In its simplest form, the doctrine of the Occultation (Ghaybat) declares that Muhammad ibn Hasan, the Twelfth Imam, did not die but has been concealed by God from the eyes of men. His life has been miraculously prolonged until the day when he will manifest himself again by God's permission (the doctrine probably indicates occurrence of identical phenomenon, which had been planned by God and occurred to Jesus approximately nine hundred years prior to occultation of the Twelfth Imam - H.M.). During his Lesser occultation, the Twelfth Imam remained in contact with his followers through the four Babs (al-Abwab al-Arba'a). During the Greater Occultation, which extends to the present day, he is still in control of the affairs of men and is the Lord of the Age (Sahib az-Zaman) but there is no longer a direct route of communication. However, it is popularly believed that the Hidden Imam does still occasionally manifest himself to the pious either when awake or more commonly in dreams and visions.
Birth to Hope He Will Come |
