A Brief account of the birth and some circumstances of Imam (a.s.) during the lifetime of his father (a.s.)

Hazrat Mahdi (atfs) was born on Friday the 15th of Shabaan in the year 255 A.H. His mother was a Roman princess named Narjis Khatoon(as). Her mother was from the descendents of Hazrat Shamoon(as) who was the successor of Prophet Isa(as).

During the war with the Romans she was taken captive by the Muslim army. Imam Ali Naqi (as) sent a reliable shia named Bushr Ibne Suleiman(ar) to get her released and bring her to the Holy household.

On reaching the house of Imam Ali Naqi(as), Imam arranged to keep her in the care of his sister Janabe Hakima Khatoon(as). On that ocassion he told his sister:

"O daughter of the Messenger of Allah, take her to your house and teach her the duties and the traditions, for she is the wife of my son (Imam Hasan Askari (as)) and the mother of al-Qaim (a.t.f.s.).”

It is also narrated that the mother of Imame Zamana (as) was known by various names such as Maleeka, Susan, Raihana and Saqil.