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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Questions On Titles Na'ib E Imam (representive of the Imam) Nice title eh? As soon as Shiites look at this title their hearts simply fall for the guy who uses it. This is due to their love for Imam Mahdi (a.s.). The only problem is that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) never allocated this title to be used by any of these guys. Let me explain.

Historically, this term was used to denote the four representatives of the Twelfth Holy Imam (a.s.) who were the residents of Baghdad, during the minor occultation. All the Holy Imams (a.s.) from the first Holy Imam (a.s.) to the eleventh Holy Imam (a.s.) had their own representatives in different areas but the had never used this title for them.

What was the reason for labelling these four as such when they themselves never used this title nor did anyone else ever used it for them during their time and there is no reference for this in history books? The colossal Al Kafi of Sheykh Kulayni which was written during the minor occultation has no mention of this. In fact, none of the four canonical books of the Shiites has any reference to this.

Yes, the only one who claimed to be the representative was Shamalghani, who was immediately reprimanded by way of a Holy letter. The Shiites then used to go in front of his house and send curses upon him. He is being referred to as the accursed one even today. (Maybe the Shiites of that time comprehended the weight of this title).

There is only one reason that comes to the fore as to why this label was stuck to the four representatives, and that is to profit from it during the time of occultation so that a parallel system of rule can be established. They then classified the four as special representatives and themselves as general representatives. But this is an invalid act as the special representation has yet to be proven and so how can you prove general representation.

Even if the special representation is somehow proven, that still does not prove their general representation because:- None of the four representatives were Mujtahids which these people have now become. None of them ever used the weapon invented by the Sunnis (Usool E Fiqh) in order to refute the Hadeeth of the Holy Infallibles (a.s.). None of them has ever issued a Fatwa.

None of them had ever considered the people to be ignorant, placed a collar of Taqleed on their necks, published any of their Tawzeehs, or created their own respective group of emulators.