The Occultation of Imam Mahdi: History and Significance
The occultation is not unique to Imam Mahdi (PBUH). Throughout history some prophets also went into occultation, and people could not contact them for a while. Some prophets who went into occultation include Salih, Shuaib, Elijah, and Jesus (PBUT). However, the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is considered as one of the most mysterious occultations in history.
Imam Mahdi (PBUH) has had two occultations: The Minor Occultation which lasted for sixty-nine years, and the Major Occultation, which continues to the present day. During the Minor Occultation, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) communicated with the Shia through his four deputies, but during the Major Occultation, the Shia cannot communicate with him directly, and they must refer to religious scholars for their religious needs.
Although the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) had been announced by infallible Imams before him, after the martyrdom of Imam Hassan Askari, the Shia could not easily accept his occultation because they had been accustomed to the presence of eleven infallible Imams for 250 years. This is why some Shias were confused for a while after the martyrdom of Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH). Therefore, it was necessary for Imam Mahdi (PBUH) to keep contact with the Shia through his special deputies before the beginning of the Major Occultation. In this way, people could prepare themselves for living in the era of the Major Occultation and referring to the jurists who were considered the general deputies of Imam Mahdi (PBUH). In other words, the Minor Occultation was a time to train and prepare the Shia for entering the Major Occultation. During the Minor Occultation, the various sects that had emerged due to disagreements over the succession to Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) were gradually dissolved. All the Shias who acknowledged Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) as their Imam came to a consensus to follow his son as the twelfth Imam.
It is worth noting that the preparation for the occultation period began during the Imamates of Imam Hadi and Imam Hassan Askari (PBUT). These two honorable Imams had minimized contact with people and referred them to the Shia jurists and scholars who were in Shia sites like Qom, and gradually made people accustomed to the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).
According to Ali ibn Husayn al-Masudi, one of the great historians of Islam, Imam Hadi (PBUH) hid himself from many Shias except for a few of his special companions. When the Imamate was transferred to Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH), he only spoke with his special companions and ordinary people, while he was behind the curtain. People never saw Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) unless when he left home to go to the palace of the Caliph[1].
There is also a hadith by Imam Mahdi (PBUH) which says, “… when events occur to you, refer to those who narrate our hadiths; for they are my proof (hujjah) for you, and I am God’s proof for them.”[2] In this way, Imam Mahdi himself prepared the Shia for entering the Major Occultation by referring them to Shia jurists and scholars.
Although, according to the Prophet (PBUH), the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is one of God’s secrets,[3] some reasons have been mentioned for his occultation, and we intend to discuss these reasons in this article.
To Avoid Being Assassinated
According to Imam Kazim (PBUH), one of the reasons for the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is the constant fear of his assassination.[4] The oppressive rulers of different historical periods (Abbasids, Ottomans, etc.,) knew that Imam Mahdi (PBUH) was the Promised Savior, destined to destroy oppressors and end injustice everywhere. So they were determined to assassinate him.
None of the infallible Imams (PBUT) died a natural death; they were all martyred by the oppressive rulers of their time. It was while those who martyred them were certain that none of them was the Promised Savior. Given that Imam Mahdi (PBUH) has been explicitly introduced as the Promised Savior by the previous infallible Imams, it is natural that all the tyrants in history would be determined to assassinate him.
Testing People’s Faith
One of divine laws is to test people’s faith. In the Quran, God says, “Do people think once they say, ‘We believe,’ that they will be left without being put to the test? We certainly tested those before them. And [in this way] Allah will clearly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars.”[5]
Divine laws are unchangeable and apply to all people in every era. However, God does not test all people equally; in fact, God tests people of each era according to their intellectual maturity. During the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), people’s loyalty to religion is tested so that true believers are distinguished from hypocrites and liars.
The Principle of Free Will
One of God’s most important laws is that we, as humans, have free will. God has given human beings willpower and never forces them to accept or deal with something that they do not want. The fate of people is in their own hands, and God will never change their fate unless they desire to change it. The advent of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is not exempt from this rule; in fact, it is one of the most important reasons for the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).
We all have responsibility towards the Imam, and we show this responsibility by making sacrifices to help him achieve his purpose. In Islamic supplications, we say to the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), “May my parents, family, and possessions be sacrificed for you!”[6] We only speak to someone like this if we choose to and if we love them. Many people love the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) and show respect to them, but it is not enough for removing the obstacles to the advent of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).
