Shafaqna Pakistan:- The book “The Sun of the West” (Khurshid‑e Maghrib in Persian) written by the late Allama Mohammad Reza Hakimi explores issues related to the Islamic belief in the occultation of Imam Mahdi (AJ), the concept of awaiting him, and the associated religious duties. The title is derived from narrations about the rising of the sun from the west as a major sign before the Day of Judgment, a topic discussed in Shia sources. Shafaqna English selected some parts of the book and translated to English.
Imam Mahdi (AJ) in Christianity
In Christianity, the sacred texts also provide prophecies and clearer indications about the Final Promised One. This is partly because the time of their appearance is nearer: the advent of Jesus (AS) has brought the world closer to the appearance of the Mahdi (AS). Another reason is that Christian texts have been less altered compared to Jewish texts.
Christian scholars have carefully examined these texts, sometimes rejecting works like the Gospel of Barnabas due to concerns over authenticity. Nevertheless, Christian sacred texts contain prophecies of the End of Times, including references in:
• Gospel of Matthew
• Gospel of Luke
• Gospel of Mark
• Gospel of Barnabas
• Revelation of John
Because of the presence of these prophecies across cultures, nations, and peoples, one of the greetings directed to Imam al-Hujjah ibn al-Hasan (AS) in pilgrimage texts is:
“Peace be upon the Mahdi of the nations, the unifier of the word. Peace be upon the Mahdi, of whom the nations have spoken, the one who unites all peoples and ideas and gathers them under one banner.”
From this topic, one of the prophecies is that of Prophet Moses (AS), who foretold the coming of Jesus Christ (AS). Therefore:
“The people of the lands of Galilee and Judah were always eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Promised Messiah.”
Jesus (AS) was sent to his mission at the age of 30, and besides Prophet Moses (AS), who had foretold his coming centuries earlier, about three to four years before his mission, John the Baptist (pbuh) appeared as a pious preacher. He announced to the people the advent of the Promised Messiah and invited them to repentance and baptism to prepare for his coming. In this way, a movement arose in the Jordan Valley.
Thus, Jesus Christ (AS) himself was the Promised One, the awaited savior of the Jews and Children of Israel. Although the masses were eagerly waiting for him, the religious leaders of the Jews opposed this expectation. The Pharisees and scribes, who were the leaders of the Jewish faith, belittled their ardent followers regarding the awaited Messiah and considered themselves only the guardians of the Mosaic Law. They did not accept the truth in order to protect their own status and benefits.
Jesus Christ (AS) also foretold the coming of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The coming of our Prophet had been foretold by other prophets, sages, and cosmic guides, including the great Prophet Jesus (AS). Thus, even under the Christian law, people awaited the Promised One.
Paraclete
The Paraclete (Paraclitus), an Arabized form of the Greek word Parakletos, means “Comforter” or “Advocate.” Jesus (AS) had promised his disciples that his Father (the First Person of the Divine Essence) would send another Comforter, who would always be with them and teach them everything (John 14:16, 26; 16:13).
Some Christians tried to misinterpret this prophecy, which in fact foretold the appearance of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), by calling it the “Holy Spirit.” However, other heavenly scriptures, from Moses (AS) and Jesus (AS), clearly confirm that the Paraclete, meaning “Comforter,” refers to the Seal of the Prophets. This prophecy thus serves as proof of his prophethood.
The Holy Qur’an also mentions this prophecy of Jesus (AS) in Surah As-Saff (61:6), where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is named Ahmad.
It is said that “Paraclete” also means Ahmad—praiseworthy one. Qur’anic commentators have interpreted Ahmad to mean “the most praised one,” either because he praised God more than anyone else, or because he himself is most praised—“Mahmoud,” the praiseworthy.
As stated, other earlier prophets had also foretold the coming of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The last prophet before his advent was Jesus (AS), who is mentioned in the Qur’an:
“And [remember] when Jesus, son of Mary, said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming what was before me in the Torah, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.’”
When he brought clear signs to them, they said: “This is obvious sorcery.” This verse explicitly affirms the prophecy in the Gospel. According to this blessed verse, Jesus (AS), positioned between Moses (AS) and Ahmad (pbuh), speaks of the Torah and foretells the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by name. If such prophecy had not existed in the Christian texts of the time, contemporary Christians who opposed him would have denied it, claiming: “This verse is not authentic; this prophecy is not in our books.” However, they could not eliminate it and continued opposing the “Savior” by other means.
It is said that Mani claimed that the Second Messiah—the Paraclete—was foretold by Jesus. He brought a religion of salvation to the world. This shows that the awaited one promised by Jesus was universally acknowledged even in those days, and the term “Second Messiah” was widely recognized, which Mani referenced.
Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ridha (AS) and the Gospel
Imam Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (AS), in discussions with the Christian scholars of his time, referred to the Gospel—which had undergone little alteration and had its preservers—to demonstrate the prophecy of the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the religion of Jesus (AS) in the language of Jesus himself. This prophecy is recorded in the translation of Tafsir al-Tabari with eloquence and clarity of that time.
Part of a series: The Sun of the West by late Allama Mohammad Reza Hakimi
Source: Shafaqna English
