Written in the form of questions and answers, it discusses about the three main topics Shiaism, Imamah and Mahdism.
- Discussions Concerning al-Mahdi (May Allah Hasten His Return)
- Introduction
- Part 1: Shi’ism
- Historical Factors and Shi’ism
- Question:
- Answer:
- A. The Origin of Shiaism In the Prophet’s Time
- B. The Origin of the Issue of Khilafah
- C. Sunnism and its Sectarian Meaning (in opposition to Shiaism) After the Prophet’s Time
- D. Cause of the Division of Muslims into two factions, Sunni and Shi‘a
- E. The Religious Basis for Support of the Leadership of Ahl al-Bait (peace be upon them)
- The Shi‘a and Armed Uprising
- Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiq & the Shi’a School of Thought
- Before Imam as-Sadiq (peace be upon him)
- Shi‘a Ideology’s Practicality
- Shi‘a Positions with Respect to the Usurping Rulers
- The Accusation of “Exaggeration” (Ghuluww) Against the Shi‘a
- The Relation of the Shi‘a with the Mu‘tazilah
- Historical Factors and Shi’ism
- Part 2: Imamah
- The Secret of Choosing the Imams
- Allah’s Knowledge and the Infallibles’ (peace be upon them ) Knowledge of the Unseen
- The Countenance of the Imams’ (peace be upon them) Conduct
- The Limits of the Imam’s Leadership
- The Number of the Shi‘a Imams
- Principality of Reason or Narration in Specifying the Imam (peace be upon him)
- Original Source of Belief in Imamah and Faith in The Appearance of the Twelfth Imam (peace be upon him)
- The Qur’an and Messianism (Mahdawiyyat)
- Belief in the Appearance of the Mahdi and Savior and the Appearance of False Mahdis
- The Effect of Social, Economic, and Political Factors in Religious Thought
- “Mahdi” in a Special Meaning and Technical Usage
- Controversy Regarding the Date of Birth of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return)
- Consensus of the Shi‘a Regarding the Imamah of Imam Sahib al-Amr (may Allah hasten his return) after the Demise of Imam Hasan al-‘Askari (peace be upon him)
- The Twelfth Imam’s Revolution
- The title “Al-Qa’im” (The Riser)
- Two Types of Occultation
- The Miraculous Birth of the Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his return)
- Philosophy of the Delay of Reappearance with the Presence of Conditions
- The Length of the Occultation and Difficult and Formidable Trials
- The Principle of Grace and the Imamah of the Concealed Imam
- The Issue of Bada’ (Alteration in the Divine Will) and the Tradition of Abu Hamza
- Belief in the Return (Raj’ah) with respect to Belief in the Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return)
