REASONS TO PROVE THE BIRTH OF IMAM MAHDI (AJTF)

[Taqavi]

What evidence is there to prove the birth of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance)?

There are several reasons to prove the birth of Imam Mahdi (AJTF):

1. Imam Hasan al-Askari’s (AS) explicit statement about the birth of Imam Mahdi (AJTF).[1]
2. Testimonies of midwives: Hakimah Khatun, the sister of Imam Hadi (AS) and the aunt of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), assisted Lady Nargis Khatun during the birth of Imam Mahdi (AJTF).[2]She, along with other women such as Maria and Nasim, servants of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS),[3]and the former maid of Abu Ali Khizrani,[4]witnessed and repeatedly confirmed this blessed birth.
3. Testimonies of the companions of the Imams (AS): The companions and followers of Imam Hadi and Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) testified to the existence of Imam Mahdi (AJTF), both during the lifetime of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) and after his martyrdom.[5]
4. Testimonies of the deputies of Imam Mahdi (AJTF) and those aware of his miracles: Miracles performed by Imam Mahdi (AJTF) for certain individuals after the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) and their encounters with him serve as further evidence of his birth and existence.[6]
5. Testimonies of servants, maids, and slaves who saw Imam Mahdi (AJTF):Numerous servants and other individuals who frequented the house of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) testified to seeing his son.[7]
6. The approach of the ruling government: The actions of the Abbasid government itself serve as evidence of the birth and existence of Imam Mahdi (AJTF). After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), the ruler ordered a search of his house to capture Imam Mahdi (AJTF). This indicates that certain news and statements among the people and Shia indicated the existence of Imam Mahdi, which greatly alarmed the government, leading to the search of Imam Hasan al-Askari’s (AS) house by government agents.[8]
7. Other reasons: Other evidence for the birth of Imam Mahdi (AJTF) includes the acknowledgment of Sunni scholars such as Ibn Khallikan (d. 681 AH)[9]and Dhahabi (d. 748 AH)[10]of the existence of a son for Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS). Genealogists like al-Umari (d. around 460 AH)[11]and Ibn Anbah (d. 828 AH)[12]also acknowledged the birth of Imam Mahdi (AJTF) in their books.

 

 

[1] . Al-Kafi: Al-Sheikh Al-Kulayni, Vol: 1, P: 328.

[2] . Al-Ghaybah: Sheikh Tusi, Vol. 1, P: 234, Hadith 204 - Al-Kafi: Al-Sheikh Al-Kulayni, Vol: 1, Chapter 77, P: 331, Hadith 3 - Ikmal al-Din: Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, Chapter 42, P: 424, Hadith 1 and Hadith 2.

[3] . Ikmal al-Din: Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, Chapter 42, P: 430, Hadith 5 - Al-Ghaybah:Sheikh Tusi, Vol. 1, P: 244, Hadith 211.

[4] . Ikmal al-Din: Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, Chapter 42, P: 431, Hadith 7.

[5] . Al-Kafi: Al-Sheikh Al-Kulayni, Vol: 1, Chapter 76, P: 329, Hadith 4 – Ibid: Vol: 1, Chapter 77, P: 329, Hadith 1 – Ibid:Vol: 1, Chapter 77, P: 331, Hadith 4 –  Ikmal al-Din: Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, Chapter 63, P: 441– Ibid: Vol. 2, Chapter 43, P: 435– Ibid: Vol. 2, Chapter 45, P: 502.

[6] . Ikmal al-Din: Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, Chapter 43, P: 442, Hadith 16.

[7] . Al-Kafi: Al-Sheikh Al-Kulayni, Vol: 1, Chapter 77, P: 332, Hadith 13 – Ibid:P: 331, Hadith 6 –Ikmal al-Din:Sheikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, Chapter 43, P: 441, Hadith 12 – Ibid: Vol. 2, Chapter 43, P: 475– Ibid: Vol. 2, Chapter 42, P: 431, Hadith 8 – Al-Irshad:Sheikh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 354 – Ibid: p. 352 – Al-Ghaybah: Sheikh Tusi, Vol. 1, p. 246 – Ibid: p. 268.

[8] . Al-Irshad: Sheikh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 336.

[9] . Wafayat al-A’yan:Ibn Khallikan, Vol. 4, p. 176.

[10] . Siyar A’lam al-Nubala: Dhahabi, Vol. 13, p. 119.

[11] . Al-Majdi fi Ansab al-Talibiyyin: Ali ibn Muhammad al-Alawi al-Umari (Mashhoor be Ibn al-Sufi), p: 130.

[12] . Umda al-Talib fi Ansab Aal Abi Talib:Jamal al-Din Ahmad ibn Anbah, p: 199.