| Imam Mahdi (AS) - The Twelfth Imam
- According to the Traditions(ahadith) and Scholars of Ahl e Sunnah
(sunnis)
By Fayaz Ahmad
And we desired to bestow a favor upon those who were
deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams (Leaders
of mankind), and to make them the heirs.
Imam Muhammad ibn hasan al
mahdi (as) :
Name - Muhammad
Title - Al-Mahdi, Sahib-ul-Asr, Al-Hujjat, Al-Qa'im
Kuneyat - Abul Qasim
Born - Friday 15th of Shaban 255 A.H., at Samarra
Father's Name - Imam Hasan-al-Askari (AS)
Mother's Name - Nargis Khatoon (SA)
Imam Mahdi (AS) was born at Samarrah in the year 255 A.H.
He is the last Imam (a.s.) and he is alive and in
occultation.
Sunni References:
- Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi's Tadhkirat al-Khawas
- Al-Shaykh Muhammad bin Talha Shafi'i's Matalib al-Su'ul.
- Ibn Khallikan's Wafayat al-A'yan.
Introduction
At dawn, on the 15th Shaban 255 A.H., the rays of the
illuminating world shone with a powerful shaft of light into
a human form, which became the source of existence for the
universe.
Yes, finally, the Divine promise was fulfilled and Imam al-
Mahdi (A.S) was born in spite of the efforts of those who
denied him:
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Al-Mahdi is one of
the children of Fatimah (the Prophet's
daughter). |
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Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp)
- Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition 4086 |
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There existed a good deal of harmony and uniformity between
the aspects pertaining to the births of Prophet Muhammad,
the last Apostle of Allah and Imam Mehdi, the last
Apostolical Imam. Just as the coming of the Holy Prophet was
prophesied well in advance by the proceeding Prophets
similarly the impending news of the gracious birth of Imam
al-Mehdi was foretold by the Holy Prophet.
Innumerable traditions in this context, quoted right from
The Holy Prophet from the glowing contents of many books of
Masanid, Sehan, and Akhbar and of Shia Scholars existed.
Many Sunni scholars have accumulated these traditions in
complete volumes also.
Birth
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We the children of
Abd Al-Mutalib are the Masters of the
inhabitants of Heaven: Myself, Hamza (RA),
Ali (AS), Jafar (RA), Hasan (AS), Hussain
(AS), and Al-Mahdi (AS) |
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Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp)
- Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition 4087 |
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Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (AS) was born on the 15th Shaban 255
A.H. in the city of Samarra. The momentous and miraculous
aspects of his birth greatly resembled those under which the
Prophet Musa (Moses) was born. The birth of Hazart Musa had
signalled the downfall and extinction of the empire of
Pharoah, who had ordered the slaying of all the newly born
children of Bani-Israel. The Abbaside kings were similarly
apprehnesive of the continuous traditions of the Holy
Prophet about the birth of Imam Mehdi, who was to bring
about a curse to their (Abbaside) very empire. They were,
therfore, laying in ambush to discover the birth of the Imam
and to put an end to his life. But the event of the Imam's
birth was enveloped and shielded by the same Divine
protection and miraculous phenomena which had makred the
historical birth of Prophet Musa. His birth remained strictly
confidential and his nursery shrouded in secrecy except to a
few devotees.
The Imam's birth had coincided with the reign of al-Mutamad,
the well-known Abbaside king. He, being aware of the
prophecy of the twelfth Imam's birth occuring in his reign,
was extremely worried and anxious to trace him out.
But on the death of Imam Hasan Askari, when he was informed
about the Imam's funeral prayer having been conducted by his
four year old son, his perplexity knew no bounds.
It struck his mind that this very boy must be the Imam, but
he managed to hide his inner concern at the news of the
existence of the young Imam. In order to get confirmation
that the young Imam did in fact exist, he ordered the arrest
of the Imam's mother, Janab-e-Nargis Khatoon (AS).
The Arrest of Janab Nargis Khatoon
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Allah will bring out
from concealment Mahdi from my Family and
Progeny before the Day of Judgement, even if
only one day were to remain in the life of
the world, and he will spread on this earth
justice and equity and eradicate tyranny and
opression. |
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Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp)
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, p99 |
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When Janab Nargis Khatoon was brought before Al-Mutamad and
inquiries made about the birth of the twelfth Holy Imam,
she, in order to safeguard her own life as well as to
protect her son, replied that she had never felt the
symptoms of maternity and labour pain; so, for the moment,
he did not harass her, but did put her under the most strict
surveillance of Qazi Abu Shorab, entrusting him with the
task of killing any child born to her.
Soon after this incident, the Abbasid kingdom passed through
a revolutionary phase which greatly bewildered al-Mutamad.
He was forced to face the invasion of Sahib-al-Zanj, who
raided Hejaz and Yemen and let loose the hounds of loot and
arson thoroughout the Abbasid kingdom, subjecting the
administration of Baghdad, the capital, to utter chaos. Al-Mutamad
was, therefore, naturally too occupied by warfare to pay any
attention towards Janab Nargis Khatoon, who was consequently
released after six months and questioned no further about
the birth of the twelfth Holy Imam.
Childhood
The Holy Imam was brought up by his father Imam Hasan
Askari(A.S.), the eleventh Imam who resorted to the same
underground and secret measures in rearing his child as
Hazrat Abu Talib had adopted in connection with
safe-guarding the Holy Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.). He used to
take care of his child in one portion of the house for a few
days and then shift him to another with a view not to let
the exact whereabouts be known.
While Imam Hasan Askari(A.S.) kept the birth of the young
Imam-to-be and the affairs of his infancy a well-guarded
secret, he did put him within the access of some exclusive
devotees and sincere friends in order to familiarise them
with their would-be Imam to whom they would pledge their
allegiance.
