The Birth of the Savior of the World
Author: Mohammad Reza Ansari
The first moments after the birth of Imam Mahdi, his shining and holy body was before the very eyes of Lady Hakimah. In the beginning of this chapter, we will see that the infant boy testifies to God Almighty’s oneness, to His Prophets’ prophethood, and to the boy’s forefathers’ divinely ordained leadership (i.e. Imamate).
We will then see that angels descend from the skies to compliment and congratulate Imam Hasan for the birth of the newborn. The infant boy will then recite the verses in the Celestial Books of the Prophets who came before the Holy Prophet Muhammad in front of his father Imam Hasan, which is another miracle of the greatness of Imam Mahdi. Finally, we will see that the Archangels take the infant boy up to the heavens and specifically to the Throne of God Almighty.
The first moments after the birth of Imam Mahdi, his shining and holy body was before the very eyes of Lady Hakimah. In the beginning of this chapter, we will see that the infant boy testifies to God Almighty’s oneness, to His Prophets’ prophethood, and to the boy’s forefathers’ divinely ordained leadership (i.e. Imamate).
We will then see that angels descend from the skies to compliment and congratulate Imam Hasan for the birth of the newborn. The infant boy will then recite the verses in the Celestial Books of the Prophets who came before the Holy Prophet Muhammad in front of his father Imam Hasan, which is another miracle of the greatness of Imam Mahdi. Finally, we will see that the Archangels take the infant boy up to the heavens and specifically to the Throne of God Almighty.
The Birth of the Awaited Son at Dawn
On Friday sunrise, the fifteenth day of Sha`ban AH 255, corresponding to July 29th, AD 869, the Last Promise of God Almighty came in this world. Imam Mahdi the Patron of the Age spread his holy light to all over the world!
At that moment, Lady Hakimah, who was beside Imam Hasan, was asked by him to re-enter Nargis’s room. Complying with Imam’s order, stopped suddenly in front of Nargis’s room stunned, because the room was full of pure and Divine light! She then saw a beautiful, sweet infant boy who was bowing down toward the kiblah direction and praising God Almighty.
Astonished, Lady Hakimah saw Nargis’s face and forehead shining more splendidly than the midday sun!
On Friday sunrise, the fifteenth day of Sha`ban AH 255, corresponding to July 29th, AD 869, the Last Promise of God Almighty came in this world. Imam Mahdi the Patron of the Age spread his holy light to all over the world!
At that moment, Lady Hakimah, who was beside Imam Hasan, was asked by him to re-enter Nargis’s room. Complying with Imam’s order, stopped suddenly in front of Nargis’s room stunned, because the room was full of pure and Divine light! She then saw a beautiful, sweet infant boy who was bowing down toward the kiblah direction and praising God Almighty.
Astonished, Lady Hakimah saw Nargis’s face and forehead shining more splendidly than the midday sun!
Bowing Down Towards the Kiblah Direction
While Imam Mahdi bowed down towards the kiblah direction, he also raised his index finger towards the sky and uttered these words: “I testify that there is no god but Allah! I also believe in a single, unique God and there is no partner for Him. I testify that my ancestor is the Messenger of God and I testify that my father the Commander of the believers was the Proof of God!”
Then, Imam Mahdi said the names of his illustrious ancestors and called them Proofs of God Almighty. when Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) uttered God’s Holy Names, he added: “O God Almighty! Please, fulfill Your promise for me and help me finish my duty! Make my steps constant and firm and spread Your justice and equity all over the world at my hand!”
While Imam Mahdi bowed down towards the kiblah direction, he also raised his index finger towards the sky and uttered these words: “I testify that there is no god but Allah! I also believe in a single, unique God and there is no partner for Him. I testify that my ancestor is the Messenger of God and I testify that my father the Commander of the believers was the Proof of God!”
Then, Imam Mahdi said the names of his illustrious ancestors and called them Proofs of God Almighty. when Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) uttered God’s Holy Names, he added: “O God Almighty! Please, fulfill Your promise for me and help me finish my duty! Make my steps constant and firm and spread Your justice and equity all over the world at my hand!”
The Companions of Imam Mahdi
After having pronounced those holy prayers, Imam Mahdi sat on his knee, raised his head and his index finger toward the sky, and sneezed a few times. After each sneeze, Imam Mahdi uttered, “Praise be the Lord God and the Creator of the worlds! And may God’s greetings and blessings be bestowed on Muhammad and his holy Family! I am a servant of God, submissive without any pride, and I will always invoke and remember my Creator, God Almighty! The power of darkness thinks wrongly that the Proof of God has been destroyed so far; if we were permitted to talk, surely all doubts and hesitations would have vanished!”
