Islamic Center Of America

1. Islamic Center Of America

2. Congratulations and Welcome to the YMA as we all come together to celebrate the Birth of our 12th Holy Imam Mohammed Al-Mahdi (A.S.)

3. Titles of The Imam • Al-Muntadhar: The awaited one. • Al-Hujja: The proof of Allah over His creatures. • Sahib al-Zaman: The master of our time.

4. The Imams Birth • The Imam’s Father: • Imam Hassan Al-Askari (AS) • The Imam’s Mother: • Nargis Khatoon • The Date of the Imams birth: • Friday the 15th of Sha'ban 255 hijra/869 a.d. • The place of the Imam birth: • Samarra Iraq.

5. What Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said about the awaited one. "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 from my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by my name. He will fill out the earth with peace and justice as it will have been full of injustice and tyranny (by then)."

6. The day of his Imamah • 874 AD – The Imam was 5 years old • The funeral prayer for his father (Imam Hassan Al-Askari [A]) was about to begin • Muhammad al-Mahdi's uncle, Jafar ibn Ali approached to lead the prayers. • Muhammad al-Mahdi approached and commanded, "Move aside, uncle; only an Imam can lead the funeral prayer of an Imam.“ • Jafar moved aside, and let the imam lead the funeral prayer for his father • The Imam went into Occultation

7. Minor Occultation (Ghaybat al-Sughra) • Lasted (874 AD - 939 AD)65 years • Muhammad al-Mahdi maintained contact with his followers via deputies. • They represented him and acted as agents between him and his followers. • The deputy would ascertain his verdict, endorse it with his seal and signature and return it to the relevant parties. • The deputies also collected zakat and khums on his behalf.

8. The 4 Deputies • Uthman ibn Sa’id al-Asadi • Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman • Abul Qasim Husayn ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti • Abul Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri

9. Major Occultation(ghaybatul kubra) • Started: 939 – 1068 years • “No one will see me, unless and until Allah makes me appear. My reappearance will take place after a very long time when people will have grown tired of waiting and those who are weak in their faith will say: What! Is he still alive?"

10. Your Imam • "And We assigned them Imams who guide by our authority and We have inspired in them the doing of good deeds." (Quran 21:73) • "And We appointed from among them some Imams who guide by our authority since they were patient and believed firmly in Our Signs." (Quran 32:24) • "O' you who believe! Obey Allah, and Obey Apostle and those from among you who are given authority (by Allah)." (Quran 4:59) • "(O' Muhammad!) You are but a Warner, and for every community there exists a Guide." (Quran 13:7).

11. Other References about our Imam • The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "al-Mahdi is one of us, the members of the household (Ahlul-Bayt)." • The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "We the children of Abd al-Muttalib are the Masters of the inhabitants of the heaven: Myself, Hamza (RA), Ali (AS), Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib (RA), al-Hasan (AS), al-Husain (AS), and al-Mahdi (AS)." • The Messenger of Allah said: "The world will not perish until a man among the Arabs appears whose name matches my name.“ Sunan Ibn Majah, v2, Tradition #4085 Sunni references: Sunan Ibn Majah, v2, Tradition #4087 Sunni reference: Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v9, p74

12. His Return • “During the last times, my people will be afflicted with terrible and unprecedented calamities and misfortunes from their rulers, so much so that this vast earth will appear small to them.” • “Persecution and injustice will engulf the earth.”

13. His Return • “The believers will find no shelter to seek refuge from these tortures and injustices.” • “At such a time, God will raise from my progeny a man who will establish peace and justice on this earth in the same way as it had been filled with injustice and distress”