Table of Contents
Section Three: The First Crossing of the Bridge of Sirát
Towards the end of his days, Siyyid Kázim would repeatedly declare words such as these:
The Promised One lives in the midst of this people. The appointed time for His appearance is fast approaching. Prepare the way for Him, and purify yourselves so that you may recognize His beauty. Not until I depart from this world will the day-star of His countenance be revealed. It behooves you after my departure to arise and seek Him. You should not rest for one moment until you find Him.60ACT1
Because he knew the Promised One was nigh, Siyyid Kazim refused to appoint a long-term successor.
Death of Siyyid Kázim
On 26 November 1842, Siyyid Kázim arrived at a mosque called Masjid-i-Baráthá 61ACT1 , which lies between Baghdád and Kázímayn . He was going from Karbalá’ to Kázímayn to visit the shrines of the seventh and ninth Imáms. It was time for the noon-day prayer. He stood beneath the shade of a palm tree finishing his prayers when suddenly an Arab shepherd appeared. Without any hesitation, the shepherd approached Siyyid Kázim, embraced him, and said:
Three days ago, while shepherding, I fell asleep and, in my dream, I saw the Apostle of God, our blessed Prophet Muhammad. He addressed me these words: “Go to the Masjid-i-Baráthá in exactly three days from today. You will find a scion of My house, one of my noble descendants, Siyyid Kázim, there with his companions in the shade of the palm tree praying. Tell him from Me: “Rejoice for the hour of your departure is at hand. After your visit to Kázimayn, when you return to Karbalá’, on the third day of your return, which is the day of ’Arafih, you will wing your flight to Me. Know that soon after that shall He Who is the Truth be made manifest. Then shall the world be illuminated by the light of His Face. Rejoice for your work here is done.” 62ACT1
60 Dawn-Breakers Chapter 8, p166
61 masjid means mosque, and the -i- means – of –
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