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Understanding Bibi’s Urgency: Israel Is Only Target Of Iran’s Need For Islamic Apocalypse
Kelly OConnell (Bio and Archives) Monday, October 1, 2012
Demand for War: Fascinating Details of the Twelver Messiah of Shia Muslims
Why does Iran seem to only fixate upon war with Israel above any other goal? In fact, the need for an apocalyptic war against the Israeli state is the centerpiece of their religion and the key to unlocking paradise, in their estimation. The issue of the Shia’s messiah brings to light perhaps the most important aspect of the warmongering now occurring in the Middle East—that the bloodlust is religious in nature and not likely to go away on its own, ever. In fact, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently stated he’d like to see Israel gone. So how do we understand Shia Iran’s seeming eternal hatred for Israel?
Perhaps the best way to understand this is that the Iranian Shias see attacking Israel as a way to jump-start the final Muslim holy war and usher in the beautiful era of Islamic world preeminence—a time of peace and plenty. This final apocalypse is interpreted as Iran’s war against Israel, which must occur before paradise is established. This is why the Israelis fear a nuclear armed Iran.
I. Islamic Sects: Sunni & Shia
There are two main sects of classic Islam. The first is the approximately 90% majority Sunni. Shia, are the 10%-15% minority sect. Both believe in a Muslim Messiah who comes back to restore the righteous kingdom of Allah. One writer describes them:
The Muslim world is separated into two main groups of adherents, the Sunni and the Shiite (or Shia). The Sunnis are the dominant group with Shiites being found predominantly in Iraq and Iran. Of the Shia, the largest group is the Twelvers, or Imami Muslims.
The schism dates back to death of Mohammed in AD 632. The Shia believe that the head of the Islamic religion is passed through the bloodline of Mohammed or imams selected by Allah. The Shia believe that leadership of Islam passed to Mohammed’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali. The word “Shia” is a shortened form of “Shia-t-Ali,” which means “the party of Ali.” Shia leaders are called “imams.”
Sunnis, on the other hand, believe that the legitimate head of Islam is elected from among the qualified Islamic clerics. Sunnis chose Abu Bakr, a close friend and protégé of Mohammed, as the first Caliph of the greater Islamic nation. The word “Sunni” means “one who follows in the traditions of the prophet.” The Shia have always rejected these elected Sunni leaders.
II. Who Are the Twelvers?
The Twelvers are the largest sect in Shia Islam. In Shia, there were 12 holy Imams, the last one hidden by Allah until the time came for his righteous judgment. Therefore, this group is known as the Twelvers and they await the return of the Mahdi messiah who comes back to lead his people to victory over all foes. After this the Mahdi creates a worldwide just Muslim state. This final apocalypse is interpreted by Iran as war against Israel, which must occur before paradise is established. This is why the Israelis fear a nuclear armed Iran. Says Sacred Texts:
The Twelver Shī‘a, or Ithna-‘asharīya, are numerically the largest of the Shī‘ī sects, and exhibit most of the doctrines which became classical with the Shī‘a. Theologically, they believe that since God is essentially good, He cannot do evil. He has created man with free will in order to know Him, and desires man’s welfare. It follows that He would not leave man without guidance; thus the books of the prophets have been sent down. Even so, as the sects of Islam attest, confusion arises, so it follows that God has given man in addition to the Prophet an infallible guide in religious matters. This guide is the Imām. It is also clear then that the selection of the Imāms is a matter which could not be left to human error; they were Divinely appointed from birth. The true Imāms are the direct line of ‘Alī.
III. Muslim Messiah: Shia Mahdi Imamate
There are messiah figures found in all the Bible-derived religions. Both Jews and Christians expect the Messiah to come, although Christians believe he has already appeared in the form of Jesus. Now they await the Second Coming. In Islam is also found a messiah, called the al-Mahdi, according to to Abdulaziz Abdulhussein Sachedina in Islamic Messianism: The Idea of the Mahdi in Twelver Shi’ism. This figure owes much to Jewish and Christian doctrines, despite overall differences. Further, Sunni and Shia disagree as to what his nature will be, as well. According to Sachedina, the Muslim messiah is he who will “appear” (zuhur) or “rise” (qiyam) against the intolerable secularists and their depraved system.
Sachadina says the Muslim messiah differs from the Christian type in that he does not offer personal salvation since mankind is not dead in its sins. Neither does he offer national salvation into a separate, autonomous godly kingdom. Instead, the Mahdi is responsible for the creation of the umma, “a worldwide membership of all those who believe in God and his revelation through Muhammad.”
One can trace the development of Shia Islam itself into the seeking of the godly Imam who comes back in the spirit of Muhammad, from a descendant of his lineage (ahl al-bayt). The Sunnis resisted any continuation of the line of Mohammad, considering this idolatry. Curiously, the development of the idea of Islamic salvation comes after the political establishment of the idea of the Muslim state, according to Sachedina, who writes:
Quranic teaching about salvation had to wait on historical events, and this fact undoubtedly had a major impact on their formulation. If the Islamic doctrine of salvation was conceived in the formation of an ideal religio-political community living under a fitting legal and social system of Islam on earth, then such an ideal was dependent on the leadership which could assure its realizationMost of these early discussions on the Imamate took at first sight political form, but eventually the debate encompassed the religious implications of salvation. This is true of all Islamic concepts, since Islam as a religious phenomenon was subsequent to Islam as a political reality.
The Sunnites looked upon salvation as possible only through the allegiance and loyalty of all believers in the community. As long as the community continued to be fully committed to the promulgation and observance of the Law (Shari’a), its salvation was guaranteed regardless of the qualities of the leader
The Shia rejected this, insisting that without a worthy messianic leader salvation was not certain, but acknowledging the rightness of the chosen Imam guarantees salvation. The general belief of Islam on its messiah was summed up by Ibn Khaldun:
It has been well known (and generally accepted) by all Muslims in every epoch, that at the end of time a man from the family (of the Prophet) will without fail make his appearance, one who will strengthen the religion and make justice triumph. The Muslims will follow him, and he will gain domination over the Muslim realm. He will be called the Mahdi. Following him, the Antichrist will appear, together with all the subsequent signs of the Hour (the Day of Judgment), as established in (the sound tradition of) the Sahih. After (the Mahdi), Isa (Jesus) will descend and kill the Antichrist. Or, Jesus will descend together with the Mahdi, and help him kill (the Antichrist), and have him as the leader in his prayers.
The Mahdi is not just a suffering, gentle leader who comes to exhort his followers towards good. Instead, he returns to take up arms and bring in the umma through force. It’s helpful that the Imam is also a sinless person, or is infallible (’isma), who also had the Light of God, passed down from the Prophets. The Prophetic weapons (al-silah) are also at his disposal, being those left behind by the Prophet—his sword, efficacious coat of mail, and short spear (anaza). Included in this bequest are many scrolls of knowledge, as well. In the chosen Imam dwells bodily the full ability to interpret all religious questions, and all knowledge.
