بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Ever since the birth of Man into this realm of creation, Prophets, Imams, and Saints have come with a message of Truth and system of Liberation for the purpose of establishing Justice on Earth and opening the gates of Heaven. Unfortunately, as these figures leave there earthly bodies, and their souls return to the celestial realm, their words and deeds become misrepresented by those who understood them not; falsified by those of wicked intent, and obscured by the passage of time.

Therefore, it is of prime importance that those of us who are seeking to fulfill the Divine Command and instill Heaven on earth, immediately reexamine how we view ALL things previously accepted at face value (about Religion, Prophecy, Scripture etc) and strive to get to their True Essence. For one of the biggest problems with "Religion" is that its outward structure is primarily built up and codified by people who are not themselves Gnostics, thus losing much of the inner nature of Prophetic teachings.

From a mystical perspective, we have to realize that "spirituality" and "Religion" are two different things. Only with this in mind can we begin to ascertain the Truth. For we have been taught for so long to perceive reality from our limited human perspective (ascribing human characteristics to God, and perceiving linear notions of time and space, to be absolutes) that our spiritual perception is invariably clouded by this, and we are locked in a prison of our own misunderstanding. However, within the words of the mystic teachings of the Prophets, there is a key to unlock that prison, and open the door to True Gnosis.

That "key" is the understanding that every outward event or teaching has an inward meaning, and that every exoteric form contains a more important esoteric reality (with even that inner aspect having a deeper meaning contained within itself and so on). For example, the Torah, Injil and Quran, speak of the Apocalypse, Judgment Day, and Resurrection (which outwardly can be seen as the end of the World and subsequent judgment of Mankind). However, the True meaning of these events will not be found in their outward appearance. Rather, it exists within. For only Allah knows when the end of this world will be. And in the meantime, there are many lessons to be learned; many Divine Truths to enact in the here and now.

Each one of us will eventually die, receive a judgment and either be resurrected into a higher spiritual plane, or be trapped within the hellfire of ones own making. Likewise, within this very life itself, every sinful action we commit has a consequence, as do all righteous thoughts and deeds

The main point of this, is that looking to the future, for some grand end times scenario is not relevant to our relationship with Allah (and in fact harms our understanding of spiritual and physical realities).

Although there is a future "qiyamah" or resurrection, the more important one is Immanent (i.e. present and current). Therefore, we must shatter the notion of history working its way towards some grand conclusion, or final apocalypse. For when the earth dies, the universe will carry on. And when the Universe comes to its end, Life will begin again. For Allah can create at Will.

So what does this mean? For one, it means the most important aspect of this divine drama (so far as humans are concerned) is played out each and every day of our lives. That every moment is in flux between Destruction and Creation, between Allah's Wrath and Allah's Mercy and Compassion. That it is we alone through our actions who create our fate in the next dimension, as well as in the here and now. That is why Muhammad (sal) spoke of the 124,000 prophets that have come to mankind throughout the ages. There has never been a moment when the earth has been without Prophecy and Imamate. Neither has any Prophet brought a message that fundamentally contradicted that of another. For they are all representatives of Allah, and even more specifically, earthly representations of spiritual archetypes. All manifestations of the ONE.

Once one understands this, it makes not only the concept of Tawhid (Unity) more understandable, but also it's application.

When the mystic speaks of Muhammad (sal) we are speaking primarily of the Nur Muhammadan, or the Light of Allah which is the light of the Divine intellect. It is this Intellect that makes the understanding of Allah possible. Thus, it is an internal light hidden within us all, that Muhammad (sal) the man, brought forth to the surface. Likewise, with Ali – the first Imam of the Shi’a and Qutb of the Sufi. He is the light of Grace. Before their was 'Ali the man, there was the name of the Divine Attribute, one of the 99 names of Allah, "Ya Ali", which refers to the sublime and elevated nature of Allah. And raised up within Pure Islam as taught by the Prophet (sal), Ali the man became the embodiment of this principle. That is the secret of ‘Ali.