Below mentioned are the few names of people who had the
honour of having personally seen the Holy Imam Mehdi.
It is mentioned by Abi Ghanim that when Imam Hasan Askari's
son was born he named him after Muhammad and on the third
day after his birth, bringing forth the child to show him to
some of his followers, declared thus:
"Here is my successor and your would-be Imam! He is
that very Qaim to whose reverence your heads will bow down.
He will re-appear to fill the earth with blessings and
justice after it will have been abounding with sins and
vices".
Muawiyah Ibn Hakeem, Muah Muhammad Ibn Ayyub and Muhammad
Ibn Usman mentioned that they called upon Imam Hasan
Askari(A.S.) with a deputation of forty persons. The Holy
Imam showed them his newly-born child and said,
"This is your Imam after me! All of you should
unanimously submit your allegiance to him and should not
allow any controversy on the subject which will lead you in
peril! Mind that he will no more be visible to you."
Imamat
Imam Hasan Askari (A.S.) was martyred on the 8th Rabi-ul-Awwal
260 A.H. and the day marked the inception of his son's
Imamat and his elevation to the Apostolic office being the
source of spiritual guidance for the whole universe.
After the martyrdom of his father, Imam Mahdi (AS) went into
Ghaybat e Sughra (Minor Occultation) by Divine
Command.
As, according to God's will, all the affairs pertaining to
the Holy Imam were to remain strictly behind the curtain, he
commissioned some of his deputies and ambassadors, who had
been looking after the religious affairs from the time of
his father to act as mediators between the people and the
concealed Imam. They conveyed the problems and religious
queries of the people to the Holy Imam and brought back the
verdicts and the answers of the Holy Imam to the people.
It was by the Will of God that he disappeared and will again
reappear by the Will of God. This will be a prelude to the
Day of Judgment.
Among the companions of Imam-e-Zaman , four became his most
famous and confidential representatives.
His representatives (Wukala)
- Uthman Ibin Sa'id Umari was one of the confidant and trusted
companions of Imam Mahdi (AS)'s father and grandfather.
- Abu Jaffer Muhammad Ibin Uthman Umari was the
son of the first representative
- Abul Qasim Hussain Ibin Ruh Nawbakht
- Abul Hasan Ali Ibin Muhammad Simmari
A few days before the death of Ali Ibin Muhammad Simmari
(the fourth representative) in 329/939 an order was issued
by the Imam (AS) in which he announced the death of Simmari
and the end of the representation.
The last letter of Imam Al Mahdi (AS) to Simmari
In the name of Allah, the
beneficent, the merciful.
You are going to die in six days, may Allah grant patience
to your brother's in faith on your departure. So, be
prepared, but appoint no one in your place, because from the
day of your death the period of my major occultation (al
ghaybatul kubra) will begin. Hence forth, no one will see
me, unless and until Allah makes me appear.
My reappearance will take place after a very long time when
people will have grown tired of waiting and those who are
weak in there faith will say: What! Is he still alive?
When men will become cruel and inconsiderate, and the world
will be full of injustice and violence. Very soon some men
will claim to have seen me. Beware! Anyone who makes such
a claim before the coming out of Sufyani and the sound from
heaven announcing my reappearance, is a liar and impostor.
There is no might nor strength except in Allah.
The four representatives who were at the highest level of
faith and confidence for many years were the blessed
mediators between the Imam and the people till in the year
329 A.H. when the representation was closed, and on the
basis of the Divine Will the major occultation of
Imam Mahdi (AS), commenced.
Some more Traditions on Imam Mehdi (AS)
In a tradition upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree,
the Holy Prophet has said:
"Even if the entire duration of the world's existence
has already been exhausted and only one day is left before
Doomsday (Day of judgment), Allah will expand that day to
such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom of a
person out of my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by my name.
He will then fill out the earth with peace and justice as it
will have been full of injustice and tyranny before then."
Sunni Reference: Sahih Tirmidhi, V2, P86, V9, P74-75
(There are many more.)
The context of the above precious tradition informs the
golden divine promises will take place, sooner or later, one
way or another, as mentioned in most of the Shi'ite and
Sunnit sources.
In a tradition the Holy Prophet said to the Commander of
believers, Ali, that:
"There will be twelve Guides (Imams) after me, the
first of whom is you, O' Ali, and the last one will be the
'Support' (al-Qa'im), who with the grace of Allah, will gain
victory over the whole east and west of the world."
The occultation of the twelfth Imam is divided into two
parts: the first, the minor occultation (ghaybat al-Sughra)
which began in 259/873 and ended in 329/939, lasting about
seventy year. On that period, people were in contact with
him through four special representatives (Wukala). That
period served as preparing people for the absence of Imam.
The second, the major occultation which commenced in 329/939
will continue as long as God wills it. There is no
representative of Imam Mahdi (A.S) during this major
occultation.
Imam Mahdi (AS) said:
"Rest assured that no one has a special relationship
with Allah. Whoever denies me is not from my (community).
The appearance of the Relief (al- Faraj) depends solely upon
Allah. Therefore those who propose a certain time for it are
liars. As to the benefit of my existence in occultation, it
is like the benefit of the sun behind the clouds where the
eyes do not see it. Indeed, my existence is an amnesty for
inhabitants of the earth. Pray much to Allah to hasten the
Relief, for therein also lies the release from your
sufferings."
Traditions of Ahle Sunnah (Sunni
Muslims) regarding Imam Mehdi (AS)
For our respected Sunni brothers, there are six authentic
collections of traditions based on the Sunni standards for
verifying the authenticity of a tradition. These six books
are: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Tirmidhi,
Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Abu Dawud, and Sahih al-Nisa'i. we
just quote few traditions from these six books to prove that
a knowledgeable Sunni brother/sister can NOT deny that:
- Mahdi is going to come in the last days to make a universal
Government,
- Mahdi is from the Ahlul-Bayt of Prophet,
- Mahdi is from the children of Fatimah (AS), the
daughter of Prophet,
- Mahdi is different than Jesus (the messiah),
- Jesus will be one of the followers of Imam Mahdi and
prays behind him.
