Re: What if…
As I said before the public in general will accept it because even though they are lazy to practice requirements of Shariah in their daily lives. This is due to sheer laziness and not rebelliousness. Those who are too westernized or those used to vices like drinking, debauchery, gambling, fornicating and corruption etc and have no qualms about corruption will have problems with Shariah (they still deride it now very openly).
The Noble Imam (ra) will deal with them too, following Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) tradition he will be magnanimous and give them chance to repent and mend the ways. Those who resist will pay the price.
Take the example of Iran. In Shah’s time, Iran was the most westernized of Middle-East countries. With Khomeini’s revolution things changed very quickly. Those who resisted paid the price.
About a little more than a century ago the phenomenon has occurred already. A person claimed to be a Mahdi (and many other claims besides this one ; rejected all authentic ahadith and threw them into waste paper basket. He has failed miserably except to those who have accepted his claims lock stock and barrel.
As for “severing limbs; stoning and lashes as a punishment” general masses has no problems with this. It is corrupt ones who will abhor it as they qualify for these harsh punishments.
And Shariah is not only about “severing limbs; stoning and lashes as a punishment” - In fact it is more to do with Justice, fairness, protecting the weak against the powerful. Shariah is also for economic fairness and deters exploitation.
I don’t think that the Noble Imam (ra) will implement these punishments from day one but will have a cut off point from when to implement these harsh punishments. These punishments have a great deterrent value. A few will pay the price and ‘rebellious ones’ will get in line.
Imam Mahdi (ra) will follow the Sunnah of the blessed Prophet (saw) and win the hearts of people.
He will never be a tyrant and will be a loved and adored leader of the Ummah.
Of course it will be great shock to all. It will be a revolution. It will not be like the French Revolution or like that of against Tsar of Russia.
The Noble Imam (ra) being noble will be magnanimous, forgiving and kind. He will be harsh to those who are avowed enemies of Islam. One of missions of the Noble Imam (ra) will be to unite the Muslims.
People will see the erroneous of their respective sects and join the Noble Imam (ra) and help his mission.
It will world changing event, very difficult, but we insha’Allah will adjust.
I agree with you that it won’t be easy. Masses generally are very lethargic and laid back. They general follow the one who has the upper hand. It is always ten percent of masses that is very active or proactive.
The Noble Imam (ra) will be not a blood thirsty tyrant but a very magnanimous and kind leadership. He will lead the masses by sheer force of his personality. He will deal harshly with those who stand for corruption and oppression. (Zionists, imperialists, secularists and their agents etc).
I disagree you with about Sahabah of the Noble Prophet (saw) (May Allah be pleased with them all). They were the most loyal to the Noble Prophet (saw) and supported his mission with their lives and wealth.
You are generalizing act of 3 persons who made some excuses for not joining the battle to Tabuk. You must read up and see that the Blessed Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) sacrificed all their possessions to ‘finance’ this war effort.
Just for your information the 3 were pardoned none other Allah Almighty. (if you request I’ll give the reference of the ayah of the Blessed Quran)