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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Special Deputies The Fourth Special Deputy: Ali Ibn Muhammad Samari (r.a.) Name : Ali Agnomen (Kuniyyat): Abul Hasan Father : Muhammad The fourth deputy of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) Abul Hasan Ali Ibn Muhammad (r.a.) attained this special position after Husain Ibn Rauh Naubakhti (r.a.). Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself ordered Abul Qasim Ibn Rauh Naubakhti (r.a.) to appoint him to this post.

The Samaris were among those Shia families that were highly respected for their services to Islam in general and the Shiite cause in particular. Hence, his appointment as the fourth deputy was undisputed. Many individuals from this family like Hasan, the son of Ismail Ibn Saleh and Muhammad, the son of Ali Ibn Ziyad were owners of large estates.

They had gifted the income from their estates to the eleventh Imam Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.).[^1] Apart from this, some members of Samari family were amongst the supporters of Imam Reza (a.s.). In this way, some of the companions of other Imams (a.s.) also belonged to this family. For example, Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ziyad served as a representative of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) and Imam Hasan Al-al-Askari (a.s.).

He also wrote a book ‘Al-Awsiyaa’ in which he clarified doubts on the Imamate of the twelfth Imam (a.s.). The respected Sayyid Ibn Taawoos (r.a.) has made a mention of this book on page number 427 of his highly acclaimed work, ‘Mohaj al-Da’waat’ (p. 428 of the new edition with Persian translation). Sayyid Ibn Taawoos (r.a.) has brought two incidents from the book ‘Al-Awsiyaa’ that describe the end of the Abbaside Caliphs Mo’tasim and Motazid, the murderers of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.).

In the same manner, we find that Ali Ibn Ziyad wrote a letter to Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) seeking a shroud from him (a.f.t.s.). Imam (a.s.) replied, ‘You will require this only at the age of 80 (i.e. in 270 AH).’ Ali Ibn Ziyad passed away in the year 270 AH and a few days prior to his demise, Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) fulfilled his request.[^2] These few incidents are sufficient to exemplify the importance, nobility and dignity of the members of Samari family.

Their illustrious position does not come as a surprise given that over the years, they were active supporters and helpers of the cause of the holy Imams (a.s.). The Title of the Fourth Deputy There exists a difference of opinion in the title of the fourth deputy from the aspects of pronunciation and writing.