فصلنامه انتظار موعود
سال هجدهم شماره 64 (بهار 1398)

Since the absence of the Divine Caliphate is a special phenomenon for the mankind, and will naturally lead to the wonders and surprises, and in the other hand, based on the Qur’an teachings, the basis of creation and the keyword to the “creation” is “servitude” and “worship”; then, here the question arises that at the time of the absence of “the Friend of God”, who is/are responsible for preparing the ground for showing the path of servitude by identifying the crises of the time of Occultation and introducing the Imam of the Time (A.S) for the Ummah? For this goal, what strategies have been drawn for the Shiites?
The method of this research is descriptive-analytic, and based on library studies. This article, following the extensive studies in historical and narrative sources with a new research, has offered a comprehensive analysis on the divine, individual, social and religious functions of the sons of Imam Reza (A.S) in preparing the future Shiites to accept the vicegerency of the absent Imam and obey the special and general deputies (of the Imam). They also have prevented the Shiites from being caught in the traps spread by the false devourers and claimants.

The present study, with the aim of institutionalizing a qualitative approach to the issue of symptoms of appearance (of the Imam) expresses the most important theories to explain the Sufiyani-related traditions. This article is organized based on the descriptive-analytic method and is a qualitative research in terms of data used.
To answer the question of what the importance of the explanation of theories in approaching the Sufyani-related theories is, this paper emphasizes that along with the development of analysis n this regard, analytical attitudes have also expanded. What has been less explored in such studies is analytical typology and critique of thoughts and theories in this regard and also what critiques are raised related to these theories or what theory is more compatible with narrative and historical evidences. Also, according to which group of hadiths, one can criticized these theories.
The results show that “the approach of denying Sufiyani-related signs”, “the approach of skepticism to Sufiyani-related traditions”, “approving approach” are the most important theories in approaching the traditions related to the signs of appearance (of the Imam).

Imam Mahdi (A.S) has a special place in the view of Balervis and they regard him as the last Imam and the inward and outward caliph of the present era and believe that he will be both the end to the vicegerency and the last Imam and caliph for the Ummah. In Balervis’ view, Imam Mahdi (A.S) is the twelfth Imam on the earth and the last Divine caliph who has both the outward and inward caliphate. Thus, they consider Imam Mahdi (A.S) as the last friend of God and the man of order at the present age. Balervis consider the appearance of Imam Mahdi (A.S) as the sign of resurrection and believe he will be the reference for all God’s friends and they will conform to him from all over the world. At the time of his appearance, Jesus Christ will conform to him and proclaim his Imamate. In the present paper, with the descriptive-analytic method, and based on library studies, we investigate the position of caliph of the present age from outward and inward aspect based on the Balervi’s view and we conclude that Balervis have a great deal in common with the Twelver Shiites. Strengthening these commonalities will play an important role in the unity of Islamic religions.

One of the harmful components for the followers of the prophets and the infallible Imams in various ages is “Iste’jal”, which has become more appealing in the case of the appearance of Imam of the Time (A.S) due to the long period of Occultation. The variety in the verses and traditions on the subject of haste, making someone to haste and asking for the haste, has put Iste’jal in an obscure position. The following paper, with a descriptive-analytic method, attempts to examine the normality and abnormality of Iste’jal by placing it in the measure of verses and traditions.
Form the viewpoint of the Qur’an and traditions, there is a difference between Iste’jal and Ta’jeel[1] in relation to the issue of appearance. Iste’jal is an indecent and rejected issue; because, ignorance is its reason and it is harmful. Therefore, the verses of the Qur’an and traditions have forbidden the believers from falling into the swamp of Iste’jal and have proposed the “attitudinal” and “behavioral” approaches which are “approximation” and “submission” respectively to confront this issue.


[1] To be in a hurry to do something, acceleration.

The “Grace consensus” was first proposed by Sheikh Tusi as a way to discover the saying of the Infallible. Proposing this issue, he was looking for a way to find a solution in the problem that existed in a consensus on the authoritativeness; and that the consensus of the scholars was not valid by itself and without the Imam’s saying, and by recognizing the saying of the Imam, there is not room for others’ sayings. To solve this problem, Sheikh Tusi used the “rule of Grace” and believed the unity of the scholars on an issue means the Imam agrees with them; because, if consensus of the authorities is in contrary to that of Imam’s, then according to the “rule of Grace”, it is necessary for the Imam to teach the truth and according to some writers, “induce the opposite”. If we accept Sheikh Tusi’ s saying, then, it argues that the door to the revealed guidance is not completely closed at the time of major Occultation, and still continues (although in the form of g=Grace Consensus). This library-based research has discussed the revealed guidance at the time of Occultation in the light of Grace consensus.

Among the issues related to Mahdism, is the eviction of an apostate, known as “dajjal”[1]. It is one of the topics which has drawn the attention of Muslim researchers and also Western scholars to itself. The Iranica encyclopedia is one of the encyclopedias written in English which has introduced Dajjal in an article. The purpose of this article is to investigate and criticize the image of Antichrist drawn in this encyclopedia. This paper is a descriptive-analytic and documentary research. The approach of “Hamed Algar” in the article cited is “cognitive phenomenology”. This article contains some positive points, such as the use of Sunni and Shia sources, the expression and description of various views, such as the views of mystics and late scholars about Dajjal. But the author has not explored all possibilities in subjects such as the Antichrist terminology, and his arguments, regarding the acceptance or rejection of a possibility can be debated. The mere use of Sunni resources, lack of attention to some of the issues raised in the hadiths, lack of scrutiny of the hadith documents, the imagining of lack of attention of the Islamic scholars to solve the contradictions regarding the issue of Dajjal are some of the issues to be criticized in this article.


[1] Antichrist, pseudo Messiah,