The Holy Sardāb (Cellar) in Samarra From the book of 'Sawa'eq' it appears that the Shia Imamiah's or a group amongst them reckon that Mahdi (a.s.) has concealed himself in the cellar. They expect him to emerge from this cellar and they stop near its door with their horses and await his reappearance. How good it was if the author of 'Sawa'eq' had mentioned the reference of this talk. I …

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Statements of Imam Ḥasan al-ʿAskari regarding the occurrence of the Occultation   1 – Narrated to us Ali bin Abdullah Warraq: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah from Ahmad bin Ishaq bin Saad al-Ashari that he said: “I went to Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) and wanted to inquire about his successor. His Eminence, preceded me in the matter and said as follows: “O Ahmad bin Ishaq! The Almighty Allah has …

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The Ninth of Rabiʿ al-Awwal; a day of rejoicing and celebration 9th Rabi al-Awwal is the first day of the Imamate of our living Imam, Imam al-Mahdi; a day of rejoicing and celebration. It has been narrated that to give alms on this day brings about forgiveness of sins. It has been also said that it is recommended, on this day, to offer food, give pleasure to one's brethren-in-faith, confer …

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To the better world  Imam Abu Muhammad (AS) spent his short life in sufferings and distresses. The Abbasid kings spared no effort in oppressing him. They moved him from a prison to another. They subjected him to confinement and imposed on him economic blockade. They prevented him from meeting with his followers as they prevented Ulama and scholars from contacting with him to take from the fountains of his sciences. And …

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Beginning of the Imamate of Imam al-Mahdi; the only authentic event at 9th of Rabiʿ al-Awwal Celebrating 9th Rabi’ al- Note; There was a minor factual mistake in the section of Mukhtar & ‘Umar ibn Sa’ad which has now been corrected.   In many Shi’i communities, it is the 9th of Rabi’ al-Awwal that marks the end of the two-month mourning period that begins with the first of Muharram. The day …

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Is the so-called ʿīd-al-Zahra fact or fiction? Question: Some Shias celebrate a supposed celebration called ‘Eid-e-Zahra’, which is said to be on the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal. The long hadith quoted below is used to legitimate the existence of this ‘Eid’. Can you please comment on this? The Hadith: Al-Sayed ibn Tawoos writes in the book, ‘Zawaa’id al-Fawaa’id’ that Ibn Abi Alaa Al-Hamadani al-Waasiti and Yahya ibn Mohammad bin Huwaij Al-Baghdadi …

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Why do we just celebrate the beginning of Imam Mahdi’s Imamate, but we do not do it for other Imams after the martyrdom of the previous ones!? In response, we can pay attention to some points: First, creating a culture to celebrate the Days of Allah[1], such as Ghadir and Mab'ath Eve,[2] the anniversary of the Holy Prophet’s birthday, and other religious occasions are rooted in the cultural life of …

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Was the legacy of Imam “Hasan al-Askari” divided amongst his brother and mother? Description: One of doubts that Wahhabis keep repeating and using it to prove that Imam “Mahdi” [AS] wasn’t born, is the matter of dividing the inheritance of Imam “Hasan Askari” [AS] between his brother “Ja’far” {known as Ja’far liar} and Imam “Askari” [AS]’s mother and they say if Imam “Askari” [AS] had a child why didn’t he …

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Is it true that Imam Hussain’s assassin was killed on the ninth of Rabi’ al-Awwal and his head was sent to Imam Sajjad? What is the historical importance or significance of 9th of Rabi\'ul Awwal? It is said that this was the day when killers of Imam Hussein (a.s.) were killed by Ameer Mukhtar and a letter was sent to Imam Zainul Abideen causing him to smile and so on? …

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Is Imam Mahdi hiding in the Sardāb (cellar) now? After five years of living under the care and supervision of his honorable father (Imam Ḥasan al-ˈAskari) and precious mother (Lady Narjis) and following his father’s martyrdom on the 8th of Rabī' al-Awwal in 260 A.H. (5th January 874 A.D.), Imam Mahdi reached the position of Imamate at the age of five just as Prophet Jesus and Prophet John attained the …

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