'Major' Occultation

Today, over eleven hundred years have passed since the commencement of the 'Major' Occultation. During this period, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) has not appointed any individual as his 'Special' deputy. Rather, he (PBUH) has instructed the people to refer to Narrators of Ahadith and Traditions (those jurists who possess religious knowledge and the requisite conditions) for all problems in this period of 'Major' Occultation.

Therefore, nowadays the Maraaje' and the great jurists are called as the 'General' deputies of the Imam (May Allah hasten his Emergence), as opposed to the 'Special' deputies who were chosen and appointed by the Imam (PBUH) himself during the 'Minor' Occultation.

In one of his (PBUH) 'Toqi'aat' i.e. his 'Signed letters', the Imam (PBUH) has written:

“And as for the future occurrences; then in regard to them, refer to the Narrators of our (the AhlOlBait's) Ahadith (Traditions); surely they are my proofs upon you, and I am the 'Hojjat' (Proof) of Allah.”

(Kamaal-O-Ddeen, p. 484, H. 4)

During the heart-breaking 'Major' Occultation, may we all, as directed by our beloved Imam (PBUH), refer to the Ahadith specialists for the answers to our questions, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, may we never forget that the Imam (PBUH) himself, by Allah's Permission, is present and aware, and therefore may we all sincerely and humbly seek his guidance and help in our hearts and souls, when we are referring to others, THAT IS THE CELESTIAL KEY … .