Imam Mahdi(AJ) said: "If our followers (Shia), whom Allah has given the success in serving Him, had agreement and unity in good faith regarding the divine allegiance and message as well as kept it honoured, they would be granted the joy of meeting us in a state where they had real insight and complete sincerity."

("E'htedjadje Tabarsi", Vol. 2, p. 498)

Repeatedly informing people about a vision of or a meeting with Imam al-Mahdi(AJ) is the work of a pretender. And such a claim (will create the illusion) of a pivotal certainty.

[Translator's note: What the writer means here is that repeatedly describing a visitation, will turn said visitation into an accepted fact amongst the people, which could lead to people accepting unconfirmed and unverified/unverifiable events as being true.]

Claiming encounter

The narration, "The one who claims to have seen me...", certainly don't include hearing, sound and correspondence. That is, if someone claims to have heard the voice of Imam al-Asr(AJ) or receiving a letter from that master he shouldn't be discarded. And even if someone has the honour of meeting that master and after he has gone realizes it was Imam whom he had met he shouldn't be rejected. [91]

Seeing the friend

The late Shaykh Ali Zahed(RA), who used to go to Masjed Sahle on Tuesday nights, was asked, "Until now, considering all these times you have gone to Masjed Sahle, have you seen anything so far? Have you had the honour of encountering with Saheb al-Amr(AJ)?"
In reply he said, "I haven't even seen someone who I might consider to be him!"
In this state he still had such persistence in going (there)! [92]

Better then encounter!

It is not necessary for a person to be after and seek an encounter with Wali al-Asr(AJ). Rather perhaps a 2-unit (rakah) prayer after having turned (tawassul) to the Imams(A) is better then an encounter! As wherever we are that master sees and hears, and worship during occultation is better then worship during presence!
And also visiting (Ziyarah) of all the pure Imams(A) is the same as visiting Imam al-Hujjah(AJ) himself. [93]

Oblivion from his eminence

Mere finding and seeing that master is not important; hence seeing that master in Arafah or elsewhere does not always occur. A person said, "Perhaps you also have encountered with that master!" And many have had the honour of encounter. If you meet that master, don't tell him to want from Allah that you are given a wife, a house, healed from this or that personal disease or the like! As these things don't have such an importance.
Another person said, "During a seclusion ('etekaf) in Masjed Kufah I saw that master in my dreams where he said to me, 'These persons who come here (Masjed Kufah) are good believers but all have personal wishes, such as wanting a home, a child etc etc, and have come for the fulfilment of that wish. But no one has come for me!"

Actually no dreams are needed to realize this. It is true that we all are thinking of our own wishes and desires and think not upon that master whose benefit returns to and affects everyone which is most important! [94]

The way to encounter

For visiting (Ziyarah) the Occulted One(AJ) send a lot of blessings upon Muhammad(S) and his family(A) (salawat) and give it as a gift to his holiness together with praying for the hastening of his re-appearance (Dua Faraj). Also go much to Masjed Jamkaran along with performing its prayers. [95]

Improving oneself, the mark of encounter

The late Qazi taught a seclusion to Hajj Shaykh Muhammad Taqi Ameli (the writer of the notes for Sabwari's "Shar'h Mandhome") so that he will meet Imam.
He started his seclusion in Wadi as-Salam or Masjed Sahle; but the seclusion was not completed, instead his fright overtook him and he fled!
Seyyed Qazi tells him, "Don't fear! And why run away?"
It was apparent that he was aware of the situation! [96]

Reform, the condition of encounter

In Tehran there was a scholar who taught the book of jurisprudence Lum'ah. From one of his disciples, which was not very good in his studies, he heard and saw remarkable things. One day a knife of the scholar which he was very attached to and used for sharpening new pens was lost, and as much as he sought he couldn't find it. Thinking that his children had taken the knife and lost it he treated his children and family very harshly and with anger.
A time passes like this and the knife is not found nor does the anger of the scholar settle!
One day after class that disciple came forth and without any foreword said, "Mister! You have put your knife in the pocket of your old vest and have forgotten it there! What harm have the children done?"

