The Possibility of the Prolonged Lifespan of Imam Mahdi and His Place of Residence
Two questions that have always been raised not only by Shia Muslims but also by followers of other religions and sects are about the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) and his place of residence. Many people wonder how it is possible for a person to live for over a thousand years. Is it possible for the human body to live for centuries? Although the answer to this question may seem difficult at first, it can actually be easily found with a little historical research and exploration of scientific articles. Throughout history, we see that long life is not a strange and complicated issue. Hundreds of people have lived very long and healthy for centuries. This topic is discussed in the Quran and other divine books, and many people with such stories have been mentioned, which we will present in more detail in this article.
The prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) can be scientifically and rationally proven. Most scientists, doctors, and biologists have proven in their research that humans can live a very long life by adopting a healthy lifestyle and logically eliminating certain obstacles.
There are different narrations about the place of residence of Imam Mahdi (AJ). Different places like Medina, Mount Radwa or Mount Dhi-Tuwa, the Al-Sahlah Mosque, the Jamkaran Mosque, and the Green Island are mentioned as places where the Imam has been present. It is important to know that he has no fixed place of residence. He walks among people, yet his true identity is concealed. Each of us may have met him many times, but we do not know him. The issue of the Imam’s personal safety is very important, and the enemies of the Imam must not know about his location. For this reason, in most narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), we see a trace of the Imam’s loneliness and homelessness. Wandering in deserts, living in the mountains, the unknown location of his residence, and living in disguise are among his special characteristics.
A Review of the Possibility of the Prolonged Lifespan of Imam Mahdi
In this section, we will examine the evidence supporting the possibility of the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ). Today, the possibility of the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi may seem obscure. However, it is interesting to know that this concept is scientifically, rationally, philosophically, narratively, and historically possible. Now, we will briefly explain each of these aspects.
The Possibility of a Prolonged Lifespan in the Quran and Other Divine Books
In the Quran, we see that there is a possibility of a prolonged lifespan for human beings. Just as Prophet Noah[1] lived for about a thousand years, and his prophetic mission spanned only 950 years of his life. In the story of Prophet Jonah, we see that the Quran says, “If Yunus (Jonah) had not been one of the glorified, he would have remained in the belly of a fish until the Day of Judgment.”[2] Thus, we can easily conclude that if Allah wills it, a human can live for hundreds of years, and the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) is not an unrealistic fact. The Torah mentions many people who lived long lives; for example, Noah lived for 905 years, Methuselah for 969 years, and Kenan for 910 years.[3] In addition, in the Old Testament, there are references to many people who lived for 900 to 2000 years.[4] Christians, like Muslims, believe that Jesus Christ is still alive and about 2000 years have passed since his disappearance. Therefore, a long lifespan is an undeniable fact and the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) can be explained.
The Possibility of a Long Lifespan in Narrations
Narrations repeatedly mention the possibility of long lives for individuals, especially the saints of Allah, and the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) has been compared to that of Prophet Noah and Prophet Khidr. Khizr is one of God’s prophets, and according to reliable narrations, he is still alive. Imam Reza (PBUH) also stated that Prophet Khidr’s life would continue until the Day of Judgement.[5] Imam Sadiq (PBUH) considered Allah’s purpose for Prophet Khidr’s long life to be a demonstration of the possibility of the prolonged life of Imam Mahdi (AJ).[6] Shia scholars have also explained this topic in many reliable sources. Prominent examples of this can be found in the writings of esteemed scholars like Shaykh Saduq in his book Kamal al-Din and Tammam al-Ni’mah, [7] specifically the chapter “Al-Mu’marun,” and in Shaykh Tusi’s book Al-Ghayba.
Sunni Muslims have not been indifferent to this important issue. They consider the Twelver Shiism’s belief in the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) and his being alive to be correct. To prove this, they refer to people who lived for centuries, such as Prophet Khizr, Elijah, or Dhul-Qarnayn, who lived for 3000 years.[8]
Possibility of a Long Lifespan in History
What is recorded in history can be the best evidence to prove the possibility of the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ). Many books have addressed this topic, inclding Al-jawahir fi tafsir al-qur’an al-karim by Shaykh Tantawi Jawhari al-Misri. These books mention the 670-year lifespan of Prophet Hud, the 930-year lifespan of Adam,[9] the 912-year lifespan of Seth, the 862-year lifespan of Idris, the approximately 600-year lifespan of Nebuchadnezzar, and the approximately 4000-year lifespan of Luqman[10] the Wise.
