ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-mahdi (a.s.) Mahdi and His Long Life It was verified from the previous traditions that the Expected Mahdi who shall emerge at the end of time and will fill the earth with equity and Justice just as it had been filled with cruelty and oppression is none other than Abul-Qasim Muhammad-ibn-Hassan Askari (A.S.). It was also proved that he was born in the night of 15th Shaban, 256.

What is integral to this matter is that he should have lived a long life and right from that time until now, more than one thousand and one hundred years have passed from Mahdi's age and Allah knows best about the time of his emergence and his demise. Although longevity is something unusual amongst the people yet, as per the nature it is a possible phenomenon. Moreover, there exists proofs and reasons for the long life of Mahdi (A.S.).

In other words, the prolongation of Mahdi's life is amongst the possible affairs and reasons too confirm this point. Thus one is helpless in accepting and acknowledging this matter. The author of "Tazkerat-ul-Um" says: The entire Imamiah sect believe that Khalaf-e-Hujjat is living and receiving his sustenance.

For proving Hazrat to be alive they set forth the following reasons: First reason: A group of people such as Khizr and Ilyas have lived a long life and it is (still) not known for how many years they have been living. Every year they meet each other and catch each other's hair.94 In 'Torah' it has come that Zul-Qarnain lived for 3000 years. However Muslims believe that he lived for 1500 years.

Muhammad-ibn-Ishaq says: - 'Awaj-ibn-Unaq' lived for 3600 years.95 Awaj- ibn-Unaq (whose father's name was Subhan and mother's name was Unaq) was born during Hazrat Adam's time and continued to live until Hazrat Musa killed him. 'Zahhaq' lived for 1000 years.96 'Thamuras' too has lived for 1000 years.

Amongst the Prophets, we may mention such names as Hazrat Adam, Nuh, 94-Author of 'Qarmani' writes (on page 44): Mas'oudi says Khizr is Alexander's cousin and the vanguard of Zul-Qarnain's living during Hazrat Ibrahim's time. He has drank from the well-spring of life that he has remained till - and, will continue to live till the sounding of the trumpets.

95-'Qarmani' page 50 96-'Qarmani' page 348 Shais and others that have lived for 1000 or more years.97 Qainan lived for 900 years.98 Mehla'eel lived for 800 years.99 Nuqail-ibn-Abdullah lived for 700 years. The soothsayer Rabiya-ibn-Omar lived for 600 years.