The obstacles to his advent will be removed when we prioritize the Ahl al-Bayt and especially Imam Mahdi, as the living and present Imam. We should organize our lives around the Imam, making him our top priority. Unfortunately, many of us do not live such a life. We often neglect our duties towards the Imam, dedicating far less time to preparing for the Imam’s advent than we do to our worldly pursuits. There is a hadith from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that says, “Imam is like the Kaaba, people should go to him, not that he goes to people.”[7] So as long as people and especially the Shia community do not have a deep desire for the presence of the Imam, his advent will not happen.
The Existence of Global Oppressors and Corrupt Tyrants
Another reason for the Occultation of Imam Mahdi is that corrupt tyrants govern the world. There is a hadith from Imam Kazim (PBUH) that if all the people in the world pay attention to, they will be saved. He said, “The Quran has an outward and inward aspect. All that Allah has forbidden in the Quran is the outward aspect, and the inward aspect of that is unjust rulers. And all that Allah has permitted in the Quran is the outward aspect, and the inward aspect of that is the Imams of truth.”[8]
The rulers and governors play a significant role in the lifestyle people adopt and moving people towards misery or happiness. It is obvious that a corrupt society is considered a hindrance to the advent of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) because in such a society, people do not make any efforts to prepare themselves and their society for the Imam’s advent.
Arrogant governments have a key role in spreading cruelty and corruption on earth because they are driven by greed and an insatiable desire for power. Therefore, one of the most important factors in removing obstacles to the advent of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is fighting against these governments. This is so important that expressing our hatred for such governments is prioritized over expressing love for our friends. A person who does not hate such governments lacks pure love for the Imam.
No Allegiance to Tyrants
Imam Ali (PBUH) says, “Certainly, when the Qa’im from among us shall arise, he will not have the allegiance of any one upon his neck. It is for this reason that his birth is secret and he will go into occultation.”[9]
As we know, only Imam Ali and Imam Hassan (PBUT) had the opportunity to rule over Muslims for a short period of time. During the tumultuous periods of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, infallible Imams did not have the opportunity to fight against the usurpers of the leadership of Islamic society, so they had no choice but to pledge allegiance to the caliphs of their time. However, according to the spirit of his time, each Imam did his utmost to educate and train Muslims, promote religion, enjoin goodness, and forbid wrong.
Given that breaking a pledge is against Islamic principles, if Imam Mahdi (PBUH) were to pledge allegiance to tyrants and oppressors, he would not violate his pledge to them when he found the opportunity to rise against the oppressors.
People’s Weakness and Lack of Cooperation
God does not change the fate of any nation until they themselves change. As long as the people of the world remain in negligence and ignorance and do not see the need for changing the dismal situation of the world, the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) will continue. If we do not have a concern for the destruction of oppression, we should not expect this change in the situation to happen on its own. In order to change the course of the world towards purity and justice, we must all unite, just as Imam Mahdi (PBUH) has also introduced the conditions of his advent as empathy and loyalty of all the people.
Moreover, Imam Mahdi will only come when people are more understanding, wiser, and ready for change. The world needs to realize that current governing systems are not working and that a perfect leader is needed. Imam Mahdi (PBUH) requires 313 sincere, believing, knowledgeable, and wise individuals, as well as thousands of faithful and expert individuals to fill secondary positions. These individuals must prepare themselves through self-improvement and hard work. Until we are ready and willing to be part of this special group, Imam Mahdi will remain in occultation.
In one of his letters to Shaykh Mufid, Imam writes, “If our Shias, may Allah help them in His obedience, would have fulfilled their covenant with united hearts, then there would have been no delay in our meeting, and they would have been blessed with our visitation at the earliest, along with the recognition of truth and confirmation of our rights.”[10]
One of the duties of people during the occultation of Imam Mahdi is “urgent prayer for his advent.” Now, the dire situation in Gaza warn us that the world is increasingly becoming a worse place to live in. This is only one example of the worldwide injustice that truly breaks every human being’s heart. So now that we have reached a critical juncture, we must ask God to end the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).
Does Imam’s Existence Contradict His Occultation?
After discussing some reasons for his occultation, it is worth raising the question that, ‘How can we reconcile the necessity of the Imam’s existence with his occultation?’
Non-Shia sects argue that if the Imam’s existence is necessary for interpreting religious teachings and guiding people, then his occultation negates this purpose.
