Setting-up a Time Limit for the Reappearance of the Twelfth Imam عليه السلام an Antipathetic Issue

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salma ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn Hassa’n from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Kathir who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام that Mihzam came in and to The Imam عليه السلام, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, enlighten me about this matter that we wait for (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine authoriiity). When it will take place?” The Imam عليه السلام said, “O Mihzam, those who give it d definite time have lied, the expediting ones perish and salvation is for those who are submissive.”

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father form al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام , ‘I asked abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام about al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) with divine power).’ He said, “Those who give it a definite time have spoken lies. We, Ahl al-Bayt, do not set a definite time.”

4. Ahmad has narrated through his chain of narrators from the Imam عليه السلام the following. “Allah disdains to make the people’s time set for it (reappearance of the one who will rise with Divine Authority) to come true.”

5. Al-Husayn ibn mmd has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Khazzaz from ‘Abd al-Karim ibn ‘Umar al-Khath‘ami from al-Fadl ibn Yasar who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja’far عليه السلام, ‘Is there a definite time for this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority)?” He said, “Those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied. When Musa (Moses) came out to delegate before his lord and gave the people a definite time for his return and Allah added an other ten days his people said, ‘He has broken his promise.’” They then did what they did. When we say a hadith (make a statement to you) and if our hadith comes true you should say, “Allah has spoken the truth.” If we say a hadith to you ( make a statement) and if doe not come true, you should say, “Allah has spoken the truth.” You will be rewarded twice.”

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Idris have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from al-Sayyari from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Yaqtin from his brother from his father Ali ibn Yaqtin who has said the following. “Abu al-Hassan عليه السلام said to me, ‘The Shi‘a have live on hopes for two hundred years.’” The narrator has said that Yaqtin said to his son, Ali ibn Yaqtin, “We did not have to worry. What was said to us came true. What is said to you has not come true yet” Ali then said to him, “What was said to you and what is said to us all come from one source except that good news for you have come true and you received it pure. It was just as was said to be. The good news for us has not yet come true. We thus, entertain ourselves with hopes. If we would be told that it will take place after two or three hundred years our hearts will harden and the masses will turn back from Islam. However, they have said that it will come very soon and in near future to encourage people about the coming of the relief.”

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn ’Isma‘il al-Anbari from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Ibrahim ibn Mihzam from his father who has said the following. “We mention before abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام the Kings from the descendants of so and so. The Imam عليه السلام said, “People have perished due to their haste for this matter ((the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority). Allah does not expedite it because of the haste of people. For this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) there is a goal towards which it proceeds, Once they will reach that goal they then will not be able to move it forwards or backwards even by one hour.”