Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib 
- Gate of Knowledge - babul ilm
Quran [Sura 17: Verse 81] And say: "Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish
Quran [Sura 3: Verse 19] Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam
"Imam Ali Saying: There are many educated people who have ruined their future on account of their ignorance of religion. Their knowledge did not prove of any avail to them."
In The Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The 12th Imam
Part I
Imam al Mahdi, peace be on him, the Imam after Abu Muhammad (al-Hasan al Askari), peace be on him, is his son who is named with the name of the Apostle of God may God bless him and his family, and given his kunya. His father did not leave a son who was publicly acknowledged or secretly, except him. He was left behind away from view (gha'ib) and secretly. He was born on the night of 15th of Sha'ban in the year 255 AH. His mother was a slave-wife (umm walad) called Narjis. At the time of the death of his father, he was five years old.
God endowed him with wisdom and the distinction of speech. He made him a sign to the worlds. He endowed him with wisdom as He had endowed John the Baptist while still a boy. He made him an Imam while still in the state of apparent childhood just as He made Jesus, son of Mary, a prophet in the cradle. The nomination of him had been given earlier to the community of Islam by the Prophet of guidance, peace be on him, then by the Commander of the faithful, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him, and the Imams, consecutively one after another, down to his own father, al-Hasan (al-Askari), peace be on him, had nominated him. His father had nominated him in front of the trusted and close members of his Shi'a. Information about his occultation (ghayba) was established before his existence. (Information) about his state was widespread before his occultation (ghayba). He is the leader with the sword (sahib al-sayf) from the Imams of guidance, peace be on them, the one who will undertake the achievement of truth (al-qa'im bi-al-haqq), the one who is awaited (al-muntazar) to (bring about) the state of faith.
Before his appearance (qiyam), he will have two occultations. One of them will be longer than the other as is reported in the traditions. The shortest of them was from the time of his birth to the end of the period of direct representation (sifara) between him and his Shi'a, and the end of the representatives (sufara') through death. As for the longer (occultation), it will be after the first and at the end of it he will arise with the sword (yaqum bi-al-sayf). God, the Mighty and High, has said:
Sura 9 Aya 32 to 33
يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِؤُواْ نُورَ اللّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللّهُ إِلاَّ أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ {32} 09 Al Towba
[Shakir 9:32] They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse.
[Yusufali 9:32] Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).
[Pickthal 9:32] Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 9:32]
False teachers and preachers try to distort the message of Allah by the false words (conjectures) of their mouths, so that they may put out the "light", for they are people of darkness and ignorance, but Allah has perfected His light- light implies the light of guidance completed and perfected at Ghadir Khum by declaring the wilayah of Imam Ali (see commentary of Ma-idah: 67).
Through the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt, Allah made His (true) religion a signal success. For the men of understanding the true teaching of Islam is the best code of law for human society. The ultimate triumph of Islam will be witnessed when Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al Mahdi al Qa-im, the last true successor of the Holy Prophet, will come in this world, with the permission of Allah, to unite the whole mankind as a single community, to live in peace and harmony, doing away with injustice, exploitation and polytheism, guided by the divine laws made by Allah. The divine laws have been perfected and completed and named Islam, after which the laws given to other people in the days of earlier prophets, preceding the Holy Prophet, became inoperative and subservient to Islamic laws. In theory and practice Islamic laws and teachings surpass all creeds. However much the polytheists and the hypocrites may try to stop the ultimate victory of Islam under the guidance of the living Imam, the al Qa-im, it is certain to take place. Verse 28 of Fat-h and verse 9 of Saff also give the glad tidings of the ultimate victory of Islam when al Qa-im comes in this world.
Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Yula, Hakim, Suyuti, Tabarani, Darqatni, Abu Nu-aym, Khatib and Ibn Asakir and many others have accepted the fact of the ultimate rule of Imam Mahdi, who is the last of the twelve successors of the Holy Prophet from among his Ahl ul Bayt. Even the precursor of Wahabi sect, Ibn Taymiyah, has accepted as true all the traditions pertaining to the "reign of Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al Mahdi" (refer to his book "Majmu-atul Fatawa".)
Also refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 124.
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ {33} 09 Al Towba
[Shakir 9:33] He it is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse.
[Yusufali 9:33] It is He Who hath sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it).
[Pickthal 9:33] He it is who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse.
بَقِيَّةُ اللّهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ وَمَا أَنَاْ عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ
{86} 11Hud
[Shakir 11:86] What remains with Allah is better for you if you are believers, and I am not a keeper over you.
[Yusufali 11:86] "That which is left you by Allah is best for you, if ye (but) believed! but I am not set over you to keep watch!"
[Pickthal 11:86] That which Allah leaveth with you is better for you if ye are believers; and I am not a keeper over you.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 11:86]
Sabbaghi, a renowned Muslim scholar, in his book "Fusul al Muhimmah", has related the following tradition about the signs of the reappearance of Imam al Mahdi al Qa-im on the authority of Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq:
The Imam said:
"When the last of us will come, there will be only 313 faithfuls with him. Leaning on the wall of Ka-bah he will recite verse 86 of Hud. All people will address him as "Baqiyyatullah "
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ {55}24 An Noor
[Shakir 24:55] Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will most certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers those before them, and that He will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange; they shall serve Me, not associating aught with Me; and whoever is ungrateful after this, these it is who are the. transgressors.
[Yusufali 24:55] Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: 'They will worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. 'If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked.
[Pickthal 24:55] Allah hath promised such of you as believe and do good work that He will surely make them to succeed (the present rulers) in the earth even as He caused those who were before them to succeed (others); and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He hath approved for them, and will give them in exchange safety after their fear. They serve Me. They ascribe no thing as partner unto Me. Those who disbelieve henceforth, they are the miscreants.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 24:55]
Imam Ali bin Husayn Zayn al Abidin says:
"This verse refers to the period when the last of the holy Imams, Al Mahdi al Qa-im will rule the world. He will root out iniquity and polytheism for ever."
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
If the removal of fear, inheritance of authority for the overall good and welfare of the people, establishment of religion, and peace and security are mentioned here in connection with the administration of human society in this world, then it either refers to the advent of the awaited saviour, Imam Muhammad al Mahdi, before the resurrection, or to the nature of legislative process to be applied to the succession of the Holy Prophet, which should be by the divine command. "Establishment" implies full awareness and masterly ability to apply religious and natural laws made by Allah in all aspects of material and spiritual life with maximum degree of certitude. "Whosoever disbelieves" refers to those who disagree with the method of succession laid down by Allah. The legislative character of this verse is clearly asserted. It does not refer to the historical development of the khilafat, because then it has to be admitted that true believers ceased to exist after the first four caliphs, or all the subsequent caliphs up to Ataturk were good believers which is historically not true, and that after the termination of caliphate there have been no believers at all.
وَإِنَّهُ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَاتَّبِعُونِ هَذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ {61} 43 Az Zukhraf
[Shakir 43:61] And most surely it is a knowledge of the hour, therefore have no doubt about it and follow me: this is the right path.
[Yusufali 43:61] And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.
[Pickthal 43:61] And lo! verily there is knowledge of the Hour. So doubt ye not concerning it, but follow Me. This is the right path.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 43:61]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
"He" in verse 61 refers to Isa. According to Sahih Muslim the Holy Prophet said:
"When Isa will descend from the heaven among you, the leader (of mankind) will be a man from among you."
Refer to the commentary of Bara-at: 32, 33 for the reappearance of Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al Qa-im along with whom Isa will also come.
وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ {5} –28 Qassas-Al
And We desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs.
Imam Ali ibn abi Talib says in the Nahj al Balagha that "those who were deemed weak" refers to the Ahl ul Bayt.
When Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al-Mahdi would appear and Islam would be established in the whole world with his coming, he would rule the entire earth and all disbelievers will vanish from the face of the earth (see commentary of Araf: 137).
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
This is a positive proof that Imams appointed by Allah come from those whom the world considered weak and poor. They do not belong to the arrogant and ignorant ruling class (see commentary of al Baqarah: 247).
"We want to favour those who were weak on earth. We give them Imams and We give them heirs. We give them power on earth. We show Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers but they will not be warned." (XXVIII-28-5-6).
وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنُرِي فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَحْذَرُونَ {6}28 Qassas-Al
And to grant them power in the land, and to make Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared.28-6
He, exalted be His name, said:
We have written in the Psalms after the message (to Moses): My righteous worshippers will inherit the earth (XXI-21-105).
وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِي الزَّبُورِ مِن بَعْدِ الذِّكْرِ أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِيَ الصَّالِحُونَ {105}21Anmbaya-Al
And certainly We wrote in the Book after the reminder that (as for) the land, My righteous servants shall inherit it. (21-105)
The righteouses who shall inherit the earth are mentioned in the scriptures revealed to other prophets before the Holy Prophet. Refer to Baqarah: 40 and 89.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Balagh means conveyance or transportation, or to carry or conduct a person or a thing to its destiny. As the Rabbul Alamin, it is the will of Allah that every human being should develop his ability and reach his destiny. Therefore the task of every prophet, as the manifestation of His Rububiyat, is to carry or conduct every human being to his destiny.
The Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, said: "The days and nights will never end until God sends a man from my House, whose name will be the same as mine. He will fill (the earth) with justice and fairness as it was filled with oppression and tyranny." He, may God bless him and his family, said: "If only a single day remained for the world, God would lengthen that day so that He could send on it a man from my descendants, whose name is the same as mine. He will fill the world with justice and fairness as it was filled with oppression and tyranny."
His birth
At dawn, on the 15th Sha'ban 255 A.H., the rays of the illuminating world shone with a powerful shaft of light into a human form, which became the source of existence for the universe. Yes, finally, the Divine Promise was fulfilled and Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, was born in spite of the efforts of those who denied him. It is one of history's miracles that the Umayyids, 'Abbasids and other opponents of this Holy Imam attempted to extinguish this divine light but met with complete failure.
The cruel and tyrannical caliphs of the Bani 'Abbas had heard that the Twelfth Imam of the Shi'ites would establish a just Government and would rule over the east and west of the world, and would destroy the foundations of injustice. Therefore, to counter this event, they tortured and shed the blood of the Shi'ites as much as they could. The conditions of the martyred Shi'ites can be referred in the books on this subject.
In the year 235 A.H, Mutawakkil, the 'Abbasid caliph, ordered the Tenth Imam Muhammad al-Hadi, peace be on him, and his family to be shifted from Medina to Samarra', his seat of government, so that he could keep a close watch on the Imam of the Shi'ites. Similarly, Mu'tamid, the 'Abbasid caliph, the Pharaoh of the time, was afraid of the son of Imam Hasan al-’Askari, peace be on him. He formed a group of detectives and midwives who had the mission of frequently searching through the houses of the 'Alawiyyin, and especially the house of Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, so that if a newly born child were found, he could be killed immediately.
The search to find and kill Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, was intensified when Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, left this world for the eternal one. This is because everyone knew that on that day the command of Divine Leadership (Imamate) was to be entrusted to the Twelfth Imam, and the universe would come under his authority.
Sheikh Saduq, the eminent scholar of the Shi'ite world, writes in Kamalu'd din: "When the holy body of Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, was buried and the people went away, the caliph and his comrades started their efforts to search for his growing son and inspected the houses carefully."
Sheikh Mufid, a distinguished Shi'ite scholar, also wrote in Irshad: "When Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, passed away, the caliph of that time, pursued his son because the Shi'ite Imamiyyah's belief was famous and was spread about that the Shi'ites were awaiting His Eminence."
Mu'tadid, one of the tyrant 'Abbasid caliphs who ruled from 279 to 289 A.H., decided all at once to destroy the entire family of al 'Askari when he heard that more than twenty years had passed since the birth of the son of Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, and that he was still living in spite of the attempts of the preceding caliph to kill him. One of Mu'tadid's officers said: "Mu'tadid has ordered me and two other persons, each of us to mount a horse and to proceed to Samarra' in full speed without even stopping for prayer. He gave us the address of (Imam) al-'Askari and instructed us to enter his house without his permission and to bring him the head of whoever we find there." As a matter of fact, they were unaware that the same power, which had protected the Imam from the former caliphs, would give him protection from his evil, because:
Allah disdains (nothing) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse (IX 32)-(9-32).
يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِؤُواْ نُورَ اللّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللّهُ إِلاَّ أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ {32}8 Anfaal-Al
They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse.
False teachers and preachers try to distort the message of Allah by the false words (conjectures) of their mouths, so that they may put out the "light", for they are people of darkness and ignorance, but Allah has perfected His light- light implies the light of guidance completed and perfected at Ghadir Khum by declaring the wilayah of Imam Ali (see commentary of Ma-idah: 67).
Through the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt, Allah made His (true) religion a signal success. For the men of understanding the true teaching of Islam is the best code of law for human society. The ultimate triumph of Islam will be witnessed when Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al Mahdi al Qa-im, the last true successor of the Holy Prophet, will come in this world, with the permission of Allah, to unite the whole mankind as a single community, to live in peace and harmony, doing away with injustice, exploitation and polytheism, guided by the divine laws made by Allah. The divine laws have been perfected and completed and named Islam, after which the laws given to other people in the days of earlier prophets, preceding the Holy Prophet, became inoperative and subservient to Islamic laws. In theory and practice Islamic laws and teachings surpass all creeds. However much the polytheists and the hypocrites may try to stop the ultimate victory of Islam under the guidance of the living Imam, the al Qa-im, it is certain to take place. Verse 28 of Fat-h and verse 9 of Saff also give the glad tidings of the ultimate victory of Islam when al Qa-im comes in this world.
Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Yula, Hakim, Suyuti, Tabarani, Darqatni, Abu Nu-aym, Khatib and Ibn Asakir and many others have accepted the fact of the ultimate rule of Imam Mahdi, who is the last of the twelve successors of the Holy Prophet from among his Ahl ul Bayt. Even the precursor of Wahabi sect, Ibn Taymiyah, has accepted as true all the traditions pertaining to the "reign of Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al Mahdi" (refer to his book "Majmu-atul Fatawa".)
Also refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 124.
Indeed what an immature thought and foolish act it was! If the Divine Will bears on some matter, can a person revolt against it and combat it? Is it possible that definite Divine Promises may not be compiled with? Or is it possible that the reins of oppressive imposters who fight against the Divine decree will not cut? Is it not more amazing that Peerless, Almighty Allah has shown His power many times before, so that after that all men should know that if He wishes to give His chosen servant government and sovereignty and to destroy infidelity and irreligiousness through him, then there is no one who can disrupt His rule? Fortunately, this sensational story is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.
Pharaoh, the great emperor of Egypt, who had great power and pride, claimed the divinity for himself. He determined to Kill all the youths and boy children of Bani Isra'il as a result of what he had heard about a son being born who would destroy his empire and divinity. He shed the blood of innocents, and banished many persons to unknown regions; but see how Almighty Allah restored His Prophet and how the Divine Will worked to protect the life of Musa, peace be on him, and destroy Pharaoh:
And We revealed to the mother of Musa, saying, "Give him suck; and if you fear for him, launch him on the river; and fear not, nor grieve; for We will return him to you and make him one of the Messengers." And took him up Pharaoh's people, that he might be to them an enemy and a (cause of their) grief, (for) verily Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were sinners ... So We did restore him to his mother that her age might be refreshed and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is (always) true, but most of them know not. (XXVIII 7-13) (28.7-13)
Yes, Allah will protect His Proof (Hujjah) and will fulfil His promises and glad tidings because His decision is based on its execution, although most people do not know it. Would Allah wish to save the life of Prophet Musa, peace be on him, who was only a messenger to a certain nation and tribe, and yield the Imam of the Age (Imam e Zaman) into the hands of Mu'tamid and Mu'tadid ?
Would Allah protect the life of Musa, peace be on him, while he was in the middle of the roaring waves of a river, and give no security to the Imam of the Age who was in the house of his father, Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, ? Would the Sustaining Allah of the Prophet Ibrahim, peace be on him, protect Ibrahim, peace be on him, in the middle of the flaming fire, but allow the Last Pearl of the Prophet's progeny to be a victim of the lust and anger of the 'Abbasid caliphs?
At dawn, on the middle day of Sha'ban in the year 255 A.H., Imam Hasan al Askari, peace be on him, beheld the heavenly, shinning face of his son who was to fulfil all Divine promises and glad tidings. Not more than three days had passed after his birth when the Eleventh Imam took the holy child to his companions and told them: "After me this will be your master of authority and my successor, and he is the 'Support ' (al-Qa'im) for whose appearance all people will wait; when the earth is full of injustice and tyranny, he will fill it with peace and justice."
Read carefully these words of Sheikh Mufid,
Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, prepared a true Government for his fruitful son. He kept secret the birth of his son and other related matters, because His Eminence was living in a difficult time when the caliphs were intensively searching for his son and were keeping a close eye on the affairs of Imam al-'Askari. This is because the Shi'ite Imamiyyah belief about the Imam al Mahdi, peace be on him, had become so current they were waiting for His Eminence. Hence, Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, did not show his, and, therefore, the enemies could not recognize Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, after the demise of His Eminence (father).
Although the affairs of Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, were unknown to his enemies and opponents, the sincere Shi'ites gathered the news of this important event. Some of them were informed by Imam al-'Askari , peace be on him, through a letter. One of the sincere Shi'ites, Ahmad ibn Is'haq, received a letter from the Imam written in his own hand writing, saying: "A son is born to me. Therefore, keep secret the news of it from people and inform only his near relatives and particular friends." Some of the Shi'ites used to pay private visits to Imam al-'Askari , peace be on him, who would take them into the presence of the Twelfth Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, who would guide them. Abu 'Umari and Ahwazi reported: "Abu Muhammad (Imam Hasan al-'Askari) showed me his son (the Twelfth Imam) and told me, 'This is your Master (Sahib)." Some other Shi'ites used to visit Imam al-'Askari, peace be on him, in a group, and if the Imam trusted in them that they would faithfully keep their visit secret, he would show them his beloved son.
