A review based on the analytical depth understanding of the Hadith of Imam al-Ṣādiq transmitted by Sudayr Ṣiyrafi about the similarity between the occultation of Imam Mahdi and the unknownness of Prophet Joseph

In Shiˈite narrative sources, there are many Hadiths that have paid attention in support and explanation of the issue of Imam Mahdi’s occultation through reminding the era of the Prophets and divine men’s occultation. Such narrations make it easier to understand the real concept of Imam Mahdi’s occultation and rectify any improbability in accepting it. The narration of Sudayr al-Ṣiyrafi is one of these narrations, which is mentioned by Kulayni in the chapter “al-Ghaybah” of his book al-Kāfi. The present research, by the descriptive-analytical method and using library resources, attempts to gauge the validity of the Hadith, and to examine the words and phrases used in it, in order to provide a clear picture of the authenticity of that Hadith in explaining the essence of Imam Mahdi’s disappearance. The most important issues mentioned in this narration is to remind the background of the occultation of divine men, and to provide and eliminate the improbability of the acceptance of Imam Mahdi’s occultation, and to state the key role of God’s planning and permission in the initiation and completion of the issue of the Imam’s occultation. Also in order to explain as much as possible the contents of the Hadith, its epistemological approaches are mentioned at the end of the article