**The Birth of Imam Mahdi (aj) and the Story of His Noble Mother**  


Imam Mahdi (aj), the twelfth and final Imam of the Shi’a, was born on the 15th of Sha'ban in the year 255 AH in the city of Samarra. His birth was accompanied by miracles and extraordinary events, and due to the political oppression of the Abbasid caliphate, it was kept secret. His noble mother, **Narjis Khatun**, was a woman of Roman descent and a descendant of the disciples of Prophet Jesus (as). Her life story is truly remarkable.  


### **Narjis Khatun: The Roman Princess Who Became the Mother of Imam Mahdi (aj)**  

Narjis Khatun, also known as **Sawsan**, **Malika**, and **Rayhana**, was the daughter of **Yashu’a**, a descendant of **Sham’un al-Safa** (Simon the Pure, one of the disciples of Prophet Jesus). She was born into a noble Christian family in the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). Her grandfather was the **Caesar of Rome**, and she was highly esteemed due to her royal lineage.  


It is narrated that Narjis Khatun saw a dream in which Lady Mary (as) and Lady Fatima (as) invited her to embrace Islam and gave her the glad tidings that she would marry Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) and become the mother of the savior of mankind. After this vision, she accepted Islam, and by divine decree, her destiny led her to Samarra.  


### **How Narjis Khatun Reached Samarra and Married Imam Hasan al-Askari (as)**  

During that time, wars broke out between Muslims and the Romans. In one of these battles, Muslim forces took captives, and among them was Narjis Khatun—though no one knew her true identity. She concealed herself to fulfill God’s plan. Imam Ali al-Hadi (as), the father of Imam Hasan al-Askari (as), instructed one of his companions, **Bashir**, to purchase her and bring her to Samarra.  


After meeting Narjis Khatun, Imam al-Hadi (as) took her under his care and later arranged her marriage to Imam Hasan al-Askari (as). This marriage was divinely ordained to ensure the continuation of the pure lineage of Imamate and the birth of God’s final proof on Earth.  


### **Lady Hakima’s Account of Imam Mahdi’s Birth**  

Lady Hakima, the daughter of Imam al-Jawad (as) and aunt of Imam Hasan al-Askari (as), was closely connected to the household of the Imams. She narrated that Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) invited her to his home and said:  


*"Stay with us tonight, for a child will be born who is the beloved of Allah and His proof upon the Earth."*  


Lady Hakima said: *"I asked in surprise, ‘Is Narjis Khatun pregnant? I see no signs of pregnancy in her!’ The Imam replied, ‘Yes, but this child is like Prophet Moses (as) and Prophet Jesus (as), whose mothers showed no usual signs of pregnancy before their births.’"*  


That night, Lady Hakima noticed that Narjis Khatun was going into labor. At that moment, a radiant light filled the room, and the child was born. Imam Mahdi (aj) came into the world, immediately prostrated in gratitude, and spoke in eloquent Arabic. Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) took him in his arms and said:  


*"This is the child whose coming Allah has promised. He is the Qa’im of the Family of Muhammad (pbuh), who will fill the Earth with justice and equity."*  


### **The Concealment of His Birth and the Beginning of the Occultation**  

Due to the persecution of the Abbasid rulers and their fear of Imam Mahdi’s (aj) uprising, his birth was kept hidden, and only the closest Shi’a followers were aware of it. After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (as), the Imamate of Imam Mahdi (aj) began, and by divine command, he entered the period of Minor Occultation (Ghaybat al-Sughra), followed by the Major Occultation (Ghaybat al-Kubra), until the time appointed by Allah for his reappearance.  


**Final Words**  

The birth of Imam Mahdi (aj) is one of God’s miracles, intertwined with a unique destiny. His mother, Narjis Khatun, through her faith and devotion, paved the way for the advent of the savior of humanity. Today, the Shi’a await his reappearance with hope and fervor, praying for the hastening of his return. **O Allah, hasten the reappearance of Your Guardian!**  


*(Note: "aj" stands for "Ajal Allahu Farajahu" – May Allah hasten his reappearance, and "as" stands for "Alayhis-salam" – Peace be upon him.)*