The Mahdi's Religious Observances Before His Manifestation 1

[27] By the time God bestowed on the scion of the Hāshimīs the progress along the ascensions of bliss (ma’ārij al-sa‘ādāt) ³ and brought him to the realm of nearness [to Him] and of miracles, the Mahdi had already been cared for by God. He had shown him the beauty of His oneness (aḥadīya) and had made him behold the perfection of His eternity. God evoked in the Mahdi the love of seclusion (khalwa) and retirement (‘uzla) from people, so that he would be purified and the lights of wisdom and knowledge would shine on him. From the Mahdi’s early life, seclusion and solitude were the things he loved most, particularly when people were in a state of vanity, like the people of the time. From his childhood, the Mahdi was accustomed to seclusion (khalwa) ⁴ and religious observances, till God honoured [28] him with the Mahdiship. The author elaborates on the Mahdi’s piety, devotion, asceticism, observances and instruction to his followers.