The scholar remembers and is surprised how that disciple could have known this! From that point on he is certain that his disciple has some bond with Allah's friends (Awliyah).
One day he tells his disciple, "After class I want to speak with you." Once class is over and all have gone he says, "Dear one, it is apparent that you have are connected somewhere, tell me, do you have the honour to meet Imam az-Zamaan(AJ)?"

He insists and the disciple has no way but to tell the story of his encounter with Imam. The scholar then says, "My dear one! Next time when you encounter upon him send my greetings and ask if it is appropriate that he grants this lowly one the honour of a couple of minutes of encounter."

Some time passes without the disciple saying mentioning anything and the scholar, afraid of the answer being negative, does not dare to ask. But because of the long duration of time passed the patience of the scholar runs out and one day he tills the disciple, "Dear one! Are there any news regarding what I asked?"

The disciple turns from one side to the other and does not know what to say. His scholar says, "My dear, don't be shy and narrate what has been said to this lowly servant, because you are only the messenger and 'there is nothing upon the messenger but to deliver the message'."
That disciple with great sorrow said, "The master said, 'It is not necessary that we give a few minutes of meeting. Polish yourself and I will come myself to you!" [97]

The youthful face of Imam

Those who have had the honour to encounter with Imam al-Hujjah(AJ), in reality or in dreams, usually have seen him as in a youthful state with a face aging 30-40 years!
Except for one person, who is a seeker, who has seen him in the age of a thousand and something years (that is in his real age). [98]

Letter on the command of Imam

The late Seyyed Qazi, who was the friend of the late Seyyed Hassan as-Sadr, said that he (as-Sadr) wrote letters on the command of Wali al-Asr(AJ)!
The late Seyyed Hassan as-Sadr had extensive knowledge in jurisprudence (fiqh). [99]

My coming is close!

Should we not want a person, whom Allah has laid the reform of society in, emerges?
He himself in Masjed Sahle, Jamkaran, in sleep and wake, has whispered in the ears of his friends without them seeing him, "My coming is close, pray!"
Or according to a saying, "My coming is close, pray that Allah's will isn't changed!" [100]

Experience the time of re-appearance

A person who is connected to Wali al-Asr(AJ) informed me that Imam has said that the re-appearance is close. When the person asked him how close he answered, "(Mister) Behjat will experience the re-appearance." [101]

The attendance of Imam at (religious) gatherings

Many times it has been seen and said: Imam al-Hujjah(AJ) is present during gatherings of intercession (tawassul) or reciting the Event of the Cloak (Hadith al-Kisa); as well as his noble forefather the Prophet(S), Ali(A), Fatimah(A), Hassan(A) and Husayn(A) are present. The people of the cloak (ahl al-kisa) have a higher rank then that master but that master has some virtues and characteristics which they don't have, such as longevity, and that Allah's light and bounties currently reach him.

[Translator's note: What the writer means with "Allah's light and bounties currently reach him" is that the Imam of each era receives the light and bounties of Allah which he spreads (to the creation). This characteristic is passed on to the succeeding Imam. Since the Imam of our time is Imam Mahdi(AJ) this characteristic has reached him and it is now his duty to spread Allah's light and bounties. That is, he currently has the characteristic that "Allah's light and bounties reach him", but this characteristic isn't specifically dedicated to him, as the previous Imams(A) also had it during their time.]

