As for the first one, it would be for six days,[^10] or six months or six years.

As for the first one, it would be for six days,[^10] or six months or six years. And as for the second one it would be so long that most of those who have faith in this matter will turn back from their belief.

Then they would not remain firm on this matter except those who have very strong faith and correct recognition, and in their hearts there is no discomfort from our decisions and those that submit to us, Ahle Bayt (as).”[^11] Regarding the verse: فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ الْجَوَارِ الْكُنَّسِ “But nay! I swear by the stars. That run their course (and) hide themselves.” (Qur’an, Surah Takwir 81:15-16) It is related from Imam Baqir (as) that he said: “That is a child in the last period of time.

He is the Mahdi from this progeny. And for him there shall be a confusion and occultation in which a group shall deviate and a group shall be guided.”[^12] In a tradition related from Ibne Abi Ya’fur it is mentioned from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said: “Whosoever believes in the Imamate of my forefathers and descendants but denies the Mahdi from my descendants is just like one who has faith in all the prophets but denies Muhammad (S).” The narrator asked: “My master, from which of you has Mahdi descended?” He replied: “He is the fifth descendant of the seventh Imam himself.

He would disappear from you and it is not lawful for you to pronounce his name.”[^13] Also from Imam Sadiq (as) it is narrated that he said: “The most proximate servants of Allah and those with whom Allah is pleased are those who when the proof of Allah disappears from sight and they don’t know about his location, yet they continue to have faith that the Proof of Allah can never be invalid and day and night they continue to wait for him.

And the wrath of Allah is on those of His enemies who when the proof of Allah disappears from sight, they fall into doubts and denial. He (Allah) knew that His special servants will never fall into doubts and if it were not so He would not have taken away His Proof from their sight even for a moment.

✦ ✦ ✦