Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.) says; '' Happiness is for the one who will attend the Qaim of my Ahlulbait and will follow him before his rise. This person will love his (Qaim's) lovers and hate his enemies, and will accept the leadership of the Imams from before his advent. These ones are my friends, and are the most sincere members of my Ummah whom I honor very much." Beharul Anwar, vol. 52, p. 129
Hazrat Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) is the twelfth and last of the chain of the Purified Imams (p.b.u.h.) and the divine successors. He was born at the time of dawn, on Friday the 15th of Shaban 255 A.H. in the city of Samarra (Kamaaluddin vol. 2, Pg. 428, 433 424, 430). His respected father is Imam Hassan al-Askaree (p.b.u.h.). His beloved mother is Janab-e-Nargis Khatoon (R.A.). She was the descendant of the Caeser (king) of Rome from her father's side and from her mother's side she had descended from Shamoon the vicegerent of Hazrat Isa (p.b.u.h.) (Kamaaluddin vol.2 Pg. 420, 424,). This exalted personality has the same name and kunniyat (agnomen) as the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.). His titles are Mahdi, Hujjat, Qaem, Montazer, Sahibuzzaman and Khalaf-e-saleh. His most famous honorific however is Al-Mahdi (p.b.u.h.)(Al Fusoolul Muhimma Pg.292, Nurul Absaar Pg. 168) The great scholar Mohaddith-e-Noori has collected 182 titles of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) from the Islamic texts. Each of these titles signifies each of his virtuous qualities. (Najm-us-saaqib Pg. 41-98). The tyrant Abbasid rulers were aware of the prophecies of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.). That the son of Imam Hassan al-Askaree (p.b.u.h.) by the name of Mahdi will appear to remove all kinds of corruption and tyranny. Hence they planned to eliminate the child when he is born. Due to this the birth of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) was kept a secret like that of Hazrat Abraham (p.b.u.h.). So much so that except for the most trusted of the Shias and his own family, no one knew of the existence of Hazrat (p.b.u.h.). In spite of this whenever there was an opportunity, Imam Hassan al-Askaree (p.b.u.h.) showed his son to his trustworthy followers; that in future they may follow him. This was in order that the Shias may remain firm upon the right path, and not be led aster. The early years of his life were spent in the usual way. When he was in his fifth year, he lost his respected father. (Al Kafi Vol. 1 pg. 503) After this tragic event the responsibility of guiding the Shias was transferred upon him. At this time, Hazrat (p.b.u.h.) possessed all the qualities and the divine knowledge that was bestowed upon the previous Imams (p.b.u.h.), by the Almighty. In the same way as Hazrat Yahya (p.b.u.h.) in his childhood and Hazrat Isa (p.b.u.h.) in his infancy was favored with the divine office of Prophethood by Allah. (Quran: sura Maryam, Ayat 12 and 30) Although all the Imams (p.b.u.t.) were holding the divine office of wilayat, the efforts of the enemies to eliminate the twelfth Imam (a.t.f.s.) were maximum. Hence Imam-e-Zaman (p.b.u.h.) was entrusted to ghaibat and being away from the sight of people, he had to fulfill all the duties of an Imam. It is said that the concealed life of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is not something extraordinary. Rather, in the life of so many Prophets (p.b.u.t.) and even Imams (p.b.u.t.) it is seen, that they were at some time, in concealment from the people. The Holy Quran records the concealment of various prophets (p.b.u.h.) like Hazrat Abraham (p.b.u.h.). (Sura Maryam: 48-49), Hazrat Musa (p.b.u.h.) (Sura Qasas:21-22) and Hazrat Isa (p.b.u.h.) (Sura Nisa: 157). The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.f.) and the Imams (p.b.u.t.) had pointed out to the people the imminent occultation of their last proof (Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). So that no doubt or misunderstanding should remain, regarding this problem. The occultation (Ghaibat) of the twelfth Imam consists, of two phases. One is Ghaibat-e-Sughra (The lesser occultation) and the second is Ghaibat-e-Kubra (The greater occultation). Imam Ja'far as Sadeq (p.b.u.h.) said: 'There are two occultation for Qaem. One is short and the other prolonged. In the short occultation only the special Shias will know of his whereabouts. And in the longer occultation only his trustworthy servants will know where he is" (Al Kafi Vol. 1 Pg. 340. Ghaibat Nomani Pg. 180) According to the well-known reports, the lesser occultation (ghaibat-e-sugra) commenced from the year of his Imamate in 260 A.H and continued for 69 years. Some of the scholars like Shaykh Mufeed and Syed Mohsin Amin Amili mentioned that ghaibat-e-sugra began right from the time of his birth. (Al Kafi Vol. 1 Pg. 340. Ayan ush shia Vol. 2 Pg. 46) Because, even in those early years, Hazrat (a.t.f.s.) was concealed from the common people. According to this method, the period of ghaibat-e-sugra comes to seventy four years. During the period of ghaibat-e-sugra. Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) himself appointed his deputies from among the righteous Shias. Four of them succeeded each other and continued to fulfill the duty of intermediaries. These four personalities conveyed the questions and problems to Imam (a.t.f.s.) and brought back the Imam's (a.t.f.s.) answers for the people. The first of these deputies was Janab Abu Amroo Usman Ibn Saeed Amri. Before this he was a representative of Imam Hassan al Askaree (p.b.u.h.) (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 353) Shaykh Tusi writes: On the fortieth day the Shias were sitting in the company of Imam Hassan al-Askaree (p.b.u.h.), when Imam Askaree (p.b.u.h.) wished that they recognize his Hujyat after him..... Suddenly a handsome child was brought before them. He resembled Abu Mohammed (p.b.u.h.). Then Imam al-Askaree (p.b.u.h.) said: "He is your Imam after me. And my successor upon you. Obey him, and do not go astray after me (after my death), otherwise your religion shall be destroyed and you will be annihilated. Know that, after today you shall not see him, even if you spend your whole life for it. Hence, accept what Usman tells you, obey his commands and listen to what he says. Because he is the representative of your Imam and holds the responsibility. (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 357) After the death of Usman Ibn Saeed, his pious son, Mohammad Ibn Usman succeeded his father upon the post of the deputyship of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 362). Shaikh Tusi has recorded the letters sent by Imam Hassan al Askaree (p.b.u.h.) and Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) to Usman bin Saeed and his son Abu Ja'far Mohammed Ibn Usman for the Shias. These letters consists of commands, prohibitions and replies to the questions of the Shias. (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 356). Mohammed ibn Usman passed away from this world at the end of Jamadi-ul-Awwal in the year 304 or 305 A.H. (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg.366) During the time of his illness, as he laid on the sick-bed, the Shias and their children came and surrounded him. They asked: "If something happens, whom should we consult instead of you?" He answered, "This Abul Qasim Husayn Ibn Ruh Ibn Bahr Nawbakhti is successor. And he is the intermediary between you and the Master affair (Imam Mahdi a.t.f.s.), and his agent. He is trustworthy and reliable. Consult him, and in case of important matters, rely upon him. I have been ordered to announce this, and I have announced it" (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 371-372) Hossain Ibn Ruh Nawbakhti was one of the agents of Mohammed Ibn Usman in Baghdad. He had been working closely with him for a long time. These agents used to be in contact with the people and when ordered they handed over the goods to them (Gaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 369/372). Hossain Ibn Ruh died in Shaban 326 A.H (Ghaibat-e-Tusi Pg. 387). The last safir was Abul Hassan Ali Ibn Mohammed Seymoori. He became the deputy of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) according to the will of Hossain Ibn Ruh. He died after three years on the 15th of Shaban 329 A.H, (Ghaibat -e- Tusi Pg. 394) The graves (tombs) of these four respected deputies (Nawwab al -Arba, as they are commonly known) are situated in Baghdad. (Ghaibat -e- Tusi Pgs. 358, 366. 376, 396). The most sensitive and crucial period of ghaibat-e-sugra was when Ali Ibn Mohammad died. Because till his death the people were is contact with Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) through him. After his death, it was the commencement of Ghaibat-e-Kubra. Six days before his death, Ali Ibn Mohammed Seymoori received a communication from Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.): "...so be prepared, but appoint no one in your place, because from the day of your death, the period of my major occupation (Gaibatui 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 the world will be full of injustice and violence". (Kamaaluddin Vol.2 Pg.516 Ghaibate Tusi Pg.395) Ultimately, the shining sun of the divine proof went behind the curtain of Ghaibat, completely. And the period of communication with Hazrat (through Nawab-e-Arba) came to an end. In spite of this (his Ghaibat) Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is the Imam of the time and Imam of the world. He is the Divine Proof. Even though his person may be hidden from our eyes but his commands are clear. Quran and Etrat Internet University http://university.etrat.net --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "shiagroup" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/shiagroup?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
