EARLY YEARS

Imam Mahdi's (AHS) father was among the noble Sadat regular in prayers, voluntarily submitting to the divine will and laws of Shariat. His mother, took was a pious woman. The Imam (AHS) was a descendant of Imam Hussain (RA) son of Hazrat Ali (RA), through both his father and mother.

His mothers name was Amina Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had said that the names of lmam Mahdi (AHS) and his parents would be similar to those of his own and his parents.

After saying her ta-haj-jud prayers on one occasion, Hazrat Amina sat in meditation as usual. She felt drowsy. Suddenly, it appeared to her that the sun rose and vanished in her tunic. She shivered and fainted on the prayer-mat The word of her collapse spread. Neighbours thronged to her house and some near relatives went into her room. They tried to give her medicines. All efforts however, failed.

Meanwhile, Hazrat Amina's brother, Qayyam-ul-Mulk, who was endowed with divine inspiration and revelation, arrived on the scene. After seeing his sister's condition, he divined the truth and told the people around that she was neither ill nor possessed; there was no need for medication as she was overawed by divine revelations (Tajalliat).

Later, when Hazrat Amina recovered, she told her brother about here vision before fainting. Qayyam-ul-Mulk asked her not to talk about it. He also told her that she would give birth to the Seal of the Saint-hood (Khatim-ul-Vilayat).

Hazrat Amina conceived towards the end of the year 846 AH (1442 AD). In the fourth month of pregnancy, she repeatedly heard voices saying: "Mahdi has arrived".

When the new-born arrived, the light of divine guidance spread and the darkness of ignorance melted away. At birth, the baby was clean and his tiny hands covered his private parts; when his body was covered with a cloth, he would withdraw his hands.

No fly would ever sit on his body: he was divine light (nur). When he cried, his voice was sweet, cheerful and captivating; listeners were attracted.

The idols in the temples of the lmam's (AHS) native town, Jaunpur, fell on their faces.

Shaikh Danial of Jaunpur was a God-fearing and devout saint and had access to divine revelations. On the night of lmam Mahdi's (AHS) birth, the Shaikh heard, as did others, a voice reciting the Quranic Verse: "And say: Truth hath come and falsehood has vanished away. Lo! falsehood is ever bound to vanish (XVII, 81). The Shaikh thanked Allah for the glad tidings about the vanishing falsehood. Then he went into meditation to find out the secret behind the voices.

lmam Mahdi's (AHS) father, Hazrat Syed Abdullah, met and told the Shaikh that, prior to the birth of the baby, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had directed him in a dream to call the child Muhammad (AHS). Accordingly, he bad named the child Abul Qasim Syed Muhammad (AHS). Hazrat Abdullah said the baby had a bright and conspicuous forehead, a prominent nose, joined eye-brows and wheatish complexion.

The first words, the lmam (AHS) spoke were: "Mahdi (AHS) has come" and "The Truth is revealed".

On the advice of the Shaikh, the child was admitted, at the age of four, to the Shaikh's school which, at the time, had over 1,400 students specializing in Logic, Philosophy and Theology. The Shaikh treated the Imam (AHS) with great respect to the annoyance of his elder brother, Hazrat Syed Ahmed. The Shaikh had taken note of the elder brother's jealousy.

An elderly person used to visit the Shaikh daily in the mornings and evenings. One day the Shaikh asked Hazrat Syed Ahmed, elder brother of the lmam (AHS), if he knew who the visitor was. He replied in the negative. To the same question, the lmam (AHS) replied: "He is Hazrat Khizr".

The Shaikh's students often asked questions which even great ulema (religious scholars) found difficult to answer. Ultimately, the questions were directed to the lmam (AHS) (who was then of a tender age). He would instantly solve the problems. Thus the lmam (AHS) become famous for his knowledge, understanding and interpretation of the scriptures attracting scholars from far and wide with their problems.

The scholars realised the eminence of the lmam (AHS), became convinced of his prowess and started calling him Asad-ul-Ulema (Lion among the Learned). This title was formally conferred on him at the age of twelve.

When Hazrat Khizr (AHS) divined that the Imam (AHS) was Mahdi. he took the oath of fealty (Bai'at). The lmam (AHS) taught him "Zikr-e-Khafi" (mystic remembrance of Allah). On a suggestion from, Hazrat Khizr (AHS), Shaikh Danial followed suit. This was in accordance with the Hadith, narrated by Hazrat Sauban that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "When you come to hear of the appearance of Mahdi, go to him and take the oath of fealty as his disciple (murid), even if you have to crawl on ice to reach him, as he is the Mahdi and Caliph of Allah".

When the Imam's (AHS) miracles started working, word about them spread. One of the important miracles was the slaying of an unjust and infidel king Rai-Dalpat of Gaur-Bangala, who had a large complement of armed forces on foot and horse. Despite superior numbers and strength, the king was defeated by the Imam (AHS).

The outer manifestation of the miracles strengthens the Faith of the common man but the miracles, taken in by the senses, are looked down upon as carnal pride among the eminent religious leaders and saints. Hence, the companions of Imam Mahdi (AHS) abstained from working miracles. They did not take pride in performing them. To them, the outer manifestation of the miracles was a disgrace. However, they considered intrinsic miracles as laudable.

An intrinsic miracle means a man's intense desire to achieve Allah's eternal approval. One should strive for it continuously, develop the virtue of humaneness and not fall a prey to unholy doubts and evil suggestions.

When the Imam (AHS) reached the age of forty, Allah told him: "I have made you the Mahdi and the Seal of Vilayat-e-Muhammadi SAS (Muhammadan Sainthood). Invite the people to the faith of Allah. The call may be unpleasant to your opponents. Your call to the Muslim Ummah is general and common as was the call of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In obedience to the command from Allah, the Imam (AHS) claimed that he was Mahdi (AHS). Soon after, people started opposing him as was the habit of the earlier people. The opposition assumed the proportions of open hostility. Mahdi (AHS) silently suffered them but remained steadfast in his claim and mission. Many groups clans and tribes blamed him. Although the number of his devotees was small, the burnished swords of his opponents did not deter him. His claim was based on sound logic but people did not listen to the voice of reason.

Oppression of the Imam (AHS) and his disciples was the ordered of the day. However, he was indifferent to the rich and powerful, but entertained the poor. His mission was to abolish exploitation and oppression. Despite oppression and violence, the Imam (AHS) behaved with great equanimity and composure.


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