The birth of the Mahdi: During the Imamate of Imam al-Askari (as), his son was born — Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (ajtf), the twelfth and final Imam. He was born in Samarra in 255 AH (869 CE). His mother was Lady Narjis (sa), a noble lady of great faith.
A birth kept quiet: The birth was kept very quiet. The Abbasid rulers were watching for any child of Imam al-Askari (as), because Shia belief held that the Mahdi would come from his line. Only a small circle of trusted followers knew about the child at first.
Passed away at twenty-eight: Imam al-Askari (as) passed away in Samarra in 260 AH (874 CE), at the age of about 28. Shia belief holds that he was martyred by poisoning, ordered by the caliph al-Mu'tamid (an account to be checked in detail). He was buried in his house in Samarra, next to his father Imam al-Hadi (as).
Example
Protecting the newborn: A family may keep a newborn's name quiet for a while to protect the child. Imam al-Askari (as) protected his son in the same way — with love and with care, because the child's safety mattered more than any announcement.
Key Terms
- Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) (الامام المہدی) — the twelfth Imam, son of Imam al-Askari (as)
- Lady Narjis (sa) (بی بی نرجس) — the mother of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf)
- Shahadat / Martyrdom (شہادت) — dying for the sake of Allah and the truth
Quran or Hadith
No specific Quran verse or Hadith is quoted in this topic. The dates and the account of the quiet birth follow common Shia sources, to be verified in detail before publication. — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — Imam al-Hadi (as) to Imam al-Askari (as) to Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), with the birth year 255 AH marked.
- Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) was born in Samarra in 255 AH, son of Imam al-Askari (as).
- His birth was kept quiet to protect him from the Abbasid rulers.
- Imam al-Askari (as) passed away in Samarra in 260 AH, aged about 28.