1. 12 Items about al-Mahdi The Twelfth Imam
By A.S. Hashim. MD

2. In this Slide Show Discussed in this Slide Show:
belief in “Mahdawiyyah”
Imam Mahdi in the books of other religions
Holy Quran alludes to the existence and reappearance of al-Mahdi
Holy Prophet (pbuh) informs us about the “Promised Mahdi”?
Ali (a.s.) informs us about the “Promised Mahdi”
Rest of Imams inform us about the “Promised Mahdi”
Quoting Sunni Hadith Books
During Minor Occultation: The four Appointed Safeers
Sample sayings and Du’aa of Al-Mahdi
Du’aa Al-Ahd (Covenant) دعاء العهد
Ziyarah

3. The belief in the promised Mahdi (Mahdawiyyah)
“Mahdawiyyah” is the belief about a universal savior.
This creed is not limited to Islam but is an established faith of all religions.
Support for the weak, and termination of oppression
are all matters related to the belief in the promised Mahdi.
Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Even if one day remains for the end of the world, Allah the Almighty will prolong it to such an extent till a man appears from my family.
His name will be as my name and his acronym will be my acronym.
He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be fraught with oppression and corruption.”

4. Item #1: What has been mentioned about universal savior?
In the Old Testament, the divine book of the Jews, it is mentioned that; “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox..
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:1-10)

5. Item #2: Does the Quran allude to the existence of al-Mahdi?
Eminent scholars have brought many such verses:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
“He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse.” (Surah al-Taw’ba, 9: 33)
وَنُرِيدُ أَنْ نَمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ
“And We desire to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the earth and to make them the Imams and to make them the heirs.” (Surah al-Qasas 28: 5)

6. Does the Quran allude to al-Mahdi?
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
“Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good that He will make them rulers in the earth as He had made rulers those before them,
and that He will establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will after their fear, give them security in exchange;
they shall serve Me, not associating aught with Me.”
(Surah al-Noor, 24:55)
Allama Majlisi brings 60 verses from the Holy Quran in this regard

7. Item #3: Quoting Muhammad (pbuh) about “al-Mahdi”
Many authentic narrations of the Prophet and the Imams are about al-Mahdi. Examples are:
The Holy Prophet informed us, that “al-Mahdi is from his progeny.
His name is as my name (Muhammad) and his acronym is my acronym (Abu al-Qasim).
He resembles me most in the creation and in the manners.
He will be associated with occultation and confusion, so most people deviate from religion.
He will appear as a bright shining star, will fill the earth with truth and justice just as it was filled with oppression and injustice.”
Kamaaluddin by Shaikh Sadooq, p. 287

8. Quoting Ali (a.s.) about “al-Mahdi”
Amir al-Mu’minin Ali Ibn Abi Talib said:
“My Qaa'im will have a long occultation.
I can foresee that our Shi’as in spite of their lifelong efforts to find him will not be able to do so.
Know you all that in his occultation the person who is steadfast in religion and does not deny al-Mahdi in his long absence will be with us on the Day of Judgment.”
Imam Ali continued: “When my Qaa'im reappears he will not have the allegiance of anyone on his neck as his birth was hidden and his personality was in Occultation.”
Kamaaluddin, p. 303

9. Item #4: Quoting Sunni Hadith Books
From Sahih Bukhari:
Narrated Jabir bin Samura: I heard Muhammad saying, "Islam will continue to be strong to twelve Muslim rulers." He then said a sentence which I did not hear. My father said, "All of them (those rulers) will be from Quraish."
In a Hadith widely regarded as authentic, Muhammad said,
Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has already been exhausted and only one day is left before the Day of Judgment, Allah will expand that day to such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom of a person out of Ahlul Bayt who will be called by my name and my father's name. He will then fill the Earth with peace and justice as it will have been filled with injustice and tyranny before then.

10. Discussed in the Following Section:
False claimants of Mahdawiyyah
Aspects of similarities between Prophets and al-Mahdi
Salat of Janaaza
During Minor Occultation: The four Appointed Safeers
Sample Sayings and Du’aas
Titles and acronyms of al-Mahdi.

