Basic information on this issue is very Important. A Muslim scholar, Shahrestani, in Al- Milal Wa al Nihal writes: “ The Shia are the peopl...
Basic information on this issue is very Important.A Muslim scholar, Shahrestani, in Al- Milal Wa al Nihal writes: “ The Shia are the people who followed Ali and believed in his Imamate and his succership because of the teachings and advise of the prophet”. Thus Shia follow Ali, because they believe that this is what the Prophet expects them to do.
Shia also believe in Saying of holy prophet(s.a.w) My vicegerent is Ali Bin Abi Talib; after him are Hasan, and Husain and after them are nine Imams, who are the successive descendants of Husain."Read Shajra
Last Imam of shia Muslims is Imam-e-Zamana ,Imam Mahdi (a.s) who is still living but is in Ghaibat.
The promised Mahdi, who is usually mentioned by his title of Imam-e-Asr (the Imam of the "Period") and Sahib az-Zaman (the Lord of the Time/Age), is the son of the eleventh Imam. His name is the same as that of the Holy Prophet (SAW). He was born in Samarrah on the 15th of Shabaan in 256 A.H./868 A.D. and until 260 A.H./872 A.D. when his father was martyred, lived under his father's care and guidance.
One of the women slaves called Naseema relates that when she went to see the baby Imam in his cradle she greeted him with salaam and was replied to. She then sneezed and the Imam said: "Yarhamukillah - it is a blessing from Allah and you have 3 days immunity from death".
He was born in Samarrah on the 15th of Shabaan in 256 A.H./868 A.D. and until 260 A.H./872 A.D. when his father was martyred, lived under his father's care and guidance.
The Imam's ghaibat (occultation) was in two phase -
Ghaibat-e-Sughra (minor occultation) was for about 69 years - 260 A.H. (872 A.D.) to 329 A.H. (939 A.D.) and the
Ghaibat-e-Kubra (greater occultation) started in 329 A.H. (939 A.D.)and will continue until Allah (swt) so wills.
During Ghaibut-us-Sughra, the Imam (a.s.) appointed four deputies/representatives to represent him among the people. After the death of the fourth deputy, the Imam (a.s.) went into Ghaibut-e-Kubra (major occultation). This was on the 10th Shawal 329 A.H.
The 4 representatives were:
1. Uthman bin Saeed (A.R.)
2. Muhammad bin Uthman (A.R.)
3. Husayn bin Rawh (A.R.)
4. Ali bin Muhammad Samry (A.R.)
GHAIBAT E KUBRA (329 A.H. to present)
Reasons of Ghaibat-e-Imam Zaman
Imam Zainul Aabideen alehissalam has said:
“We are the leaders of the Muslims and testimony from the Almighty, for the universe, and if there is none of us (such testimonies) on this earth, it will destroy with its inhabitants.”(BAHAR-UL-ANWAR, Vol 23, Pg 5)
Ayahsabu alinsanu an yutraka sudan (QAYAMAT, 36)“Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled, (without purpose)?” [Translation by Yousuf Ali]
Ameer-ul-Momineen a.s , once spoke from the pulpit of the Mosque of Kufa:
“You must know that the earth cannot remain without the proof of Allah (Hujjatullah), but shortly, Allah will deprive the people, of the privilege of seeing him, because of their own acts of oppressions and excesses on themselves In other words, Allah will put a screen between the people and the Hujjat..”
[Ghaibat-e-Naumani, Chapter 10, pg 141
“If OUR SHIAS would have been UNITED and unanimous, the grace of our meeting with them would not have been delayed, and very soon, they would have gained the good fortune of SEEING and RECOGNIZING us.”
The message is that not only seeing us without identifying name and lineage but it is such an observation which should be with complete knowledge and true and real identification. His second deputy has corroborated this:
Muhammad Bin Usman Umari has narrated it,
“By Allah, The Master Commander (Imam a.s) comes to Makkah to perform Hajj every year and sees and recognizes people. People also see him but DO NOT RECOGNIZE him.”[Mun La Yahzarah-ul-Faqeeh, Vol. 2, pg 250]
