From the beginning of declaration of his Prophethood, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP), repeatedly, introduced Ali and his Ahl-Ol-Bayt (PBUT) as his Allah-Chosen Successors, and at the Day of Ghadir, by Allah's command, in presence of the Prophet, over one hundred thousand people pledged their allegiance to Hadrat Ali and the AhlulBayt (PBUT), including AbuBakr and 'Omar as the first two who shook the Prophet's and Ali's hands as the so-called sign of their loyalty and allegiance; but as every one knows, they were also the first to break their promise of loyalty after the Prophet (PBUH&HP), and therefore, they usurped the Allah-bestowed Right of Ali and the AhlulBayt and thus distorted the Path of Everlasting Salvation … .

As the direct result, dark and satanic clouds of spiritual and material oppressions and corruptions cast their shadows on the entire nation of Islam, and finally the people who were sick and tired, begged Ali to take over the rulership of the society, the same Position which Allah had Chosen him for, so that Justice would rule, but that same people had let it to be taken away from him, and the smoke of the fire of their own doing, was burning their own eyes!

Thus after experiencing injustice and unfairness, the people themselves decided to ask Imam Ali (PBUH) to return, but sadly, most of them who implored Ali (PBUH), were actually tired of what had happened to their own lives, not what had happened to the Religion of Allah and His commands, so, when finally Hadrat Ali (PBUH) accepted, this is what he said:

"Your allegiance to me was not without thinking; nor are, my and your positions the same. I seek you for Allah's sake but you seek me for your own benefits. O' people! Support me despite your hearts' desires … ."

(Nahj-Ol-Balaaghah, Sermon 135)

Yes, Ali (PBUH), just like all those Chosen by Allah, did not wish to rule so that he might live in a palace, gain fame, fortune and worldly pleasures, or to serve Shaitaan by distorting the Truth, or …, rather, he wished to guide and lead humankind for Allah's sake, i.e. so that as the result of the enforcement and encompassment of Allah's benevolent and perfect Laws and teachings, Spiritual Justice -the Divine Truth-, as well as Material Justice -Justice, not extravagance and luxury- would embrace human life, and therefore the Compassionate and Merciful Allah would be pleased. But most people who supported him, were worried mainly for their worldly desires, and Allah's wishes were the last thing in their minds; i.e. they were only after a good life at any cost, even if the price was the distortion of the Divine Truth!!!

But Ali (PBUH) was serious in his Divinely ordained mission, in continuation of the above sermon, this is what he metaphorically said:

"By Allah, I will take revenge for the oppressed from the oppressor, and will put a string in the nose of the oppressor and drag him to the spring of truthfulness even though he may grudge it."

Ah! Ali (PBUH) was truly so lonely, his greatness was not comprehended, so is his Mahdi (PBUH), so lonely and unknown!!!

WHAT ABOUT US TODAY? WHY ARE we SEEKING MAHDI (PBUH)?! FOR WHAT REASONS, ARE WE IMPLORING HIM TO RETURN?!