Absence of Imam Mahdi

Pious are who believe In the Unseen [1]

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:

Imam Mahdi has two absences, one of them is long and the other is short. [2]

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.
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[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]

Leadership (Imamat) of Imam Mahdi

O believers! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. [1]

Imam Askari was murdered on 8th of Rabi ol Avval of year 260 in Sameraa. After him, the Imam Mahdi's leadership was started. As Prophet Jesus and Prophet John and also like Imam Javad and Imam Hadi, he was a child when became leader. But you must know that Knowledge and wisdom of God isn't acquired and nobody can earn them by studying but the one who God decides. So like mankind knowledge you don’t need to grow up and get some experience for it. We have an Ayah in Quran which says that Prophet Jesus spoke with the Jews scientist when he was only few days old and he was in Mary's arm:

I am indeed a servant of Allah. He has given me (Holy Book) revelation and made me a prophet. [2]

After Imam Askari, his brother Jafar who was famous as Liar Jafar, wanted to became Moslems' leader. He denied Imam Mahdi's leadership. There is a custom in Islam and that is when an Imam dies, the next Imam must pray over his body and bury him. Jafar wanted to use this Islamic rule and he stood in the first line of Moslems who wanted to pray on Imam Askari's body and decided to start praying. Some of Shiite and special friends of Imam shocked and looked at him, suddenly a youth came and took Jafar's clothes and told him: "Dear Uncle, go backward because I'm deserver than you to pray for my dad." Jafar went back while he was wan and Imam Mahdi started praying. Because of this act of Imam Mahdi, every body who were there found out Jafar's lie and also they understood that the next Imam is Imam Mahdi. [3]

Jafar became anger and reported it to governor which was Motamed and he ordered his commanders to go after Imam Mahdi. But Imam was finished praying and by order of God became absent to save his life.

He is the last Imam (Khatam ol Osiaa) and like other holy leaders, he has special power and science which came through God. We have lots of stories about his miracles in our books, Just in Esbat ol Hoda which was written by Sheykh Hor Ameli, on volume 7, chapter 33, he brings 170 stories. These miracles are reason for his leadership too. Most of them are about curing sick people, help to poor ones, conduct people, direct people who lost their ways, foretelling future events and so on. These mean that his absent didn't affect on his leadership and he does what he must do. His absents is bad for us and its like when we want use sun, while it is behind clouds.

O God! During his absents and also his manifest, in this world and other world, put us as his companions, Amen.

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[1] Quran, Nesaa, Ayah 59. [Back]
[2] Quran, Maryam, Ayah 30. [Back]
[3] "Kamal al Din", Pages 475, Statement 25. [Back]