The Issue of Disappearance (of the twelfth Imam (a.s.) from Public Sight

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ وَ إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْعِلْمَ لَا يَأْرِزُ كُلُّهُ وَ لَا يَنْقَطِعُ مَوَادُّهُ وَ أَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ- ظَاهِرٍ لَيْسَ بِالْمُطَاعِ أَوْ خَائِفٍ مَغْمُورٍ كَيْلَا تَبْطُلَ حُجَجُكَ وَ لَا يَضِلَّ أَوْلِيَاؤُكَ بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَهُمْ بَلْ أَيْنَ هُمْ وَ كَمْ أُولَئِكَ الْأَقَلُّونَ عَدَداً وَ الْأَعْظَمُونَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ ق

“Trustworthy reliable men of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) have said that they heard Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) say in one of his sermons as herein below. “Lord, I know that knowledge will not be erased and its sources will not discontinue altogether and You will not leave your earth without a Leader with Your

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُلُوساً فَقَالَ لَنَا إِنَّ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَةً الْمُتَمَسِّكُ فِيهَا بِدِينِهِ كَالْخَارِطِ لِلْقَتَادِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا بِيَدِهِ‌[2] فَأَيُّكُمْ يُمْسِكُ شَوْكَ الْقَتَادِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ أَطْرَقَ مَلِيّاً ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَ‌ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَةً فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ عَبْدٌ وَ لْيَتَمَسَّكْ بِدِينِهِ.

“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and he said to us, “The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from public sight. At that time following one’s religion would like wiping the thorns of cactus plant with one’s bare. The Imam (a.s.) made certain hand gestures. Who am

إِذَا فُقِدَ الْخَامِسُ مِنْ وُلْدِ السَّابِعِ فَاللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي أَدْيَانِكُمْ‌[1]- لَا يُزِيلُكُمْ عَنْهَا أَحَدٌ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ عَنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مَنْ كَانَ يَقُولُ بِهِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مِحْنَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ امْتَحَنَ بِهَا خَلْقَهُ لَوْ عَلِمَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَ أَجْدَادُكُمْ دِيناً أَصَحَّ مِنْ هَذَا لَاتَّبَعُوهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ

“When the fifth descendant of the seventh (Imam) will disappear from the public sight at that time for the sake of Allah, for the sake of Allah protect your religion so no one can strip off of it. My son, it is necessary that the in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) must disappear from the public s

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ التَّنْوِيهَ‌[2] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَيَغِيبَنَّ إِمَامُكُمْ سِنِيناً مِنْ دَهْرِكُمْ وَ لَتُمَحَّصُنَّ حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَاتَ قُتِلَ هَلَكَ بِأَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ وَ لَتَدْمَعَنَّ عَلَيْهِ عُيُونُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَ‌[3] كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السُّفُنُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ فَلَا يَنْجُو إِلَّا مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ فِي قَلْبِهِ الْإِيمَانَ وَ

"I heard Abu 'Abdullah (a.s) say as follows: "Beware of allusion! By Allah, your Imam will be in occultation for a period of time. And you shall indeed be tested until it will be said that he has died, been killed, or lost in an unknown valley. The eyes of the believers will shed many tears for him. Surely, you will be

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِي صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ شَبَهاً مِنْ يُوسُفَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ كَأَنَّكَ تَذْكُرُهُ حَيَاتَهُ أَوْ غَيْبَتَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي وَ مَا يُنْكَرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ أَشْبَاهُ الْخَنَازِيرِ- إِنَّ إِخْوَةَ يُوسُفَ ع كَانُوا أَسْبَاطاً أَوْلَادَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ تَاجَرُوا يُوسُفَ وَ بَايَعُوهُ وَ خَاطَبُوهُ وَ هُمْ إِخْوَتُهُ وَ هُوَ أَخُوهُمْ- فَلَمْ يَعْرِفُ

“In the (case) of the person in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority, the twelfth Imam (a.s.)) there is a similarity to Yusuf (Joseph) (a.s.).” I then said, “Are you, O Imam, speaking of his life time or his disappearance.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then said, “ What then is it that ce

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلْغُلَامِ غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ بِلَا خَلَفٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ الْمُ

“The young boy will disappear from the public sight before his rise (with divine power)” The narrator has said, “I then asked, “Why (would that has to take place)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He will be afraid.” He pointed out with his hand to his midsection. Then he said, “O zurara, “He is the one whose reappearance is ex

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَفْقِدُ النَّاسُ إِمَامَهُمْ يَشْهَدُ الْمَوْسِمَ فَيَرَاهُمْ وَ لَا يَرَوْنَهُ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say as herein below. “People will miss their Imam (a.s.). He will attain Hajj and see them but they will not see him.”

أَتَيْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَوَجَدْتُهُ مُتَفَكِّراً يَنْكُتُ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ مُتَفَكِّراً تَنْكُتُ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَ رَغْبَةً مِنْكَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا رَغِبْتُ فِيهَا وَ لَا فِي الدُّنْيَا يَوْماً قَطُّ وَ لَكِنِّي فَكَّرْتُ فِي مَوْلُودٍ يَكُونُ مِنْ ظَهْرِي الْحَادِيَ عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي هُوَ الْمَهْدِيُّ الَّذِي يَمْلَأُ الْأَرْضَ عَدْلًا وَ

“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 wh

إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ كَنُجُومِ السَّمَاءِ كُلَّمَا غَابَ نَجْمٌ طَلَعَ نَجْمٌ حَتَّى إِذَا أَشَرْتُمْ بِأَصَابِعِكُمْ وَ مِلْتُمْ بِأَعْنَاقِكُمْ غَيَّبَ اللَّهُ عَنْكُمْ نَجْمَكُمْ فَاسْتَوَتْ بَنُو عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَلَمْ يُعْرَفْ أَيٌّ مِنْ أَيٍّ فَإِذَا طَلَعَ نَجْمُكُمْ فَاحْمَدُوا رَبَّكُمْ.

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.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلْقَائِمِ ع غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ يَعْنِي الْقَتْلَ.

“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.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَةٌ فَلَا تُنْكِرُوهَا.

“‘If an occultation reaches you all regarding the Master of this command, then do not reject it.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ فِي الْبَيْتِ أُنَاسٌ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا أَرَادَ بِذَلِكَ غَيْرِي فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ‌ لَيَغِيبَنَّ عَنْكُمْ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ لَيَخْمُلَنَّ هَذَا حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَاتَ هَلَكَ فِي أَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَّ كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السَّفِينَةُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ لَا يَنْجُو إِلَّا مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ الْإِيمَانَ فِي قَلْب

“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 wil

لِلْقَائِمِ غَيْبَتَانِ يَشْهَدُ فِي إِحْدَاهُمَا الْمَوَاسِمَ يَرَى النَّاسَ وَ لَا يَرَوْنَهُ.

“Al-Qa’im (Imam al-Mahdi) will have two occultations. In one of them he will attend the seasons (of Hajj). He will see the people but they will not see him.”

مِمَّنْ يُوثَقُ بِهِ‌ أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع تَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ وَ حُفِظَ عَنْهُ وَ خَطَبَ بِهِ عَلَى مِنْبَرِ الْكُوفَةِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لَكَ مِنْ حُجَجٍ فِي أَرْضِكَ حُجَّةٍ بَعْدَ حُجَّةٍ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ يَهْدُونَهُمْ إِلَى دِينِكَ وَ يُعَلِّمُونَهُمْ عِلْمَكَ كَيْلَا يَتَفَرَّقَ أَتْبَاعُ أَوْلِيَائِكَ ظَاهِرٍ غَيْرِ مُطَاعٍ أَوْ مُكْتَتَمٍ يُتَرَقَّبُ إِنْ غَابَ عَنِ النَّاسِ شَخْصُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) once spoke the words herein below from the pulpit in Kufa and I memorized them. “O Lord it is certain that You must have a person with Your Authority on Yaour earth. Such persons would come one after the other whith Your authority over the creatures who would guide people in your religion and t

إِذَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ إِمَامُكُمْ فَمَنْ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِإِمَامٍ جَدِيدٍ.

“When your Imam would disappear from among you, then who will bring you a new Imam?”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ صَاحِبِكُمْ غَيْبَةٌ فَلَا تُنْكِرُوهَا.

“When an Occultation reaches you all from your Companion, do not reject it.”

