I now describe the Mahdavi beliefs:
We
(Mahdavis) say that Allah is one and is free from needs.
Allah has said "Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal,
Absolute." (CXII: 1-2).
Allah is
alive eternally, nobody is like Him.
Allah says "Allah, There is no god but He - the Living, the
Self-Subsisting, Eternal." (II : 255).
Allah
knows all things:
Allah says ".......From whom is not hidden the least little atom in the
Heavens or on earth..... "(XXXIV:3).
Allah
possesses the divine power, omnipotence:
Allah says "........Allah bath power over all things. (II:20).
Allah
sees and hears:
Allah says "He is the One who heareth and Seeth (all things). (XVII:1).
Allah
speaks:
Allah says "And to Moses Allah spoke direct." (IV:164).
Allah is
eternal. immortal, ancient: He says "He is the First and the Last, the
Evident and the Immanent and be has full knowledge of all things."
(LVII:3).
Allah is the Creator:
Allah says "that is Allah, your Lord, there is no God but He, the Creator
of all things; then worship ye Him; and He bath power to dispose of all
affairs." (V1:102).
Allah is provider:
Allah says "There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance.
dependeth on Allah." (XI: 6).
Allah warns:
Allah says "And who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there
be another) God besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your argument, if ye are
telling the truth." (XXVII: 64).
Allah gives life and death:
Allah says "To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; it is
He who gives Life and Death; and He has Power over all things." (LXII: 2).
Allah is the Subduer, Almighty:
Allah says "He is Allah, the One, the Irresistible." (XXXIX: 4).
Allah can be seen:
His being seen is possible;
Allah says: "But those who were blind in this world will be
blind-in-the-Hereafter........."(XVII: 72).
Further Allah says: "Some faces, that day, will beam (in brightness and
beauty) - Looking towards their Lord". (LXXV: 22-23).
Allah also says: "No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all
vision. (VI: 103). In this verse, Allah has said that His nature (zath) cannot
be comprehended. He has not said that he cannot be seen. The word. "idrak"
does not mean seeing; it means comprehension, understanding.
Allah has no match (hamsar) and no partner (shareek):
Allah says: "And there is none like Him." (CXII: 4).
Further, He hays: "Glory to Allah (High is He) above the partners they
attribute to Him." (LIX: 23).
Allah has no limits (hadd) because limits begin. after comprehension and
any effort to comprehend the essence and nature (zath) of Allah is
prohibited.
Allah is not bound by time and space, He is the Creator of time and space. He
says "Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in
six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of authority). (VII: 54). In
other words, the essence and nature (zath) of Allah is that which created
heavens and earth and reaching the Throne (arsh), recited: "For me,
I have my face, firmly and truly, towards Him who created the heavens and the
earth and never shall I give partners to Allah." (VI: 79).
Allah further said: "It is He who created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions); the day He saith, 'Be', behold; it is." (VI: 73).
Allah is the Master and there is no other master, for Allah says "Is not Allah the most Conclusive of all judges?" (XCV:8).
To comprehend the essence and nature (zath) of Allah is not possible, for He says "No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is above all comprehension, yet acquainted with all things." (VI:103).
Quran is the word of Allah and not created (ghair-makhluq). When Allah Himself is eternal, his word too is eternal. The new Mu'tazila thinking which treats Quran as 'created' (haadith) is an absolute innovation (bidat)
Allah alone guides to the right path and He alone misleads, for Allah says ".......Allah leaves to stray whom He wills, and guides who He wills......." (XXXV:8).
It is not the will of Allah that all creation should repose Faith (iman): He says "If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed - all who are on earth." (X: 99). Since it was not His will, all people did not believe.
Human
beings are not the creators of their labour, industry and activity. Allah says:
".......He, the Creator of all things, then worship ye Him." (VI:102).
People benefit from this act of creation by Allah. The Mu'tazila thinking in
this respect deceives immature minds.
Allah is pleased with Faith (iman). How could He be pleased with
infidelity? He says "But He liketh not ingratitude from His servants."
