Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Urges Believers to Prepare Themselves, Others for Advent of Imam al-Mahdi

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Urges Believers to Prepare Themselves, Others for Advent of Imam al-Mahdi
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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi has emphasized that one of the foremost responsibilities of believers during the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him) is to seek his satisfaction through spiritual self-purification and obedience to God, while also working to prepare others and society for the awaited advent.

His eminence referred to the Quranic verse, “And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord,” noting that narrations have interpreted the verse as referring to the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him), when injustice will come to an end and goodness, security and comfort will prevail across the earth.

The Supreme Marja noted that the timing of the advent has been concealed by God and that Islamic narrations indicate it may occur unexpectedly. This, he explained, requires believers to remain spiritually, psychologically and morally prepared rather than treating awaiting the Imam as merely anticipating a future event.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi identified two main responsibilities for believers before the advent. The first is “purifying and cultivating the self” by fulfilling religious obligations, avoiding prohibitions and remaining obedient to God. The second responsibility is “preparing others,” according to each person’s abilities and circumstances.