An introduction to fourteenth infallible Imam of the age (AS)

-<span style="font-size:x-large;">"Published By; M NajimudeeN
Bsc - INDIA|®®|"</span> - Birth
The Sun of the existence of the twelveth Imam (A.S.) cast its
reflection and enlightened and brightened the hearts of the Shias with
its light.
The Abbasade caliphs andgovernment functionaries had heard that the
Imams are twelve people and that the last and final of them is the son
of eleventh Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.) whose occultation will prolong,
and he is the one who will form the world government.
The tyrant rulers were greatly and extremely alarmed and scared and
wanted to stop it. But they were not aware thatPharos with his might
and power and with all that barbaric massacre ofthe children and newly
born babies could not stop the God's will to materialize. He was
looking for and searching Musa/Moses [A.S.] from house to house but
was bringing up; his wanted one in his own lap. Motamid, the Abbasade
caliph, who was the Pharos of his age, was extremely vigilant and
watchful about the Imam's house. When eleventh Imam (A.S.) was
poisoned and taken from the prison to his house, in a feeble
condition, he sent five of the courtiers along with him so that they
may be vigilant and alert and inform him about any occurrence or
incident taking shape at his house.
Then he sent a group of mid wives to the house of eleventh Imam (A.S.)
sothat they keep an eye upon the wife of Imam (A.S.).
Samarah immersed into disturbance and lamentations upon the martyrdom
of eleventh Imam (A.S.). All the people by closing their places of
work moved towards Imam's (A.S.) house. They carried the corpse upon
their hands for the burial ceremoniesin a much grand, splendid and
magnificentway.
The Abbasade caliph got much harassed and bewildered at such movement
of the masses. He was trying hard to cover up his crime and manifest
the martyrdom of Imam (A.S.) as a natural death.
Motamid sent his brother to attend the burial rituals and take
evidence,and make people a witness that nobody had killed the Imam
(A.S.). On the other side, he took up the work of distributing the
wealth of Imam (A.S.) so as to show that Imam (A.S.) hasleft over no
son who could offer the funeral prayer and be the heir to his
property.
But inspite of the entire efforts God's behest took place and the son
of Imam (A.S.) was five yearsold when his father was martyred. He
achieved the station of Imamate inthat age, just as the Christ(A.S.)
was appointed Prophet while he was in the cradle.
He, in the same age, when they laid the corpse of his father, and his
uncle who was not a good man wanted to lead the funeral prayers,
pushed his uncle aside and led the prayer assembly himself.
After the prayers he disappeared from the sights. From the very age of
Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.), the Shias had seen him in his father's
house and had heard the recommendations he did about his son. After
the martyrdom of his father they kept in contact with him for a long
time.
Circumstances of Imam's (A.S.) Birth
Hakima, the aunt of Imam (A.S.) says, "I had gone to the house of my
nephew, on Thursday in the mid of shabaan's month. When I wanted tosay
good-bye and ask for permission to leave. Imam (A.S.) said, "Oh aunty
do stay tonight with us because our son will come to the world." Iwas
much overjoyed and happy and went to Narjis(mother of Imam-e-Zaman)
but I did not find any clue and sign of pregnancy in her. Astonished
and surprised as I was, I said to myself, Ido not see any sign of
child's birth. At this moment Imam (A.S.) came to me and said,
"Ohaunty don't be sad Narjis is like the mother of Musa(A.S.) and the
baby is like Musa (A.S.), who was born secretly and without any signs
and symbols. Go to Narjis she will (bear) bring her childto the world
at morning (Azzan time [dawn time]).I became glad and stayedwith
Narjis and the way Imam (A.S.) had said the signs of pregnancy
appeared before sunrise. A sphere of light came into existence in
between her and myself so that I could not see Narjis any longer. I
got scared and came out of the room and contacted Imam (A.S.) and told
him about the matter. He smiled and said, "Turn back, after a few
moments so you will see him."
I returned to the room and saw that newly born baby was prostrating
whereas he had raised his finger towards the sky, calling remembering
his God with graciousness, grandeur and oneness and praisingHim.
