A Reply to Doubts Produced by Ahmad Kateb Related to the Narrations of the Twelve Imams (PBU them)

One of the proofs that confirm the birth and the presence of Imam Mahdi-ibn- Hassan Askari (PBUH) being alive in the world is the number of several hadiths that have been consecutively narrated by both Shiites and Sunnites, to which the great prophet of Islam (MGSBH) referred and specified that he was to have twelve successors. These hadiths or traditions are briefly called the “Hadiths of the Twelve Imams or Caliphs”. Of course, some narrations of the Sunnites and most narrations of the Shiites have gone further to mention the names and numbers of the successors to describe their qualities or characteristics. Of the most important points cited in such traditions is introducing the twelfth Imam as being the riser and alive and giving the news of his Absence and the identity of his father and ancestors.These traditions denote the birth and presence of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) in two ways: the first is a general specification for the number of “12”, which is confirmed by both Shiites and Sunnites and the other clarifies and gives the reasons for the names, qualities and characters in the texts, also indicating the twelfth Imam being alive as the Riser (PBUH). as the only Guardian, the Friend and the remainder of God on the earth at the present time. Many other things have been explained such as the terminology of Guardianship the nature of Guardianship, genesis, creation, the descriptive guardianship, application of the position of Friendship of God, etc. Then an investigation and criticism have been made with regard to the both extremes in the views of some thinkers concerning the belief in the twelfth Imam (PBUH) with the emphasis on the fact that the belief in the guardianship of the Imam is much different from exaggeration and Consignation.In the second part of the article, the base and foundation of intervening in the Creation on the part of the Imam, who is His Friend has been brought about with regard to and by using philosophical cosmology and existence. Then the confirmation of guardianship from the viewpoint of religious Texts (the Quran and traditions has been cared for. At the end, the most important qualities of the Guardian and the Friend of God has been given to the dear readers.