Thus, generally, Imam-e-Zaman (a.

Thus, generally, Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) does not Surah Yusuf: 58 Muntakhabul Asar by Lutfullah Safi Gulpaygani, p. 301. go to such people. Those who do not recognize him, perhaps they may see him a number of times but fail to notice him. Hence, the concept of occultation is that Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is without an address. We don't know where and how he resides. Now, as we don't know where and how he resides, does it mean that our ignorance is the cause of his non-existence?

We approach Hazrat Yaqub (a.s.) and ask him, 'O Yaqub! Is your son alive or not?' He (a.s.) will reply in the affirmative. 'Will you see him in the future?' Again, his response is positive. We question him again, 'Where is he now?' He will say 'I don't know.' 'What does he eat?' 'I don't know.' 'What does he do?' 'I don't know.' Certainly, he does not know despite being a prophet the whereabouts of his son Yusuf (a.s.). For, Allah the Almighty has not granted him this knowledge.

Similarly, if we ask the brothers of Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) concerning the whereabouts of their brother, they will reply in the negative and perhaps, might even go to the extent of saying that probably their brother is not alive. Therefore, they lied in the very presence of Hazrat Yusuf (a.s.) and hence he did not come forward to introduce himself initially36. There was a gap of only 20-30 years between the brothers but they could not identify him. This is the very concept of occultation37.

Hence, at the time of reappearance, a number of people, on seeing Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.), will vouch to have seen him earlier. From another aspect, it cannot be said that he does not have any address at all because he does have a general address. For instance, it is said to us that Imam- e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) participates in the Haj rituals every year and during this season, he is present there as the chief of the pilgrims. He does make annual trips to Mena and Arafaat. This is one address.

Any other address? Yes, he has been seen at Karbala too and at the shrines of other Imams (a.s.), his holy ancestors. Religious scholars (ulama) of the past have also seen him at Masjid-e-Jamkaran (near Qum). But does he always sit in Masjid-e-Jamkaran that people should come there and see him? Certainly not.

Similarly, there are also possibilities of meeting him at Masjid-e-Kufa, the shrine of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) at Najaf, Masjid-e- Sahlah (in Kufa), the Cellar (at Saamarra) and other such places, but not always.