Iran Press/ Iran News: Shia Muslims are celebrating the anniversary of the beginning of Imamat (leadership) of Imam Mahdi, the 12th infallible Imam of Shia Islam that is known as the savior of humanity and Messiah.
His father Imam Hassan Askari was martyred on 8th Rabi ul Awwal and soon after his martyrdom; formally the Imamat of Imam Mahdi began.
Shia Muslims celebrate the 9th of Rabi ul Awwal as Eid for the beginning of the Imamat of the incumbent infallible Imam from Ahl al Bayt (AS).
The belief in Mahdi was widespread during the time of the Prophet. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) on more than one occasion announced the coming of Imam Mahdi in the future. From time to time he would inform the people about the government of Mahdi and the signs of his emergence, giving his name and patronymic (kunya).
There are numerous traditions from both the Sunni and the Shi'a sources on this subject.
Actually, some of these narrations have been related so frequently, and without interruption in all ages, that nobody can doubt their authenticity. For instance, we read the following hadith reported from 'Abd Allah b. Mas'ud, who heard the Prophet say:
"The world will not come to an end until a man from my family (Ahl al Bayt), who will be called Mahdi, emerges to rule upon my community."
Another tradition reported by Abu al-Hujaf quotes the Prophet as saying three times:
"Listen to the good news about the Mahdi! He will rise at the time when people will be faced with severe conflict and the earth will be hit by a violent quake. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He will fill the hearts of his followers with devotion and will spread justice everywhere."
Shia believes that Imam Mahdi is the promised savior and will appear to the people alongside Prophet Jesus (AS) to restore justice and equity on earth to establish the divine kingdom of God full of peace, just, knowledge and tact.
Shia believes that the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi would be a time of science and knowledge and many secrets of the worlds will be discovered.
Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, the sixth Shia Imam, about the level of science at the time of Imam Mahdi reappearance, said: “Knowledge is divided into 27 parts. Whatever is revealed to the prophets and the people have learned is only two parts out of 27 parts. When our Qa’im rises, he will reveal the remaining 25 parts and teaches them to the people. These 25 parts plus what the prophets have revealed equal the 27 parts of knowledge. [Bihar al-Anwar]
Shiites in all their prayers ask god that the occultation of the twelfth Imam, Imam Mahdi, will end as soon as possible and sets the world free from oppression.
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