So it is the Prophet (both externally, as Muhammad the Man/ Prophet as well as the Prophet of one's being, on an internal level), that makes an individual be able to recognize 'Ali, the sublime radiance of Allah. And likewise, once this principle of 'Ali - the elevated essence of Allah - manifests itself within man (esoterically as the Ali of our being, and exoterically, as an outward figure - the Mahdi) this paves the way for the birth of Messianic Consciousness - seen outwardly as the return of Isa (Jesus) - his titles having been both the "Soul of Allah" and the "Son Of Man" - signifying the birth of Allah's essence within man.

Once one understands all these things as the archetypes and symbols for which they are, it makes it clear (that although outwardly divided) there is in truth Unity between the inward Reality of the world religions (as well as within various sectarian "divisions" in Islam) even though they all claim what would seem to be opposing theories, at least from an exoteric understanding.

The problem as things now generally stand, is that each seeker tends to acknowledge only the truth presented in "their religion" (taking external teachings at face value). Inevitably this causes problems of theological justification when one is faced with the fact that there are positive elements and evident Truths being expressed in Faiths not their own (not to mention the sometimes negative aspects which can exist within the traditions which they themselves hold dear). Even within a single tradition such as Islam, there are many sects and schisms. Sunni, Shi'a (and sub-sects therein), various Sufi Turuq, as well as movements such as Amadayiya, Nation of Islam, and offshoot groups like the Baha'i etc. - many looking to one figure as the Qutb of the age, or return of the Mahdi, or Jesus, or Muhammad (sal).

What many within these groups are missing is that no "One" group is THE group. They are ALL merely playing out divine principles in the microcosm enacting them within their daily lives, within their own understandings and perceptions - and the figureheads of each denomination are just the loci of the manifestation of these aspirations etc.

This is not to say that EVERY spiritual leader or figurehead is in fact genuinely expressing the Divine Will. No. What it is saying is that whatever the intentions of these people, the chord they strike within their followers is real. So whether we agree with the particulars of these denominations, we have to understand the reality of the phenomenon itself. Because it does exist. And in the hearts of many, the Madhi has returned, as has the Messiah (albeit on a personal level). It doesn't matter that for the vast populous of the earth, they have not. For the Faithful in that community, those principles have occurred, and the beginning levels of spiritual ascent and or physical liberation begin to occur (for the individual whose faith in Allah is strengthened by their attachment to a particular spiritual leader and through that are able to uplift themselves and their community both physically and spiritually).

Let us take Nation Of Islam as an example. Certainly Master Fard represents a Mahdi figure and Elijah Muhammad that of a Messiah, bringing Life to a once dead nation (and a return of Messianic Consciousness). Similarly, Rastafarians have the dual figures of Garvey and Halle Sellassie (Garvey spiritually strengthening the African community in the West and preparing them for the coming the coming of Sellassie, who they perceive as the return of Jesus and God on earth).

For many groups, the same occurrences can be seen. An individual, either reaching the level of an Insan Kamil (perfected human being) or claiming to, attracts a group of followers who come to believe that this particular figurehead is the ONE who represents the return of either the Madhi or Messiah. Because of this, many will tend to reject the validity of similar claims from other spiritual teachers, and the sects and/or religions they represent - writing off the legitimate spiritual awakenings other people from different faiths or denominations have had.

The reason for this is that most people stop short in their spiritual understanding for the simple reason that once they have touched upon elements of the Truth, they feel they have grasped the fullness of that Truth. And similarly, this is why some mistake a teacher for a Saint, a Saint for a Prophet, or a Prophet for God.

What people tend to misunderstand, is that for each individual, this figurehead is the One only in that they are the focus of Their faith. This is not to say that they are ultimately right, or that Truth presides equally in all understandings or locations - for it does not - but nonetheless, with ALLAH being not only Transcendent but also truly Immanent, Divine Principles will play themselves out in whatever setting we place them in.

It is why you will see these same exact themes existing in ALL world religions. It is why the story of Isa (Jesus) is the same as much older Egyptian legends.

