Other Questions 14item Why is the Imamate superior to the prophecy? What does general prophecy mean? What does special prophecy mean? [On the commands of Allah, Hazrat Vali-e-Asr is in occultation right from the commencement of his Imamat. Hence as opposed to his forefathers (a.s.), Imam's meetings with his Shias have been few and far between. By and large, the problems of the people have been presented before his esteemed self in the form of letters and “Areeza” (“Areeza” is a letter of requests written by the Shias to the Imam of their time). And Imam (a.s.) too has reciprocated in a similar manner. The letters of Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) are terminologically called as “Tawqee”. These Tawqees have been assimilated in several books. Hazrat Ayatullah Syed Hasan Shirazi (may Allah purify his soul) has compiled these letters in a book by the name of “Kalemat-ul-Imam al-Mahdi”. This single book contains all the letters of Imam (a.s.) which are found in different books. Originally the book was written in Arabic. Dr. Syed Hasan Sabzawari has translated this book into Persian by the same name. The answers to the questions mentioned below, have been given by Imam (a.s.) himself. These replies have been compiled from various letters that were sent to him (a.s.) in the course of his Ghaibat. To that extent the letters of Imam (a.s.) constitute “half a meeting” with him, and the same is being presented in your service. We pray to Allah that this endeavour is accepted by our pure Imam (a.s.) We look forward to that day when we can present to you an interview conducted by personally meeting Imam (a.s.). Inshallah] What is the reason for the sending of Prophets (a.s.) and Imams (a.s.)? What happened to Jesus (a.s.) according to Islam? Did he die on the cross or not, and where is he now? I wanted to ask on the difference between a Prophet Nabi and a Messenger Rasool. It the difference is that after a Prophet Nabi gets a book he is a Messenger Rasool then why is it in 7104, the Quran says [7.104] And Musa said O Firon surely I am an apostle from the Lord of the worlds. If a Nabi becomes Rasool after getting a book then why does Moses peace be upon him call himself a Rasool when talking to Firawn because at this time he did not have a Book as well know that he got the Torah after Firawn was killed and only after he was killed did Prophet Moses peace be upon him go to The Mountain and got his book. What will happen to people that existed in the period where no prophet was send to them? For example people in Africa in the period of the Prophet Isa as who was sent by Allah Taalah to the people of Israel. In the Day of Judgment? Some people say that if the sending of the Prophets was through Divine Grace, why should the people of our age be deprived of this Grace? Why do you not find a new way to guide the people of our age? What is the exact meaning of seal (the prophet of Islam is the seal of prophecy)? Why we need the guidance of prophets? What is the reason for the seal of the prophet? Please explain. It is accepted by us that Allah never left any nation any time without a guide. Can you please enlighten us for the period between Eesa (a.s.) and Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.a.) because the ghaibat (occultation) of Hazrat Eesa (a.s.) is different in a way from the ghaibat of Imam Zamaan (a.s.). If it is necessary for human beings always have a leader on rational grounds it would imply that we should always have divine leaders whereas the reality on the ground seems to show something different. For example, after the advent of Islam, we did not have any divine leadership except for a few cases wherein the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him and his progeny), Imam Ali and his son Imam Hasan (Peace be upon them) ruled. What does Islam say about Jesus?