12th Imam–ajfj’s Kuniya is Abul Qasim-asws
Our 12th Imam-asws ‘Mohammed Ibn Al-Hassan Al-Askari-asws’s Nazool was on 15th of the month of Sha’ban in the year 256 A.H.’ In Al-Kafi, it is written that the 12th Imam ‘s Zahoor was on the 15th of the month of Shaban, in the year 255 A.H.[1]
The narrator of the Hadith says:
‘When Al-Zabayri (who revolted against ruler) was killed – this letter came from Abu Mohammed-asws ‘This is the retribution for those who lie against Allah-azwj when they possess Authority from Him-azwj. He (the Abbassid ruler) thought that he would kill me-asws and I-asws would leave no children behind. Now how has he then experienced the power of Allah-azwj?’ A child has been awarded to him (By Allah-azwj), whom he-asws named M.H.M.D, in the year 256 A.H.’’[2]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Once I went to the city of Samara and kept myself at the door of Abu Mohammed-asws (our 11th Imam-asws). The Imam-asws called me inside without any request from me. When I went inside and offered Salam (greeting of peace), the Imam-asws said to me, ‘How are you, O father of so and so?’ Then the Imam-asws told me, ‘Sit down O so and so.’ The Imam-asws then asked me about a group of men and ladies from my family. The Imam-asws said to me, ‘What brings you here?’ I said, ‘It is my wish to serve you-asws.’
‘The narrator has said that the Imam-asws said, ‘Alright, stay here.’ I then remained in the house with the servants. I would go to the market and make purchases for them. I could go in my Mola-asws’s presence without first requesting permission when Imam-asws was present in the men’s quarters. One day I went to my Mola-asws when he-asws was in the men’s quarters. I heard the sound of movement in the house and he-asws said, ‘Do not move from your place.’ I did not dare to go outside or inside. Then a female servant came out to me, she had something with her which was covered. The Imam-asws called me inside and I went inside. The Imam-asws called the female servant and she came back. The Imam-asws told her to uncover what she had with her. She uncovered the very handsome face of a white baby boy.
And she uncovered his chest. A line of hairs had grown from his neck down to his belly- button, which seemed to be greenish in colour and not totally black. He-asws said, ‘This is your master (Leader with Divine Authority).’ He-asws then ordered her to take the baby inside and after that I could not see him until Abu Mohammed-asws (our 11th Imam-asws) was martyred.[3]
The Introduction of the Al-Qaim-ajfj:
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘The Imam-asws when he was asked about Al-Qa’im-asws, said, ‘We all are Al-Qa’im-asws, the one to rise with Divine Authority under the Command of Allah-azwj one after the other until the time when the owner of the sword will rise. When the owner of the sword will rise he-asws will rise with a Command different from what his-asws predecessors had (which was taqeeya- all Shia Imams-asws observed Taqeeya (dissimulation) but the 12th Imam-asws will not observe Taqeeya but take out the sword).’[4]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Once I asked Abu ‘Abdullah-asws about the meaning of, ‘On the Day when We will call every nation with her Imam (leader) … ‘ (17:71)
‘The Imam-asws then said, ‘It refers to the Imam-asws that is with them and he is Al-Qa‘im-asws of the people of that time.[5]
The Time of the Minor Occultation of the 12th Imam-ajfj:
Our 12th Imam-asws communicated with his followers through letters, sometimes directly and sometimes through some representatives. The four representatives are quite famous but there were several of them who would communicate and correspond with the 12th Imam-ajfj during the Minor occultation of the 12 Imam-ajfj.