Yes, in this manner was the Imam of the Age (Imam e Zaman) born and kept hidden from the reach of strangers. On some occasions only were virtuous Shi'ites allowed to see him, until the year 260 A.H, when the Eleventh Imam expired, and by Divine decree the office of Divine Leadership (Imamate) was vested in the Master of the Authority (Sahibu'l-Amr).
Part II
The Minor Occultation:
When Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, died, the office of Divine Leadership (Imamate) was transferred to the Last Luminous Pearl of the House hold of the Holy Prophet, Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, . Although His Eminence did not appear amongst the people, some persons in whom he had trust and confidence were allowed to visit him and present him the problems and questions of the Shi'ites. And they communicated to the people the guidance and commands of the Divine Luminous Light.
From the point of view faith, confidence and virtue, these were distinguished persons among the Muslims who were mediators between the Imam and the people. And in due time they conveyed the guidance of His Eminence to the people. By studying the degree of the character and perception of the belief and piety of these individuals, not only does the greatness of their personalities become clear to us, but we become more familiar with the Imam of the Age, because, among the sayings of these distinguished, trustworthy and reliable companions of the Holy Imams, one finds the signs of the greatness of His Eminence (Imam al-Mahdi), Among the companions of Imam e Zaman, four became his most famous and confidential deputies who acted as mediators between the Imam and the people, and they are known as the Nawwab al-arba'ah (the four deputies). In order to know more about the dignity and greatness of their positions, we give below a brief description of each one of them:
1. Uthman ibn Sa'id 'Umari: This honourable figure was not only a deputy (na'ib) of Imam e Zaman but he was also a representative (wakil ) of Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, and Imam 'Ali an-Naqi, peace be on him. He settled and organized many affairs of the Shi'ites. The Tenth Imam (al-Hadi) said to his followers regarding him. "This Abu 'Umari is a reliable and trustworthy person. Whatever he says to you he says so on my behalf, and whatever he does he does on my behalf."
This representation continued till 254 A.H, when Imam al-Hadi, peace be on him, died. Then, the Eleventh Imam is reported to have praised the character of Abu 'Umari as having his high esteem in his address to his Shi'ites, saying: "This Abu 'Umari is a reliable and trustworthy person. He had the confidence of the preceding Imam, and has also my confidence in my lifetime and after my death. Whatever he says to you he says so on my behalf, and whatever he does he does on my behalf."
2. Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn 'Uthman: This man was the second special deputy of Imam e Zaman. He was also a deputy of the Eleventh Imam, about whom the latter said: "The greatness of his dignity and the exaltation of his status among the Shi'ites is so famous that there is no need to explain or dispute it."
Regarding him and his father, 'Uthman ibn Sa'id, Imam Hasan al-'Askari, peace be on him, said to one of his companions: "Umar and his son are both trustworthy. Whatever they do they do on my behalf, and whatever they say to you, they say so on my behalf. Therefore, listen to their words and obey them, because both of them are reliable and trustworthy to us."
3. Abu 'l-Qasim Husayn ibn Ruh Nawbakhti: Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn 'Uthman, the third deplaty of Imam e Zaman, said about him: This Husayn ibn Ruh ibn Abu Bahr Nawbakhti is my successor. He is a reliable and trustworthy envoy and deputy between you and the Sahibu'l-Amr (the Master of the Authority). Therefore, in your affairs and important tasks refer to him and trust him. I was given this task; and I have announced it."
Shaykh Tusi (may Allah's mercy be upon him) said about him: "Abu'l-Qasim Husayn ibn Ruh was regarded by his friends and opponents as the most learned man among the people."
4. Abu 'l-Hasan 'Ali ibn Muh. ammad Simmari. This honourable figure was the last special deputy (Na'ibu'l-khass) of the Holy Imam e Zaman. His death, coincided with the 15th of Sha'ban 329 A.H. Husayn ibn Ruh introduce him as the deputy of the Imam. The last letter of Imam e Zaman (the Lord of the Age) to the four special deputies was addressed to this honourable man. In this order the Imam announced the death of 'Ali ibn Muhammad and the end of the deputation:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. You are going to die in six days, may Allah grant patience to your brothers in faith on your departure. So, be prepared, but appoint no one in your place, because from the day of your death the period of my major occultation (ghaybatu'l-kubra) will begin. Henceforth, no one will see me, unless and until Allah makes me appear. My reappearance will take place after a very long time when people will have grown tired of waiting and those who are weak in their faith will say: 'What! Is he still alive?' When men will become cruel and inconsiderate, and the world will be full of injustice and violence. Very soon some men will claim to nave seen me. Beware! Anyone who makes such a claim before the coming out of Sufyani and the sound from heaven announcing my reappearance, is a liar and an imposter. There is no might nor strength except in Allah, the Magnificent."
As can be seen from this, it is the last order in which the door of special deputation is closed by the death of 'Ali ibn Muhammad; hence, anyone who claims to be a mediator, or claims that the Imam can be seen, is a liar. In the period of the major occultation no one has made the claim that he has been in the presence of the Holy Imam e Zaman.
The special deputies presented to Imam e Zaman the problems and questions of the Shi'ite scholars, and he answered the ones that were necessary in letterform and delivered them through the same deputies. In these letters, the most important and difficult problems on different subjects of Shi'ite beliefs were cleared up. One of these problems was a question as to what would be the responsibility of the Shi'ites who would be faced with new events during the period of occultation, and what should they do to face them ?
In the letter issued by Imam e Zaman to the celebrated and distinguished Shi'ite Is'haq ibn Yaqub he recounted duties, methods and guidance for the Shi'ites in the period of occultation. This direction was carried out for many centuries, and it is one of the proofs of the comprehensiveness and eternity of Islamic rule. In one of the letters to Imam e Zaman which he sent through the second special deputy of the Imam, Is'haq ibn Ya' qub asked him some different questions, among which was a question which is the subject of our discussion. The Imam said that in those affairs one must refer to those who really understands their (Imams') sayings and have truly related them: But as for the problems which will occur in the future, you should refer to the narrators of our traditions for their verdicts as they are my proofs to you, and I am Allah's Proof (Hujjatu'llah) to them."
Other letters of His Eminence (Imam al-Mahdi) were issued during the minor occultation (ghaybatu's-sughra), each one of them solved difficulties and gave instruction in the boundless sea of wisdom. All these letters were conveyed through the Holy Imam 's special deputy to the desirous seekers. Yes, the four deputies, who were at the highest level of faith and confidence for many years, were the blessed mediators between the Imam and the people till in the year 329 A.H. when this deputation was closed, and on the basis of the Divine Will the major occultation of Imam e Zaman commenced. This was the very occultation which was prophesied a long time previously by the Holy Prophet and the Shi'ites Imams; and Muslims keep patient in this period of test, till by the order of Almighty Allah, the Awaited Imam will appear and the Divine Aim will reach its fulfillment.
The Major Occultation:
After the year 329 A.H, when the major occultation commenced, the special deputation of Imam e Zaman terminated. If anybody claims during the major occultation to be a mediator and a deputy, then, according to the declaration of Imam e Zaman himself, that claimer is a liar In the Holy Imams' traditions, the purpose of the Imam's going into occultation is compared to the sun being behind the clouds yet being a source of vitality and life for living creatures Likewise, while the Imam is behind the curtain of occultation, he is still a source of the existence and remaining of the world.
During the major occultation, many people have had meetings with His Eminence (Imam Mahdi), and have managed to meet him, but none of them have claimed to be able to see him or to represent him, because only the four special deputies (Nawwab al-khass) of the Imam had the honour of meeting with His Eminence whenever they wished. Some of the names of these fortunate persons who have had the honour of meeting the Imam are mentioned in the authentic books. Among these personalities are - 'Allamah Hilli - a famous scholar and a rhetorician of the Islamic world; Muqaddas Ardibili - the most pious person and most knowledgeable jurist of his time; Sayyid ibn Tawus - a pious and a virtuous narrator; Sayyid Bahru'l-'Ulum - a distinguished scholar; and other great and notable figures in Islam.
The honour of seeing Imam e Zaman was not exclusive to some special Shi'ite scholars only, but many devout and illiterate people have also had this honour. We are completely amazed when we see people who at one time used to commit sinful and indecent acts, but who after their repentance, and after having their hearts filled with love for Imam e Zaman, also had an opportunity to meet him, and among them were also our Sunni brothers. One of the Sunni brothers was Hasan 'Iraqi who lived a life of immorality when he was young. One day, he suddenly awoke from the slumber of heedlessness and asked himself, "Was I created to commit these evil deeds?" Then he left the immoral place he was in and went directly to the mosque. By chance, a preacher there was speaking about Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him. 'Iraqi 's fully disturbed soul turned into a heart flaming with enthusiastic love of the Imam. Henceforth, he invoked Allah after every prayer to give him the opportunity to see the Living Imam (Baqiyyatu'llah). Finally, his prayers were answered and for seven days and nights he learned the path of salvation in His Eminence's presence. Thereafter, this man became known as one of the great scholars of Islam. 'Abdu'l-Wahhab Sha'rani, one of the great Sunni scholars, and the original relater of this anecdote, used to call him by the title, "My great master Shaykh 'Iraqi."
