Marriage of Imam al-Mahdi (a): Difference between revisions

Shia scholars disagree over the marriage of Imam al-Mahdi (a) during occultation. As reported in the book ''[[Danishnama-yi Imam Mahdi]]'' (Encyclopedia of Imam Mahdi), this topic has been seriously brought up since late fourteenth/twentieth century, and the first book to discuss the marriage of Imam al-Mahdi (a) analytically was ''Tarikh al-Ghaybat al-Kubra'' (History of the Major Occultation) by Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr (d. 1419/1999). However, before that and in the books [[Al-Najm al-thaqib (book)|''Al-Najm al-thaqib'']] by [[Mirza Husayn Nuri]] (d. 1320/1902) and ''al-'abqari al-Hisan'' by 'Ali Akbar Nahawandi (d. 1369/1949) contributions had been made to this discussion. Also in [[Bihar al-Anwar|''Bihar al-Anwar'']] there is a chapter entitled “Successors to Mahdi and His Children and What Happens After Him, peace be upon him and his forefathers”

[[Al-Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr|Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr]], Mirza Husayn Nuri and Ali Akbar Nahawandi believe the [[Imam Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Mahdi (a)|Twelfth Imam (a)]] is married. Also, in the book ''Danishnama-yi Imam Mahdi'' (Encyclopedia of Imam Mahdi) this position is attributed to [[Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi]]. The arguments they present in favor of their position are as follows:

* Marriage is the [[Sunna of the Prophet (s)]] and Imam al-Mahdi (a) is the worthiest and the most deserving of the [[Sunna]]; therefore, it is safe to conclude he has practiced this particular aspect of the Sunna during [[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (a)|occultation]].

* There are certain [[Hadith|Hadiths]] and [[Ziyara-text|Ziyara-texts]] with reference to the children of Imam al-Mahdi (a). In the book ''Danishnama-yi Imam Mahdi'' (Encyclopedia of Imam Mahdi) 14 such Hadiths have been complied. Among them is a Hadith famously known as the Hadith al-Wasiyya according to which, twelve persons from the progeny of Imam al-Mahdi (a), all called Mahdi, will rule after him. However, according to [[Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi]] this [[Hadith]] is against Mashhur (a generally accepted Hadith or belief). Moreover, the twelve Mahdis are probably other 11 Imams (a) in addition to the [[Prophet Muhammad (s)|Prophet (s)]] who are Mahdis (lit. the guided ones). Another Hadith cited by this group is a narration by [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] which mentions the residence of Imam al-Mahdi (a) and his family in [[Al-Sahla Mosque]]. According to those who deny the marriage of Imam Mahdi (a) these Hadiths, if authentic, are about his wife and children after his [[Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a)|reappearance]].

* There is a report about the residence of Imam al-Mahdi’s family in [[Al-Jazira al-Khadra'|Khadra island]] too. However, some Shia scholars consider Khadra island a fabricated legend.

* Inconsistency with the wisdom and philosophy of occultation: the philosophy of Imam Mahdi’s occultation is for him to be hidden from people, and marriage is inconsistent with such philosophy, for marriage reveals a person’s identity.

* It is understood from some Hadiths that the Imam does not have any children.

* Lack of reference by the [[Four Deputies|four deputies]]: had the Imam (a) been married, his special deputies during [[Minor Occultation|minor occultation]] would have mentioned his wife or children.

As illustrated in the book ''Danishnama-yi Imam Mahdi'' (Encyclopedia of Imam Mahdi), the [[marriage]] of [[Imam Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Mahdi (a)|Imam al-Mahdi (a)]] is an antinomic issue, with equally reasonable arguments for either side. Therefore, such arguments cannot be cited to yield definite conclusion in a historical matter. Researcher in the history of Islam, [[Al-Sayyid Ja'far Murtada al-'Amili]] (d. 1441/2019) is of the opinion that the marriage of Imam al-Mahdi (a) is an uncertain matter about which one cannot have any final opinion. Also, the [[Marja'|Marja’]], [[Lutf Allah Safi Gulpayigani]] (d. 2022) says he could not find any reliable and authentic hadith in this matter, although the marriage is probable in itself.  

The Book “''Tahlil-i Mas'ala-yi Izdiwaj-i Imam Mahdi''” (The Analysis of the Marriage of Imam al-Mahdi) by Muhammadrida Fu’adian, discusses different opinions and their respective arguments on the marriage and children of Imam al-Mahdi (a). the research department of Mahdawiyya and Futurism in Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy has published the book in 2020.