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘I lived in Baghdad and during one year I requested permission (from the twelfth Imam-asws) to travel out but permission was not granted. I waited for twenty-two days and the caravan had already left for Al-Naharwan (a place in Iraq), then I was granted permission. It was a Wednesday and I was told to leave. I left but I did not have any hope of reaching the caravan. However, when I arrived at al-Naharwan, the caravan was still there. I then had enough time to feed my camels before the caravan left. I journeyed with the caravan and he-ajfj had prayed for my safety. I did not face any difficulties. All praise belongs to Allah.’[6]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘A boil had grown on my upper thigh. I spent money on treatment from several physicians but they said that they did not know of medicine for it. I then wrote a letter to him-ajfj (the twelfth Imam-ajfj) requesting him-ajfj to pray. The Imam-ajfj wrote back to me with his-ajfj signature, ‘May Allah-azwj Grant you good health and place you with us-asws in this life and in the life Hereafter.’ The narrator has said that before the coming of the Friday the boil was gone and it became like the palm of my hand (clean and flawless). I then called one of the physicians and showed him the place of the boil and he said, ‘We had no knowledge of any medicine to cure it.[7]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘A boy was born to me. I wrote to him (Al-Mahdi-ajfj) for his-ajfj permission to give the baby a special bath for the ceremony on the seventh day of his birth. The answer came back and it said, ‘Do not do so.’ The boy died on the seventh or the eighth day. I then wrote to him-asws about the death of the boy. The Imam-ajfj wrote back to me, ‘He will be succeeded by another and another. Let his name be Ahmad and the name for the one after Ahmad will be Ja’far.’ It came to be as he-ajfj had said.
‘The narrator has said, ‘Once I made preparation for the journey to Hajj, said farewell to (my) people and I was about to leave. The message came to me that said, ‘We do not like it but it is up to you.’ I felt depressed and sad and I wrote, ‘I am steadfast to obey your commands and listen to your words except that I feel sad for missing Hajj.’ The Imam-ajfj then had signed (a note to me) that said, ‘Do not be depressed. You will soon perform Hajj by the will of Allah-azwj.’ The next year I wrote to ask his-asws permission and the permission came. I then wrote that I had chosen Muhammad ibn al-’Abbass as a ride sharing partner and that I trusted him for his religion and safety. The message that then came said, ‘Al-Asadi is a good ride sharing partner. If he will come do not choose anyone else besides him.’ Al-Asadi came and I chose him as the ride sharing partner.’[8]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Imam Al-Mahdi-asws (our 12th Imam-ajfj) had sent two servants to Al-Madina of the Rasool Allah-saww. He had written to Khafif (a person’s name) to go with them towards AI-Madina. He then left with them and when they reached al-Kufa, one of the two servants had consumed alcohol. Before they left al-Kufa a letter came to them from the Imam-ajfj that said, ‘Send back the servant who has consumed alcohol and remove him from the service.’’[9]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Ali ibn Ziyad al-Saymari wrote a letter to request a ‘Kafan’ (a shroud). He (Al-Mahdi-ajfj), wrote back to him, ‘You will need it in the year eighty.’ He died in the year eighty and the shroud was sent to him a few days before his death.’[10]
The End of the Minor Occultation and the start of the Major Occultation:
A letter of Imam-e-Zamana-ajfj came to the last representative announcing the end of the minor occultation and the start of the Major occultation, (saying): ‘O Ali bin Mohammed Samari, Allah-azwj may give His best reward to your grieving brothers on your death, which will occur within next six days. Thus, you better start packing up and do not nominate your deputy while making your last will. Now the Grand occultation will take place and Allah-azwj will not make me reappear until after a long time. This will not happen until people with stone cold hearts will come and fill the earth with cruelty and tyranny. And few among my Shias, will make claims of meeting with me but, whoever claims to see me before the aggression of Sufyani (who will be the leader of the enemies of Allah-azwj), he will be a big liar and filthy accuser.[11]
The Time of Appearance of Imam-e-Zamana-ajfj:
Our 8th Imam (Ali-asws bin Musa Al-Reza-asws) says: Allah-azwj would, through him-ajfj, purify the earth from every kind of oppression and remove every type of injustice from it. He-ajfj is the one-ajfj about whom (his-ajfj ‘Zahoor’) people would doubt and he-ajfj is the one who would have an occultation (‘Ghaibah’) before his-ajfj reappearance. And when he-ajfj arises, the earth shall be lit-up with his-ajfj brilliance. He-ajfj would establish the scales of Justice among the people so that no one may oppress the other. He-ajfj is the one-ajfj for whom the earth would wrap itself and he-ajfj would not throw a shadow (onto the earth). And he-ajfj is the one by whose name the caller would call out from the sky inviting people to the Imam-ajfj which all the people of the earth would be able to hear.
