Occultation of Imam Mahdi (as)
Occultation of Imam Mahdi (as) The most important issue regarding the belief in Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is of his occultation (Ghaibat) i.e. being concealed from the eyes of the common people. According to the traditions, Ghaibat is the Sunnah of the past prophets. Past prophets like Hazrat Yunus (a.s.), Hazrat Saleh (a.s.), Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) were hidden from the eyes of their nation for a long period of time. Ghaibat is the special characteristic of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). This characteristic is not commonly found in the pseudo-Mahdis. The Ghaibat of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is a confirmed fact, which has been narrated right from the earliest days of Islam. It is only due to these traditions that the attributed Mahdis (like Muhammad b. Hanafia) were regarded as being in Ghaibat, while in fact they had died. The opponents and deniers of Mahdaviyyat, (i.e. the belief in Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)) do not acknowledge the special characteristics of Ghaibat, long life (of Imam (a.t.f.s.)) and the benefits of a concealed Imam and have vehemently disputed these issues. On this basis we will establish in the light of Islamic traditions that the belief of the Shias regarding Ghaibat is correct. Kitabul Yaqeen (of Hafiz-e-Natnazi), ‘Faraedus Simtain’ (of Shaikhul Islam Hamuee) ‘Yanabiul Mawaddah’ (of Khwaja Qundoozi) have all recorded the famous tradition of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) narrated to Jabir b. Abdullah Ansari (r.a.)....
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