Abul Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri
In 941 (329 AH), the fourth deputy announced an order by al-Mahdi, that the deputy would soon die and that the deputyship would end and the period of the Major Occultation would begin.
The fourth deputy died six days later and the Shi’a Muslims continue to await the reappearance of the Mahdi. In the same year, many notable Shi’a scholars such as Ali ibn Babwayh Qummi and Muhammad ibn Yaqub Kulayni, the learned compiler of al-Kafi also died.
Major Occultation:
According to the last letter of al-Mahdi to Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri “from the day of your death [the last deputy] the period of my major occultation (al ghaybatul kubra) will begin. Hence forth, no one will see me, unless and until Allah makes me appear.”] Another view is that the Hidden Imam is on earth “among the body of the Shi’a” but “incognito.” “Numerous stories” exist of the Hidden Imam “manifesting himself to prominent members of the ulama.”
Reappearance:
Twelver Shi’as cite various references from the Qur’an and reports, or Hadith, from Imam Mahdi and the Twelve Imams with regard to the reappearance of al-Mahdi who would, in accordance with Allah’s command, bring justice and peace to the world by establishing Islam throughout the world.
At this time, Imam al-Mahdi will come wielding Allah’s Sword, the Blade of Evil’s Bane, Zulfiqar, the Double-Bladed Sword. He will also come and reveal the texts in his possession, such as al-Jafr and al-Jamia.
Shi’as believes that Jesus will also come (after Imam Mahdi’s re-appearance) and follow the Imam Mahdi to destroy tyranny and falsehood and to bring justice and peace to the world.
Titles:
The 12th Imam is known by many titles in Shi’a Islam, including:
• Al-Mahdi (the Guided one)
• Al-Muntathar (the Awaited one)
• Al-Qa’im (the Rising one)
• Sahab az-Zaman (the Master of the Age)
• Imam az-Zaman (the Leader of the Age)
• Wali al-’Asr (the Guardian of the Era or alternatively, the Guardian in the Twilight [of man])
• Al-Hujjah (the Proof [of Allah’s justice])
Sunni view:
The majority of Sunni Muslims do not consider the son of Hasan al-Askari to be the Mahdi nor to be in occultation. However, they do believe that the Mahdi will come from Muhammad’s family, more specifically from Al-Hasan’s descendants. Sunnis believe that the Mahdi has not yet been born, and therefore his exact identity is only known to Allah. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri narrated that Muhammad said:
Our Mahdi will have a broad forehead and a pointed (prominent) nose.
He will fill the earth with justice as it is filled with injustice and tyranny.
He will rule for seven years
—Abu Sa’id al-Khudri
Umm Salamah said:
I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “The Mahdi is of my lineage and family”
—Umm Salamah,
He would protect the Muslims from destruction and would restore the religion to its original position.
Sunnis also believe that Jesus will return alongside the Mahdi, with the only difference being that they disagree with the Shi’a regarding exactly who the Mahdi is.
Scholarly observations:
Some scholars, including Bernard Lewis also point out, that the idea of an Imam in occultation was not new in 873 but that it was a recurring factor in Shi’a history.
Consequence of occultation of Twelfth Imam:
The occultation of 12th Imam left a considerable gap in leadership of Shi’as. According to Shi’as beliefs the Imam was both the spiritual and political head of the community. After the greater occultation, the role of Imam as the head of community left vacant, which did not theoretically matter at the beginning of Occultation because Shi’as had no political power at that time. This problem has caused continuing tension between government and religion throughout the Shi’as history.
Muhammad Al-Mahdi Imam of Twelver Shi’a Islam
| Rank | 12th Twelver Imam |
| Birthplace | Samarra, Iraq |
| Buried | n/a – in Occultation |
| Life Duration | Before Imamate: 5 years (255 – 260 AH) Imamate: Occultation (260 AH – present) -Minor Occultation: 70 years (260 – 329 AH) -Major Occultation: ??? (329 AH – present) |
Titles
• Al-Mahdi (Arabic for Guided One)
• Al-Qa’im (Arabic for One who Rises)
• Al-Hujjah (Arabic for The Proof)
• Sahib az-Zaman (Arabic for Master of the Era)
• al-Muntadhar (Arabic for the Awaited One)
• Hujjatullah (Arabic for Proof of Allah)
• al-Gha’ib (Arabic for The Unseen One)
• Sahib al-Amr (Arabic for Master of Command)
• Imam al-’Asr (Arabic for Imam of the Age)
• Onikinci Ali (Turkish for Twelfth Ali)
| Father | Hasan al-’Askari |
| Mother | Narjis |
Ali – Hasan – Husayn al-Sajjad – al-Baqir – al-Sadiq al-Kadhim – al-Rida – al-Taqi al-Hadi – al-Askari – al-Mahdi
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Al Maktum, Rashid ibn Said (1914-1990): ruler of Dubai