(XXXIX: 7).
Allah places a burden on His servants only to the extent of their endurance. He says "On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear." (II:286).
To improve and decorate is not obligatory on Allah; for He says: "Gracious is Allah to His servants........" (XLII:19).
Verily
the punishment of the grave is for the infidels:
Allah says "In front of the Fire will they be brought, morning and evening;
and (the sentence will be) on the Day that Judgement will be established, Cast
ye the People of Pharoah into the severest Penalty." (XL:46).
The blowing of the Doomsday Trumpet is true:
Allah has said: "Then, when one blast is sounded on the Trumpet, and the
earth is moved, and its mountains, and they are crushed to powder at one stroke,
- On that day shall the (Great) event come to pass. And the Sky will be rent
asunder, for it will, that Day be flimsy." (LXIX: 13-1445-16).
Resurrection or the rising of the dead before the Judgement Day is inevitable:
Allah says: "The Day whereon they will issue from their sepulchers in
sudden haste as if they were rushing to a goalpost (fixed for them) - Their eyes
lowered in dejection - ignominy covering them (All over). Such is the Day which
they are promised. (LXX:43). Allah says "But verily over you (are appointed
angels) to protect you - kind and honourable, - writing down (your deeds) : They
know (and understand) all that ye do." (LXXXII: 10-1 1-12).
The character roll (A'mal-nama) being given in the hands (on the Day of Judgement) is true and inevitable, Allah says "Then he who is given his Record in his right hand, Soon will his account be taken by an easy rekoning." (LXXXIV: 7-8).
In another place, Allah says "But he who is given his Record behind his back, Soon will he ay for perdition." (LXXXIV:10.11).
And the
questioning is inevitable:
Allah says: "Soon will his account be taken by an easy reckoning." (LXXXIV:
8). Further Allah says: "It leaves cot nothing small or great, but takes
account thereof." (XVIII: 49).
Further Allah says: "And those who are blessed shall be in Garden; they will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth, a gift without break." (XL:108).
And Allah also says: "The righteous (will be) amid Gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water). (Their greeting will be); Enter ye here in Peace and Security. (XV:45-46).
The
existence of Hell is true and inevitable. In this connection,
Allah says: "Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire there will be for
them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs. They will dwell
therein for all the time that heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord
wilieth : for thy Lord is the (sure) Accomplisher of what He Planneth."
(XI: 106-107). Further Allah says: "And verily, Hell is the promised abode
for them all to it are seven Gates for each of those Gates is a (special) class
(of sinners) assigned." (XV: 43-44).
Sirat
(path) is also inevitable:
Allah says "Not one-of you but will pass over it." (XIX: 17).
Meezan
(Balance to weight good and bad deeds on Judgement Day) also inevitable:
Allah says: We shall setup scales of Justice............" (XXI:47).
And the
existence of Kauther (a fountain or stream in Paradise) is also true:
Allah says: "To thee We have granted the Fount (of abundance)."
(CVIII:1).
Grave
sins (Gunah Kabira) do not deprive a man of his Faith (iman).
Allah says: "O ye who believe the law of equality is prescribed to you
in cases of murder........ "(II: 178). Further Allah says: "O ye who
believe, turn to Allah with sincere repentance........" (LXVI: 8).
Allah
does not pardon idolatry:
Allah says: "Allah forgiveth not that, partners should be setup with Him;
but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth........" (IV: 48).
That one is punished is also true: Allah says "It (Quinn) leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof." (XVIII: 49).
Allah forgives grave sins if the sinner does not consider it to belawful: He says: "Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; But He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth." (IV: 48).
Quran does not say that sinners will enter Hell, but it says that he would be thrown into Fire. The term Fire is not associated with Hell alone; it could be the fire of the grave. In Verse 46 of Sura XL (Mu-min), the term Fire is taken to mean the Fire of the grave. The word Fire is analogous. Hence, the argument of a sinner being thrown into the Hell becomes weak. Hence, it becomes a conjecture. which is not a matter of faith or belief..
