This article is part of a series on why the Bab – Mirza Ali Mohammed Shirazi is NOT the Mahdi of Islam.The narrations on this subject which have been reported by both Shiah and Sunni traditionalists is more than 318 traditions. Having said that, it is important to state that the Mahdi of Islam is not the only person in history who has been blessed with a long life. Read more about the long life of the True Mahdi.
In fact there are dozens of other examples which are available in history of people who have had a long life. For the benefit of my Muslim brethren, just one example is quoted below from the Holy Quran,
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَى قَوْمِهِ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا
“And surely We sent Nuh to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty” (Surah Ankabut, verse 14)
As per the above verse, Hazrat Nuh (as) lived amongst his people for 900 years. Traditions under this verse clearly indicate that the life of Hazrat Nuh (as) was more than 2,500 years. In fact as per the tradition of Imam Sadiq (as), Allah granted a long life to Hazrat Nuh (as) so that it would be a conclusive proof for the long life of the Mahdi.
Some of the historians who have reported traditions about the long life of the Mahdi are given below:
- Muntakhabul Asar, chapter 30, part 20, page 276
- Kashful Mohajjah, part 79
- Tazkeratul Khawas by Sibt Ibne Jawzi, page 377
- Al Bayan Fee Akhbaare’ Sahebaz Zaman, chapter 25
- Al Mo’amaroon (entire book is on this topic)
- Tafseerul Jawaher, volume 17, page 224
- Izharul Haqq, volume 2, page 124
- Mahdi Mau’ood Ala Rawani, page 585
- Al Imam Al Mahdi Menal Mahde Ilaz Zohoor, page 353
- Tarikhe Mo’rajuz Zahab by Masoodi, volume 1, 2
- Isbatul Wasiyyah by Masoodi
- Daad Gustare’ Jahan, page 302
- Kamaluddin, volume 2, chapter 52, page 549
- Chehrae’ Darakshane’ Imame’ Zaman (as), page 268
- Ghabate’ Tusi, page 81
- Yaumul Khalaas, page 164
- Kashful Ghummah, volume 3, page 333
- Beharul Anwar, volume 51, page 263
Mirza Ali Mohammed Shirazi, The Bab did not enjoy a long life. In fact his age was even lower than the average age of man. He was born in the year 1819 and was killed in the year 1850, which makes his age just over 30 years. A far cry from the example of Hazrat Nuh (as) who only lived amongst his people for 900 years. If the age of the Mahdi was to be a short 32 years, then what was the need of the example of Hazrat Nuh (as). Surely a question that the Bahais must answer.
In fact the life of the Bab was so short that he was unable to complete his book – The Bayan in his lifetime and actually willed his successor Mirza Yahya Noori to complete it. Even his religion – The Babi Faith did not extend in Iran leave alone in the world during his short lifespan.