At least 35 prominent Sunni scholars have written 46 books
exclusively about Imam al-Mahdi (AS), the leader of
our time. Here are some of the name of some of these books:
- "Kitab al-Mahdi," by Abu Dawud.
- "Alamat al-Mahdi," by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti.
- "Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi
al-Muntadhar," by Ibn Hajar.
- "Al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman," by
Allamah Abu Abdillah Ibn Muhammad Yusuf al-Ganji al-Shafi'i.
- "Iqd al-Durar fi Akbar al-Imam al-Muntadhar,"
by Shaikh Jamaluddin Yusuf al-Damishqi.
- "Mahdi Aale Rasool," by Ali Ibn Sultan
Muhammad al-Harawi al-Hanafi.
- "Manaqib al-Mahdi," by al-Hafidh Abu Nu'aym
al-Isbahani.
- "Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman,"
by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi.
- "Arba'in Hadith fi al-Mahdi," by Abdul Ala
al-Hamadani.
- "Akhbar al-Mahdi," by Al-Hafidh Abu Nu'aym.
The following are only some of the traditions out of many,
about Imam Mahdi, and are all traditions that the
Sunnis admit to their authenticity and existence:
In a tradition upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree,
the Holy Prophet has said:
- "Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has
already been exhausted and only one day is left before
Doomsday (Day of judgment), Allah will expand that day
to such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom
of a person out of my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by
my name. He will then fill out the earth with peace and
justice as it will have been full of injustice and
tyranny (by then)."
Sunni Reference:
- Sahih Tirmidhi, V2, P86, V9, PP 74-75
- Sanan Abi Dawud, V2, P7
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, V1, P376 & V3, P63
- Mustadrak al-Sahihain, by al-Hakim, V4, P557
- Al-Majma', by Tabarani, P217
- Tahdhib al-Thabit, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V9,
P144
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, P249/li]
- Kanz al-Ummal, v7 P186
- Iqd al-Durar Fi Akhbar al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar,
v12, Ch. 1,
- al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman, By Ganji al-Shafi'i,
Ch. 12
- al-Fusool al-Muhimmah, by Ibn Sabbagh al-Maliki,
Ch. 12
- Fathul Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V7, P305
- al-Tathkirah, by al-Qurtubi, P617
- al-Hawi, by al-Suyuti, V2, pp165-166
- Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, by al-Zurqani,
V5, P348
- Fathul Mughith, by al-Sakhawi, V3, P41
- Arjahul Matalib, by Ubaidallah Hindi al-Hanafi,
p380
- Muqaddimah, by Ibn Khaldoon, p266
- Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti, pp 2,160
- al-Urful Wardi, by al-Suyuti, p2
- al-Shafi'i (d. 363/974). (who said the above
hadith is related by numerous authorities and were
spread far and wide by many narrators). and also in
the works of Ibn Habban, Abu Nua'ym, Ibn Asakir,
etc.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
- "Al-Mahdi is one of us, the members of the household
(Ahlul-Bayt)."
Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition
#4085
As we see Imam Mahdi is from the Ahlul Bayt of Prophet
Muhammad, so he can not be Jesus (the Messiah; al-Maseeh).
Mahdi and Messiah are two different personalities but they
come at the same time, Mahdi as Imam and Jesus as his
follower. The following tradition clearly mentions that Imam
Mahdi is one of the children of the daughter of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH&HF):
- The Messenger of Allah said: "Al-Mahdi is one of the children of
Fatimah (the Prophet's daughter)."
Sunni reference:
- Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4086
- al-Nisa'i and al-Bayhaqi, and others as quoted
in:
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p249
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
- "We the children of Abd Al-Mutalib are the Masters of the
inhabitants of Heaven: Myself, Hamza (RA), Ali (AS),
Jafar (RA), Hasan (AS), Hussain (AS), and Al-Mahdi
(AS)."
Sunni reference:
- Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4087
- al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, on the authority of
Anas Ibn Malik
- al-Daylami
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p245
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
- "The Mahdi will appear in my Ummah. He will appear for a minimum
of 7 or a maximum of 9 years; in that time, my Ummah
will experience a bountiful favor like never before. It
shall have a great abundance of food, of which it need
not save anything, and the wealth at that time is in
great quantities, such that if a man asks the Mahdi to
give him some, and the Mahdi (AS) will say: Here! Take!"
Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition
#5083
Note:According to Shi'i
sources, the Government of Peace and equality that Imam
Mahdi will establish will last hundreds of years with no
rival, and then the day of Judgment will be set. What is
mentioned in the above tradition as 7 or 9 years is
related to the length of time that Imam Mahdi will fight
to conquer the world when he starts his mission.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
- "We (I and my family) are members of a household that Allah
(SWT) has chosen for them the life of the Hereafter over
the life of this world; and the members of my household
(Ahlul-Bayt) shall suffer a great affliction and they
shall be forcefully expelled from their homes after my
death; then there will come people from the East
carrying black flags, and they will ask for some good to
be given to them, but they shall be refused service; as
such, they will wage war and emerge victorious, and will
be offered that which they desired in the first place,
but they will refuse to accept it, until a man from my
family (Ahlul-Bayt) appears to fill the Earth with
justice as it has been filled with corruption. So
whoever reachs that (time) aught to come to them even if
crowling on the ice/snow."