After that, a multitude of white birds descended from Heaven and rubbed their sweet, white, and pure wings on Imam Mahdi’s tender feet, hands, and holy face. When Lady Hakimah narrated these events to Imam Hasan, he smiled and said, “Those are the purest angels of God! They have come down to consecrate themselves! They are to be his companions on the Day of Resurrection.”
After having pronounced those holy prayers, Imam Mahdi sat on his knee, raised his head and his index finger toward the sky, and sneezed a few times. After each sneeze, Imam Mahdi uttered, “Praise be the Lord God and the Creator of the worlds! And may God’s greetings and blessings be bestowed on Muhammad and his holy Family! I am a servant of God, submissive without any pride, and I will always invoke and remember my Creator, God Almighty! The power of darkness thinks wrongly that the Proof of God has been destroyed so far; if we were permitted to talk, surely all doubts and hesitations would have vanished!”
After that, a multitude of white birds descended from Heaven and rubbed their sweet, white, and pure wings on Imam Mahdi’s tender feet, hands, and holy face. When Lady Hakimah narrated these events to Imam Hasan, he smiled and said, “Those are the purest angels of God! They have come down to consecrate themselves! They are to be his companions on the Day of Resurrection.”
Transferring Wilayah to Imam Mahdi
The Archangel in charge of Paradise is called Rizwan. He had the honor of washing the holy body of the newborn baby in the Pond of Kawthar and Salsabil. Then, Lady Hakimah washed once again the baby, held him tightly in her arms, and smelled the ethereal perfume of the holy body of the infant boy. She then saw a inscription written on the right forearm of Imam Mahdi: “The truth has come and the falsehood has vanished. Surely, falsehood is a vanishing thing.”
Nargis and Lady Hakimah spoke and played for a few minutes with the infant boy while he was laughing. Then Imam Hasan said, “My dear aunt! Would you please bring on my son here to me?”
Lady Hakimah smiled once more at the baby, enveloped him in a silk cloth, and went to Imam Hasan’s room. Imam Mahdi while in the hands of lady Hakimah saluted his father. Imam Hasan replied to his son’s greetings, sat him on his own knees, and recited the adhan statements in his right ear and the iqamah statements in his left ear. He then placed his tongue over the eyes and ears of his baby boy and then inside the mouth of his son. This was done because he wanted his son to see, hear, and talk with justice and Imam Hasan transferred the pure elixir of his wilayah to his holy son.
Having performed these important acts, Imam Hasan embraced his newborn most tenderly, kissed his hands, feet and face, and pressed him tightly to his chest.
The Archangel in charge of Paradise is called Rizwan. He had the honor of washing the holy body of the newborn baby in the Pond of Kawthar and Salsabil. Then, Lady Hakimah washed once again the baby, held him tightly in her arms, and smelled the ethereal perfume of the holy body of the infant boy. She then saw a inscription written on the right forearm of Imam Mahdi: “The truth has come and the falsehood has vanished. Surely, falsehood is a vanishing thing.”
Nargis and Lady Hakimah spoke and played for a few minutes with the infant boy while he was laughing. Then Imam Hasan said, “My dear aunt! Would you please bring on my son here to me?”
Lady Hakimah smiled once more at the baby, enveloped him in a silk cloth, and went to Imam Hasan’s room. Imam Mahdi while in the hands of lady Hakimah saluted his father. Imam Hasan replied to his son’s greetings, sat him on his own knees, and recited the adhan statements in his right ear and the iqamah statements in his left ear. He then placed his tongue over the eyes and ears of his baby boy and then inside the mouth of his son. This was done because he wanted his son to see, hear, and talk with justice and Imam Hasan transferred the pure elixir of his wilayah to his holy son.
Having performed these important acts, Imam Hasan embraced his newborn most tenderly, kissed his hands, feet and face, and pressed him tightly to his chest.
The First Words of the Newborn
Imam Hasan pampered the face and head of his son tenderly and said to him with a fond smile, “O living Proof of God Almighty! O essence of the Prophets’ difficulties! O last Imam appointed by our God! O possessor of the shining Return! O shining light from inside the deep oceans! O successor of pious men and women! O one and only light of all Prophets and Imams! Now, by God’s will, speak up!”
