Who is Mahdy(Mahdi)?

O' Mahdy! You are the translation of God's love;

O' Mahdy! You are the shelter for every lost soul.

Mahdy's name is the same as the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH& HP). Mahdy is his title and it means “one whom is guided”. Actually, Mahdy is a title for every one of the infallible Imams which means that all of them have been guided by God.

Imam Hossain has said:

“Twelve Mahdies are from us. First of them is Amir-Ol-Mo'menin, Ali son of Abi Taaleb, and the last is the Imam who rises with justice. Through him, God will revive the earth after its death, and let the True Belief overcome other beliefs, in spite of the polytheists' dislike. He has a long Disappearance, during which some will abandon their faith, and some will firmly stay in their Belief. Then, they will be aggravated and asked : " When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are telling the truth? " Truly , whoever withstands annoyances and denials of others during the Disappearance of Mahdi is like the one who fights by sword alongside the prophet (PBUH&HP)” .(Behaar-Ol-Anwaar, Vol. 51)

In the texts of many narratives and prayers, all 12 Imams are called Mahdys. But usually when the word Mahdy is

mentioned, the 12th Imam is meant. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) repeatedly on many occasions -such as Ghadir,...- introduced and prophesied about the 12 God-chosen Successors after him. In the ((Loh of Fatima)) which was a gift from heavens to the Prophet, the names and particulars of all 12 Imams are mentioned in detail.

(Osool Kafi, Behaar-Ol-Anwaar...)

Also in Sunni documents, it has been narrated that the Prophet has said that through succession of 12 executors, Islam would be firm until the Judgment Day; anyone denying the emergence of Mahdy, he would be considered an unbeliever ( Sahih Bokhari, Sahih Moslem, ...). In the Bible -Book of Genesis, ch. 17, statement 20- God told the Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH):

As for Ismael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

The Shi'ah clearly introduces the 12 Imams: Ali son of Abi-Taaleb, Hassan son of Ali and Fatima, Hossain son of Ali and Fatima, Ali son of Hossain, Mohammad son of Ali, Ja'far son of Mohammad, Musa son of Ja'far, Ali son of Musa, Mohammad son of Ali, Ali son of Mohammad, Hassan son of Ali and Imam Mahdi (PBUT).

Mahdy (May God Hasten his Appearance) was born in the year 255 or 256 A.H. (ninth century A.D.). He is the immediate son of the 11th Imam. It is not only the Shi'ah documents which verify that Mahdy is a descendant of Fatima -the daughter of the Prophet- and Imam Hassan and Imam Hossain (PBUT), the Sunni documents also state these facts (Tafsir Tabari, Yanaabi'-Ol-Mawaddah,...) while Mahdy (PBUH) is obviously a descendant of Imam Hossain (PBUH), also through the wife of the fifth Imam who was Fatima daughter of Imam Hassan (PBUH), Mahdy is a descendant of Imam Hassan (PBUH), too.

Mahdy's mother was a Roman princess who embraced Islam and became the wife of Imam Hassan Askari, the 11th Imam (PBUH) she is known by different names such as Nargess, Sussan, ... . The story of how she met Imam Hassan Askari and their marriage is very delightful and heart-touching.

We shall soon narrate this beautiful story separately. Imam Mahdy (PBUH) was only 5 years old when his father was martyred and therefore, Mahdy (PBUH) became the Imam. Being a child or an adult makes no difference for the gifted chosen ones. Jesus (PBUH) was chosen a Prophet at birth. The eighth, ninth and twelfth Imams were at very young ages when they started their Imamat.

History verifies the 12 Imams' heavenly knowledge and superiority even as children. For 69 years, Mahdy had a minor Disappearance in which he had four chosen representatives through whom he was reachable but after the death of the fourth Naa'eb, the Imam did not choose another Naa'eb and therefore ever since, Mahdy has been in the major and greater Disappearance in which no direct contact from the people has been possible. Although, any time the Imam has wished himself, he has visited certain chosen Shi'ah and has answered their questions, solved their problems ... . No one knows where the Imam is but Mahdy knows everyone and is aware of the details of everyone's life. By God's command, Mahdy's lordship and walaayat over existence and his Imamat are in effect during his Disappearance too. His Appearance is the Promise of God in Qur'an (Surah A'araaf, verse 128,...) and all Divine wittings but no one knows when the Appearance shall occur. There is no specified time for his Appearance. Our realization of his Divinely bestowed position in existence, seeking him and praying for his Appearance can effect the time of his Emergence. His Appearance can happen at any second. Imam Mahdy (PBUH) himself has asked the Shi'ah to pray for his Appearance. So, let us strive and pray for the Promised Day ... .