Understanding the Times and Acquiring Ma’rifa: Key Factors in Preserving Ourselves and Shaping the Future of the World
Every thoughtful and conscious person knows the importance of understanding the times and having a clear perception of one’s position during different historical moments. Throughout history, many great movements have emerged, but despite their heavy costs, they often failed to achieve their goals because of not understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa—meaning they did not fully grasp their situation or act at the right moment. One notable example is the Tawabin [1] uprising. Even though the number of their casualties was several times higher than those at Karbala, due to not understanding the times, their movement was not aligned with the needs of the Imam. This delay interrupted the establishment of a divine government—a loss that not only Shia but every free person worldwide is still paying for today.
To truly understand our moment in time and be aware of its unique features, we must have a broad and comprehensive perspective. This means recognizing the different dimensions of the issue, the path ahead, the threats we face, and the opportunities that might arise. Without this, we will inevitably face irreversible historical and civilizational damages.
Looking at the efforts of prophets and friends of Allah (Awliya’ Allah) throughout history reveals the relentless struggle of the forces of truth to establish a divine government. This government would create the environment for true bliss, guided by the training of an infallible expert. Reviewing this historical journey, especially as the battle between good and evil intensifies on the surface, shows that the world is rapidly approaching one of its most decisive moments. This period will see the entire Front of Disbelief standing against the entire Front of Faith. The world will witness the beautiful moments of overthrowing arrogance and the rightful inheritance of the earth by the righteous. It will prepare itself to establish the Noble Rule of the Righteous and the rule of the infallible expert—the dream of all prophets and friends of Allah. However, achieving success in this inheritance and realizing the efforts of prophets and friends of Allah throughout history depends first and foremost on the strength of the forces of truth. It requires careful strategic and operational preparation to overcome falsehood in this final battle.
Self-Knowledge: The Key to Success on the Path
The question is: Does every person have the ability to understand their position in this decisive battle? Does understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa require special prerequisites? How can one gain a clear understanding of their role in this moment and their impact on the future, so that the darkest moments in history—moments that prevented the establishment of a divine government and the coming of the Savior—do not trap us again?
The first step to achieving this understanding is having a clear definition of oneself as a human being [2]. Until we realize our own value as beings with the capacity of being Allah’s deputy on earth, and truly understand the purpose of our creation, we will not see ourselves as capable of making such an impact on the future, and naturally, we will not strive to fulfill this goal!
Of course, failing to reach this understanding comes at a cost. The farther we are from knowing our human worth and purpose, the more fear, anxiety, and even despair we experience about a movement that, despite being in its most turbulent moments right now, is rapidly purifying the fronts of truth and falsehood, moving toward a bright future awaited by all prophets and friends of Allah.
In fact, awareness of our human value and the grand purpose of creation makes the hardships and costs of this time easier to bear. It is much like an athlete who is willing to endure all the difficulties of training, separation from family, and personal or social limitations in order to achieve a valuable medal and reach their goal.
A Person with Civilization-Building Ideals
Therefore, truly understanding our place in history, becoming aware of present circumstances, and having a clear vision of the future is only possible when we have a precise definition of ourselves as human beings, not as limited, material creatures, but as beings who carry a Divine Spirit from Allah, striving to safely deliver the sacred trust of our true human nature. We understand that the safe delivery of this trust is only possible by following the guidance of the infallible expert [3] as a role model and leader. Therefore, we spare no effort in bringing back the infallible expert and working for the victory of the forces of truth—an essential step in preparing for the establishment of the Noble Rule of the Righteous. This belief rests on the understanding that achieving true bliss- not only for ourselves but for all beings- depends on walking this path correctly and taking the necessary, timely actions to strengthen the forces of truth and eliminate the forces of falsehood.
Thus, having a coherent plan for self-knowledge and understanding the Imam does not only lead us to understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa for a proper vision of the future, but it also helps minimize the mental gaps between ourselves and the forces of truth, aligning us completely with this movement.
