But, the Imam was properly introduced to a close circle of 40 disciples.

But, the Imam was properly introduced to a close circle of 40 disciples. After the poisoning of his father in 260 AH, the Imam executed his duties through four special representatives for 69 years. Since 329 AH, the Imam has been in occultation waiting for Allah's permission to appear for the eventual implementation of justice. His mission is undoubtedly universal. As a minor resurrection, the Imam's appearance represents Islam's revival.

For the divine knowledge he inherited, he is a true partner of the Quran. Only he knows the Ta'weel of the confuted (Mutashabahat) verses. The Muhkamat verses are self explanatory for the learned. Quoting the Quran on the resurrection of a prophet 100 years after his death, and bringing back to life the youths of the Cave after 300 years, are proofs that the Middle resurrection is not a Shi'ah invention (as some ignorant call it).

Raj'ah simply means the coming of specific persons back to life - by the leave of Allah. Some of these are pious (like the above examples) and others could be ordinary witnesses (like the dead whom Moses smite by the tail of a slaughtered cow). The ultimate judge is always Allah. The majority of the wrongdoers will undoubtedly be sentenced on the day of reckoning. However, the Quran declares that the ones who have persistently committed heinous crimes will have two deaths and two resurrections.

Imam Mahdi will bring such to the book, especially if they were the ones who laid the foundation of persecution of Ahlul Bait and subsequently caused the tragedy of Karbala. Previous…