During the major occultation, His Eminenee issued letters to individuals and great scholars of Islam. In those letters new difficult problems were solved, and necessary guidance was given. Among these letters there was one issued in the year 410 A.H. praising a distinguished scholar of Islam, Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Nu' man, alias Shaykh Mufid. Shaykh Mufid has enjoyed a special rank for his knowledge and devoutness, and that letter was an acknowledgement of his efforts and worthy services. The importance of this letter indicates the awareness of the Imam of the mistakes and immoral actions of some of the Shi'ites, and at the same time it gives hope in the purpose of his existence:
We are well informed of all your affairs and none of them is hidden from us. We are aware of the problems, which have occupied you from the time when you found pleasure and kept committing indecent deeds, which your predecessors had avoided. We are aware from that time when your predecessors broke the covenant made with them, as if they knew not about it. We will not neglect or forget you lest calamity and troubles fall on you, and enemies have the opportunity to overpower you. Therefore, remember Allah and fear Him.
The valuable writings of Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, during the major occultation are the most important guidance for his Shi'ites (followers). These writings earn be referred to in the authentic Shi'ite books.
In Islamic traditions, a comparison is drawn between the sincere faith of the Shi'ites and the faith of a few followers of the Prophet Nuh, peace be on him, who remained faithful despite their very difficult test, and who, by boarding the ark with Prophet Nuh, peace be on him, were saved from the deluge.
Part III
Appearance of al-Qaim:
The reappearance of the Imam in human society after the major occultation is not for the purpose of delivering any new message, nor any alteration in the system of human life, not already provided for or implied in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. His reappearance is as the chosen executor of the divine law. He reappears with the sole purpose of reducing all religions of the world into one approved by God, namely Islam, and then seeing that it is extended throughout the world and practiced by every human being. He reappears to spread justice, prescribed by Islam, all over the globe. 'He fills the earth with fairness and justice, after the earth would be filled with injustice and aggression' (Majlisi, II, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 336). The apostolic reports assert that He will reappear with such divine power that all the temporal forces will be vanquished. He reappears not as a preacher of the divine will, as the pretending mahdis of modern time would claim. He reappears as the powerful executor of the divine will and command. He reappears as the all-dominating walayat. His 'total reappearance' is in the period wherein the spiritual mastership of perfect man over the realm of humanity will be manifested in the person of the Twelfth Imam, the last vicegerent of the last Prophet. He represents Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace, in both name and the real meaning of the word. 'Muhammad,' as pointed out earlier, is the term divinely assigned to the created being who is the first and the last in degree of perfection in the arcs of descent and ascent, and who is in the highest possible stage of communion with the Absolute. So his reappearance is the manifestation of walayat, mastership of Muhammad, on earth.
Some apostolic reports assert that the time will come when al-Mahdi will be ordered by God to appear on the scene of humanity for the performance of the executive task assigned to him. He will then enter the sacred mosque at Mecca and keeping his back to the wall of the Ka'ba, declare his appearance to deliver mankind from the miseries of injustice and the licentious existence of the time. Hours prior to his declaration, there will be a similar declaration from Dajjal, the anti-Mahdi personality. Both declarations will be heard throughout the globe at once. The chosen devotees of al-Mahdi, who are the same in number as the faithful warriors of Badr, and others willing to respond to the sacred call will reach Mecca within a very short time. The communication throughout the world will be very quick. The people will see each other from remote places. These prophecies were made and recorded at a time when the natural forces and the means of communication at the disposal of man were confined only to donkies, mules, horses and camels on the land, sailboats on the sea, and pigeons, hawks and other trained birds in the sky. Nobody had even dreamt of the modern means which man is using for communication and contact today. The impossible of that time is becoming the simple, fact of today.
Confirming the assertion of the Qur'an, 'Ali states that the stars and heavenly bodies are populated by living beings. The cities there are like our cities, but connected with each other by columns of light, which we have just started to use for communication. There are many statements of this kind from saintly men long before the advent of scientific discoveries and inventions. Such statements show the insight of their author into the nature of the universe. Now, with atomic energy man is trying to establish communications with the moon, Mars, and other planets. This attempt is possible according to the Qur'an, provided man has the requisite authority at his disposal (LV 33). But until now the power and forces discovered and used by man are material ones. Nevertheless, they are producing wonders. The superhuman incorporeal powers of the spiritual and psychic type have not yet been properly understood, measured, controlled, and used by men. Undoubtedly there are occasional displays of supernatural forces in the form of miracles of the vicegerents of God. These instances may only be taken as convincing proofs of the existence of supernatural energies dominating the material realms. But the time for regular use of these spiritual energies has not yet come. When God will allow the 'perfect man' possessing these energies to display their regular use for the welfare of humanity, the impact shall be greater than the use of atomic energy. With such super material energies, not only the space distances will be removed.
Communication between the living and the dead may be established. Many vicegerents and saintly men of the past who had played a part in the advancement of the noble and final aim will reappear on the scene of the divine kingdom on earth when it is established. When the time distance is removed, the godly men who sacrificed themselves for the complete manifestation of the divine kingdom through the person of the Imam, will appear and enjoy the results of the sacred role they performed. Not only the good people of the past will reappear but some of the opponents too may be brought to the scene, to reveal the wretched ends of those evil doers (XXVII 83). The verse refers to a sort of 'partial resurrection' prior to the 'total resurrection’, which is referred to in XVIII 47.
Al-Mahdi combines in him the dignity of Musa in perfection, the grace of Jesus and the patience of Job. Thus, in the person of al-Mahdi the two chosen branches of Ibrahim's issue are reunited. By the reappearance of Jesus, to follow the lead of al-Mahdi, the kingdom given by God to the family of Ibrahim will be manifested under the banner of Islam, the sole religion approved by God. The heavenly kingdom will be established on the earth, through al-Mahdi. He represents in name, nature and attributes, the last Prophet, Muhammad, upon whom be peace. Jesus will accept his leadership, and other godly men of spiritual attainments will appear on the scene, of their own choice. Also some of their opponents will be forced into the scene by the agencies functioning in that realm. The reappearance of al Mahdi and his reign is termed as Zahoor-Mahdi Alaihis Salaam. The appearance of Jesus is termed as Nozool-e 'Isa Alaihis Salaam, the descent of Jesus. The appearance of other persons who died or their wicked opponents is termed as Raj'at. The process is termed as the minor resurrection (Qayamat-e Sughra), the rule of the perfect man over the world. It has to precede the major resurrection (Qayamat-e Kubra), the manifestation of the divine kingdom over man and the universe.
It has been proven that the return of a departed soul to a body in the form of an embryo in the womb of a mother and rebirth in the usual manner known to us, is impossible. Return of the dead to life, whether in an individual or collective way, means the soul assuming a new body, similar to the previous one. This process can be in two ways:
1. the development of the earthly realm into the celestial form as the Qur'an says: 'The day when the earth is replaced by a different earth and the earth will be illuminated with the light of ils Lord' (and not with the light of the sun) or
2. the descent of the soul to the earthly level by assuming an earthly body as the angels do (XIX 17). Both are possible and both may take shape towards the ultimate resurrection. The Muslims, Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians firmly believe in individual and collective resurrection of human souls after death. So to the followers of these faiths, the reappearance of al-Mahdi, the descent of Christ and the return of some virtuous and wicked men to life as a sort of partial resurrection, prior to the ultimate resurrection should not appear strange. As the Qur'an asserts: 'And among His signs is the creation of (1) the heavens and the earth and (2) the living beings which He has spread in the heavens and the earth: And He is able to bring them together as He wills (whenever and in whatever manner He wills and intends)' (XLII 29). He may collect all or some groups of them on the terrestrial level or in the celestial sphere. The basis of theistic religions is the faith that the material world, which appeals to our external senses, is the seen, 'Alam e Shahadat, and held world, 'Alam-e Mulk. It has holding power by itself. The unseen worlds and spheres of agencies control it. They are termed as malakut. These unseen agencies are of grades; the lower ones are controlled by higher grades. But whether lower or higher all the unseen holding agencies, like the seen and held world, are created, held and controlled by the creative will and might of the All Gracious, Absolute One. To such might and will of the Absolute Creator, controlling all the seen and unseen spheres of the universe, no proposition can be considered impossible.
All the following events, asserted in the Qur'an or other scriptures and apostolic reports confirmed by the Qur'an are undeniable:
1. The creation of a living being, man, other animals, or plants through a process unknown to us. (Ch. XV: vs 25-30; Ch. XVIII: v 51; Ch. LVI: v 61; and similar verses; Al-Sahifat al Kamilat Al-Sajjadiyya, The Muhammadi Trust, London. England, Supplication 63 for Monday, p. 223; Nahj al-Balagha: Ch: LV: vs 14-15)
2. The transformation of an inanimate object to animal and vice versa; sudden or gradual transformation of one animal to another animal of a different species. (Ch. XXVII: vs 10, 12 and Ch. XX)
3. The return from death to life after the lapse of a considerable time (Ch. II: v 259; Ch. XVIII); the return of a departed soul to the same body and stage of life at which it had left, but not through the process of rebirth and return from an actual stage to a potential one. (In every chapter of the Qur'an there are verses relating to the resurrection, Qiyamat, adding to more than five hundred verses spread over the Qur'an. Ch. II: v 260 is one example for Prophet Ibrahim.)