The caller would say: Know that the Proof of Allah-azwj has appeared near the House of Allah-azwj, so follow him-ajfj as truth is with him-ajfj, and that is the meaning of the statement of the Almighty Allah: ‘If We please, We should send down upon them a sign from the heaven so that their necks would remain bowed before it.’(26:4)[12]
Imam Ali-asws Ibn Al-Hussain-asws (our 4th Imam-asws) says: Upon the rising of ‘al-Qaim-ajfj’, Allah-azwj will Award an extraordinary strength to all (Momineen) and remove any weakness from them.[13]
The Story of the Tablet:
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Abu ‘Abdullah-asws (6th Imam-asws) has said: Once, my father said to Jabir Ibn ‘Abd Allah Al-Ansari’, I need your help in a certain issue. When will be convenient for you for us to meet privately so that I can ask you about it?’ He (Jabir) said, ‘Whenever you like it will be alright for me.’ One day when they met each other he-asws said, ‘O Jabir, tell me about the tablet that you saw in the hand of my great-great-great grandmother, Syeda Fatima-asws daughter of the Messenger of Allah-saww. Tell me of what Syeda-asws said to you about the Tablet and the writing on it?’
‘Jabir then said, ‘I ask Allah-azwj to Testify (to the truth of what I experienced that day). Once I went to see your great-great-great grandmother, Syeda Fatima-asws in the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah. I congratulated her on being blessed with al-Hussain-asws and I saw in her-asws hand a green Tablet that I think was made of Emerald (a precious gem). I saw on it white writing that was shining like the colour of sun.
‘I then said to Syeda-asws, ‘May Allah-azwj Keep my soul and the souls of my parents in service for your-asws cause, O daughter of the Rasool Allah-saww what is this Tablet?’ Syeda-asws said, ‘This is a Tablet that Allah-azwj has Given as a gift to His Messenger-saww. In it there is the name of my father, the name of my husband, the names of my two sons and the names of the executors of the wills of my-asws (special) descendants. My father-saww gave it to me as a gift and glad news.’
‘Jabir then said, ‘Your great-great-great grandmother-asws then gave the Tablet to me. I read it and made a copy of it.’ My-asws father-asws then said, ‘O Jabir can you show that copy (that you made from the Tablet) to me-asws?’ He said, ‘Yes, I can show it to you-asws.’ My father-asws went with him to his house and he brought to light a Tablet of parchment. He-asws then said, ‘O Jabir, look carefully at your writing on the copy of the tablet and see how I write it for you.’ Jabir then kept looking at his handwriting while my father-asws wrote and the writing of my father-asws was exactly letter by letter the same as what Jabir had in his copy.
Jabir then said, ‘I ask Allah-azwj to Testify to the truth of my words that this is what I saw was written on the Tablet: (I say) in the Name of Allah-azwj, the Beneficent, the Merciful. This is a document from Allah-azwj for Muhammad-saww, His-azwj Prophet-saww His-azwj Light, His-azwj Ambassador, His-azwj Hijab (Outwit) and His-azwj Guide (for people). The trusted Spirit has brought it from the Lord-azwj of the worlds, O Muhammad-saww, acknowledge the Greatness of My-azwj Names and pay thanks for My-azwj Bounties. Do not hide My-azwj Favours. I-azwj Am Allah-azwj and no one deserves to be worshipped and obeyed besides Me-azwj.
I-azwj Break down the transgressors and Grant wealth to the oppressed. I-azwj Am the One Who has established the religion. I-azwj Am Allah-azwj. No one deserves to be worshipped and obeyed besides Me-azwj. Whoever expects to receive any distinction from someone other than Me-azwj or have fear of the justice of someone other than Me-azwj I-azwj will cause him to suffer a torment the like of which I-azwj will cause no one else of the creatures of the worlds to suffer. Worship only Me-azwj and place your trust only in Me-azwj.
‘I-azwj have not Sent any Prophet-as without, upon the completion of his days, appointing the executor of his-as will. I-azwj have Given preference to you-saww over the Prophets-as and I-azwj have given preference to the executor of your-saww will over the executors of the wills (of the other prophets). I-azwj have Granted you-saww honour through your two brave grandsons, Al-Hassan-asws and Al-Hussain-asws.
I have made Al-Hassan-asws to be the treasurer of My-azwj knowledge after the completion of the time of his-asws father-asws. I-azwj have Made Al-Hussain-asws to be the Keeper of My-azwj Revelation Wahhey (inspiration). I-azwj have Granted him-asws Nobility through martyrdom and made his-asws end Triumphant. He-asws will be the best of the martyrs and of the highest degree in the rank of the martyrs. I-azwj have Kept My-azwj Perfect Word with him-asws and My-azwj extremely clear Authority and Proof available for him-asws. Through his-asws descendent I-azwj will Give good Rewards to people or cause them to suffer torments (due to their disobedience).
