- With an earnest attempt to answer them
The other day, ‘Imam’ Abdullah Bin Moneeb, via a video released from an undisclosed location, declared himself the eleventh rightly guided caliph (khalifa-e-rashid) of Islam. There’s always a risk of squandering much of the advantage of the undisclosed location if one is unable to resist showing one’s face and disclosing one’s full name. No wonder then that Bin Moneeb’s current (disclosed) location happens to be the slammer. Other interesting facts about the video include (though are not limited to): Bin Moneeb showed he was well-versed in the knowledge of the pecking order in the Islamic Republic when, after inviting all Muslims worldwide, he particularly singled out the COAS and the PM (in this order) to pledge allegiance to him and be respectful to him. Also, he appeared warier of being ridiculed than being rejected when he repeatedly warned that he won’t forgive anybody who dared to make fun of him. On a peaceful note, he denounced violence and armed struggle in any way or form but couldn’t help qualifying it somewhat by announcing that the Ghazwa-e-Hind will be fought under his capable leadership. Many viewers (including the current author) also couldn’t make sense of number 11 in the series of the rightly guided caliphs, but let’s not get ourselves bogged down by trifles.
For the claim, and how it was received, raises two serious questions. Many of the adherents of the great religions (notably Judaism, Christianity and Islam) believe in certain end times scenarios – predictions that are eerily similar in tone; the only distinction between them being the contrasting identities of the good and the bad guys, which has all the bearing on the outcome of course. Many Jews are still waiting for their Messiah – when they opposed Jesus Christ two thousand years ago it was not because he had claimed to be the Messiah but because they had accused him of being the false Messiah (may God preserve us). For their part, many Christians are eagerly looking forward to the Second Coming of Jesus (preceded or followed by the Great Tribulation according to the denomination). Not to be outdone, many Muslims are eagerly awaiting the reappearance of Jesus and the advent of Imam Mahdi (although admittedly the Mahdi’s job description varies widely in the Sunni and Shia narratives). Now, Bin Moneeb – obviously an imposter – found it hard to persuade his audience, not to mention the police, regarding his credentials. But the true claimant (whenever/if he arrives) will likely have very similar trouble convincing the masses that he’s the real deal, and not an impersonator. I am by no means singling out any religion here. The point is that it will take some convincing regardless of who it is. The question as to how the real imam will propose to do that is not at all easy to answer.
This brings me to the second of the two questions that I propose to ask, which is probably much more fundamental compared to the first one. In what follows, I will restrict myself to Islam – for my unfamiliarity with the Bible if for no other reason.
Bin Moneeb – obviously an imposter – found it hard to persuade his audience, not to mention the police, regarding his credentials
Regardless of which sect they belong to, all Muslims give Quran (in theory at any rate) the pride of place when it comes to their religion. The Quran, for its part, repeatedly makes the claim that it’s the last word when it comes to the vital information regarding theology – that it’s complete in this respect (leaves nothing out). Now, there’s nothing in the book that explicitly predicts the return of Jesus or the arrival of the Mahdi or any other imam. That such a book chooses to omit such events (which ought to be quite significant, one would presume) is revealing to say the least. There could be two possible explanations for this omission: The first one being: nothing of the sort is going to happen.
The other (possible) explanation for the omission would be this: even if some events are destined to happen in a certain way (and leaving aside for the sake of argument the question of how one can know about them), it’s merely a matter of how history will take its course; as opposed to those events having any theological implications. (On the other hand, being significant from a theological point of view would imply the followers being obligated to believe in the imam’s arrival, recognise him when he appears, and side with him in the event of a clash with opposing parties.) If that’s the case, then any imam (no matter how pious – even Jesus Christ himself) will merely be making his appearance (or reappearance) in his personal capacity, making such events matters of historical detail, at best.
It appears, therefore, that the first question is rendered unnecessary after all, no matter how one chooses to answer the second one. It follows that we can all stop worrying about either question.