Imam Mahdi thus spoke: “In the name of God the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Greetings of God Almighty to Muhammad the well-chosen and last Prophet of God, to `Ali the well-pleased, commander of the believers, and father of Imams, to Fatimah Zahra' the holy mother of the Imams, to Hasan and Husayn the sons of `Ali, the glorious martyrs, and the chiefs of the youth of Heaven, to `Ali ibn Husayn, to Muhammad ibn `Ali, to Ja`far ibn Muhammad, to Musa ibn Ja`far, to `Ali ibn Musa, to Muhammad ibn `Ali, to `Ali ibn Muhammad, and to my father Hasan ibn `Ali.”
Imam Mahdi prayed then for his companions and for his Shi`ite followers and then stopped talking.
Imam Hasan pampered the face and head of his son tenderly and said to him with a fond smile, “O living Proof of God Almighty! O essence of the Prophets’ difficulties! O last Imam appointed by our God! O possessor of the shining Return! O shining light from inside the deep oceans! O successor of pious men and women! O one and only light of all Prophets and Imams! Now, by God’s will, speak up!”
Imam Mahdi thus spoke: “In the name of God the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Greetings of God Almighty to Muhammad the well-chosen and last Prophet of God, to `Ali the well-pleased, commander of the believers, and father of Imams, to Fatimah Zahra' the holy mother of the Imams, to Hasan and Husayn the sons of `Ali, the glorious martyrs, and the chiefs of the youth of Heaven, to `Ali ibn Husayn, to Muhammad ibn `Ali, to Ja`far ibn Muhammad, to Musa ibn Ja`far, to `Ali ibn Musa, to Muhammad ibn `Ali, to `Ali ibn Muhammad, and to my father Hasan ibn `Ali.”
Imam Mahdi prayed then for his companions and for his Shi`ite followers and then stopped talking.
Reciting the Holy Books of the Prophets
Imam Hasan asked, “My son! Do recite all the Holy Books of the passed Prophets.”
Imam Mahdi thus recited the Book of Abraham in Syrian; the Books of Prophet Noah, Prophet Idris, Prophet of ¯alih, the Torah of Moses, the Bible of Jesus, and the Holy Qur'an of his forefather Muhammad the last Messenger of God. He then told their life stories.”
Imam Hasan said to him, “My son, you are the living argument of God against the peoples and nations! You are the Face of God towards which those who pray Him turn their faces! You are the protected trust of God! You are a memory of one of the branches of the Heavenly Tree Tuba! You are the child of the farthest lote-tree! You are the successor of virtuous men and women! You are the core of mysteries and secrets of God! You are the memory of the Pure! You are the Final Day of the world! You are the child of the Glorious Names of God Almighty! You are the child of the Greater Monotheism! You are the huge and prominent veil of God Almighty! You are the connection link between the earth and the heavens! You are the Face of God Almighty; from the past until the present time, pious men have always been aware of your high rank! Because of your holy existence, God Almighty sustains His creatures! Your holy existence on earth is the reason of the survival of the creatures of God Almighty! Your existence is the reason of the constant, firm condition of the earth and the heavens! You are the argument from among many other arguments of God Almighty! You are the safeguard of the believers! You are the last savior of the virtuous men! You are the remembrance of the Prophets! You are aware of the entire knowledge and science! This child is the completion of the signs of God Almighty and the traditions of the holy Family of Banu-Hashim! He is the memory of the light of God! He is the memory of the Holy Prophet! He is the memory of the Straight Path of our God! He is the memory of our merciful, clement Prophet! He is from the holy Family who possess the most eminent, the highest rank, and the greatest position in the Presence of God Almighty! He is the successor of the mysteries and secrets of prophethood, Imamate, caliphate, leadership, purity, and Divine wisdom.
He is the child of the shining, the clear signs, and the child of the splendid fourteen stars of Imamate who govern all the creatures on earth and who know all the mysteries of the universe and all the things that are usually hidden to humankind. They [the Imams] know everything in the mind and hearts of the people and are witnesses of the people’s deeds and actions.
Our Holy Qur'an, which is an obvious, shining proof, is testifying and approving all these aspects, which belong to them. That is so because the Imams are the first and the last lords on earth! They are the possessors of everything and everywhere by the will of God Almighty!
