The majority of the world's religions irrespective of their being divine or earthly, believe in the advent of a 'Saviour'. The spiritual leaders of different religions have discussed and debated on this subject. A Saviour is described as deliverer of the mankind, who will appear in the ultimate era of the world, fill this earth with justice and equity as it would be filled with tyranny and oppression, eradicate deviation and ignorance and disseminate monotheism and justice. Such ideas can be found in various religions and in their books, one can even find the various attributes and characteristics of the saviour. One thing becomes very clear that the belief in a saviour is based on instinct and every man wishes that the world should rather culminatein goodness instead of having an evil ending. Following are some of the excerpts from the ancient religions about the saviour :
Zorastrianism And Belief In Saviour:
Zoroastrianism or Dualism is regarded as an ancient religion. It is known through discussions and extracts from letters that one of the significant principles of this religion is the belief in a 'Saviour who will defeat 'Ahreman' (devil) after his reappearance and will lead the world towards the light (Nur). Even in the renowned book of 'Zend' the conflict of 'Ahreman' and Yazdan is narrated as follows :
" Then Yazdan will achieve a great triumph and Ahreman will be annihilated —-. The world will receive it's virtual salvation after the victory of Yazdan and with the elimination and destruction of Ahreman the sons of Adam will recline on the thrown of virtues."
In this excerpt the triumph of Yazd or the saviour is regarded as the success of humanity.
Another celebrated hook of Zoroastrians, 'Jamasab Namah' which is written by Zoroaster himself, explains the same thing in the following manner :-
"A man will rise from the land of Taziu (Arabia) —— who will have a flowing mane, tough physique, will reconstruct the lofty ideals, march towards Iran, civilize it, inhabit it and will fill the earth with justice and equity."
If we browse through 'Avesta' while keeping these things in mind, then we find that the conqueror of the world is named as 'Sushiyant'. He will be the last conqueror of the world who will purge and establish purity in the world."(The Lexicon of Avesta, Part II Yashtaha, Pg. 226 and Sushyans, Pg.16).
"We appreciate chaste men and extol chaste women - We honor every strength and power and regard it in high esteem, from Kiumars to the conqueror of Sushiyant."
Similarly in the book of 'Farvardeen Yasht (Sentence No. 128-129), the reason for naming the saviour as 'Sushyant' is elaborated .The one who will be remembered as 'the conqueror of Sushiyant' or 'Astut Art'. He is named as Sushyant because he will benefit the whole world. He will raise his voice against the lies fabricated by men. Finally the good-doers will triumph over the evil-doers -As it can be seen that how a saviour is remembered and mentioned even if in the name of 'Sushyant' who will be the harbinger of all the goodness that can be imagined and expected in the world. It is evident from all these excerpts that even
Zoroastrians have discussed, debated and testified about 'the Saviour'.
The Jews and the Saviours:
The history of Jews can be traced to very ancient times. They have distorted and tampered with their Divine books to the greatest possible extent, and have cunningly endeavored to delete all those portions which prophecies about Islam and the Holy Prophet (S.A.). Since Allah wishes to illuminate the darkness of deviation with the beacon of guidance, hence despite the exertions of Jews, such parts can be seen in their books where predictions regarding the advent of a Saviour who will establish justice and equity in the world are recorded. This world will become a haven of peace where a lion and a goat will graze together.
Following are the excerpts from their books which pertinently state about their saviour :-
"An offshoot from the mouth of Lesi will spring up and a branch of its branches will sprout —— He will be an equitable command for the contemptuously mean person and a virtual warning (cause of enlightenment) for the inhabitants of the earth --—."
'His griddle is Justice'.
'Faithfulness is the hilt of his sheath'.
A wolf will associate with the herd of goats while a small child will be their shepherd.
There will not be an iota of chaotic turmoil in My sacred mountains because the earth will be brimming with the knowledge of Allah the Almighty just as an ocean is replete with water.
"The truthfuls will inherit the earth and will abide in it forever."
(Ash-lya e-Nabi, section 11, Sentence 4)
"Because the pious men will inherit the earth but the accused will perish."
( Psalms of David, 37, Sentence 22 & 29)
These sentences clarify that the saviour will be pious, the ruler of a just kingdom and caretaker of
the Divine precepts. The old Gospels i.e. Taurat does not suffice with it's narration over here. It has gone much ahead, like in the Book of Prophet Haba-quq in seventh chapter, saying :
"If he delays (in coming) then await him because he will certainly come and will not delay or procrastinate his arrival. Rather he will gamer all the people around him and will prepare himself to face all the nations."
As a conclusion the awaiting of the saviour fortifies faith and strengthens belief. Even this is certain that his advent will spell defeat and disgrace for all the tyrants and oppressors on the earth. Allah will empower him to vanquish all the fiendish nations pitted against him.
There are such innumerable sentences scattered in different chapters and sections of Taurat and it is not possible to quote all of them in such a brief article.
The Christians and the Saviour:
There are plenty of verses in the holy book of Christians (formerly called as 'Injeel' and now known as 'The New Testament ') regarding the saviour. But since there are lot of distortions in it hence so many verses cannot be found in the presently available copy. Despite such blatant distortions, there are quite a few verses which talk about the saviour. Following are some examples to prove our point.
The Gospel of Mathews, Chap. 24
"As lightning shoots up from the east and is visible up to the west similar is the advent of the son of man."
"They will see the son of man on the clouds coming with his glorious pomp and splendor -—."
"And he will send his angels (helpers) with a clamour (trumpets) and they will gather the chosen ones."
The Gospel of Luke , Chap. 24
Be prepared and let the lamp glow. Be as if you are awaiting your master restlessly so that when he knocks at your door you may open it immediately."
From the above verses, the advent of saviour, the importance of waiting for him and the signs of his reappearance become clear.
In another verse from the same chapter it is stated that
"The hour will arrive suddenly——. Then always keep praying and be awake.—— Be prepared that when this hour comes to pass you may find yourself guided and may be able to present yourself in front of the son of man ——."
The Christians have also misinterpreted the meaning of this verse and have misconstrued the meaning of saviour as Hazrat Isa (A.S.) (i.e. Jesus Christ) rather than someone else.
Even if we assume just for the sake of argument that these verses are regarding Hazrat Isa (A.S.) then maximum it can be interpreted as his advent after Hazrat Mahdi's (A.S.) reappearance. And this world will achieve salvation at the hands of these two great personalities.
Hence according to the Islamic traditions, after his reappearance, Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.) will lead the prayers while Hazrat Isa (A.S.) will pray behind him. Hence it can be concluded that almost all the religions, whether divinely or earthly, believe in the advent of a saviour.
The rays of this belief can be found even amongst the Hindus, Chinese and Egyptians. If all such excerpts are collected at one place then it would become like a detailed compilation. Hence we suffice our discussion with the above stated excerpts and raise our hands praying to Allah that:
"0 Lord! Hasten the advent of the promised saviour and make it known to the world that he is none but Mohammad bin AI-Hasan AI-Askari (A.S.)."
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