THE
CAUSES OF OCCULTATION OR DIVINE PRACTICE

The occultation of
Hazrat Imam Mahdi (A.S.) was an abrupt affair which was absolutely
unex­pected and hence people were not prepared for the same. If we study
those traditions which are related to Hazrat
Imam Mahdi (A.S.), then it becomes crystal
clear that from the very begin­ning whenever his attributes were described,
then even his occultation was mentioned along with his characteristics. It has
been repeated so often that the personality of Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.) be­comes
inconceivable without the occultation, that it was reiterated so much that the
companions of the Holy Prophet (S. A.) many
a times inquired from him that "When the Imam will go into the occultation, then
how will the people be benefited from his existence?" To which he was
replying that "They will benefit from him as they were
benefiting from
the sun behind the clouds."

OCCULTATION NOT PARTICULAR WITH IMAM-e-ZAMANA (A.S.)

Time and again
this question has been raised that why from amongst the Prophets (A.S.) and the
Imams (A.S.), Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.) was
singled out for the occultation.

Since we are
feeling his absence to the core, hence we are thinking that the occultation is
particular with Imam Mahdi (A.S.) only otherwise even Prophets (A.S.) have gone
into occul­tation. The names of Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Idris
and Hazrat Musa (A.S.) can be
mentioned.

Even our Holy Prophet (S.A.) has gone into occultation. e.g. While he
was in 'Shobe-Abi Talib', where practically he was away from the
society. Similarly, when he migrated from Mecca
to Medina on his way, he had to stay in a cave for days at a stretch and
thus was hidden from the eyes of the people From our Imams, Imam Musa Kazim (A.S.) passed his life incessantly under
imprison­ment. As a poet expressed it, "(Our) Master
had to pass through endless miseries, Alas! In prison his youth and old age came
to pass. "While he was in prison, he was far off from the eyes of
people and access to him was not possible. Apart from him Imam Ali Naqi
(A.S.) and Imam Hasan Askari (A. S.) led a
major part of their lives under strict surveillance and no one could gain an
easy access to them. These things make it abundantly clear that the occultation
was not particularly meant for Hazrat Mahdi (A. S.).

THE CAUSES OF
OCCULTATION:

It is admitted
that in regard with the occultation, Imam Mahdi (A.S.) is not alone. But then
the pertinent question arises, "what is the cause of his occultation?" In this
regard, whatever could be explained in the light of traditions, we are
explain­ing it here so that the heart may become compla­cent and the
belief may increase.

THE DIVINE SECRET:

In some of the
traditions, the occultation of Imame-Asr
(A.S.) is pronounced as a 'Divine
Secret'.

"Abdullah bin Fazi Al-Hashmi
heard Imam Jafar Sadiq (A. S.) as saying:-"Certainly occulta­tion is
essential for Sahebe-Amr during which every man of wicked belief will fall into doubt and
skepticism. "I asked: "Why will he go into occultation?"

Imam (A.S.)
replied: "For such a reason which is not permitted to be
divulged. "0 Fazi! This occultation is one of the commands of Allah, one of the
closely guarded secrets of Allah, it is one of the hidden things with Allah. And
when we know that the Almighty is All-Wise and often we have testified that all of His actions
are based on wisdom though we may not be aware of the reasons behind His
actions."

(Elalush Sharaye, Vol. 1, pg. 234, tradition No.
8)

When the
occultation of Imam (A. S) is a secret and if the actual reason is known to
everybody then how will it remain a
secret anymore? If someone insists that he will not admit unless the real cause
and wisdom is known to him then it is exactly similar to the situation that
someone says that he will not pray unless
the real cause behind the number of rakaats
in namaz does not become clear to
him.

AFTER THE REAPPEARANCE:

The real cause
of occultation will be disclosed only after
the reappearance. During the journey of Hazrat Musa
(A.S.) and Hazrat Khizr
(A.S.), on the way whatever inscrutable acts
were commit­ted by Hazrat Khizr (A.S.) the cause of the acts were not
divulged to Hazrat Musa (A.S.) until they were on the verge of parting their
ways.

(Beharul Anwar, Vol. 52, pg. 91)

THE FEAR OF GETTING
KILLED:

In several
traditions one of the causes of occulta­tion as explained by various Imams
(A.S.) is the fear of getting killed. If Imam Mahdi (A. S.)
would have appeared in such circumstances, there was every possibility of his
assassination. Since he is the final sequel
to the series of guidance, he has to live upto the dawn of Qiyamat. Such traditions are quoted from the Holy
Prophet (S.A.), Imam Baqir (A.S.),
Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.),
Imam Musa Kazim (A.S.), Imam Reza
(A.S.), Imam Hasan Askari
(A.S.) and Hazrat Hujjat (A.S.) himself. The
exact words, quoted from them are:

"If he would be recognized then he would be reduced to bits and
pieces."

