Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the architect of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, left an indelible mark on Shiite political and theological discourse. His vision extended beyond national borders, encompassing broader Islamic unity under a framework largely inspired by Twelver Shi’ism. Central to this ideology were his perspectives on Makkah and Madinah, two of the holiest cities in Islam, and their significance in the Shiite eschatological narrative surrounding the Twelfth Imam, also known as Imam al-Mahdi. This article explores Khomeini’s agenda concerning these sacred cities, the role of the Twelfth Imam in Shiite thought, and the intriguing question of whether the prophesied Antichrist (Ad-Dajjal) aligns with the Shiite conception of the Mahdi.
Khomeini’s Vision for Makkah and Madinah
Khomeini’s political ideology was rooted in the concept of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), which argued for the governance of Islamic societies by qualified religious scholars in the absence of the Twelfth Imam. While Khomeini’s primary focus was Iran, his aspirations extended to the broader Islamic world, including the Sunni-majority regions where Makkah and Madinah are situated.
Khomeini viewed the control of these holy cities by the Saudi monarchy as problematic. He often criticized the Saudi regime, accusing it of corruption, mismanagement of the pilgrimage rites, and alignment with Western powers. He argued that the custodianship of Makkah and Madinah should not be monopolized by a single nation-state but should instead fall under the collective stewardship of the global Muslim community. This vision resonated with Khomeini’s broader call for Islamic unity, albeit under the ideological framework of Shiite Islam.
However, Khomeini’s rhetoric also revealed tensions. Theologically, Twelver Shi’ism has historically viewed Sunni Islam’s interpretations of history and leadership with skepticism. This ideological divide occasionally shaped Khomeini’s stance toward Sunni-majority states, including Saudi Arabia. His criticism of the Saudis was not merely political but also carried subtle theological undertones, reflecting a broader eschatological narrative in which the Shiite community sees itself as upholding the true path of Islam in anticipation of the Mahdi.
The Twelfth Imam and His Agenda
Central to Twelver Shi’ism is the belief in the occultation and eventual return of the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi. According to Shiite theology, the Mahdi is the divinely appointed savior who will reappear in the end times to establish justice, eradicate oppression, and restore true Islam. His mission is seen as global in scope, transcending sectarian boundaries to unite humanity under a single, divinely guided order.
The agenda of the Twelfth Imam, as understood in Shiite eschatology, involves the purification of Islam, including the rectification of historical injustices and deviations. In this context, Makkah and Madinah hold profound significance. Twelver traditions describe the Mahdi’s reappearance as beginning in Makkah, where he will announce his mission between the Kaaba and the Maqam Ibrahim. From there, his influence will expand globally, with Madinah serving as a key site of his early movement.
Shiite sources often emphasize the Mahdi’s role in confronting tyrannical forces and corrupt regimes. Some traditions portray this as including opposition to leaders who have misused Islam for personal or political gain—a critique that aligns with Khomeini’s view of the Saudi monarchy. Thus, the Twelfth Imam’s eschatological agenda is framed as a continuation of the struggle for justice that Khomeini and other Shiite leaders have championed in their political endeavors.
The Twelfth Imam and the Antichrist (Ad-Dajjal)
In Islamic eschatology, the figure of the Antichrist (Ad-Dajjal) represents the ultimate manifestation of deception, tyranny, and opposition to divine truth. Both Sunni and Shiite traditions agree that the Dajjal will appear before the end of time and attempt to lead humanity astray. He will perform false miracles, claim divinity, and sow chaos. However, his reign will be short-lived, as he will ultimately be defeated by the forces of good, led by figures like the Mahdi and Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him).
A recurring question among some scholars and critics is whether the Shiite conception of the Twelfth Imam aligns with the Dajjal’s characteristics as described in Sunni traditions. This question often arises from theological and political tensions between Sunni and Shiite communities. Some Sunni scholars have expressed concerns about the Mahdi’s mission as outlined in Shiite sources, interpreting it as potentially sectarian or exclusionary. Conversely, Shiite scholars emphasize that the Mahdi’s mission is universal, transcending sectarian divides to establish justice and peace for all of humanity.
From a theological perspective, conflating the Mahdi with the Dajjal misunderstands the distinct roles these figures play in Islamic eschatology. The Mahdi is described as a divinely guided leader who restores Islam to its pristine state, while the Dajjal is a deceiver who seeks to undermine divine truth. In Shiite tradition, the Mahdi’s reappearance is marked by humility, piety, and adherence to divine commandments—qualities diametrically opposed to the Dajjal’s arrogance and falsehood.
Prophetic Narrations About the Dajjal and the Holy Cities
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated in an authentic narration that the Dajjal will attempt to enter Makkah and Madinah but will be prevented by angels guarding the holy cities. According to the hadith, the Dajjal will encamp outside these cities, and the earthquakes or tremors within them will cause hypocrites and disbelievers to flee and join his ranks. This prophetic description underscores the sanctity and divine protection of Makkah and Madinah, reaffirming their central role in Islamic eschatology.
Interestingly, this narration also serves as a litmus test for distinguishing between the Mahdi and the Dajjal. While the Dajjal’s approach to these cities is marked by hostility and rejection, the Mahdi’s connection to them is one of reverence and spiritual renewal. The Mahdi’s mission begins in Makkah, symbolizing the restoration of divine guidance, whereas the Dajjal’s actions represent a direct challenge to that guidance.
Conclusion: Theological and Eschatological Implications
The agendas of Ayatollah Khomeini, the Twelfth Imam, and the Dajjal intersect in complex and often misunderstood ways. Khomeini’s vision for Makkah and Madinah reflected his broader aspiration for Islamic unity and justice, albeit through the lens of Shiite ideology. The Twelfth Imam’s mission, as outlined in Shiite eschatology, shares this commitment to justice but is framed within a universal, divinely guided context that transcends political agendas.
As for the question of whether the Twelfth Imam aligns with the Antichrist (Ad-Dajjal), Islamic theology offers a clear distinction between the two. The Mahdi is a figure of divine guidance, justice, and humility, while the Dajjal epitomizes deception, arrogance, and tyranny. Prophetic narrations about the Dajjal’s inability to enter Makkah and Madinah further emphasize the sanctity of these cities and the divine protection that safeguards them from falsehood.
Ultimately, the eschatological narratives surrounding these figures reflect broader theological and political dynamics within the Muslim world. While differences between Sunni and Shiite interpretations persist, the shared emphasis on justice, divine guidance, and the sanctity of Makkah and Madinah underscores the centrality of these values in Islamic thought. By understanding these narratives in their proper context, Muslims can foster greater unity and mutual respect, even amid theological diversity.
YOU JUDGE FOR YOURSELF
Khomeini stated in a message for a youth rally:
"The Islamic and non-Islamic powers of the world will not admit our power till such time that we establish our hold over Makkah and Madinah because these are the centers and citadels of Islam. Hence our domination over these places is an essential requirement ... when as a conqueror I will enter Makkah and Madinah, the first thing to be done at that time by me would be to dig out two idols (i.e. Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Hadhrat Umar) lying by the side of the Prophet's grave."
No comments:
Post a Comment