ANSWERS TO 'TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IMAM AL-MAHDI(ATF)'.

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Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 13:15:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [marifat] ANSWERS TO 'TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IMAM AL-MAHDI(ATF)'.




ANSWERS TO 'TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IMAM AL-MAHDI(ATF)'.

1. When and where was Imam Al-Mahdi (atf) born?
-15th Shaaban 255A.H in Samarrah.

2.Name the parents of Imam Al-Mahdi (atf)
-Imam Hassan Al-Askari (as) and Narjis Khatoon.

3. At what age did Imam Al-Mahdi succeed to the imamate?
-5 years.

4. Who was the Abbaside caliph at the time of Imam Al-Mahdi's (atf)
birth?
-Mu'tamid Abbasi

5. What are the two occultations of Imam Al-Mahdi known as?
-Ghaybat-e-Sughra and Ghaybat-e-Kubra.

6. What are the main differences between these two occultations?
-Ghaybat-e-sughra lasted for 70 years. Imam had four naib -e- khaas
during this time.

Ghaybat-e-kubra has gone on from the minor occulatation and is still
going on. There are no naib-e-khaas but Imam continues to guide his
followers.We refer to the mujtahids during the ghaybah of Imam.

7. What are the names of the 4 naib-e-khaas of Imam Al-Mahdi?
-Uthman bin Said
Muhammad bin Uthman
Abul Qasim Husayn bin Rawh
Ali bin Muhammad Samry

8. When did the major occulatation begin?
-329 A.H

9. What was the total span of ghaybat-e-sughra?
-About 70 years.

10. What supplication is recommended to be recited for 40 mornings
which is concerned with Imam Al-Mahid (atf)?
-Dua-e Ahad

11. Which supplication is recommended to be recited especially on
Friday mornings for the speedy reappearance of Imam Al-Mahdi(atf)?
-Dua-e-Nudba

12. Which ziyarah has been narrated to us from Imam Al-Mahdi
(atf)referring to the immortal martyrs of Karbala?
-Ziyarah Naahiyah.

13. We normally say''Ajjalallahu farajah'' whenever Imam Al-Mahdi's
(atf) name is mentioned. What does this mean?
- May Allah hasten his appearance.

14. Who introduced the practice of standing up and placing the hand on
the head whenever Imam Al-Mahdi's (atf) name is mentioned?
-Imam Ali Ar-ridha (as) and that is how it is known as 'Sunnat-e-
Radhawiyyah'.

15. How old will Imam Al-Mahdi be on 15th Shabaan 1424 A.H ?
-1169 years.

16. Mention 5 special signs which will appear very close to Imam
Al-Mahidi's (atf) re-appearance.
-a) Sufiani will wage a fierce war.

b) Dajjal will emerge

c) There will be an eclipse of the sun in the middle of the month of
Ramadhan and an eclipse of the moon at the end of the same of month in
contrast to ordinary happenings.

d) Nafse zakiyya will be killed near the Kaa'ba.

e) A caller from the sky will announce the appearance of Imam
Al-Mahdi (atf) in such a way that that it will be heard by all in
their own languages.

( besides these, there are other signs also)

17. Which prophet will offer namaz behind Imam Al-Mahdi (atf) after
his re-appearance?
-P.Issa (as)

18. Who shall be the first to give oath of allegiance to Imam Al-Mahdi
(atf) after his re-appearance?
-Jibraeel.

19. Where shall the headquarters of Imam Al-Mahdi (atf) be?
-In Kufa

20. State three responsibilities of the muslims awaiting the
re-appearance of Imam Al-Mahdi (atf).
-a) Pray for Imam's safety and give sadaqah for his safety.

b) Increase love and knowledge of Imam and to keep our faith strong
against the enemies of Islam.

c) Whenever his name is heard, to stand if possible, send salaams to
him and put the right hand on the head and bow.

21. What is the reason behind Imam Al-Mahdi's (atf) occultataion?
- To test the faith of the believers. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim has said
that Allah will test the mu'mineen with the ghaybah of Imam Al-mahdi
(atf).
So that he is safeguarded from the enemies of ahlul bait

22). Is it possible for a person to have such a long life?
- Yes, Prophet Nuh (as) lived for 2500 years
Prophet Suleiman lived for 700 years
Hazrat Luqman lived for 3800 years

23). Mention one quranic verse revealed about Imam Al-Mahdi (atf).
- Suratul Qasas-4
''We wished to favour those who were weak in the land and make them
Imams ( leaders in faith) and make them heirs.''

24). How can one convey one's desire and wish to Imam Al-Mahdi (atf)?
- By writing an areeza.

25). Is there any hadeeth which says it is necessary to believe in
Imam Al-mahdi? If so mention it.
-'' One who dies and he does not know his imam dies the death of an
ignorant'' Prophet muhammad (saw)

26). Name the prophets who are still alive.
- Prophet Khizr(as)
Prophet Issa(as)
Prophet Elyas(as)
Prophet Idrees(as)

27). What name is given to the night of 15th Shabaan and what is the
significance of this night?
-Shab-e-baraat.
It is a night in which Allah showers His mercy and forgiveness on
those who ask him and your fate of the entire year is decided ( which
will be sealed and confirmed on laylatul qadr)

28). What is the meaning of Raj'at?
-The return

29). Can one give something in sadaqah or perform mustahab hajj on
behalf of Imam Al-Mahdi (atf)?
-Yes

30). Quote one hadeeth from Imam Al-mahdi (atf)
- 'As for deriving benefit from me in my occultation is like deriving
benefit from the sun when it hides behind the clouds.'