The name of the mother of Imam Mahdi (as)

By: SAYYED DILDAAR HUSSAIN ZAIDI

Baha’i view:

Imam Mahdi\'s (a.s.) mother was of Roman descent but she had Arabic names. This is not possible, and disproves Imam Mahdi\'s (a.s.) birth.

The Shiah Response:

1. There are several instances of non-Arabic personalities assuming an Islamic name under the instruction of an infallible. For instance, the great companion of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) - Salman Farsi (the Persian) was not always called Salman (an Arabic word). The name given by his parents was Roozbah. The Prophet later gave him the name of Salman. He was referred to as Salman Farsi after that, thereby indicating that he was a Muslim with an Arabic name but Persian origin. Finally Imam Sadiq (a.s.) instructed his companions to refer to him as Salman Muhammadi because he was included as a member of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) himself (Muntahul Aamaal by Shaikh Abbas-e-Qummi).

So even the surname of \'Farsi\' that highlighted Salman\'s Persian origins were done away with by the Imam (a.s.). So as far as people today are concerned, Salman Muhammadi was an Arab unless someone discloses his Persian origin. Likewise Janabe Narjis (s.a.), mother of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was given some Arabic titles (Maleka, Reyhaana) by Imam Muhammad Naqi (a.s.) as a sign of his fondness for her much like Prophet Muhammad\'s (s.a.w.a.) fondness for Salman.

2. It is also not clear to me how a name can indicate anything about a person\'s origin. Several non-Arabs have assumed Arabic names. In fact, Muslims have Arabic and even Jewish names (Moosa, Haroon, Sulaiman, Dawood) based on names of Prophets (a.s.). It is a widely accepted fact that Muhammad, an Arabic word, is the most common first name across Arabs and non-Arabs. So if a person of Persian descent - Mirza Ali Muhammad assumes Arabic names like Ali and Muhammad then it is in the fitness of things that the mother of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) - \'Narjis/Maleeka\' assumes Arabic titles under the instruction of an infallible Imam (a.s.). 
(Ref: Beharul Anwaar vol 51, Hadis 12)

3. If Imam Mahdi\'s (a.s.) mother is not named explicitly or is named rather sparingly, I don\'t see how that can be a pointer to her non-existence! It is common in some cultures not to disclose the names of women. For instance, several books have been compiled on Akbar the Great (a Mughal), arguably the greatest Emperor in Indian history. The most famous compilation on Akbar is the Akbarnamah, written by Abul Fazl, one of the nine gems (Navratna) in Akbar\'s court. Not surprisingly, while this book captures the minutest details of Akbar, the most basic detail - the name of Akbar\'s wife\'s is missing. This is because it was considered offensive in that era and culture to mention about the women of the house. Historians till date are debating about the name of Akbar\'s wife. The oft-heard name of Jodhabai as Akbar\'s wife is in fact inaccurate and without any historical basis. This does not mean that Akbar did not have a wife. Given that Akbar was of Afghan descent, I believe the Bahais, at least those of Persian descent, should identify with this cultural trait since many of the customs in the Afghan/Persian belt are similar.

Conclusion
The Bahais, who have raked up the issue of the name of the mother of Imame\' Zaman (as) and seek to create doubts in the minds of the masses, use abusive words which I do not deem fit to narrate in this article. Their malicious intent is only to deny the birth of Imame\' Zaman (as) by creating doubts about his respected mother.

On a personal note, I would like to emphasize a responsibility which falls on each Shiah. In our gatherings, where we discuss about the Imams (as), we should also narrate incidents about their mothers with this recognition that truly they too have an obligation upon us. Their prayers will undoubtedly help us not only in this ephemeral world, but also in our everlasting hereafter.

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