ImÄm ZamÄn (mGehr)’s Shaˈniyah1 type of Occultation, and his Shoˈniyah2 type of presence
The meaning of the title is obvious and clear from the history, events, and stories of the past. That is, His Excellency SÄhib al Amr (mGehr) is present in the eyes of special worshippers and observes the condition of common people. Also, he is able to remove disasters.
He is aware of divine secrets and hidden things. [Know that,] he hasn’t been removed from the position of ImÄmate, due to being absent and out of sight! Or he has not abandoned the requirements and etiquette of his divine ruling! Also, he is not weak in His divine power!
Whenever he intends to solve others’ problems, there is no need for him to see the problem or struggle to solve them; instead, when he wants to attract a scholar’s attention and interest in reading [special] book or towards himself, he sometimes teaches them prayers or shows them healing of their illnesses.
But many times it was heard or seen that, some truthful ones in this path or the ones who acknowledge the Imamate, are not truly distressed and miserable! So, although they feel helpless, plead and complain, their wishes aren’t fulfilled and their problems aren’t solved and their disasters aren’t avoided!
It’s because, they are not truly entangled in trouble. They wrongly suppose that they are destroyed, lost and confused! In this situation, the ImÄm shows them the right path; like when he referred the Ignorant of [Shi’a] practical rules to scholars. As an example, in his blessed letter, the Excellency guided IsḥÄq ibn YaÊ¿qÅ«b, as follows:
As for the incidents which happen to you, refer to our narrators of AhÄdÄ«th. They are verily our Hujjat on you, and I am God’s Hujjat on you.
Therefore, as soon as an unknown individual finds a scholar who has even emigrated or traveled somewhere, it’s worth going there and taking advantage of the scholar’s Shia laws.
Also, the scholar shouldn’t be unable or at a loss to understand and solve [their probable] problems, dispel religious doubts and bewilderments through the validity of citing the apparent meanings of the verses of the Qurˈan, the validity of citing the Qurˈan as a means of inference and argument, and by having the knowledge of Shiˈa and Sunni books.
On the contrary, the scholars whose possessions and livelihoods haven’t been earned based on divine limits and legal standards, and they have not lived simply and contentedly, based on the amount that is praised in the Sharia. Well, it’s not a good reason that a scholar supposes they need to have the unnecessary possessions!
Yet, sometimes they see themselves as helpless and distressed, but after honest reflection, they will find out it is not true!
Other times, they are truly in distress, but perhaps fulfilling their wishes is not good for their lives, or the entire divine system doesn’t see it good for them! This case may happen to many others too. Thus, not all the distressed have been promised to have their wishes fulfilled! Thus, the wishes of the distressed are fulfilled by God or His caliphs [Infallible ImÄms and Ahl al Bayt [pbu th]). Not that they would respond to every needy person!
During the days of ImÄm ZamÄn (mGehr)’s presence and revelation in Medina, Mecca, KÅ«fa, and elsewhere, there were many needy and helpless people from all walks of life, including both lovers of the ImÄm or the common people. They would ask questions but not be answered!
It was not that he would give every helpless person whatever they asked at any time, and he would not relieve his need. [The ImÄms usually fulfill the needs of all, as this ability is given by God to them. But, sometimes God doesn’t see it good for a individual’s wishes to be fulfilled.]
Well, it could cause disrupting the divine order that would prevent the disaster and calamity- stricken people, from receiving great definite rewards from God and from being praised by Him!
These rewards will be given on the Day of Judgment, when the people will wish to have had their flesh been cut with scissors in this world, in order to request God Almighty; with His perfect power, absolute richness, and knowledge of the surrounding particles and details of beings, to bring back those situations [Having troubles that have rewards]!
1-It refers to the ImÄm’s Occultation, which is a feature of his status.
2- It refers to his true presence and observance on all the things.