(Ghaihat
e Tusi,
pg. 333; Beharul Anwar, Vol. . 52,pg.98)

It is according
to the norms of intelligence to adopt
seclusion or escape from the habitation when there is the virtual apprehension
of one's murder. It was for this reason that when the conspiracy to eliminate
Hazrat Musa (A. S.) was at the upsurge, then he left his city and migrated to
Madayen where he remained secluded from his
people for a very long time. Similarly, when the infidels of Mecca joined hands to assassinate the
Holy Prophet (S. A.) and surrounded his house to execute their
macabre intention, the Holy Prophet (S.A.) escaped from Mecca and hid himself in
a cave. If he would not have gone into hiding at that moment, then perhaps he would have been killed. Saving oneself from
murder is neither cowardice nor shunning the bliss of martyrdom. Rather, it is
the protection of life for achieving a great aim, which was the propagation and
dissemination of the religion of
Allah.

For similar
reasons Hazrat Hujjat (A.S.) himself had gone into occultation. Several attempts on his life were
made. So many times his house was besieged, the well-armed contingent of
soldiers repeatedly attacked his house.....
Allah, the Al­mighty had protected him from assassination for accomplishing
an unparalleled feat in the history of mankind. That
is establishing justice and equity and
uprooting injustice, oppression, tyranny and despotism.

THE TURBULENT
TEST:

The obstacles in
the tasks of the prophets (A.S.) and Imams (A.S.) were always those men who
apparently were very close but they were devoid of noble characteristics like
courage, de­termination, fortitude and valour. These men were more
interested in their selfish motives rather
than keeping their aims at fore. The inevi­table consequences of such an
attitude were that just at the moment of victory they used to desert their
leaders and announce the fulfillment of
their nasty selfish designs. Such men were
there with Hazrat Musa (A.S.) who used to say, "You and
your Lord may fight; we shall sit over here." The Holy Prophet (S.A.) also had
such faithless com­panions who despite repeated emphasis of Quran disobeyed
him. The battle of Ohad and the army of Osamah are two glaring examples. Even
Hazrat Ali (A. S.) had such companions who converted a certain victory into the
impasse of arbitration. Keeping these things in mind, the test has been
explained as one of the chief causes of occulta­tion. As Imam Musa bin Jafar
(A.S.) puts it: "For the sake of God, take care of your religion. Be on guard
lest someone may make you away from the religion. The occultation is inevitable
for Sahebe-Amr.... This is also a trial through which Allah, the Almighty tests
His servants."

(Ref. Mikyalul-Makarim, Vol. l,pg. 126-127)

This is the era
of trial, of one who remains steadfast in the occultation of Imam (A.S.), who practically serves his religion, who makes
the circumstances favorable for his reappearance, Who enlivens the hearts with
his remembrance and makes them the true partisans and awaitees of Imam (A.S.).

THE TRIUMPH OF
TRUTH:

Hitherto the
events took place in more or less the same way, where falsehood always gained
upper hand and the truth was subdued. Like
Namrud catapulted Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.) to the holocaust, Pharaoh exiled
Hazrat Musa (A.S.) from Egypt, the Jews (in their opinion) crucified Hazrat Isa
(A.S.), the pagans forced the Holy Prophet
(S.A.) to migrate from Mecca, the Mus­lim masses deprived Hazrat Ali (A.S.)
of his proven right, usurped the property of Hazrat Fatema Zahra
(S.A.), Imam Hussain (A.S.) was ruthlessly martyred, Imam Musa
Kazim (A.S.) was imprisoned and a strict surveillance was, imposed upon Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.) and Imam Hasan Askari
(A. S.)...... which means falsehood
always
superseded the truth and its followers were deprived of their just right. As a
result, the truth can never be disseminated freely. None of the Prophets or
Imams (A.S.) could preach the tenets of religion with utmost freedom. The
cer­tain fallout of this way was that truth and justice can never be
established and tyranny, injustice and
oppression can never be undone, while these hold sway even to this
day.

If our last Imam Hazrat
Hujjat (A.S.) was to remain present, then
perhaps he would have been deprived of freedom like his forefathers were in
their times. Almighty Allah may have kept
him in occultation so that no despotic ruler
could overrule him and he might preach and propagate Islam with complete
free­dom, and establish all the tenets and precepts of Islam. The truth and
Justice could be established and every nook and corner would be purged from tyranny and
oppression. This necessitates that he should vanquish all while none could
overpower him. These words can be often found in the traditions of Hazrat Ali
(A.S.), Imam Hasan (A.S.), Imam Zainul Abedein
(A.S.) and Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.) that: "When
our Qaem will
reappear then none can overcome him."