Therefore, Rita Marley can certainly be taken at her word when she say's that she saw the scar marks on Sellassie I's hands (bearing witness to the Crucifixion of Jesus). And some Catholic's do see the Virgin Mary appearing as a white woman. These apparitions, though in some cases inaccurate in their physical or historical sense, nonetheless hold spiritual significance for the person who beholds them. For they really do see them, and that is because they are reflections of internal principles, part of our divine heritage - that for most, tend to be viewed from the setting and context which they as individuals exist in. Again, this is not to say that all is equal nor that ALL is True which takes place in the manifest world. On the contrary, it is saying that those who truly seek to know Allah, should acknowledge this occurrence and strive to reach beyond it. Not only should we seek Truth wherever it may be found, but we should also strive to remove falsehood from our perceptions when we come across which is not true, and which does grasp the True reality of the Divine.

The first step of that is to rise above our reliance on other human beings and their man made institutions in order to know God. For as long as we continue to view God as an unreachable entity except by way of an intercessor, and intermediary, etc., we will forever limit our spiritual potential to that of a helpless observer instead of an active participant in the Divine Plan. And that is NEVER what any of the great spiritual masters have taught. Prophets, Imams and Saints have all come as examples so that we may learn to live in a like manner. So that we can awaken the light of Allah within, and attune to the same celestial archetypes that are the source of their inspiration and strength. Not so that we can always remain a follower.

Only when each of us strives to our ideal of perfection (which the spiritual master, Saint, or Prophet represents on the earthly terrestrial plane) will we ever see the prophecies of the Mahdi return and the Messiah's second coming fulfilled in their utmost entirety. For in Truth, their return is continual, and eternal. Each day there are holy men and women (who have attuned themselves to the archetype of Prophet or Imam) bringing illumination to their own soul as well as those around them. So it is not a question of when the "return" of these figures will happen, but to what degree. As long as we are content to let others live for us, feeling that we are unworthy of Allah's Grace, and incapable of communion with God, then this return will continue to happen only to the select few who strive for Fana Allah (annihilation in Allah). And as long as each community perceives separation between the spiritual communities of the world, and between all of the Prophets, Imams, and Saints of the world (past and present) the affect of those who rise within a community to fulfill a role of the Mahdi or Messiah returned will continue to be limited to that community alone (and even then, will fail to rise to it's full potential). For the effect of one man's ascent to the role of Mahdi or Messiah, can do little outside influencing his followers if they themselves do not in turn ascend to the same archetype.

The Mahdi will only return for humanity when a large enough grouping of the faithful attain that level of consciousness, and enact here in the material realm, the Will of the celestial Mahdi archetype (itself emanating from the Command of Allah). Likewise, only when this community assumes the role of Mahdi, will it have the power to usher in the coming of the Messiah, or Era of the Messiah (when an even larger segment of the Earth's populous achieves Messianic Consciousness and Self-Realization).

So come let us prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Let us enact the will of the Mahdi. For in Truth, there can be no Messianic age without there first appearing a Mahdi to reestablish the Straight Path towards Allah. And the celestial archetype of the Mahdi will not manifest on Earth until we as mystics and gnostics come together to actuate that return. And that will never happen as long as we build divisions amongst mystical paths. Nor will it occur so long as spiritually minded people tolerate injustice, lies and falsehood. So come, let us break the shackles of culture and superstition that keep us trapped within our own perceptions. Let us shatter the Idols we place between ourselves and Allah.

The time has come to remove the veil of intercessor and intermediary and seek direct communion with Allah. Let there be no more sects or denominations. All of the Prophets, Imams, and Saints have spoken the word of God, so let us not construct divisions where they have not. The Prophets are ONE, ALLAH is one. No true Prophet says "pray to me, worship me." And certainly no genuine Shaykh would do so either. So let there be no more separation between those on a mystical Path based on who our teacher is, or who we perceive to be the ideal embodiment of that archetype of Mahdi or Messiah. In the end, ALL spiritual knowledge comes from Allah. And all mystics who walk in the presence of their Lord, are the People of Allah. There is only one ‘primordial spirituality’ and that is Submission to Allah. There is only one source of Life, only one way to salvation, and that is within Allah. So let us cast aside all man made institutions, and sectarian divisions. If we want to move forward towards the Messianic Era, we must restore the primordial faith that is Pure Islam and act as a single body to rid the world of injustice, and oppression. Only when this happens will the spiritual / archetypal reality that is represented by the Mahdi manifest in the terrestrial plane in it's full potential. And only then will we be able to move forward to Eden, to the Messianic Era