Commencement of Imam Mahdi’s Imamate (Part 3)
To the question of existence, we have seen above the many verses from the Qur’an and Hadith of the Prophet and all the Eleven Imams. We have also read quotations from the Books of Ahlul Sunna wal Jama’a and many scholars and philosophers from the earliest times to the present.
As far as the longevity of his life, in Qur’anic terms it is not difficult to explain. Prophet Jesus is alive and will come out with the 12th Imam. Prophet Sheeth and Prophet Khidhr are still alive according to the Verdict of the Qur’an.
If God keeps his guided ones alive for a certain purpose there should not be any doubt. As for the usefulness of his concealed existence, there are numerous occasions when the Imam miraculously helped those who called him for help.
During the period of Ghaibate Sughra (the period of lesser concealment) from the time of the death of his father Imam Hassan Askari (A.S) in the year 260 Hijri, our 12th Imam was seen only by a few people who were appointed his ambassadors (Safeer) on his behalf to convey his teachings to the believers. These Four Ambassadors were as follows:
1. Abu Amr Uthman ibn Sa’id al Asadi. He was a deputy of 10th Imam Ali Naqi (AS) and after his death, of the 11th Imam Hassan Askari (A.S) and after his death, of our 12th Imam. Having performed these duties of conveying the messages from the Imam to the believers and the teachings of Ahl-ul-Bayt, he died in Baghdad and was buried there.
2. Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Othman al Amri, the son of the first Ambassador was appointed the 2nd Safeer of our 12th Imam. He died in 305 Hijri (917 AD).
3. Abul Qasim Hussein ibn Rauh Nawbakhti was appointed the Imam’s 3rd Safeer. He was a top ranking scholar and Faqeeh, renowned for his knowledge of all Islamic sciences. He was also a very pious man. Under the directions of the 12th Imam, his 3rd Safeer Hussein ibn Rauh performed his duties as Safeer for the next 15 years. He died in the year 320 Hijri.
4. Abul Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samari. He was the last Safeer of the 12th Imam, succeeding Hussein ibn Rauh as directed by the Imam. He performed his duties for 9 years and died on the 15th Shabaan 329 Hijri (May 15, 941 AD) having being asked on his deathbed as to who would succeed him, he replied: Providence now wishes to give the matter another shape the duration of which is known to God alone.”
After Abul Hassan there was no Safeer. In this sorrowful year, i.e. 329 Hijri, many scholars such as Ali ibn Babwayh Qummi and Muhammad ibn Yaqub Kulaini, the learned compiler of al-Kafi also died. Besides these events, an extra ordinary phenomenon was also witnessed. In the sky so many stars did shoot that it seemed as if Doomsday had come. That year was named as the year of the dispersal of stars.
Source: coiradio.com
Other links:
Imam Al-Mahdi: The Awaited Hope for Humanity: Part 1
Imam Al-Mahdi: The Awaited Hope for Humanity: Part 2
The significance and the purpose of specifying the signs
The Doctrine of Mahdiism and its Impact
Awaiting the Divine Savior
