The holy Imam replied thus...

The holy Imam replied thus: “And as for the newly occurring circumstances [which have not been mentioned in the Qur’ān and Sunna], refer to those who narrate our ahādīth for they are my proof [Hujjat] upon you as I am Allāh’s Hujjat upon them.” In accordance with some historical documents, after five years of living under the supervision of his magnanimous father; Imam Hassan al-Askarī) and precious mother; Narjis, Imam Mahdi became Imam at the age of five after the martyrdom of his father just as Prophet Jesus (PBUH) and Prophet John (PBUH) had attained the high position of prophethood in their childhood.

The first day of the Imamate of Imam Mahdi was on Friday and according to a well-known narration from Shiites’ viewpoint, the appearance of His Majesty will be on Friday as well. According to reports, the ninth day of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal is the anniversary of the beginning of the Divine Leadership (Imamate) of the twelfth and the Savior of our time; Imam Muhammad a-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance). In addition, it is also the day to renew the oath of allegiance to him.

In light of this, the Shiites and those who wait for the appearance of this Divine Leader (Imam) used to celebrate this blessed day and consider it holy. Of course, the Imamate of Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (PBUH) started from the very moment of his father’s martyrdom, that is, the eighth of Rabī’ al-Awwal. However, in order to honour the day of Imam Askarī’s martyrdom by mourning him, the Shiites do not regard that very day as the beginning of the Imamate of Imam Mahdi (PBUH).

Therefore, the ninth day of Rabī’ al-Awwal is considered the first day of the Imamate of Imam Mahdi and it is celebrated. A well-known Shia scholar; Sayyid ibn Tāwūs, after registering the Imam ‘Askarī’s martyrdom on the 8th of Rabī’ al-Awwal, says, “The beginning of Imam Mahdi’s Imamate is on the 9th of Rabī’ al-Awwal.

Perhaps this is the reason for celebrating this day.” Similarly, Abū Sahl ibn Ali al-Nubakhtī, who was an authentic and reliable person for some Infallible Imams especially Imam ‘Askarī and the Imam of the Age, says: “After Mu’tamad (the cruel Abbasid caliph) had poisoned Imam ‘Askarī, I visited the Imam when his son was there. The Imam was upset and so weak that, when a container of water was given to him to drink, he could not hold it.

His body was trembling and could I hear the sound of his teeth touching the container. At this moment, Imam Muhammad Mahdi arrived.