ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Selected Narrations about the Twelfth Imam volume 2 Section Thirty The traditions that indicate some of the benefits of his existence and how people benefit from him during his occultation and how he manages the affairs Comprised of nine traditions Nahj al-balāgha[^1]: Yes, by Allah!

The earth will not become empty of a person who establishes Allah’s proof—either apparently [while they are] known or afraid [while they are] hidden; so that Allah’s proofs and clear arguments are not nullified. How many are they and where [are they]? By Allah, they are few in number but have great stature before Allah.

Through them, Allah guards His proofs and clear arguments until they entrust them to others who are like themselves and sow its seeds in the hearts of those who are similar to them. Knowledge has led them to real understanding and they have blended themselves with the spirit of certainty. They regard as easy what the extremely wealthy regard as hard. They find peace in what the ignorant have fright of. They live in this world with bodies whose souls are hanging in the highest place.

They are the of Allah on His earth and the callers to His religion. Oh, oh, how I yearn to see them![^2] Yanābī` al-mawadda[^3]: Citing Nahj al-balāgha: From us is the Mahdī. He will move in the world while carrying a radiant lamp and will tread on the path of the virtuous, in order to unfasten knots, free slaves, divide the united and unite the divided. He will be in concealment from the people. The stalker will not find his footprints even though he pursues with his eyes.

Also in Nahj al-balāgha ([Egypt], vol. 2, p. 47, no. 146): O people! This is the time for the occurrence of every promised event and the approach of things which you do not know. Whoever from among us will be during these days will move through them with a burning lamp and will tread on the footsteps of the virtuous, in order to unfasten knots, free slaves, divide the united and unite the divided. He will be in concealment from the people.

The stalker will not find his footprints even though he pursues with his eyes. Then a group of people will be sharpened like the sharpening of swords by the blacksmith.