Sunni reference:
- Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4082,
- The History Tabari (Tareekh Tabari)
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11,
section 1, pp 250-251
In Sahih Muslim, in the Chapter of al-Fitan, there are some
interesting traditions on what will happen in the last days
of the world. Two of them are quoted below:
- Abu Nadra reported: We were with the company of Jabir Ibn Abdillah...
Jabir Ibn Abdillah kept quite for a while and then
reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
having said: "There would be a Caliph in the last
(period) of my Ummah who would freely give handfuls of
wealth to the people without counting it." I
said to Abu Nadra and Abu al-Ala: Do you mean Umar Ibn
Abd al-Aziz? They said: NO, (he would be Imam
Mahdi).
Note:What are inside the
parentheses in the above tradition are the words of the
translator of Sahih Muslim (Abdul Hamid Siddiqui) and
are not our comments.
Sunni References:
- Sahih Muslim, English version, v4, chapter MCCV, p1508, Tradition
#6961
- Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, Kitab al-Fitan,
v4, p2234, Tradition #67
It is also narrated that the Prophet said:
- "In the end of the time, my Ummah will undergo very hard
affliction like never before, so that man can not find
any way out. Then Allah will appear a person from my
progeny, that is my Ahlul-Bayt, who will fill the earth
with justice as it was filled with injustice. The
inhabitants of the earth and the inhabitants of the
heaven love him. The sky will bring down its water
everywhere and the earth will bring all what it can
offer and will become green all over."
Sunni references:
- al-Sahih fi al-Hadith, by al-Hakim, as quoted in:
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p250
The Messenger of Allah said:
- "The world will not perish until a man among the Arabs appears
whose name matches my name."
Sunni reference: Sahih Tirmidhi, V9, P74
The Messenger of Allah said:
- "Mahdi from my family will bring about a revolution and will
fill the world with justice and equity before which it
was filled up with injustuce and inequity."
Sunni references:
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, V1, P84
- Jami'us Sagheer, by al-Suyuti, PP 2,160
- al-Urful Vardi, by al-Suyuti, P2
- Kanzul Ummal, V7 P186
- Aqd al-Durar Fi Akhbaar al-Mahdi al-Muntazir,
V12, Chapter 1,
- al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman, By Ganji
Shafi'i, Chapter 12
- al-Fusool al-Muhimmah, by Ibn Sabbagh Maliki,
Chapter 12
- Arjahul Matalib, by Ubaidallah Hindi hanafi,
P380
- Muqaddimah, by Ibn Khaldoon, P266
One of the four Imams of Ahle Sunnah, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
- "Allah will bring out from concealment Mahdi from my Family and
Progeny before the Day of Judgement, even if only one
day were to remain in the life of the world, and he will
spread on this earth justice and equity and eradicate
tyranny and opression."
Sunni reference:
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, p99
- A close version has also been narrated in Sunan
Abu Dawud, English version, Ch. 36, Tradition #4270
narrated from Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS).
Ibn Majah in his Sunan quotes Mohammad Ibn Hanafiyyah and
Imam Ali saying that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:
- "Mahdi is from our Ahlul-Bayt, no doubt Allah will enforce his
appearance within a night (i.e., his coming is very
unpredictable and is very sudden)."
Sunni reference:
- Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, P269
- Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in:
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p250
It is narrated that Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) said:
- "When the 'Support' of the family of Muhammad (al-Qa'im Aale
Muhammad) rises Allah will unite the people of east and
the people of west."
Sunni references:
- Ibn Asakir, as quoted in:
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami,
Ch. 11, section 1, p252
Ibn Hajar wrote that:
Muqatil Ibn Sulayman and those who followed him among the
(Sunni) commentators of Quran said that the verse: "And he
shall be a Sign for (the coming of) the Hour" (Quran 43:61)
was revealed about al-Mahdi.
Sunni reference:al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar,
Ch. 11, section 1, p247
It is narrated in Sahih Muslim that:
- Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah
saying, "A group of my Ummah will fight for the
truth until near the day of judgment when Jesus, the son
of Marry, will descend, and the leader of them will ask
him to lead the prayer, but Jesus declines, saying: "No,
Verily, among you Allah has made leaders for others and
He has bestowed his bounty upon them."
Sunni reference:
- Sahih Muslim, Arabic, part 2, p193
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 45,384
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami,
Ch. 11, section 1, p251
- Nuzool Isa Ibn Maryam Akhir al-Zaman, by
Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p57
- Musnad, by Abu Ya'ala which provides another
version of the tradition with more clear words on
the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of Allah
said: "A group among my Ummah will continue to
fight for the truth until Jesus, the son of Marry,
will descend, and the Imam of them will ask him
to lead the prayer, but Jesus replies: "You have
more right to it, and verily Allah has honored
some of you over others in this Ummah."
- Sahih Ibn Habban, whose tradition reads:
"their leader al-Mahdi" and the rest of
tradition is the same.
Ibn Abu Shaybah, another Sunni traditionist, and the mentor
of al-Bukhari and Muslim, has reported several traditions
about Imam al-Mahdi (AS). He has also reported that the Imam
of the Muslims who will lead Prophet Jesus in prayer is Imam
al-Mahdi himself.
Jalaluddin al-Suyuti mentioned that:
- "I have heard some of the deniers of (truth) deny what has been
conveyed about Jesus that when he descends will pray the
Fajr prayer behind al-Mahdi. They say, Jesus has higher
status than to pray behind a non-Prophet. This is a
bizarre opinion since the issue of prayer of Jesus
behind al-Mahdi has been proven strongly via numerous
authentic traditions from the Messenger of Allah, who is
the most truthful." And then al-Suyuti goes on
narrating some of the traditions in this regard.
Sunni Reference: Nuzool Isa Ibn Maryam Akhir al-Zaman,
by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p56
Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani mentioned that:
- "The Mahdi is of this Ummah, and that Jesus will come down and
pray behind him."
