The Twelfth Imam
The Twelfth Imam
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Article ID: 3
Article Date: 2008-09-25
Writer: A group of religious scholars
What is the reason behind the occultation of Imam Mahdi ? Why has an Imam who is meant to live among the people and guide them gone into hiding and chosen to live in concealment?
The occultation (Ghaybah) of Imam Mahdi is a phenomenon that has occurred by the will and wisdom of God. Therefore, it surely carries deep meaning and divine purpose.
Abdullah ibn Fadl Hashimi reports:
“I heard Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) say: ‘The Master of the Affair (Imam Mahdi) will go into an occultation that is inevitable, and during it, many people especially those who follow falsehood will fall into doubt.
I asked him, ‘May I be sacrificed for you, why will this happen?’
He replied, ‘Because of a reason that we are not allowed to reveal to you.’
I then asked, ‘What is the wisdom behind this occultation?’
He answered, ‘The wisdom behind his occultation is the same as the wisdom behind the occultation of God’s previous messengers and proofs. The true purpose of this occultation will not be known until after his reappearance just like the actions of Khidr (the righteous servant of God) were not understood by Moses (PBUH) until they parted ways.( Referring to verses 60 to 82 of Surah Al-Kahf in the Holy Qur'an )’
O son of Fadl! This is a divine matter, and its secret and reasoning belong to God alone. When we recognize that God is all-wise, we must also trust that everything He does is full of wisdom even if we don’t yet understand the reasons behind it.”
According to this narration, the true reason and deeper wisdom behind the occultation of Imam Mahdi remains unknown to us and will only become clear after his return.
However, other narrations mention various reasons and insights that shed light on this mysterious event. These explanations can help us better understand and accept the necessity of the occultation.
In what follows, the causes and wisdom behind the occultation will be explained based on a new and comprehensive classification.
According to this approach, Imam Mahdi’s occultation was both an act of divine will and wisdom, and also the result of certain conditions among people. In fact, tyrannical rulers, society as a whole, and even the Shi’a community all played a role in shaping the circumstances that led to his occultation.
According to Islamic narrations, the occultation of Imam Mahdi is primarily rooted in the divine will, wisdom, and decree of God.
Throughout the long course of human history, many extraordinary and miraculous events have taken place each in line with God's laws and the divine order of the universe. Similarly, the long life and hidden presence of Imam Mahdi are not outside the boundaries of these divine principles. Through the occultation of His final proof, God has intended to achieve several important goals and purposes.
One of the divine purposes behind the occultation is to test and examine people especially the followers of Shi'a Islam.
It serves as a trial for those whose faith is weak and superficial, so that their inner beliefs may be exposed.
On the other hand, those with deep-rooted faith who remain patient, continue to believe in the unseen, and endure hardships with hope are honored and elevated. Through their steadfastness and sincere anticipation of the Imam’s return, they earn great spiritual rewards and reach higher ranks in God's eyes.
Zurarah ibn A'yun narrates:
“I heard Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq say: ‘Before his rise, the Qa’im (Imam Mahdi) will go into occultation.’
I asked, ‘Why?’
He replied, ‘He is afraid...’
Then he added: ‘...and he is the awaited one (al-Muntazar). But God loves to test the Shi‘a. That is when those who follow falsehood will begin to doubt.’
Jabir narrates:
“I asked Imam al-Baqir, ‘When will your relief and deliverance come?’
He said, ‘Far, far away! Our relief will not come until you are thoroughly sifted then sifted again until the impure is separated and only the pure remains.’
Based on these narrations, the test during the occultation happens in two main ways:
a. Since the occultation becomes very long, many people fall into doubt.
Some begin to question whether Imam Mahdi was ever born, while others doubt whether he is still alive.
b. The hardships and difficult events that occur during the occultation make it very challenging to hold on to faith and remain steadfast in religious commitment.
Believers are faced with serious trials that put their faith at risk.
Anyone who does not lose their belief in the Imam, and stays patient and faithful through hardships, will pass this test with honor.
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq also said:
“People must be purified, distinguished, and sifted many will be cast out in this sifting process.”
