The Issue of Disappearance (of the twelfth Imam  عليه السلام from Public Sight — report 5

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Musa al-Khashshab from ‘Abdallah ibn Musa from ‘Abdallah ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following. “The young boy will disappear from the public sight before his rise (with divine power)” The narrator has said, “I then asked, “Why (would that has to take place)?” The Imam عليه السلام said, “He will be afraid.” He pointed out with his hand to his midsection. Then he said, “O zurara, “He is the one whose reappearance is expected. He is the one whose coming to this world through birth will be doubted. Certain people will say, “his father died without leaving any son behind.” Certain others will say, “Just before the dead of his father his mother conceived him.” Still others will say, “He was born two years before the death of his father.” He is the one whose reappearance is expected. The fact is that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, loves to try and test the Shi‘a (his followers). It in such a condition that people of falsehood will raise doubts, O Zurara).” The narrator has said, “I then said, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, if will be alive at the time of his rise with divine power what should I do?” The Imam عليه السلام said, “O Zurara, if you will live up to such time then say the following prayer. “O Lord make me know You for if you would not make me know You I will not know Your prophet. O Lord, make me know Your Messenger, for if You would not make me know your Messenger I will not know the one who possesses Your authority over the creatures. O Lord make me know the one who possesses Your authority over the creatures for if You will not make me know him I will stray away from my religion.” Then he said, “O Zurara, it is necessary that a young boy must be murdered in the city of Madina.” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, would he not be killed in the hands of the army of al-Sufyani?” He said, “No, but the army of the tribe of so and so will kill him. They will come to inter Madina, thus, they take hold of the young boy and kill him. When they will murder him in transgression, animosity and injustice they will not then be given respite. At such time good news will be expected, if Allah would so will.”