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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discussion On Imam-e-zaman(a.t.f.s.) The Philosophy of Occultation (ghaibah) The philosophy of occultation is one of the fundamental discussions. That is, among the seventeen or eighteen discussions regarding Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), the philosophy of occultation is among the most sensitive.

Some of these questions are as follows: 'Why has Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) gone into concealment?' 'Why occultation was not for other Imams (a.s.) as well?' 'Why Allah did not place the Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.) in hiding to achieve the same goal destined for His last Hujjat (a.t.f.s.)?' 'Why Allah has not hidden Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)?' 'Basically, what is the need for occultation?' 'Was it not possible for Allah that when the conditions of reappearance were provided for, to raise a person, who would take all those steps that are supposed to be taken by Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) and establish universal justice on the earth?' These questions are occasionally put across as objections and at times, are asked with the intention of poking fun at the concept of occultation.

The opponents contend that, 'This mode of putting in occultation of a man and making him reappear after a thousand years implies that Allah is unable to train a man and hence, He has kept him concealed for this day. What was the harm if the twelfth Imam, like the previous Imams, would perform all the tasks assigned unto him and like his ancestors was killed through poison or sword? Whenever Allah willed, He could have got His work done.

Just as He had sent the Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.) at an appropriate time, He could have dispatched an individual to realize His aim at an opportune moment. As Allah did not send Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) in occultation for the necessity of the arrival of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), in this instance too, there was no need to conceal Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.). As and when the need arose, He could have sent a man to achieve the desired objective.

In reply to the question, 'why Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) has gone into occultation?' traditions have furnished various types of answers. Here, we shall present the numerous reasons that have been cited and then try to establish a relationship between them and draw some conclusion. We find in traditions that the infallible Imams (a.s.) were questioned as to why Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) went into hiding?