4- Shias believe that all of the above must be infallible.

4- Shias believe that all of the above must be infallible. On the basis of what this writer says, “Allah did not bring about what was incumbent on Him. That is, after the passing away of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) He did not appoint Imam Mahdi (a.s) immediately. Rather He has postponed the Imamate of Mahdi (a.s) for the Last Age!!” If Shias say that this same Mahdi is now the Imam we shall ask what is the use of an Imam in occultationa Since he is incapable of removing oppression.

In spite of the fact that the Imams prior to him, even though their tenure was close to the period of the Prophet, they were present in public view. Whereas this period, which is furthermost from the period of the Prophet and oppressions have increased, there is greater need of an Imam. And that upon which the scholars are unanimous is that Mahdi is the Qaim of the Last Age and he would fill the earth with justice.

[1] The denial of Suwaidi has no basis and the belief of the Shias regarding the Imam of the time has no contradiction with the other principles of faith as Suwaidi has conjectured. Because the appointment of the Imam is logically incumbent on Allah, in view of His Grace, and Shias are firmly convinced about this. Imam Mahdi (a.s) is one of the twelve Imams who are successors of the Prophet of Islam.

He has gone into occultation away from the view of people due to hidden wisdom as we have already explained in the forgone pages. He would indeed reappear and establish truth, justice, prosperity and peace among the people.

Ahmad Kasravi Ahmad Kasravi had been unjust upon the Shia people and attributed falsehood and made allegations about them regarding the Imam of the time (a.s) saying: “When Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) passed away in 260 A.H., a great problem arose because he did not leave behind any issue. The Rafidis (Shias) fell into great confusion and many divisions appeared among them. A group claimed that the purpose of Imamate was over hence it had come to an end.

A group began to follow Ja’far, the brother of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s). While Uthman bin Saeed a trusted aide of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) made a very surprising claim that Imam Hasan Askari indeed had a five year old son who disappeared into the basement and he shall not appear for anyone and that he is the Imam after his father.” [2] Partialities and loyalties of this writer towards the imperialist powers are known to all.