The Promised Mahdi (part Two)

26

Chapter Twenty-Six: Test of the Shia during Occultation of Imam Zamana (a.s.) and prohibition of fixing the time of reappearance

1- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Ja’far bin Muhammad from Ishaq bin Muhammad from Abi Hashim from Furat bin Ahnaf that he said: Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said about the Qaim:

“Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will remain in occultation till an ignorant person says: What does Allah have to do with Aale Muhammad (a.s.)?”

2- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Muhammad bin Himyari from his father from Ibne Yazid from Hammad bin Isa from Ibrahim bin Umar Yamani from a man from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) that he said:

“O Shia of Muhammad’s progeny, you are going to be tested like the kohl in the eye. One knows when the kohl is put into his eye, but he does not know when it gets out of it. Just in the same way that one believes in our matter in the morning and recants it in the evening or he believes in it in the evening and when morning comes, he recants it…

3- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Muhammad Himyari from his father from Ayyub bin Nuh from Abbas bin Aamir from Rabi bin Muhammad Musalli that he said: Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said to me:

“By Allah, people will be broken up like glass, however glass can be joined together again. By Allah, people will be broken up like earthen pots; which if once broken cannot be joined again. By Allah, you people shall be crushed; by Allah, you shall be sieved like wheat is sieved from the chaff.”

4- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Ali Ibne Yaqtin that he said: Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) said to me:

“O Ali, the Shia have been brought up with hopes since two hundred years.”

Yaqtin said to his son, Ali: “What is the matter?! What had been said (by the infallible Imams) to us occurred, but what had been said to you did not occur - he meant the fate of the Abbasids.”

Ali said: “What had been said to you and what had been said to us were from the same source but the time of your matter came and it occurred as it had been said to you whereas the time of our matter did not come yet so we justified that by hopes and wishes. If it was said to us that this matter would occur after two hundred or three hundred years, our hearts would be hard and then most of people would apostatize, but they said to us that it would be so near in order to attract the hearts of people and to make them feel that deliverance was about to come.”

5- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Ghazairi from Bazufari from Ali bin Muhammad from Fadhl bin Shazan from Ahmad bin Muhammad and Ubais bin Hisham from Karaam from Fudhail that he said:

I asked Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) if a time has been fixed for reappearance of Imam Zamana (a.s.) and he replied: “Those who fix a time for it are liars. Those who fix a time for it are liars. Those who fix a time for it are liars.”

6- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Fadhl bin Shazan from Husain bin Yazid Sahhaf from Mudhir Jawwaz from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that he said:

“Those who fix a time for it are liars. We have not timed what has passed and we will not time what is to come.”

7- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from the same chains from Abdur Rahman bin Kathir that he said:

I was with Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) when Muhzim Asadi entered and asked: May I be sacrificed on you, please tell me when the reappearance is? It has been delayed too much.” Abu Abdullah (a.s.) said: “O Muhzim, the ill-wishers have told lies, the hasteners will perish and the believers will be saved and will be with us.”

InGhaibat Nomani also this report is mentioned through two other chains from the same Imam. Ali Babawayh has also quoted it inImamate wa Tabsira through another chain of reporters.

8- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Fadhl bin Shazan from Ibne Abi Najran from Safwan bin Yahya from Abu Ayyub Kharraz from Muhammad bin Muslim from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that he said:

“One who fixes the time of reappearance for you, do not pay attention to his falsification, because we have not specified its time for anyone.”

9- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Fadhl bin Shazan from Umar bin Aslam Bajali from Muhammad bin Sinan from Abul Jarud from Muhammad bin Bashar Hamadani from Muhammad bin Hanafiyah in a tradition condensed as follows that he said:

“The rule of Bani so-and-so will continue till a fixed time. When they get peace and security they will think that their kingdom will never decline. Meanwhile suddenly a divine command will arrive and no king will be able to remain in power. Thus the Almighty Allah says:

“…until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed- produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.” (Surah Yunus 10:24)

The narrator says: I said: May I be your ransom, is some time fixed for the arrival of divine command?

He replied: No, because the knowledge of Allah dominates the knowledge of those who fix the time. The Almighty Allah promised thirty nights to Prophet Musa (a.s.) and then increased ten nights; but neither Prophet Musa (a.s.) was aware of it nor Bani Israel. Thus when the time

expired, they said that Prophet Musa (a.s.) has deceived us. And they began to worship the calf.

