الكافي- ط الاسلامية, volume 1, page 338

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid who has said that Mundhir ibn Muhammad ibn Qabus narrated to us from Mansur ibn al-Sindi from abu Dawud al-Mustariq from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Malik al-Juhanni from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah from al-Asbagh ibn Nubata who has said the following. “Once I went to see Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and found him thinking and he drawing lines on the ground. I then said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) I can see you thinking and drawing lines on the ground. Have you become interested in it (worldly things) ?” He said, no, by Allah, I have not become interested in it and the whole world not even for a day but I thought about a baby from my descendants, the eleventh generation. He will be al-Mahdi who will fill the earth with justice and fairness after its being filled with suffering and injustice. He will disappear from the public sight and in confusing conditions. Certain people will deviate and others find the path of guidance.” I then asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), how long will be the duration of confusion and the disappearance?” He said, “Six days or six months or six years.” I then said, “Will this really come to pass?” He said, “Yes, just his creation will be necessary (so also will be his disappearance). However, O Asbagh, this is not your concern. Those people will of the best in this nation with the best virtuous ones of this family (Ahl al-Bayt).” I then said, “What then will happen afterwards?” He said, “Allah will do whatever He will so decide. He possesses, Bada’s, (seemingly change of plan) wills, goals and ends.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hannan ibn Sadir from Ma‘ruf ibn Kharrabudh from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “We are only like the stars in the heavens. Whenever one star disappears (from sight) another one comes in view until you will point out with your fingers and make a gesture with your necks. Allah will cause your star to disappear from your sight. The descendants of ‘Abd al-Muttalib will all look similar as such that one would not know which is whiCh When your star will reappear then you must give thanks to Allah.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mu‘awiya from ‘Abdallah ibn Jabala from ‘Abdallah ibn Bukayr from Zurara who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say as herein below. “The person who will rise to Divine power on earth will disappear from the public sight before he will do so.” I then asked, “Why, will happen so?” He said, “He will be afraid.” He then pointed to his midsection meaning thereby being murderd.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

10. Ali b. Ibrahim has narrated from from his father from Ibn Abi Umayr from Abu Ayyub al-Khazzas from Muhammad b. Muslim who said: I heard abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, “‘If an occultation reaches you all regarding the Master of this command, then do not reject it.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

11. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mu‘awiya from ‘Abdallah ibn Jabala from Ibrahim ibn Khalaf ibn ‘Abbad al-Anmati from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and there other people also were present so I thought the Imam (a.s.) meant people other thanme when he said, “By Allah, the in chrage of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from your sight and this (case) will become so obscure that people will say, “He is dead, destroyed or no one knows in which valley has he traveled. You will be shaken just as the ship is shaken in the rough seas and choppy water. No one will remain safe except those in whose hear He has written faith and has supported with an spirit from Him. You will raise twelve identical flags so much so that one would not know which is whiCh” The narrator has said, “I then wept.” The Imam (a.s.) asked, “what has caused you to weep, O abu ‘Abdallah ?” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “How can I stop weeping when you say, “Twelve identical flags. . “ The narrator has said that the place of gathering sun light had come in through a whole. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Is this (sun light on the spot) clear?” I said, “Yes, it is clear.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ our case is clear even more than this.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.