With the long occultation of the Guardian appointed by God, all groups, individuals, ideologies, and systems have had the opportunity to rule over the people and manage society. In doing so, they have revealed their weaknesses and inability to govern properly, solve problems, or establish justice.
This happens while governance and leadership over people rightly belong to the divine guardians especially the Twelve Infallible Imams. God, through this process, intends to deliver a final proof to humanity and attract their attention and desire toward the rule of the infallible leaders.
Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq said about this matter:
"This matter will not be established until there remains no group of people who have not ruled over the people, so that no one can say: ‘If we had ruled, we would have established justice.’ Then the Qa’im (the rightly guided one) will rise with truth and justice.”
God, for certain wisdoms, hid previous prophets from among the people for periods of time. He wished to apply this same practice to Imam Mahdi , so that he would experience the final and longest occultation, and thus this divine tradition would be fully realized.
Hanan ibn Sadir, quoting his father, narrates from Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq :
“Our Qa’im has an occultation that will be long.”
I asked, “O son of the Messenger of God, what is the reason for this?”
He replied: “God does not want this matter to be completed unless all the traditions that the prophets experienced during their occultations are gathered in this occultation... Therefore, the entire duration must include the sum of the prophets’ occultations.”
God says in the holy Qur’an, verse 19 of Surah "Al-Inshiqaq" :
"So that you may follow one layer after another."
(The meaning is that the traditions of those who came before you will be fulfilled in your case.)
As mentioned in previous discussions, the Imams are the channels of divine grace and the source of guidance and leadership for the people.
God, in order to maintain continuous guidance for humanity especially when people at certain times fail to appreciate the great divine blessing of the infallible Imam wisely conceals His presence behind the veil of occultation.
This is done not only to preserve the order of the universe but also to ensure that God’s mercy and grace continue to descend upon His servants through the Imam, keeping the path of guidance and salvation open for humanity.
Considering the many challenges faced by the Imams, it seems that occultation is the best means for this ongoing guidance.
Imam Ali(PBUH) said:
"The earth is never without God's proof a clear and evident proof who stands for God, either openly and recognized or hidden and cautious so that God's proof is not nullified and His signs are not removed (the clear reasons for guidance do not vanish)."
The length of the occultation causes believers to be born from the lineage of corrupt, hypocritical, and disbelieving individuals.
This was also the pattern followed by the infallible Imams, who even foretold some hypocrites and opponents in advance.
After a while, from the loins of these corrupt individuals, faithful believers and lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt - The family of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)- would be born.
Ibrahim al-Karkhi says:
“I asked Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq : ‘May God keep you safe, was Imam Ali not strong in God’s religion?’
He replied, ‘Yes, he was.’
I asked, ‘Then how did people overpower him and he did not stand against them? What prevented him from confronting them?’
He answered, ‘A verse from the Qur’an prevented him.’
I asked, ‘Which verse?’
He said: ‘God, the Exalted, has placed faithful children behind disbelievers and hypocrites.’(Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Fath, verse of 25)
Imam Ali did not kill the disbelieving or hypocritical fathers until these divine trusts (the faithful children) were born from behind them.
When these children emerged from their loins, he would fight those whom he could reach.
Our Qa’im from Ahl al-Bayt(The family of the Prophet Muhammad) will act similarly; he will not appear nor fight anyone until all the divine trusts have come out from behind their fathers (the disbelievers and hypocrites).
But when these trusts have emerged, he will overcome and fight the disbelievers and hypocrites.”
One of the important wisdoms and mysteries behind the occultation of Imam Mahdi is to make people pay more attention to the worth and status of that promised one of all nations. After the great disregard shown toward his noble ancestors, he was hidden behind the veil of occultation so that the precious gem of his existence would receive more attention and when he appears, people will fully accept and welcome him.
One of the main reasons for the occultation of Imam Mahdi is the lack of support and obedience from the people toward him, as well as weakness and negligence in helping the Imam. The previous Imams suffered many harms and hardships for similar reasons. The result of this great disobedience and sin of the people was the killing and martyrdom of all those Imams and the loss of their rule.
