On our tenuous present globe, blasted daily with obdurate ideology, bloody theology, whilst oozing threats against ideological rejection--we desire to intuit the ultimate victor. As earth’s societies race to prepare for conflict, there remains two diverse Easchatons (end times scenarios). It’s East v West, playing out their visions on a colossal chessboard, the outcome seemingly foreshadowed across the most torrid biblical scenarios.

So why must they encompass a nuclear end of ages for Shia Islam?

Few know the radical difference between Sunni and Shia Islam, and why the former favors building nuclear weapon as part of their core beliefs. Are Iranian actions shaped by its leadership’s obsession with martyrdom and Messianic ideals. Is this true? If not, then how to explain Iran’s implacable commitment to such weaponry for which to incinerate Israel?!!

Comparing Sunni and Shia: See, The Sunni-Shi’a Muslim Divide: Why It Matters In The Iran War…

Sunni and Shi’a Muslims share the core beliefs of Islam: That of One God, Qur’an as holy scripture and Muhammad as the final prophet. Both observe the Five Pillars of Islam. Key differences revolve around religious authority and historical memory. Regarding leadership and authority, Sunnis do not believe any one person after the Prophet has divine authority. Religious scholars interpret Islamic law through established schools of jurisprudence. Shi’a Muslims, on the other hand, believe that certain leaders, known as Imams — beginning with Ali — were divinely guided and spiritually significant. Globally, around 85% of 1.6 billion Muslims are Sunni, while 15% are Shi’a.

Chief Difference Between Sunni and Shia involves fixation on the violently religious Mahdi savior. A previous article on the Islamic Savior Mahdi is chock full of jaw-dropping quotes about the astonishing theory of the Mahdi. See, The Attack on Israel is Religious, Meant to Awaken Islamic Messiah Mahdi.

Shia Muslims Believe Massive War Saves World: that unless a colossal war `comes to engage Israel, then their savior, the Mahdi, cannot reappear to bring the peace and blessings promised for 14 centuries.. The Iranians behind these attacks feel uniquely placed to render the end times, achieved by the return of the Mahdi from deep sleep.

Iranians are almost wholly Shia Muslim, who believe in a mystical character named the Mahdi: Twelver Shia offers the story of the hidden imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, or simply the “mahdi,” meaning “divinely guided one.” In 874 A.D., the six-year-old son of the eleventh imam went into hiding to protect himself from the persecution of the reigning Abbasid empire. The Shia believe that he hid himself in a cave below a mosque in Samarra; this cave is blocked by a gate that the Shia call “Bab-al Ghayba,” or the “Gate of Occultation.” This is one of the most sacred sites in Shi’a Islam, and the faithful gather here to pray for the return of the twelfth imam.

The occultation of the mahdi, known as “ghaybah” in Arabic, will end with his return to the world for the Last Judgment. This period will be marked by violent upheavals and attacks upon the faithful, but in the end, the mahdi will deliver the world to peace.

Ponder: Iran’s War v. Israel: Shia Eschatological Vision and Messianic Conflict:

The Iranian regime considers their nation chosen by Allah to prepare the world for the coming of their messiah, 12th Imam (ak Mahdi) who will establish justice in the world. This must be preceded by catastrophic world chaos and defeat of their enemies, especially Israel. Their murder and mayhem is not only a means to an end; it is an end in itself, and their foreign policy is guided by the desired impending apocalypse. This makes them a most dangerous foe, since there is no chance of negotiating with them or resolving the conflict peacefully; peace and justice will come only through their own martyrdom, in their view.

Israel is declared to be the “obstacle” to the return of the Mahdi. Iranian officials frequently cite horrific beliefs, like the notion that the Mahdi won’t return until the “last drop of Jewish blood” is spilled.The founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini, designated Iran the “Vanguard of the Mahdi,” and declared it to have a special mission to pave the way for the second coming. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) considers itself as the Mahdi’s army-in-waiting, aggressively fomenting chaos, challenging “Great Satan” Israel.

