Today, we speak of the secrets behind the occultation of the 12th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance).

Imam Mahdi (AS) is the infallible son of Imam Hassan Askari (AS). As mentioned, based on divine providence, Imam Mahdi's occultation took place. The topic of occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) has long been discussed in religious circles. Based on a number of Islamic narrations, the actual reason behind the occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) is a divine secret, and other than the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), and the Infallible Imams, no one is fully aware of the reason behind Imam Mahdi's occultation, while after the reappearance of Imam Mahdi, the secret and reason behind his occultation will become further clear.

Although we are not fully aware of the secrets behind the occultation of 12^th Infallible Imam, we can realize some of the secrets and reasons behind his occultation by referring to the remarks of Prophet Mohammad, and the Infallible Imams. One of the reasons behind Imam Mahdi's occultation is protection of the life of the 12^th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household (AS). When we look at the history of divine religion of Islam, we observe that corrupt and suppressive regimes left no stone unturned in confronting the righteous path. To this end, the suppressive regimes even persecuted, tortured, and martyred the Prophet of Islam's Infallible Household. These oppressive regimes imagined that in order to continue their rule and their domination of lives and assets of people; they should martyr the pioneering figures of the sacred religion of Islam. What made these suppressive rulers more frightened, was the divine pledge of the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS) as the savior of mankind. Thus, these suppressive rulers closely monitored everything in order to discover the imminent birth of Imam Mahdi (AS) and to martyr the Infallible Imam there and then. However, upon divine providence, the occultation of Imam Mahdi took place in order to save his life from ill-wishers, so that the Infallible Imam will reappear and administer justice across the globe, whenever people become prepared for his reappearance.

Ayahs of Holy Quran mention the topic of uprising of Imam Mahdi (AS). For instance, the 33^rd ayah of Al-Tawbah Surah, notes: "It is He who has sent His Apostle with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it prevail over all religions, though the polytheists should be averse."

This ayah heralds that the sacred religion of Islam will certainly prevail over all religions, and will spread across the universe. Meanwhile, three essential conditions should be fulfilled in order to materialize this development; namely: presence of a global law, and a global leader, and global community's preparedness. Holy Quran is the global law. This Holy Book is the most comprehensive law and guide for mankind's prosperity. Imam Mahdi (AS) is the global leader, which mankind needs for reformation of their lives. Nonetheless, the conditions are still not in place for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) and administration of justice across the world. In other words, one of the reasons behind occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), is the unpreparedness of people for reappearance of the 12^th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household.

Let's present a simple example to further clarify this topic of importance. Let's consider a knowledgeable and insightful father, who realizes his child is not thankful for his blessings. This insightful father knows that if he would hand over a precious gem to his child, the child will soon lose the precious gem amid his childish games. Naturally, he doesn't allow his child to gain access to the valuable gem, until the day in which his child attains maturity and values that gem.

In regard to Imam Mahdi (AS), the occultation of the Infallible Imam has taken place based on divine providence, until people reach the needed maturity to truly value and honor Imam Mahdi (AS). In fact, the major and global uprising of Imam Mahdi (AS) is in need of true maturity, morality, and preparedness of mankind for cooperation with this major movement. The global uprising of Imam Mahdi (AS) revolves round faith in God, administration of justice, and the rule of law, and a series of preliminary measures and arrangements are necessary for acceptance of this global uprising.

One of the factors which play a role in preparedness of mankind for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) is the experience of bitterness of injustice and fragility of man-made laws, by the international community. If the occultation of Imam Mahdi would end prior to preparedness of the international community, the same fate of other Infallible Imams would await Imam Mahdi (AS), given that in that case, the enemies would make strenuous efforts to martyr him, thereby obstructing the age-old ideal and goal of mankind which is the administration of justice and uproot of injustice. Therefore, Imam Mahdi will reappear whenever the international community is fully prepared for this major development.

Mankind is always tested throughout his life. Throughout these divine tests, the talents and aptitudes of the righteous and devout individuals flourish. The occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) lays the ground for testing people. The extension of occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) leads to the clarification of the inner nature of individuals, and those who maintain a fragile faith in God, face doubts. However, those who maintain a strong faith in God gain further experience and become more prepared due to their steadfastness in the face of adversities and hardships, and expectation of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) by them.

In the era of occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), people face many hardships and bitter experiences. War and unrest overshadows the lives of mankind in this phase in time. Under these conditions, maintenance of one's faith and religion becomes difficult, and the foundations of people's faith are exposed to threats.

It should be noted that the occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) does not mean that he lives far from people. Imam Mahdi (AS) observes and knows people, and people also see him but they do not know or recognize Imam Mahdi (AS). Throughout the era of occultation of Imam Mahdi, the Infallible Imam constantly observes the lives of the faithful and his disciples. In the era of occultation, Imam Mahdi resembles the sun behind the clouds, benefitting people with his blessings and guidelines.

MR/EA