The first of them-asws will be Ali-asws (Ibn al-Husayn), Master of the worshippers, and the beauty of My-azwj Friends of the past. Then will be his-asws son-asws who will be very similar to his-asws grandfather, the praised one-asws, Mohammed Al-Baqir, the one very deeply founded in My knowledge and the source and mine of My-azwj wisdom. Those who have doubts about Ja’far-asws will soon be destroyed. Whoever rejects him-asws will be like the one who rejects Me-azwj. The true words have already come from Me-azwj that I-azwj will Dignify the position of Ja’far-asws and will Grant him-asws joy and happiness for his followers, supporters and friends.
‘After him Musa-asws will live at the time of a blind, confusing and dark mischief. (He will live among the people) because the system of obedience to Me-azwj does not break down and My-azwj Authority (proof of My-azwj Existence) does not remain obscure. The thirst (for knowledge and guidance) of My-azwj friends will be quenched with sufficient measures. Whoever rejects anyone of them-asws has (in fact) rejected My-azwj favours. Whoever Changes My-azwj Signs and Verses of My-azwj Book has accused Me-azwj with lies.
‘Woe is to those who fabricate lies and reject (the truth) after the completion of the time of Musa-asws, My-azwj servant, My-azwj beloved, My-azwj Chosen one about Ali-asws (Al-Reza), (Ali Al-Reza-asws) who is My-azwj Wali (the one who possesses Divine Authority), My-azwj Supporter, the one-asws on whom I-azwj will place the task of Prophet-hood and examine how he-asws is dealt with (by others). An arrogant devil will murder him-asws. He-asws will be buried in the city built by the virtuous servant (of Allah-azwj) next to the worst of My-azwj creatures. The words of truth have already been established that I-azwj will Grant him-asws joy and happiness with the blessing of his-asws son-asws, Mohammed-asws, his-asws successor and the heir of his-asws knowledge.
He-asws is the source and fountainhead of My-azwj Knowledge, the right place for My-azwj Secrets and My-azwj Authority over My-azwj creatures. Whoever believes in him-asws I-azwj will Make paradise his dwelling and will Grant him the ability to intercede for seventy people from his family of whom everyone may have judged to be sent to the Hell-fire.
‘I-azwj will Make the end for his-asws son-asws, Ali-asws, to arrive at salvation. Ali-asws is My-azwj Wali (the one who possesses Divine Authority), My-azwj Supporter, the Testimony in My-azwj creatures and My-azwj Trustee in My-azwj Revelation. From him-asws I-azwj will Make to come out a Preacher-asws to My-azwj Way and a Treasure of My-azwj Knowledge, Al-Hassan-asws. I will Complete it with his-asws son-asws (M.H.M.D.), a blessing for the worlds. One will be able to find in him-asws the perfection of Musa-as (Moses), the beauty of Jesus-as and the patience of Ayyub-as.
My-azwj friends in his time will become weak. Their heads will be sent as gifts like the heads of the Turks and Daylam (people in Turkey and people of a tribe). They-asws will be murdered and burned. They will live in fear, frightened and fearful. The earth will be stained with their blood and wailing and crying will become widespread in their women. They-asws will possess My-azwj Authority and through them-asws I-azwj will Remove the blind and dark mischief. Through them I-azwj will Remove uncertainties, sufferings and shackles. These are the ones upon whom the blessings and forgiveness of their Lord-azwj Descend and they-asws are the ones who provide guidance.’’