Sunni Reference: Fat'h al-Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani,
v5, p362
This is also mentioned by another Sunni scholar, Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, who wrote:
- "The Ahlul-Bayt are like the stars through whom we are guided in
the right direction, and if the stars are taken away (or
hidden) we would come face to face with the signs of the
Almighty as promised (i.e., the Day of Resurrection).
This will happen when the Mahdi will come, as
mentioned in the traditions, and the Prophet Jesus will
say his prayers behind him, the Dajjal will be
slain, and then the signs of the Almighty will appear
one after another."
Sunni Reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn
Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, p234
Ibn Hajar quoted Abu al-Husain al-Ajiri saying:
- The traditions of al-Mustafa (PBUH&HF) on the rising of al-Mahdi
has been transmitted via numerous authorities and is
more than the level of (being sufficient for) Mutawatir,
describing that he is of his Ahlul-Bayt, and will fill
the earth with justice, and that Jesus (AS) will come at
the same time and he will assist Jesus for killing al-Dajjal
in the land of Palestine, and that he will lead this
nation and Jesus will pray behind him.
Sunni Reference: Abu al-Husain al-Ajiri as quoted
in al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section
1, p254
Al-Hafidh Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Shawkani (d. 1250/1834)
wrote in a book called "al-Tawdhih fi twawatur ma jaa'a
fil muntadar wad-djjal wal masih" the explanation about
the frequent reports concerning the Awaited one, the Dajjal,
and the messiah) in which he wrote about Imam al-Mahdi (AS)
that: The traditions about al-Mahdi have been related
by numerous authorities and are therefor reliable beyond
doubt or confusion, because in jurisprudence the
qualification of Mutawatir is valid even for (traditions)
with less than this number of narrations. There are also
many sayings of the companions (of the Prophet) which
explicitly mention the Mahdi, which have the status of
narrations from the Prophet since there is no question of
establishing such saying through Ijtihad (one's opinion and
research)". The author gives the same opinion in his
other book "al-Fat'h al-Rabbani". (In this connection
see also Mawsu'atil Imam al-Mahdi, v1, pp
391-392,413-414,434, and also Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, v6, p485).
The author of the book, "Ghayah al-Ma'amool,"
mentioned that: "It is a famous narration among the
Scholars of the past and the present that there has to
appear a man from the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) named
al-Mahdi. In addition, the traditions about the Mahdi have
been narrated by the most renowned companions of the Prophet
(PBUH&HF), as well as by the most renowned scholars such as
Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Tabarani, Abu Ya'ala,
al-Bazzar, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, and al-Hakim (May Allah be
pleased with them all); furthermore, those who claim that
the traditions narrated with regard to the appearance of the
Mahdi are weak, are themselves in error."
Al-Saban in his book, "Is'af al-Raghibeen,"
mentioned that: "The news about the appearance of the
Mahdi are traceable back to the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and that
he is one of the members of the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF);
and that he will fill the Earth with justice."
Al-Suwaydi in his book, "Saba'iq al-Dhahab,"
reported that: "The scholars have a consensus that the
Mahdi (AS) will appear at the end of time and fill the Earth
with justice; and the traditions supporting his appearance
are indeed numerous."
Al-Hafidh Abul-Hasan Muhammad Ibn al-Husain al-Sijistani
al-Aburi al-Shafi'i (d. 363/974) said: "The
traditions were related by numerous authorities and were
spread far and wide by many narrators, from al-Mustafa (PBUH&HF)
concerning al-Mahdi who is from the household (of the
Prophet) and who will fill the world with justice.."
This statement was accepted by the subsequent scholars as
testified by:
- Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani - Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, v9, p144; Fat'h al-Bari,
v7, p305
- Al-Qurtubi - Al-Tathkirah, p617
- Al-Suyuti - Al-Hawi, v2, pp 165-166
- Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi - Al Burhan fi Alamat Mahdi
Akhir al-Zaman, pp 175-176
- Ibn Hajar al-Haythami - Al Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, Ch.
11, section 1, p249
- Al-Zurqani (Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, v5,
p348
- Al-Sakhawi (Fat'h al-Mugheeth, v3, p41, etc
The best formulation of the belief of all Muslims about Imam
Mahdi (AS) has been given by a person who himself did not
believe in his coming and who denied the validity of the
traditions concerning this matter. He was Ibn Khaldoon
(d. 808/1406), a famous historian, who in whose book,
"al-Muqaddamah," wrote:
"Let it be known that it is a narrated event by ALL
Muslims in EVERY era, that at the end of time a man from the
family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) will, without fail, make his
appearance and will strengthen Islam and spread justice;
Muslims will follow him and he will gain domination over the
Muslim realm. He will be called al-Mahdi." (An
Introduction to History, by Ibn Khaldoon, English version,
London, 1967 Edition, pp 257-258)
The above quote proves that even Ibn Khaldoon was in the
opinion that the belief in Imam al-Mahdi was not a
characteristics of a special sect of Islam, but was a common
belief to ALL Muslims.
Sunni scholars openly criticized those elements (like Ibn
Khaldoon) who tried to cast doubt the traditions about al-Mahdi
(AS), and have strongly asserted that the belief in Mahdi is
well-established for ALL Muslims.
Reference:
- "Awnul Ma'bud" (which is the commentary of Sunan Abu Dawud),
by Al-Azimabadi, v11, pp 361-362,
- Tuhfatul Ahwadhi (which is the commentary of
Sahih al-Tirmidhi), by al-Mubarakfuri, v6, p484,
- Al-Tajul Jami' lil Usul, by Shaikh Mansoor
Ali Nasif, v5, p341.