11. Item #5: Sunni sources More about the existence, life and reappearance of al-Mahdi?
Abdullah Ibn Masood narrates that the Prophet said: “Even if one day remains for the end of the world, Allah the High shall lengthen that day to such an extent that a person from my nation and my family will establish divine leadership. His name will be the same as mine. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression.”
Fusool al-Muhimmah, Ibn Sabbagh Maaliki, p. 294
Salman asked, “O Messenger of God! From where will your son appear? The Prophet placed his hand on the back of Husain and said: ‘That son of mine will be from him’.”
Yanaabee’ al-Mawaddah, Shaikh Sulaiman Qunduzi, vol. 3, p. 163
Other examples:
Al Bayaan Fi Akhbaar al-Saheb al-Zamaan, Hafiz Ganji Shaafei, p. 493
Yanaabee’ al-Mawaddah, Shaikh Sulaiman Qunduzi, vol. 3, p. 163;

12. Item #6 False claimants of Mahdawiyyah recorded in history.
Some of the pseudo-Mahdis in history are as follows:
Abu Ishaq Abu Abidah Saqafi,
Abu Muhammad Abdullah al-Mahdi,
Abu Abdullah al-Maghrebi,
Mahdi al-Sudani,
Sayed Muhammad Jaunpuri Hindi,
Musa Kurdi,
Mahdi al-Bengali,
Ghulam Ahmad Qadiyani,
Sayed Bab and Bahaaullah.

13. Item #7 Why the Shi'a rise when the name “al-Qaa'im” is mentioned?
Imam Al-Saadiq was asked, “What is the reason for standing when al-Qaa'im is mentioned?” He replied:
“Sahib al-Amr (a.s.) will have a long occultation.
Whenever he will be addressed by the title al-Qaa'im, due to the intense love his followers have for him,
they will remember his noble era and express sorrow at his present distress.
Reciprocating this action, even Hadhrat (Mahdi) is benevolently attentive towards them.
Since this condition results in receiving the attention of the Imam, it is recommended to stand as a mark of respect for him and pray for his early reappearance.”
Ilzamun Naasib, vol.1, p. 271

14. Item #8 Aspects of similarities between Prophets and al-Mahdi.
Imam Zainul Abideen said:
“In our Qaa'im are found the traits of the Prophets, similar to those of Adam, Nooh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, Ayyub, and Muhammad (pbuh).
As regards to Adam and Nooh, it is their long life.
As regards to Ibrahim, it is his secret birth and staying away from the people.
In case of Musa, it is the fear and his disappearance.
In case of Isa, it is the controversy among the people about him.
In case of Ayyub, it is his perfection after his great test.
And in the case of Muhammad (pbuh), it is his coming out with a sword.”
Kamaaluddin, p. 322

15. Item #9 Briefly account the life of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
Famous Titles: Mahdi, Wali- al-Asr, Sahib al-Zamaan, Qaa'im, Muntadhar, etc.
Time and place of Birth: Born in Samurra, Iraq, 15th of Sha’ban in the year 255 A.H.
The Minor Occultation: After the passing of Imam Hasan al-Askari, he assumed the Imamah.
Immediately thereafter in 260 A.H., with the permission of the Almighty, the Minor Occultation started. This lasted for sixty nine years till 329 A.H.
The Major Occultation: Started in 329 A.H. The major occultation will continue so long as Allah desires. Allah will make him reappear to fill this world with justice whenever He so desires.

