How did Imam Mahdi (AJ) introduce his four Nayebs when he had vanished from sight (short occultation)?
“In The Name of God, The Beneficent, The Merciful”
How did Imam Mahdi (AJ) introduce his four Nayebs when he had vanished from sight (short occultation)?
Imam Mahdi (AJ) had four “Nayeb” (Someone who does something on behalf of another) during his short disappearance (short occultation) the following:
1- Othman bin Saeed Amri 2- Muhammad bin Othman Amri 3- Hussain bin Ruh Nobakhti 4- Ali bin Muhammad Samri.
did they come among people and claim that they are Imam’s representative? How should we accept their claim? The imam must introduce them to the followers. It is not such that anyone comes and claims representation themselves. Throughout history, many people claimed that they are Imam’s representative. Shalmaqani was one of the Shia followers in the time of Hussain bin Ruh Nobakhti (third representative) that claimed he is the Imam’s representative. Even he was helping Hussain bin Ruh Nobakhti. After a while of helping, Shalmaqani claimed that he is the Imam’s representative, not Hussain bin Ruh! Hussain bin Ruh asked for Mobahileh (invoke God’s curse on the liars), and after a while, Shalmaqani was executed by the King of time.
Here is the answer: Othman bin Saeed Amri before Imam Mahdi (AJ) was representative of Imam Hadi (A) and Imam Hassan Askari (A) as well. Meaning Shia followers came to him when they had questions or requests from Imam Hadi (A) or Imam Hassan Askari (A). It was possible to see Imam Hadi (A) and Imam Hassan Askari (A) but it became difficult to interact with them as time passed and the two Imams before Imam Mahdi (AJ) also did not appear all the time in public. It was difficult to see Imam Hadi (A) and Imam Askari (A) face to face unlike when people were meeting with the Imams before them. One reason for that was to make Shia followers ready for the disappearance of Imam Mahdi (AJ). Imam Askari introduced Othman as his representative and his son (Imam Mahdi (AJ)) representative. Also, Imam Askari confirmed Othman’s son as their representative trustfully.
Othman was representative of Imam Mahdi (AJ) for 6 years in the Imam’s short disappearing time. Othman’s son (Muhammad bin Othman Amri) was Imam’s next representative. Muhammad bin Othman Amri then introduced Hussain bin Ruh as Imam’s next representative with Imam’s leave. Then Hussain bin Ruh introduced Ali bin Muhammad Samri as the fourth representative with Imam’s leave. Ali bin Muhammad was in touch with Imam Mahdi (AJ) and he was the last representative during the short occultation of Imam Mahdi (AJ).
God’s Mercy be with all of them.
Muhammad Mahdi Me’marian