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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biographies of Leaders of Islam The Twelfth Imam Sahib Al-'asr Wa Al-zaman AL-HUJJAH AL-MUNTAZAR, AL-MAHDI (AS) NAME AND PARENTAGE Muhammad son of HASAN AL-'ASKARI (AS) is a facsimile of his name-sake and great ancestor the holy (p) in form and manners. His mother was NERJIS KHATUN, granddaughter of the contemporary Byzantine king who was a descendant of Prophet SHAM'UN (trustee of Jesus Christ, p). He was born on the 15th of SHA'BAN 255 A.H.

(July 29, 869 A.D.). His father IMAM HASAN AL-'ASKARI (AS) instructed his pious sister HALIM KHATUN to tutor this child in the Divine Law TITLES He is usually called by his titles rather than his first name. These are numerous, second in number to those of IMAM ALI IBN ABU TALIB (AS). Famous among them are: 1- AL-MAHDI: this is the title which has got the status of a name to which reference is made in the prophecies of the holy Prophet (p) and the Imams (as).

Hence, the concept of AL-MAHDI, the Guided One, AL-MUNTAZAR, the Awaited One, is commonly acknowledge by Muslims. No doubt, there are some differences of opinion among scholars in his regard, but these deal with his life events or qualities. The belief in the reappearance of IMAM AL-MAHDI (AS) is entertained by all Muslims. "AL-MAHDI" means "the guided one". It indicates that God is the real Guide, all the creatures are guided by Him.

In the is sense, the Prophet and all Imams are MAHDIS, but in reality this title is exclusively used for the 12th Imam. 2- AL-QA'IM. This title is based on some traditions (AHADITH) where the asserts that "this world will not come to its end unless there rises a QA'IM from my offspring who will fill it with equity and justice after being filled with injustice and oppression". 3- SAHIB AZ-ZAMAN (master of the time). This is in view of the fact that he is the real guide of our time.

4- HUJJAT ALLAH. Every Prophet or Imam is the "proof" or "sign" of the Mercy of the Creator; he fulfills the responsibility of guiding humanity, thus leaving for people no excuse to do wrong. As in our time the responsibility of guiding the world is fulfilled by the 12th Imam, he will be called HUJJAT ALLAH till Doomsday. 5- AL-MUNTAZAR (the expected or awaited one). All Muslim scholars have been repeating the prophecies regarding the appearance of IMAM AL-MAHDI (AS).

Not only the Muslim but even people of other religions too believe in a "comer" to come in the last days.