ভূমিকা

Whatever they both convey to you they convey from us.’ [^1] Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) reiterates, لَمْ يَزَلْ ثِقَتُنَا فِى حَيَاةِ الْاَبِ- رضى الله عنه- ‘He is for us, trustworthy and reliable, from the time of his father (‘Uthman b. Sa’eed (r.a.))’ [^2] Our salutations to that great personality, who is considered as trustworthy and reliable by two infallible Imams (a.s.). We bear witness, O Muhammad b.

‘Uthman (r.a.) (during the period of Minor Occultation ( غيبت صغري )) you were the door to reach Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and that you accomplished this responsibility in the most excellent manner, and that you were a trustworthy representative. And we bear witness that Allah chose you for this deputyship with His Light. In the backdrop of this information, we shall now learn more about this esteemed personality.

Name, Title And Agnomen His name is Muhammad and his father’s name is ‘Uthman and his grandfather’s name is Sa’eed. His grandfather was from Amr, hence Amri is added to his name and he is known as Muhammad b. ‘Uthman b. Sa’eed Amri. His agnomen (Kuniyyat) is Abu Ja’far and no other agnomen is found in the books other than this. His titles are Amri, Asadi, Kufi, Sammaan and al-Askari.

Opinions of Scholars We have already gauged his importance in the beginning through the sayings of the guided Imams (a.s.). Hereunder are the opinions of some scholars: Shaykh at-Tusi (r.a.) writes in his book of Rejaal, ‘’Muhammad b. ‘Uthman b. Sa’eed Amri (r.a.), his agnomen is Abu Ja’far and that of his father is Abu Amr.

Both of them were the representatives of Imam az-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) and had an esteemed position among the Imamite Shiites.”[^3] A similar narration is recorded by Allama al-Hilli (r.a.) in his book on Rejaal, Part 1, under the alphabet of meem, no 57. Marhoom Maamqaani (r.a.) records in his book Tanqeehul Maqaal - ‘The great position and high status of this man (Muhammad b. ‘Uthman (r.a.)) is renowned and does not warrant any explanation and proof.

While studying the conditions of the life of his father it becomes evident that he (Muhammad b.