33. How can we demonstrate the necessity of Imamate Based on Intellectual and Theological Reasoning? (part 1) In every period of time, there should be an Imam among people. This Imam must be spiritually a perfect human who knows everything and is able to guide people. This prefect man is connected to the world of unseen and is the deliverer of Allah’s words to people. This man should not let …

READ MORE

What are the Rites of the Eve of 15th of Sha’ban? The eve of Mid-Shaʿbān is extraordinarily honorable. Imam Sādiq (the Sixth Imam) narrated from his father when Imam Bāqir was asked about the merits of the night before the fifteenth day of Shaʿbān as saying, “It is the most favorable night after the Qadr Night. At this night, Almighty Allah bestows upon His servants with His favors and grants …

READ MORE

Are there any documentary Hadith-sources about the birth of Imam Mahdi from the Viewpoint of Sunni Scholars or not?  Due to the widely related and authentic traditions narrated from the Prophet, all Islamic scholars, whether Shiite or Sunni, are unanimous in believing that Imam Mahdi will indeed appear, reform the world and destroy all forms of oppression. Hence, all Muslims have faith in it and consider it to be an …

READ MORE

What do you know about the demise of lady Narjis (the mother of Imam Mahdi)? There are two narrations regard­ing the demise of lady Narjis: 1- She requested Imam ʿAskarī to beseech Allah for her early demise during his lifetime. Consequently, she died during the life of Imam Hassan ʿAskarī and it is engraved on her grave, "This grave is of the mother of Muhammad (the real name of Imam …

READ MORE

What is the parentage of lady Narjis (the mother of Imam Mahdi)? The mother of Imam Mahdi, as the one giving birth to the last divine savior, must have a highly exalted status of spiritual perfection. Unfortunately, for some reason, especially her being in a suffocating and unbearable climate, our understanding of that noble lady is very limited. Following some Islamic narrations and historical reports, there are some general possibilities …

READ MORE

What is the paternal linage of Imam Mahdi? Imam Mahdi’s lineage, traced back to the prophet Muhammad (through lady Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet) and Imam Ali, the first Imam of Shia, (through this linage: Muhammad b. al-Hassan b. Ali b. Muhammad b. Ali b. Musa b. Ja'far b. Muhammad b. Ali b. al-Husain b. Ali b. Abī Tālib (PBU THEM). Shia believe that Imam Mahdi is the only …

READ MORE

Are there any glad tidings about Imam Mahdi’s advent? In all of the divine religions and even in non-religious school of thoughts, there are Glad tiding about the arrival of a promised savior who will establish justice and create of a human society that is based on monotheism and full of peace and tranquility. One of the exclusive traits of Imam Mahdi is the numerous of glad tidings given in …

READ MORE

What is the real and correct meaning of the Occultation of Imam Mahdi? The Mahdi’s occultation just means that he is cannot be seen not that he is not present. Consequently, When the Imam comes, he just can be seen not that he will become present. The fact is that the Imam is amongst people, witness what people do, supervise their affair and assist them when required. The Imam says …

READ MORE

How is the division of Imam Mahdi’s deputies? Just as the occultation was comprised of two phases, the Imam’s deputies are also divided into two groups: The specific deputies during the Imam’s Minor Occultation and the general deputies for his Major Occultation. In regard with special deputyship, the Imam appointed four specific people specifically and directly pointed to their names. Each one of those special deputies also announced the name …

READ MORE

How is the division of Imam Mahdi's occultation? This period began when the eleventh Imam was martyred and it will last until Imam al-Mahdi appears. However, some people believe that this period initiated since the Imam was born. His occultation is divided into the Minor and the Major ones. The Minor Occultation: This period of time that lasted for about 70 years began in 260 A.H. and lasted till 329 …

READ MORE