Raj`a

Raj`a (alternate spellings: rajaa, raja'a, الرجعة in Arabic means "return") in Islamic terminology, according to Aljawahiri and Fayruzabadi,[1] is a term referring to the Second Coming, or the return to life of a given past historical figure after that person's physical death.

The raj`a and the returning figures in Shia belief

Shi'a believe that before the hereafter and the Day of Judgement, God brings back, in a future point in time, groups of people from the past. And that these people will have the same appearance as they had before. Among those returned alongside Muhammad al-Mahdi and Jesus will be al-Husayn. The purpose of this return is the establishment of justice for those who were oppressed and died oppressed: the oppressors are punished directly by the oppressed during this future reappearance. Shi'a base this belief on several verses in the Quran where it is mentioned that some people will die twice and live twice.[2][3]

The belief in raj'a was controversially expressed following the death and state funeral of Hugo Chávez on 5 March 2013, when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated his belief that Chavez would be one of the individuals resurrected following the return of the Mahdi and Jesus. Ahmadinejad's words were criticized by several Iranian clerics.[4][5]

The raj`a in the eyes of some Sunni scholars

Al Suyuti

Jalaluddin Al-Sayuti wrote about the raj`a but in a different way from the Shiites. According to his book (تنوير الحلك في إمكان رؤية النبي والملك), or The Possibility of Seeing the Prophet and the Angels, Suyuti claims to have seen the Prophet Muhammad over 70 times while he was awake. According to him, in contrast to Shiite belief, the Second Coming of the Prophet Muhammad is not limited to a specific time in the future. Al-Sayuti did not mention if any other religious figures will return after death before the hereafter.[6]

Al Qurtubi

According to Abu 'Abdullah Al-Qurtubi, raj`a is understood as the lack of physical presence of a prophet, who marks his apparent death by absence in the physical world. Prophets, however, will reappear, from time to time, to those who are pure in heart.[7]

Ibn al-Arabi

The Maliki scholar Ibn al-Arabi, known for his exegesis of the Sunan al-Tirmidhi, stated that seeing and hearing the prophets while awake is possible for the pure believer.[8]

Raj`a in Christianity

Main article: Second Coming

See also

External links

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Al Sihaah Vol 3. 1216 and Al Qamoos Al Moheet Vol 3.P28. ar. الصحاح 3: 1216. والقاموس المحيط 3: 28
  2. ↑ Qulayni, Al Kafi Vol 8 P 206 -250. ar. الكافي، للكليني 8: 206 | 250
  3. ↑ Islam and the Modern Age, Volume 24, Page 61, Zakir Hussain Institute of Islamic Studies, 1993.
  4. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/06/hugo-chavez-return-resurrection-ahmadinejad
  5. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/us-iran-ahmadinejad-chavez-idUSBRE9270TP20130308
  6. ↑ Marwan Khlifat, Warakibtu Assafeena 1st Ed P.644 مروان خليفات. وركبت السفينة: 644
  7. ↑ Al Tathkira Fi Ahwal Al Mawta Vol 1.P212, ar. التذكرة في أحوال الموتى وأمور الآخرة. 1/212
  8. ↑ Al hawi Lilfatawi Vol 2.P:257. الحاوي للفتاوي ج2 ص257، 258 جلال الدين السيوطي
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