Visitation On the Shore

Master of the Shiites

The weather was warm. I left my home, as I wanted to visit my store. In the middle of the alley I met an acquaintance and we continued on together. On the way he asked me.

“Do you know who the Sahib-ul-Amr is? (The master of affairs) I stopped, stared in to his face and replied.

"No I don't. Do you?"

He replied, “They say his son is the Sahib-ul-Amr (the master of affairs)." “As of today," I said,” We haven't seen him, so how are we to recognize him! He nodded but I failed to know whether it was in denial or agreement to my words.

We turned into a street and from there we entered an alley. Our route passed close to Imam Hasan Askari's (a.s.) house. When we drew nearer, Imam's sparkling face caught our attention. We went closer, greeted him and received a charming response.

The Imam asked how we were and we replied that we are stuck on a problem. “Ask me." The Imam said.

“Master!” we replied. “Who is the Sahib-ul-Amr (The master of affairs)? We mean the same person who would reform the world and would put an end to tyranny and oppression?"

Imam took one look at my friend and me and cast another look around and then pulled aside the curtain that was hanging in front of the door and said. “Take a look."

I looked inside the house and saw a child of five whose height was of eight to ten hand spans. His forehead was bright and shining; his face pink and white and his eyes sparkling.

His hands and forearms were strong and powerful and his right cheek had a mole on it. The child came out of the house and Imam (a.s.) took him into his arms and said.

“This is your master." He then placed the child on the ground, addressed him and said.

“Son, return to the house tills the imminent time."

The child left his father and we, in wonder and amazement, looked at him. Instantly the aroma of daffodils and jasmine filled the atmosphere of the alley.

The Attendant called Naseem

Joy and happiness engulfed the whole house. The household members, particularly Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) and his lady, Narges, were extremely happy over the birth of their infant.

We all wanted to shout and celebrate so that the news of his birth would reach the four corners of the earth. But this secret had to remain concealed.

The enemies had waited for such a day because, according to them, by killing him, their tyrannical aims would be accomplished.

Imam had commanded that the news of his son's birth should not be proclaimed under any circumstances. I had gone, as usual, to buy the household needs from the marketplace. When I returned, I entered Imam Hasan Askari's (a.s.) room.

I saw him holding his infant in arms; and he gazed at him and kissed his enchanting face.

I stood transfixed for a moment; it was as though the sun and the moon had gathered in one place. What a beautiful sight. I sneezed suddenly. The infant in a heavenly angelic voice said.

" Yar-hamoka'l-Allah (God bless you)."

I was amazed at the infant talking and I hesitated a moment, but then I remembered that the pure Imams talked in infancy just as Jesus (A.S) spoke from the cradle.

Then once again he addressed me and said:

“Oh Naseem! Let me give you glad tidings about sneezing."

“May my life be sacrificed for you?" I replied. “Tell me."

“Sneezing keeps a person immune from death for three days." He answered.

My gaze lay fixed on his flower like face; after this short talk, his lips closed like a bud and he turned his eyes towards his father's kindly face.

My whole being was overcome with joy and I thanked God for being fortunate enough for allowing me to be present in this bountiful house.