‘‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Salim has said that Abu Basir said, ‘Even if you hear no other Hadith except this, it will be enough for you. Protect it against everyone except the deserving people.’[14]
Additional Ahadith on 12th Imams-asws:
The narrator of the Hadith says:
‘I heard Ali-asws Ibn Al-Hussain-asws say, ‘Allah Created Muhammad-saww, Ali-asws and the remaining 11 ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority) from his-asws descendants out of the Al-Noor (the Divine Light) of His-azwj Greatness. Allah-azwj then Placed them-asws as Figures in the brightness of His-azwj ‘Al-Noor’ (Divine Light) where they-asws worshipped Him-azwj before the creation of all beings. They-asws would speak of the Glory of Allah-azwj and of His-azwj Holiness. They are the ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority) from descendants of the Rasool Allah-saww.[15]
The narrator of the Hadith says:
‘I heard Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) say, ‘The 12 Imam-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority) all from the family of Muhammad-saww are Muhaddath (the ones to whom Angels speak). They-asws all are from the descendants of the Messenger of Allah-saww and the descendants of Ali-asws. The Messenger of Allah-saww and Ali-asws are their ancestors.’[16]
The narrator of the Hadith says:
‘I was (in the city of al-Madina) when Abu Bakr was no more and he had appointed ‘Umar as his successor. Once, one of the great Jewish men of Yasrab came to ‘Umar. The Jewish man thought that he, ‘Umar, was the most knowledgeable person of his time. He came to ‘Umar and said, ‘O ‘Umar, I have come to accept Islam if you can answer what I will ask. Are you the most knowledgeable person among the companions of Muhammad-saww in the matters of the Book, the Sunnah (Rasool Allah-saww’s traditions) and all that I want to ask from you?’
‘The narrator has said that ‘Umar than said to him, ‘I am not the one you are looking for. However, I can guide you to the one who is the most knowledgeable person in our nation in the matters of the Book, the Sunnah (traditions of the Holy Prophet-saww) and all that you would like to ask.’ He directed him to Imam Ali-asws. The Jewish man then said, ‘If what you say is true then why have you taken the oath of allegiance from people?
The most knowledgeable among you is that man.’ ‘Umar then treated him harshly. The Jewish man went to Ali-asws and said, ‘Are you as such as ‘Umar has said?’ Imam Ali-asws then asked, ‘What has ‘Umar said?’ He then informed him-asws of what ‘Umar had said. The Jewish man said, ‘If you are as he has said you are, I would like to ask you certain questions to know if anyone of you knows the answer so I will know that your-asws claim is true that you-asws are the best and the most truthful among the nations. In such case I will accept your-asws religion, Islam.
‘Amir-ul-Momineen-asws said, ‘Yes, I am as ‘Umar has said I am. Ask whatever you want to ask. I will give the answer by the will of Allah-azwj.’ He said, ‘Tell me about three and three and one.’ Ali-asws said, ‘O Jewish man, why do you not say, ‘Tell me about the seven?’ The Jewish man then said, ‘If you-asws can tell me the answer to the three then I will ask you-asws other questions, otherwise, I will abstain. If you-asws provide me the answer to these seven you then are the most knowledgeable person on earth, the best of them and have more authority over the people than they themselves do.’ Imam-asws then said, ‘Ask your questions O Jewish man.’ He said, ‘Tell me about the first stone that was placed on the face of earth, the first tree that was planted on earth and the first water fountain that gushed out of earth.’
‘Amir-ul-Momineen-asws answered his questions.
The Jewish man then said to him-asws, ‘Tell me how many Imam-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority) will this nation have’? Tell me about your Prophet-saww: where will be his place in Paradise and who will be with him-saww therein’?’
‘Amir-ul-Momineen-asws (Imam Ali-asws) said, ‘This nation will have 12 ‘A’immah-asws. All of them-asws will be from the descendants of the Holy Prophet-saww of this nation. They-asws will be from my-asws descendants. The place of our Holy Prophet-saww in Paradise will be the best and holiest of them in Eden. With him-saww , in his-saww dwelling, will be these 12 people-asws from his-saww descendants. Their-asws mothers-asws and grandmothers-asws and the mothers-asws of their mothers-asws and their-asws descendants will live with them-asws. No one else will live therein as their-asws partners.[17]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Once I went to visit the (house of) the daughter of the Holy Prophet-saww and I saw with Syeda-asws a tablet in which the names of the executors (implementers) of the Wills (of Leaders with Divine Authority) from her descendants were written. I then (with Syeda-asws ‘s permission) counted them to twelve. The last one’s name was Al-Qa’im-ajfj (the one who will rise with Divine Authority and power). The name of three of them was Mohammed-asws and the name of another three was Ali-asws.’[18]
The narrator of the Hadith says: Our 5th Imam said: ‘Allah-azwj Sent Muhammad-saww to all Jinn and man and appointed twelve executors of the will after him. Of these twelve people, there are those who have already left this world and there are those who will enter this world and complete their task. All the executors of the Wills (of the Prophets-as) experienced certain traditions, Sunnah. The number executors of the Will after Muhammad-saww, who explain the ‘Sunnah’, is the same as the number of executors of the will of Jesus (twelve.) Amir-ul-Momineen-asws experienced the tradition of Jesus.’[19]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Amir-ul-Momineen-asws said to ibn ‘Abbas, ‘Layla al-Qadr (the night of destiny Verse 97:1-6) comes every year and in that night the command for the whole year is sent down. The Command is (only) received by the Leaders with Divine Authority after the Rasool Allah-saww.’
