Belief in Mahdism Has Made Shi’ism A Dynamic School of Thought
Belief in a Savior who is hidden from eyes but oversees and supports the conduct of his followers has made Shi’ism a dynamic school of thought.
This is according to Mustafa Kuliba, a religious sciences scholar from Burkina Faso who was attending the 9th International Conference Doctrine of Mahdism. He told IQNA that with the belief in the existence of the Savior, Shia Muslims never lose contact with their Imam.
He noted that this belief is seen in many religions and faiths but there are differences in views. “Sunnis also believe in the coming of the Savior but what makes the Shi’ites’ conviction superior to that of others is that according to the Shia doctrine, the Savior is alive and in Occultation.”
Kuliba said believing that a Man of God is there to support him and waiting for such a person to be born in an indefinite time in the future are two quite different things. “Shi’ism is a vibrant religion because its followers constantly hope for the coming of the Promised One and in all stages of their life see Imam Zaman (may God hasten his glad advent) as being present.”
He underlined that the potentials of believing in the return of the Savior should be tapped into and that these potentials should be used in areas such as strengthening proximity among followers of different faiths.
The religious scholar added that SHia Muslims ought to clarify different aspects of Mahdism and Intizar (awaiting the Savior) for the world to prepare the world for the return of the Savior.
He noted that in order to set the ground for the coming of the Savior, a society should be built which moves in the direction of the commands and teachings of the Infallible Imams (AS).
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kuliba urged that followers of other faiths should also be invited to the conference on Mahdism Doctrine in order to learn about Shia beliefs about Mahdism.
Mustafa Kuliba learned about Shia Islam and converted to it after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. He got a PhD in Islamic Theology and Philosophy from Lebanon and currently teaches in religious centers in his country, Burkina Faso.
The 9th International Conference on Mahdism Doctrine was held on Sunday and Monday, June 23-24, in Tehran with the theme of “Ground-setting Education, Strategies and Approaches”.
Schoalrs and thinkers from Iran and several other countries including Lebanon, Iraq, Canada, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso and Tanzania presented their papers at the international conference.
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He noted that this belief is seen in many religions and faiths but there are differences in views. “Sunnis also believe in the coming of the Savior but what makes the Shi’ites’ conviction superior to that of others is that according to the Shia doctrine, the Savior is alive and in Occultation.”
Kuliba said believing that a Man of God is there to support him and waiting for such a person to be born in an indefinite time in the future are two quite different things. “Shi’ism is a vibrant religion because its followers constantly hope for the coming of the Promised One and in all stages of their life see Imam Zaman (may God hasten his glad advent) as being present.”
He underlined that the potentials of believing in the return of the Savior should be tapped into and that these potentials should be used in areas such as strengthening proximity among followers of different faiths.
The religious scholar added that SHia Muslims ought to clarify different aspects of Mahdism and Intizar (awaiting the Savior) for the world to prepare the world for the return of the Savior.
He noted that in order to set the ground for the coming of the Savior, a society should be built which moves in the direction of the commands and teachings of the Infallible Imams (AS).
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kuliba urged that followers of other faiths should also be invited to the conference on Mahdism Doctrine in order to learn about Shia beliefs about Mahdism.
Mustafa Kuliba learned about Shia Islam and converted to it after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. He got a PhD in Islamic Theology and Philosophy from Lebanon and currently teaches in religious centers in his country, Burkina Faso.
The 9th International Conference on Mahdism Doctrine was held on Sunday and Monday, June 23-24, in Tehran with the theme of “Ground-setting Education, Strategies and Approaches”.
Schoalrs and thinkers from Iran and several other countries including Lebanon, Iraq, Canada, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso and Tanzania presented their papers at the international conference.
1247351
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