In Ali Ibn Mahziyaar’s journey to the House of Allah in the hope of meeting the Imam of his time, a youth who was among the close servants of Imam-e-Zamaana (may Allah hasten his reappearance) and his messenger, asked Ali Ibn Mahziyaar, “What do you want, O Aba al-Hasan?” He replied, “I am after an Imam who is hidden from the eyes of the people of the world.” The messenger responded: “He is not concealed from you. But your bad deeds have hidden him from you.”
In The Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
We had said that Imam Sajjad (a.s.), while drawing similarities between Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) and the Prophets (a.s.), had compared his ‘trepidation and occultation’ to that of Prophet Moosa (a.s.).[1]
Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) while briefing Kumayl says:
O My Allah (this is certain) never will this world be devoid of a Divine Proof notwithstanding if he is manifest or recognized or whether he is in a state of fear or angst hidden from the eyes of the people.[2]
In some narrations the word ‘Fear’ (خائف) has been categorically used for Hazrat Baqiyatullah (a.s.). As Imam Sadeq (a.s.) says:
“There will be an occultation before reappearance for Qaem (a.s.).” Zorarah says, ‘I asked Imam: Why?’ Imam replied: “He will be apprehensive of being killed.[3]”
One of the reason of Imam’s (a.s.) fear is the apprehension of being killed. This fear isn’t a psychological fear or uneasiness or in negative sense. But instead it is a question of insecurity. It was on the basis of insecurity that Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) had exited Egypt. As Holy Quran says: فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا خَائِفًا يَتَرَقَّب (Moosa) exited from the city in fear, and awaiting.
The prayer which follows Ziyarat-e-Aale Yaseen, in this too, Imam (a.s.) is referred to as the ‘vigilant and fearful’
(اَلْمُرتَقَبَ الْخَا ئِف).
We are aware that Imame-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) is from the treasures of Allah and gift of all the glad tidings given by the Prophets and there are lot of responsibilities on him. Like establishing justice and for that it is also necessary that he protects himself. More so, the oppressors and tyrants have narrowed down the living space and hence Imam (a.s.) had to go into seclusion. His father and grand fathers were martyred either by sword or poison and it is for this that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was compelled to agree and live his life far from the clutches of the oppressors. The cause for this insecurity is due to non-availability of companions and helpers.
There could be other reasons for Imam’s (a.s.) fear. For instance the apprehension of a long extended occultation. Or the fear of delay in his reappearance. Another reason for Imam’s (a.s.) apprehension could be the believers who may become the victims of difficulties and afflictions in the era of occultation and as a consequence find themselves in Iblees’ trap and stray from the straight path of Imamate.
Allah has promised.
وَ لِيُبَدِّ لَنَّهُمْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ اَمْنًا
He will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange.[4]
[1] Al Muhajjatul Al Baizaae, Tradition 4, Page 338
A few traditions clearly talk about Imam (a.s.) being ‘bounded’ while in occultation. In some other instances, based on the discourses of the Infallibles (a.s.), it is indicated that Imam (a.s.) is ‘bounded’ as Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) says:
The Master of Affairs will have four signs of four Prophets in him. The signs of Hazrat Moosa (a.s.), Hazrat Eisa (a.s.), Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) and Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w.s.).
The sign of Hazrat Moosa in him will be the fear and the distressed state. The sign of Yusuf (a.s.) in him will be like staying in confinement. The sign of Hazrat Eisa (a.s.) will be that the people will divided over giving him his right. Some will say he has died while others will say he hasn’t died and he will rise with the sword like Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.).[1]
Imam Husain (a.s.), too, says:
“My ninth son (from his lineage) will have signs of Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) and Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) in him.[2]
Based on this the Infallibles (a.s.), in their supplications, have prayed for Imam-e-Asr’s (a.t.f.s.) ‘deliverance’ (فرج) and ‘happiness.’
In one of his detailed supplications, which he taught to his companion Abdullah ibn Sinan on the day of Aashura, Imam Sadeq (a.s.) prayed:
O My Allah! Hasten the appearance of Aale Muhammad and keep Your benediction on them and save him from the hypocrites, deviants and spiteful disbelievers.[3]
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) says:
His resemblance with Yusuf (a.s.) is that, like how Allah had solved his problem in a moment [Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) had rightly predicted the dream of the Egyptian emperor as a consequence he was released from prison). Similarly, the order of reappearance and waiting will be informed in a moment.[4]
In certain sentences of the salawat of Abul Hasan Zarrab from of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) it has come:
وَ خَلِّصْهُ مِنْ اَيْدِى الْجَبَّارِيْنَ
(O Allah), save him [Imam Mahdi (a.s.)] from the hands of the tyrants.