Hence when famine and deprivation increases and people begin to deny each other, you should expect the arrival of divine command day and night.”

10- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Fadhl bin Shazan from Muhammad bin Ali from Sadan bin Muslim from Abu Basir that he asked the Imam (a.s.):

“Is there a fixed time for reappearance; so that we can sit quietly till that time?”

He replied: “It was fixed; but you people publicized it and it was postponed.”

11- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Fadhl from Hasan bin Mahbub from Abu Hamza Thumali that he said:

“I asked Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.): O son of Allah’s Messenger, Amirul Momineen (a.s.) used to say: There will be sedition till 70 A.H. and after that there will be peace and prosperity; but 70 A.H. has passed and we are still in problems?”

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said: “O Thabit, it was initially fixed as 70 A.H. but meanwhile Imam Husain (a.s.) was martyred and the Almighty Allah postponed it to 140 A.H. When we informed you about it, you publicized it and the Almighty Allah postponed it further and even we don’t know about the definite time.”

“Allah makes to pass away and establishes what He pleases, and with Him is the basis of the Book.” (Surah Raad 13:39)

Abu Hamza Thumali says that when he asked Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) about it he also verified that it was true.

The same tradition is reported inAl-Kafi from Ibne Mahbub from Abu Hamza Thumali from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.).

12- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Fadhl from Muhammad bin Ismail from Muhammad bin Sinan from Abu Yahya Tamtaam Salmi from Uthman Nawa that he said: I heard Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) say:

“Initially this task was entrusted to me; but later on the Almighty Allah postponed it and kept it in my progeny.”

13- Tafsir Ayyashi: It is narrated from Abu Lubaid Makhzumi that he said: Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said:

“O Abu Lubaid, there will be twelve rulers in the Abbaside dynasty; the last four will be assassinated. They will have very short life spans and their rule will also be brief. They will be of a very evil character. Among them will be the transgressor having the titles of Hadi, Natiq and Ghawi (guide, talking one and fraudster).

O Abu Lubaid, great treasure is there in the code letters of the Holy Quran (Muqattiaat ).”

14- Tafsir Ayyashi: It is narrated from Hisham bin Salim from some of his associates from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that he said in the interpretation of the verse:

“Allah’s commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it…” (Surah Nahl 16:1)

“When the Almighty Allah informed His Messenger (s.a.w.s.) that this would occur at such and such time, He also stressed that he must make haste in it and that he should know that once the Almighty Allah has said that something is about to occur, it is as if it has occurred.”

15- Ghaibat Nomani : It is narrated from Abdul Wahid bin Abdullah from Muhammad bin Ja’far from Ibne Abil Khattab from Muhammad bin Sinan from Abul Jarud that Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said:

“You still wait until you become like frightened goats that the butcher does not care on which of he puts his hand. You will be of no honor and no supporter, to whom you refer your affairs.”

16- Qurbul Asnad: It is narrated from Ibne Abil Khattab from Bazanti that he said:

I asked Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) about a dream, he said after being silent for a while:

“Indeed if you are told about what you are asking, it is harmful for you and also the master of the affair will be responsible for it. You have seen the Firons of Iraq and how they were given respite. Therefore it is obligatory on you to continue to fear the Almighty Allah and do not be deceived by the world and neither should you be deceived by those who have got respite and you should think as if the master of the affair has reached you.”

17- Qurbul Asnad: From the same chains of narrators it is narrated from Bazanti that I said to Imam Ali Reza (a.s.):

“Maula, may I be your ransom, our associates have narrated from Shahab who has in turn narrated from your respected grandfather that he said:

The Almighty Allah did not want to confer rule to the one whom the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) had appointed as his successor.

If Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) had said this, it is very much true.

I said: May I be your ransom, you also comment on it.

He said: Patience and anticipation of Faraj is the best. Have you not heard the statement of the righteous servant of Allah?

“…and watch, surely I too am watching with you.” (Surah Hud 11:93)

“Wait then, I too with you will be of those who wait.” (Surah Araaf 7:71)

Thus you should adopt patience, because after disappointment a prosperous time is sure to come and those who have preceded you were more patient than you.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said: By Allah, the practices of nations correspond to each other. Thus it is necessary that you also have corresponding happenings as the past nations. Thus if you all had consensus on anything, it would have opposed the practice of the past nations.