In fact, it is only through gaining this readiness and achieving this alignment that we will have the ability to safely navigate the crises of this critical turning point in history—for ourselves and for others.
Consequences of a Weak Presence
First and foremost, we need a clear picture of the current situation and the status of the forces of truth and falsehood [4]. Understanding the conditions and acting according to the necessities of this critical historical turning point is not something that can be imposed on us from an external force. Instead, we must first develop a true belief in the magnitude of the present struggle and the importance of our impact on the future of the world. Only then can we prepare ourselves appropriately for this decisive battle—and this readiness depends on understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa.
Reviewing the actions of the prophets and infallible Imams throughout history, the progression of the forces of truth and falsehood, and recent global developments all reveal the undeniable truth that we are very close to the time of the awaited advent. The path to fulfilling the mission of the prophets, who long sought to reach this glorious moment, is nearly complete.
Actually, despite all the sacrifices, martyrdoms, losses, hardships, tortures, and loneliness that the forces of truth have endured from the beginning of history until now, they are patiently awaiting the completion of the last piece of this puzzle by people who not only deeply understand their crucial responsibilities at this historical turning point but also possess the ability—through necessary actions—to protect themselves and others. These are the individuals who have grown strong to empower the righteous on earth and to bring down the arrogant regimes. They are the ones who have realized the importance of understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa and prepared themselves for victory in this critical period.
The truth is, we are entrusted with a great responsibility whose foundations have been laid over thousands of years, and now it has been passed down to us at its most sensitive time. Our failure to properly understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa will prevent us from successfully navigating these transformations and this critical turning point. In other words, without understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa, we will continue to witness the weakening of the forces of truth and the isolation of the infallible expert who for centuries has sought our understanding, maturity, and support to rescue his oppressed children.
How to Get Prepared
Preparing for this decisive battle requires not only offensive strength to empower the forces of truth and weaken the forces of falsehood, but also defensive endurance and spiritual vigilance to protect ourselves and others. Naturally, we can only endure when we first realize the importance of perseverance on this path and then believe in the positive outcomes this perseverance will bring for ourselves and others.
So the question is: What are the details of achieving this comprehensive strengthening to stand firm in crises and avoid being sifted out in the trials of the End Times? How can we not only gain endurance but also grow in power to play our rightful role [5] at this critical moment? How does strengthening the forces of truth—leading to the destruction of arrogance by the nations and the rightful inheritance of the earth by the righteous—actually happen?
In reality, reaching this readiness and belief in effort and perseverance requires an internal process within each individual. Naturally, to reap its fruits, a series of steps must be taken.
Having a Clear Plan for Acquiring Ma’rifa
No matter how much we strive to find the motivation needed for successful participation in this decisive battle. That is, if we are not aware of our human worth and the purpose of creation, and do not approach the matter with a correct civilizational perspective, we will never be immune to setbacks and filtering in this path.
Successfully passing through this critical turning point requires both understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa regarding our human position and heavy responsibility toward the Savior, and also drawing power from the unseen through maximum utilization of the prayers of the infallibles—especially the precious treasury of the prayers of Imam Sajjad (Peace be upon him) and the divine names.
Following Imam Khamenei’s Guidance Consistently and Precisely
At this moment in history, the role of having an aware and wise leadership in achieving the goals of the forces of truth and neutralizing the plans of the forces of falsehood is undeniable. This leadership, alongside emphasizing the importance of understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa, provides timely and accurate assessments of the situation, precise identification of the enemy, and clear explanation of our responsibilities—both individually and socially— guiding us through this critical period. He actually thwarts the enemy’s plans with keen insight and wisdom. In fact, it can be confidently said that one of the essential conditions for success in this historical turning point is paying close attention to and acting upon the leader’s directives. Through careful, deliberate, and divinely inspired statements and stances, the leader aligns us swiftly with the overwhelming events surrounding us in these sensitive end-time conditions.