Definite encounter

The late Shaykh Hajj Taha Najaf (one of the sources of emulation (Mardja) and contemporary of Hassan Shirazi) had encounters with Imam al-Asr(AJ). [102]

His eminence in the gathering of Hadith al-Kisa

A person narrated that he found a copy of Hadith al-Kisa which had as a condition that incense should be lit when reading it!
Whoever reads it fulfilling that condition, Imam al-Hujjah(AJ) and the light of the five pure ones will be present in that gathering.
It has not gone a year since that person passed away.
Shouldn't we in our attention on Allah be connected to His minister and friend?! [103]

Kufi encounter

I have seen Shaykh Muhammad Kufi who had two well-known encounters that do not need any source.

One of these has the following story:

Above his house he had his own residence. He hears a voice from below that the master is in Masjed Sahle, go there.

Shaykh Muhammad is afraid of going to the mosque at night, hence he doesn't pay any attention. Again he hears the voice and consequently his wife tells him to go! Shaykh Muhammad with shiver and quiver proceeds towards the mosque. Near the mosque he sees a young Arab with a dagger and is frightened! But the youth smiles at him and they approach the mosque together. That Arab calls from behind the gate and the gate opens! They both enter the mosque and each sits in a corner engages himself in worship. After some time Shaykh Muhammad suddenly realizes that they just have unlocked and opened the gates of the mosque! [104]

The blessings of re-appearance

They have written: a person in Karbala by the shrine of Seyyed ash-Shuheda(A) wanted to pray and didn't know if it's the night of the 1st of the month of Rajab, which is the night of Ziyarat Seyyed ash-Shuheda(A), or not, hence he asks, "Is it the night of the 1st of the month of Rajab tonight or not?" Another person who has going to engage in prayers answered, "Yes, tonight is the night of Ziyarah!" What he meant was that it is the night of the 1st of the month of Rajab.

God knows how we would be enriched by and in what ways we would benefit from Imam az-Zamaan's(AJ) presence among us, even in affairs such as finding out the start of the month or when the pure Imams'(A) birthdays and death anniversaries will occur.

Encounter in sleep

A Seyyed, who has encountered with the Occulted One(AJ) a number of times, said, "My three month old baby became sick and the doctor said that serum must be given to her. I refused and instead went to the mosque of Jamkaran and sought intercession (tawassul). I dreamt of that master sitting in the altar (mihrab) encompassing everyone in his compassion. I stepped forth and said my wish, 'My baby is sick and until you don't heal her I won't leave, also I want a house as well as go to Karbala!'

That master said, 'Your baby is healed; when you return home your family will say she is better and at afternoon her illness will be gone. A house will also be arranged and you will go to Karbala!'

I returned home and saw that my baby was better and at afternoon her illness was gone. A house was arranged; a person gave me a piece of land, another person a building, another person something else in this manner until the house was completed. And also I met an builder from Karbala and finally went to Karbala!" [105]

The control of Imam al-Asr(AJ)

Shouldn't we become conscious that we have a leader who sees our states?! Woe upon us if we don't see him as a witness of our deeds and don't view him as a bystander in every place!
Personal sins that are committed in privacy and don't affect the society deserves hell, "except if purified with repentance."

How will then the end of social sins which causes changes and disorder in the society, such as forbidding the permissible or abandoning the obligatory, taking property, tearing apart reverence, killing of pure souls, spilling the blood of Muslims, judging unjustly etc. etc., be?!
With the faith of a leader who is "Allah's seeing eye" (Ein Allah an-Nadhira) can we really flee and hide from the divine chastisement and do whatever we desire?! What answer will we give?
We are given all the tools and seasonings by him and use it for the benefit of the enemy! And we become puppets in the hands of infidels and strangers and help them! How hard it will be for us if it is not a habit for us to first consider the pleasure and displeasure of that master in every action we want to perform and don't act in a way to attract his satisfaction and happiness!

Albeit the satisfy and discontent of that master is obvious in all matters; actually it returns to self-evident matters, and in matters that are not evident and doubt pertains, precaution (ehtiyyat) must be made.

In recent times it happened that a person had doubts as to which scholar he should chose as his source of emulation (Mardja). In his dreams the face of a renowned person was presented for him. He went to Najaf and after searching fount that scholar.

