To prove this issue...

To prove this issue, the author first proves prerequisites such as the necessity of existence of Imam (a) at any time, necessity of the infallibility of Imam (a) and presence of Imam (a) among people. 2. The birth of Imam Hujja b. al-Hasan al-‘Askari (afs) and proves his birth with reasons and reports. 3. About people who have met Imam al-Mahdi (afs) 4. Miracles of Imam (a) and some letters received from him 5. Obstacles of his coming 6.

Reports about Imam’s (a) agents (including both praised and criticized ones), mentioning the names and condemning those who claimed to be agents of Imam (a). 7. Lifetime of Imam (a) and explanation of reports about his death; the unknown nature of his advent and explanation of reports which have marked a certain time for his advent; mentioning the signs of his advent. 8. Mentioning some of his characteristics, attributes and conduct. Features and Importance of the Book 1.

Being the reference on the issue of occultation: this book has an important position due to the importance of its author and its topic and if someone wants to write a book on Mahdism and occultation, he has to refer to this book. This has been the reason that since the past, scholars and researchers pay a special attention to this work. 2.

Excluding Hudud to the time of Imam’s (a) presence: the author believes that Hudud can only be performed only by the Infallible and they are not applicable now. 3. Those who claim deputy-ship: in this book, names of some of those who claimed to be a deputy of Imam (a) have been mentioned and their arguments have been said. 4. First-hand references: al-Shaykh al-Tusi’s access to first-hand references and his knowledge about hadiths has given a special value to this work.

Sources and References of the Book References al-Shaykh has benefited from can be divided in two groups: References which are now accessible to us such as al-Kafi, Nu’mani’s al-Ghayba, Kamal al-din wa tamam al-ni’ma, al-Shaykh al-Mufid’s Arba’ risalat fi l-ghayba, al-Sayyid al-Murtada’s al-Dhakhira, Masa’il Ali b. Ja’far (a), Sulaym b. Qays al-Hilali. References which are not available now such as Sa’d b.

‘Abd Allah al-Ash’ari al-Qummi’s al-Diya’ fi l-radd ‘ala al-Muhammadiyya wa al-Ja’fariyya, al-Raj’a, Fadl b. Shadhan’s al-Qa’im, Ibn Nuh al-Sirafi’s Akhbar al-wukala’ al-arba’a, al-Awsiya’ and Shalmaghani’s al-Ghayba and Ali b. Ahmad al-‘Alawi’s Nusrat al-waqifa.