The present era, in which we are living, is known as Ghaybate’ Kubra (major occultation). It is a period when there is no special representative of Imam Mahdi (as) through whom we can contact him or correspond with him (as). This era will continue till as long as Allah wishes and Imam Mahdi (as) does not reappear. When he (as) does reappear, people will be blessed with the opportunity to meet...
What is the Benefit of a Hidden Imam? Whenever the discussion of Ghaybat crops up, queries of various kinds invade the minds of the people. The most common among them being as to what is the benefit of an Imam who is in Ghaybat? In other words, what is the purpose of having a leader with whom neither we can come in contact nor meet In this article, we shall attempt to convey to our...
Ghaybat is a difficult time for the believers. This aspect can be well understood by those who would have had the opportunity of being with the Divine leader and then suddenly found one day that he is not present in their community. In the case of Hazrat Idrees, it is said that when Allah caused the Ghaybat of Hazrat Idrees, his community grieved over his separation. Shaitaan came to them and...
The discussion about Imam Mahdi (as) is one of the most comprehensive discussions in Islam along with discussions on Tawheed, Imamate and Qiyamat. We find books upon books which have been written about every aspect of Imam Mahdi (as) – right from his lineage, events related to his birth, his long life, his occultation and also his re-appearance. Traditions outline clearly what are the...
A Short Biography of Imam Mahdi (as) Hazrat Imam Mahdi (as) is the twelfth and last of the chain of the Purified Imams (as) and the divine successors. He was born at the time of dawn, on Friday the 15th of Shabaan 255 AH in the city of Samarrah. (Kamaluddin volume 2, pages 424, 428, 433) His respected father is Imam Hasan al-Askari (as). His beloved mother is Janab al-Narjis Khatoon (sa). She...