Do Iranians play an important role during the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi and the era of his reappearance? (question)

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Do Iranians play an important role during the occultation of Imam Mahdi and the era of his reappearance?
Upper entryMahdism / Preconditions for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a) / Signs for Imam Mahdi's reappearance
Main entryRole of Iranians during the major occultation and reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a)
Number of answersSix

Several narrations have praised the efforts of Iranian and their sacrifices during the era of the Major Occultation. Mainly for their comprehensive support to Islam during its period of frailty, preparing grounds for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a) led by a man from Qom, serving as soldiers within the army of Imam Mahdi (a), and teaching Qur'an during the era of the Blessed Government.

Short Comprehensive Answer

One of the signs of Imam Mahdi’s reappearance is that Iranian Muslims will undertake extensive efforts and embark upon widespread endeavors during the era of the Major Occultation. Their labors in this regard are held in high esteem within narrated traditions.[1] Some of these efforts and undertakings are as follows:

They shall lend their comprehensive support to Islam during its period of frailty

Narrated traditions report , “Iranians are the only group who will aid and assist the religion and the Qur'an during an age wherein Islam will suffer from alienation within society”. ‘Abayat ibn ‘Abdullah al-Asadi says, “One Friday, I was sitting in Ali’s company as he delivered his sermon while sitting on the pulpit. Ibn Ṣawḥān was also present within this gathering. Then, Ash’ath came in and said, “O’ Commander of the Faithful, these red-skins (meaning Iranians residing in Kufa who were commonly addressed as the Hamra’ or the “red”) have gained the upper hand over us due to the special attention you endow upon them”. The Commander of the Faithful, angry at Ash’ath’s words, replied, “Today, let me reveal something about the Arabs that has remained concealed up until now”. Then he said, “Which amongst you will impartially acknowledge my words about the tyranny of these indolent and imbecilic people who spend the entirety of their nights rolling (in ignorant slumber) upon their carpets and then approach me to sneeringly complain about a group who are at present, and have been in the past, continuously mindful of God, and then command me to alienate this group from myself and, by doing so, become a tyrant myself? I swear upon He who split open the seed and created man that I heard the Holy Prophet say: “By God! In the future, they (i.e. the Iranians) will strike you upon your heads in order make you accept religion, just as you struggled against them in the early days in order to make them accept Islam”.[1]

Preparing grounds for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi and establishment of his global government

According to the narrated traditions of the Infallibles (as), Iranians will be amongst those who will prepare the grounds for Imam Mahdi’s reappearance. The Holy Prophet (s) is reported to have said , “A group will rise up from the East and will provide the grounds for the government of the Mahdi”. Based on the opinion held by numerous researchers, the term “group from the East” serves to signify the people of Iran.[1] In another narrated tradition reported from Imam Baqir (as), it is said : “It is as if I see right now, with my own eyes, a group from the East that will rise up and demand justice but will be denied. Then, they shall demand justice once again but will once again be denied. Then, upon seeing this, they will raise up their weapons, placing them upon the throats of their enemies. Then, they shall be given what they had asked for. However, now, this group will no longer accept this proposal but shall continue its uprising and will not hand it over to anyone until they finally hand it over to your companion (i.e. Imam Mahdi). Their dead will be martyrs. Know and be aware, if I were alive during this age, I would preserve myself for the Master of the Affairs (i.e. Imam Mahdi)”.[2] These efforts by Iranians toiling to prepare the grounds for Imam Mahdi (a)’s revolution will begin with a movement and uprising led by a man from Qom.[3] Subsequently, the uprising of the people of Khurasan, with black flags and under the leadership of the Khurasani, will take place. The military commander of the Khurasani movement will be Shu’ayb ibn Salih[4] and they shall engage the Sufyani in battle. The activities of these Iranians aimed at furnishing the pre-requisites of Imam Mahdi’s reappearance will unwaveringly continue up until the Imam finally reappears.[5]

Soldiers within the army of Imam Mahdi

Certain narrated traditions speak of the active presence of ‘Ajam or non-Arab people within Imam Mahdi’s army. During the age of Imam Mahdi’s reappearance, most of these individuals will probably be Iranians.[6] Similarly, many of Imam Mahdi’s supporters are reported to be from places within Iran like Marw, Tus, Maghan, Taliqan]], Nayshapur]], Tabaristan, Qom, Gurgan, Ahwaz, Rey and Kirman etc.[7][8] It is narrated that Imam Sadiq (as) was once asked, “Who are the people indicated within the Qur'anic verse that says: “We sent against you Our servants given to terrible warfare”. He replied, “By God Almighty, they are the people of Qom” and he repeated this three times”.[1]

Quranic Teachers during the era of the Blessed Government

Asbagh ibn Nabatah reports that Imam Ali (as) said, “It is as if I see right now camps set up by the ‘Ajam (non-Arabs) within the Grand Mosque at Kufa, wherein they teach the Qur'an, as it was originally revealed, to all people during the reign of Imam Mahdi”.[1]

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