However, contrary to popular belief, the Imam’s role is not limited to providing outer guidance. One of the primary functions of the Imamate is to provide inner guidance to humanity.[11] Inner guidance is something different from outer guidance in matters of law and the Sharia; it is a distinct and lofty status bestowed by God on a select and precious few among His creation.[12] These individuals are deeply connected to God and possess a profound understanding of the human fitrah and the diverse levels of faith and knowledge that exist among people. They have the ability to influence the thoughts and inner beings of others.
Moreover, the Imam is present everywhere. He performs the Hajj every year, and as we stated in this article, he communicates with some reliable people either through letters or in person.
All the people in the world benefit from the Imam’s guidance, even without knowing it. According to Imam Sadiq (PBUH), the presence of the Imam is of vital importance because without his presence, the earth would swallow its inhabitants.[13] There is also a hadith from Imam Mahdi (PBUH), saying, “Benefiting from me during my occultation is like benefiting from the sun behind the clouds.”[14]
The Imam is omnipresent and omniscient, dwelling within every moment and every space. He possesses an intimate understanding of the human heart, particularly those hearts that have been prepared to receive his guidance. For these chosen souls, the Imam’s physical presence is not a prerequisite for his influence and direction.
It is true that living in the era of the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is really hard, but we should always keep in mind that the Imam is not unaware of our living conditions. Here is an excerpt of Imam Mahdi’s letter to Shaykh Mufid.
“Peace be on you, O friend who is sincere in the religion of Allah (SWT) and is successful in certainty in us. We are thankful for our existence to Allah (SWT), except Whom there is no God. And we ask Allah (SWT) for blessing and mercy upon our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Household of Muhammad (PBUT). And may He always give you divine opportunity to help the truth and increase your rewards for speaking up in our favor.
We announce that we have been permitted to honor you with our letter and entrust you with responsibility of our friends who are present around you. May Almighty Allah (SWT) befriend them due to His obedience and may He suffice them in their important matters. May the Almighty Allah (SWT) help you against the pledge-breakers who have gone out of the religion of God. Then consider what I am explaining to you and convey it to those whom you trust, if Allah (SWT) wills it.
We are living in a secluded and hidden place, far from the public eye, at the command of the Almighty God and for the true benefit of ourselves and our fellow Shiites, as long as the government in this world remains in the hands of the oppressors. In spite of all this we are perfectly cognizant of all your affairs and problems and nothing regarding you is hidden from us.[15]”
In this article, we discussed the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH). We stated that his occultation (PBUH) is divided into Minor and Major Occultations. Referring to a hadith from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we mentioned that the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is one of the secrets of God. Despite the secretive nature of Imam Mahdi’s occultation, based on hadiths, we presented several reasons for his occultation.
May God end the occultation of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) very soon, so that peace and tranquility will reign on earth.
[1] . Ali ibn Husayn al-Masudi. Ithbat Al-Wasia lil Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH), pp. 164-171
[2] . Shaykh Saduq. Kamal a-din wa tamam al-ni ‘ma. vol. 2, p. 483.
[3]. ”O Jabir! Verily, this matter is from God, and it is a secret from the secrets of God, concealed from the servants of God. Beware of doubt, for doubt in God is disbelief.” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p.463)
[4]. “The Qa’im is the one who will purify the earth from the enemies of Allah, the High and the Mighty. And he will fill the earth will justice and equity just as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He is the fifth of my descendants. He will go into occultation due to the fear of his own [life].” (Shaykh Saduq. Kamāl al-dīn wa tamām al-niʿma, vol. 2, p. 361)
[5] . Quran, 29:2-3
[6] . Ziyarat Jamia Kabira
[7] . Bihar al-Anwar, vol.36, p.353
[8] . Usul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 202
[9] . Kamāl al-dīn wa tamām al-niʿma. vol. 1, p. 303.
[10] . Al-Tabrisi. Al-Iḥtijāj ʿalā ahl al-lijāj. vol. 2, p. 602.
[11] . “And we made them leaders, guiding by Our command; …” (Quran, 21:73). This verse refers to the inner guidance provided by Imams
[12] . According to Imam Reza (PBUH), based on the Quran (10:35), only Prophets and infallible Imams are competent to Guide people. (Al-Kafi, vol.1, p.201)
[13] . Al-Kafi, vol.1, p.179.
[14] . Kamal al-din wa tamam al-nim’a, vol.2, p.483.
[15] . Al-Qarashi, Baqir Sharif. The Life of Imam Al-Mahdi (PBUH). Ansariyan Publications: Qom, 2006, p. 122.
(TN: I made some changes to the translation of the last part of the letter to better convey the meaning).