His Mother Narjis's Matter
One of the servants of Tenth Imam Hadi (A.S.)"Busher Ansari" narrated
in this connection that, one day Imam Hadi (A.S.) called me and said
to me,"I want to allocate a job to you, the performing ofwhich will
have a great worth for you". He gave me a letter along with a sack
containing two hundred and twenty golden dinnars and said,"Take these
and go to Baghdad and wait on thepassage and course of river
Euphorates as, a ship arrives tomorrow". There are plenty number of
maids on it, which have been brought for sale. Most of the buyers and
purchasers are from the Bani Abbas and a fewother youths. There is a
girl on that ship so when they ask her to show herself to the
customers she does not do it. One ofthe youth comes forwardand says to
his master "I buy her for two hundred golden dinnars". But thatlady
does not agree. Then his master says,"There is no alternative except
your being sold, so you must submit." But she replies, "Wait, my
purchaser will come". Then you go ahead give her the letter and say,
"If this lady be inclined to the one who sent this letter, I purchase
her." She becomes glad after reading the letter thus you purchase her
from her master and bring her."
Busher says, I did what Imam had ordered and purchased her form her
master. On the way she narrated to me an amazing and astonishing story
and said, "I am the daughter of the king of Rome". My grandfather was
a close one to Christ (A.S.). My father wanted to get me married to
his nephew. One day, he organized a grand congregation in the palace
and made his nephew sit with me uponthe throne. All the Christian
dignitaries and chieftain gathered to get me married to him.
All of a sudden the palaceshook, which scattered every thing and my
cousin, fell down from the throne. They again organized an assembly
but again the same thing reoccurred. The Christian dignitaries and
nobles took it for a bad omen and all of them left the palace.
On the same night, I slept sad and uncomfortable. I saw in the dream
that lightened men came to the palace. Some were saying one of them
was Christ (A.S.) and the otherone was the Prophet of Islam
(P.B.U.H.). The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam facing the Christ (A.S.)
said, "I ask you the hand of this granddaughter of yours for my
(grand) son in marriage".
Christ (A.S.) was overjoyed and happy andaccepted it (the proposal).
I got up from the bed and did not tell anyone about this matter. Till
such time that one-day, I fell ill and my father summoned the entire
physician and made thempresent near my bed. But none of them could
treat me. I requested my fatherto free those Muslims who were in
prison. He agreed to my demand and freed them and I wascured.
On the same night, I again saw lightened women. They were saying she
is the mother of Christ Mary (Marriam [S.A.]) and Fatimah (S.A.) the
daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Fatimah (S.A.) who came ahead and
said to me, "If you are inclined to be thewife of my son you should
become a Muslim."
I embraced and accepted Islam at her hands in the dream. Then she took
mealong with her to her sonImam Hassan Askari (A.S.).
His love captured my heart very strongly and thoroughly so I became
restless both days and nights till one night, I saw Imam Hassan Askari
(A.S.) in my dream. I asked him, "How can I become your wife?" He
said, "very soon your father will send an army to fight the Muslims
and you will be at the rear of that army. The Muslims will win the
battle and you will be held prisoner and brought in to Baghdad for
sale. The ship stops in the course of Euphorates and they bring you
out for sale".
The customers come to purchase you. But wait, the one who will come
tobuy you will come along with a letter from my father. He will buy
you and bring you along withhim.
I awoke from the dream and was happy and after a certain time, the
same thing happened what Imam (A.S.) had said. Oh Busher! Till this
moment no one is aware of this secret, and recognize me.Beware, do not
reproduce this affair, which I narrated to you to anybody, and keep it
to yourself.
"Busher" says as she described her story to meI trembled all over and
from then onwards I respected her more and accompanied her like a
servant. Then I brought her to my Lord Imam Hadi (A.S.). He asked
her,"How is it that you embraced (adopted) Islam?" She replied, "You
are asking me something, about which you know better than myself."
Then he said, "Good tidings to you regarding a son who will fill the
world with justice and legality, the son who is being awaited by all."
Then he, turning his face towards his sister Hakimasaid, "Oh Sister!
this is thesame lady you were waiting for. Take her along with you and
teachher the commands of Islam." Hakima hugged her and graciously and
honorable took her along."
Imam's (A.S.) Life Period
Imam's (A.S.) life can be divided into three phases.
