In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Great Ambition: the Elevating Ladder

The ambitions of a human are directly related to his spirit, and are clear indications of his internal world. This is so important that one of the ways to know a person is to know his ambitions. Good or bad wishes declare the high or low status of a person respectively. Consequently the real ambitions of a person are originated from and affected by his character. On the other hand, the ambitions of a person are effective in shaping his personality. In fact, it is possible to change the personality of one by modifying his ambitions. But how could that be?

The ambitions of a person make up his intentions for his actions and increase his determination. Therefore, one’s ambitions are effective in strengthening or weakening his determination. Also, it is one’s determination that structures his personality and gives shape to it. Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) has said in this regards, ”The value of a person is as much as his ambitions ⁽¹⁾”.

Hence, the greater and higher one’s ambitions, the more determined he will be in doing big things. This influence is so much that even physical weakness can not be a burden against one’s actions. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) has said, ”One’s body does not feel weak in doing what the mind is strongly determined to do ⁽²⁾”.

In addition to the fact that one’s ambitions can directly affect his intentions and determination, they can increase one’s share of the Divine assistance; because one’s share of the Divine assistance is proportional to his intentions. Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) has said, ”The bestowments of Allah (SWT) will favor one as much as his intention ⁽³⁾”. So whoever has high intentions, Allah’s (SWT) blessings towards him will be more. And of course, if one’s intentions and ambitions are aligned with the will of Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) will offer him the greatest of Divine assistances.

As the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) have taught us, one of the best and most beautiful wishes of a human being is the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (PBUH). If a person who is impatiently waiting for his Master is asked about his greatest wish, the first thing he will definitely mention is the opportunity to witness the reappearance Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and being among his companions. A person whose heart is burnt by the love and waiting for his Imam (PBUH) will not have wishes related to his intimates or relatives; because he has no intimate one closer than his Imam (PBUH). Therefore, his biggest wish is about his most beloved one. In fact, all his other wishes will be considerable only after he gets to meet his beloved one. Moreover all his wishes will be for the sake of his beloved.

Thus, based on what has been said, the more powerful this waiting for reappearance becomes for one, the more intense this state would be. It could get to the extent that the wish for joining Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and helping him could prevail one’s existence and affect all his actions. In fact, all the personal ambitions of such a person would be outshined by this great wish; all he would aim for would be helping the Imam (PBUH). This great ambition would rejuvenate his life through remembrance and love for his Imam (PBUH), and not only this love for the Imam (PBUH) would never exit his heart, but also all his efforts would be towards this great ambition.

Consequently, the acquaintance and devotion towards Imam Mahdi (PBUH) would increase for such a person, and this would result in greater ambitions, or rather deepen the existing ambitions. In fact, his personality will become more complete through these ambitions. This mutual effect between one’s ambitions and his personality would result in his accomplishment. And what accomplishment is better and more helpful than this and what can elevate a person so rapidly?

(The above is a selection taken from “The Blessings of Awaiting”, by Dr. Sayyid Muhammad Banihashemi (with some summarization and changes))

The Roshd Website congratulates all the waiting people, especially you dear friend, upon 15^th of Sha’ban, the birthday anniversary of the rising one of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), the one who fills the earth with justice and equity after it will be filled with injustice and oppression, Imam Hujjat ibn al-Hassan al-Askari (PBUH).

Roshd Islamic Shia Website

Footnotes:

1. Bihar al Anwar, vol. 70, p. 4

2. Bihar al Anwar, vol. 70, p. 205

3. Ghurar al-Hikam, Hadith 1594