Therefore, the occultation of Imam Mahdi is mostly due to the people themselves, not because of the Imam. Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi says:
"The existence of the Imam is a grace (from God), and his intervention (in affairs) is another grace; but his occultation is related to ourselves."
In other words, the Imam’s absence and occultation come from ourselves and the difficulties and obstacles we have created.
Regarding the role of the people in the occultation of Imam Mahdi, several points can be mentioned.
When people do not fulfill their duties and responsibilities toward the Imam and their rightful leader, disobey and refuse to support him, and fail to protect his life and property, it is possible that God will separate that Imam from the people for a time to discipline them. As a result, the people lose many blessings and favors of the infallible Imam and are deprived of the apparent benefits of his presence. This indicates God's anger and wrath.
Muhammad ibn Faraj says: Imam Abu Ja’far wrote to me:
"When God becomes angry with the people, He distances us from them."
Marwan Anbari narrates: From Imam Baqir a message was sent saying:
"When God is displeased with a people’s presence among them, He will remove us from among them."
The injustice and oppression that people commit against themselves and others, along with their ignorance and lack of proper understanding of the Divine Proof (the Imam), have caused the occultation of the Imam. Imam Ali says in this regard:
"O people, know that the earth will never be without the Divine Proof, but God withholds the sight of His Proof from people because of the injustice and oppression they commit, as well as the excesses and wastefulness they impose upon themselves."
In another narration, it is stated:
"... Due to the ignorance and oppression of the people, God closes their eyes from seeing His Proof... Then, during the occultation, the Proof recognizes the people, but they do not recognize him."
One of the fundamental obstacles and challenges facing the infallible Imams (peace be upon them) was the existence of tyrannical rulers, ignorant and malicious enemies, and self-serving hypocrites. This led to the usurpation of caliphate, the killing of the Imams, isolation and limitations, financial and economic pressures, prevention of interaction with the people, and so on. Imam Mahdi also faced all these dangers, and divine wisdom necessitated his absence from sight. Considering this obvious matter, the following factors played a significant role and influence in his occultation:
Imam Hassan Askari said: The Umayyads and the Abbasids sharpened their swords against us, because they well knew that they had no right to the caliphate. Fearing that the caliphate would return to its rightful place and be established among its true inheritors, they strove to kill the Household of the Prophet and destroy his lineage, perhaps to prevent the birth of the Imam Mahdi or to kill him. But God willed that He should not reveal him to any of His enemies, and that He should perfect His light, even though the idolaters may dislike it.
Zurara says: I heard from Imam Sadiq say: 'Indeed, the Qaim (the one who rises) has an occultation.' I asked: 'Why?' He replied: 'He fears for his own life.'
Imam Baqir says: "When our Qaim from our Household appears, he will say: 'I departed from among you because I feared for my life from you. And now, since my Lord has permitted it and has ordained the completion of my relief, I have come to you.'"
Here, stating two points is not without benefit:
A. Imam Mahdi's fear for his own life is because he is the final divine provision who must remain to bring about world justice, which is the certain promise of God. Otherwise, he too, like his esteemed fathers, would welcome martyrdom in the path of fulfilling divine objectives.
B. Although Almighty God is capable and powerful enough to manifest him at any time and hour and to overpower all nations and governments by force and dominance – even before the means are prepared – since He has set the course of this world according to the principle of means and causes, and the uprising of the Imam will be delayed until the means for such an appearance are prepared; if he appears before the preparation of the means and preliminaries, he will not be safe from being killed.
In addition to the danger posed by the Abbasid caliphs to Imam Mahdi, there were also conspiracies and wicked actions taken against him by some corrupt and hypocritical individuals close to him, which posed threats to him. A clear example of this danger can be found in the actions of Ja'far the Liar(Ja'far, son of Ali, who was given the title 'Ja'far the Liar). He had a close relationship with the caliphate and wanted to seize the position and wealth of Imam Askari with their help and have his son killed...!!
Imam Hadi said: "Stay away from my son Ja'far, for he is to me like Nimrod (Noah's son) was to Prophet Noah, about whom the Holy Quran says: Noah said, 'My son is of my family.' But God said, 'O Noah, he is not of your family; his deed is unrighteous.'" (referring to Noah's son who was drowned).
