The moot point here is that is the subject of Imam Mahdi (a.

The moot point here is that is the subject of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) like Namaz? So, in this chapter, our efforts will be focused on finding the status of this belief in Islam and we will attempt to answer an old question in this regard, i.e. 'Is this belief an Islamic one or is it confined to the Shias only?' Has this matter, which has been related by the Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.) and the infallible Imams (a.s.) as an Islamic principle, has yet come into occurrence or not?

To put it simply, has the birth of the universal reformer, Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), taken place or will he be born in the future? Another facet of this discussion is whether this universal reformer is a known and specific individual or anybody bringing reform would be the Mahdi? How was the birth and personal life of the promised one? People have heard a lot about the general discussions pertaining to Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) but most are unaware about the particularities.

His example is like that of a garden about which we have heard a lot but never stepped into it. Here, we would like to explore the following: the personal characteristics of Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.); the conditions during his birth; the mode of his life; the manner and reasons for his occultation and so on and so forth. As you observe, these are historical discussions and scientific or natural insight will not serve any purpose to achieve breakthroughs in them.

These are purely historical deliberations and hence, one should refer only to books of history. Of course, it is evident for all that it's not essential at all to find these particularities in the Holy Quran. Occultation and its meaning. What do we mean when we say that Imam- e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is in occultation? The philosophy of occultation. This talk is quite significant as to why Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) went into concealment and why he (a.t.f.s.) is not yet appearing?

10)Life of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) during occultation 11)Longevity and its evidences. Proving longevity through the Holy Quran, traditions, modern sciences, ancient knowledge and philosophical dialectics. 12)Benefits of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) during occultation. The approach adopted here is presentation of the doubt followed by replies. 13)The means of deriving benefit from Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) during occultation. 14)Responsibilities of the Shias during occultation.