- Raj`a
Raj`a الرجعة in Arabic means return. In Islamic terminology it refers to the second coming or the return to life of a given past figure after death. According to Aljawahiri and Fayruzabadi. [Al Sihaah Vol 3. 1216 and Al Qamoos Al Moheet Vol 3.P28. ar. الصحاح 3: 1216. والقاموس المحيط 3: 28]
The Raj`a and the returning figures in Shia belief
Shiite s believe that before thehereafter and the day of judgement,god brings back in a future point of time groups of people from the past at the image they were in. The purpose of the return of these groups will be the establishment of justice to those who were oppressed and died oppressed. At that particular time in the future, the oppressors will be punished directly by the oppressed. Shiites base this belief on several verses in the Quran where it is mentioned that some people will die twice and live twice. [Qulayni, Al Kafi Vol 8 P 206 -250. ar. الكافي، للكليني 8: 206 | 250]The Raj`a in the eyes of some Sunni scholars
Al Suyuti
Jalaloddin Al-
Suyuti talked in several occasions in his writings about the Raj`a but in a different way from the Shiites. According to his book (تنوير الحلك في إمكان رؤية النبي والملك) or The Possibility of Seeing the Prophet and the angels, Suyuti claims to have seen ProhetMouhamad over 70 times all while he was awake. According to him, Second coming of Prophet Muhamad –unlike Shiite belief- is not limited to a specific future time. He did not mention if other religious figures return after death before the hereafter. [Marwan Khlifat, Warakibtu Assafeena 1st Ed P.644 مروان خليفات. وركبت السفينة: 644]Al Qurtuby
Raj`a according to Abu 'Abdullah
Al-Qurtubi is understood in context of the physical absence and physical appearance. All prophets acooring to him mark their absence by the apparent death. They reappear in several occasions to those who are pure and meet with them. [Al Tathkira Fi Ahwal Al Mawta Vol 1.P212, ar. التذكرة في أحوال الموتى وأمور الآخرة. 1/212]Ibn Arabi
The
Maliki JudgeIbn Arabi ,known of the exegesis he had done forSunan al-Tirmidhi , stated that seeing the prophets while awake and hearing their talk is possible for the pure believer. [Al hawi Lilfatawi Vol 2.P:257. الحاوي للفتاوي ج2 ص257، 258 جلال الدين السيوطي]Raj`a in Christianity
External links
* [http://www.14masom.com/maktabat/maktaba-akaed/book43/ Raj'a or new life(Arabic Book)]
* [http://www.m-mahdi.com/book/097/index.htm Summary of Proving Raj'a(Arabic Book)]Notes and References
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