God Almighty has given a little drop from the ocean of our existence and a shaft from our shining light and a piece of knowledge from our Divine, vast knowledge to His Prophets! That is because just a unique word from the Glorious Name of Allah was among the Prophets, and they could accomplish so many miracles! While all the seventy words of the Glorious Name of Allah and also what had been in the possession of the other Prophets were beside the holy Family of Muhammad!
Imam Hasan asked, “My son! Do recite all the Holy Books of the passed Prophets.”
Imam Mahdi thus recited the Book of Abraham in Syrian; the Books of Prophet Noah, Prophet Idris, Prophet of ¯alih, the Torah of Moses, the Bible of Jesus, and the Holy Qur'an of his forefather Muhammad the last Messenger of God. He then told their life stories.”
Imam Hasan said to him, “My son, you are the living argument of God against the peoples and nations! You are the Face of God towards which those who pray Him turn their faces! You are the protected trust of God! You are a memory of one of the branches of the Heavenly Tree Tuba! You are the child of the farthest lote-tree! You are the successor of virtuous men and women! You are the core of mysteries and secrets of God! You are the memory of the Pure! You are the Final Day of the world! You are the child of the Glorious Names of God Almighty! You are the child of the Greater Monotheism! You are the huge and prominent veil of God Almighty! You are the connection link between the earth and the heavens! You are the Face of God Almighty; from the past until the present time, pious men have always been aware of your high rank! Because of your holy existence, God Almighty sustains His creatures! Your holy existence on earth is the reason of the survival of the creatures of God Almighty! Your existence is the reason of the constant, firm condition of the earth and the heavens! You are the argument from among many other arguments of God Almighty! You are the safeguard of the believers! You are the last savior of the virtuous men! You are the remembrance of the Prophets! You are aware of the entire knowledge and science! This child is the completion of the signs of God Almighty and the traditions of the holy Family of Banu-Hashim! He is the memory of the light of God! He is the memory of the Holy Prophet! He is the memory of the Straight Path of our God! He is the memory of our merciful, clement Prophet! He is from the holy Family who possess the most eminent, the highest rank, and the greatest position in the Presence of God Almighty! He is the successor of the mysteries and secrets of prophethood, Imamate, caliphate, leadership, purity, and Divine wisdom.
He is the child of the shining, the clear signs, and the child of the splendid fourteen stars of Imamate who govern all the creatures on earth and who know all the mysteries of the universe and all the things that are usually hidden to humankind. They [the Imams] know everything in the mind and hearts of the people and are witnesses of the people’s deeds and actions.
Our Holy Qur'an, which is an obvious, shining proof, is testifying and approving all these aspects, which belong to them. That is so because the Imams are the first and the last lords on earth! They are the possessors of everything and everywhere by the will of God Almighty!
God Almighty has given a little drop from the ocean of our existence and a shaft from our shining light and a piece of knowledge from our Divine, vast knowledge to His Prophets! That is because just a unique word from the Glorious Name of Allah was among the Prophets, and they could accomplish so many miracles! While all the seventy words of the Glorious Name of Allah and also what had been in the possession of the other Prophets were beside the holy Family of Muhammad!
Greetings of Imam Mahdi to his mother Nargis
Then Imam Hasan said, “My dear aunt! Please take Mahdi to his mother so that she may feed her son. Then, come back here again along with my son. Give Mahdi to his mother and make her happy, for truly God’s Promise is constant and firm!”
Lady Hakimah gave the baby to his delighted mother and Imam Mahdi with a sweet, innocent smile greeted her. Nargis embraced joyfully her son, pressed him tightly to her bosom, smelled his sweet, pure perfume, and kissed him a lot. She then breastfed him happily.
Then Imam Hasan said, “My dear aunt! Please take Mahdi to his mother so that she may feed her son. Then, come back here again along with my son. Give Mahdi to his mother and make her happy, for truly God’s Promise is constant and firm!”
Lady Hakimah gave the baby to his delighted mother and Imam Mahdi with a sweet, innocent smile greeted her. Nargis embraced joyfully her son, pressed him tightly to her bosom, smelled his sweet, pure perfume, and kissed him a lot. She then breastfed him happily.
Greetings of the Servants
By God Almighty’s permission, Imam Hasan called some of his faithful, loyal servants he was sure about their manners. He knew that they would never disclose the news of the infant’s birth to strangers. He called on them to enter the room and be the witnesses of this birth. Imam smiled and said, “Come! Come here and greet my son. You may also kiss him. Then, you may bid farewell to him and leave.”
