The lunar month of Sha’ban in the Muslim calendar is a time of celebrations, the most important of which is the holy night of the 15th day of the month, which marks the joyous birth anniversary of the twelfth holy Imam, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Mahdi. On this night, a world full of oppression was illuminated with light and joy. Due to God’s will, he was sent into occultation. Our Awaited Saviour is living among us, but is waiting for the divinely appointed moment for his advent, and he is ordained not to proclaim himself nor to disclose his identity.
Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi-Golpaygani has sent the following message on the occasion of the 15th of the holy month of Sha’ban:
In the Name of God, the Most Benificent, the Most Merciful
Those awaiting for Hadhrat Baqiyatullah fil-Ardh [His Eminence, the Remainder of God on Earth, a title of Imam al-Mahdi] on the holy night of the 15th of Sha’ban, who celebrate with festive lights and speeches at merry gatherings, eulogies and expositions of our dear Imam’s noble virtues, have found a great honour for themselves. Holding vigils on this night are full of great virtues.
On the early morning of this holy night, the twelfth shining star of wilayah (guardianship) and imamate (divinely appointed leadership), entered into the world. Imam al-Mahdi adorned and illuminated the world with his holy presence with his birth.
We must be diligent and pray for the hastening of our awaited Imam’s joyful advent. All Shi’ites and the oppressed in the world are awaiting his holy advent.
Lotfollah Safi
Sha’ban 1435
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