FAQs
IT IS 100% SAFE AS ALL TERRORIST ARE WIPED OUT FROM IRAQ-20/02/2018.
For U.S., Canadian and UK citizens
Once you land at Baghdad airport, you will need to fill out a visa form. After filling out the form, submit your passport with the form. After your visa is stamped, your name will be called to collect your passport. You must pay a $77 visa fee at the counter and collect your passport.
You should only bring U.S.D. in the form of $100 notes. There is a loss if you bring small denominations. Better rates are near your hotel from currency exchange shops. Please shop around.
Please use extra precaution and try not to travel unless your group leader helps you and will arrange the transport and guide to go with you. Try to avoid night travel.
Masjid Buratha, Behlool, 4 representatives of 12th Imam after minor occultation.
‘Uthman b. Sa’id al-‘AmriSamman
Main article: ‘Uthman b. Sa’id al-‘Amri
‘Uthman b. Sa’id al-‘Amri was the first special deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a) and was titled as Samman, meaning oil-seller which was a cover for his religio-political activities; since he put anything he was supposed to deliver to Imam (a) in oil containers and delivered them to Imam (a).[4]
Previously, some deputies of Imams (a) used this technique such as Muhammad Qattan delivered religious taxes to Imam (a) in a facade of a draper.[5] He was a special deputy of Imam (a) for five years since 260/874.
Muhammad b. ‘Uthman b. Sa’id al-‘Amri
Main article: Muhammad b. ‘Uthman
Muhammad b. ‘Uthman was the second special deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a). He (s) was first the deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a) and then Imam’s (a) delegate for four years. After his father passed away, Muhammad (a) was given the responsibility for Shi’a affairs through a letter from Imam al-Mahdi (a).[6] Like his father, Muhammad was among the trustworthy companions of Imam al-‘Askari (a), as a hadith narrated from him reads:
‘Amri and his son are both trustworthy. Whatever they deliver or they say is from me. Listen to their words and follow them who are trusted and trustworthy.[7]
He was the special deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a) for four years since 265/878.
Husayn b. Ruh
Main article: Husayn b. Ruh al-Nawbakhti
Abu l-Qasim Husayn b. Ruh al-Nawbakhti ,the third special deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a), was among those whom Muhammad b. ‘Uthman al-‘Amri trusted and a close friend of him in Baghdad.[8]
Muhammad b. ‘Uthman sent those who came to him to Husayn b. Ruh and prepared the ground for his deputyship and in his last days of life followed the order of Imam al-Mahdi (a) and introduced Husayn as Imam’s (a) deputy. Afterwards, Shi’a would refer to Husayn to give their taxes. His deputyship took 21 years since 305/917.[9]
He was among the companions of Imam al-Hasan al-‘Askari (a) and in the presence of Abu ‘Ali Hammam, Abu ‘Abd Allah b. Muhammad al-Katib, Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Baqitani, Abu SahlIsma’il b. ‘Ali al-Nawbakhti, Abu ‘Abd Allah b. al-Wajana’ and some others was introduced as the successor of Abu Ja’far al-‘Amri (the second special deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a)).[10]
Ali b. Muhammad al-Samuri
Main article: ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Samuri
Abu l-Hasan ‘Ali b. Muhammad al-Samuri was the fourth and last deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (a) who was appointed by Husayn b. Ruh following the order of Imam al-Mahdi (a) as his deputy which lasted for three years until 329/941.