Major Occultation

The Major Occultation (Arabic:الغيبة الکبريAl-Ghaybah al-Kubra) according to Shia is Mahdi's second occultation after his first occultation. According to Twelvers the Major occultation which came around 329/941 is still in effect, and will not end until the End of Time when the Mahdi, is believed to come back to reestablish Justice on earth.

Before occurring the major occultation, upon the death of his father, and while still a child, it is believed that the twelfth Imam entered his first occultation which lasted 70 lunar years, during which the Hidden Imam is said to have represented on earth by four successive deputies. According to official tradition, in 329/940, the fourth and last delegate received a final letter signed by the Hidden Imam in which he declared that henceforth and "until the end of time," no one will see him or be his representative, and that whosoever declares otherwise is no less than an imposter. This important document was apparently reported for the first time by Ibn Babawayh in his Kamal al-din. Shia scholars asserts that in every age, there is an Imam however, because of the dangers which threatening the life of Twelfth Imam, he is concealed by God's order. Critics say the occultation of the 12th Imam “became subsequent orthodox doctrine” after none of the competing theories that sought to explain the succession to a childless 11th Imam “seemed satisfactory”. According to Wilferd Madelung however, the doctrine of The Occultation was well-documented by traditions of the Imams before the occultation.

Gayba (Occultation, lit: absence), is a term used by the Shias to refer to the occultation of the Hidden Imam, however, as his occultation is believed to be long, and because believers would be waiting for his rise and reappearance, Mahdi is also called Montazar (the Awaited one). He is also known as Qa'im, whose rise against unjust is awaited. In this sense, it contrasted with qāʿed(lit: the seated one), a term designating previous Imams who did not participate in rebellious movements against Umayyad and Abbasid rule.

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