The period of disappearance of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)

The life of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) can be divided into four periods: “the disappearance”, “the Minor Occultation”, “the Major Occultation” and “the period after the Reappearance”. The period of his disappearance started from his birth (255 A.H.) and lasted until the martyrdom of Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) (260 A.H.).

Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) was responsible for two important and sensitive duties: One was protecting his child from the harm of Abbasid Caliphs and the other was proving his existence and declaring his Imamate as the twelfth Imam. He fulfilled both of his responsibilities in the best way. However, due to severe security situation held by the Abbasids, only a few of Imam Hassan Askari’s (PBUH) helpers and sincere friends knew about the birth of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).

Mu’awiyah ibn Hakim, Mohammad ibn Uthman ‘Amari and Mohammad ibn Ayyub said: “We, forty of Shias, came to Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH). He showed us his child and said: “He is your Imam after me and my successor, obey him and do not go away from him that you be perished and your religion be ruined. Also, you should know that you won’t see him after this day.” ” (Kamal al-Din and Tamam al-Nimeh, p. 435)

 

The remarkable answer of the important center of Wahhabism

When a Sunni Muslim (from Kenya) asked about Imam Mahdi, the time and place of his Reappearance and other Mahdavi questions, “Muslim World League”, the religious center of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia answered as follow:

« “Mahdi, Muhamamd ibn Abdullah Hassani, is Alavi and Fatemi (from the descendants of Imam Ali (PBUH) and Lady Fatima (PBUH)) and he is the awaited promised Mahdi. His Reappearance is concurrent with Apocalypse... He will reappear from the west and people will gather in Holy Mecca, Hijaz, pledges allegiance to him between Rukn and Maqam...

Mahdi, is the last caliphate of 12 caliphates whom prophet has mentioned and this has been brought in Sunni  references. Hadiths concerning Imam Mahdi is narrated by many of companions of prophet; such as: Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi-Talib, Talhah ibn Ubaydullah , Abd  ar-Rahman ibn Awf, Abd Allah ibn Abbas, Ammar Yasir, Abd Allah ibn Masoud, Abu Sa’id Khudri, Thawban and …

Some Islamic scholars have written special books about Mahdi, among them: Abu Nu’aym, Ibn Hajar, Shukani, Edris Iraqi... Some of these grand scholars have specified that the hadiths about Imam Mahdi are successive and cannot be denied...

It is only Ibn Khaldun who says Mahdavi hadiths are fabricated and have no basis...

 Therefore, believing in the Reappearance of Mahdi is obligated to all Muslims and the Sunni Sect believe in it, and nobody would deny it but unknowing ignorant people and heretics.”

(The quarterly of “Entezar Moud” (Expecting the Promised), no. 23 p. 142)

 

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As bright  as the day light

Many Sunni scholars have affirmed that belief in the promised Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is unison of Muslims. Even some believe that those, who do not believe in Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) rise, are infidels (Kafir) and they have also narrated some hadiths about it.

Even some of these scholars believe that the one who does not believe in Imam Mahdi (PBUH) should be definitely killed or some say that he/she should be punished and corrected, so he accepts the right God’s path.

(Yanabi’al-Mawwadda, page 447

Majala al-Tamadan al-Islamiyah, number 2, page 643

Al-Qol al-Mukhtaser fi Alamaat Mahdi al-Muntazir, page 262)

 

Initial events after the Reappearance

After the martyrdom of the pure soul (which is inevitable sign of the Reappearance) within a small amount of time, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) reappears in the appearance of a young man wearing the sacred dress of the prophet (PBUH) and holding his flag in his hand. He leans to the wall of the Kaaba and sing the song of the Reappearance between Rukn and Maqam. And after praising and extolling Allah and saluting the prophet and his progeny, he says:

 “O people! We ask for help from the almighty Allah and whoever in the world who hears and answers our call.” Then he introduces himself and his ancestors and says: “Pay attention to Allah about observing our rights. Do not abandon us in establishing the justice and fighting oppression, and help us so that Allah may help you.”

(Al-Ghayba al-Nu’mani, ch. 14, v. 67, p. 394 )

 

The place of Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) governance

Mafdhal asked Imam Sadiq (PBUH): “Sayyedi! Where will Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) house be and where will the believers gather?” He said: “His government will be in Kufa and the place of his rule will be the Great Mosque of Kufa. The treasury and the place to distribute the trophies is Al-Sahla Mosque, and his private place for tranquility is where the white sands of Najaf exist.”*1

One day, Imam Sadiq (PBUH) prayed in an area behind Kufa and told his faithful companion, Aban ibn Taghlib: “Here is where the house of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) will be.”*2

Imam Baqir (PBUH) was asked: “After Mecca and Medina, what holy place is the superior of all?” He answered: “It is Kufa.” Then, after mentioning the characteristics of Kufa, he said: “God’s justice will appear there and Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and his followers who bring justice after him will also settle there.”*3

(1- Bihar al-Anwar, vol 53, p 11; 2- Usul al-Kafi, vol 4, p 571; 3- Tahdhib al-Ahkam (by Shaykh Tusi), vol 6, p 31)

 

The Swear of Allegiance, this time after the Reappearance…

One of the earliest actions taken by Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is to ask his companions to pledge allegiance to him. These allegiances, take place in Masjid al-Haram, between Rukn and Maqam. Also, it has been narrated that the first one to pledge allegiance to Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is the Archangel Gabriel.

Imam Baqir (PBUH) said, “…Then the first one to pledge allegiance to him is Gabriel. Afterwards, the 313 people will pledge allegiance to him...”

(Al-Ghayba al-Nu’mani, p. 314)

 

The resident place of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)

Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said to his loyal companion Abu Basir:

 “O Aba Muhammad! As if I see Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and his family settling in Sahla Mosque with my own eyes.” Abu Basir said: “Will his permanent resident place be Sahla Mosque?” Imam said: “Yes.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, v. 97, p. 435, Hadith 3)

 

Source: Mahdiaran Channel (@Mahdiaran); http://islampfr.com