A few minutes later, the loyal servants who lived in Imam Hasan’s house entered the room. They were very excited and happy that they could offer their greetings to Imam Mahdi. They then left them alone. Imam Hasan said, “My aunt! Please bring Nargis here to bid farewell to her son.”
She came in the room and bid farewell to her newborn while she was deeply sad.
By God Almighty’s permission, Imam Hasan called some of his faithful, loyal servants he was sure about their manners. He knew that they would never disclose the news of the infant’s birth to strangers. He called on them to enter the room and be the witnesses of this birth. Imam smiled and said, “Come! Come here and greet my son. You may also kiss him. Then, you may bid farewell to him and leave.”
A few minutes later, the loyal servants who lived in Imam Hasan’s house entered the room. They were very excited and happy that they could offer their greetings to Imam Mahdi. They then left them alone. Imam Hasan said, “My aunt! Please bring Nargis here to bid farewell to her son.”
She came in the room and bid farewell to her newborn while she was deeply sad.
The Green Birds
Suddenly, a lot of beautiful green birds appeared and surrounded Imam Hasan, Imam Mahdi, Nargis, Lady Hakimah. Imam Hasan greeted, talked to one of them, and then said, “Please, take my son and protect him until you reach the Presence of God Almighty.”
That same bird took Imam Mahdi and along with its companions left Imam Hasan and his family and flew high above to reach the heavens. Imam Hasan closed his eyes and said, “My son, I entrust you with the Hands of the Merciful God, just as what the mother of Moses did.”
After a while, Lady Hakimah asked, “My lord! Who were those birds?” Imam smiled and said, “The one to whom I gave my son was Archangel Gabriel! The others accompanying ones were the Angels of Blessing.”
When Nargis saw that the birds had gone away with his newborn, she started silently to cry. But her husband Imam Hasan comforted her tenderly and calmly and said, “My sweet wife! Do not worry. Soon the will of God Almighty will give your son back to you just like Prophet Moses when he was returned to his mother! Know that no one has the permission to feed our son except you!”
Suddenly, a lot of beautiful green birds appeared and surrounded Imam Hasan, Imam Mahdi, Nargis, Lady Hakimah. Imam Hasan greeted, talked to one of them, and then said, “Please, take my son and protect him until you reach the Presence of God Almighty.”
That same bird took Imam Mahdi and along with its companions left Imam Hasan and his family and flew high above to reach the heavens. Imam Hasan closed his eyes and said, “My son, I entrust you with the Hands of the Merciful God, just as what the mother of Moses did.”
After a while, Lady Hakimah asked, “My lord! Who were those birds?” Imam smiled and said, “The one to whom I gave my son was Archangel Gabriel! The others accompanying ones were the Angels of Blessing.”
When Nargis saw that the birds had gone away with his newborn, she started silently to cry. But her husband Imam Hasan comforted her tenderly and calmly and said, “My sweet wife! Do not worry. Soon the will of God Almighty will give your son back to you just like Prophet Moses when he was returned to his mother! Know that no one has the permission to feed our son except you!”
In the Presence of God Almighty in the Empyrean
When Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) soared high up to the sky, two other archangels took him to the empyrean. God Almighty from His Glorious Throne spoke to him saying, “Welcome! Greetings to you, My chosen servant who are sent down to support My religion and put into practice My commands! I swore and promised to Myself that by your hand I will reprimand and torment the wrongdoers, and bless and forgive my believers! O My archangels! Take My chosen servant with honor and respect to his father! Tell him his son is verily My last living proof on earth. Mahdi will be under My pledge and protection until the day when I will fulfill an eternal justice and truth. I will then destroy the wicked wrongdoers and all things vain and futile and make my last religion eternal and everlasting through his hands.”
When Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) soared high up to the sky, two other archangels took him to the empyrean. God Almighty from His Glorious Throne spoke to him saying, “Welcome! Greetings to you, My chosen servant who are sent down to support My religion and put into practice My commands! I swore and promised to Myself that by your hand I will reprimand and torment the wrongdoers, and bless and forgive my believers! O My archangels! Take My chosen servant with honor and respect to his father! Tell him his son is verily My last living proof on earth. Mahdi will be under My pledge and protection until the day when I will fulfill an eternal justice and truth. I will then destroy the wicked wrongdoers and all things vain and futile and make my last religion eternal and everlasting through his hands.”