The History of the 250-Year-Old Person
Moreover, studying the 250-year history of the Infallible Imams and examining the civilizational role of prophets and divine Imams in establishing the divine government has a significant impact on forming a civilizational perspective and understanding our place in this decisive process. In the section covering the course of history [6] towards the advent of Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him), we have thoroughly analyzed this progression and provided a comprehensive civilizational outlook alongside understanding the times and acquiring ma’rifa.
The reason is that without understanding this process and possessing a correct civilizational perspective, not only we will destroy ourselves during the end-time trials, but we will also cause irreparable damage to the forces of truth and the foundations of the divine government.
Awareness of the Events That Happened During the Time of the Infallible Imams
Being aware of the events and circumstances during the time of the Imams greatly helps in making correct choices and taking proper stances amid crises and trials. That is because the tribulations and tests before the advent of Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) share many similarities with those faced by the prophets and friends of Allah, especially the events during the time of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) and the prophets mentioned in the Quran. The key difference is that unlike the prophets, the trials of the Ummah of Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) will take place before his government is established, not during it. Therefore, having a correct understanding of these historical events and trials will undoubtedly assist us in grasping the timing of events and choosing the right and timely responses during these tribulations.
Utilizing the Great Capacity of Shia Heritage
Just as we face harsh and decisive conditions, we also possess an immense treasury of prayers and the Ziyarat Nama of the infallible Imams. These not only provide us with a correct understanding of our Shia identity and shape our ideological stance toward tyranny and the enemies of truth and Allah, but they also clearly define our duties as avenging and influential children of the Household of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon them).
Moreover, these prayers serve as spiritual protection against attacks and act as effective weapons against our enemies. For example, Du’a Nudba outlines the practical path for the life of a Shia believer; Ziyarat Ashura not only defines our role as the avenging children of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) but also clarifies our ultimate goal in reaching the honored station (maqam al-mahmud) and accompanying the Imam; Du’a Iftitah addresses our responsibilities toward the Imam and the establishment of the Noble Rule of the Righteous. There are hundreds of other prayers and spiritual weapons that serve as a secure refuge, perfectly aligned with our fitrah, especially during the peak hardships and tribulations of the End Times.
Improving Lifestyle
Actually, we can only achieve the right and meaningful outcome of our acquiring ma’rifa if, alongside these efforts, we do not neglect reforming our lifestyle to match that of a prepared and active individual on the battlefield. Having knowledge and a ready spirit alone will not be effective without a strong, agile body. A person who weakens themselves through poor physical nutrition, lack of fitness, or exposure to illnesses—and who does not hesitate to feed their soul with harmful sensory, imaginal, or estimative inputs—will find themselves vulnerable at critical moments of crises and enemy attacks, whether spiritual or material, losing the ability to respond appropriately.
Therefore, to move forward as an effective human being in the future, we need a set of factors. At the top of this list are awareness of our human worth for understanding the times properly, lifestyle reform to maintain appropriate reactions amid trials and tribulations, and spiritual care to protect ourselves and others, as well as strengthening the forces of truth and weakening the forces of falsehood.
References
[1]. Shaykh Mahdi Pishvai, The Lives of the Twelve: A Look at the Social and Political Lives of the Twelve Infallible Imams, Sayyid Ali Musawi, Noor Collective Publications, 2019, vol. 1, pp. 171-175.
[2]. “How Many Levels of Human Existence Are There, and What Are They?” Who Is Imam Mahdi, Montazeran‑e Monji Institute, 2024.
[3]. “Course of Human Development Necessity of the Expert in Human Development.” Who Is Imam Mahdi, Montazeran‑e Monji Institute, 2024
[4]. “The Struggle Between Truth and Falsehood.” Islamic Foundation, 15 Nov. 2013, Islamic Foundation.
[5]. “Paving the Way for the Advent of the Savior and Removing Obstacles.” Who Is Imam Mahdi, Montazeran‑e Monji Institute, 2024.
[6]. “History’s Journey Toward the Savior’s Advent.” Who is Imam Mahdi, Montazeran‑e Monji Institute, 2024.