1. From birth up to the martyrdom of his father till he was five years
of age. During this period many of the Imams (A.S.) companions and the
notables and jurisprudents who came from all over the nooks and
corners of the world to see Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.) had met this son
of his and had enquired the solution to out numbered problems from
him. Imam (A.S.) had shown them his son and made recommendations to
them about him.
2. The minor occultation (incubation), which started at the age of six
years and continued up to 76 years. During this period, the government
officials and agents were deprived of his meeting but the friends and
associates did go to see him and ask him the solution to their
problems.
During this period there were four persons, who were the special
friends of Imam (A.S.) and were the medium between people and the Imam
(A.S.). They carried and delivered the letters and money of the people
to Imam and deliver them the answers of Imam.
Four of those include.
i) Usman bin Saeed
ii) Mohammad bin Usman
iii) Hussain bin Raoh
iv) Ali bin Mohammad Sumairi
These were out of those friends, who were the object of confidence of
Imam (A.S.) and each one of them did perform his deputation and duties
one after the other.
3. The major occultation (incubation) started from329 Hijrah onwards
and is currently running. He, during this period, whichonly God know
how long it would last, attends the gatherings and congregation of the
people and presents himself among them in an unknown guise, without
being recognized. Nobody can recognize him and those who see him they
see him as a stranger and when he leaves then they, from the signs and
symbols, which they saw, know that he was Imam himself.
Waiting
In the age, when Imam is spending his life in the major occultation
and does not introduce himself to people jurisprudents who are
capable, talented and well equipped in Islamic problems solve the
difficulties of people and the Islamic society on behalf of the Imam
(A.S.). They, keeping in view the people's welfare expedient of world
and hereafter, provide the grounds for the revolution of the
infallible Imam (A.S.).
People in this age, are waiting for him but it does not mean that they
may sit idle, immobile and indifferent and stay their hands from
endeavor, efforts and paving the way for his (Imam's [A.S.]) arrival.
Instead, the waiting man is a person hopeful, endeavoring, dashing and
moving, intelligent and aware, having faith and belief in Imam (A.S.),
and finally leveler and pave of the ground for the appearance and
advent of Imam (A.S.).
He is exactly like that mountaineer, who is waiting for the conquest
of mountain peak and struggles and endeavors to lay hand upon his
aim,and gets ready whatever is necessary to reach the peak. Obviously,
having the plan of conquering the peak of success and sitting idle
laying hand on hand will not make him reach the aim.
Therefore, waiting gives to the human beings movement, struggle and
endeavor, though ideas, invention and discovery. If this vital
principle is finished in the society human beings would become cold
and frigid, immobile, hopeless and disappointed and would no more be
optimistic about a brilliant future.
The principle of waiting in Islam is a principle un-detachable and
un-segregatable from thereligion, which gives the happy news of a
bright future and the implementation of the total and complete social
justice. Thus he trains himself for the sake of materializing this
ideal and aim in such a way that he may be able to fight and combat
against the darknesses, antagonist of Mehdi (A.S.)(Islamic antichrist)
and Sufians and by virtue of his uninterrupted movement set the
atmosphere ready for theformation of single universal government.
Sothat by the time of the appearance of a Gad made personality all the
aims and objective of Islam take their practical shape. (Insha Allah)
Imam's (A.S.) Miracles
Although there are a plenty number of the miracles of Imam-e-Zaman but
we point out two of them as under:
1) Shiekh Tusi has narrated it from a man named Rashiq, who was the
agent of Abbesade caliph "Motazid." One dayMotazid summoned me and
said, "I have learnt that there is a son in the house of Imam Hassan
Askari (A.S.)". He escortedme with two of his agents saying, "Go to
Samara as soon as possible and get into the house of Imam Askari
(A.S.) if you find a young man kill him and bring his head for me. We
swiftly proceeded till we reached Imam's (A.S.) door. We saw a slave
sitting at the door. We paid no heed to him and entered the house. We
saw a much beautiful house and a room in a corner attracted our
attention. We drew the curtain up, saw a big room full of water and
there was a carpet spread over it and a youth was busy offering
prayers. One of the agents entered the room and at once sunk into
thewater. We saved him with a great deal of trouble. He lost his
senses.
