WHY SHOULD WE TRUST THE FOUR DEPUTIES (NUWWAB AL-ARBA'A)?

[Taqavi]

How Can the Claim of the Four Deputies (Nuwwab al-Arba’a) to Represent Imam Mahdi (AJTF) Be Proven During the Minor Occultation?

 

In the era of the Minor Occultation, four individuals were appointed as representatives of Imam Mahdi (AJTF). These four individuals, known as the "Four Deputies" (Nuwwab al-Arba’a), were: 'Uthman ibn Sa'id, Muhammad ibn 'Uthman, Husayn ibn Ruh Nawbakhti, and 'Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samuri. But how can we believe the claim of these individuals to represent the Hidden Imam (AJTF)?

Why should we trust the Four Deputies?

The credibility of the Four Deputies is rooted in their trustworthiness, and the trustworthiness of all the deputies is confirmed when the trustworthiness of the first deputy is confirmed, because the chain of deputyship begins with Uthman ibn Saeed, and subsequent deputies derived their authority from him. Therefore, by proving the trustworthiness of Uthman ibn Saeed, the trustworthiness of the other deputies is also established.

Similarly, the lack of opposition from the Imami scholars to the deputyship of the Four Deputies is itself the best evidence of the truth of the claim of the Four Deputies to represent the Hidden Imam (AJTF). It shows that the Imami scholars and the Shia community accepted this deputyship and had no doubt about it throughout history.

To confirm the trustworthiness of the first deputy, it is narrated that Abdullah ibn Ja'far al-Himyari reported from Ahmad ibn Ishaq that he once went to Imam Hadi (AS) and said, "My lord, sometimes I am in this city and sometimes I am not, and when I am here, it is not always possible for me to be in your service. Whose words should I accept and whom should I obey?"

He said, "Abu Amr (Uthman ibn Saeed) is my trusted and faithful one. Whatever he says is from me, and whatever he delivers to you is from me." When Imam Hadi (AS) passed away, I went to Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS) and asked him the same question. He also answered like his father and said, "Abu Amr is trustworthy and faithful to my father and me during my life and death. Whatever he says is from me, and whatever message he brings you is from me."[1]

In another narration, Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS) said, "My son is your Imam, and my successor after me, and you will not see him. Uthman ibn Saeed is the intermediary between him and you. Accept his words because he is the deputy of your Imam."[2]

Another point to be noted is that, in addition to Uthman ibn Saeed, his son Muhammad ibn Uthman was also introduced as trustworthy and faithful by the Imam (AS). He also succeeded his father as deputy. In this regard, it is narrated that Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS) said, "Uthman ibn Saeed and his son are trustworthy to me, and whatever they deliver to you is from me, and whatever they say is from my side. So, listen to their words and obey their commands, for they are trustworthy and faithful."[3]

Since the appointment of the other deputies was by Uthman ibn Saeed and his son, therefore, with the confirmation of their trustworthiness, the position and rank of the other deputies is also established. And considering the existing narrations about the appointment of the third deputy by Muhammad ibn Uthman and the fourth deputy by Hussein ibn Ruh (as the successor of Muhammad ibn Uthman), there is no doubt about the trustworthiness of the deputies.

Therefore, it is reported that Muhammad ibn Uthman, at the time of his death, gathered the Shia scholars and referred everyone to Hussein ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti and declared him his successor.[4] And it is sufficient to say about his greatness that Abu Sahl al-Nawbakhti said about the secrecy of Hussein ibn Ruh, "If he were hiding the Imam under his garment and they were to cut his body into pieces with scissors to show him, he would never do so."[5]

Regarding 'Ali ibn Muhammad Samuri: It is also worth mentioning that Husayn ibn Ruh Nawbakhti bequeathed his representative position to 'Ali ibn Muhammad Samuri and appointed him as his successor. [6] In a letter issued by Imam al-Mahdi regarding Samuri, it is stated: “O 'Ali ibn Muhammad, God greatly rewards your fellow believers in your time of tribulation. You will pass away within six days. Therefore, organize your affairs and do not appoint anyone as the successor to this representative position. The Second Occultation has arrived.”[7]

Conclusion: In summary, it can be said that:

• Confirmation by the Infallible Imams (AS): The Infallible Imams, especially Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS), explicitly emphasized the trustworthiness and reliability of Uthman ibn Saeed and his son.
• Transfer of deputyship from one deputy to another: Each of the Four Deputies designated the next deputy, which shows that their appointment was from Imam Mahdi (AJTF).
• Decrees and letters from the Hidden Imam (AJTF): The Four Deputies received decrees and letters from the Hidden Imam (AJTF) which indicated their direct connection with Imam Mahdi (AJTF).
• Miracles and supernatural events: The Four Deputies had miracles and supernatural events that indicated their special connection with the Hidden Imam (AJTF).

Based on this evidence and proof, we can confidently say that the Four Deputies rightly acted as representatives of Imam Mahdi (AJTF) during the Minor Occultation.

 

 

 

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[1] . Al-Ghaiba: Sheikh Al-Tousi, Vol: 1, P: 354.

[2] . Ibid.: page, 357 / Bihar al-Anwar: Allama al-Majlisi, Vol: 51, P: 347.

[3] . Al-Kafi: Sheikh Al-Kalini, Vol: 1, P: 330.

[4] . Al-Ghaiba: Sheikh Al-Tousi, Vol: 1, P: 371.

[5] . Ibid.: page, 391.

[6] . Ibid.: page, 394.

[7] . Kamal al-Din wa tamam al-niemat: Sheikh Al-Sadooq, vol: 2, p: 516.