(Elaamul-Wara, pg. 400, Beharul Anwar,
Vol. 5 l.pg. 122,279)

For these
things, it is imperative that his helpers and assistants should be so courageous
and gal­lant that they are not scared of any falsehood, are not in awe of
any ruler, are not affected by the glamour of this world and are needless of all
such things which can hinder the aid of truth.

OUR DEEDS:

One of the
causes of the occultation of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (A.S.) is our own misdeed, detest­able
actions, bad mannerisms, misdemeanours, mutual relationship, love of this world,
disregard for the religion..... following
incarnal cravings..... being more prompt and
regular in regard of customs and rites than the command of Allah..... interest
in base literatures and distances from the teachings of Ahlebait.....

These are those
things which have increased the distance between us and Imam (A. S.). Hazrat Ali (A.S.) has said: "Know that this earth will never remain devoid of the proof of
Allah. But Allah conceals His proof because of the continu­ous sins,
injustice and oppression of His crea­tures."

(Beharul
Anwar, Vol. 51, pg. 112; Mikyalul Makarim, Vol. l.pg. 132)

Hazrat Hujjat
(A. S.) himself had explained the same thing in his Epistle (Tawqee) which he dispatched to Shaikh Mufid (R.A.)
inter alia replying to other questions. He wrote: "If our
partisans (May Allah help them in
His obedience) would have fulfilled their covenant with
united hearts then there would have been no delay in our meeting and they would
have been blessed with our visitation at the earliest along with the
recog­nition of truth and confirmation of our rights. Those
things which have increased the distance between them and us are those
detestable reports (about their deeds) which are not expected of them. And Allah
is the best helper."

(Ehtejaaj Tabarsi, Vol. 2, pg. 325; Mikyalul Makarim, Vol.
1, pg. 132)

These words from
Imam (A.S.) himself prove that our sinful deeds are the cause and
conse­quence of his occultation. That means it is be­cause of us that
Imam is in occultation. If yet we have realized it then we must strive for his
reap­pearance and must shun all those vices because of which Imam (A. S.) is
forced to be away from us.

THE
HIDDEN TRUSTS

One of the
causes of occultation is the generation of those
believers who are in the loins of
disbeliev­ers and are yet to take birth. When it was inquired of Imam Jafar
Sadiq (A.S.) that, "Why did not Hazrat Ali (A.S.) wage war in the initial period
of his times?" Imam (A.S.) replied that:

"It was
because of one ayat of Quran, viz. "IT IS THEY WHO DISBELIEVED AND TURNED YOU AWAY
FROM THE SACRED MOSQUE AND (TURNED OFF) THE OFFERING WITHHELD FROM ARRIVING AT
ITS DESTINED PLACE; AND WERE IT NOT FOR THE BE­LIEVING MEN AND THE BELIEVING
WOMEN, WHOM, NOT HAVING KNOWN, YOU MIGHT
HAVE TRODDEN DOWN, AND THUS SOMETHING HATEFUL MIGHT
HAVE AFFLICTED YOU ON THEIR AC­COUNT WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE-SO THAT ALLAH MAY
CAUSE TO ENTER INTO HIS MERCY WHOM SO EVER
HE PLEASES; HAD THEY BEEN WIDELY SEPARATED ONE FROM
ANOTHER, WE WOULD SURELY HAVE PUNISHED THOSE WHO DISBE­LIEVED FROM AMONG THEM WITH PAIN-FUL
PUNISHMENT.

' The narrator
asked what does the separation mean? He said, "It presages about those trusts of
believers which are reposed in the loins of disbe­lievers. Similarly Hazrat Qaem
(A.S.) will not reappear unless these trusts
are not delivered...." (Elalush Sharae, pg.
147; Kamahid-Deen, pg. 641, Behand Anwar,
Vol. 52, pg. 97)

THE DISCLOSURE OF SCRTS

Some naive
simpletons divulge such things out of their
simplicity that it proves quite detrimental. Today, every devotee of Hazrat
Hujjat (A.S.) wants to see him and everyone
is waiting for him earnestly. If, at such a time they learnt about his
whereabouts, then naturally, these naive men will disclose every thing to
others. Probably it may result in the termination of Imam (A.S.)'s pre­cious
life... As Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) has said: "Do
not be in petulant haste. By Allah the reappearance was drawn nigh but when
peo­ple divulged these secrets then Allah caused delay in it...."

