Absence of Imam Mahdi
Although Imam Mahdi did not appear publicly to population at his childhood, but as mentioned before some trustworthy companions of Imam Askari and some of the Shiites who went to Imam’s house saw him sometimes. Because of some social conditions that told before, by God’s order he disappeared when he became Imam and started his secret life, doing his divine job in hidden. This means that he lives like us in society but cannot be recognized as who he is. He has two Absences, one of them called “Gheybat e Soghra” that means “The Shorter Absence” and the other: “Gheybat e Kobra” which means “The Longer Absence”. You can find several statements in Sunnite and Shiite books from Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and other Imams about his Absence. Imam Sadegh said:
His first and shorter Absence started just after his leadership at his five and lasted for 69 years, until year 329 Hejri. Some of Shiite scientists calculate this Absence from his birthday and so it lasted 74 years rather than 69. After that his first absence finished, his second and longer Absence started, which has not finished yet and it will end by God’s order, so that’s why we pray every time and ask God to let him manifest as soon as possible.
There is a question: what is the most important difference between these two Absences? May be the main difference between these two Absences is that he had some deputies during the first one. They took people’s questions, mails, donations, and other things to Imam and brought back their answers. Imam had four deputies who lived in Baghdad and were buried there too. They were called “Novab e Arbae” which means four deputies, also they had lots of wonders and miracles. The first deputy was “Osman bin Saeed Amri” and he died around 265 Hejri. Before he became Imam Mahdi’s deputy, he was Imam Askari’s assistant. The second one was the first one’s son, “Mohammad bin Osman Amri”, who died on 304 Hejri, and he was one of Imam Askari’s assistant too. When a group of 40 Shiites came into Imam Askari’s house after his birth, Imam Askari told them about deputation of these two during Imam Mahdi’s Absence. The third one was “Abolghasem Hussein Bin Rooh Nobakhti” who died on 18th of Shaban 326 Hejri and his ancestors were from Iran. The forth and last one was “Ali bin Mohammad Samori” who died on 15th of Shaban 329 Hejri. Just six days before he passed away, Imam Mahdi sent him a letter and announced him about his death and starting of Longer Absence era.[3]
During the Longer Absence, which has come about eleven hundred years up to now, Imam has not had any deputy. So what should people do? Whom they should ask their questions? According to a statement which came through Imam, they should ask their questions from “Maraaje” (the referred scientists of Islam). That is why people call this group of Scientists as “Novabe Aam” that means General Deputies. Imam Mahdi wrote in a letter:
In new cases refer to trustworthy tellers, because they are my casts to you and I am God’s cast to them. [4]
Imam Mahdi leaves as a common person in society. He goes to Hajj ceremony every year, he is coming and going into populations, he conducts Muslim, helps poor people, and so on. According to a statement from Prophet Mohammad, he acts like sun, when it is behind clouds. People cannot see him, but they are still benefited by him. [5]
During this time, although most people do not have access to Imam and can’t see him face to face, but with God’s permission, some people have had chances to come over and visit him. We have lots of stories about the people who had this chance. “Mohades Haji Noori” brought hundred of these stories in the seventh volume of his book “Najm o Sabegh”.
O God! We believe in Imam Mahdi and his manifest weather or not we exist when he appears, we want you to be our witness, and let us recognize him and be one of his companions, Amen.
__________________________________________
[1] Quran, Baghare, Ayah 3. [Back]
[2] “Algheyba”, Nomani, page 170, Statement 1 & 2; in Sunnite references: “Eghdol Dovar”, Moghadasi Shafeie, Page 133 &134. [Back]
[3] “Ehtejaj”, Tabarsi, Volume 2, Page 193. [Back]
[4]"Kamal al Din", Pages 484, Statement 4. [Back]
[5]"Kamal al Din", Pages 253, Statement 3. [Back]
His first and shorter Absence started just after his leadership at his five and lasted for 69 years, until year 329 Hejri. Some of Shiite scientists calculate this Absence from his birthday and so it lasted 74 years rather than 69. After that his first absence finished, his second and longer Absence started, which has not finished yet and it will end by God’s order, so that’s why we pray every time and ask God to let him manifest as soon as possible.
There is a question: what is the most important difference between these two Absences? May be the main difference between these two Absences is that he had some deputies during the first one. They took people’s questions, mails, donations, and other things to Imam and brought back their answers. Imam had four deputies who lived in Baghdad and were buried there too. They were called “Novab e Arbae” which means four deputies, also they had lots of wonders and miracles. The first deputy was “Osman bin Saeed Amri” and he died around 265 Hejri. Before he became Imam Mahdi’s deputy, he was Imam Askari’s assistant. The second one was the first one’s son, “Mohammad bin Osman Amri”, who died on 304 Hejri, and he was one of Imam Askari’s assistant too. When a group of 40 Shiites came into Imam Askari’s house after his birth, Imam Askari told them about deputation of these two during Imam Mahdi’s Absence. The third one was “Abolghasem Hussein Bin Rooh Nobakhti” who died on 18th of Shaban 326 Hejri and his ancestors were from Iran. The forth and last one was “Ali bin Mohammad Samori” who died on 15th of Shaban 329 Hejri. Just six days before he passed away, Imam Mahdi sent him a letter and announced him about his death and starting of Longer Absence era.[3]
During the Longer Absence, which has come about eleven hundred years up to now, Imam has not had any deputy. So what should people do? Whom they should ask their questions? According to a statement which came through Imam, they should ask their questions from “Maraaje” (the referred scientists of Islam). That is why people call this group of Scientists as “Novabe Aam” that means General Deputies. Imam Mahdi wrote in a letter:
In new cases refer to trustworthy tellers, because they are my casts to you and I am God’s cast to them. [4]During this time, although most people do not have access to Imam and can’t see him face to face, but with God’s permission, some people have had chances to come over and visit him. We have lots of stories about the people who had this chance. “Mohades Haji Noori” brought hundred of these stories in the seventh volume of his book “Najm o Sabegh”.
O God! We believe in Imam Mahdi and his manifest weather or not we exist when he appears, we want you to be our witness, and let us recognize him and be one of his companions, Amen.
__________________________________________
[1] Quran, Baghare, Ayah 3. [Back]
[2] “Algheyba”, Nomani, page 170, Statement 1 & 2; in Sunnite references: “Eghdol Dovar”, Moghadasi Shafeie, Page 133 &134. [Back]
[3] “Ehtejaj”, Tabarsi, Volume 2, Page 193. [Back]
[4]"Kamal al Din", Pages 484, Statement 4. [Back]
[5]"Kamal al Din", Pages 253, Statement 3. [Back]
1 comment:
god bless you
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