Other Questions 26item Historically, we see that every civilization eventually declines. Is it not possible that the government of Imam al-Mahdi (‘a) will also decline? In particular, might not people eventually become discontent with his government? What are the signs for the re-emergence of the Master of the Age [i.e. the Twelfth Imam]? Sometime dream scrolls are prohibited by the caretakers of the Prophet’s shrine. These scrolls prohibit people to commit sinful acts and in addition to this it also informs about the progeny of the Prophet (s.a.) that the reappearance of Imam-e-Zaman (‘a) is going to be within a year. Is there any truth about such publications? Who is the Mahdi? Please mention to some Shia traditions that refer to reappearance of the Great Reviver (Imam Mahdi (a.s))? Is there any reference to reappearance of the Great Reviver (Imam Mahdi (a.s)) in the traditions? Is there any reference to reappearance of the Great Reviver (Imam Mahdi (a.s)) in the Holy Quran? A tradition has been narrated by Abu Hamza Thumali from Imam Al-Baqir (peace be upon him) according to which Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) said that relief will come after the 70th year after Hijra, but because of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) the affair was delayed until the year 140 after Hijra. Then, because the Shi‘a did not protect the secret, Allah once again delayed the affair such that He did not place any time for it in the knowledge of the Imams. Please explain the commentary of this tradition along with the many other traditions that indicate that the promised relief shall occur after long periods and following great events and happenings. And doesn’t the occurrence of bada’, which is understood from this tradition, cause the presumption that something became known for Allah-we seek refuge with Allah-after it had been unknown? In any case, what is the correct explanation? From which Islamic sources has the position and esteem (i`tibar) of the Imamah and leadership and faith in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return) been understood? And what effects have events and the passage of time had on the completion of this principle? Why does not the Imam of Time (ajt) author a book so that the people and religious scholars may refer to it for guidance? Why do Shias put their hand on their head whenever Imam Mahdi's (aj) name is said or they stand up? Are there hadiths for this? Why do we pray for the well-being of Imam Zaman? You are saying that the reason behind the twelfth Imam's occultation is fear from tyrants. The question is: Why did the Imam (atf) not reappear when there has been no danger to threaten his life in the presence of Shiite governments like the Ubaidis, Buwaihids, Safavids and the present Iranian state? Why doesn't he reemerge when not only the Shiite government of Iran can support him but millions of devout Shiites are waiting to join his rank and to sacrifice their lives for him? What is the theological basis of Mahdiism? Doesn’t the occultation of the twelfth imam undermine the whole concept of "imamate"? 12