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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Correspondence Course (book 4) Lesson 49 : the Twelfth Imam (muhammad Al-mahdi) 1. Birth & Early Life Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (a.s.) was born on 15th Sha’ban 255 A.H. (868 CE) in Samarra to Narjis, the wife of the eleventh Imam. Lady Narjis’s lineage goes back to Sham’un, one of the disciples of Prophet ‘Isa (a.s.); and she was highly respected by Hakima, the sister of Imam an-Naqi and leader of the Hashimite ladies.

Since the reports about the anticipated birth of Mahdi, the Messiah who will put an end to injustice and tyranny was widespread, the ‘Abbasids were closely watching the family of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). The situation was not unlike the days prior to the birth of Prophet Musa (a.s.) when Pharoah had ordered that the male children of the Israelites be killed. Just as Musa’s birth was concealed from the public by Allah’s power, Muhammad al- Mahdi’s birth was also concealed from the public.

For five years, Imam al-Mahdi lived under the loving care of his father. He was seen only by some family members and a few selected companions of his father. This was all done to protect him from the ‘Abbasid agents. Some of thoseWho had seen the Imam during this period are mentioned below: Lady Hakima, aunt of Imam Hasan al-’Askari (a.s.). Nasim, the servant of Imam al-’Askari. Muhammad bin ‘Uthman al-’Amri. Husayn bin al-Hasan al-’Alawi. Ja’far bin Muhammad bin Malik and his group.

Ahmad bin Ishaq. Here we shall only narrate the event in which Ahmad bin Ishaq saw Imam al-Mahdi. Ahmad, a prominent Shi’a of the time, once visited Imam Hasan al-’Askari (a.s.) and wanted to ask him about his successor. Before Ahmad asked his question, the Imam said, “O Ahmad! From the day He created Adam, Allah has not left the earth without a representative (hujjat), nor will He leave it without a representative till the day of judgement.

It is because of the hujjat that Allah averts the chastisement from the people, sends down the rain and brings forth the blessings from the earth.” Ahmad: “O son of the Prophet! Who is the successor and the Imam after you?” Imam Hasan al-’Askari immediately went inside the house and returned with a three year old child in his hands, and said, “O Ahmad bin Ishaq, if you were not honourable in the sight of Allah and His representatives, I would not have shown this son of mine to you.