Imam Mahdi (AS) is the twelfth (and last) Imam of the shi’as. He was born on the 15th of Shaban in the year 255 (AH). His father was Imam Hasan al-askari who was martyred in the year 260 (AH) and his mother’s name was Narjes.

 After His father’s death Imam Mahdi (AS) went into occultation by God’s order. His occultation can be separated into two sections: Minor and Major. In the Minor occultation which lasted for sixty nine years, he had four deputies (or representatives): Othman ibn Saeed, Mohammad ibn Othman, Hossein ibn Ruh and Ali ibn Mohammad. These four conveyed Imam Mahdi’s messages and letters to the people and said and did exactly what he ordered them to. After the end of the Minor occultation in the year 329 (AH), the Major occultation started and will end when God wills. During this period the Imam has no deputies and those who claim such a position are definitely liars.

In the narrations of the Prophet, Imams and Fatimah al-Zahra (AS), many narrations can be found which tell us about Imam Mahdi (AS), his occultation and his reappearance and the universal peace and justice that will come with him.

The concept of Mahdi is also an accepted fact in Sunni belief, although slightly different from that of the Shia. It has been narrated from Sunni scholars that:

1        The Prophet(AS) said: “the world will not come to an end until a man from my ahlu al-bayt (family) whose name is like mine, rules over the Arabs”

2         The prophet(AS) said: “Mahdi is from the descendants of Fatimah”

For more information about Imam Mahdi see the following books which are freely available on the internet in English:

1        Al-Imam Al-mahdi (AS) or Al-Imam Al-mahdi (AS) the just leader of Humanity, Ibrahim Amini

2        Fazailul Mahdi (AS), Ali Akbar Talafi

3        Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), Sayyid Sadrul-din Al-Sadr

4        Questions concerning Al-Mahdi, Ayatollah Lutfullah as-safi Al-Gulpayegani

• 29/07/2009 15:51 - Does anyone know when Imam Mahdi will come out of occultation?
• 29/07/2009 15:43 - How do we benefit from Imam Mahdi (AS) during his occultation?
• 29/07/2009 15:33 - the reason behind Imam Mahdi’s occultation
• 29/07/2009 15:17 - Is Imam Mahdi (AS) the manifestation (appearance) of God?
• 29/07/2009 14:04 - What are our duties during the occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS)?