Shaikh Ahmad Muhammad Shakir (d. 1377/1958), one of
the greatest contemporary scholar of Hadith and Tafsir,
whose major work was his commentary on Musnad Ahmad Ibn
Hanbal wrote in his commentary:
"Belief in al-Mahdi is not particular to the Shia
because it is from the narration of many companions of the
Prophet in such way that NO one can cast doubt the truth (of
this belief)."
After this, he proceeds to a strong refutation of Ibn
Khaldoon's weakening the traditions regarding al-Mahdi.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal with commentary of
Ahmad Muhammad Shakir, Pub. by Dar al-Ma'arif, Egypt, v5, pp
196-198, v14, p288).
Al-Sayid Sabiq, the Mufti for the "Muslim
Brotherhood", in his book, "al- 'Aqa'id al-Islamiyyah,"
that:
"The idea about the Mahdi is indeed valid, and is one
of the Islamic tenets that one must believe in." Mr.
Sabiq also narrated a variety of traditions relating to the
appearance of al-Mahdi (AS) in the above book.
Two Shafi'i scholars, Ganji in his book "al-Bayan",
and Shablanji in his book "Noor al-Absar", on
the verse 48:28 of Quran: "He is the One who sent his
Messenger (Muhammad) with the guidance and the true religion
that in order to prevail over all the religions"
narrated from Sa'id Ibn Jubair that "this promise to
Prophet Muhammad will be fulfilled by al-Mahdi who is in the
progeny of Fatimah (AS)."
Even Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728/1328), who is acclaimed by
the Wahhabis, wrote in his book "Minhaj al-Sunnah"
(v4, pp 211-212) that the traditions concerning the Mahdi
are certainly reliable, and his student, al-Dhahabi,
conformed with him in his summary of his teacher's book.
Reference: Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Sunnah, pp 533-534.
The more recent fatwa in this issue is given in Mecca by the
Muslim World League (Rabitatul `Alamul Islami) on Oct. 11,
1976 (23 Shawwal 1396). This fatwa states that more than
twenty companions narrated traditions concerning al-Mahdi,
and gives a list of those scholars of Hadith who have
transmitted these narrations, and those who have written
books on al-Mahdi. The fatwa states:
"The memorizers (Huffadh) and scholars of Hadith have
verified that there are authentic (Sahih) and acceptable
(Hasan) reports among the traditions related to al-Mahdi.
The majority of these traditions are related through
numerous authorities (Mutawatir). There is no doubt that the
status of those reports are Sahih and Mutawatir. (They have
also verified) that the belief in Mahdi is obligatory, and
that it is one of the beliefs of Ahlussunnah wal Jama'a.
Only those ignorant of the Sunnah and innovators in doctrine
deny it.
Reference:For the transcription and reproduction of
this Fatwa, see, among others, the Introduction of al-Ganji
al-Shafi'i, in the book named "al-Bayan," Beirut, 1399/1979,
pp 76-79.
More Traditions from Ahl e Sunnah Scholars about Imam
Mahdi (AS)
- Sheikh Khawaja Mohammed Parsa Naqashbandi's
statement:
"Abu Mohammed Al-Hasan Al-Askari (A.S) is from
Ahl-e-Bait (A.S). He (A.S) died on 6th of Rabi-ul-Awal
260 Hijri, which was a Friday, and got buried next to
his father (A.S). He (A.S) lived for six years after the
demise of his father (A.S), and he left behind only one
son, Abu Al-Qasim Mohammed (A.S), who is the awaited
savior. The awaited savior (A.S) was born on 15 Shaban,
255 Hijri, and his (A.S) mother?s name was Narjis (R.A).
When he (A.S) was five years old, his father Imam
Al-Hasan Al-Askari (A.S) died."
Sunni Reference:Fasal-al
khitab, page 443, Published Tasqant
- Sheikh Khawaja Mohammed Parsa
Naqashbandi's statement:
"Syeda Hakima (R.A) bint Abu-Jafar Mohammed-bin-Jawad
(A.S), who was the aunt of Imam Hasan AlAskari (A.S),
said that, ?On 15 Shaban 255 Hijri I was at the house of
Imam Hasan AlAskari and he (A.S) asked me to stay at
their home. At the time of Fajar prayers, I saw Narjis (R.A)
in pain and I saw a new born baby who was very clean.
Imam Hasan AlAskari (A.S) raised him in his arms and
recited Adhan in his right ear and Aqamah is his left
year, after which he said to me, ?Aunt, this new born is
the awaited savior?."
Sunni Reference:Fasal-al
khitab, page 447, Published Tasqant
Note:Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah
Sheikh Yousaf bin Ismael Nibhani says in
Jamal-ul-Awaliya, Page 151-152, Publishers Thana Bhum
India that "Mohammed Parsa is Bukhari; he is the Imam
of Naqashband order and is from reliable historians."
- Al Sheikh AlArif Imam Abdul
Wahab-bin-Ahmed-bin-Ali's statement:
?The condition for Qiyamah include the reappearance
of Imam Mehdi (A.S), appearance of Dajjal, sudden
appearance of many new diseases, sunset from the west,
disappearance of Quran, appearance and victory of Gog
and Magog.? After this he says, ?These events
would occur??????, and that is the time when Imam Mehi?s
(A.S) reappearance is expected, who is the son of Imam
Hasan AlAskari (A.S), and was born on 15th Shaban, 255
hijri and is till alive, and would end up meeting
Isa-ibn-Maryam (A.S). Till date, he is 706 years old.
Sunni Reference:
AlYawaqiat Wa AlJawahir fi Aqaid AlAkbar, 2nd Edition,
Page 127
- Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah Husain
Diyar Bukri?s statement:
Imam Mohammed-ibn-Hasan-ibn-Ali-ibn-Hasan-Ibn-Ali
(Peace be upon them all) is the twelfth Imam. Abu
AlQasim is his title, and according to 12er Shias, his
titles also include AlQa?im, AlMehdi, AlMuntazir and
Sahib-ul-Asr Wa AzZaman, and according to them, he is
the last and twelfth Imam. Also, they believe that he
entered a well, at Sarman Rai, in front of his mother,
and never came back out again.