‘Ibn ‘Abbas then asked, ‘Who are they?’ Amir-ul-Momineen-asws replied: ‘I-asws and the 11 persons-asws from my-asws descendants-asws who all are ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority), and Muhaddathun-asws, such persons to whom angels speak.’[20]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘The Messenger of Allah-saww once said to his companions, ‘You must believe in the Layla al-Qadr (Night of Destiny: Verse no. 97 in the Holy Quran). It is Ali-asws Ibn Abu Talib-asws and his eleven descendants-asws after me-saww.[21]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Amir-ul-Momineen Ali-asws one day recited (the following Verses of the Holy Quran) to Abu Bakr, ‘Do not think of those slain for the cause of Allah as dead. ‘They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.’ (3: 169) I testify that Muhammad-saww, the Messenger of Allah-azwj, died as a martyr. He-saww, by Allah-azwj, is going to come to you so do not have any doubts when he-saww comes to you. Satan cannot disguise in his appearance.’ Ali-asws took the hand of Abu Bakr and showed the Holy Prophet-saww to him, who said, ‘O abu Bakr, believe in Ali-asws and in the eleven ‘A’immah (Leaders with Divine Authority) from his-asws descendants. They are all like me-saww except the Prophet-hood. Repent before Allah-azwj because of what you are involved in. You have no right to it (taking the position of an Infallible Imam-asws).’
‘The narrator has said that then he-saww vanished and could not be seen around.’[22]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘I heard Abu Ja’far-asws say, ‘There will be 12 ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority) from the family of Muhammad-saww and they-asws all will be Muhaddathun-asws, persons to whom angels speak. They-asws will be of the descendants of the Messenger of Allah-saww and Ali-asws Ibn Abu Talib-asws. The Messenger of Allah-saww and Ali-asws are their ancestors.[23]
The narrator of the Hadith says: Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) has said, ‘After Al-Hussain-asws ibn Ali-asws there will be nine ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority). The ninth of them will be Al-Qa’im-ajfj (the one who will rise with Divine Authority and Power).[24]‘
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘I heard Abu Ja’far-asws say, ‘We are twelve ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority). Al-Hassan-asws and Al-Hussain-asws are of them-asws. Thereafter ‘A’immah-asws (Leaders with Divine Authority) are from the descendants of Al-Hussain-asws.’’[25]
The narrator of the Hadith says: Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) said: ‘The Messenger of Allah-saww has said, ‘I-saww and twelve persons-asws from my-saww descendants and you-asws, O Ali-asws, are the safety anchor of the Earth, that is, the pillars thereof and its ropes. Through us-asws Allah-azwj has Secured the earth from devouring the inhabitants. If all the twelve persons-asws from my family were not to be there, the earth will devour her inhabitants without delay.[26]
The narrator of the Hadith says: Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) said: ‘The Messenger of Allah-saww has said, ‘From my-saww descendants there will be twelve noble supervisors-asws, who are Muhaddathun-asws, persons to whom angels speak, and very intelligent. The last of them will be Al-Qa’im-ajfj (the one who will rise with Divine Authority and Power and with Truth) who will fill the earth with justice after being taken over by the injustice.[27]
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘Once I took an oath with myself that I would not eat any food during the day until the rise of Al-Qa‘im-asws (the rise of Al-Mahdi-ajfj with Divine Authority and power). I then went to see Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq-asws.
‘The narrator has said, ‘A man from your Shi’a (followers) has imposed on himself an oath not to eat any food during the day until the rise of Al-Qa’im-ajfj from the family of Muhammad-saww?
‘The Imam-asws said, ‘Fast, then, O Karrarn. Do not fast on the two ‘Eid days and the three days of Tashriq (11, 12, 13th) of the month of Zil-Haj. Also do not fast when you are on a journey or when you will have an illness.