(Behanil Anwar, Vol. 52, pg.
389)

After the
martyrdom of Imam Hasan Askari (A.S.) people asked about his name and
place. The reply was: "If you will name the name then
they will spread it and if they will learn of the place then they will tell
others."

(Al-Kafi, Vol. I, pg. 333)

THE DIVINE COMMAND

It is an
accepted reality that most of the com­mands or decisions of God would be
devoid of any wisdom. Each and every command of Allah is a reflection of wisdom
hidden in its fold;

whether we
understand it or not, is a different matter. The occultation of Hazrat Hujjat
(A.S.) is also due to the command of Allah. Once it is clear that it is a Divine
decree, then there remains no room for us to dig and delve into the cause of
such a decree because our minds are not so firm as yet to understand the rationality of each
and every command of Allah, with every precise detail. Imam Jafar Sadiq
(A, S.) said that: "When we are aware and we believe in the wisdom of Allah and we
confirm that all
His actions are based on wisdom, then it does not matter if we do not understand
the rationale behind it."

(Behar vol.52, pg.91)

We have
mentioned it earlier that the actual cause of
Occultation will be known only after the reappearance, as Occultation is due to Divine command. Of course,
our invocations and good deeds can advance the hour of reappearance.

OCCULTATION FROM OUR SIDE:

The occultation does not imply the absence of any
contact or communication from the either side. Rather, it means that we cannot
see Imam (A.S.) face to face, neither we can talk to him directly nor we can
meet him at will.... As far as Imam (A.S.)
is concerned he is maintaining a close watch on all of us, keeping an eye on our
deeds, protecting us, helping us, listening to our requests. As he himself has
said in his epistle which he addressed to Shaikh Mufid (R.A.)
that:

"We do not shun your remembrance and protec­tion and also do
not neglect you." At another place he said: "Had we not looked after you then
your enemies would have overpowered you, and suppressed you." It is explained
under the topic 'Our Deeds' that our sinful actions are causing delay in his
reappearance.

Hence we must
make ourselves worthy of look­ing at the brilliant face of Imam (A.S.) and
make ourselves capable enough to have a direct meet­ing with him. Hazrat Ali (A.S.) said: "By
theV Lord of Ali,
the Proof (of God) will remain on the earth, he will walk on the paths on the
earth's surface. He will frequent the houses and palaces of the people, will
keep on moving between the east and the west, will hear the chatter of the
people, will greet the congregation; he will see everybody but none would see
him. Finally the appointed Hour will usher and the celestial call will be
heard."

(Al-Ghaibat-Numani pg. 82-83, Yaumul Khalaas.pg. 139)

May our
greetings and wishes and the greetings of the whole
universe be upon the holy personality
of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) who predicted the
events to come, hundreds of years in advance. Today this saying is proved true
verbatim. Such traditions are the incontrovertible proofs of the veracity of our
Imams and our religion.

Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S.) said : "The Imam will
disappear from among the people. Every year he wil
perform Hajj. He will see them but they will not see
him."

(Kafi
Vol. I pg. 339)

When the
condition is such then we must always think while acting that our Imam is
look­ing at us

THE
FORTUNATE ONES:

Finally let us
cast a glance on this aspect too before we conclude. It is not that Hazrat
Hujjat (A. S.) is all alone and
absolutely forlorn in this gloomy era of Ghaibat-e-Kubra. Although precise details are not known about such matters but whatever has been
mentioned in the tradi­tions is as follows :

Imam Zainul Abedeen
(A.S.) said : "None
will know about his whereabouts, neither a Wali (friend of God) nor any
commoner...
.but that person
who serves him and carries out his orders."

(Behar Vol. 52, pg. 152, Ibid 5 3/324)

Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) said : There is a house of
Saheb-e-Amr,
which is named as Baitui Hamd'. A lamp is lit since his birth and will remain so uptil his
reappear­ance."

(Ghaibat-e-Sughra, Tusi, pg. 280, Behar Vol. 52, pg. 158, Yaumul Khalaas, pg. 140)

Imam Jafar Sadiq
(A.S.) said : "....There are two
occultation's for
our Qaem, one of
them is brief while the other would be prolonged. In the former occultation, his
whereabouts will be known to his especially privileged Shias. While in the latter
occultation only
they will know his place who are his best of friends and servants in
religion."

(Kqfi, Vol.
l,pg.340,IlzaamunNasib,pg.
81, Behar, Vol. 52, pg. 155)

These
traditions evidently state that Hazrat
Hujjat (A.S) is passing his life on this very earth along with his
trusted servants and loyal aides. He
scrutinizes our deeds and is awaiting the order of Allah to reappear. We wish if
only we were enough sincere, pure-hearted and firm believers then we could have been included in
His slaves and servants

"0 Allah! Hasten his reappearance."