- Shia says that the father of Imam Zaman ordered to hide the news of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and not to tell except the trusted people. Even now, the Imam of their time is behind the veil of occultation. On the other hand, they say: If someone does not recognize the Imam of his time, he has died the death of ignorance (disbelief). How can this contradiction be resolved?!
The Promised Mahdi (A.S)
The Secrecy of the Promised Mahdi and the Necessity of knowing the Imam of the time in Shia:
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In addition to this example, we observe that the Imam (peace be upon him) orders his companions in another place so that no one greets him or points to him with his hand. Because otherwise, his life will not be safe.[1] The Prophet (PBUH) was under so much pressure that he would select a place to meet with his Shiites and say: “Go to a certain place and a certain house at night and you will find me there...”.[2]
Also, in another narration, we read that Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Balkhi says: “One morning I was sitting in Sheep Sellers street when I suddenly saw Imam Askari (peace be upon him) leaving his house and is going to Dar al-Ama. I said in my heart: “If I shout that, this man is God's proof and you (people) must know him, they will kill me. When the Imam approached me, he pointed to his mouth with his index finger to be quiet. I met him that night and he said: “Either you have to hide or you will be killed, follow God's instructions regarding saving your life”.[3]
These issues show the very difficult political situation of the age of Imam Askari (peace be upon him) and the time of the birth of Imam al-Zaman (peace be upon him). This is why his birth took place in complete secrecy. In the meantime, Imam Askari (a.s) followed two duties: one is that he was trying to prove the birth and existence of his child, and the other is that he should introduce his child in such a way that his life would not face in danger. [4]
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[1] Bihar al-Anwar, V.50, p. 269
[2] Bihar al-Anwar, ibid., p. 304.
[3] Bihar al-Anwar, ibid., p. 290. إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْكِتْمَانُ أَوِ الْقَتْلُ فَاتَّقِ اللَّهَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ
[4] Translated: https://makarem.ir/maaref/l/0428993