The Optimal Awaiting [the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi] in the Context of the Balance of Reason and Feeling (the Criticism on the Emotional Approach to the Awaiting Issue)

The issue of awaiting [the reappearance of Imam Mahdi] as one of the genuine Islamic teachings have totally reflected in Shi’ī thought. However, it is endangered by cultural and social harms. One of these harms is to overcome one of the two factors of reason and emotion in this regard; an emotional approach to the issue of Mahdaviiat and awaiting leads to not only the neglect of the depth of this original doctrine but also the distortion of the fact of awaiting [the reappearance of Imam Mahdi]. Studies on Mahdaviiat, observation of related films and programs, celebrations and religious festivals in the month of Sha‘ban [in the birthday of Imam Mahdi] and dozens of conferences and meetings have been implemented. This indicates that some attempts have been made to increase the level of knowledge of people as well as it is exactly the main concern of the administrators of such programs. However, it seems that their endeavors have not been accomplished as much as they must do. Thus, the knowledge gap in this field is still felt. In this paper, we focus on the damages in this field by examining the mutual role of reason and feeling in understanding, describing, analyzing, propagating and eventually adhering to this doctrine. These kinds of perspectives in the signs of reappearance [of Imam Mahdi], on the accountability of people in society who await [Imam Mahdi], and their actions in relation regarding the presence of the Imam of the Ages. The overcoming of emotions and lack of attention to the mutual attitude of reason and feeling have provided many of the distortions, misunderstandings and inappropriate actions in religious society that this article is responsible for describing some of them.