The Major Occultation begins: In 329 AH, the fourth deputy, Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samari, passed away. Before he died, he announced that Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) had ordered that there would be no further special deputy. This was the beginning of the Major Occultation (Ghaybat al-Kubra), which continues to this day.
Following the scholars: In the Major Occultation, there is no single person who can claim to be the direct deputy of the Imam (ajtf). Instead, Shia Muslims follow the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (as) through learned, trustworthy scholars (maraji' and ulema), who study the Quran, the Hadith, and the words of the Imams (as) and guide the community.
Why is the Imam hidden?: Why is the Imam (ajtf) hidden? Shia teaching gives several wisdoms: to protect his life from enemies, as a test of faith for the believers, and because Allah's plan for his reappearance has its own time, known only to Allah.
No date may be fixed: We do not know when the reappearance will be. No one may fix a date for it, and no one may claim to know it.
Example
The sun behind clouds: The sun is still there even when clouds cover it. We do not see it, but its light and warmth still reach us. In the same way, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) is still present in Allah's plan, even though we cannot see him — and his guidance still reaches us through the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (as).
Key Terms
- Ghaybat al-Kubra (غیبت کبریٰ) — the Major Occultation, from 329 AH until the reappearance
- Marja' (مرجع) — a learned scholar followed for religious guidance
- Zuhur / Reappearance (ظہور) — the coming of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) by Allah's command
Quran or Hadith
Hadith reported in Shia sources: the sun behind clouds is used as a likeness for the Imam (ajtf) in occultation — his benefit reaches people even when he is not seen. — to be checked; wording and source to be verified.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Timeline — Minor Occultation (260–329 AH) then Major Occultation (329 AH to today), with the Four Deputies only in the first part.
- The Major Occultation began in 329 AH and continues today.
- There is no special deputy now; guidance comes through the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (as) and trustworthy scholars.
- Only Allah knows the time of the reappearance — no one may fix a date.