It is because when Al-Hussain-asws was martyred, the heavens and the earth and all the Angels in them mourned before the Lord. They said, ‘Lord-azwj, grant us permission to destroy the creatures and purge the earth from them because of their disregard of Your-azwj reverence and their murdering Your-azwj Chosen people-asws.’
Allah-azwj then Inspired them, ‘My-azwj Angels-as, My-azwj Heavens and My-azwj Earth be patient and relieved.’ Allah-azwj then Removed a barrier and Muhammad-saww appeared as well as the twelve executors of his-asws will. He-saww held the hand of al-Qa’im-ajfj (the one who will rise with Divine Authority and power) from among them. Allah-azwj said, ‘O My-azwj angels, My-azwj Heavens and My-azwj Earth through this one-ajfj, I-azwj will Grant support for this (the revenge of Al-Hussain-asws).’ Allah-azwj Said it three times.[28]
A Fact-Finding Journey of an Indian Man:
The narrator of the Hadith says: ‘I lived in interior Kashmir, India. My friends would sit on chairs on the right and left of the King. They were forty people and all of them read the four books, Torah, Gospel, Psalms and the books of Abraham. We judged among the people, providing them understanding of their religion and issued legal opinions for them in the lawful and unlawful matters. All people sought assistance from us including the King.
Once we discussed about the Rasool Allah-saww (Prophet Muhammad-saww) and said that this Prophet who is mentioned in the books has remained unidentified to us. We must investigate about him-saww and lead a fact-finding task in his-saww affairs. All agreed that I should go out and lead the fact-finding task. I then set out with a large amount of money and journeyed for twelve months until I reached near Kabul. Turkish bandits robbed and wounded me seriously. They sent me to Kabul where their King saved my life. When he learned about my case, he sent me to Balkh which was under the control of Dawud Ibn al’Abbass ibn abu al-Aswad. Information had reached him that I have come out of India in search of religion and that I have learned Persian and have debated the scholars of law and theology.
Dawud ibn Al-Abbass summoned me to his presence. He gathered the scholars of law against me. They debated me. I then informed them that I have come in search of the Prophet-saww about whom we have learned in the books.
‘They asked, ‘Who is he and what is his name?’ I said, ‘His name is Muhammad-saww.’ They said, ‘You are searching for our Prophet-saww.’ I asked them about his laws and they provided me information. I said, ‘I know that Muhammad-saww is the Prophet but I do not know the one you describe to me. Is he-saww the one I search for or not? You should show where he is so I can go and find out whether the signs that I have are found about are in him-saww or not. If he-saww is the one-saww I am looking for I will accept his-saww religion.’
‘They said, ‘He-saww has passed away.’ I asked them, ‘Who is the executor of his-saww will and his-saww successor?’ They said, ‘Abu Bakr was his successor.’ I asked them, ‘Tell me about his name. This is (Abu Bakr) his Kunya?’ They said, ‘It is ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Uthman.’ They ascribed him to Quraysh. I then asked them to tell me about the family tree of your Prophet, Muhammad-saww.
They informed me of his-saww family history. I said ‘This is not the person I am looking for. The one I am searching for is the one whose successor is his brother in religion and his cousin from his-saww bloodline, the husband of his-asws daughter and the father-asws of his sons-asws. This Prophet-saww will have no children on earth except the sons of this man-asws who is his-saww successor.’
‘He has said that they attacked me and said, ‘O commander, this man has come out a ‘Mushrik’ (polytheist) and has entered disbelief. It is lawful to tip out his blood.’ I said to them, ‘O people, I already have a religion and I strongly believe in it. I do not want to give it up until I find a religion stronger than this. I have found the description of this man-saww in the books that Allah-azwj has Revealed to His-azwj Prophets-as. I came out of my country, India, leaving behind all the honour and respect that I had so that I could find him-saww. When I examined your Prophet the way you described him to me I found out that it did not match the description of the Prophet-saww mentioned in the books. So leave me alone.’
‘The agent (of the government) sent for a man called Al-Husayn Ibn Eshkib and said to him, ‘Debate with this Indian man.’ He said, ‘May Allah-azwj Grant you well-being. There are the scholars of the law and the other scholars. They know better how to debate with him.’ He said to him, ‘Debate with him as I say, and you can meet privately and be kind to him.’
