Another part indicates his occultation and the fact that he...

Another part indicates his occultation and the fact that he is concealed from the public-view and cannot be recognized. These 'Mustafiza' and rather 'Mustawatir' traditions clearly stipulate and or necessarily indicate that Mahdi, the Expected one is the immediate son of Imam Abu Muhammad Hassan Askari. Moreover this indication is so manifest and evident that no one has any doubt in it and none disputes.

Now we say: Based on this, we are bound to accept one of the following: Firstly that, we reject the afore-said traditions from the view - point of chain of transmission and weakness in indication and as a result deny the afore- mentioned claims.

Reply: Anyone who had reviewed the traditions and gone through the books of 'Rijal' (distinguished scholars) can never ever imagine such an affair because a number of partisans of traditions have confessed the authenticity of some of them and have given evidence of their credibility and acceptability. Rather, Hakem who is the leader of this art has himself recorded some of them and as per the view of Bukhari and Muslim, has reckoned them to be correct.

Thus, man's conscience itself bears testimony to this objection. Secondly, renouncing and abandoning those traditions and not acting upon them. Reply: This obligation is an independent reasoning against the correct and explicit texts. Rather, just as you were told before, most of the scholars of Ahl-e- Sunnat have clearly stipulated the successive transmission of these traditions and compendiously reckoned their issuance to be decisive.

Thus, resorting to this obligation will amount to refutation of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A) and rejection of what has come from him through successive transmission nothwithstanding that which Allah says: (Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed) Thirdly, being bound over the matter of non-existence of Mahdi and the continuation of the life of Abu Muhammad Hassan Askari until the end of time when Allah has foretold the birth of Mahdi.

Reply: Here too, we cannot consider this saying to be correct because Shias and Sunnis are unanimous over this fact that Abu Muhammad Hassan Askari has already passed away in the year 260 A.H. Taken for granted that Imam Hassan Askari has lived till now and is still alive, why can't we assume the same for Mahdi and compel ourselves in believing him to be still alive and living.