According to the process of events at Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) and his son’s time , there was no way except his being hidden for some time. But since everything our Imams had done was some how to strengthen our faith, the process of Occultation was thoroughly arranged , in order not to damage the faith of Muslims .
First of all, many years before he was born, his fathers had talked about him and his Occultation, to make people familiar with this event. Then, Imam Hadi (p.b.u.h) and Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) had connected people differently and limitedly, to show people In most of cases they need not come to their Imam directly; instead they could refer to his representative, who was a trustworthy Shiite for most of the time. However , when Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) passed away , Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) was not suddenly disappeared and he did not cut his connection with people completely . For about seventy years he kept his connection with people through hi four special representatives and was hidden as well . During this period – with jurists and how to know their duties while their Imam is hidden . After all this ups and downs and when people were prepared , the long Occultation occurred , and people’s connection with Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) was cut .
I. Short Occultation :
Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) was appointed to Imamate after his father in 881 A.D. and was hidden for about seventy years (until 950 A.D) .
During this period people could reach him through his special representatives they received his letters and asked their questions through these trustworthy representatives , and they could rarely visit him face to face .
His special representatives were four great and well – known jurists.

They were :
1- Othman Ibn Saied Amri : Previously he was the representative of Imam Hadi (p.b.u.h) and Imam Hassan Askari ( p.b.u.h) and then become the first representative of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) He died in 886 A.D.
2- Mohammad Ibn Othman Amri : He was Othman Ibn Saied’s son and the next representative . He died in 926 A.D.
3- Hussein Ibn Rooh Nobakhti : he was Imam’s representative for 21 years and died in 947 A.D.
4- Ali Ibn Muhammad Somari : he was the last special representative , who died in 950 A.D. and then the short Occultation ended up .
All these special representatives were appointed and introduced to people by Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) or Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) in person .
Sheikh Toosi narrates in his book, Ghaybah, that one day forty of Shiites and Othman Ibn Muhammad (the first representative of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) ) went to see Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) . Imam pointed to his son and said :
“This is my son and the next Imam after me. Obey him … and be aware that you shall not see him again until he is completely mature. Hence , [ when he is hidden ] obey Othman Ibn Saied completely for he is the true representative of my son’s and we have entrusted our affairs to him . “
He also narrates in another Hadith :
“Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) ordered Othman Ibn Saied to receive some money and goods from some people from Yemen. When they learned this , said to him : “ surely , Othman is one of the best Shiites we know , but now we swear to God we realized his high position “ . Imam said : “ yes . I call you to witness that Othman Ibn Saied Amri is my representative and his son , Mohammad , is my son’s . “
All these are about the time before Occultation . During the time of Occultation, every one of special representatives had introduced his successor who had been chosen by Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) .
All of these honorable men had significant characteristics which made them qualified for succession of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) they were trustworthy , virtuous , honest and fair . Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) had trusted them , for they were all trained in his school or his fathers’ . Some of them were all trained in his school or his fathers’ some of them were trained by Imams since being eleven years old they taught them knowledge and faith together and made them patient with difficulties . They had a reputation and obey their Imam even in the most difficult situations and besides were great leaders who could guide the society of Shiites to the right path even in disastrous situation during the short Occultation , understanding the importance of the situation at that time .
We can see the importance of short Occultation with thorough study of this era and the role of four special representatives in making connection between people and Imam Mahdi ( p.b.u.h) .
This connection and some personal visits , made people certain about the existence of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) as the son of Imam Hassan Askari (p.b.u.h) this was time when enemies of Imams tried to spread doubt and uncertainty among Shiites about his existence . The short Occultation was also a good introduction Imam for a long time , the short Occultation had paved the way and made them ready for that era .
The Long Occultation
The fourth special representative of Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) received a letter from him , saying as :
“In the name of Allah , the most compassionate , the most merciful . Ali Ibn Mohammad Samari! I ask God to reward your brothers in this tragic loss . You shall die in six days . Therefore, manage your works and finish them , but do not choose anyone as your successor ; for the long Occultation has begun and I shall not reappear until God wishes and it shall take a long time , when the world shall be full of cruelty and people shall become cruel . “
Hence the Long Occultation has begun after the death 950 A.S. and we still live in that time until God wishes to let him reappear and we enjoy his reappearance .
As it was mentioned , Shiites connected with Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) representatives . But after that and during the long Occultation , as these days , they cannot reach to Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) directly or the jurists . Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) had clearly mentioned this point . In one part of his letter to his second special representative , he wrote :
“And about some forthcoming events you shall refer to those who narrate our Hadith [ the jurists ] ; for as I am God’s proof for them , they are my proof for you … “
This new strategy was established to respond people’s questions and show them their social and individual duties during the Occultation . It also shows the dynamic system of Imamate and leadership in Shiism which has never left people of the society alone and without leader or Imam. But has given various aspects of their lives to knowledgeable and pious jurists who are trustworthy and has let them guide the society safely to the right path and keep them from the foes and events .
Imam Hadi (p.b.u.h) clarifies the role of jurists as :
“ If the jurists during the Occultation do not call people and lead them to follow Imam Mahdi (p.b.u.h) and support the religion with strong proofs and reasons , all people shall go astray ! If these jurists, who are aware of all traps of the Devil and deceives of enemies do not help they shall go astray! But they keep Shiites firmly to the right path, and lead them like a professional captain who directs his ship to the coast .These jurists are the best servants of God “
the main point is the characteristics of the leader or “Valie Faqih “; for the important duty of controlling and leading people should be applied to some one with special characteristics for jurists and above all for the leader or “Valie Faqih “.
Imam Sadeq (p.b.u.h) said:
“People should follow the jurist who is the most pious [ even avoids from little sins ] and guards the religion and reuses to follow his “ Self ” and obeys his Imam completely . Surely just some of Shiite jurists are like this not all of them “.