The coming forth of a man from the family of the Prophet, one who is destined to establish the rule of universal justice in an age wherein injustice and oppression prevail, is an axiom of Islamic belief, and as such, agreed upon by the whole community of Muslims, the hadiths on this matter reaching the highest level of authenticity, that of tawåtur. According to the estimates of the scholars, there are 657 hadiths on this subject, of which we shall cite just one, which has been transmitted in the Musnad of Ibn Óanbal. The Prophet said: ‘If there were only one day left in the life of the world, God would prolong that day until a man come forth from my descendants, who will fill the world with justice and equity, just as it had been filled with injustice and oppression.’
Therefore, there is complete agreement among all Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike, upon the fact that a man from the Prophet's family will arise, in the manner indicated in the hadith, in the Last Days.
On the basis of these narrations, there is no dispute in Islam as to the fact that such a global reformer will arise; what is, however, subject to dispute is whether he was born in the distant past and is still alive today, or whether he will come to this world at some future time. The Shia along with a group of Sunni scholars and uphold the first position, believing that this personage was born in the year 255/868, and is still alive today; while a section amongst the scholars of the Sunnis believe that he will be born in the future.
As we, the Shia believe that he has been alive since the year 255 A.H. we must mention, within the limits imposed by this book, certain principles pertaining to the occultation and longevity of this personage.
The Rise of Imam Musa al-Sadr and Evolution of Lebanese Resistance Front
