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Occultation of Imam Mahdi (A.S) - Islam Guidance

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  • Imam Mahdi (A.S) and Hazrat Abraham (A.S) [Occultation (Ghaibat) of past prophets]

    Nimrod was a wicked king who claimed to be god. He was very powerful and ruled over the entire world. Everyone was afraid of him and did not dare oppose him. Nimrod led a very comfortable life without anyone to challenge him. This was until he was informed by a learned person in his kingdom about the birth of a child who would challenge him and finally overcome him. This made Nimrod very nervous and he made immediate plans to prevent the birth of the child.

    Nimrod ordered his men to hunt down infants and small children in his kingdom and kill them all. His men did as they were commanded and began killing all the infants and children in Nimrod’s kingdom. Thousands of infants were killed because of Nimrod’s fear of that one infant who would finally overcome him.

    Yet, Allah (S.W.T) the Almighty protects whosoever He wants and as a result, Hazrat Abraham (A.S) was born despite such difficulties. But it was dangerous for his mother to keep Hazrat Abraham (A.S) in the house as Nimrod’s men could come anytime to check upon her. So she took him to a cave at some distance from the city and left him there. In this way Hazrat Abraham (A.S) was all alone in the cave with no one to care for him.

    Although apparently Hazrat Abraham (A.S) was lonely and helpless in the cave, he wasn't exactly abandoned. Allah, the Almighty, is not one to desert His special friends in difficulty. So while Hazrat Abraham (A.S) was in the cave hungry and thirsty, Allah (S.W.T) arranged food for him in a most amazing manner. The food came in the form of milk from Hazrat Abraham's (A.S) thumb. Yes! Allah caused milk to flow from Hazrat Abraham's (A.S) thumb. When a servant relies only on Allah for help, then He never disappoints him.

    In the cave, Allah (S.W.T) caused Hazrat Abraham (A.S) to grow very fast. So much so that he grew in a day how much other children would grow in a week and he grew in a week how much other children grew in a month and he grew in a month how much other children grew in a year! One day, his mother visited the cave, expecting to see him dead. When she saw a big, handsome, healthy boy she was very surprised and embraced him. She then visited him regularly in the cave. Hazrat Abraham (A.S) remained in occultation inside the cave, away from the people, for quite some time. His occultation ended when he was big enough for people to consider him as a youth than a boy.

    This was the interesting incident of Hazrat Abraham's (A.S) occultation. We learn some very important lessons from it:

    1. Occultation was common among the previous prophets and Allah (S.W.T) kept even the Ulul Azm prophets in occultation to protect them from evil kings. So if Imam Mahdi (A.S) is in occultation it is not something strange and unbelievable.

    2. Allah, the Almighty, never abandons His servants in difficulty. First He helped Hazrat Abraham's (A.S) mother from Nimrod’s men and then He helped Hazrat Abraham (A.S) himself while he was all alone inside the cave.

    3. Allah, the Almighty, is aware of His servants' needs, like He was aware of Hazrat Abraham's (A.S) hunger. Therefore, whenever we have any need we should turn only to Allah (S.W.T) and He will help us, no matter how great our problem may be.

    4. The evil kings try their best to harm Allah's proof (Hujjat), but Allah (S.W.T) protects them from all evil, while the kings are unaware of it.

    5. Occultation is a great difficulty for Imam Mahdi (A.S) and for us and we should pray for Imam's (A.S) safety and earliest reappearance.

     

    This article was borrowed from Islamic Occasion

  • Imam Mahdi (A.S) in Imam Ali (A.S)’s Words

    I. Imam Mahdi’s (A.S) Occultation
    Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A.S) has brought up the subject of Imam Mahdi (A.S)’s occultation in different occasions within the limits of his audience intellectual and understanding abilities and according to the natural trend of events in the future.
    On an occasion he points to the necessity of the existence of a divine Hujjah on the earth, even more, in the entire universe. Then he notes that this Hujjah may be present and apparent and may be hidden from the people’s sight because of the situation not being suitable. The Imam (A.S) declared that during the time of occultation, even though his body cannot be sighted and is not present, his knowledge will be known to the people. [Kulaini, Al-Kafi, Vol. 2, P. 139]
    On the second occasion, Imam Ali (A.S) emphasized that the Mahdi (A.S) is one of us, the Ahlul-Bait, and he will fill the earth with justice and equity after it is filled with oppression. [Allameh Majlesi, Bihar ul-Anwar, Vol. 51, P. 118]
    Finally, on the third occasion, he mentions the hardships and problems of the time of occultation and the characteristics of the people of that time saying at the end that many people will go astray or lose hope and start denying His Eminence. [Ibid. Vol. 38, P. 70; Vol. 51, P. 119]

    II. The Causes and Philosophies behind the Occultation
    Even though some traditions clearly state that the actual philosophy of occultation is not known for mankind, some of Imam Ali’s (A.S) sayings point out a few. Some of these are: the Imam (A.S) not having to pledge allegiance to the oppressors, the distinction of the deceived, the oppression of people and the children of Imam Ali (A.S) by people themselves, and the perseverance of the signs of guidance.

    III. The Signs of the Era of Occultation
    There are interesting face that can be found in Imam Ali (A.S)’s sayings about the signs and dangers for the intellect and belief in the era of occultation. Some of these are the wonderment of the people and their being lost; having difficulties in being religious and, hesitance in the existence of the Imam (A.S).

    Taken from: The universal center of imam Mahdi (A.S)

  • Tradition of respecting the Imam (A.S) during occultation

    There is a Hadith that the name of Imam al-Hujjah (A.S) was mentioned in front of Imam Reza (A.S). Upon hearing Imam al-Hujjah’s name, Imam Reza (A.S) stood up and put his hand on his head and arose in respect, praying for the emergence of Imam Zaman (A.S).
    [Abdul-Husain Ahmad Amini Najafi, Al-Ghadir, vol. 2, pg. 361; Sheikh Abbas Qomi, Muntahal-Amal, fourteenth chapter, chapter six, pg. 1127.]
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) was asked about why when the name of the al-Qa’im is mentioned, all must stand.
    The Imam (A.S) replied, “The Qaim’s occultation will be prolonged, and this name is a remembrance of his future ruler ship and a way of expressing sorrow for his loneliness. As a result, he takes a caring look at the followers of his who remember him with this name out of the love and affection he has for them. It is respectful for the humble servant to stand before his master (the master of his time) when he (the master) is looking at him. Therefore, he must stand and pray for the return of his master. “
    [Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani, Muntakhabul-Athar, pg. 506]

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