In his correspondences with Sheikh Mufeed (a.r.), Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) has used the words ‘فَمَا يَحْبِسُنَا’ which means that he has included the reprehensible actions and characters of his Shias for his confinement.
The moments of imprisonment passing in occultation
In The Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
One of the verses of Holy Quran which with regards to Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) is proverbial among all and famous, which the Imam (a.s.) had himself recited in front of his noble father (a.s.) at the time of his birth and seven days after his birth, is the the fifth verse of Surah Qasas:
And We desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs.
Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) explains the above verse in the following way:
The word ‘weak’ (مستضعفين) means Aale Muhammad (a.s.). Allah will make Mahdi reappear after a hard and rigorous period, who will give him honour and reverence and will humiliate, disgrace and despise them.[1]
It is narrated from Imam Jafar Sadeq (a.s.)
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) looked at Imam Ali (a.s.) and his two sons Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.) and then he said crying: The two of you will be rendered helpless (مستضعفين).
Mufazzal narrates from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.): I asked Imam (a.s.) what is the meaning of his sentence?
He (a.s.) said: Means that the two of you will be such an Imam who will be victims of tyranny. The Almighty Allah says: And We desired to bestow a favor — the example of this verse will found in our family till the Day of Judgment.[2]
The meaning of Mustazafeen is different from ‘to be weak.’ To be weak means one is feeble. But Mustazafeen is said to be that person who has been compelled or forced to become weak. The Ahle Bayt (a.s.) are and were in no way feeble.
But the pages of history bear testimony that they were forced to become weak by individuals who were worshippers of Taghoot (centers of disobedience) and thus they were deprived of their rights.
Anyway, those who mollify the weak and helpless and play a helping hand in the matters of the weaker ones and acknowledge Imam Mahdi (a.s.) as a hope for the weaker ones then they should not ignore the point that the chief or the foremost of all the weak ones is the holy being of Imam (a.s.) himself. And if Imam’s (a.s.) luminous being is made apparent then all the weak ones will find the way to salvation.
Or, Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him.
Imam Jafar Sadeq (a.s.) says: This verse is revealed about the Qaem (a.s.) from the progeny of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.). By Allah he is the distressed one. He will offer two units (rakat) of prayers near Maqame Ibrahim and pray to Allah. Allah will answer his prayers and remove his difficulties and shall make him the Caliph on the earth.”
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) says:
By Allah! He [Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) ] is so distressed that is said about him ‘Or Who answers…It is for this reason we recite in Dua-e-Nudba:
اَيْنَ الْمُضْطَرُّ الَّذِي يُجَابُ إِذَعَا؟
Where is the distressed who is answered when he calls upon Allah?
In the explanation of this statement it is said: Any person who holds a position or a rank, however, after being delegated to the rank has been kept away from this status by the people who have usurped his position and stop him from doing his duty and he does not have the authority to exercise his rights and many of his enemies do not want him to perform his duty or mission then such a person is called مضطر (the distressed one).
Now, what can be more distressing in the universe than the fact that the Divine Proof of Allah (a.s.) and the Preacher of Holy Quran and religious commandments, even though present, has been left watching from the sidelines how the oppressive, tyrant rulers — hypocrites and those given to debauchery — wish to distort the Holy Quran and finish off the traditions and customs of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). Furthermore, they want to change the face of Islam and cause harm to their lovers and followers and make them an object of ridicule and insults.[16]
We read the following words in the famous recommended dua of Imam-e-Asr’s (a.t.f.s.) first deputy:
So, O My Lord, the One who dismisses adversities. When a distressed person calls upon You, You accept his plea and free him from his grief and agony. Therefore, remove the adversities of Your Friend.
In The Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
It has been narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) that at the time of reappearance Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will send a Hashmite youth towards the inhabitants of Macca for the completion of argument. He will tell him:
Go to the dwellers of Macca and say: I am the representative of so and so who has sent me to you. He has said: We Ahle Bayt (a.s.) are a mercy, the rich deposits of prophetic mission and succession. We are from the family of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) and the sons of Prophets (a.s.). We are the oppressed ones and victims of cruelty. We are sidelined. Since the time the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) passed away our rights are being wasted. We seek assistance from you. You also come and help us.[1]
In another tradition fifth Imam (a.s.) revealed the excerpts of Imam-e-Asr’s (a.t.f.s.) speech near the Kaaba. He says:
(O People) I place Allah as a witness over you. I adjure everyone, who hears my speech today, to inform the absent of it. I ask you with the right of Allah, the right of His messenger and with my right, for I have a right of kinship to the messenger of Allah, to support us and to protect us from those, who have wronged us. We have been wronged, offended, expelled from our homes, separated from our families, deprived of our rights and our honor and virtues have been distorted by the evil people.[2]
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