Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi

Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi al-Amri (Arabic: عُثْمَان ٱبْن سَعِيد ٱلْأَسَدِيّ عَمْرِوْيّ‎ ʿUthmān ibn Saʿīd al-ʾAsadīy al-ʿAmrīy) was the first of the Four Deputies of the twelfth Imam, Imam al-Mahdi in Twelver Shia Islam.[1] He was appointed as an agent and deputy of Imam al-Mahdi while the Imam was in the Minor Occultation, a period in which he would only contact his followers through the Four Deputies. After ibn Sa'id's death, his son Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman was appointed as the second deputy by Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi.[2]

Kunya and title

Uthman ibn Sai'd had two Kunyas, Abu Amr (Arabic: أَبُو عَمْروْ‎) and Abu Muhammad (Arabic: أَبُو مُحَمَّد‎). Abu Amr because his grandfather's name is Amr and Abu Muhammad since his son's name is Muhammad.[3]

He is known as Samman (Arabic: ٱلسَّمَّان‎, lit. 'oil seller') because he took up selling oil to support his critical activities against Bani Abbas and duties of his deputyship from Bani Abbas to protect the Shias' lives. He would cover the Shias money and trusts for Hasan al-Askari in oil barrels. He is called Asadi because his tribe was Banu Asad and al-Askari because he stayed in a place in Samarra called Askar, meaning "garrison".[3]

Before minor occultation

When he was just eleven years old, ibn Sa'id worked in the house of Muhammad al-Jawad, the 9th Imam of Twelver Shia Islam.[2] Then he became the representative of Ali al-Hadi, the 10th Imam of Shia, and his son Hasan al-Askari, the 11th Imam of Shia. Also, he was trusted by these Shia Imams.[4][5][6] For instance, a quotation attributed to Imam Ali al-Hadi says: "Amri and his son are trusted by me, so whatever he gives and tells you is from me. Listen to them and obey them."[7]

During minor occultation

After the death of Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi's father Hasan al-Askari, al-Mahdi appointed Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi as his representative, thus making al-Asadi the channel of communication between Imam al-Mahdi and the Shia community.[2] After the death of the Hasan al-Askari, Uthman ibn Sa'id performed the ritual bathing of his body, as well as the burial. He then became the deputy of Imam al-Mahdi and moved from Samarra to Karkh, where the Shia were living. He stayed in Karkh until his death. During this period he delivered the letters and religious taxes, such as the Zakat and Khums, the Shias gave to Imam al-Mahdi.[8] He died in Baghdad and was buried there. After his death, his son Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman was appointed as his successor, becoming the second deputy by Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi.[5]

References

1. The First Deputy of Imam Mahdi yjc.ir Retrieved 6 Oct 2018
2. Mohammed Raza Dungersi. A Brief Biography of Imam Muhammad bin Hasan (a.s.): al-Mahdi. Bilal Muslim Mission. pp. 19–21.
3. Association of Imam Mahdi. "The first deputy – Hazrat 'Uthman b. Sa'eed al-Amri (r.a.)".
4. Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i (1975). Shi'ite Islam. SUNY Press. p. 210. ISBN 9780791494608.
5. S.M.R. Shabbar. Story of the Holy Ka'aba And its People. Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain.
6. Ebrahim Amini, Abdulaziz Sachedina. Al-Imam al-Mahdi, The Just Leader of Humanity. Ansariyan Publications - Qum.
7. Shaykh Tusi. al-Ghaybah. p. 360.
8. Zahra Ra'isi (2013). "The Special Deputies of Imam Mahdi (as)" (PDF). Message of Thaqalayn. 14 (1): 75.