The Possibility of a Long Lifespan from a Scientific and Rational Perspective
From rational perspective, no rule or proof indicates the impossibility of the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ). we cannot generally deny the possibility of a long human lifespan.[11] Scientifically, there is also the possibility of living a long life. Some researchers have discovered genes responsible for cellular immortality which can repair damaged cells. In an experiment, they activated these genes and observed that the physical deterioration of organs led to their death, not the death of their cells.
Researchers have used a gene therapy trial to restore muscle strength and volume in certain diseases and aging. Extensive research on a large group of elderly individuals showed that their premature deaths were due to despair or complications like stroke, lung infection, osteoporosis, etc. Therefore, with a healthy lifestyle, one can have a very long life. Death, much like other natural phenomena, occurs due to identifiable causes. If these underlying causes could be addressed and neutralized, it follows logically that death itself could be postponed. Researchers’ investigations have changed their views on lifespan so much that they say we should definitely look for reasons for a short lifespan, not a long one. Professor Robert CW Ettinger, a leading figure in cryonics, believes that humans in the 21st century can live for thousands of years. Moreover, João Pedro de Magalhães, a molecular biogerontology expert at the University of Birmingham, believes that a 1,000-year lifespan for humans might be within the realm of possibility. Also, UCLA researchers have made a promising discovery in the field of aging. By using a novel technique on middle-aged fruit flies, they successfully boosted the flies’ health and significantly slowed down their aging process. This breakthrough has sparked hope in the scientific community, with Professor David Walker, who led the research, suggesting that a similar approach could potentially benefit humans by delaying aging and age-related diseases.
The Place of Residence of Imam Mahdi (AJ)
After discussing the lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ), we will now address the topic of his place of residence, which has been the subject of various narrations and opinions. To answer this question, we must first mention the different periods of his life. He spent the first five years of his life in Samarra, Iraq. Then, during the Minor Occultation, he resided in both Medina and Iraq, especially in the city of Samarra, and only his special companions were aware of his whereabouts.
Regarding the Imam’s place of residence during the Major Occultation, various locations have been reported. However, before that, it is necessary to mention an important point. He is constantly traveling and does not have a fixed place of residence. This is because his life is always in danger, and problems may arise for him. Imam Ali (AJ) introduced him as alone, displaced, helpless, and rejected. However, the Shia neglect him and do not make an urgent prayer for his advent.
In general, the Imam’s places of residence are specified in narrations and revelations. Medina[12] is one of the most important cities to which the Imam travels. Among other places, we can mention Mount Dhi-Tuwa, which is one mile away from Mecca. Similarly, Mount Radwa outside Medina is one of his places of residences. The Imam also frequently visits the Al-Sahlah Mosque and The Jamkaran Mosque. Some narrations mention that the Imam also travels to Green Island and Bab al-Andalus in the south of Spain. However, there is disagreement among scholars on this matter. This narration exists in Shia literature from the Safavid era, and scholars such as Allamah Majlisi in volume seven of Bihar al-Anwar and Muhaddith Nuri have also reported it. In general, what is certain is that he travels to different places and does not have a fixed place of residence, but some places are more blessed by his presence.
In this article, we examined the issue of the prolonged lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AJ) and his place of residence. While not central to the core principles of Shia Imamate, certain topics may require clarification through logical reasoning and illustrative examples to ensure a comprehensive understanding and eliminate any potential for doubt or ambiguity.
[1]. Quran, 29: 14
[2]. Quran, 37: 142- 144
[3]. Genesis 5:5-32
[4]. Genesis 1:1-12
[5]. Lutfullah Safi al-Gulpaygani, Muntakhab al – Athar fi l-Imam al – thani Ashar, vol. 2, p. 283.
[6]. Muhammad Baqir Al Majlisi, Bihar al- Anwar, vol. 13, Ch. 10, p. 209.
[7]. Shaykh Saduq, Kamal al-Din and Tammam al- al-Ni’mah, vol. 2, Ch. 46.
[8]. Sibṭ ibn al-Jawzi, Tadhkirat al-Khawāṣ Min al-Umma fī Dhikr Khaṣāʾ al-Imam, World Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt, 1426 A.H., vol. 1, p. 325.
[9]. Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 11, Ch. 8, p. 290.
[10]. Mohammad Mehdi Taj Langaroodi, Ethics of The Prophets, trans., Ali Akbar Aghili Ashtiani, Ansariyan Publications.
[11]. Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, Shi’ite Islam, trans., Seyyed Hossein Nasr, State University of New York Press, 1975, p. 194.
[12]. Al-Nu’mani, Kitāb al-Ghayba. Book 1, Ch. 27.
