Evidence for the Birth of Hazrat al-Mahdi (ajjalallahu ta’ala farajahu al-sharif) from Shi’a Books

[Daralhidaye.ir]| The birth of His Holiness Hazrat al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his noble relief), although it took place in secret for certain reasons and caused some to deny it, the Shia have established numerous proofs to affirm his birth. In this article, we will point to some of these proofs.

A. The Glad Tidings of Imam al-Askari (as) Regarding the Birth of the Mahdi (aj)

It is mentioned in a narration that Imam Hasan al-Askari (alayhis salam) would sometimes give the good news of his coming child to his special companions:

“Allah will soon grant me a son by His grace and His kindness.“

— Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 50, p. 313

And also, in a glad tiding to his noble wife, Her Holiness Narjis (alayhas salam), he said:

“You will soon bear a son. His name is Muhammad, and he is the Qa’im after me.“

— Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’mah, Vol. 2, p. 408, H. 4

B. Imam al-Askari (as) Informing of the Birth of the Mahdi (aj)

Imam Hasan al-Askari (alayhis salam), the noble father of His Holiness Mahdi (may Allah hasten his noble relief), in numerous narrations, explicitly confirmed the birth of his son to his special companions.

Ahmad ibn Ishaq says: I heard from Imam al-Askari (alayhis salam) who was saying:

“Praise be to God who did not take me from the world until He showed me my successor after me, the most similar of people to the Messenger of God (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa alih) in creation and in character. God, Blessed and Exalted, will protect him in his occultation, then He will make him appear, and he will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with tyranny and oppression.”

— Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’ma, Vol. 2, p. 408

Abu Hashim al-Ja’fari said: I said to Abu Muhammad (Imam Hasan al-Askari alayhis salam): “Your greatness prevents me from questioning you. Do you permit me to ask you something?” He said: “Ask.” I said: “O my master, do you have a son?” He said: “Yes.” I said: “If an incident occurs, where should I ask about him?” He said: “In Medina.”

— Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 328

Ibrahim ibn Idris says: Imam al-Askari (alayhis salam) gave me a sheep and said:

“Perform the ‘aqiqah for my son so-and-so, and eat and feed your family.“
Then he gave two sheep and said: “Perform the ‘aqiqah for your master with these two rams; and eat—may God make it pleasant for you—and give to your brothers in faith from it as well.“

— Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51, p. 22; see also: Kitab al-Ghayba, p. 245

C. The Report of Hakimah (the Aunt of Imam al-Askari (as)) Regarding His Birth

Hakimah, the daughter of Imam al-Jawad (alayhis salam) and the aunt of Imam Hasan al-Askari (alayhis salam), was a woman of high station with the Imams (alayhim al-salam). By the direct command of Imam al-Askari (as), she was present on the night of the birth of His Holiness Mahdi (aj), and a large portion of the narrations of his birth are transmitted by this great lady. She was the only one who was privy to all the events of the night of Imam Mahdi’s (aj) birth, and the narration of the birth of His Holiness Mahdi (aj) is transmitted through her.

D. The Report of Nasim and Mariyah (the Servants of the House of Imamate)

These were two of the servants of the noble house of Imamate, and it is understood from the narrations that they were present in the house of Imam al-Askari (as) on the night of the birth. Shaykh al-Tusi and Shaykh al-Saduq, mentioning the chain of transmission, write: Nasim and Mariyah say:

“When the Master of the Time (alayhis salam) fell from his mother’s womb, he fell kneeling on his two knees, raising his two index fingers to the sky. Then he sneezed and said: ‘Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and may God’s blessings be upon Muhammad and his progeny.’ The oppressors have imagined that the Proof of God is refuted, but if we were given permission to speak, the doubt would be removed.”

— Kitab al-Ghayba, p. 244, H. 211; Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’mah, Vol. 2, Ch. 42, H. 5; see also: Al-Khara’ij wa al-Jara’ih, Vol. 10, p. 457, H. 2

Also, Nasim the servant says: Ten nights after the birth of Imam Mahdi (alayhis salam), I entered upon him; then I sneezed. His Holiness said: “Yarhamuk Allah (May God have mercy on you).” I became joyful from this statement. Then he said:

“Shall I not give you glad tidings about sneezing? It is a safety from death for three days.“

— Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’mah, Vol. 2, p. 430, H. 5

E. The Report of a Large Number of Shia Elders

Numerous instances of statements from the Shia and the companions of the Imams (alayhim al-salam) are available in which the news of seeing that personage after his birth is observed. “Abu al-Adyan” was one of the servants of the noble house of Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) who, in addition to being present in the house of that great one, was also in charge of the affairs of the Imam’s letters and taking them to different cities. He is one of the people who has mentioned the narration of the martyrdom of Imam al-Askari (as) and the prayer of His Holiness Mahdi (aj) upon him.