The other one entered the room he too got sunkinto the water. We
dragged him out. He too lost his senses. After an hour both of them
regaintheir lost senses. While we were trembling with fear, we rode
off upon our homes and moved towards the residence of the caliph.
We approached him at the mid of night. He was waking and waiting for
us. We explained the matter to him. He too trembled with fear as we
had and said, "Nobody should know about this matter. Keep this secret
to you and don't tell it to anyone. If I come to know that you have
mentioned it to someoneI will kill you". So till suchtime "Motazid"
was livingwe did not pluck the courage to say a word about it.
2) Ali bin Sinan narrates, a group of people of Qumproceeded towards
Samarah, along with some money, to visit Imam Askari (A.S.). When they
reached there they discovered that Imam (A.S.) had passed away. They
remained uncertain and wandering around for a while to find out what
to do, till such time they were introduced to"Jaffar" the brother of
Imam Askari (A.S). When they described the aim and object of that
journey. He said to them,"Hand me over the money as I am his
successor. But they said,"Imam (A.S.) must tell us how much money we
have along with us and that whose property is each of the sacks?"
This thing had occurred before as well, therefore,"Jaffar" got flared
up andsaid, "You are telling a liethat my brother used to inform about
these things. Because this is prescience and omniscience and oracle,
and divination belongs to God only and none else".
But they insisted and asserted so that Jaffar made a complaint against
them to the caliph. He summoned them and ordered them to surrender the
wealth to Jaffar. They pledged that, "This is not our money and all
are deposits of the people and we have no way except handing them over
to somebody who may be the successor of Imam (A.S.) and if otherwise,
then return them to their owners".
The caliph accepted their word and let them go free. When they decided
to leave the city a young man came to them and said, "Imam has
summoned you all."
All of them were happy and followed him to the house of Imam Askari
(A.S.). There they found a young man, the effects and signs of Imamate
were apparent upon whose face. They repeated the same words, which
they had told Jaffar.
Imam smiled and said,"Sit down, so that I inform you about each one of
these (sacks)". Thereafter, he took the name of the owner of each of
the sacks one by one, the amount and their quantities and numbers.
We were pleased and overjoyed for the fact that we had discovered our
lost object. We took out the sacks and handedthose over to Imam (AS.)
and enquired and put questions to him about our problems. He replied
all of them. Then he ordered that from that time onwards we must not
bring the money overthere and instead; contact the representative,
which he had appointed in Baghdad. Whenever we have questions to be
asked we must send those to him and he will send the answers to us.
All of us said good-bye to him and came out. We thanked God upon that
blessing and benediction.
Those who reached the Imam (A.S.)
Although Imam (A.S.) has not shown himself to anyone during the major
occultation period and people have been deprived of seeing him but the
pure and pious lovers have sometimes been able to see and talk to him
and we point out a few occasions out of those, as specimens.
1. Shamsuddin the son of Hirqili: says about his father, "one day my
father narrated to me thestory of his leg which was wounded and then
cured." In the youth time my thigh got injured and infected. It
troubled me. One day I visited a friend"Syed Raziuddin Taus" in Hila
Iraq. He gathered thephysicians to examine myinfected wound and to
treat that but when they examined it, they gave a negative response
because as per their opinion if they operated upon it, the risk of the
vein being cut and consequently my death existed. The next year that
Syed (friend) took me to Baghdad and got me inspected and checked by
the physician of that place. All of them said the same that the
physicians of Hila had previously said.
One of those days, sad, disappointed, and dismayed as I was, I visited
the Shrines of my Imams (A.S.) in Samara and stayed there overnight
and yearned seeking the help of Imam-e-Zaman (Imam of the age). When
the morning dawned I went towards the river Dajla and washed my
clothes and took a bath to turn back for Ziarat (visiting Imam's
shrine). On the way back two horse riders met me. I thought they were
the desert dwellers (nomadic). They saluted me. One of them said,
"Come near me." Since, I had cleaned my clothes and did not consider
the desert dwellers (Arbs) as clean, I did not go near them. I was
afraid that their hands would contaminate my dress, which was still
wet. I wasthinking about it when suddenly he dragged me towards
himself and put his hand upon the wound of my leg so that Iyelled with
pain. He took his hand off and said,"Ismail you are relieved, now do
not be sad and distressed because you will bear no more of pin."
