🚀 Exploring ṢĀḤIBU ʾZ-ZAMĀN: The 💡 Islamic ‘Lord of the Age’
Comprehensive Definition
ṢĀḤIBU ʾZ-ZAMĀN (صاحب الزمان), translating to “Lord of the Age,” is an honorific title bestowed upon Imām Mahdī by Shīʿah Muslims. The term embodies the eschatological hope and spiritual expectation within Shīʿah traditions, where Imām Mahdī is anticipated to return and establish justice and peace.
Etymology and Background
- Etymology: The term “ṢĀḤIBU ʾZ-ZAMĀN” consists of Arabic roots. “Ṣāḥib” means “owner” or “lord,” and “z-Zamān” means “the time” or “the age.” Hence, it directly translates to “Owner of the Time” or “Lord of the Age.”
- Background: Rooted in Shīʿah beliefs, ṢĀḤIBU ʾZ-ZAMĀN refers to the twelfth Imam, Muhammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mahdī, who is believed to have been born in 869 CE and went into occultation. Shīʿahs believe that he will eventually emerge to lead humanity toward righteousness.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
- Shīʿah versus Sunnī Views: While Shīʿah Islam places significant emphasis on Imām Mahdī and his eschatological role, the Sunnī branch also believes in the coming of Mahdī, although the narratives and expected attributes might slightly differ. In Sunnī tradition, Mahdī’s appearance is also awaited but is often considered less theologically central.
- Global Perspectives: The concept of an awaited savior or redeemer is prevalent in several other religious traditions, such as the Second Coming of Christ in Christianity and the Kalki avatar in Hinduism.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms
- Synonyms: Awaited Saviour, Imam Mahdi, Deliverer
- Antonyms: Antichrist (a figure representing evil in Christian eschatology)
- Related Terms: Imām (religious leader), Occultation (state of being hidden), Mahdī (the guided one)
Exciting Facts
- Every year, Shīʿah Muslims commemorate the birth of Imām Mahdī with joyous celebrations, reflecting the deep-seated hope for his return.
- Imām Mahdī’s Occultation is divided into two periods: the Lesser Occultation (874-941 CE) and the Greater Occultation, which continues until today.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“Verily, we belong to the household of the Prophet for whom Allah has chosen the hereafter over this world. My people will be subjected to trials, but eventually, a master of this age will emerge to fill the world with justice as it was filled with tyranny.” - Imām Ja’far al-Ṣādiq
References and Suggested Literature
- AL-FAYḌ, Muhammad. Imām Mahdī in Qurʾān and Ḥadīth, Tehran: Islamic Research Institute, 2004.
- NAJMI, Zaynab. Occultation and Return: Perspectives on the Imām Mahdī, Qom: Al-Mustafa International University Press, 2015.
- Publishers like Cambridge and Brill offer expansive academic text on Islamic theology and Mahdism.
Quizzes
Farewell Thought
As we delve into the depth of spiritual concepts like ṢĀḤIBU ʾZ-ZAMĀN, let us remember that the quest for justice and peace is a universal endeavor—not confined by time, culture, or faith. 🌟
Published by: Amina Al-Fahad Date: 2023-10-05
