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The first phase

 

After the martyrdom of Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH) on the eighth of Rabi'-Ol-Awwal, his brother Ja'far (who is also notorious as Ja'far Kaththaab, meaning the prevaricator) falsely claimed Imamate, and denied outright the birth of Imam Mahdi (PBUH). He thought it as a good opportunity to recite the funeral Prayer of Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH)- for  the funeral Prayer of each Infallible Imam is to be recited only by the next Infallible Imam- to prove that he is the Imam, and that the eleventh Imam (PBUH) had no successor. The true Shi'ah and students of Imam Hassan Askari were aware of the evil character of Ja'far. In silent amazement, they watched the whole scene of Ja'far stepping forward to lead the Prayer. Suddenly, a handsome youth stepped forward, caught hold of Ja'far’s cloak and thundered, “Uncle! Move behind. I will lead the funeral Prayer of my father."

 

On hearing this, Ja'far turned pale and quietly he went back. Hazrat Mahdi (PBUH) led the funeral Prayer.

 

(Kamaal-O-Ddeen, p. 475, Hadith 25)

 

Therefore, the Imamate of Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his Emergence), and the falsity of Ja'far, the Kaththaab, became manifest for everybody.

 

Feeling that by this incident, his plans were ruined, Ja'far -who had become close to the ruling party- complained about Imam Mahdi (PBUH) to the king so that he may arrest him. Imam (PBUH) led the Prayer, and disappeared from the peoples’ eyes. But the effect of Ja'far’s slander was that the government became aware of the existence of the person whom they searched for vehemently. The government ordered the search and seizure of this youth wherever he could be found; to protect his life, and for other reasons, Allah ordered him in Occultation. Hence, with the commencement of his Imamate, Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) first phase of Disappearance started … .