AI-Husayn ibn Eshkib said to me after our consultations. ‘The Prophet-saww that you are looking for is the one these people have described for you but their description of his successor is not the true description. This Prophet-saww is Muhammad-saww Ibn ‘Abdullah-asws ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib-asws. His-saww successor is Ali-asws Ibn Abu Talib-asws ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib-asws. He-asws is the husband of Fatima-asws, the daughter of Muhammad-saww, and the father of Al-Hassan-asws and Al-Hussain-asws, the grandsons of Muhammad-saww.
‘Ghanim Abu Sa’id has said that: I then said, ‘Allahu Akbar, (Allah-azwj is Great beyond description). This is the one I have been looking for.’ I then returned to Dawud ibn al-Abbass and said to him, ‘O commander, I have found what I was searching for. I testify that no one deserves to be worshipped and obeyed besides Allah-azwj and I testify that Muhammad-saww is the Messenger of Allah-saww.’
‘The narrator has said that he treated and helped me with kindness and asked al-Husayn to look after me. Thereafter I went to him until we were acquainted properly and he taught me understanding of the law of the matters that I needed such as prayer, fasting and the obligations.
‘I (the narrator) then said to him, ‘We read in our books that Muhammad-saww is the last of the Prophets and there will be no other prophets after him-saww. The task (Leadership with Divine Authority) after him-saww will be with the executor of his-saww will, his successor-asws and heir-asws. Thereafter it will be with the executor of the will of the preceding one and so on in their descendants until the end of the world. Who is the executor of the will of the executor of the will of Muhammad-saww. He said, ‘They are Al-Hassan-asws then Al-Hussain-asws, the grandsons of Muhammad-saww. He then continued speaking of the executors of the will of the Holy Prophet-saww until the ‘Sahib al-Zaman (the one who possesses Divine Authority today). Then he explained to me what had happened (with ‘A’immah-asws, the Leaders with Divine Authority). Thereafter, I had no other goals but to search for the Holy Location.
He (Amiri) has said that he came to us in Qum. He sat with our people in the year 264 A.H . He then left with them and arrived in Baghdad with his friend from al-Sind who had accompanied him in religion. ‘Amiri has said that Ghanim said to me, ‘I disliked certain things from there I went out to al-’Abbassia and prepared myself for prayer. I began the prayer but I was anxious and thinking about my goal.
At this time someone came to me and called me with my Indian name. I replied, ‘Yes, it is me’ He said, ‘Your master is calling you.’ I went with him and he walked from this to that street until he came to a house and a garden and I saw him-ajfj sitting. The Imam-ajfj said, ‘Welcome, O so and so,’ in Indian language. ‘How are you’? How was so and so,’ until he-ajfj mentioned all the forty people (mentioned in the beginning of the Hadith). The Imam-ajfj then asked me about every one of them. Then he-asws told all that had happened among us, all in Indian language. Then the Imam-ajfj asked, ‘did you want to perform Hajj with people of Qum’?’ I said, ‘Yes, my master.’ The Imam-ajfj then said, ‘Do not go to Hajj with them this year. Go back and perform Hajj in future.’ He-ajfj then gave me a bag of money that was in front of him-asws. The Imam-ajfj said to me, ‘Spend it for your needs and do not go to Baghdad to so and so.’ The Imam-ajfj mentioned his (so and so’s) name and said, ‘Do not tell him anything.’
‘Amiri has said that he came to us at Qum. He then informed us of the triumph and that our people had returned from Al-Aqaba. Ghanim went to Khurasan. Next year he went for Hajj and sent us souvenirs from Khurasan. He lived there for some time and then he died. May Allah-azwj Grant him blessings.’[29]
[1] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Bab Mulud Al-Sahibasws
[2] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 1
[3] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 2
[4] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 128, h 2
[5] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 128, h 3
[6] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 10
[7] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 11
[8] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 17
[9] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 21
[10] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 27
[11] See for example in “Kitab-ul-Ghaibah”, of Shaykh Tusi and “Kamaaluddin” of Ibne Babuwayh
[12] كمالالدين ج : 2 ص : 372, H. 5.
[13] Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 52, h, 138 بحارالأنوار ج : 52 ص : 364
[14] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 3
[15] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 6
[16] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 7
[17] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 8
[18] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 9
[19] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 10
[20] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 11
[21] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 12
[22] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 13
[23] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 14
[24] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 15
[25] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 16
[26] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 17
[27] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 18
[28] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History- 126, h 19
[29] Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter on History, 12th Imamajfj Ibn Imam Hassan Al-Askariasws, h 3