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Posted August 17, 2008 by Saman

Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn Ali (a.t.f.s.)
<The Twelfth Imam>

Kunya- Abu al-Qasim
Father- Hasan al-Askari (a.s.)
Mother- Narjis
Birth- 15th Shaban 255 AH
Birthplace-Samarrah
Minor Occultation: 70 years(260 - 329 AH)
Major Occultaion: (329 - ??? AH)
Titles- al-Hujjah (the proof)
Hujjatullah (proof of Allah)

Birth and early life
12th imam was born in 868 AD as Hujjat ibn Hasan ibn Ali(a.s.). His mother, Narjis was a Byzantine princess who pretended to be a slave so that she might travel from her kingdom to Arabia. His father, Hasan al-Askari, was the eleventh Shi'a Imam.

Imamat
The eleventh Imam Hasan al-Askari(a.s.) died on 8th Rabi' al-awwal, 260 AH) and since that day, his son Mahdi(a.t.f.s.) became the Imam. The most popular account of al-Mahdi is taken from his father's funeral. It is reported that as the funeral prayer was about to begin, al-Mahdi's uncle, Jafar ibn Ali approached to lead the prayers. However, al-Mahdi approached and commanded, "Move aside, uncle; only an Imam can lead the funeral prayer of an Imam." Jafar moved aside, and the five-year-old child led the funeral prayer for his father. It is reported that it was at this very moment that al-Mahdi(a.t.f.s.) disappeared and went into ghaybat, or occultation.

The Occultation-
for various reasons, God concealed the twelfth and current Shi'a Imam, al-Mahdi, from humankind.

The period of occultation (ghaybat) consists of two parts:
Ghaybat al-Sughra or Minor Occultation (874-939) is the shorter of the two periods, during which deputies of the Imam maintained communication to the rest of the world.
Ghaybat al-Kubra or Major Occultation began 939 and is believed to continue until a time decided by God, when the Mahdi will reappear to bring absolute justice to the world.

Reappearance-
there are many references from the Qur'an and reports, or Hadith, from Mahdi(a.t.f.s.) and the twelve Imams with regard to the reappearance of our twelfth imam who would, in accordance with God's command, bring justice and peace to the world by establishing Islam throughout the world.
we believe that twelfth imam will reappear when the world has fallen into chaos and civil war emerges between the human race for no reason. At this time, it is believed, half of the true believers will ride from Yemen carrying white flags to Mecca, while the other half will ride from Karbala, in Iraq, carrying black flags to Mecca. At this time, al-Mahdi will come wielding God's Sword, the Blade of Evil's Bane, Zulfiqar

Occultation and Our Responsibilities--
Waiting is not a passive situation. It requires efforts & actions to bring about changes on both personal & social fronts.

We are required to continually recite â€œIhdinis siratal Mustaqimâ€ i.e. keep us on the right path, at least 17 times in a day, because there is a danger of deviating & being misled.

Our Homes should show preparedness to welcome the Imam. They should be Islamic homes devoid of all things/situations, which lead to sins.

If we are not prepared to give up sins we may not be able to follow the Imam on his reappearance.

Imam Hussain (as) in his last address on 10th Muharrum addressed his opponents by saying that they were unable to recognize the right path due to the Haram rizq in their stomach.
We should be very careful to check if the food we eat is purchased by halal earnings and Khums is paid. This has a great effect on the ability to recognize & follow the leader in his just cause. We need to ensure this to be ready to participate with the Imam.

The reappearance will also be a continuation of the fight between evil & good. A continuation of the Kerbala episode.It will require participation from all young old, men & women & children, just as Kerbala required all participants. It will not be sufficient to be observers ,as was the case of say Khandaq or other wars at the time of the Prophet(saws).

Our Imam is in waiting for over 1170 years & has been perfectly worshipping the Almighty for these years. There are countless events of his meetings/assistance & presentation of our deeds to him. Each of us is required to act in our own way to hasten the reappearance.

May Allah swt keep us guided, hasten his reappearance & make us amongst his followers!!