Behind the clouds, but sometimes ...

In the period of 'Major' Occultation, Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his Emergence) is living unknown among people. He visits people during the Hajj season. He guides them and grants refugee to those without shelter. He benefits the people like the sun behind the clouds. The Holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) has mentioned the benefit of the existence of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) in the period of Occultation in this very manner. (Kamaal-O-Ddeen, p. 253, H. 316)

People are constantly deriving benefit from his light, his existence, his warmth and his attraction, although he is generally either not seen or not recognized.

While in the period of Occultation, people are not aware of the place of the residence of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), and they can not go directly in his presence, and even if they see him in the streets or …, are unable to recognize him; but by the command of Allah, there have been some fortunate people, even in the 'Major' Occultation, who have been blessed with the glorious opportunity to meet and visit the Imam (PBUH). By Allah's Permission, some times the sun shows himself from behind the clouds, even in the midst of a cloudy and gloomy day … .

While not every one who claims to have met the Imam (PBUH), can be trusted, but the existence of impostors must not cause us to disregard such wonderful and heart-warming possibility. We must seek refuge with the Imam (PBUH) himself against impostors and conspiracies; let us never forget that the guiding Light of Imam is always shining and his warmth of security is constantly spreading, even through the cloud of Occultation, it is us who should place our souls under his Light of guidance, and seek his warm protection at times of trouble.

There are numerous incidents of Tasharruf (people meeting the Imam -PBUH-) mentioned in authentic and reliable books; as an example, the great Muhaddeth (Traditionalist) Mirza Hosain Noori in his book “Najm-O-Ththaaqeb” has documented over one hundred such incidents and meetings. And for the most complete such collection please refer to “- A description of the collection (Mawsu’ah-Encyclopedia) Kalimah al-Imam al-Mahdi al-Hujjat ibn al-Hassan al-‘Askari” 

O' the most Compassionate and Merciful Allah! Grant us the insight to see our beloved Imam with the eyes of our broken hearts moment by moment, even though the sinful eyes on our faces do not deserve to see him … .