Imam Mahdi (p), according to many reports, was born on the 15th of Shaban 255 AH/869 CE in Samarra, Iraq, and is the son of Imam Hasan ibn Ali Al-Askari (p), the 11th Imam. At the age of five, he entered into occultation after the passing of his father on 8 Rabi al-Awwal. His occultation began with a minor phase lasting approximately seventy years, followed by the major occultation “which continues till today and whose duration is known only to God.

Imam Mahdi (p) is known by several titles each reflecting his grand stature:

Al-Mahdi: The One Guided by God

Al-Hujjat ibn al-Hasan: The Proof who is the son of Imam Hasan (p)

Sahib uz-Zaman: The Owner of the Time

Al-Muntadhar: The Awaited One

Al-Muntaqim: The Avenger

Al-Maw’ud: The Promised One

Khatam al-Awsiya: The Last Successor

Al-Qaim: The One who Will Rise

Al-Gha’ib: The Hidden One