Birth and Childhood in Samarra

The twelfth and final Imam: Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (ajtf) is the twelfth and final Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as). In Shia belief, he is the Awaited Imam — the one who will come, by Allah's command, to fill the earth with justice after it has been filled with injustice.

Born in Samarra: He was born in Samarra in 255 AH (869 CE). His father was Imam Hasan al-Askari (as), the eleventh Imam. His mother was Lady Narjis (sa), a noble lady of great faith, described in Shia sources as a descendant of a Roman emperor who became a Muslim and married into the family of the Imam (an account to be checked in detail).

A birth kept quiet: His birth was kept quiet because the Abbasid rulers were searching for him. Only trusted companions of his father saw him as a child. When his father passed away in 260 AH, Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) was still a young child — about five years old — and the Minor Occultation began.

What 'ajtf' means: We say "ajtf" after his name. It is short for "Ajjal Allahu Ta'ala Farajahu al-Sharif" — "May Allah hasten his blessed reappearance."

Example

A seed planted quietly: A seed is planted quietly in the ground. For a long time no one sees it, but it is alive and growing. In the same way, the Imam (ajtf) was born quietly — hidden at first, but alive and present in Allah's plan.

Key Terms

• Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) (الامام المہدی) — the twelfth Imam, the Awaited Imam
• Ajtf (عج) — short for "May Allah hasten his blessed reappearance"
• Lady Narjis (sa) (بی بی نرجس) — the mother of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf)

Quran or Hadith

Quran, Surah al-Anbiya (21:105) — "And We have already written in the Psalms after the Reminder that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth." Quoted in Shia understanding in connection with the coming of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf). — to be checked.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — from Imam al-Hadi (as) to Imam al-Askari (as) to Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf), with the birth year 255 AH marked.