Summary Article:Sheikh Al-Nomany and his Al-Gaiba
Written by: Sheik Amer Al-Jabery
Translated by: Mujtaba Al-Helu
Al-Nomany is one of the greatest Shia scholars in the fourth century (A.H). He lived in a transitional era: at the end of the Minor Occultation, and at the beginning of the Major Occultation.
Al-Nomany occupied a high social status due to different reasons. He was well known among kings, princes, and high officials. He moved to different countries for the sake of knowledge. He met a number of great intellectuals of his time, like Ibn Oqda, Al-Kulainy, and others.
In Mahdism, Al-Nomany’s book, Al-Gaiba, is considered one of the most important sources. He has narrated from eighteen of his masters, mostly from five who are Ibn Oqda, Al-Iskafy, Al-Kulainy, Al-Bandanijy, and Al-Musoly. These five scholars are the primary sources of this book.
It, also, attempts to justify other related fields. It authenticates some narrators, as Ibn Oqda, or other books like the Book of Sulaim bin Qais.
The primary thesis of this book is collecting related traditions and Hadiths to Occultation, in addition to other relevant studies. These issues shall be encountered in this research.