If scholars (Imams) had managed to get followers capable of maintaining secrets, they would bestowed them treasures of wisdom, but the problem is that the Almighty Allah has made you infected with the malady of divulging

confidential matters. You are a nation that is devoted to us sincerely, but your action is opposed to us. What has happened to you that you can’t control yourself and wait for the Almighty Allah to bring what you want. See this matter will not be advanced by public demand. It is a divine matter, which depends on His intention and He is not hasty. Only one who fears the expiration of a matter makes haste.”

18- Ilalush Sharai: Shaykh Saduq (r.a.) has narrated from his father from Himyari from his chains of narrators directly from Ali bin Yaqtin that he said:

I asked Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.): “How come the predictions about you are never fulfilled whereas all the predictions about your opponents are fulfilled?”

He said: “The predictions about our enemies, since they are true they are fulfilled. And with regard to us it is not predictions; on the contrary they are your aspirations and hopes. Thus their result is obvious.”

19- Ihtijaaj: It is narrated from Kulaini from Ishaq bin Yaqub that it was told to Muhammad Ibne Uthman Amari:

“As for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), it is subject to the will of Allah and one who predicts a time for it, is a liar.”

20- Ikmaaluddin: Shaykh Saduq (r.a.) has narrated from his father from Ali from his father Muhammad bin Fadhl from his father from Mansur bin Saiqal that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said:

“That time (of reappearance) shall not come to pass but after you have become despondent and hopeless. No, I swear by Allah, till you are separated from each other. No I swear by Allah, till you are severely tested. No I swear by Allah, till the time that the unfortunate ones become unfortunate, while the fortunate ones become fortunate.”

21- Ikmaaluddin: Shaykh Saduq has narrated from his father and Ibne Walid together from Himyari from Yaqtini from Salih bin Muhammad from Hani Tammar that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said:

“There will be occultation for the master of this affair. During this those who remain attached to their religion will be like those who rub their hands on a thorny branch. Then he gestured and said: There is occultation for the master of this affair and every person is duty-bound to fear Allah and remain attached to his religion.”

This report is also mentioned in theGhaibat of Shaykh through another chain of reporters.

22- Ikmaaluddin: Shaykh Saduq (r.a.) has narrated from his father from Saad from Ibne Abil Khattab from Ibne Yazi from Abdullah Asim from Husain bin Mukhtar Qalanasi from Abdur Rahman bin Siyabah that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said:

“What will be your condition at that time when you shall be without an Imam or guide and you will be disgusted with each other? At that time you shall be severely examined and you shall be differentiated and sieved. There will be famines. A person will become a ruler in the morning and put to death in the evening.”

23- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Ghazairi from Bazufari from Ahmad bin Idris from Ibne Qutaibah from Ibne Shazan from Ibne Abu Najran from Muhammad bin Mansur from his father that he said:

“Once I came to Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) and there were some people with him. While we were talking with each other, he turned to us and said: “What are you talking about? How far! How far! That, which you look forward to, will not be until you are tested. How far! That, which you look forward to, will not be until you are sieved. How far! That, which you look forward to, will not be until you are sifted. That, which you look forward to, will not be except after despair. That, which you look forward to, will not be until he, who is to be wretched, becomes wretched and he, who is to be happy, becomes happy.”

InGhaibat Nomani , this report is also narrated from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Saeed that he saw it in the book of Abu Abdullah Ja’far bin Muhammad Muhammadi from Mansur bin Saiqal from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) in 268 A.H.

Also Nomani has narrated from Muhammad bin Mansur from his father that he said: “I and Harth bin Mughira with a group of Shia scholars were present in the assembly of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.). The Imam heard our conversation and then he narrates the previous tradition with the addition that every time the Imam said: No, by Allah, that which you look forward to is not to your right. No by Allah, that which you look forward to will not be revealed except that you are distinguished among yourself.”

24- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ahmad bin Idris from Ibne Qutaibah from Ibne Shazan from Ahmad bin Abi Nasr Bazanti that he said: Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) said:

“By Allah, that to which you look forward to, will not come about except after you are distinguished and you are subjected to a test till except for a few, none of you Shia will remain… then he recited the following verses:

“What! do you think that you will be left alone while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken anyone as an adherent besides Allah and His Apostle and the believers…” (Surah Taubah 9:16)

25- Qurbul Asnad: The same is narrated from Ibne Isa from Bazanti with the following addition:

“…till you are subjected to a test, and from every ten persons some persons go out of the pale of faith and will not remain on their original faith.”

26- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Saad bin Abdullah from Husain bin Isa Alawi from his father from his grandfather from Ali bin Ja’far from his brother, Musa bin Ja’far that he said:

“You must continue to protect your religion for the sake of Allah till the fifth descendant of the seventh Imam does not go into occultation. You must lose it in any case. Occultation is definite for the master of this affair and it

will be such an occultation that even those who have faith in it will recant it. It will be a time of a tough examination from the Almighty Allah.”

27- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Asadi from Sahal from Muhammad bin Husain from Ibne Abi Umair from Abu Ayyub from Muhammad bin Muslim and Abu Basir that they said: We heard Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) say:

“This will not occur till two-third population of the world is not destroyed.”

I asked: “Then what would be left of the human population?”

He replied: “Are you not pleased to be of the survivors?”

28- Ghaibat Tusi: It is narrated from Jabir Jofi that he said:

I asked Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.): “When will you come to power?”

He replied: “It’s a pity that it will not be so till you are all sieved like grain is sieved to separate it from chaff. And then you are sieved again and again till there does not remain any impurity and only the clean grain is left.”

29- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Ahmad from Ubaidullah bin Musa from Musa bin Muhammad from Ahmad bin Abi Ahmad from Ibrahim bin Halil that he said:

“I said to Abul Hasan Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.): May I be sacrificed on you! My father died while still believing in this matter (the Imamate) and I became so old. Shall I die and you do not tell me of anything?”

He said: “O Abu Ishaq, you hasten (to hasten the will of Allah).”

I said: “Yes, by Allah, I hasten. Why do I not hasten where I became so old as you see?”

He said: “O Abu Ishaq, by Allah that does not occur until you are tried and clarified until none of you remains save the least. (And he shrank his hand.)”

30- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Ahmad from Ubaidullah bin Musa from Muhammad bin Husain from Safwan bin Yahya that Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) said:

“By Allah, That, which you look forward to, will not be until you are tested and clarified and until none of you remains, save the least and the least.”

31- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Husain from Muhammad Attar from Muhammad bin Hasan Raazi from Muhammad bin Ali Kufi from Ibne Mahbub from Abil Mughra from Ibne Abi Yafur from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that he said:

“Woe unto the arrogants of the Arabs from a soon evil.”

I said: “May I be your ransom! How many of the Arabs will be with the Qaim (a.s.)?”

He said: “Very few.”

I said: “By Allah, those who talk about this matter among the Arabs are too many!”

He said: “People must be tried, sifted and purified. Much many people will be thrown away from the sieve.”

In that book this report is mentioned through another chain from Ibne Abi Yafur from the same Imam. And through another chains it is mentioned inDalail Imamah of Tabari Shii.

32- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Ahmad from Ubaidullah bin Musa from Ahmad bin Muhammad from Husain bin Ali bin Ziyad from Bataini from Abu Basir that he heard Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) say:

“By Allah, you are going to be tested, clarified and sifted like sifting out the bitter grain from wheat.”

33- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ibne Uqdah from Qasim bin Muhammad bin Husain from Ubais bin Hashim from Ibne Jabla from Miskeen Rahhal from Ali bin Mughira from Umair bin binte Nufail that she said: Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a.s.) said:

“The matter that you are expecting will not occur until a time comes that you disavow each other, spit at the face of each other, declare unbelief against each other and curse each other.”

34- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Muhammad and Ahmad, sons of Hasan from their father from Thalaba from Abi Khamas from Imran bin Mitham from Malik bin Zumra that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said:

“O Malik, how about you when the Shia disagree like this?” He interlaced the fingers of his two hands.

I said: “O Amirul Momineen, there will be no any goodness then.”

He said: “O Malik, all the goodness will be then! At that time our Qaim will appear. He will be presented seventy men as liars, fabricating lies against Allah and His Messenger (a.s.) and he will kill them. Then Allah will make people agree unanimously upon one thing.”

35- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Kulaini from some of our associates from Ahmad bin Muhammad from Moammar bin Khallad that he said: I heard Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) reciting:

الم {1} أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

“Alif Lam Mim. Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?” (Surah Ankabut 29:1)

…and then he asked: What is sedition?”

I said: “May I be your ransom! We think that sedition is in religion.”

