completely obedient to the Imam (AHHR).
Hasan:It is such a huge step to hold yourself responsible and work hard to enrich your qualifications. Otherwise, it would remain only a claim and one remains away from the Imam (AHHR) no matter what they say they are.
Anwar:I like your phrase, ‘one remains away from the Imam (AHHR) no matter what they say they are’.
Hasan:Of course. This is supported by reason as well as many Holy Verses from the Noble Quran and the Hadith.
Anwar:Very good! I have more questions if you do not mind.
Hasan:Ask whatever you like!
Anwar:Thanks a lot. I would like to know about the Ambassadors of the Imam (AHHR) and those who falsely claim they are in contact with him.
Hasan:A very good question! Here is the answer:
After the Minor Conceal, which started in the year 260 AH, the Imam (PBUH) appointed four trustworthy Ambassadors who earned the approval of the Almighty
Allah, His Messenger, the Imams (PBUT) as well as Imam Al-Hojja (AHHR).
These Ambassadors played a vital role under the patronage and consideration of the Imam (AHHR). Let me tell you what Sheikh Al-Tousi – God bless his soul – reports:
“Regarding the praised Ambassadors in the time of the Conceal, the first one was appointed by Abu Al-Hasan Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Askari and Abu Mohammad Al-Hasan Bin Ali Bin Mohammad (PBUT), namely the trustworthy Sheikh Abu Amr Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari. Imam Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Hadi (PBUH) said, ‘Abu Amr is trustworthy and reliable; what he tells you are on my behalf and what he does is on my behalf, so witness that Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari is my Ambassador and that his son, Mohammad, is my son’s Ambassador.’
The orders of the Imam (PBUH) are issued through Othman Bin Sa’eed and his son, Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Othman, to his Shi’a as well as to the special followers of his father, Abu Mohammad, in regard to instructions, prohibitions and answers to the questions
of Shi’a who obeyed him until Othman Bin Sa’eed – God bless his soul – passed away and his son, Abu Ja’far, washed his body and took charge. Shi’a agree about his justice, trustworthiness and reliability, as the order was issued to Sheikh Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari – God bless his soul – during the consolation for his father that:
‘Allah rewards you abundantly and offers you the best condolences. It is a loss for you and for us. We miss his departure as you do, but it is such happiness for him to have a son like you to succeed him and to ask the Lord to have His mercy upon him; the Most Gracious Allah protect you, help you and grant you success’”.
Then, Sheikh – God bless his soul – went on:“The orders of the Imam (PBUH) are issued through him to the Shi’a in the same way they were issued during his father’s life, Othman. None of the followers have knowledge about it except himself and all referred only to him. A lot of evidence is reported from him and miracles of the Imam appeared through him.
It is reported that when Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Othman Al-Omari was on his deathbed, Ja’far Bin
Ahmad Bin Matil was sitting near his head and Abu Al-Qasim Bin Rouh was near his legs. He turned his face to Ja’far Bin Ahmad Bin Matil and said: ‘I have been ordered to appoint Abu Al-Qasim Al-Husain Bin Rouh; thus, Ja’far Bin Ahmad Bin Matil took the hand of Abu Al-Qasim Al-Husain Bin Rouh and gave him his place and he moved to sit next to his legs.
When his health deteriorated, a group of prominent Shi’a gathered and went to Abu Ja’far’s – God bless his soul – and asked him: ‘Who will be in place of you if something happens?’ He replied: ‘This is Abu Al-Qasim Al-Husain Bin Rouh Bin Abu Bahr Al-Nobakhti; he is in charge instead of me. He is the Ambassador between you and the Imam; he is trustworthy and reliable, so refer to him in your affairs and count on him in your duties. This I was ordered to announce and I just did so’
Abu Al-Qasim – God bless his soul – was considered one of the wisest people to both opponents and proponents; Abu Al-Qasim instituted Abu Al-Hasan Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Simri – God bless his soul – as he carried out what Abu Al-Qasim was doing. In his death
struggle, the Shi’a attended to ask him about the next Ambassador. He did not mention anyone because he was not ordered to do so. He revealed a script that says:
‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. O Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Simri. May Allah glorify your Brothers’ reward, as you will be departing in six days. So, pack up and do not appoint anyone to replace you. The Major Conceal has just taken place and there will be no revelation unless the Almighty Allah wills so. This will be in a long time after hearts are hardened and the earth is filled with injustice. Some of my Shi’a will claim seeing him, but whoever does so before the appearance of Sofyani and the Outcry, he is a fabricator of lies. There is neither strength nor power but through the Most High and Supreme Allah.’
The sheikh reports from the narrator that:‘We copied the script and left. We came back the sixth day while he was giving himself up. He was asked about his successor and his reply was that Allah has something to achieve that He made requisite; this was the last
words heard from him – God bless his soul.”.
Now, after this long presentation which is full of observations worth contemplation, have you got your answer?
Anwar:Will you mention the general observations?
Hasan:With all pleasure. Listen carefully:
· The Ambassadors are four: Abu Amr Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari, Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Othman Bin Sa’eed Al-Omari, Abu Al-Qasim Husain Bin Rouh Al-Nobakhti and Abu Al-Hasan Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Simri. The infallible Imam had declared their names, and that they are trustworthy respectable and honorable men to Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT). This is evidence to the fact that they are exclusively worthy of becoming Ambassadors.
· Shi’a are in agreement that they are the only authorized representative and agents of the Imam and his forefathers (PBUT). These honorable people committed themselves to the orders of the Imam (PBUH) and followed his example; if they were to deviate as much as a hair's breadth, the Imam (PBUH) would remove them from their positions and ranks.
· Shi’a unanimously agree on them and they never disagreed with them.
· During the Minor Conceal, the Imam (PBUH) was supporting his representative via transcribed orders he used to send unlike the Major Conceal.
· The Ambassadors followed the orders of the Imam (PBUH) in appointing their successors; they did not act as they liked or pleased.
· When Abu Ja’far Mohammad Bin Othman Al-Omari was on his deathbed, a man named Ja’far Bin Ahmad Bin Matil was sitting near his head and Al-Husain Bin Rouh was near his legs. However, when he was told that his successor is Al-Husain Bin Rouh, Ja’far Bin Ahmad Bin Matil stood up, gave his place to Al-Husain Bin Rouh and he moved to sit next to his legs. The high moral standards and the true religion refer to the fact that things are conducted according to the Divine orders and not some personal desires.
· The Imam (PBUH) is filled with sadness and pain when the scholars and the agents pass away; that is why it is true to say: we offer our condolences to Imam Al-
Mahdi due to the departure of, for instance, scholar so and so.
· The Imam (PBUH) invokes Divine care for his representatives to support them and guide their steps; this means without his prayers and patronage, the Ambassadors would have faced difficulties performing their role.
· The miracles of the Imam (PBUH) appear through his representatives.
There are also utilizations in relation to the script revealed about the fourth Ambassador, Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Simri.
Anwar:Please, tell me about them.
Hasan:I will mention the utilizations after reciting the script so you can think deeply about it.
Anwar:All right. I am excited.
Hasan:The last Ambassador revealed a script to the people before he dies which says:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. O Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Simri! May