'Ajal-Allahu Farajah (May God hasten his return)?

Peace.

It is a popular tradition amongst the Shi'ah to say "ajal-allahu farajah" whenever the 12th Imam, the Mehdi, is mentioned. The term is Arabic for "may God hasten his return", which is in reference to the Mehdi's occultation and second coming/advent in the end times.

Although this constant optimism for the advent of the Mehdi is natural, and the Shi'ah are obviously excited to see the Mehdi fix our world, I differ in opinion when it comes to saying this term. You see, how I look at it, God has destined a fixed term for when the Day of Judgment will take place - which is a date we know not. Even the Christian Son of God Jesus (a), according to the Gospels, does not know when the Hour will be, because this is information only accessable to God.

No matter what kind of du'a we throw, God will not change the time of the Hour, because of the circumstances He has destined to take place which lead to the apocalypse. For example, if we know for a fact that the Day of Judgment will take place this Friday, there's nothing we could do to stop that.

Similarly, Imam Mehdi will come out of concealment right before the Day of Judgment, aka the End Times. It would be absurd to ask God to hasten the coming of the Imam (a), because we would not want to see him prematurely. Rather, God has destined a time and place for his return, and God knows best. He knows exactly when we will need the Mehdi most. God knows exactly when we will be ready for the him. We as human beings know nothing in comparison. So therefore it would be best not to ask God to hasten the appearance of the 12th Imam (a), or even the Messiah Jesus (a), because He has destined a time and place for everything.

Secondly, I would like to mention this: we must always act today, instead of being optimistic on what will happen tomorrow. Today is the day God has given YOU to do good deeds, pray, learn, and memorize Qur'an. Today is the day God has given YOU to protest against aggression, free the captives, and warn the people around you concerning corruption and obedience to God. Today is the day to find unity in the Ummah.

I say this because many people look to tomorrow in so many respects. We as humans tend to delay all chores, and all obligatory acts for a later time. But who will guarantee you tomorrow? Who will guarantee you the very next breath? Surely, God is the only One who knows your fate. Many people see the corruption around them and say, oh well, Imam al-Mehdi will come and fix things soon. Similarly, people say, oh, the Messiah (Jesus or otherwise) will make the world better. Many Muslims have even given up (and are proud of it) any hope in re-establishing the Shari'ah and Muslim rule according to the Qur'an and Sunnah.

I'd like to inform you, O Muslims, that it is very likely that NOBODY is coming IN YOUR LIFETIME to make things better. I am not saying we don't wait for the Messiah or Imam Mehdi, because when they come by we will welcome them. What I am saying is that we must act today. As God says in Surat Muhammed:

"And if you turn away, He will exchange you for another people, and they will not be the likes of you" (47:38)

If you don't free your mind, free your soul, and free your society using Islam and its divine system of brotherhood. Otherwise, God will exchange you for another folk - meaning, He will cause either you or your descendants to abandon Islam and/or its teachings, and instead give the religion to those who are more deserving, and more likely to carry out His commandments.

May God bless the Prophet (s) and his family (a) just as He blessed Abraham (a) and his family (a).