He said: “People are tested as gold is tested. They are purified as gold is purified.”

36- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Kulaini from Ali bin Ibrahim from Muhammad bin Isa from Yunus from Sulaiman bin Salih directly from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) that he said:

“Your talk (about Qaim) disgusts the hearts of men. Say it to them forcefully. Say more to whoever accepts it and leave aside whoever denies it. There must be a sedition, by which companions, kin and even those who split a hair into two (who are so strict and accurate) fall until no one remains, save us and our sincere Shia (followers).”

37- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ahmad bin Hawza from Abi Hirasa Bahili from Ibrahim bin Ishaq Nahawandi from Abdullah bin Hammad Ansari from Sabah Mazani from Harith bin Haseer from Asbagh bin Nubatah that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said:

“Be like the bees among the birds. All the birds deem them weak, but if they know what blessing there is inside their (the bees’) interiors, they will not do that to them. Mix with people with your tongues and persons and be far away from them with your hearts and deeds.

I swear by Him, in Whose hand my soul is, you will not meet what you like until a time comes that you spit at the face of each other, call each other as liars and until none of you remains, except like the kohl in an eye and like the salt in food. I give you an example. It is like a man having some food (grains). He sifts and purifies it and then he keeps it in a store for some time.

Then he comes back to find that his food has been worm-eaten. He takes it out, purifies it and puts it back into the store for some time. After a time he comes to find that his food has been worm-eaten again. He takes it out, purifies it and puts it back into the store. He does so again and again until nothing of his food remains except the least, which will never be harmed by the worms. So are you! You are going to be clarified until none of you remains save a very few ones, who will never be affected by seditions.”

The author says: The saying of the Imam to act like a bee among the birds is to follow Taqayyah. That is you must not reveal your true faith to the enemies, that they may eliminate you. Like the honey bee does not reveal to the birds what it contains in its belly to they would have destroyed it.

38- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Abdul Wahid bin Abdullah from Ahmad bin Rabbah from Muhammad bin Abbas Ibne Isa from Bataini from Abu Basir that he said: Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said:

“Our Shia (followers) are like a threshing-floor having some grains. The grains are afflicted with worms. They are purified and then are afflicted with worms until very little remains that will never be harmed by the worms. So are our Shia. They are clarified and purified until a very few of them remain, who will never be affected by seditions.

39- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ibne Uqdah from Ja’far bin Abdullah Muhammadi from Taflisi from Samandi from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) from his respected father that he said:

“The believers are tested and purified by Allah. Allah has not assured the believers from calamities and distresses of this life but He has assured them from being wretched in the afterlife. Then he said: Husain bin Ali (a.s.) on the Ashura Day, placed his dead facing each other and said: They have killed us like the prophets and their descendants.”

40- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ibne Uqdah from Ali bin Husain from Hasan bin Ali bin Yusuf and Muhammad Ibne Ali from Sadan bin Muslim from Abu Basir that he said:

I said to Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.): “The reappearance of the master of affair does not have a fixed time that we might rest assured.” He said: “Yes, it was fixed, but you people divulged it and the Almighty Allah postponed it.”

41- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Ahmad from Ubaidullah bin Musa Abbasi from Yaqub bin Yazid from Ibne Abi Umair from Ibne Bukair from Muhammad bin Muslim that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said to him:

“O Muhammad, whoever narrates to you a tradition from us talking about timing, do not hesitate to consider him as a liar, because we do not time to anyone.

42- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ibne Uqdah from Muhammad bin Fadhl bin Ibrahim and Sadan bin Ishaq bin Saeed from Ahmad bin Hasan bin Abdul Malik [and Muhammad bin Husain Qitwani] together from Ibne Mahbub from Ishaq bin Ammar that he said: I heard Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) say:

“There has been an appointment for this matter (deliverance). It has been determined (by the heavens) that it will occur in the year one hundred and forty (A.H.), but when you announced the matter, Allah has put it off.

43- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from the same chains from Ibne Mahbub from Ishaq bin Ammar that he said:

“This matter has been put off twice.”

44- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Kulaini from some of his teachers from Barqi from his father from Qasim Ibne Muhammad from Bataini from Abu Basir that he said:

“The diviners tell lies. We, Ahlul Bayt, do not time. Allah does not consent save to reverse the timing of the diviners.”

45- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Kulaini from Husain bin Muhammad from Mualla bin Muhammad from Hasan bin Ali Khazzaz from Abdul Karim Khathami from Fadhl bin Yasar that he said:

“I asked Abu Abdullah Imam Sadiq (a.s.) if that matter (the appearance of Qaim) had a certain appointment and he said: “The diviners tell lies! The diviners tell lies! When Prophet Musa (a.s.) devoted himself to his Lord, he promised his people that after thirty days, Allah would do away with their enemy. When Allah added ten days to the thirty, the people said that Musa had broken his promise and then they disbelieved and made a metallic calf as their god. When we tell you of something and Allah does as we have told you, you are to say that Allah has fulfilled His promise and when we tell you of something but a different thing occurs, also you are to say that Allah has fulfilled His promise. Then you will be rewarded twice.”

46- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Kulaini from Husain bin Muhammad from Ja’far bin Muhammad from Qasim bin Ismail from Hasan bin Ali from Ibrahim bin Muzhim from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that when we mentioned the Bani Abbas regime, he said:

“People perished, because they hastened this matter (deliverance). Allah does not become hasty just because people urge for their matters to be achieved. This matter (the appearance of Qaim) has a precise time that it must reach. If it reaches its time, it will occur neither an hour sooner nor an hour later.”

47- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Ahmad from Ubaidullah bin Musa from Muhammad bin Ahmad Qalanasi from Muhammad bin Ali from Abi Jamila from Hadhrami that he said: Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said:

“We (the prophet’s progeny) do not time this matter (the appearance of Qaim).”

48- Ghaibat Nomani: It is narrated from Ali bin Husain from Muhammad Attar from Muhammad bin Hasan Raazi from Muhammad bin Ali from Ibne Jabla from Ali bin Abi Hazim from Abu Basir that he said:

I asked Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.): “May I be your ransom! When will Qaim appear?”

He said: “O Abu Muhammad (Abu Basir), we, Ahlul Bayt, do not time. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) has said: “May Allah damn the diviners!” O Abu Muhammad, before this matter, there will be five signs; a call (from the heavens) on Ramadan, the rising of Sufyani, the rising of Khurasani, killing the pure innocent man, and a sinking in the desert.

Before the appearance of Qaim there must be two plagues; the white plague and the red plague.”

I said: “What are they?”

He said: “The white plague is a sudden death and the red plague is killing by the sword. Qaim does not appear until his name will be called out from the heavens in the twenty-third night of Ramadan, which will be a night of Friday.”

I said: “What will be called out?”

He said: “The caller will call out the name of Qaim and the name of his father and will say: “So-and-so the son of so-and-so is Qaim of Muhammad’s progeny. You are to listen to him, and to obey him.” Every living creature will hear the call. The sleepers will wake up and get out to courtyards and the virgins will get out of their veils. Then Qaim will appear after hearing the call. It will be the call of Jibraeel (a.s.).”

49- Al-Kafi: It is narrated from Muhammad bin Yahya from Ahmad bin Muhammad from Ali bin Ibrahim from his father together from Ibne Mahbub from Ibne Raab from Abu Basir from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that he said:

“The Almighty Allah revealed to Imran: I will bestow you with a son, who will restore sight to the blind and cure the lepers; and who will revive the dead by the order of Allah and I will send him as a prophet to Bani Israel.”

Imran mentioned this to Hannah, his wife and Lady Maryam’s (s.a.) mother.

When Lady Hannah was pregnant she was thinking that she was carrying a son but upon her delivery she remarked: My Lord, I have given birth to a daughter and how can a daughter be equal to a son?” That is a girl cannot be a prophet and the Almighty Allah Himself was aware what she has given birth to. But when Lady Maryam (s.a.) gave birth to Prophet Isa (a.s.), he was the same whose glad tidings were given to His Eminence, Imran previously.

So know that if we Ahle Bayt (a.s.) mention something about a person and it does appear in him, you should know that it would appear in his children or grandchildren. You should not think that it was wrong.”

50- Kitabul Motazar: It is quoted from Hasan bin Sulaiman, student of Shaheed Awwal (r.a.) that he saw in a writing of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) as follows:

“Walking in the footsteps of prophethood and Wilayat, we have reached the high peaks of realities.” Then further on it said:

“A spring of the water of life will burst forth for them at a time when they would have burnt in the flames of calamities and years equal to the numerical values ofAlif Laam Meem, Taa Haa andTaa Seen will have passed.”