16. Item #10 What is the proof of the birth of Imam Mahdi?
A group of Shi’as: Once a group of 40 Shi’as came in the presence of the 11th Imam, al-Hasan al-Askari.
They asked him to introduce the divine proof after him. Al-Askari accepted their request and introduced to them his son who emerged as a shining moon, resembling his father, Imam Askari, who said:
“After me, this son of mine is your Imam and my Khalifa among you. You all obey him.
Don't scatter away from his leadership lest you and your religion be destroyed. Also, know that you shall not see him again after today till a very long time. Therefore, you all should obey his representative.”
Uthman Ibn Saeed’, Ilzaamun Naasib, vol. 1, p. 341

17. Item #11 Reason al-Mahdi coming out at his father’s funeral?
Only an Imam can lead the funeral prayers of an Imam.
To prevent any representative of the Khalifa from reciting the funeral prayers over the holy bier of the eleventh Imam,
To prevent corruption from entering the proceedings of the matter of Imamah. Ja'far, the brother of Imam Askari had a wicked plan to claim the Imamah.
For verifying the continuation of the true chain of Imamah and Islamic Mastership.
To announce to the believers in Imamah that after al-Hasan al-Askari, there is the twelfth Imam responsible for spiritual succession, the Islamic message and religious as well as worldly mastership. He has been born and is very much present.
Khurshid al-Maghrib, Muhammad Ridha’ Hakimi, p. 24

18. Item #12 Mention the titles and acronyms of al-Mahdi.
Mahdi: The Redeemer, Rightly-guided
Qaa'im: the executor who will rise with the truth
Mansoor: With God’s support and help
Muntadhar: The awaited for, because days of his occultation will be prolonged
Baqiyatullah: God’s proof and God’s over all.”
Hujjatullah (The proof of Allah)
Al-Khalaf al-Saaleh (The Virtuous Heir)
Gharim (The One who seeks)
Mu’ammal (The One who is hoped for)
Muntaqim (The Avenger)
Al-Maa’ al-Ma’een (The richly flowing water)
Waliullah (The Devotee of Allah)
Sahib al-Amr (Master of the Affair)
Sahib al-Zamaan (Master of the Age)

19. Salat of Janaaza
The uncle of Al-Mahdi was about to lead a private Salat of Janaaza
Participants consisted of relatives and prominent devotees of Al-Askari called Al-Khaassah, (the Shi’a). 
Just as he tried to lead Salat of Janaaza a boy came out and commanded:
 تَنَحَّ يا عم، فأنا أحق منك في الصلآة على أبي
Uncle, move aside,
I have more right than you to pray over my father's body.
Startled, the uncle moved aside and Al-Mahdi led the Salat, now that he was the Imam. 
Also surprised were the participants who had not seen Al-Mahdi but heard of him.

20. The other Janaaza Prayer
Young Al-Mahdi was described as: 
Radiant,
with fairly wide forehead, and
spaced front teeth.
When Al-Mahdi finished off the Janaaza Salat he left immediately and vanished. 
This way Al-Mahdi was witnessed by the crowd
Another Salat of Janaaza was performed by a huge crowd:
Was led by the brother of the Khalifa
Quite possibly the private Janaaza Salat led by Al-Mahdi was followed sometime later by the public one.

21. Whereabouts
Initially Al-Mahdi concealed himself somewhere in Samur'raa.
Samur'raa was teaming with government employees, Benu Abbas, the Turkics, and militaries of various nationalities. 
Al-Mahdi probably hid in the Sirdaab, an exclusive cellar built deeply underground and used by Imam Al-Askari for Salat and seclusion. 
The Sirdaab's entrance must have been uniquely well camouflaged
It successfully evaded all attempts of Benu Abbas to find him
In later years Al-Mahdi's headquarters were possibly in Baghdad, known only to his Safeers. 
Imam Al-Mahdi was seen at the Ka'ba during Haj time.

22. The Minor Occultation With 4 Safeers: Uthman Al-Amri
Lasted 69 years: 260H to 329H
With 4 Safeers:
Uthman Al-Amri
Muhammad son of Uthman Al-Amri
Husain Ibn Rooh
Ibn Muhammad Al-Sammari
Keeping contact with the Imam, bring his written answers, Tawkii‘' التوقيع to the Wakeels الوكيل .
The administration is called Wikaalah الوكاله