4. The living of a perfect man who is freed from material fetters and controlling the material realm for one or two thousand years or more; for example in the case of Jesus and the twelfth Imam, al-Mahdi: the time factor is controlled by God. (Ch. XXVII: vs 143-144 and; Ch. VIII: vs 60-82)
5. The descent of angelical, celestial and etherial entities to the terrestrial sphere by assuming human forms. (Ch. XIX: vs 17-21 and Ch. XI: vs 69, 78)
6. The ascent of the highly developed terrestrial entities to the super-terrestrial spheres without suffering death; instead of separation of the body from the soul, the body assimilates for a period the conditions of the sphere to which the soul ascends. (Ch. XVIII: v l; Ch. LIII; Ch. 111: v 55)
7. The transfer of a heavy object from its place to a remote place in the twinkling of an eye. (Ch. XXVIII: vs 40-41)
8. The birth of a child from a virgin without any insemination. (Ch. III: vs 46-47)
9. The curing of diseases, the blind, deaf, lepers and insane persons and bringing the dead to life without any medical means. (Ch. V: v 110)
10. The splitting of the sea and making a dry passage for people to cross from one side to the other. (Ch. XX: vs 77-78)
11. The descent of angels to help godly people against the disbelievers. (Ch. III: vs 124-126)
12. The sleeping of a few believers for 309 years in a cave and their waking after such a long period, as mentioned in the Qur'an and pre-lslamic apostolic records of the seven sleepers (Ch. XVIII: vs 9, 22, 25-26)
All these wonders have their own category; they are possible in themselves. They may not be possible in the sense that they do not take place through the means known to man. As the Qur'an says: 'O company of jinns and men, if ye are able to penetrate the diameters of the earth and heavens, then do it, but ye penetrate not except with certain force (which has not yet come within your disposal.' (Ch. LV: v 33).
Today, man is able to reach the moon, something, which was once considered impossible. Science extends the scope of man's contact with his surroundings, but no power can make a triangle with more or less than three angles, nor a part of a whole greater than the whole itself, because the proposition is self-contradictory.
The birth, growth and the minor and major occultation of the twelfth Imam, and his reappearance are not more strange than the wonders and miracles narrated in the Qur'an, scriptures and the apostolic reports. The historical evidence of his past and present is more authentic than those of others. How he will be recognized at the time of reappearance is a basic question, as he will reappear with the same divine sigrwers with which all the vicegerents of God have appeared on the earth.
All the aforesaid is based on the monotheistic view and on a faith in the unseen, as explained before. As the Qur'an says: 'The Book wherein and about which no doubt exists, is guidance for the pious ones, who believe in the unseen' (Ch. II: v 1), which includes the occultation of the Imam also. The absolute materialistic existentialism of today has no place for miracles like the occultation of the twelfth Imam.
Part IV
Our role as Shi'ites:
So now, what is a duty of a Shi'ite? What responsibilities does he have? Truly, are we reckoned among the real followers of His Eminence (Imam al Mahdi)? If we study the lives of the devout Shi'ites (followers) of the Holy Imams before the Twelfth Imam, and consider their sacrifices without the slightest hesitation, we shall at once awake from our neglectful slumber and realize our weakness and guilt.
Were not Salman al-Farsi, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, 'Ammar ibn Yasir and Malik al Ashtar, the followers of the contemporary Imam 'Ali, Amir al-muminin, peace be on him, and are we too the followers of the Imam of our Age? Was not Maytham at-Tammar, who did not cease to praise 'Ali, the Lord of the faithful, a follower of His Eminenee 'Ali, and are we too, who are passing with the Imam of our Age through a strange period, the followers of His Eminenee? Were not the martyrs of Karbala', who with love strived in the way of defending the Imam of their time, Husayn, peace be on him, and were martyred, the followers of His Eminenee, and are we too, who refuse to give our wealth, lives and other means in the way of the Imam of our time, His Eminenee 's followers? Is a person like Hisham ibn Hakam, who in his extraordinary and valuable debates erushed and defamed the opponents of the Divine Leadership (Imamate) in such a way that he was called the "assistant of the Imam" by Imam as Sadiq, peace be on him, a Shi'ite? And are we too, who are sluggish in fulfilling our foremost duty to recognize the Imam of our time, Shi'ites ?
From what we read of the glad tidings in the Qur'an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet and the infallible Imams, the Imam of the Age (Imam e Zaman) has special responsibilities, which other Imams did not have. Imam e Zaman will establish Universal Government. He will fill the earth with righteousness and justice. He will exploit the earth's treasures and natural resources. He will improve and develop the land, and in this way people's awareness and understanding will improve.
Therefore, do not the followers of His Eminence have a very particular duty? Should not the Shi'ites endeavor to obtain the competence and merit of being His Eminence's special Companions when he reappears by Divine Command? Therefore, let us see what our duties are and how we should observe them. Undoubtedly, our first duty is to become acquainted with him. Recognizing Imam e Zaman is so important and essential that in the Holy Prophet's traditions we read:
He who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age is like one who had died during the jahiliyyah (the pagan era before the advent of Islam).
To die during the jahiliyyah means a death devoid of Islam and faith. And it is obvious that one who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age is counted in the group of the faithless. In another tradition, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir , peace be on him is quoted as having said on the same subject:
One who dies without having (accepted) the Imam, it is as if he died in the jahiliyyah, and people are not exempted from recognizing their Imam.
Therefore, we must endeavor to recognize His Eminence (Imam e Zaman) for the sake of Islam and our faith, and so that we may be reckoned among those who have gained salvation and among the faithful. Another duty of the Shi'ites during the major occultation, which the Holy Imam have alluded to, is the question of being ready for the Saviour Hence, the first step for salvation is to recognize the Imam of the age; and the second step is to be prepared for the establishment of just Government by His Eminence.
One who is waiting (muntazir) and preparing himself for the appearance of the Imam must have the characters and merits of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi, peace be on him, and should sacrifice his life and wealth in his way. For this reason Imam as-Sadiq, peace be on him, said:
One who waits for our commands is like a person who sacrifices his own blood in the way of Allah.
One who dies while expecting the Government of al-Qa'im is like one who is in the presence of al - Qa'im (Imam al-Mahdi).
After a pause he added:
But he is like one who has been struck with a sword while accompanying him. Then he insisted further by adding:
Nay, by Allah! He is like one who has been martyred in the presence of the Messenger of Allah. Are we reckoned among those who are expecting His Eminence? Are we at least waiting for the Divine Promise of the Authority of Allah (Waliyyu'llah) in the same manner as we wait for the return of our loved ones from a journey? In another tradition, Imam as-Sadiq , peace be on him narrated the virtues of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi , peace be on him saying:
If one takes pleasure in being among the companions of al-Qa'im, then he must wait for him and must act with good behavior and modestly. If he dies before the appearance of al- Qa'im, then he will be rewarded like one who has followed him. Then act diligently, and await, that this effort and awaiting will give you delight, O' you who have found salvation. Shi'ites must have a devout link with His Eminence during the occultation. Their hearts and souls should be filled with love and affection for him. Their thoughts should be devoted to his service and their desire should be to meet him. Their prayers should be to ask for the blessing of Allah to be showered on His Eminence, and their supplication should be for salvation. Their existence should be one welded and fused unit, and their life should blaze with love for him.
*****
Dua for Imam al Mahdi, peace be on him:
O Allah! We ask of Thee to favor us with the gift of being obedient to Thee, and Detach us from being disobedient to Thee. Bestow on us being sincere in intentions; and Provide us with the knowledge of what is sacred.
O Allah! Honor us with guidance and honesty, and Direct our tongues to what is right and wise; Fill our hearts with comprehension and knowledge, and Cleanse us from the forbidden and doubtful.
O Allah! Prevent [our hands] from committing oppression and theft, Lower our gaze [out of modesty] from the immoral and disloyal, and Block our ears from hearing the vain talk and slander. Endorse our scholars with the gift of piety and fitting advice, and the learning ones with hard work and desire to learn.
Bless the listeners [to Thy scholars] with wisdom and compliance, and Impart recovery and comfort to the sick ones from illness and disease, and bless the dead among them with kindness and mercy.
O Allah! To our old people, award dignity and peace of mind, To our young people, confer repentance and turning away from sin, and To our women, bestow modesty and chastity.
O Allah! Supply the rich with humility and abundance; and the poor with patience and contentment. Let those fighting in Thy way be victorious, and the imprisoned be freed and unfettered.
Let the rulers be just and kind and the ruled be fair and with good conduct; Bless the ones on pilgrimage with abundance and support, and help them complete what is obligatory on them.
With Your Grace and Kindness, O Most Kind, Full of Grace!
Imam Mahdi (A.S.)
The Signs of the Reappearance (Qiyam) of the (Imam) who undertakes the Office (al-Qa'im), Peace be on him, the Period of Time of his Appearance, an Explanation of his Life and an Extract of what is revealed about his State.
