QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH SAYED MAHDI MODARRESI
Sunday, November 25, 2012 1:39 PM
One of the goals of the Sisters Literary Team is to close the gap between the scholars of the community and the ladies side, for it is in our laps that the army of the awaited Imam (a.s.)will be raised. This Q&A was a step to fulfilling that goal.
The questions were diverse,however there was a common underlying theme in understanding our Imam and our duties during his Ghaybat. In comprehending the similarities between the rising of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on Ashura and the 12th Imam, Syed Mahdi expounded that Imam Hussein (a.s.) is not leading a revolution - as there are negative aspects to a revolution, on the contrary he has taken a Qiyam. The 12th Imam is a promise from Allah, and he will deliver justice and equity to this world which is a symbol of Allah’s power in this world. Syed said injustice exists in this world for one of two reasons: 1) greed 2) lack of resources. When we have resources in abundance we will have peace. The mantra of the 12th Imam will be “Yalitharallahil Hussein”. He will avengethe greatest injustice of the tragedy of Karbala (avenge in this context is different to revenge, because he will strive to bring back justice).
Sayed explained that Prophet Isa will return, pledge his allegiance to and be an ambassador to the Imam of our time, and they will meet in Jerusalem. Traditions tell us that the Imam will be in conflict with Muslims as they will oppose his rise, yet the western world will welcome him. This is not to say that there will not be resistance – for there there will be – but they will follow him.. After the initial war, there will be a seven year truce with the West, after which the truce will be broken and war will break out again.
To mothers of a future generation, Sayed shared findings to state that children are pre-disposed to believe in Allah. This supports the belief we have of fitra: the innate tendency to have faith in a creator. As parents, our job is to remind them of this belief, educate and remind them to be wary of their conduct.
The Holy Quran tells us to “protect yourselves and your families”. In a world where we have superficial superheros, we need to create the anattachment of our children with the AhlulBayt. One way of doing this is through reading them stories of the Ahlulbaytbefore their bedtime.
For those who do not have children and have the desire to have them, Sayed suggested to inscribe the dua of Prophet Zakariyaon a ring and wear it, which is to be found at 21:89.
"O my Lord! Leave me not without offspring, and thou art the best of inheritors."
As it is an ayat of the Quran, we should be sure not to touch the inscription outside of the state of wudhu and should not wear it in the washroom.
The Stanmore Jaffery’s Sisters Literary team expresses its deep appreciated to Sayed Mahdi for conducting this wonderful seminar, and to the attendees for spending their evening with us.
