Special Deputies

Special Deputies

When Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his noble reappearance) entered the Minor Occultation (al-ghayba al-ṣughrā, 874–941 CE), how did his followers remain connected to him? Special Deputies answers this question by exploring the institution of four appointed representatives (nawwāb khāṣṣ), through whom the Imam’s guidance and authority continued during this critical era. About the Book Compiled and published by Ansariyan Publications in Qom, Special Deputies presents a historically informed and devotionally relevant study of the four men who successively represented the Imam. It recounts the roles of ʿUthmān ibn Saʿīd al-ʿAmrī (d. 880 CE), Muḥammad ibn ʿUthmān (d. 917 CE), Ḥusayn ibn Rūḥ al-Nawbakhtī (d. 938 CE), and ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Samarī (d. 941 CE), situating their lives within the broader development of Shīʿī identity during the Imam’s concealment. The book highlights how these deputies transmitted letters, clarified rulings, and defended the community against false claimants, ensuring continuity of leadership in the Imam’s absence. Drawing on historical sources and hadith (narrations from the Prophet and the Imams), it demonstrates the theological necessity of deputyship as well as its practical role in guiding the community. What You Will Discover

• Discover the lives and responsibilities of the four deputies during the Minor Occultation.
• See how correspondence and rulings preserved communication with the Imam.
• Explore the theological framework that legitimized representation on his behalf.
• Learn about the challenges facing the Shīʿī community and the deputies’ strategies for safeguarding it.

About the Author This volume was compiled and published by Ansariyan Publications, a leading Shīʿī publishing institution based in Qom. For decades, Ansariyan has specialized in producing reliable translations and accessible studies of classical sources. Its works aim to combine scholarly precision with devotional relevance, making complex traditions approachable for a wide readership. Who Is This Book For? This book is intended for readers of Shīʿī history, students of Islamic theology, and believers who wish to understand how the institution of special deputyship sustained the community’s connection to Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his noble reappearance).