23. Sample Du’aa #I
O Allah!:
We ask of Thee to favor us with the gift to obey Thee, and
Detach us from being disobedient to Thee.
Bestow on us sincerity in intentions; and
Provide us with knowledge of the sacred.
Honor us with guidance and honesty­, and
Direct our tongues to the right and wise;
Fill our hearts with comprehension and knowledge, and
Cleanse us from the forbidden and doubtful.
 اللهم ارزقنا توفيق الطاعه  وبعد المعصيه  وصدق النيه  وعرفان الحرمه  وأكرمنا بالهدى والإستقامه  وسدد ألسنتنا بالصواب والحكمه  واملأ قلوبنا بالعلم والمعرفه   وطهر بطوننا من الحرام والشبهة  وأكفف أيدينا عن الظلم والسرقه  واغضض أبصارنا عن الفجور والخيانه   واسدد أسماعنا عن اللغو والغيبة......

24. Select sayings of Al-Mahdi
I am al-Mahdi (the guided one), I am the Imam of the time and I am the one who will fill the earth with justice just as it was filled with tyranny and injustice. (Bihar al-Anwar Ch.52, P.2)
No advent but after Allah’s permission, and that will be after the passing of a long term, the hardening of the hearts and the filling of earth with tyranny. (alehtejaj Ch.2, P.478)
The prostration of gratitude is from among the most indispensable and most necessary of the sunnah practices (Prophetic Tradition). (Bihar al-Anwar Ch.53, P.161)

25. Sample Pronouncement [Tawkii’ التوقيع]
وأما الحوادث الواقعه فارجعوا فيها إلى رُوَّاةِ حديثنا فإنهم حُجَّتي عليكم
وأنا حُجَّةَ الله عليهم
Al-Mahdi issued a Pronouncement [Tawkii'] in reply to Ishaaq Ibn Ya'qoob via his second Safeer in regard the works during the Major Occultation:
As for the events which will occur, turn to the narrators of our tradition, because the narrators are my proof to you, while I am the proof of Allah to them.
Al-Tibrisi mentions the following tradition attributed to Imam Al-Askari:
It is mandatory for the populace to follow the jurist who refrains from committing wrong, mentions his faith, opposes carnal desire, and obeys Allah's Command.

26. Beneath the blue dome is the cellar (Sirdaab) where Imam al-Mahdi is said to have been last seen after the demise of his father
the Shrine

27. The Sirdab: Site of Meditation

28. Ziyarah of Al-Mahdi سَلاَمٌ عَلَى آلِ يس
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَرَبَّانِيَّ آيَاتِهِ
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بَابَ اللَّهِ وَدَيَّانَ دِينِهِ
‏السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خَلِيفَةَ اللَّهِ وَنَاصِرَ حَقِّهِ
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ وَدَلِيلَ إِرَادَتِهِ
‏السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا تَالِيَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَتَرْجُمَانَهُ
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ فِي آنَاءِ لَيْلِكَ وَأَطْرَافِ نَهَارِكَ
‏السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بَقِيَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مِيثَاقَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَخَذَهُ وَوَكَّدَهُ
‏السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَعْدَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي ضَمِنَهُ
‏السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا الْعَلَمُ الْمَنْصُوبُ وَالْعِلْمُ الْمَصْبُوبُ
وَالْغَوْثُ وَالرَّحْمَةُ الْوَاسِعَةُ

29. Ziyarah of Al-Mahdi translated
Peace be unto the progeny of Yaseen
Peace unto you; the caller to Allah and the interpreter of His Verses
Peace unto you; the gateway to Allah and the applier of His religion
Peace unto you; the viceroy of Allah and the backer of His right
Peace unto you; the Claim of Allah and the sign of His volition
Peace unto you; the reciter and the interpreter of the Book of Allah
Peace unto you at the hours of the night and its two ends
Peace unto you—the herald of Allah on His lands
Peace unto you—the covenant of Allah that He has made and confirmed
Peace unto you—the Promise of Allah that He has assured…

30. Let us Read Surah al-Asr together
In the name of God:
Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace
By the Eons of Time,
وَالْعَصْرِ
Verily Man is in loss, except:
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
those who believe and do good, and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to patience.
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

31. Thank you and May God Bless you.
Be in Allah’s Care
Thank you and May God Bless you.
Dr. A.S. Hashim