The Days of the Newborn
In this part, we will read about the ceremony of immolation of a sacrificial lamb for Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) and his conversation with the servants as a little example of the numerous miracles of the newborn infant, Imam Hasan’s order to keep the news of his son’s birth a secret, and the episode in which Imam Mahdi shone in his cradle in front of Lady Hakimah. We will then read about the brilliant perfect horoscope of Imam Mahdi which stupefied many great astrologists in this final chapter.
Performing the ceremony of `Aqiqah (a prescribed ritual ceremony seven day after the birth of a child, the parents offer a sacrifice to God and then shave the child’s hair and give alms to the destitute by the weight of the baby’s hair) for Imam Mahdi was a ritual that Imam Hasan respected and complied to it happily.
When Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) was born, Imam Hasan ordered his servants to immolate three hundred sheep for his son. Narrating this occasion, one of the followers says, “I remember one day, Imam Hasan sent a sacrificed sheep for me and said that it was a sacrifice for his newborn son.”
According to another narration, one of the Imam’s servants said that when Imam Mahdi was born, all of them congratulated each other for this happy, joyful event.
One day, Imam Hasan summoned his assistant and ordered him to buy twenty five thousand measures of bread, along with twenty five thousand measures of meat. He was to distribute all these things to the poor families of Banu-Hashim. Ibrahim ibn Idris narrated in his turn: “One day, Imam Hasan sent four sheep to me and in his letter to me, he had written: In the name of God. Please, immolate these sheep for your lord and master Mahdi who is also my son, and give them to your brothers and the poor families.”
In this part, we will read about the ceremony of immolation of a sacrificial lamb for Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) and his conversation with the servants as a little example of the numerous miracles of the newborn infant, Imam Hasan’s order to keep the news of his son’s birth a secret, and the episode in which Imam Mahdi shone in his cradle in front of Lady Hakimah. We will then read about the brilliant perfect horoscope of Imam Mahdi which stupefied many great astrologists in this final chapter.
Performing the ceremony of `Aqiqah (a prescribed ritual ceremony seven day after the birth of a child, the parents offer a sacrifice to God and then shave the child’s hair and give alms to the destitute by the weight of the baby’s hair) for Imam Mahdi was a ritual that Imam Hasan respected and complied to it happily.
When Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) was born, Imam Hasan ordered his servants to immolate three hundred sheep for his son. Narrating this occasion, one of the followers says, “I remember one day, Imam Hasan sent a sacrificed sheep for me and said that it was a sacrifice for his newborn son.”
According to another narration, one of the Imam’s servants said that when Imam Mahdi was born, all of them congratulated each other for this happy, joyful event.
One day, Imam Hasan summoned his assistant and ordered him to buy twenty five thousand measures of bread, along with twenty five thousand measures of meat. He was to distribute all these things to the poor families of Banu-Hashim. Ibrahim ibn Idris narrated in his turn: “One day, Imam Hasan sent four sheep to me and in his letter to me, he had written: In the name of God. Please, immolate these sheep for your lord and master Mahdi who is also my son, and give them to your brothers and the poor families.”
Hiding The News of Mahdi’s Birth
Hamzah ibn Abu’l-Fath narrated: “One day, a man came to my house and congratulated me for the birth of the newborn of Imam Hasan. He then insisted that I should keep this news to myself. I asked him what was the name of Imam’s son, and he replied that the name was Muhammad and the surname Abu-Ja`far.”
Hamzah ibn Abu’l-Fath narrated: “One day, a man came to my house and congratulated me for the birth of the newborn of Imam Hasan. He then insisted that I should keep this news to myself. I asked him what was the name of Imam’s son, and he replied that the name was Muhammad and the surname Abu-Ja`far.”
The Episode of the Sneeze
One of Imam Hasan’s servants narrated the following: One night after the birth of our master Imam Mahdi, I went to see him. While I was watching him in his cradle, I suddenly sneezed, and Imam Mahdi said tenderly, ‘May God’s grace be on you!’ I was very excited about the fact that a baby had spoken to me! A lot more, because he had asked God’s grace for me! Then Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) said to me, ‘Do you like me to give you a good news?’ I said, ‘Yes my lord, I do!’ Imam Mahdi said, ‘Be aware that each sneeze will keep you away from a sudden death during the next three days.’