I was surprised how was it that he called me by myname. I was still
thinking about it and he went. I said to myself perhaps hemight be my
Imam-e-Zamana. I followed him and appealed him to stop. Suddenly he
turned his face back and said,"Ismail turn back."
I would not listen and continued running after him as before. The
other person who was with him said, "Oh Ismail turn back are you not
ashamed of it that you donot obey the command of your Imam-e-Zamana?"
Then I was positive that he was the Imam (A.S.) and the guardian of the Ummah.
I stopped and had a look upon him watching him go and after a while
theydisappeared from my sight.
Shamsuddin says, "From that day onwards my father would frequently and
consecutively visit Samarah but he did not see the Imam (A.S.) again
and left this world with the aspiration and longing to see him.
2. Syed Mohammad Jabal Amili: described the affairof his journey to
his friends saying, "one year I traveled to Mashad and since I did not
have sufficient money it was hard and difficult time. Till the time
that I learnt a caravan was moving. But as I even did not have money
enough to buy one time meal to fill my belly, I went to the (Haram)
Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.) and wept there. Then I decided to reach the
caravan, even though I was hungry. Because, if I was left backthe
winter would set in and I would die of cold.
I was proceeding in the same condition upon the way but I lost my way
and found myself in a dryburning and scorching hot desert. I was not
ableto move on account of hunger. Inspite of wandering in search of
any grass or vegetation to eat I could not procureany. Night fell and
it became dark. The noise of beasts and desert animals had harassed
and frightened me. I was weeping and got prepared to submit myself to
death. Not very long after the moon appeared and the voices of roaring
of the beasts stopped.
Suddenly my eyes caught the sight of a hillock, the height of a dune,
I went there I saw a spring. I was very much happy. I took some water
drank itand made ablution and offered my prayers. Thereafter, I did
not havethe energy to move any more because of hunger. I went to sleep
right there and got ready for death.
All of a sudden I saw a person riding a horse, moving towards me. I
thought perhaps he may be one of the robbers and since, I did not
possess a thing he might kill me, out of anger.
When he reached there he saluted me.
I answered his salutation then I knew he was not one of the robbers.
Then he said, "What are you up to?"
I replied him in a great deal of weakness and handicapped condition
that "I am hungry and have lost my way."
He said, "you have a number of melons lying besides you, why are youhungry?"
I who had searched all the places around had not found a thing,
thought he was just joking. I said to him "do not make fun of me, and
leave me alone to die."
He said, "I am not joking look at the back of you."
When I had a look I saw three melons.
He said, "Eat one of thoseand keep the other two with you and go
straight upon this way. Near about the sunset you will reach a tent,
they will guide you to the caravan".
Then he disappeared.
I came to my senses at once and knew that he was the Imam-e-Zamana.
According to his order I ate one of the melons and when I was fit
enough I picked up the other two and proceededon my way.
On the noon of the next day I ate the other melonand proceeded again
and as he had said, I reached a tent, near the sunset time. They
showedme in to the tent and treated me well and thenmade me connect
the caravan.
Can a man, have such a long life?
On the basis of the science of physiology the human body is composedof
Billions of cells and tissues. With the passage of time, the cells get
old and worn out and witheraway and young cells take their place. This
is how the schedule of life goes on.
That thing which worn the man out and stop thecells from performing
their activity and work and brings the gift of death to man are the
harmful microbes which enter the human body from various ways and
start a combat against the cells and annihilate them.
The knowledge of medicine (prevention and cure of disease) is a
witness to it that if man commands the perfect knowledge and
acquaintance with the condition of body, diets and the perilous and
harmful substances and completely looks after hishealth and is careful
about his food his life will prolong. He will not meet an early
approaching old age.
From this point of view the scholars and scientists have been able to
prolong the lives of a few animals to many times their (natural)
length, through experiments. In this way, man can, by virtue of
vastknowledge and respecting the rules and regulations of health,
livefor a number of centuries.
A scholar must search for many long years to reach and lay his hand
upon a secret of the knowledge, to get acquainted with only a piece of
it. But Imam-e-Zamana (A.S.) all the stocks of whose knowledge are
bestowedupon him by the God does not need to traverseall that long way
and he can travel the length of centuries in one moment and reach the
result.
