His name and agnomen is the same as that of the Prophet...

His name and agnomen is the same as that of the Prophet; he is the one who will fill the earth with justice and equality just as it would be filled with injustice and tyranny. “O Ahmad, his example is that of Khizr and Dhul Qarnayn [who are believed by Muslims to be still living]. By Allah, he will go into Occultation in such a manner that none will gain salvation except the one whom Allah blesses with the belief in his imamate...” 2.

The Imamat & Ghaybat After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-’Askari in 260 A.H., the imamate of Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his appearance) began. His imamate is divided into two parts: The first 69 years which is known as the period of “al-Ghaybatu. }s- Sughra — the Minor Occultation”. The period after 329 A.H. which is known as “al-Ghaybatu ‘l-Kubra — the Major Occultation” The imamate of Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) began with Occultation (ghaybat) which has continued till the present time.

However, during the first 69 years, the Shi’as could get in touch with the Imam only through his specially appointed agents; whereas after 329 A.H., no such agents were appointed.

To explain the difference in the intensity of the Occultation, the first period is described as “minor, lesser, sughra or qasira” whereas the second period is described as “major, greater, kubra or tawila.” If the Occultation had taken its “major” form from day one, the Shi’a community could not have adjusted to the situation easily; there would have been great chaos and confusion.

The gradual intensification in the Occultation made the Shi’as used to the idea of not dealing with the Imam directly.10 3. The Ghaybat Sughra During the Ghaybat Sughra, Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) had appointed four special agents, one after another, as a link between himself and his Shi’as. Of course, there were other agents also but with limited jurisdiction or limited duties. The four special agents were as follows: ‘Uthman bin Said al-’Amri, known as Abu Amr.

Muhammad bin ‘Uthman bin Sa’id, known as Abu Ja’far. Husayn bin Rawh an-Nawbakhti, known as Abul Qasim. ‘Ali bin Muhammad Samary, known as Abul Hasan. ‘Uthman bin Sa’id was also a prominent companion and agent of Imam ‘Ali an-Naqi (a.s.) and Imam Hasan al-’Askari (a.s.). He was resident of Samarra. In order to hide his link and 10 For this explanation of the shorter and longer Occultation, see the introduction by Sayyid S. Akhtar Rizvi to Ibn Shadhan, The Return of al-Mahdi.