Hidden Imam
Hidden Imam – The doctrine of the Hidden Imam holds a central place in Twelver Shia Islam. According to this belief, the twelfth Imam, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin Ali and his daughter Fatimah, did not die but entered into a state of occultation (Arabic: غيبة, Turkish: Gaybet). This spiritual form of existence denotes that the Imam is hidden from human perception and will reappear at the end of times as a messianic figure, the Mahdi, to restore justice and equity on Earth.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: الإمام الغائب (Al-Imam al-Gha’ib)
- Turkish: Gizli İmam
Concept of Occultation
The belief in the Hidden Imam’s occultation encompasses two distinct phases:
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Lesser Occultation (غيبة صغرى / Ghaybah Ṣughrā): This period lasted from 874 to 941 CE when the Hidden Imam maintained indirect communication with his followers through a series of deputies.
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Greater Occultation (غيبة كبرى / Ghaybah Kubrā): This phase began in 941 CE when the deputy system ceased, and the Imam concealed himself completely from human contact.
Messianic Beliefs
Twelver Shias hold that the Hidden Imam, as the Mahdi (مهدي), will return to:
- Establish justice and peace.
- Remove tyranny and oppression.
- Guide humanity to truth and righteousness.
Interpretations and Applications
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
In the twentieth century, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini introduced an innovative interpretation, asserting that during the occultation, the leadership of the state should be vested in the most learned jurisconsult (faqih). This concept, known as Wilayat al-Faqih, positioned Khomeini himself as the supreme leader of Iran until his death.
Musa al-Sadr
Musa al-Sadr, a prominent Shia cleric in Lebanon, is also associated with the Hidden Imam. He mysteriously disappeared during a trip to Libya in 1978 while serving as the leader of Lebanon’s Shia community, and some believe his disappearance aligns with a narrative linked to the Hidden Imam.
Further Studies
For those interested in deepening their understanding of the Hidden Imam, the following books offer comprehensive examinations:
- “Islamic Messianism: The Idea of Mahdi in Twelver Shi’ism” by Abdulaziz Abdulhussein Sachedina.
- “The Twelver Shia in Modern Times: Religious Culture and Political History” edited by Rainer Brunner and Werner Ende.
- “The Occultation of the Twelfth Imam: A Historical Background” by Jassim M. Hussain.
Takeaways and Conclusion
The doctrine of the Hidden Imam highlights the aspect of hope and expectation within Twelver Shia Islam. The belief in his eventual return shapes both the religious and socio-political ideologies of Shia communities. Understanding this concept provides insight into the complexities and distinctiveness of Shia thought in contrast to other Islamic denominations.
Understanding the role and significance of the Hidden Imam in Shia Islam provides a nuanced comprehension of Islamic eschatology and the distinctive practices within Twelver Shi’ism.
See also: Shia Islam