In this way, it would not be anything difficult, from the scientific
point of view that he (Imam [A.S.]) by the vast knowledge, which has
been gifted to him by theGod, may lead his life for hundreds of years
with health and safety of his youth and old age and wearing off does
not approach him.
On the other hand, the length of the life of Imam-e-Zamana is not more
surprising and amazing than the extinguishing of the fire (of Namrod)
for Ibrahim/Abraham (A.S.), the bifurcating and division of the river
Nile for Musa/Moses (A.S.) to cross over and turning of a pole into a
serpent, which are the show and manifestation of the power of God.
Quran and history with reference to these problems narrate the
examples and specimens of the length of lives of the Prophets and the
ordinary people in the past times. For instance, Noah (A.S.), Luqman
(A.S.)lived as long as 950 years and 400 years in this world
respectively.
Similarly "Bukht Nasr" lived 1507 years and Suleman/Solomon (A.S.)
lived 712 years and Firoze Rai a king of India lived nearly 537 years.
All of these examples are a witness to the fact that the longevity of
man's life is not against science and knowledge and it is possible to
occur in all the ages.
How will the Imam (A.S.) achieve success and Victory over the World Powers?
In an age when the thinkers and wise men ofthe world are busy in a
race of the production of destructive and harassingweapons there would
be no sign of peace and tranquility and the worldwill continue to bum
and smolder in the fire of warand injustice. The power poles would
continue to think of expanding their governments and lands trough war
and martial intervention. Given these circumstances and conditions
disappointment and distress will overwhelm the human lives and the
spectrum of sin, evil and aggression will expand.
In this condition the ground and scenario for the acceptance of a just
government free of war and aggression will comeinto existence. All the
nations will get fed up and tired of their egoist and tyrant
governments and the expansion and progressing evil and injustice will
make the world ready for an explosion. Just similar to the appearance
of the bright star of Islam in thearea of Hijaz. So that after five
centuries of ignorance tyranny and cruelty a suitable scenario got
provided forthe advent of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam.
The afflicted and deprived masses got so prepared and ready to accept
Islam that they responded positively andquickly to the call of Tawhid
(oneness of God) and Justice of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and group wise
embraced it and accepted its manifesto.
If we observe the revolutions of the world, we will find and discover
that the best parts of the success of the leaders of revolutions was
on account of the materialization and appearance of the suitable
scenario in thosesocieties which was caused by the extreme unhappiness
of the people from the tyranny of their brutal governments and the
same led their leader towards achieving power.
On the basis of this (theory) the upraise and revolution of Imam Mehdi
(A.S.) will materialize on a natural ground which is the same
appearance of suitable scenarios in the society and since the
revolution of Imam (A.S.) would be global and not restricted to an
area. Therefore, all the people of the world must get prepared to
accept the revolution and this would be possible in a time that
according to the saying of the Prophet(P.B.U.H.), "cruelty, brutality
and evil and destruction shall have over whelmed the total world." The
extreme and severe pressures of the governments shall have put all the
masses of the nation upon the course of an explosion, so that all
stretch their hands towards it. And accept its invitation from the
core of their hearts. Just like a fruit, which ripens upon the tree
and with only a jerk or movement falls down to the ground.
In these conditions all thepowers of the world, howsoever they may be
equipped with marshal and military hardware, cannot stop and put a
restraint upon that upraisal and revolution, through killing and
massacres.
In this age the world is confronted with a defeat,and restlessness of
souls and needs an unusual leader. A leader who maybe fully equipped
with the knowledge and awareness of the history and all the stages and
degrees of the human culture very closely and who have touched all
those and been an expectator and minute observer of all the historical
changes and allthe crimes of the past times.
He is the one who after the behest of and deputation order from the
God yells out the slogan of justice and humanity and having gathered
the historically subjugated and suppressed masses of the world around
him put anend to the governments of the criminals. Unity will make
those people, who spent their energies on the way to the annihilation
and destruction of each other, get their energies and resources used
for the welfare and prosperity of each other.
Thus bring into existence a world, far from fear, anxiety and full of
boon and benediction.