Shaykh Muḥammad b. al-Ḥasan al-Ṭūsī · Reason of occultation of the Imam from his followers
Shia · narrations
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Hadith reports may differ in authenticity, attribution, context, and interpretation across Islamic scholarly traditions. Inclusion in this library does not constitute authentication or endorsement. Readers are encouraged to consult qualified scholars before drawing religious or legal conclusions.
وكان المرتضى رضي الله عنه يقول: سؤال المخالف لنا لم لا يظهر الإمام للأولياء غير لازم لأنه إن كان غرضه أن لطف الولي غير حاصل فلا يحصل تكليفه فإنه لا يتوجه فإن لطف الولي حاصل لأنه إذا علم الولي أن له إماما غائبا يتوقع ظهوره عليه السلام ساعة ساعة ويجوز انبساط يده في كل حال فإن خوفه من تأديبه حاصل وينزجر لمكانه عن المقبحات ويفعل كثيرا من الواجبات فيكون حال غيبته كحال كونه في بلد آخر بل ربما كان في حال الاستتار أبلغ لأنه مع غيبته يجوز أن يكون معه في بلده وفي جواره ويشاهده من حيث لا يعرفه ولا يقف على أخباره وإذا كان في بلد آخر ربما خفي عليه خبره فصار حال الغيبة والانزجار حاصلا عن القبيح على ما قلناه.
Sayyid Murtadha says: The question of the opponent from us that why the Imam does not appear to his devotees is irrelevant, because if he means that the grace of the devotee does not exist and therefore, his religious duties are not binding, it is not correct. Because his grace exists, since he knows that he has an Imam, who is in occultation and he expects him to rise any hour and rule over the world. Therefore, he must fear that the Imam may appear and punish him and thus, must abstain from wrong acts and perform his obligations. Thus, the occultation for him is as if the Imam is in a nearby land. Many a time, the condition of occultation is more so effective in this regard, because in such a case, the Imam can be with him in his land and in his neighborhood and watching him without his knowledge.
Translation: Sayyid Athar Husain S. H. Rizvi — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.
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