Traditions have been reported mentioning the signs for the time of the appearance of the Imam who will arise (qa'im), peace be on him, and the events, which will take place before his appearance, together with the indications and features of it.
Among them are:
- The Sufyani will come out in revolt;
- The Hasanid will be killed;
- The Abbasids will dispute over worldly kingdom;
- There will be an eclipse of the sun in the middle of the month of Ramadan;
- There will be an eclipse of the moon at the end of that month in contrast to ordinary happenings;
- The land will be swallowed up at al-Bayda'; it will be swallowed in the east-it will be swallowed up in the west;
- The sun will stay still from the time of its decline to the middle of the time for the afternoon prayer;
- It will rise from the west;
- A pure soul (nafs zakiyya) will be killed in the outskirts of Kufa with seventy righteous men;
- A Hashimite will be slaughtered between the corner (of the Ka'ba) and the station of Abraham);
- The wall of the mosque of Kufa will be destroyed;
- Black standards will advance from Khurasan;
- Al-Yamani will come out in revolt;
- Al-Maghribi will appear in Egypt and take possession of it from Syria;
- The Turk will occupy the region of al-Jazira;
- The Byzantines will occupy Ramla;
- The star will appear in the east giving light just like the moon gives light;
- Then (the new moon) will bend until its two tips almost meet;
- A colour will appear in the sky and spread to its horizons;
- A fire will appear for a long time in the east remaining in the air for three or seven days;
- The Arabs will throw off the reins and take possession of their land, throwing out the foreign authority;
- The people of Egypt will kill their ruler and destroy Syria; and three standards will dispute over it (Syria);
- The standards of Qays and the Arabs will come among the people of Egypt;
- The standards of Kinda (will go) to Khurasan;
- Horses will come from the west until they are stabled in al-Hira;
- The black standards will advance towards them from the east; the Euphrates will flood so that the water comes into the alleys of Kufa;
- Sixty liars will come forward, all of them claiming prophethood, and twelve will come forward from the family of Abu Talib, all of them claiming the Imamate; a man of important rank of the supporters of the 'Abbasids will be burnt between Jalula' and Khaniqin;
- The bridge next to Karkh in the city of Baghdad will be established;
- A black wind will raise it at the beginning of the day and then an earthquake will occur so that much of it will be swallowed up;
- Fear will cover the people of Iraq and Baghdad; swift death (will occur) there and there will be a loss of property, lives and harvests;
- Locusts will appear at their usual times and at times not usual so that they attack agricultural land and crops and there will be little harvest for what the people planted;
- Two kinds of foreigners will dispute and much blood will be shed in their quarrel;
- Slaves will rebel against obedience to their masters and kill their masters (mawali);
- A group of heretics (ahl al-bida) will be transformed until they become monkeys and pigs;
- Slaves will conquer the land of their masters; a cry (will come) from the sky (in such a way) that all the people will hear it in their own languages;
- A face and a chest will appear in the sky before the people in the centre of the sun;
- The dead will arise from their graves so that they will return to the world and they will recognize one another and visit one another;
- That will come to an end with twenty-four continous rainstorms and they will revive the land after being dead and it will recognize its blessings;
- After that every disease will be taken away from those of the Shia of the Mahdi, peace be on him, who believe in the truth;
At that time they will know of his appearance in Mecca and they will go to him to support him.
(These signs) are as the reports have mentioned. Among the total of these events are some which are bound (to happen) and other which are conditional. God knows best what will take place. We have only mentioned them on the basis of what is recounted in basic sources of tradition (usul) because of their inclusion in traditions, which have been handed down. From God we seek help and Him do we ask for success.
[Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. Bilal al-Muhallabi informed me: Muhammad b. Jafar al-Mu'addib told me on the authority of Ahmad b. Idris, on the authority of 'Ali b. Muhammad b. Qutayba, on the authority of al-Fadl b. Shadhan, on the authority of Ismaeil b. al-Sabbah, who said: I heard an old man among our colleagues mention on the authority of Sayf b. Umayra, who said:]
I (i.e. Sayf b. 'Umayra) was with Abu Jafar al-Mansur and he said to me of his own accord: "There will certainly be a voice calling from the sky the name of a man from the descendants of Abu Talib."
"May I be your ransom, Commander of the faithful," I said, "do you relate that?"
"Indeed, by Him in Whose hands is my life," he replied, "because my own ears have heard it."
"Commander of the faithful," I said, "this tradition which you have heard is before my time."
"Sayf, it is the truth," he told me. "When it happens, we will be the first to answer it. Indeed the call will be for a man from the descendants of our uncle."
"A man from the descendants of Fatima, peace be on her?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied. "Sayf, if it was not for the fact that I have heard from Abu Jafar Muhammad b. Ali (al-Baqir), who told me about it, even though all the people of the earth have told me about it, I would not accept it from them. However it was Muhammad b. Ali (al-Baqir), peace be on them, (who told me)."
[Yahya b. Abi Talib reported on the authority of Ali b. Asim, on the authority of Ata' b. al-Sa'ib, on the authority of his father on the authority of Abd Allah b. Umar, who said:]
The Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, said: "The hour (of the end of the world) will not arise until the Mahdi from my descendants comes forth. The Mahdi will not come forth until sixty liars come forward, all of them declaring: 'I am a prophet.' "
[al-Fadl b. Shadhan reported on the authority of one who reported it on the authority of Abu Hamza al-Thumali, who said:]
I (i.e. Abu Hamza al-Thumali) asked Abu Jafar (al-Baqir), peace be on him: "Is the revolt of the Sufyani one of the things which must happen?"
"Yes," he replied. "The call is one of the things which must happen as is the rising of the sun from the west one of the things which must happen. The dispute of the Abbasids over the state is also one of them and the killing of the pure soul (al-nafs al-zakiyya). The appearance of the one who will arise (al-qa'im) from the family of Muhammad, may God bless him and his family, is another of the things which must happen."
"How will the call be?" I asked.
"There will be a call from the sky at the beginning of the dayù indeed the truth is with Ali; and his Shia,'' he said. "Then at the end of the day, Satan will call from the earth - indeed the truth is with Uthman and his supporters. At that the false one will feel doubt."
[Al-Hasan b. Ali al-Washsha' (reported) on the authority of Ahmad b. A'idh, on the authority of Abu Khadija, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah (Ja'far al-Sadiq, peace be on him:]
(Jafar al-Sadiq) said: "The one who will arise (al-qa'im) will not come forth until twelve of the Banu Hashim come forth before him, all of them summoning men to themselves."
[Muhammad b. Abi al-Bilad (reported) on the authority of Ali b. Muhammad al-Azdi, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, who said:]
The Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, said: "Before the one who will arise (al-qa'im), there will be red death and white death; there will be locusts at their usual time and at their unusual time like the colours of blood. As for red death that is (from) the sword, while white death is (from) plague."
[al-Hasan b. Mahbub (reported) on the authority of 'Amr b. Abi Miqdam, on the authority of Jabir al-Jufi on the authority of Abu-Jafar (al-Baqir), peace be on him:]
(Al-Baqir) said: "Stay close to the ground. Don't move an arm or a leg until you see the signs, which I will mention, to youùI don't think that you will live until that time. The Abbasids will dispute; a voice will call from the sky; one of the villages of Syria called al-Jabiyya will be swallowed up; the Turks will occupy the region of al-Jazira; the Byzantines will attack al-Ramla; at that time there will be much conflict throughout the land until Syria is destroyed. The cause of its destruction will be the meeting of three standards there: the standard of the Red, the standard of the Spotted and the standard of the Sufyam."
[Ali b. Abi Hamza (reported) on the authority of Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him:]
Concerning the words of Him, the Mighty and High: We will show them our signs on the horizons and in themselves so that it will become clear to them that it is the truth [XLI 53], (Musa) said: "(There will be) a disturbance on the horizons and the enemies of truth will be changed in form."
[Wahb b. (Abi) Hafs (reported) on the authority of Abu Basir, who said:]
I (i.e. Abu Basir) heard Abu Jafar (al-Baqir) speak concerning the words of Him, the Exalted: If We wish, We will send down on them signs from the sky, and their necks will remain bent submissively to them (XXVI 4). He said: "God will do that to them."
"Who are they?" I asked.
"The Umayyads and their supporters," he answered.
"What is the sign?" I asked.
"Between the decline of the sun (at noon) and the time of the afternoon prayer, the sun will remain still," he said. "The chest and face of man will appear in the centre of the sun, who will be recognized by his standing and genealogy. That will occur in the time of the Sufyani. At that moment his destruction will occur and the destruction of his people."
[Abd Allah b. Bukayr (reported) on the authority of Abd al-Malik b. Ismail, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Said b. Jubayr:]
(Sa'id b. Jubayr) said: "In the year in which the Mahdl will rise, twenty rain storms will rain on the earth. You will see their effects and benefits."
[al-Fadl b. Shadhan (reported) on the authority of Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Abi Nasr , on the authority of Thalaba al-Azdi, who said:]
Abu Jafar (al-Baqir), peace be on him, said: "Two signs will come before the one who will arise (al-qa'im), peace be on him: there will be an eclipse of the sun in the middle of the month of Ramadan and an eclipse of the moon at the end of it."