Iranian Apocalypse as Nuclear Bomb Precursor -- Iran's Aggression and the Shi'ite Apocalypse

The Hidden--or Twelfth--Imam plays a dominant role in one specific form of Shi’ite Islamic theology, called “Twelverism,” the primary belief system of Iran’s leadership. There is a messianic belief that at the end of days, the Hidden Imam will appear in the midst of a violent apocalyptic scenario played out on a battleground stained with infidels’ blood.

“While many experts tell us Iran is a rational, pragmatic regime like any other in the world, all the facts shout that it is not. A large number of Iranian officials and decision makers have deeply rooted apocalyptic beliefs. Underestimating this radical ideology even as the Iranian regime is on its way to building a nuclear bomb can lead to dangerously wrong conclusions. The suggestion taking hold of late that a nuclear armed Iran is not the end of the world may unfortunately be dead wrong.”

Shia Islam's perspective on a nuclear apocalypse is a complex mix of traditional Islamic jurisprudence (which forbids mass destruction) and messianic eschatology (which anticipates a turbulent end-times scenario). While official Iranian policy claims a religious prohibition against nuclear weapons, some interpretations suggest an apocalyptic desire to hasten the return of the Twelfth Imam (the Mahdi) through global conflict.

Here is a summary of the key beliefs:

1. The Eschatological View (The Mahdi and End Times)

• The Mahdi’s Return: Central to Twelver Shia belief is Mahdi will return at the end of time to fill the world with justice.
• Chaos as a Precursor: Shia eschatology, particularly in some modern interpretations, holds that the Mahdi's appearance will be preceded by intense global chaos, suffering, and a massive war.
• Hastening the End: Some factions within Shia, particularly radical elements, believe that creating chaos and conflict—potentially including a nuclear war—is a way to hasten the return of the Mahdi.
• Conflict with Israel: Certain apocalyptic narratives place Israel at the center of this final battle, with the Mahdi's victory ending in the establishment of a new global Islamic order.

2. The Dilemma of "Necessity" and State Survival

• Regime Survival: Under the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), the survival of the Islamic State is a top priority, and the Supreme Leader can override Islamic law if necessary.
• Flexibility in Interpretation: Some critics and analysts argue that the fatwa is a political tool rather than a binding, permanent prohibition. If Iran faces an existential threat, the definition of haram could be revised.
• Anti-Apocalyptic View: Many mainstream clerics reject the need to proactively trigger the end times, arguing that the Mahdi's return should not be forced, as premature efforts can lead to disaster.

Summary of Two Opposing Currents

• The Rationalists/Traditionalists: Believe that WMD are forbidden by Islamic ethics and that the regime should act in a way that respects international law, prioritizing state security over apocalyptic fantasies.
• The Millenarians/Radicals: Believe that the current world system is corrupt, and the final apocalypse—engineered if necessary—is both imminent and desirable for the ultimate victory of the Mahdi.

In summary, while the official position of the Iranian state prohibits nuclear weapons on religious grounds, the apocalyptic, messianic, and revolutionary beliefs within certain segments of the Shia community create a dangerous ambiguity, leading to debates over whether they are "rational" actors in the traditional, Western sense of international relations.

Bottom Line Question: Does Iran depend upon a steady-state of a nuclear end to Israel from a lazy conclusion that every conflict is bound to destroy Israel and seed paradise into the world? If so, this presumes the technical means include death to every single human not already Muslim.

Kelly O'Connell——Bio and Archives

Kelly O’Connell is an author and attorney. He was born on the West Coast, raised in Las Vegas, and matriculated from the University of Oregon. After laboring for the Reformed Church in Galway, Ireland, he returned to America and attended law school in Virginia, where he earned a JD and a Master’s degree in Government. He spent a stint working as a researcher and writer of academic articles at a Miami law school, focusing on ancient law and society. He has also been employed as a university Speech & Debate professor. He then returned West and worked as an assistant district attorney. Kelly is now is a private practitioner with a small law practice in New Mexico.

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