The perception of four safirs in the İmamiyya and Nusayriyya

In the Shiite tradition, one of the most important developments in the minor occultation of the Mahdi is the formation of Imamiyye and Nusayriyye, one of its sub-branches. The conceptions of Imamate and bâb played a primary role in the differentiation of Imamiyya and Nusayriyya. In connection with the imagination of bâb, the concept" foursafirs" who were said to have established connection between the Mahdi and Shiitesin the time of occultation has been considered a different way by the aforementioned two schools. According to the Imamiyya the only figures who met with the Mahdi in the minor occultation were the four safirs whom were also called nâib, wakîl and bâb. The safirs who performed their duties one after another reached the letters, including the messages of the Mahdi, to the Shiites, in addition, collecting the religious taxes of the Shiites, they used them properly in in the directions of Mahdi's instructions. With death of the fourth safir while the period of minor occultation closed, the period of major occultation began. According to the Nusayriyya the offices of deputy and bâb are two different positions. Bâbtakes precedence of wakîl. Bâb is in charged with the propagation of the Imam's knowledge whereas the deputy accounts only for the financial affairs of the Imam. The first three of the four safirs are the prime ministers who presided the secret organization of vicegerency. After the death of the third wakil the minor occultation closed and the major occultation began. The fourth wakil has no relationship with vicegerency or office of bâb. Muhammad b. Nusayr is the bâb of last three of twelve Imams.