Visitation On the Shore

The Man From Persia

I had come a long way. Sweat trickled from my head and brow. Dust had settled on my clothes and traveling bales, but there was so much enthusiasm in my heart, that I couldn't feel the tiring journey.

I was near the city of Samerra and even though my legs were weary I quickened my steps. I entered the city, and then said to myself. Where should I go? Who can I ask?

I am a stranger in this town and I know no one. But I know of a house that never turns away the needy, its door is open to every one and the generosity of its inhabitants is a parable on every ones lips. I had traveled in hope of meeting the owners of this house, so it is better I first go there.

I entered the marketplace. I knew a little Arabic. There was an elderly man sitting in front of his stall reading the Quran. I went foreword and greeted him, then, I asked:

“Where does Imam Hasan Askari' reside?"

From my accent, he realized that I wasn't an Arab and that I must have journeyed far to see the Imam. He rose and embraced me, proclaiming his joy at my arrival in this town. He signaled with his hand for me to wait, and then he picked up his Quran, closed his stall and accompanied me.

We passed through the marketplace and entered an alley. After we had walked a short way we stopped in front of a house and he told me that this was the Imam's residence. He then bid farewell to me and returned.

I took a fresh breath, shook out my clothes, ran a hand through my head and over my face and made tidy my hair. The door was open. A curtain laid hanging over the door. Before entering, I knocked and sought permission. I was granted permission.

When my eyes fell on Imam's blessed and dazzling face, I fell upon his feet and started crying. He gently patted me with his fatherly hand and made me sit besides him. He cleaned the dust off my face and said:

How are you?"

Then he inquired about the health of my family and relatives. He looked into my eyes and said:

“Why made you come here? My master!" I replied. “Our far distance from you and our enthusiasm to see you had made us restless. I couldn't endure it any more, so I bid farewell to my family and set out with the intention of serving you.

Imam then smiled a smile worth the whole of the universe; he held my hands and with his soft charming voice said.

“Stay in this house."

Hearing this I was ecstatic and my tears washed the desolation of several years distance from Imam and I thanked him. From that day onwards, I resided in Imam's house and would buy the household's daily needs from the market. One day as I returned home I heard the noise of something moving in the house. Suddenly, in a very loud voice, the Imam cried:

“Stay where you are and don't move!" Of course I couldn't dare move. Thereafter, the Imam told me to enter. I entered the room and there, I saw a bondmaid carrying something in her arms but with a covering. Imam then said to the bondmaid “Take the mantle off from what you carry in your arms."

She obeyed and cast aside the covering.

I then saw an enchanting infant; white skinned, with fetching eyes. Until that day I had never seen such a beautiful child. The Imam then said to me.

“This is your, 'Sahibu - Zaman (master of the age)." He then ordered the bondmaid to take him away and hide him. She left the room but my eyes followed the child.

Thereafter, I realized that he was the only offspring of Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) but he was shown only to the Shiites and elite friends. As the Imam had also trusted me and had shown me his son, Sahibu - Zaman (master of the age) I was extremely happy and prostrated in thanks. After this incident till the day the Imam passed away, I never saw him again.

Several years elapsed. One day I narrated this encounter to my friend. He asked, “At that time when you saw the child, how old was he?" I replied. "Two years".

Forty Witnesses

Friends had gathered together, and their commotion filled the mosque courtyard. The Moazzen's call to prayer could be heard.

Abdullah said.

“Dear friends, reciting prayers at the earliest time possible has great virtue. After prayers we will gather again here.

Every one rose, some of them went to the pool in the center of the courtyard to make ablution and some of them hurried in to the mosque to be in the first line of congregational prayer.

They recited the noon and afternoon prayer and afterwards they, once again, congregated in the courtyard and sat besides each other. The mosque attendant served them with tea and when the conversation died down Jafar Fazari said.

“I heard Muhammad-ibn-Ayoub and Muhammad-ibn-Osman saying: "We were in the house of Imam Hasan Askari) A.S), there were forty of us and Imam presented his offspring to us."

One of those present in the courtyard said.

"Amazing, there were forty of them. I am certain they were of the trusty and worthy Shiites because Imam showed his son to them." Jafar Fazari continued.

“Do you know what the Imam said to them?"

They all replied in one accord. “No, tell us!"

He replied. “Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) said “After me, he is your Imam and my successor, follow him and know that after today, you won't see him again." These forty people then left the Imam's house and a few days later Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was martyred.

At that moment Jaafar Fazari fell silent and nobody else too uttered a word. At that moment Abdullah broke the silence and said.

“We thank God that only the trusted and righteous ones have seen that honorable child and that the news of this meeting has also reached us. Oh God!

Grant us, as well, the privilege to see him!"

All of those present in the mosque cried out in one voice, "Amen!"