On the 10^th Shawwal, 329 AH / 939 CE, Imam Mahdi (AS) the final Imam, in whose time we are living, went into Ghaybah al-Kubrah, the major occultation, by order of Allah, to remain on earth but hidden from  view of the general public and his enemies, until Allah appoints the time for him to reappear to the public and fill the earth with justice just as it will be filled with injustice.
 
Imam Mahdi (AS) was born in 255 AH in Samaara, Iraq, but 5 years later on the martyrdom of his father Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), Allah kept him in minor occultation. The enemirs' plots to kill the Saviour were very devious and difficult to control. Hence Allah saved His Representative, the Imam, from their plots by removing him from their view. The Imam however continued to guide his people through four consecutive representatives, for 69 years. After that time, Allah in His Infinite Wisdom and mercy took the Imam into major occultation. This is the period we are now living in.
 
There is great sadness attached to knowing that our Imam walks amongst us on earth but yet we do not see him. He is veiled from us not only for his protection, for the world is still replete with his enemies, but also because the conditions for his return are not yet met.
 
However, while we are burdened with heavy hearts that seek and long for him, we are equally comforted to know that our Imam (AS) is looking over us, he is in constant connection with Allah in carrying out His commands, he is overseeing our affairs and praying for us. We therefore are under an immense obligation to Allah to serve His Imam, and to spend this time of occultation waiting for him. This waiting is not passive, but an active motion of spirituality, doing good deeds, preparing our bodies and souls to receive the Imam and serve him, longing for him to return this instant.
 
The Prophet (pbuhp) said that the best of people will be those who will wait for the Imam at the end of Time. Indeed we are blessed to be people of the Last Imam. As the anniversary of his major occultation begins, we once again renew our promise to him of our undivided love, our longing for him, and our devotion in waiting for his splendid return.
 
May we all be counted as the Imam’s righteous servants, may we serve him and his followers, and may we stand up as witnesses forbidding the wrong and injustice on earth, and enjoining the good. We await the day when this occultation period ends, and our hearts, eyes, and souls are soothed by the return of The Mahdi (AS).
 
Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London
United Kingdom
 
 
 

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