WITNESSES OF THE BIRTH OF IMAM-E-ZAMAN (A.S.)
Various objections have been raised regarding the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Keeping in mind the necessity for brevity we shall discuss only two types of objections – hoping the sensible people would be able to get the replies to other objections too. First of all is the objection that if the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) has already occurred then a tradition in support of this should be shown to them in the Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim (the two most popular books of traditions for Sunnis).
They are willing to believe only after seeing such a tradition. Actually this objection is based neither on Shariat nor on reasoning and understanding. Rather, by refusing to believe in the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) they have doubted the power of the Almighty Allah. Apart from this the objection is so foolish that any wise person would feel amused. Why should the Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim be considered the touchstone for proving the veracity of every fact At least they have not demanded the date of birth from the Holy Quran! This objection could be replied to in numerous ways but here it would suffice to give only three replies:
Hence, how should we believe in his birth The witnesses of the birth of Imam (a.s.) shall be described on later in this article.
The Testimony of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) regarding the birth of the son:
Mualia ibne Muhammad related that Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) sent to him a ‘tawqee’: “Then, Zubair has been killed. This is what such people deserve. Those who are involved in the scandal mongering about the saints (awliya) of Allah. This Zubair thought that he would murder one in such circumstance that my Progeny would be cut off. See, how the power of Allah has become apparent, and the Proof of Allah has already taken birth.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol. 51 pg. 4)
Ahmed bin Hasan Qummi relates:
Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) sent a letter; “a son is born, he is kept hidden and
concealed. We have shown him only to the selected people.”
(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 51, pg. 23)
Glad Tidings of the Grandfather regarding his grandson:
“Abul Hasan Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) said to his sister Hakeema: “O daughter of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.) you take her (Narjis) to your house and give her instruction about the obligations and recommended acts. For she is the wife of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) and the mother of Hazrat Qaem (a.s.)”.
(Behaarul Anwaar, vol 51, pg. 6)
Belief in the utterance of Imam (a.s.) itself is obligatory. Secondly it is mentioned as prophecy. According to the rules of the Arabic language it indicates that the fulfillment of such happening is guaranteed.
The Testimony of the maid servants regarding the son of their master:
It is related through Ibrahim bin Muhammad by Naseem, the maid servant of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.):
“The next day after the birth of Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) I went in his presence and I happened to sneeze. Upon this he [Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.)] said “Yarhamak
Allah.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.51 pg. 5)
“When Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) emerged from the womb of his mother he was kneeling down and his index finger pointed towards the sky. Then Hazrat sneezed and he said, “Al-Hamdo Lillahe Rabbil Aalameen.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol 51 pg. 4)
Testimony of the slaves regarding the birth of the son of their master:
Abu Ghanim the slave of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) relates:
“A son was born to Abu Muhammad Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) whom he named as M-H-M-D. On the third day he took the new born before his companions and said, “After me he is your master and for you he is my successor. This is the Qaem who shall be awaited when the earth is filled with injustice and tyranny, he will fill it with justice and equity.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.51 pg. 5)
Abu Nasr the servant of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) reports that I entered in the presence of Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) He asked for red sandal wood. I brought it. He asked, “Do you know me? I replied, “You are my master and the son of my master. He said, “I am the last of the vicegerents (awsiya).”
(Behaarul Anwaar, vol.51)
Testimony of the companions regarding the son of the Imam:
“Hazrat sent to me four sheep with this letter, “Bismillah hir Rehman nir Raheem. These are from my son Mahdi. You partake of it and also distribute to our Shias.”
(Behaarul Anwaar, vol.51 pg. 28)
“Then Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) entered with a child (whose face was like a full moon) aged around 3 years upon his shoulders and said, “If his esteem had not been intended I would never have shown him to you. This is my son whose name and Kuniyat is the same as the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.51)
Testimony of the one who bought meat from the market:
“On the occasion of the birth, the household celebrated and when the young master began growing up I was ordered to purchase marrow filled bone along with the meat. And I was told that it is for the young master.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.52 pg. 5)
Testimony of those who offered their congratulations upon the birth:
Husain bin Hasan Alawi relates:
“I presented myself at Samarrah in the presence of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) to congratulate him upon the birth of his son.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.51)
The son attending to his father in illness:
Ismail bin Ali Nawbakhti reports, “The son served to the father juice of the berry leaves. Then made him do wuzu for the prayers. Then the ailing father said, “Son, congratulations, you are the Sahibuz-Zaman and Mahdi.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.51)
The son at the funeral of the father:
Ahmed bin Abdulla Hashmi has reported, “I went to the house of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) when he left the world. His dead body was taken out. We all 39 people were waiting. Then a child entered. We were taken aback by his majesty. We all performed the funeral prayers behind him.”
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.51)
Apart from these testimonies there are various things which point towards the birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). But they have not been mentioned for the sake of brevity. After reading this short article the readers must have understood that the testimony regarding the birth of Hazrat has not come to us only from Hakeema Khatoon (a.r.) and the slave Oqaid. But if the testimony of these two had not even been there, even then the birth of Hazrat could have been proved beyond any doubt. Lastly let me quote a sentence from a religious scholar which would be one more reply to this objection. It is, “who is nearer to the master than the servant.” Thus the testimony of the servant deserves to be regarded more authentic. And there is no scope for any misunderstanding. May Allah consider all of us in the occultation and even after the reappearance of Imam (a.s.) among his worthless servants.
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