"Son of the Apostle of God," I said, "usually the eclipse of the sun occurs at the end of the month and the eclipse of the moon occurs in the middle of it?"
"I know what I have said," replied Abu Jafar (al-Baqir), peace be on him. "They are signs which have not occurred since Adam came down."
[Thalaba b. Maymun (reported) on the authority of Shuayb al-Haddad, on the authority of Salih. b. Maytham, who said:]
I (i.e. Salih b. Maytham) heard Abu Jafar (al-Baqir), peace be on him, say: "There is no longer than fifteen nights between the appearance of the one who will rise (al-qa'im), peace be on him, and the killing of the pure soul (al-nafs al-zakiyya)."
[Amr b Shamir (reported) on the authority of Jabir (al-Jufi) who said:]
I (i.e. Jabir al-Jufi) said to Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir), peace be on him: "When will this event occur?"
"Jabir, that will occur at a time when the killing between al-Hira and Kufa is considerable," he replied.
[Muhammad b. Sinan (reported) on the authority of al-Husayn b. al-Mukhtar, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Ja'far al-Sadiq) said: "When the wall of the mosque of Kufa, which adjoins the house of Abd Allah b. Masud is destroyed, then at that time the ruler of the people will disappear. At his disappearance, the one who will rise (al-qai'im), peace be on him, will come forth."
[Sayf b. 'Umayra (reported) on the authority of Bakr b. Muhammad, on the authority of Abu 'Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Jafar al-Sadiq) said: "There will be three appearances in one year, one month and one dayùthe Sufyani, the Khurasani and the Yamam. The standard of guidance will not be among them, except the standard of the Yamani, because he will summon (people) to the truth."
[al-Fadl b. Shadhan (reported) on the authority of Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Abi Nasr, on the authority of Abu al-Hasan al-Rida, peace be on him:]
(Al-Rida) said: "What you stretch your necks for will not occur until you are able to discern and to be tested. Only a few of you will remain."
Then he recited: Alif Lam. Do the people consider that they can abandon saying " We believe whenever they are tempted? [XXIX 1-2]. He said: "Among the signs of the relief is an event which will occur between the two mosques (of Mecca and Medina). So-and-so from the descendants of so-and-so will kill fifteen leaders of the Arabs."
[Al-Fadl b. Shadhan (reported) on the authority of Muammar b. Khallad, on the authority of Abu al-Hasan (al-Rida), peace be on him:]
(Al-Rida) said: "(It is as if I see) standards, dyed green, coming from Egypt until they come to the Syrian (standards). Then they will be guided to the descendant of the one who gave the testamentary bequests of authority (to the Imams)."
[Hammad b. Isa (reported) on the authority of Ibrahim b. Umar al-Yamani on the authority of Abu Basir, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Jafar al-Sadiq) said: "The kingdom of these men will not disappear until they slaughter people in Kufa on Friday. It is as if I was looking at heads falling between the Gate of al-Fil and (the place of) the soap-sellers."
[Ali b. Asbat (reported) on the authority of (Abu) al-Hasan b. al-Jahm, who said:]
A man asked Abu al-Hasan (Musa), peace be on him, about the relief. He asked: "Do you want most of it or shall I give you a summary?"
"Would you give me a summary?" he said.
"(It will be) when the standards of Qays are carried in Egypt and the standards of Kinda in Khurasan," he replied.
[Al-Husayn b. Abi 'Ala' (reported) on the authority of Abu Basir, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah (Ja'far al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Jafar al-Sadiq) said: "Because of the sons of so-and-so there will be a battle at your mosqueùmeaning the mosque of Kufa. On one Friday four thousand will be killed between the Gates of al-Fil to (the place of) the soap-sellers. Beware of this street. Avoid it. Those who are in the best situation will take the street of the Ansar."
[Ali b. Abi Hamza (reported) on the authority of Abu Basir, on the authority of Abu 'Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Jafar al-Sadiq) said: "Before (the coming of) the one who will rise (al-qa'im), peace be on him, there will be a year of abundant rain in which the fruits and the dates on the palms will be destroyed. But don't complain of that."
[Ibrahim b. Muhammad (reported) on the authority of Ja'far b. Sad, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Jafar al-Sadiq) said: "In the year of the Conquest (by the Mahdi) the Euphrates will flood so that the water goes into the alleys of Kufa."
[It is reported in the account (hadith) of Muhammad b. Muslim, who said:]
I (i.e. Muhammad b. Muslim) heard Abu Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him, say: "Before (the coming) of the one who will rise (al-qaim) there will be a trial from God."
"May I be your ransom, what is that?" I asked him.
He recited: Let Us test you with fear, with hunger, and with lack of money, of lives and of harvests. Good news will come to those who are steadfast [II 55]. Then he said: "The fear will be from the kings of the Banu so-and-so; the hunger will be as a result of exorbitant prices; the lack of money will be due to the failure of trade and the scarcity of surplus (goods) in it; the lack of lives will be because of swift death; the lack of harvest will be due to the great rains and the little benefit they bring to the crops." Then he continued: "The good news for those who are steadfast is that the one who will rise (al-qa'im) will soon come forth."
[Al-Husayn b. Sa'id (reported) on the authority of Mundhir al-Jawzi, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah (Jafar al-Sadiq), peace be on him:]
(Mundhir al-Jawzi) said: I heard (Ja'far al-Sadiq) say: "Before the coming of the one who will rise (al-qa'im), peace be on him, the people will be chided for their acts of disobedience by a fire which will appear in the sky and a redness which will cover the sky. It will swallow up Baghdad, it will swallow up Kufa. There blood will be shed and houses destroyed. Death (fana) will occur amid their people and a fear will come over the people of Iraq from which they shall have no rest."
Most Suni Ulema and their Siah-e-Sitta books confirmed Willadat-O-Ghaybat-e-IMAM-E- Akher-uz-ZAMAN as
12 Imams from Siah-e-Sita Books
Sahih Bukhari Vol. 9, Book 89. Judgments (Ahkaam).
Hadith 329. (Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated By Jabir bin Samura: I heard the Prophet saying, "There will be TWELVE Muslim rulers (who will rule all the Islamic world)." He then said a sentence, which I did not hear. My father said, "All of them (those rulers) will be from Quraish."
Sahih Muslim
Book 20. On Government.
Hadith 4477. (Sahih Muslim)
It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir b. Samura who said: I joined the company of the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) with my father and I heard him say: This Caliphate will not end until there have been TWELVE Caliphs among them. The narrator said: Then he (the Holy Prophet) said something that I could not follow. I said to my father: What did he say? He said: He has said: All of them will be from the Quraish.
Book 20. On Government.
Hadith 4478. (Sahih Muslim)
It has been reported on the authority of Jabir b. Samura who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: The affairs of the people will continue to be conducted (well) as long as TWELVE men govern them. Then the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said words, which were obscure to me. I asked my father: What did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say? He said: All of the (TWELVE men) will be from the Quraish.
4. Book 020, Number 4479: This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Jabir b. Samura through another chain of transmitters.
5. Book 20. On Government.
Hadith 4480. (Sahih Muslim)
It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir b. Samura who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: Islam will continue to be triumphant until there have been TWELVE Caliphs. Then the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said something, which I could not understand. I asked my father: What did he say? He said: He has said that all of them (TWELVE Caliphs) will be from the Quraish.
6. Book 20. On Government.
Hadith 4481. (Sahih Muslim)
It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir b. Samura that the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: This order will continue to be dominant until there have been TWELVE Caliphs. The narrator says: Then he said something, which I could not understand, and I said to my father: What did he say? My father told me that he said that all of them (Caliphs) would be from the Quraish.
7. Book 20. On Government.
Hadith 4482. (Sahih Muslim)
It has been reported on the authority of Jabir b. Samura who said: I went with my father to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and I heard him say: This religion would continue to remain powerful and dominant until there have been TWELVE Caliphs. Then he added something, which I couldn't catch on account of the noise of the people. I asked my father: What did he say? My father said: He has said that all of them will be from the Quraish.
Partial Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 36:
The Promised Deliverer (Kitab Al-Mahdi)
8. Abu Dawud
Book 36. The Promised Deliverer.
Hadith 4266. (Abu Dawud)
Narrated By Jabir ibn Samurah: The Prophet (pbuh) said: The religion will continue to be established till there are TWELVE caliphs over you, and the whole community will agree on each of them. I then heard from the Prophet (pbuh) some remarks, which I could not understand. I asked my father: What is he saying: He said: all of them will belong to Quraysh.
9. Book 36, Number 4269:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If only one day of this world remained. Allah would lengthen that day (according to the version of Za'idah), till He raised up in it a man who belongs to me or to my family whose father's name is the same as my father's, who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny (according to the version of Fitr). Sufyan's version says: The world will not pass away before the Arabs are ruled by a man of my family whose name will be the same as mine.
10. Book 36, Number 4270:
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If only one day of this time (world) remained, Allah would raise up a man from my family who would fill this earth with justice as it has been filled with oppression.
