Resolving the Doubts Cast by Nasser Al-Qefari about Bada (Appearance)

Bada' (appearance) is one of the most important Shiite doctrines, and a true understanding of this doctrine in the light of theology, prophetology and imamology help answer the questions raised in the regard by testifying divine will and infallible Imam's knowledge of the Unseen. Citing transmitted and intellectual proofs, the present paper criticizes the charges made by Nasser Al-Qefari, a Wahhabi scholar, and proves that the idea of using Bada' by which is confirmed by Shiite scholars dispels such notions like attributing ignorance to God, superiority of the Holy Prophet's household over the Creator or Imam's position extreme. The use of Bada' by God has a figurative meaning; that is, its occurrence contained in the Tablet of Effacement and Affirmation in which predestinations are recorded and is associate with God's active knowledge. God's essential knowledge which is eternal and unchangeable contained in the Protected Tablet with God. Furthermore, Imam's knowledge of the Unseen has toots in and due to the clear difference between God's knowledge of the Unseen and that of Imam's in quality and quantity there is no indication of attributing superiority to Imams. The historical stories to which Qefari refers are contradictory and not reliable.