Based on this, Imam Askari said: "...If Ja'far can kill me, he will never hesitate!!"
Imam Sajjad, in his prophecy about Ja'far the Liar, states: "It is as if I see with my own eyes that Ja'far Kaduab(the Liar, Imam Askari's brother) has compelled the tyrant of his time to search for God's Vicegerent, and that Hidden One from sight is under divine protection.
This is due to Ja'far's ignorance of the birth of the Imam Mahdi and his greed to kill him, should he find him, and this is out of greed to unjustly take his father's inheritance.
The occultation and hidden life of Imam Mahdi can be from his own side and will, meaning that the Imam has been hidden from sight for the fulfillment of some of his objectives and plans, and to escape the constraints of governments, with divine permission. In this regard, the following components can be referred to:
One of the factors repeatedly mentioned in traditions is Imam Mahdi's non-allegiance to unjust caliphs and tyrants. To avoid being forced to pledge allegiance to them, as his fathers were, he was hidden from people's sight by God's command. (Allegiance is a type of mutual contract and agreement between the ruler and the subjects, whereby the caliph is committed to managing society, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the allegiants commit to listening to and obeying the caliph, and supporting him )
When Imam Mahdi appears, he will have no allegiance to anyone or any usurping and oppressive government – not even under the guise of taqiyya (means concealing one’s belief or behavior in order to protect one’s life).
He rises, having no submission or appeasement to any of the tyrants and various governments. He has not outwardly endorsed incomplete non-Islamic governments through taqiyya. He is the most perfect manifestation of the names "The Just," "The Sovereign," "The Victorious," and "The Ruler," and possesses such a personality and status that he would not be subject to the rule of anyone other than God, nor would he have outwardly agreed, even through taqiyya, to any of the unjust governments.
As is derived from numerous reports, Imam Mahdi does not practice taqiyya; he proclaims the truth and eradicates falsehood from the face of the earth.
Therefore, one of the wisdoms and benefits of his occultation is that Imam Mahdi, before the time of his appearance and his mission to rise, is not compelled, like his esteemed fathers, to pledge allegiance to the caliphs, rulers, and politicians of the time through taqiyya. And when he appears, he bears no allegiance, and has accepted no rule over himself – other than the rule of God and the rulings and laws of the Quran, not even outwardly or through taqiyya.
The Imam of the Age Imam Mahdi himself has stated in this regard:
"As for the reason for the occultation, Almighty God says: 'O you who have believed, do not ask about things that, if they were to be revealed to you, would cause you trouble...' [Holy Quran Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 101]. Each of my fathers had an allegiance to the tyrants of his time, but I will appear when I have no allegiance to any tyrant on my neck."
Imam Sadiq says: "Our Qaim (the one who rises) will appear while there is no covenant, promise, or allegiance from anyone on his neck."
Imam Ali had said about this: "When our Qaim rises, he will have no allegiance to anyone on his neck. For this reason, his birth is kept hidden, and he himself is hidden from sight."
One of the important reasons for the occultation of Imam Mahdi and the prolongation of his hidden life is to prepare human society for reaching its ultimate and divine destination. The readiness of the world includes: raising the level of people's awareness and their understanding of the need for a just and knowledgeable leader, the creation of suitable facilities and contexts for establishing a global government, people becoming fed up with oppression and injustice, and the global and popular desire for the spread and revival of justice, spirituality, and world security. Until this time (global readiness) arrives, Imam Mahdi will remain in occultation; because the duty of him is the comprehensive and widespread realization of all the objectives and plans of the prophets and saints, and his actions and reforms require a high level of understanding and advanced consciousness from the people.
Sheikh Tusi says: "The philosophy of the occultation is the lack of the Imam's necessary power, which people must strive to provide. In reality, as long as people do not prepare the ground for his authority, the occultation will continue; because God desires Imam Mahdi to be strengthened by humans, not angels.
One of the wisdoms behind the "hidden life" of Imam Mahdi was for weak and less capable Shias to be trained, and for their level of awareness, endurance, and readiness to increase.
Ali ibn Yaqtin narrates from Imam Kazim that: "The Shias are trained through aspirations."
