Question:
Among the people of the innovation, the claim was made that Imam Ali (a.) had fixed the appearance of Imam Al-Mahdi (a.) to six years after his concealment, while Imam As-Sadiq (a.) had called anyone a liar who fixed a time for his appearance. The source given was the 1st volume of Al-Kafi on page 338 and 368. Do the two reports contradict each other?
Response:
The words of the infallible (a.) are true and without contradiction, while the word of their enemies take pleasure in falsehood.
Al-Asbagh ibn Nubatah reported that he came to the Commander of the Believers (a.) and found him, pondering and drawing circles on the ground. He said: “O Commander of the Believers, i see you pondering and drawing circles on the ground. Do you desire any of this?” Imam Ali (a.) replied: “No, by God, i do not desire anything from it and i do not desire anything from this world even for one day. Rather, I am pondering over a newborn from my loins, the eleventh of my progeny. He is the Imam Al-Mahdi (a.) who will fill the earth with justice and righteousness just as it was full of tyranny and oppression. He is in possession of a concealment and confusion. While some people take the wrong path through it, other people find guidance through it.” Al-Asbagh said: “O Commander of the Believers, how long will the confusion and concealment last?” He replied: “Six days or six months or six years.” Al-Asbagh said: “And this will be so?” He replied: “Yes, just as it is created and this matter should not worry you, O Asbagh! These are with the pious of this family (a.) the best of the community.” Al-Asbagh said: “Then what will happen after that?” The Commander of the Believers (a.) replied: “Then God proceeds as He wills, for to Him belong appearances of the hidden, destinations and the end.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 1 page 338 Hadith 7]
علي بن محمد، عن عبد الله بن محمد بن خالد قال: حدثني منذر بن محمد بن قابوس، عن منصور بن السندي، عن أبي داود المسترق، عن ثعلبة بن ميمون، عن مالك الجهني، عن الحارث بن المغيرة، عن الأصبغ بن نباتة قال: أتيت أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام فوجدته متفكرا ينكت في الأرض، فقلت، يا أمير المؤمنين مالي أراك متفكرا تنكت في الأرض، أرغبة منك فيها؟ فقال: لا والله ما رغبت فيها ولا في الدنيا يوما قط ولكني فكرت في مولود يكون من ظهري، الحادي عشر من ولدي، هو المهدي الذي يملأ الأرض عدلا وقسطا كما ملئت جورا وظلما، تكون له غيبة وحيرة، يضل فيها أقوام ويهتدي فيها آخرون، فقلت: يا أمير المؤمنين! وكم تكون الحيرة والغيبة؟ قال: ستة أيام أو ستة أشهر أو ست سنين، فقلت: وإن هذا لكائن؟ فقال: نعم كما أنه مخلوق وأنى لك بهذا الامر يا أصبغ أولئك خيار هذه الأمة مع خيار أبرار هذه العترة، فقلت: ثم ما يكون بعد ذلك فقال: ثم يفعل الله ما يشاء فإن له بداءات وإرادات وغايات ونهايات
Ali Ibn Abi Hamzah reported that Abu Basir said: “I asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.) about the Riser (Al-Mahdi) and he said: “Those who fix a time, have lied. We, the people of the House, do not fix a time!” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 1 page 368 Hadith 3]
عدة من أصحابنا، عن أحمد بن محمد بن خالد، عن أبيه، عن القاسم بن محمد، عن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن أبي بصير، عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: سألته عن القائم عليه السلام فقال: كذب الوقاتون، إنا أهل بيت لا نوقت
Imam Ali (a.) did not determine a time for the rising of the Imam (a.), but spoke about the time when confusion and concealment will occur. What will happen after that is up to God. Nowhere did the Commander of the Believers (a.) speak about when the Imam (ajf) will rise or that the concealment will come to an end after six years! This is just one of the misinterpretations that the children of Israel used to do with Moses (a.).
Al-Fudail ibn Yasar reported that he asked Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (a.): “Is there a fixed time for this matter?” Imam Al-Baqir (a.) replied: “Those who fix a time have lied, those who fix a time have lied, those who fix a time have lied! When Prophet Moses (a.) went out to meet his Lord, he predicted thirty days for them. When God added ten days to it (7:142), his people said: “He has not kept the promise to us.” Thereupon they did what they did. If we report something to you and it occurs (to you) as we reported it to you, then say: “With God the truth is confirmed.” And if we report something to you and it does not come true (for you) as we reported it to you, then say: “With God the truth is confirmed.” You will receive the double reward.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 1 page 368 – 369 Hadith 5]
الحسين بن محمد، عن معلى بن محمد، عن الحسن بن علي الخزاز، عن عبد الكريم ابن عمرو الخثعمي، عن الفضل بن يسار، عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: قلت: لهذا الامر وقت؟ فقال كذب الوقاتون، كذب الوقاتون، كذب الوقاتون، إن موسى عليه السلام لما خرج وافدا إلى ربه، واعدهم ثلاثين يوما، فلما زاده الله على الثلاثين عشرا، قال قومه: قد أخلفنا موسى فصنعوا ما صنعوا، فإذا حدثناكم الحديث فجاء على ما حدثناكم [به] فقولوا: صدق الله، وإذا حدثناكم الحديث فجاء على خلاف ما حدثناكم به فقولوا: صدق الله تؤجروا مرتين
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