*Why doesn’t Imam Mahdi(atfs) reappear?*
*Excerpt No – 11*
*Book – Ghaibat Al Tusi*
*Author – Shaikh e Tusi(ar)*
*Chapter – 5: Causes of delay in reappearance of Imam Mahdi(atfs).*
The chapter discusses two reasons for the delay in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi(atfs).
*1. Threat to life:*
One of the main reasons for Occultation of Imam Mahdi(atfs) is because his life is in danger from the enemies of Allah(swt). These enemies are well aware that Imam Mahdi(atfs) will put an end to every tyranny. He would fill the earth with justice and equity, and destroy injustice and oppression. This is why the unjust Caliphs pursued Imam(atfs) via spies and other evil tactics, for the purpose of getting information about his whereabouts so that they could end his blessed life.
Imam Mahdi(atfs) being the Proof of Allah(swt) is mindful of such intentions and hence he is concealed from those who may harm him.
To get a better understanding, we can draw an example from the life of Holy Prophet(sawa) who was forced to live in Sheb e Abu Taalib(as) and at another time had to hide in a cave to save himself from the enemies. Similarly Imam Ali(as), was also compelled to conceal himself from public life for a certain period. The complexity of times and the lack of supporters were the factors that forced Imam Ali(as) to manage the affairs from his house. Later on when the situation changed, Imam Ali(as) took a stand against the enemies.
Unlike his blessed forefathers(as), Imam Mahdi(atfs) has to live a more cautious life because if any of the other Imams(as) were martyred, then they had a successor to take Imamat forward. But Imam Mahdi(atfs) is the 12th and final Imam in the divine chain of Imamat, and there is no successor after him, therefore the safety of his life is of utmost importance.
Hence, Imam Mahdi(atfs) has to bear this great difficulty of living in occultation in order to safeguard and ultimately fulfill the divine mission.
*2. Test during occultation:*
This means that the faith of those who claim to be Shias will be tested during the period of Occultation. Only those who are sincere in the face of hardships and keep themselves away from doubt will be counted amongst the true followers of Imam Mahdi(atfs).
We have seen in history that there were many people who claimed to be the followers of Holy Prophet(sawa) and the Imams(as), but in reality they were hypocrites and individuals with weak faith, who damaged Islam and even killed the Infallibles(as). To ensure that there are no such defects amid the companions of Imam Mahdi(atfs), the faith of believers is excessively tested.
Imam Kazim(as) on this matter says.
“By Allah(swt), that which you look forward to (reappearance) will not happen, until you are distinguished and subjected to a test, then except for a few none of you Shi’a will remain…”.
May Allah(swt) hasten the reappearance of Imam Mahdi(atfs) and include us amongst his truthful companions.