Allah's
promise is true:
for Allah says "........Allah never falls in His promise." (III:9).
Allah has
created angels:
Allah has said: "........Allah .... who made the angels messengers with
wings - two or three or four (pairs)." (XXXV:1).
Faith (iman)
increases and decreases:
Allah says: they may add Faith to their Faith " (XLVIII: 4).
Allah
chooses from among men a prophet to guide them:
Allah says: "Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with
glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge
between people in matters wherein they differed......." (II: 213).
It is
apparent that the first among the Prophets was Adam (AHS) and the last Muhammad
(PBUH):
Allah says: "Behold, thy Lord said to the angels; I will create a
vice-regent on earth." (II: 30).
Further He said: "Muhammad (PBUH) is not the father of any of your men, but
(he is) the Apostle of Allah (PBUH) and the Seal of the Prophets (PBUH)" (XXXIII:
40).
Obedience
to Prophets and Caliphs (vice-regents) of Allah is obligatory:
Allah says: "O ye who believe: obey Allah and obey the Apostle, and those
charged with authority among you. (IV: 59).
Muhammad
(PBUH) is the best among the Prophets (AHS):
Allah says: "ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining
what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in
Allah........"(III:110).
And Allah said: "And raised high the esteem (in which) thou (alt) held. (XCIV: 4).
Muhammad
(PBUH) made the midnight journey to seven heavens:
Allah says "Glory to Allah who did take His Servant for a journey by night
from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque " (XVII:1).
He has also said "Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw? For indeed he saw him at a second descent, Near the Lote tree beyond which none may pass; Near it is the Garden of Abode." (LIII: 12-13.14-15).
Allah
sent book to Prophets (AHS):
Allah says ".......We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all
things....." (XVI: 89).
Miracles are also true. Many Quranic verses prove it.
Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) successors are the four Caliphs. The first among them is Abu Bakr , the second Omar (RA), the third Osman (RA) and the fourth Ali (RA). Abu Bakr (RA) is the best (afzal). The Shia concept is not free of innovations.
Caliphate subsisted for thirty years. After that lordship and monarchy took its place. Besides, these people mentioned above were not free of mistakes (M'asoom-an-il-khata). Except Imam Mahdi (AHS), all the descendants of Fatima (RA) (daughter of Prophet Muhammad SAS) are not innocent. It is not necessary for an lmam to be the best (afzal) among his contemporaries (except for Imam Mahdi (AHS) who is innocent).
The Companions (RA) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) should always mentioned with respect and should be respectfully talked about. Yazid is undoubtedly a sinner.
Persons whom Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave the glad tidings of an abode in Paradise, are truly the people of the Paradise.
We also believe that lmam Mahdi (AHS), who is one of the Caliphs (AHS) (Vice-regent) of Allah, came and went away (died). He was a servant of Allah (AHS) and a follower of the Shar'iat of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was not mujtahid (religious director). He was directly taught by Allah. He is innocent (m'asoom-un-il-khala) - free of mistakes. He claimed to be Mahdi Mau'ood (AHS) (the Promised Mahdi (AHS)) Allah after commanded him to do so. Following him is obligatory. The reason is that he is a Caliph of Allah (AHS). Any Hadith that contradicts the word of Imam Mahdi (AHS), is void. In the light of the sayings of mujtahideen, he is ghair-muqallid (one who does not follow the Imams of the Four Schools of Fiqh). He is the seal of the Vilayat-e-Muhammadia SAS (Muhammadan SAS Sainthood) and the exponent of the secrets of the Muhammadan SAS Reality (lsrar-e-Haqiqat-e-Muhammadia SAS). This in fact is his mission. He is the follower of the laws of Shar'iat of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Under his orders, the desire to see Allah is obligatory and a person who is desirous of seeing Allah is the (true) believer (momin).
To be cut off from the world, companionship of the truthful and seclusion, and all matters, discussed in the foregoing pages, are obligatory in the light of the commandments of Imam Mahdi (AHS).
