When the people of Yunus saw the divine punishment coming they went out collectively wearing coarse clothing, put ropes around their necks and dust on their heads in a display of humility. They cried and wailed seeking Allah’s forgiveness and promised to follow the one God sent to them: Yunus (as). God pardoned them and averted their punishment as is mentioned in the Holy Quran 10:98

فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ آمَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَا إِيمَانُهَا إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّا آمَنُوا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَتَّعْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

“Then has there not been a [single] city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment for a time.”

This is similar to what must take place with us. We must cry and beg God for his forgiveness to end this punishment of occultation and to hasten the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (aj).

Let us ask ourselves how often do we mention the Imams name, cry for his absence and pray for his reappearance?

 

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Published by Sheikh Mateen Charbonneau

Sheikh Mateen Charbonneau is of French-Canadian descent. He was born in the United States to a Christian family, and later chose to convert to Shi’a Islam in 1999 at the age of 17, having studied both faiths. He started studying Islamic Seminary classes (Howza) in March 2013 at Imam Ali Center in Springfield, Virginia and studied abroad in Najaf al-Ashraf and Karbala and received his ‘amama (turban) from the esteemed marja’ Ayatollah Sayed Muhammad Taqi al-Modaressi in 2018. He earned a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies, has filmed many documentaries about his journey to Islam, authored several books, taught in the Islamic Seminary (Howza), and is the founder of the nonprofit organization 2nd Chance Books (2014). He has lectured throughout the United States and various other countries spreading the message of Ahl ul Bayt (as). Since 2022 he has been residing in Antalya, Türkiye where he is the resident scholar of the local community and continuing his work with 2nd Chance Books.

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  1. Peace brother Sh. Mateen,
    I have followed you and your progress for the past couple of years. Your story is an inspiration, and the work you keep doing continues to inspire. May He increase your piety and knowledge.
    God bless

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