Where is Imam Mahdi now? (Shia's viewpoint)
According to Shia belief, Imam Mahdi is currently in a state of occultation. This means that he is hidden from the public view, but he is alive and will reappear when the time is right to establish justice and peace.
One narration from Imam Ali, recorded in Al-Kafi, describes a conversation where he reflects on the Mahdi, saying: No, by God, I have never desired the earth nor the world a single day, but I was thinking about a newborn who will come from my back, the eleventh of my descendants, who is the Mahdi who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and injustice. He will have an occultation and confusion, in which some people will go astray and others will be guided.
Al-Kafi 4:467 This highlights the belief in his future appearance and the challenges that will accompany his return.
Shia scholars maintain that Imam Mahdi, as the twelfth Imam, is in a divine state of protection, waiting for the right circumstances to lead the Muslim community and fulfill his role as a just leader.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 4:467
Al-Kafi · Book 4, Hadith 467
I came to the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) and found him pondering, digging into the earth. I said, "O Commander of the Faithful, why do I see you pondering, digging into the earth? Are you desirous of it?" He said, "No, by God, I have never desired the earth nor the world a single day, but I was thinking about a newborn who will come from my back, the eleventh of my descendants, who is the Mahdi who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and injustice. He will have an occultation and confusion, in which some people will go astray and others will be guided." I said, "O Commander of the Faithful, how long will the confusion and occultation last?" He said, "Six days or six months or six years." I said, "This is indeed to be." He said, "Yes, just as he exists. How can you know about this matter, O Asbagh? They are the best of this nation along with the best and most pious of this family." I said, "Then what will happen after that?" He said, "Then God does what He wills, for He has beginnings and wills and aims and ends." — OR — I said to him, 'Some people have narrated from the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) that he prayed four units after Friday prayer without separating them with salutations.' He said, 'O Zurarah, the Commander of the Faithful prayed behind a wicked person. When he concluded and departed, the Commander of the Faithful stood and prayed four units without separating them with salutations.' A man beside him said, 'O Abu al-Hasan, you prayed four units without separating between them.' He said, 'They are four similar units.' Then he fell silent and by God, I did not understand what he meant.
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