لَا بُدَّ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ وَ لَا بُدَّ لَهُ فِي غَيْبَتِهِ مِنْ عُزْلَةٍ وَ نِعْمَ الْمَنْزِلُ طَيْبَةُ[2] وَ مَا بِثَلَاثِينَ مِنْ وَحْشَةٍ.

“It is necessary for the person in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) to disappear from the public sight and in his disappearance form public sight he must remain away from public. How good is Tayba, the city of Madina, for dwelling and living with thirty people is not frightening isolation.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَيْفَ أَنْتَ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْبَطْشَةُ بَيْنَ الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ- فَيَأْرِزُ الْعِلْمُ كَمَا تَأْرِزُ الْحَيَّةُ فِي جُحْرِهَا وَ اخْتَلَفَتِ الشِّيعَةُ وَ سَمَّى بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضاً كَذَّابِينَ وَ تَفَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِ بَعْضٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقَالَ لِي الْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثاً.

“How would it be with you when an large scale attack would take place between the two mosques. Thereafter, knowledge will become obscure as the snake goes in to its hiding place. The Shi‘a will hold differences and one group will call the group liars and one group will spit onto the faces of the aother.” I then said, “

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلْقَائِمِ غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ إِنَّهُ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ يَعْنِي الْقَتْلَ.

Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) will disappear before he will rise with divine power. He will suffer fear. The Imam (a.s.) pointed to his midsection, meaning thereby being murdered.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لِلْقَائِمِ غَيْبَتَانِ إِحْدَاهُمَا قَصِيرَةٌ وَ الْأُخْرَى طَوِيلَةٌ الْغَيْبَةُ الْأُولَى لَا يَعْلَمُ بِمَكَانِهِ فِيهَا إِلَّا خَاصَّةُ شِيعَتِهِ وَ الْأُخْرَى لَا يَعْلَمُ بِمَكَانِهِ فِيهَا إِلَّا خَاصَّةُ مَوَالِيهِ.

Al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) will have two disappearances. One of them will be for a short time and the other for a longer time. No one would know his place during the shorter disappearance except the special persons from his Shi‘a. During his longer disappearance no one will see him except v

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَتَانِ إِحْدَاهُمَا يَرْجِعُ مِنْهَا إِلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ الْأُخْرَى يُقَالُ هَلَكَ فِي أَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ إِذَا كَانَ كَذَلِكَ قَالَ إِذَا ادَّعَاهَا مُدَّعٍ فَاسْأَلُوهُ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ يُجِيبُ فِيهَا مِثْلَهُ.

“The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from the public sight twice. From one them he will return to his family but in the other one it will be said that he is dead or no one knows in which of the valleys has he traveled.” I then asked, “What shall we do in such conditions?” The Im

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَنْتَ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُكَ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُ وَلَدِكَ هُوَ قَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُ وَلَدِ وَلَدِكَ فَقَالَ لَا قُلْتُ مَنْ هُوَ قَالَ الَّذِي يَمْلَأُهَا عَدْلًا كَمَا مُلِئَتْ ظُلْماً وَ جَوْراً عَلَى فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ كَمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بُعِثَ‌ عَلى‌ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌.

Once I went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and said to him, “Are you the in charge of this task ((to rise with divine power)?” he said, “No, I am not he.” I then asked, “Is he your son?” He said, “No, my son will be he either.” I then asked, “Will the son of your son be he?” He said, “No, my grandson will not be he.” I th

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى‌ فَلا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ‌ الْجَوارِ الْكُنَّسِ‌[1] قَالَتْ فَقَالَ إِمَامٌ يَخْنِسُ سَنَةَ سِتِّينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَظْهَرُ كَالشِّهَابِ يَتَوَقَّدُ فِي اللَّيْلَةِ الظَّلْمَاءِ فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتِ زَمَانَهُ قَرَّتْ عَيْنُكِ.

“I asked abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah. “I do not (need to) swear by the orbiting (81:15) stars which are visible during the night (81:16) and sit during the day,. “. (81:17)” She has said that then he said, “It refers to the Imam who will disappear in the year two hundred s

لَقِيتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- فَلا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ الْجَوارِ الْكُنَّسِ‌ قَالَ الْخُنَّسُ إِمَامٌ يَخْنِسُ فِي زَمَانِهِ عِنْدَ انْقِطَاعٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ عِنْدَ النَّاسِ سَنَةَ سِتِّينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَبْدُو كَالشِّهَابِ الْوَاقِدِ فِي ظُلْمَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتِ ذَلِكِ قَرَّتْ عَيْنُكِ.

