Occultation <i>in Perpetuum</i> : Shi'ite Messianism and the Policies of the Islamic Republic

Abstract

This article examines assertion, widespread in both media and academia, that Islamic Republic of Iran - and especially current government under Mahmud Ahmadinejad - is actuated by a powerful, Shi'ite-based messianism. Much evidence appears at first glance to support this assessment: not only statements and actions of charismatic President, many of which reference imminent return of Hidden Imam, but also, and more fundamentally, widespread perception of Shi'ism - state religion of Iran and spiritual force behind Islamic Revolution - as an endemically and fervently apocalyptic creed. two factors have combined with agenda-ridden punditry of many lay-people and even specialists to create pervasive impression that Iran's rulers live on brink of Eschaton, and seek to expedite its arrival by initiating a worldwide cataclysm. author rejects validity of this outlook, arguing instead that religio-historical developments in medieval and modern periods gradually turned Twelver Shi'ism into most resolutely anti-messianic movement in Islam, and perhaps in world. While it remains imperative, in author's view, that international community strive to prevent Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear capabilities, this is not due to any inherent End of Days outlook informing Iranian policy. This alternative view harbors significant implications for West's present and future dealings with Shi'ism in general and with Iran in particular. Early in 2005 author was listening via Internet to an Iranian radio station called shabake-ye-ithargaran, The Self-Sacrificers' Network, and specifically to a daily broadcast entitled barname-ye-payan-e-jahan, The End-of-the-World Program. speaker on that occasion, a middle-ranking cleric from southwestern port city of Khorramshahr, was propounding a novel interpretation of an ancient Islamic tradition, which read: We were told by [the Prophet Muhammad's wife] 'A'isha (may God be satisfied with her) that Messenger of God, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'The one-eyed Anti-Christ will be a Jew, and he will emerge from among Jews of Isfahan, travel until he reaches Land of Syria, and enter Palestine through Lydda gate. He will begin battle against Muslims from there, and then original companions of Jesus son of will and him, eradicating his people.' 1 To creative cleric delivering that day's lecture, intent of this medieval eschatological passage was obvious: it referred to Mofaz, then-Defense Minister of State of Israel. Mofaz was born in 1948 (like Zionist regime!) to a Jewish family in Isfahan; he immigrated to Palestine as a youth, entering that country through Lydda airport; he joined army soon after his arrival and began battling Muslims from his new base; and he has, as everyone knows, only one eye. 2 How did he come to be named Shaul? After Saul of old who, by ruse of changing his name to Paul, infiltrated and carried out mission he had been assigned by Jews: to corrupt and undermine pure faith that Jesus had brought. For this reason enmity has reigned between Shaul and devotees of true Christianity from that time until present. And who the original companions of Jesus son of Mary described in hadith? three Magi, of course, who came to visit manger, and they - no less than Christ's arch-enemy of Isfahanic stock - hail from Iran. 3 It is thus Islamic Republic of Iran that is destined, according to this ancient prognostication, to descend and kill Israeli warlord Mofaz who emerged from its own territory, and utterly eradicate his people. These events, concluded radio-preacher, are already underway. COMING SOON? How influential on policies of Islamic Republic is reinvigorated messianic fervor coursing through large segments of Iranian government and populace? …