“Abu Sahl Ismail bin Ali Naubakhti told me that Imam M-H-M-D bin Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) was born in Samarrah in 256 A.H. His mother was Saiqal; his patronymic is Abul Qasim and the Messenger of Allah (s) had mentioned the same patronymic and said: His name will be same as mine, his patronymic will be same as mine and his title will be Mahdi. He will be the Divine Proof, the Awaited one and the Master of the Age. Ismail bin Ali further says: When Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) was in his fatal illness, I was present with him. He summoned his servant, Aqeed, who was a Nubian black. Prior to this he was in the employ of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s). It was he that had brought up Imam Hasan Askari (a.s). Imam (a.s) told him: “O Aqeed, boil for me some mastic water.” Aqeed obeyed and after the water was procured, Saiqal, the mother of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) brought it to His Eminence. His Eminence took hold of the vessel, but his hands shook so much that the bowl clattered against his teeth. The Imam let go of the vessel and said to Aqeed: “Go inside the house where you will find a boy in prostration. Bring him to me.” Abu Sahl says: Aqeed said: When I went inside to bring that boy I saw that the boy was in prostration and had raised his index finger to the sky. I saluted him. He shortened his Prayer. I said respectfully: “The master has called you.” At that moment his mother arrived and taking his hand brought him to his father. Abu Sahl says: When the boy came to His Eminence, he saluted him. I saw that his face was glowing like a pearl; he had short hair and wide teeth. When the eyes of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) fell on him, he wept and said: “O master of my family, give me this water, so that I may proceed to my Lord.” The young master complied and taking up the bowl of mastic water brought it to the lips of his father, so that he may drink it. Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) said: “Prepare me for the ritual prayer.” That child kept a towel before the Imam and made ablution for him by washing his face and hands in turn. Then he rubbed his head and both feet. The Imam said: “My son, I give you glad tidings that you are the Master of the Time and the Proof of Allah on the earth. You are my son and successor. You are born from me and you are M-H-M-D the son of Hasan son of Ali son of Muhammad son of Ali son of Musa son of Ja’far son of Muhammad son of Ali son of Husain son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s) and you are from the progeny of the Holy Prophet (s) and the last of the Purified Imams (a.s). And the Messenger of Allah (s) gave glad tidings about you and informed about your name and patronymic. This was told to me by my father from his purified forefathers – blessings of Allah be on Ahle Bayt. Indeed our Lord alone is worthy of praise and glorification.” Imam Hasan bin Ali Askari (a.s) spoke these sentences and passed away at that very moment. May Allah bless them all.