7 reasons why people who hear about the coming of Imam Mahdi will still oppose and reject him

The Coming of the Mahdi - Lecture 2 of 3 by Khalil Jaffer

Link to lecture 2 of 3 - The coming of Mahdi

 

ONE - Mis-conceived expectations
When the Imam makes his appearance, people will come towards him expecting relief from the trials and tribulations of the world. However, what people will not expect is that for the relief to be obtained further sacrifices will have to be made. He will come to lead the people, however all the hard work to get to relief will need more pain, suffering and sacrifice. People will not expect this.

Before the battle of Uhod, Muslims in Makkah were suffering; they wanted relief; they prayed to Allah to help them fight evil. However, when the time came to fight for what they wanted, they ran away. It is not sufficient just say that we want relief, and feel the need for it. When the time comes, action will have to be taken to get relief.
TWO - Loss of will to succeed
By the time Imam Mahdi comes, people would have lived through so much turmoil and intense difficulty that they will have become fed up of constantly trying to change the situation. They would have faced extreme droughts, death, disease, plagues, natural disasters, wars etc. They will fail to recognise that this time round will be different - because of the Imam’s presence. People will be so exhausted from trying that they will seek relief through death.

There will be a large group of people that will be like ‘straw in the wind’ - heading towards whoever calls, to whatever message – whether it is haqq or batil. As long as the message is suitable for them and their lifestyle, they will take it.

THREE - Dependence on miracles
A substantial dependence on miracles by the masses will mean that people will expect larger-than-life miracles that demonstrate the Imam’s position; that a better peaceful society will be built by miraculous means. Granted the imam will have the ability to perform any miracle he chooses to, it is important to note, given the long history of miracles, as noted in the Quran, that miracles have not converted the masses.

Think here about Prophet Musa’s difficulties with his followers. After having split the seas to allow them to pass and turning his staff into a snake, with Allah’s will, the masses still made a calf made of gold to worship.

A miracle only shows that a prophet has a special position; that Allah will listen to his prayers and wishes. Greatness lies in attaining conviction through purification; through realising the ultimate truth; through the intellect. That’s why the greatest miracle is the Quran. Truth has to be realised, sometimes it is not sufficient to just speak/show it.