To say one's prayers under the leadership (imamat) of a person who has not reposed faith in Syed Muhammad (AHS) being the Imam Mahdi (AHS) is not permitted.
In his character, Imam Mahdi (AHS) is equal to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), except for Prophethood (nubuwat) and messenger-ship (risalat). Imam Mahdi (AHS) was not a prophet (Nabi) or Messenger (rasul) of Allah. Both Prophethood and Messengership ended with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As the vice-regent of Allah, Imam Mahdi (AHS) is better (afzal) than Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), the first Caliph of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
If a tradition of the Prophet is in consonance with the word and deed of lmam Mahdi (AHS), it is correct. Otherwise, it is liable to be rejected. Imam Mahdi (AHS) is innocent (Ma'soom) because he is a vice-regent of Allah. Imam Mahdi's (AHS) word and deed are not superceded on being contrary to the traditions of the Prophet SAS (All these details have been given in Aqida Sharifa).
Imam Mahdi's (AHS) Caliphs (RA) are five in number. They are Syed Mahmood Sani-e-Mahdi (RA), Syed Khundmir Siddiq-e-Vilayat (RA), Shah Ne'mat (RA), Shah Nizam (RA) and Shah Dilawar (RA), in that order.
We believe that only those who have been given the glad tidings (bisharat) by Imam Mahdi (AHS), get an abode in Paradise.
If one
fails to recite the opening Sura, Fatihah, of Quran in his prayers, the
prayer is not correct even if one is saying his prayers under the leadership of
an imam.
One should not raise his hands after the obligatory prayers (farz namaz) in
seeking blessings, (because this deed is not correct). There is no commandment
to raise one's hands in this way in the traditions of the Prophet .
It has now been proved that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had recited Allahumma
antas salam after prayers and, some times, takbir (magnification).
But he has sought no blessings for himself.
Seeking
blessings (of Allah) and charity (sadaqa) are profitable and may postpone
death. No person will be made to carry somebody else's burden; in other words,
one will not be punished for someone else sins.
Accepting soothsayer's prophecies as correct is kufr (blasphemy).
To treat
what has been prohibited by Allah as permitted is also kufr.
Rejecting clear commandments based on traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
is also kufr. May Allah protect (us).
To use
abusive language against the Caliphs of Allah (AHS) is also kufr.
One should have full faith in all prophecies made by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),
for instance, {the coming of Jesus, Messiah (AHS) and antichrist imposter (Dajjal)}.
Any difference of opinion in the coming true of these prophecies is speculative.
Otherwise, they would be tantamount to repealing the traditions of the Prophet
(PBUH). Issues {settled by consensus (iqma) and traditions} are to be
treated as belief and it is necessary to have faith in them.
These are
our (the Mahdavia) beliefs and it is obvious that they are all in consonance
with Quran and the traditions of the Prophet (PBUH). And when the
situation is this, any opposition to us is not correct or healthy. If one looks
at our message carefully, there is no scope for turning away from us.
How can a person who is endowed with qualifies described above slander Allah and
falsely claim "I am Mahdi Al-Mau'ood and Caliph of Allah". Such a
claim wound be fraught with all kinds of difficulties. How can one bear all the
hardships without help from Allah?
Another point to be noted is that if a person takes advantage of the
contradictions among the traditions about the coming of Imam Mahdi (AHS) and
argues on the ground of the contradictions, he is dishonest.
The greatest peculiarity of the identity of Imam Mahdi (AHS) is that he would be
animmeculate and of spotlessly clean character. All these points have been
discussed at length by experts in the science of argument (ilm-e-kalam). They
are the same qualifies which Prophets were endowed with. Imam Mahdi (AHS) too
was endowed with qualifies, which Prophets possessed.
lmam Mahdi (AHS) was the truthful healer of spiritual maladies. His
companionship turned coward into the courageous, dumb became orators, fools
became wise, the meek became bountiful, the low became high, sinners became
saints, misers became generous....... .