Kitab Al-Nawadir (uncommon reports)

The author says: Some people argue with us on the basis of the word of ‘Fatara’ in the above tradition. They mean to say that just as there is no prophet between the period of two prophets, in the same way there is no Imam during the period of ‘Fatara’. Thus I beseech the Almighty to bestow good sense that such a theory is against most of the traditions that state that the earth cannot remain devoid of the Proof of Allah till the Judgment Day. and it has never remained thus from the time of Adam عليه السلام till now. These are the well known traditions that are mentioned in this book and which are famous among the Shias and other sects and no one had denied them; and neither can any denier falsify them nor can any interpreter interpret them in some other way. All are unanimous till date that the earth cannot be devoid of an Imam who is alive, whether he is apparent and visible or in occultation. Thus neither Imamate has discontinued nor its discontinuation permissible. It is continuous like the continuation of the days and nights.