SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Many people ask if it is possible to meet Imam Mahdi (AJ) during the major occultation. To answer the question, it must be said that according to all the narrations from infallible Imams, it can be understood that based on logical and narrative reasons, there are no limits in the possibility of meeting Imam Mahdi (AJ) during the major occultation. But the famous sentence of Imam Mahdi (AJ) must be taken into the consideration. Imam (AS) wrote that at the time (of major occultation) whoever claims meeting me before the coming of Sofyani and the loud noise from the sky is a liar and a slanderer.
Of course there are explanations to this sentence above and below it by Imam Mahdi (AJ) and explanations in other narrations from infallibles indicate to the fact that this sentence relate to those who falsely claim to be the deputy of Imam Mahdi (AJ) and not those whom Imam (AS) give special permissions for a meeting with him during the major occultation. Therefore it can realised that the great Shia scholars based on the necessity and urgency of matters have achieved meeting Imam Mahdi (AJ) during the major occultation such as Moqaddas Ardabili, Allama Seyyed Bahrul Uloom, the Grand Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi and others.
Commentary on Imam Sajjad’s (AS) Treaties of Right (Part 21)