This incidence happened in 265 or
266 Hijri, and this incidence is true, His (A.S)
mother?s name is Um-e-Walad and is also associated with
the names Saqil, Sausan and Narjis and many more.....
Sunni Reference: Tarikh
Al-Khameis, 2nd Edition, Page 288, Published Beirut
- Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah Allama
Sibt-ibn-Jozi's statement:
"Mohammad-bin-Hasan-bin-Ali-bin-Mohammed-bin-Ali-bin-Mosa-bin-Jafar-bin-Mohammed-bin-Ali-bin-Hussain-bin-Ali-bin-Abu
Talib (Peace be upon them all). Abu AlQasim is your
title and you are the caliph and Imam of the times. Your
mother?s name was Saqil."
Sunni Reference:
Tazkara-tul-AlKhawas, Page 204, Published Egypt
- Sheikh Ibn Hajar AlHaishemi
Almuki's statement:
Writing about Imam Hasan AlAskari (A.S), Almuki says,"it
is said that he (A.S) was martyred by being poisoned,
and apart from Abu AlQasim Mohammad (A.S), had no other
sons, who was at the tender age of 5 when his father (A.S)
passed away. But Allah (SWT) provided him (A.S) with
knowledge, and is known as the awaited savior, for he (A.S)
went into occultation and no one knows his (A.S)
whereabouts."
Sunni Reference: AlSawaiq
Muhariqa, Page 208, Published Multan, Pakistan
- Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah Mullah Ali
Qari's statement:
"Shias believe that in the hadith, the12 caliphs of
Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H&F) are the 12 imams (A.S).
They are Ali-Ibn-Abu Talib, Hasan-bin-Ali,
Husain-bin-Ali, Ali-bin-Husain, Mohammed-bin-Ali,
Jafar-bin-Mohammed, Moosa-bin-Jafar, Ali-bin-Moosa,
Mohammed-bin-Ali, Ali-bin-Mohammed, Hasan-bin-Ali,
Mohammed-bin-AlHasan AlMehdi (Peace Be upon Them All),
as it is written in Zabadah AlAwliya.
Khawja Mohammed Parsa, in Fasal AlKhitab, writes, and
Mullah Jami agrees to this in Shawahid AlNabuwah. And it
is wrong on the part of Shias to think that we take Aima
(A.S) as our enemies."
Sunni Reference: Murqat
Sharah Mushqut, Volume 11, Page 260-261, published
Multan
- Grand Mufti Diyar AlHazarma
Abdur Rehman-bin-Mohammed-bin-Husain-bin-Umar AlMashoor
Alvi?s statement:
"According to Sheikh Iraqi, Imam Mehdi (A.S) was born
in 255 Hijri. Sheikh Ali AlKhawas, during his time,
which was 958 hijri, Imam Mehdi (A.S) age would be 703
years. Ahmed Ramli also said that Imam Mehdi (A.S) is
real, as Iman Abdul Wahab Sharani has said."
Sunni Reference: Bagya
Almustarshedeen, Page 294, Published Beirut
- Ahmed-ibn-Yousaf Wa Mushki,
also know as Imam Kirmani's statement:
"At the time of his father?s death, Imam Abu AlQasim
Mohammed-ibn-Hasan AlAskari (A.S) was five years old.
Allah (SWT) granted him knowledge in the same year; same
as when Prophet Yehya (A.S) was awarded knowledge when
he was young. He had a graceful personality and his face
had noor on it (These characteristics are the same as
mentioned in Hadith books while describing Imam Mehdi (A.S)....
Sunni Reference:
Tarikh-Akhbar Aldaul Fi Asar AlAwal, Page 118, Published
Baghdad-ul Islam Iraq
- Imam Alh-e-Sunnah Allama
AlSheikh Abdullah-bin-Mohammad-bin-Amier AlShibrawi's
statement:
"The awaited savior Imam AlMehdi-bin-Imam AlHasan
AlKhalis (A.S) was born in Serman Rai, on the 15th of
Shaban, 255 hijri. Five years before his (A.S) death,
Imam Hasan (A.S), due to oppression and tyranny by the
rulers, kept the bith of Imam Mehdi (A.S) a secret. Imam
Mohammed?s (A.S) titles include Mehdi, Qaim, Muntazir,
Khalif Salih, and Sahib-ul-Zaman, out of which Mehdi is
the most famous one."
Sunni Reference: IlaTahaf
Behub AlAshraaf, Page 179-180, Published Egypt
- Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah Allama
AlHafiz Mohammed-bin-Muhtamad Khan AlBadakhshani?s
statement:
"Surely your enemy is the one who shall be without
posterity." Explaining ?Abtar?
AlBadakhshani says, ?Abtar? is someone who
dosen?t has any future hope or posterity.
He then says that "Imam Hussein?s (A.S) son was Abu
AlHasan Ali-bin-Al Hussein, Zain-ul-Adbideen (A.S), and
his son was Abu Jafar Mohammed AlBaqir (A.S), and his
son was Abu Abdullah Jafar AlSadiq (A.S), and his son
was Abu Ismael Moosa AlKazim (A.S), and his son was Abu
AlHasan Ali AlRidha (A.S), and his son was Abu Jafar
Mohammed AlJawad (A.S), and his son was Abu AlHasan Ali
AlHadi(A.S), and his son was Abu Mohammed Hasan Zaki (A.S),
and his son is AlMuntazar Abu AlQasim Mohammed ALMehdi (A.S)."
