranted.   The doctrine of Mahdism and belief in the reappearance of a savior has not only been substantiated in theological and ideological books but it exists as a glad-tiding in the teachings of all Islamic sects and the various denominations in spite of their differences. The Ahl-e Sunnat have mentioned many a number of traditions in this respect in their source books.  It has been reported in Sunan Abi Dawood volume 2 pg. 107 tradition number 4284 as such: Umm Salmah, one of the Holy Prophet's wives heard the Prophet (pbuh) say: المهدي من عترتي من وُلد فاطمة""  (Mahdi is from my progeny, from Fatima's children).  What is inferred from this prophetic tradition and the likes of such narrations is that the title (Mahdi) had existed in the previous nations and religions as well but in this statement the holy Prophet (pbuh) clears the doubt and leaves no ambiguity; he explicitly states that Mahdi is from his progeny and from the children of his own daughter, Zahra (a.s.).

    There is no doubt that there exist Mutawatir (frequently reported) narrations from the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh) about Mahdism and the promise of Mahdi's reappearance. These reports have been uniquely mentioned in the books written by Muslim scholars.  In addition to these clear and unambiguous narrations, a study of the human history gives us such a promise. In this quest, obviously the humans have been yearning for a life combined with peace, justice, righteousness and spirituality. This is a desire ingrained in man's God-gifted nature. He has been leaving no stone unturned to obtain them so he has been pursuing them knowingly and consciously through the abs and flows of his life. He has fought hurdles, lies, discriminations and falsehood in search of his quest.  The fight against falsehood is still going on in different levels and forms.  

In any case, this incessant battle between right and wrong, truth and falsehood creates events and makes history but what is certain is that the history ultimately will be clear and promising, truth shall triumph and justice will prevail, falsehood will be uprooted; this is the philosophy of the reappearance.

All must know that they should be hopeful towards the future.  They should not consider tomorrow like the past or the present day. In the future the righteous ones shall triumph, the unjust and wrongdoers are doomed to defeat and destruction.  Surely, there is hidden light in the depth of all darkness.  

 {And it is He who takes them out of darkness into light.}  Such is the divine tradition in which great, free and noble men come out of the darkness of animosities, injustice and anxieties so as to replant the tree of justice, faith, love, knowledge, unity and sympathy.

Yes, these traditions show God's wisdom and will while indicating that the world has not been created in vain and that injustice cannot and must not continue to exist.  It teaches the humans entirely that the earth and the skies stand up only with justice. This is the principle, the principle of the victory of truth, upon which the entire universe is based.  

We bring forward the Truth to crush and destroy falsehood; it is doomed to be banished. Woe to you for your way of thinking about God! (Quran 21:18).

    We are now-a-days witnessing heartrending scenes here and there in the world. The flag of injustice, aggression and discrimination is hoisted on the peak of the world's geography. Corruption rules all economical, cultural, ethical and political spheres of human life. Class distinctions, exploitations in different new forms, state terrorism under the name of combat against terrorism, violation of human rights under the pretext of protecting human rights, occupying Muslim countries in the name of bringing democracy are evidences of the death of justice and fadedness of virtue and human values. Thus, a complete and comprehensive reformer is required to come and give an end to all these evils and establish a just and Quarnic society.

Now that we are living in the period of occultation and deprivation from the presence of the Imam (a.s.), we should prepare ourselves by awaiting his reappearance unflinchingly and by fulfilling our duties in the best possible manner. We should not be deceived by corrupt individuals who are using every means to reach their earthly objectives. 

    We must learn religion from those who are well-informed and well-versed in it. We must apply the correct and profound form of the culture of 'waiting' in our society and in its all strata so that we may finally have a perfect society which would be based on Mahdaviyat values.  We should avoid discord and differences and continue to uphold the Islamic revolution by adhering to the teachings of the school of Ahlalbayt (a.s.) and maintaining our unity and cordiality so that, if God willing, we can hand it (Islamic revolution) over to the Imam of the Time,– may Allah hasten his reappearance.

I thank all those individuals, groups of people and associations that are involved in holding gatherings, ceremonies, seminars and processions to respect the symbols and rites of the religion and acquaint the new generation with the Imam (a.s.).  I pray to Almighty Allah to reward them profusely.

Muhammad Fazel Lankarani
13/ Sha'ban/ 1427