An Analysis of Fixing Time for Imam Mahdi's Appearance in Abu Labid's Tradition (disclosing Bahae's Trick in Referring to a Tradition)

Explaining the Muqattaat or abbreviated lettes of Quran, Abu Labid's tradition alludes to those who up-rise when abbreviated letters in beginning of Quranic chapters are realized. According to this tradition, Imam Mahdi appears when 'alif lam ra or alif lam mim ra are realized. In his Behar al-Anwar, Allama Majlisi says that there are some probabilities concerning the meaning of this tradition. In his Rijat Book, he however happens to fix a probable time for the Imam's appearance saying that 1155 AH is the time he will probably appear. This tradition can serve as a ground for some misunderstandings. Abu al-Fazl Gulpayagani a leading figure of Bahaei sect considers this tradition as a reason why Ali Muhammad Shirazi known as Bab was right when he claimed that he was the promised Mahdi appearing in 1260 AH. Using a descriptive analytic methodology, the writer tries to explain the content of this tradition as well as its chain of reporters. This study shows that this tradition is weak both in terms its reporters as well as in terms of its signification. Thus it cannot be referred to in important matters such as imamate (or alleged prophecy). If this tradition is trusted at all, it can be referred only to Imam Mahdi.