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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discussion On Imam-e-zaman Longevity A discussion that should be dealt with independently is that of longevity of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.)-A point that is often treated with cynicism and skepticism. It is a cause of deviation of many a group in the long course of history, particularly in the last hundred years or so.

At the first level, we shall analyze longevity from the angle of proving it, so that we may see as to what is the reason that Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is alive for such a long period. Thereafter, the mode of his life in this era and the standard of effect of longevity on his physique will be investigated. Initially, the discussion shall be examined from the aspect of traditions and Islamic texts, followed by the presentation of doubts and then from various angles, their replies will be given.

The Sunnis have accepted the belief in Mahdaviyat in principle and many of their prominent scholars have even confessed to the fact that he (a.t.f.s.) is from the progeny of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) and Imam Husain (a.s.). But they have not acknowledged that he (a.t.f.s.) is alive and has a long life. Rather, they are of the view that he (a.t.f.s.) will be born in the last era.

Some of them (Sunnis) opine that Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) is dead and will be reborn because there are some traditions that declare, “He will rise after his death58”. Relying on this tradition, they subscribe to the view that he (a.t.f.s.) will die and be resurrected.

In response to this group, we state that this tradition implies the death of his remembrance (and not Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) himself), as we have in some traditions, ‘He will rise after the death of his remembrance (from the minds of the people)’59. Anyway, there are some who believe in the existence of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) but do not consider him to be alive during occultation and are of the view that occultation means to die, to be given a new life and finally, to bring a revolution.

Of course, there are few takers for this theory. For, people either reject the existence of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.), or believe Imamate to be position-oriented (and not person-oriented)60. Or, if they think him (a.t.f.s.) to be the son of Imam 58 Behaar al-Anwaar, Allama Majlisi, vol. 51, p. 30, H.6 59 Ibid. H.4 60 There are very few in the Islamic world, who consider Prophethood and Messengership to be position-oriented (nau’ee).