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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Completion of Argument Existence of the Master of the Age (First printed in ‘Al-Jawwad’, January 1956 A.D. issue) Shias and Imam Mahdi I was so occupied after Muharram that I could not continue the series on this subject. However, this article has manifested itself at its place of appearance after an occultation of three months.

Perhaps, the topic of discussion necessitated that there should be a practical example of occultation before the discussion of the one who is in occultation. Also the number of these months, that is ‘three’, is not less amusing. We have to pass three nights in the reign of darkness before the appearance of the new moon… Even the Holy Prophet (S) had to pass three years in Sheb-e-Abi Talib, in occultation. Also three Prophets viz.

Khizr (as), Ilyas (as), and Isa (as) are in occultation and the fourth person to be in occultation is the Qaem of the Progeny of Muhammad (S). Thousands of proofs of his existence are present but some eyes yet deny the brightness of this sun and the Rizwan editor is one of them.

After discharging his obligations towards Muawiyah, he has denied the existence of the ‘Imam of the Time’ in the following words: It is narrated in Usul al-Kafi: “If the number of Shias come to three hundred and thirteen, Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will reappear.”[^1] Did you understand anything? The book of Shias is opposing themselves. It says that if at anytime and anywhere the number of true Shias comes to three hundred and thirteen, Imam Mahdi will reappear.

But the Imam is not ready to leave the cave. It proves that all these Shias seen everywhere in large numbers are not true believers but enemies of Ahlul Bayt. If at anytime the number of Shias had come to three hundred and thirteen, the Imam would have surely reappeared. Since the Imam has not reappeared the conclusion is clear. There can be only two possibilities, which though not mentioned by the Rizwan editor are as follows: A) Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is not present that he would reappear.

B) Or the Shias are in fact, not real Shias. Proof of existence of the Imam of Age First tradition The first tradition of this discussion is widely related one, both with regard to its text as well as subject. It is believed to be correct by both the sects of Islam. Apart from other Imams, Imam Muslim has also quoted it in Sahih Muslim . It proves the necessity of the existence of the Master of the Age (a.t.f.s.) by the rule of logic.