Similarly it has happened for some, regarding if they should remain in their following (taqlid) of a deceased scholar or choose a living one, that they have heard from the graves of the Infallibles, "Remain!" [106]

Encounter in Medina

In our time also many persons have encountered with that master. One of the Seyyeds of Isfahan went to Madinat al-Munawwarah where he in a letter wanted from the Prophet(S) to be granted the honour of an encounter with Imam al-Asr(AJ). That noble Seyyed said, "There was no encounter until the last day when I was going to leave Madinah. In the last hour when I was making Ziyarah and was going to exit from the shrine through the gate, I saw an illuminated man enter the shrine and in no way being affected by the crowding!
He entered easily. When he reached me he greeted me and said, 'I am his son!', that is; I am the son of the Prophet.

Afterwards I started pondering who he was that was not affected the least by the crowdning! And what was it with his greeting and saying? I understood that it was that dignified one I wanted to encounter!" [107]

Imam al-Asr(AJ) in the viewpoint of Ahl al-Sunnah

Many from the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah, especially the mystics (Urefa) among them, confesses to the Seal of Apostles(AJ). Even Sadrudin al-Qunawi, the disciple of Muhayadin ibn 'Arabi, writes in his testament, "If you experience Imam Mahdi(AJ), get your knowledge from him, don't go ahead of him and don't listen to anyone else."
Muhayadin ibn 'Arabi himself says, "During circulating the house of Allah (Kabah) I saw Muhammada al-Mahdi(AJ)!" [108]

Dua Faraj at its right time!

One of the Seyyeds, who don't wear the Prophet's(S) clothes, signs eulogies (rouze) and answers religious questions, who recently bough a house near the mosque of Jamkaran and now lives there, has a number of times seen that master going into occultation after coming out from the mosque of Jamkaran. But once when they met while they where speaking with each other that master went into occultation.

Anyhow that master told him to tell those who recite Dua Faraj to recite it at its right time! [109]

The mosque of Jamkaran

Some of the pure and good ones has Q&A sessions with Saheb al-Amr(AJ), requests for wishes and are answered, and hear the voice of that master in the mosque of Jamkaran!
A person whom I had seen in reality, told me in my dreams, "Why don't you go to the mosque of Jamkaran?!" [110]

Attachment to Imam

A person named Shaykh Ghulamreza Kesa'i was the caretaker of a theological school in Tabriz. He had great morals towards the student and was a pure man who sincerely served the soldiers of Imam al-Asr(AJ).

One of the students said, "One night I came out of my room and saw the little room of this caretaker being illuminated with such a light which can not be compared to ordinary lights! I step forth and realized that he is talking with someone! I heard the voice of the caretaker but not any sound from the other person. After a while the illumination went out! I went forth and knocked on the door. The caretaker asked what I wanted. I asked who had been here, but he didn't say anything. I said, 'Either you tell me or I will scream and inform all students!'

He thought for a while and even though he talked very little he said, 'I will tell you if you promise not to narrate to anyone until Friday.' I promised. He then said, 'On Friday one of the servants (of Imam) will die and Wali al-Asr(AJ) has told me that he wants me to replace him! Be prepared on Friday!'

This student said, "That night was Tuesday night. I observed him during Wednesday and Thursday and saw him acting ordinary until Friday came. When the sun had risen I started observing him seriously. At 10 in the morning he watched his clothes and shoes then made ablution (wudhu) and near noon he was suddenly was gone!

I screamed abruptly and all the students gathered. I said, 'What happened to Shaykh Ghulamreza?' They said, 'He probably has gone out and will return soon!' I said, 'No! He went without coming back!' And then I narrated the entire story." [111]

Imam's plea for supplication!