One of Imam Hasan’s servants narrated the following: One night after the birth of our master Imam Mahdi, I went to see him. While I was watching him in his cradle, I suddenly sneezed, and Imam Mahdi said tenderly, ‘May God’s grace be on you!’ I was very excited about the fact that a baby had spoken to me! A lot more, because he had asked God’s grace for me! Then Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) said to me, ‘Do you like me to give you a good news?’ I said, ‘Yes my lord, I do!’ Imam Mahdi said, ‘Be aware that each sneeze will keep you away from a sudden death during the next three days.’
The Green Cradle
Lady Hakimah narrated the following: Three days after the birth of our master Imam Mahdi, I missed him so much that I decided impulsively to go and see him. I went to Imam Hasan’s house and went to Nargis’s room to see her little boy. She wore a yellow dress and had tied her head with some cloth. I greeted her and she kindly welcomed me. I saw the cradle in a corner in the room. She had spread a green cloth on the baby’s body; I drew away the cloth and saw my sweet little master who was fast sleep! His mother had not tied his hands and feet. When Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) opened his innocent eyes, he smiled at me and played with my fingers. I embraced him tenderly and held him in my arms while I was kissing him all over the face! I smelled once again his ethereal, unique body perfume. I had never smelled a better perfume than that in my whole life! At that moment, Imam Hasan came and said, “My dear aunt! Bring on my little sweet son here to me.”
When I took him to his father, he kissed him tenderly, gazed at him for a moment, and said, “My son, I entrust you with God Almighty just as the mother of Moses entrusted her son with Him! May God Almighty be your protector! My beloved aunt! Bring back my son to his mother and know that you should hide the news of his birth from everyone.”
I brought back my lord Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) to his mother and returned to my house after that.”
On the third day after the birth of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), Imam Hasan introduced his son formally to his special companions and said, “This is my successor and your next Imam after me. It is he to whom the masses of people will pray for his reappearance during his long occultation! When the earth will be filled with tyranny and corruption, he will come to save the world and along with his faithful, loyal believers, he will spread justice and equity all over the world!”
Lady Hakimah narrated the following: Three days after the birth of our master Imam Mahdi, I missed him so much that I decided impulsively to go and see him. I went to Imam Hasan’s house and went to Nargis’s room to see her little boy. She wore a yellow dress and had tied her head with some cloth. I greeted her and she kindly welcomed me. I saw the cradle in a corner in the room. She had spread a green cloth on the baby’s body; I drew away the cloth and saw my sweet little master who was fast sleep! His mother had not tied his hands and feet. When Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) opened his innocent eyes, he smiled at me and played with my fingers. I embraced him tenderly and held him in my arms while I was kissing him all over the face! I smelled once again his ethereal, unique body perfume. I had never smelled a better perfume than that in my whole life! At that moment, Imam Hasan came and said, “My dear aunt! Bring on my little sweet son here to me.”
When I took him to his father, he kissed him tenderly, gazed at him for a moment, and said, “My son, I entrust you with God Almighty just as the mother of Moses entrusted her son with Him! May God Almighty be your protector! My beloved aunt! Bring back my son to his mother and know that you should hide the news of his birth from everyone.”
I brought back my lord Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) to his mother and returned to my house after that.”
On the third day after the birth of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), Imam Hasan introduced his son formally to his special companions and said, “This is my successor and your next Imam after me. It is he to whom the masses of people will pray for his reappearance during his long occultation! When the earth will be filled with tyranny and corruption, he will come to save the world and along with his faithful, loyal believers, he will spread justice and equity all over the world!”
Speaking in Childhood
Lady Hakimah narrated the following: On the seventh day of Imam Mahdi’s birth, I went to the house of Imam Hasan who, having greeting me warmly, asked, “Dear aunt! Bring on my child to me.” I brought Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) quickly to his father while the baby was dressed in yellow. Imam Hasan embraced his son and put his tongue inside his mouth, and Imam Mahdi sweetly smiled. Then, Imam Hasan said, “Speak up my son!” Imam Mahdi thus said, “I testify that there is no god but Allah and greetings to the holy Imams!” Mentioning them by names, he reached to his own name. He then said this holy verse: “And We desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs and to grant them power in the land, and to make Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared. (28:5-6)”
Another time, Lady Hakimah recounted the following: Forty days after my last visit to Imam Hasan’s house, I visited my lord and master Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance).
