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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 al-Mahdi -a.s.), 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
no table figures in Islam.Yes, they saw the "sun" (Imam) with their
own eyes, and their hearts were filled with the faith of Imamu
'l-'Asr (the Imam of the Period), and with
sympathetic explanations they informed others about their
meeting with His Eminence.As an example, we can examine part of the will of
Sayyid ibn Tawus which he wrote to his son in the year
650 A.H In his own words he explained to his son,
implying the truth of the matter without claiming to have
perceived him:"O' my son! If success in discovering the truth
and mysteries has been granted to you, then I will inform
you regarding Imam al- Mahdi (a.s.) in such a way that
you will never have any doubt, and you will not need
intellectual proofs and recorded traditions; because His
Eminence is certainly alive and exists, and as long as
Merciful Allah does not allow him to plan events, he is
excused from revealing and declaring his workings. And
this matter is not exclusively to him, but was usual
among many prophets and their successors. Then you must
know with confidence and consider it as your faith and
creed. And know that the insight of your father into His
Eminence is brighter than his knowledge of the
world."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 (a.s.). '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 '-Wahhab Sha'rani, one of the
great Sunni scholars, and the original relater o f this
anecdote, used to call him by the title, "My great
master Shaykh 'Iraqi."During the major occultation, letters were issued by
His Eminence 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. Even
after the passing of many centuries, people still ad mire
him with honour and respect.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 (a.s.) during
the major occultation are the most important guidance for
his Shi'ites (followers). These writings can be referred
to in the authentic Shi'ite books.However, we are now passing through a very sensitive
period in the major occultation.In Islamic traditions, when the subject of the
occultation of the Twelfth Imam is discussed, reference
is made to the complex nature of this Divine test In this
Divine test, the sincere and faithful Shi'ites are
distinguished from others "and becomes as pure as a
pure gold."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 (Noah (a.s.), who remained
faithful despite their very difficult test, and who, by
boarding the ark with Prophet Nuh (a.s.), were saved from
the Deluge.Therefore, blessed are those who have passed this
Divine test; we hope to be among their rank.