A person who goes to the mosque of Jamkaran a good deal said, "I saw the master in the mosque of Jamkaran. He told me, 'Tell those whose hearts' burn for us to pray for us!' Then he suddenly disappeared from my sight, not walking away and slowly disappearing!"
The same person a week before this dreamt of that master.

But alas that everyone goes to the mosque of Jamkaran for the fulfilment of their own wishes without knowing how that master wants from them to pray for the hastening of his re-appearance!

Similarly like when he said to that person, "These who have come here are our good friends, and all of them have a wish; a house, a wife, children, wealth, religious payments, but no one thinks of me!"

Yes, it is a thousand years now that he is imprisoned. Hence everyone who goes to a holy place, such as the mosque of Jamkaran, for the fulfilment of his wishes should want the greatest of wishes from Allah; namely the blessed bond and his re-appearance. [112]

The instruction of Taqlid

The following story prevailed among the followers of Seyyed Qazi:

A person from India went to Najaf and in Masjed Sahle besought (tawassul) Wali al-Asr(AJ) to ask him which scholar he should imitate (taqlid).

When the encounter happens that master shows him a scholar and says, "Follow (taqlid) this person."

Hence the Indian stays in Najaf to identify that scholar. One day he encounters with Seyyed Qazi and realizes that it is the same scholar that Imam had showed him!

But he is not satisfied with this and says to himself, "I must see if he is aware of this himself or not!"

Seyyed Qazi tells him, "If you have (religious) questions, ask so you may be given its answer!"
The Indian says, "In India they have asked that a person wants to marry a non-Muslim. The non-Muslim says, 'I will accept Islam'. Now is this marriage legitimate or not?"

(Usually it is sufficient to proclaim belief in Islam outwardly in order for a marriage to be legitimate, but his view was that a marriage is illegitimate if the person isn't convinced of Islam in his heart.)

In reply he mentioned the name of a newspaper in India and said, "Let him marry her if she proclaimed faith in Islam in that paper!"

She was however not prepared to do this and it was discovered that she wasn't serious in accepting Islam!

It is really strange! Seyyed Qazi, wasn't even aware of the domestic newspapers, how then could he know about a newspaper in India and mentioned it?! [113]

Waiters of the re-appearance!

Every minute that passes is not replaceable; it has passed away, been lost and will never come back. Oh if we didn't know the house or the door of the house, at least we knew about the street (leading to the house)!

Hajj Muhammad Ali Fashandi(RA) during an encounter with Saheb al-Amr(AJ) says, "People recite Dua Tawassul, are waiting for you and want you, and your friends are sad!"

That master said, "Our friends are not sad!!"

Oh if we at least sat down and spoke about when the Occulted One(AJ) will come so at least we be among the waiters. They want persons who are only for that master. Those are waiters of the re-appearance who await that master for Allah and in the way of Allah, not for their own personal desires and wishes!

Why don't we at least develop a bond with that master like the Christians who in times of hardship have a bond with the Bible?! [114]

Identity crisis

Imam al-Hujjah(AJ) has said to some who have met him, "These public schools (during the reign of Shah) are sufficient to lead the children astray from the religion." [115]

Notes

[91] During a lesson in Kharij al-Fiqh (Wednesday 16-7-1382 (2003))

[92] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 127

[93] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 1, p. 187

[94] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 26

[95] "Be Soje Mahbob", p. 59

[96] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 365

[97] "Behjate Arefan", p. 180

[98] "Behjate Arefan", p. 180

[99] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 371

[100] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 1, p. 108

[101] "Hadithe Vesal", p. 124

[102] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 49

[103] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 1, p. 365

[104] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 54

[105] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 53

[106] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 1, p. 89

[107] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 52

[108] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 309

[109] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 53

[110] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 86

[111] "Hadithe Vesal", p. 120

[112] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 118

[113] "Roz Nahai Az Alam-e-Ghayb", p. 374

[114] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 187

[115] "Dar Mahzare Ayatollah al-Udhma Behjat", Vol. 2, p. 83