Sunni Reference: Nazal
AlAbrar, Page 174-175, Published Iraq
- Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah Sheikh
Momin-bin-Hasan Momin AlShiblakhji?s statement:
"This is about Mohammed-bin-Al Hasan (A.S) (who) is
the twelfth. He is Abu AlQasim Mohammed-bin-AlHasan-bin-Ali
AlHadi-bin-Mohammed AlJawad-bin-Ali AlRidha-bin-Moosa
AlKazim-bin-Jafar Al Sadiq-bin-Mohammed AlBaqir-bin-Ali
Zain-ul-Abideen-bin-Al Hussain-bin-Ali-bin-Abu Talib
(Peace be upon them all). His (A.S) mother?s name is
Narjis, and some have mentioned her by ?Sausan? and ?Saqil?.
Abu AlQasim is his Kunyat, and his titles include Hujatu
Mehdi, Khalf Salih, Qaim, AlMuntazir and Sahib AlZaman.
According to Fasool AlMuhma, he (A.S) is the twelfth
Imam in the Aima of 12er Shias. According to
Tarikh-ibn-Alwardi, he (A.S) was born in 255 hijri."
Sunni Reference:
Noor-ul-Absar by Allama AlShiblakhji
- Imam Ahl-e-Sunnah Allama
Kamal-ud-Din Mohammed-bin-Talha Shafi?s
statement:
"Abu AlQasim Mohammed-bin-AlHasan AlKhalis-bin-Ali
AlMutawakil-bin-Mohammed AlQamiah-bin-Ali
AlRidha-bin-Moosa AlKazim-bin-Jafar Al Sadiq-bin-Mohammed
AlBaqir-bin-Ali Zain-ul-Abideen-bin-Al Hussain AlZaki-bin-Ali-bin-Abu
Talib (Peace be upon them all). He (A.S) is the awaited
savior. His (A.S) mother?s name was Saqirah (A.S), and
is also mentioned as Hakima (A.S). His (A.S) name is
Mohammed, Kunyat Abu AlQasim; titles include Hujat
Khulifa Salih, and AlMuntazir."
Sunni Reference: Mutalib
AlSaool, Page 89 Published Egypt
Imam Mahdi (AS) is the son of Imam Hasan Al Askari (AS)
- Sunni scholar Kamal-ud-Din Abu Salim Mohammed-bin-Talha-bin-Mohammed-bin-Hasan
Halabi Shafai, in his book Mutalib Alsool Fi
Munaqib Aal-e-Rasool, has written that
Imam Mehdi (A.S) is the son of
Iman Abu Mohammed Hasan Askari (A.S) He (A.S) was born
at Samrah. Also, in his book, Dar Munazam,
he has said the same thing.
- Sunni scholar Sheikh Aslah-ud-Din has written
in Sharah Dairah that
Mehdi (A.S) is the twelfth Imam of the Aima (A.S). Imam
Ali (A.S) was the first Imam and, Imam Mehdi (A.S) being
the last.
- Sunni scholar Sheikh Mohammed-bin-Ibrahim Hamoini
Shafai, in his book Fariadh AlSemtein, has
copied from Abal Khazai that he narrates from Imam
Ali Ridha-bin Moosa Kazim (A.S) that,
?After me, my son Jawad Taqi (A.S)
would be the Imam, after him, his son; Ali Hadi Naqi (A.S)
would be the Imam. The next Imam after him (A.S) would
be his (A.S) son, Hasan Askari (A.S), and after him (A.S),
the next Imam would be his son, Mohammed AlMehdi (A.S).
During his absence, people who wait for his
reappearance, and after his reappearance, people who
would obey him would be momins?. Same has been
mentioned in Chapter 80.
extraded from:
http://www.shianews.com/hi/articles/islam/0000290.php
Our Responsibilities:
We are living in the age of Imam Mahdi's (a.s.) major
occultation. So what are our responsibilities?
Undoubtedly our prime duty is to know Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
and to become closer to him. Knowing him is of such
importance and sensitivity that
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) said:
"One who dies without knowing the Imam of one's age is
like one who has died in the Age of Ignorance."
Death in the Age of Ignorance means dying outside the
pale of faith and Islam. And one who fails to recognize
the Imam of one's time has been introduced as an
unbeliever. Another responsibility of Shias during the
major occultation is waiting for the Imam's reappearance
which has been repeatedly pointed out by the Imams of
Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). A 'waiting' person is one who is
ready for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.),
possesses the characteristics and qualities of the
Imam's companions and has no qualms about sacrificing
his life and assets in the Imam's Way. In this respect,
Imam Sadeq (a.s.) says:
"One who awaits our order is like one who gives life in
the path of God."
In the honor of Imam Mahdi's (a.s.) companions, another
tradition quotes
Imam Sadeq (a.s.) as saying:
"One who is zealous about the companionship of Imam
Mahdi (a.s.) should wait and act piously and in a noble
manner. Such people when they die before the
reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will have the reward
of being his companion. Hence strive and wait. You
deserve this, O Forgiven Ones!"
We should pray to God to make us one of those who await
the Imam. Our acts should also be a testimony of our
claim. First we should make efforts to know the Imam and
testify the same for other people. We should guide those
who deny or oppose the Imam and acquire the attributes
of his companions, await his coming and enrich one's
life by dedicating it to him. During the major
occultation, Shias should cherish a zeal for the Imam in
their mind, his love in their heart, thoughts focused on
making efforts in his way, their prayers should be
sending benedictions upon him, their supplications
should be for his reappearance and their whole being
yearning for him. The present work is an insignificant
endeavor in familiarizing people about Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
in the hope of offering a small gift to the Solomon of
the Age (a.s.).
extracted from:
http://www.duas.org/SahifaMahdi/Index.htm
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