 Imam Mahdi, may Allah his and his reappearance was born on the 15th of Sha'ban in the year 255 after the migration of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his holy progeny. His birth was kept secret since the authorities of the time were actively seeking to execute him. The circumstances of his birth were therefore very similar to that of Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, who had also been searched for by the authorities of his time. For the Pharaoh was well aware of the prophecy that the child would grow up to prevail over him and his able root and would replace this with the belief in the true one God whose power, might and wisdom is absolute. Similarly the apostate Caliphate was well aware of Imam Mahdi, may Allah his and his reappearance and of how he would fill the world with justice and truths after it had been filled with injustice and falsehood. From several traditions originating from Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, these narrations are present to date in both Shia and Sunni books. The world will not come to an end until a man from the descendants of Hussain takes charge of the affairs of the world and fills it with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. At the age of 5, after the tragic martyrdom of his father, the 11th divine successor of Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Hassan, son of Ali, Imam Mahdi went into a minor occultation. During this period, Imam Mahdi, may Allah his and his reappearance, was in contact with his followers through appointed deputies. This lasted for a period of about 69 years. A few days before death of his fourth and final deputy Imam Mahdi, may Allah his and his reappearance informed his followers through his deputy that there would be no more deputies after the death of the current one and after this period Imam Mahdi would go into a major occultation which would continue until the day of Allah grants permission to the Imam Mahdi to manifest himself. During this period, none would be able to approach Imam Mahdi through deputies or through direct contact. In regards to the duration and the importance of this period, Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was once asked about to the nature of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi in his reply, Holy Prophet likened the time of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi to that of the hour of resurrection and then narrated the Quranic verse. He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It comes not to you save on a verse. Quran chapter 7 verse 187.