11. Book 36, Number 4271:
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: The Mahdi will be of my family, of the descendants of Fatimah. Abdullah ibn Ja'far said: I heard AbulMalih praising Ali ibn Nufayl and describing his good qualities.
12. Book 36, Number 4272:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: The Mahdi will be of my stock, and will have a broad forehead a prominent nose. He will fill the earth will equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years.
13. Book 36, Number 4273:
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Disagreement will occur at the death of a caliph and a man of the people of Medina will come flying forth to Mecca. Some of the people of Mecca will come to him, bring him out against his will and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam. An expeditionary force will then be sent against him from Syria but will be swallowed up in the desert between Mecca and Medina. When the people see that, the eminent saints of Syria and the best people of Iraq will come to him and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam.
Then there will arise a man of Quraysh whose maternal uncles belong to Kalb and send against them an expeditionary force, which will be overcome, by them, and that is the expedition of Kalb. Disappointed will be the one who does not receive the booty of Kalb. He will divide the property, and will govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and establish Islam on Earth. He will remain seven years, then die, and the Muslims will pray over him.
14. Book 36. The Promised Deliverer.
Hadith 4276A. (Abu Dawud)
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: AbuIshaq told that Ali looked at his son al-Hasan and said: This son of mine is a sayyid (chief) as named by the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him), and from his loins will come forth a man who will be called by the name of your Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and resemble him in conduct but not in appearance. He then mentioned the story about his filling the earth with justice.
15. Book 36, Number 4277:
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: A man called al-Harith ibn Harrath will come forth from Ma Wara an-Nahr. His army will be led by a man called Mansur who will establish or consolidate things for Muhammad's family as Quraysh consolidated them for the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). Every believer must help him, or he said: respond to his sermons.
9. Sunni Alama Mohammed bin Talah Shafa’ai mentions in his book “Matalab-Al-Saoul” that Imam Mehdi was born in Samarah, which is 20 farsakh from Baghdaad.
10. Sunni Alama Ali Bin-Sabagh Malaki wrote in his book “Fasool-Al-Mehima” that Imam Hassan Askari (as) kept it secret from others because of rulers of that time.
11. Alama Shaikh Abdullah Ibn-e-Ahmed Khashaab mentions in his book “Tarekh-e-Muwaleed” that Name of Imam Mehdi AS is Mohammed and Kuneyat Abo-Al-Qasam
and Imam will Appear and Succeed before the end of world.
12. Alama Mahei-ul-Deen Ibn-e-Arabi Hanmbali writes in his book “Fatohaat-e-Makkeya” that Imam Mehdi (as) will appear when cruelty reaches at peak.
13. Alama Shaikh Abdul-Wahab Shehraani mentions in his book Al-Yawaqeet-Wal-Jawwahir that Imam Mehdi (as) was born 15 Shahbaan 255 H.
14. Alama Badakhashani writes in his book “Muftah-Al-Najaat” same as Alama Shaikh Abdul-Wahab Shehraani (13) above and both say that Imam (as) was 703 years old, at time of writing these books in 958H.
15. Sunni Alam Abd-Ul-Rehman Jami Hanafi mentioned in his book”Shawwaid-Al-Naboowat” that Imam Mehdi (as) was born in Samarah but it was kept secret and his occultation started in the life of Imam Hassan Askari (as). (This may be that Imam Mehdi (as) was taken away from Imam Hassan Askari (as) to bring him-up).
16. Sunni Shaikh Abdul-Haq Dhelawi writes in hi book “Munaqab-e-Aima” that Imam Mehdi (as) was born on 15th Shahbaan 255H. Imam Hassan Askari (as) performed Aqamat-o-Azan in his ears, further more that Imam Mehdi was sent to the real owner, where Hazarat-e-Moosa was in his cradle.
17. Sunni Alama Jamal-Ud-Din Mohadas mentioned in his book “Roza-Al-Ah-baab”that Imam Mehdi (as) was born on 15th Shahbaan 255H, at the time of Mohttamed Abbasi and disappear at Sarman-Raey from the eyes of ordinary human-being.
18. Shah Wali-U-llaah Mohadas Dhelwi accepts in is Rasala (Magazine) “Nawwadar” that Shia Views are correct about Imam Mehdi (as).
19. Sunni Alama Mulla Hassan Maneedi mentions in his “Sharah-e-Dewwan” that Imam Mehdi (as) disappear for the sack of perfection about safaat.
.20. Sunni Alama Iban-e-Hajaer Makki agrees in his Soaeq-e-Mohraqa that Imam Mehdi Al-Muntazer (as) disappeared in Sarman-Raey.
21. Sunni Alama Zeahbi writes in his book Tareekh-e-Islam that Imam Mehdi (as) disappeared after his birth in 256H.
22. Sunni Alam Shablakhi by the references of “Katab-al-Beyan” writes in his book “Noor-Al-Absaar” that Imam Mehdi (as) is Alive since his occultation, and no one should doubt it as there are many Rasool Nabi and god’s chosen people alive, i.e.; Hazarat Esa, Alyas, Idrees and Khizer (as). Further more apart then these chosen and un-believers are also alive from ling long times i.e.; Dajaal, Ablees and Jooj-Majooj etc, these are mentioned in Quran, Saheh Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmazi. Furthermore it can be seen in “Katab Al-Beyan-Fi-Akhbaar Shaib-Alz-Zaman (as), which is written by famous Sunni Alam Alama Abu-Abdullah Mohammed Bin Yousaf Al-Kanjie.
22. Sunni Alam Rooz-Behaan writes in his book Al-Tal-Al-Batal that Imam Mehdi (as) is the only Al-Qaim –Al-Muntazer and will bright the universe.
23. Sunni Alama Hassam-Ud-Deen Ali-Mutaqi Al-Hindi mentions in his book Kanz-Zul-Amaal and accepts that Imam Mehdi (as) Ghaib after is apperanse will rule hole universe for several years.
With the authority of above mentioned (Abu Saeed Khudri (R.A)) the leader of the two worlds (SAWW) said the day of judgment would not take place until a man from my progeny will fill the earth, which will have been filled with oppression and tyranny, with justice and equity. The period of His rule (will be) 7 years.
Hafiz abu naem and Ahmed bin Abdullah who are from great scholars of Ahle Sunnah, their collected forty ahadith about Mehdi Hadi (a.s.), which are in books Fasoolul Mohimmah and Kashful Ghummah etc. I have taken the 3rd hadith from these 40 from the book anwar e imamat writer Faqihe Mohaqiqe Rabbani Danishmand e Bozurg Ahmed bin Muhammad known as Moqaddas Ardbaili (q.s.)
(Remember) the day when we will call every people with their Imam
(Qur'an 17:71) Al-Israa
يَوْمَ نَدْعُو كُلَّ أُنَاسٍ بِإِمَامِهِمْ فَمَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ يَقْرَؤُونَ كِتَابَهُمْ وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً {71}
On the Day of Judgment, the destiny of the "followers" of each group depends on the destiny of their Imam (provided that they really followed that Imam). Allah mentioned in the Quran that there are two types of Imams:
And We made them Imams who call to the fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall not be assisted. And We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be of those made to appear hideous
Traditional Hadees-e-Rasool-e-Kareem
Saheh Muslim Bab AL AMAARA also Masnad Ahmed bin Hamal mentions the Importance of Imamat
“MAN MAATA WALAM YARAF IMAM-E-ZAMANA MATA MAITA JHAHILIA”
“Jo Shakhas Mar Ghaya aur Appnay IMAM-E-ZAMANA KO NA PEHCHANA (MAHARAFAT HASAL NA KI) WO JAHILEYAT KI MOUT MARA”
THOSE WHO DEID WITH RCONIZITION OF IMAM OF HIS TIME DIED AS OUT OF ISLAM
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Ziaraat.com
Hussainiat.com
Shah-e-karbala.com
Shah-e-najaf.com
Azadar.com
Babulilm.org
Maulanafazilmosavi.com
Sadiqhassan.com
Duas.com
14five.com
Islamic-Laws.com
Jaffari.org
Cig.ca
Don't try to fit the “ISLAM” in Your Life, Try to make your self to fit in “ISLAM”.
Law and order are made for your prosperous future and protection
You cannot change it due to the fact that they cannot fit into your “Desired Life Style
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Paltalk Room to VISIT: Al Ghadeer :: Babulillm, Hussain Hussain Karain ::Darse Bukhari Sharif :: Gate of Knowledge
Paltak Room NOT to Visit:
WARNING: Aqaid-e-Haqa Room on Paltak is One of the Naseebi and Shia Wahabi room a Definite followers of Dahkoo and KHALASI. If you want to Learn more about the actual Sazish click on the above link "Conspricay against the Jaffari School" and "Confession of British Spy"
Responsibility of Every Shia - Always look for ***** The People who Sell their Eman and Deen in the hand of sahooniyat and their motive is to destroy two Key elements of Mazhab-e-Shia The AZADARI and MARJAIYAT *****
"Please Always Remember Momineen and Mominaat in your Dua's Specially the ones Who has no other means then Dua"
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