Who Am I ?
One of Imam Hasan’s servants narrated this incident: One day, I felt I should see my lord Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance); so, I went to his room and while he was fast sleep in his cradle, he said suddenly, “Bring me a red sandal.” I obeyed him quickly and gave him the red sandal. He then asked, “Do you know me?” I answered, “Yes, my lord!” Imam asked me again, “Who am I?” I replied, “You are my lord and the son of my lord.” On another occasion, Imam Mahdi said, “I didn’t ask you to give me this answer” I said, “May my life be offered to you! Please tell me yourself who you are!” Imam Mahdi said, “I am the last Imam and because of my existence, God Almighty shall verily protect my true believers from all disasters! I am the one who establishes the religion of God.”
Lady Hakimah narrated the following: On the seventh day of Imam Mahdi’s birth, I went to the house of Imam Hasan who, having greeting me warmly, asked, “Dear aunt! Bring on my child to me.” I brought Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) quickly to his father while the baby was dressed in yellow. Imam Hasan embraced his son and put his tongue inside his mouth, and Imam Mahdi sweetly smiled. Then, Imam Hasan said, “Speak up my son!” Imam Mahdi thus said, “I testify that there is no god but Allah and greetings to the holy Imams!” Mentioning them by names, he reached to his own name. He then said this holy verse: “And We desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs and to grant them power in the land, and to make Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared. (28:5-6)”
Another time, Lady Hakimah recounted the following: Forty days after my last visit to Imam Hasan’s house, I visited my lord and master Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance).
Who Am I ?
One of Imam Hasan’s servants narrated this incident: One day, I felt I should see my lord Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance); so, I went to his room and while he was fast sleep in his cradle, he said suddenly, “Bring me a red sandal.” I obeyed him quickly and gave him the red sandal. He then asked, “Do you know me?” I answered, “Yes, my lord!” Imam asked me again, “Who am I?” I replied, “You are my lord and the son of my lord.” On another occasion, Imam Mahdi said, “I didn’t ask you to give me this answer” I said, “May my life be offered to you! Please tell me yourself who you are!” Imam Mahdi said, “I am the last Imam and because of my existence, God Almighty shall verily protect my true believers from all disasters! I am the one who establishes the religion of God.”
The Happiest Event For All Shiites!
After the birth of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), Imam Hasan wrote a letter to Ahmad ibn Ishaq Qummi, saying to him, “God Almighty gave me a son and you should keep this joyful news to yourself. We did not unveil this news to anyone except those who are very close to us and those who have already accepted our wilayah in their hearts. I wanted to tell you this news to make you happy. I know you will rejoice at this blessed event just like us!”
After the birth of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), Imam Hasan wrote a letter to Ahmad ibn Ishaq Qummi, saying to him, “God Almighty gave me a son and you should keep this joyful news to yourself. We did not unveil this news to anyone except those who are very close to us and those who have already accepted our wilayah in their hearts. I wanted to tell you this news to make you happy. I know you will rejoice at this blessed event just like us!”
The Splendid Sun
In the city of Qumm, there lived a famous astrologist. When Ahmad ibn Ishaq read the news of Imam Mahdi’s birth, he summoned this famous astrologist to his house and told him that God had given him a son. He then informed him of the time of the baby’s birth. The astrologist calculated the horoscope of the newborn.
After studying the horoscope, he said to Ibn Ishaq, “My friend! I can truly say that this baby is not yours. He should be the child of a prophet or a successor of a prophet! Because his horoscope showed me that everything will be under his command! In fact, the entire world, from east to west, and all deserts, mountains, oceans, and mainland will obey him and only him! No one shall remain on earth but only those who believe in him and accept him as his or her true legitimate Imam!”
In the city of Qumm, there lived a famous astrologist. When Ahmad ibn Ishaq read the news of Imam Mahdi’s birth, he summoned this famous astrologist to his house and told him that God had given him a son. He then informed him of the time of the baby’s birth. The astrologist calculated the horoscope of the newborn.
After studying the horoscope, he said to Ibn Ishaq, “My friend! I can truly say that this baby is not yours. He should be the child of a prophet or a successor of a prophet! Because his horoscope showed me that everything will be under his command! In fact, the entire world, from east to west, and all deserts, mountains, oceans, and mainland will obey him and only him! No one shall remain on earth but only those who believe in him and accept him as his or her true legitimate Imam!”
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