“Once I met abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and asked him about he meaning of “I do not (need to) swear by the orbiting (81:15) stars which are visible during the night (81:16) and sit during the day,. “. (81:17)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Al-Khunnas, refers to the imam who will disappear in his time when the knowledge

إِذَا رُفِعَ عَلَمُكُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَظْهُرِكُمْ فَتَوَقَّعُوا الْفَرَجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَقْدَامِكُمْ.

“When your knowledge that is with you will banish then expect glad news to emerge beneath your feet.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ أَنْ يَسُوقَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِغَيْرِ سَيْفٍ فَقَدْ بُويِعَ لَكَ وَ ضُرِبَتِ الدَّرَاهِمُ بِاسْمِكَ فَقَالَ مَا مِنَّا أَحَدٌ اخْتَلَفَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْكُتُبُ وَ أُشِيرَ إِلَيْهِ بِالْأَصَابِعِ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْمَسَائِلِ وَ حُمِلَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْأَمْوَالُ إِلَّا اغْتِيلَ‌[2] أَوْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ ل

The Imam (a.s.) said, “There has been no one from us with whom letters had been exchanged, being pointed out with the gesture of fingers, questions asked and properties delivered to him but that he was murdered or died in his bed. (It will be as such) until Allah will raise for this task (Leadership with Divine Authori

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ شِيعَتَكَ بِالْعِرَاقِ كَثِيرَةٌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مِثْلُكَ فَكَيْفَ لَا تَخْرُجُ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَطَاءٍ قَدْ أَخَذْتَ تَفْرُشُ أُذُنَيْكَ لِلنَّوْكَى‌[1] إِي وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَنَا بِصَاحِبِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَنْ صَاحِبُنَا قَالَ انْظُرُوا مَنْ عَمِيَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وِلَادَتُهُ فَذَاكَ صَاحِبُكُمْ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَّا أَحَدٌ يُشَارُ إِلَيْهِ بِالْإِصْبَ

“I said to him, ‘Your Shi‘a (followers) in Iraq are many. By Allah, there is no one like you in your family. Why do you not rise (for leadership)?” The narrator has said that he said, “O ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Ata’, you have began to open your ears to silliness. Yes, by Allah, I am not your companion (the one who will rise wit

يَقُومُ الْقَائِمُ وَ لَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ فِي عُنُقِهِ عَهْدٌ وَ لَا عَقْدٌ وَ لَا بَيْعَةٌ.

“Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) will rise and he will not be obliged to any one under any covenant, agreement or oath of allegiance.”

قُلْتُ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتُ وَ أَمْسَيْتُ لَا أَرَى إِمَاماً أَئْتَمُّ بِهِ مَا أَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَأَحِبَّ مَنْ كُنْتَ تُحِبُّ وَ أَبْغِضْ مَنْ كُنْتَ تُبْغِضُ حَتَّى يُظْهِرَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“I askked him, “If I passthe day and night and do not find Imam to follow then what should I do?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “love those whom you love and hate those whom you hate until Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, will grant him permission to reappear.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا بُدَّ لِلْغُلَامِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يَشُكُّ النَّاسُ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ وَ لَمْ يُخَلِّفْ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا تَأْمُرُنِي لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَل

“It will be necessary for the young boy to diappear from the public sight.” I then asked, “Why it will be necessary?” He said, “Because he will have fear- he then pointed towards his midsection. He will be the one whose reappearance will be intensely expected. It will be he in whose being born people will have doubts.

إِنَّ مِنَّا إِمَاماً مُظَفَّراً مُسْتَتِراً فَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ إِظْهَارَ أَمْرِهِ نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً فَظَهَرَ فَقَامَ بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى.

From us there will be a triumphant Imam. behind the cover. When will want to grant him permission to (rise with Divine Authority and power He will place a dot in his heart. He will then reappear in public sight and will rise (with divine power) by the command Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High.”

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا غَضِبَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ نَحَّانَا عَنْ جِوَارِهِمْ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) wrote to me, ‘when Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is angry with His creatures He keeps us away from their neighborhood.”