The Beginning of Imam Mahdi's Imamate (The 9th of Rabī' al-Awwal, 260 A.H. (The 6th January 874 A.D.) In the lunar calendar, the ninth day of Rabī' al-Awwal is the anniversary of the beginning of the Imamate of the last Divine Savior (Imam Mahdi). It is also the day of renewing the covenant with him, and with his purposes and sacred ideals. For this reason, the Shias of this …