The foundation of Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), Mumbai (India) was laid by Respected Hujjatul Islam Maulana Shaikh Muhammad Ismail Rajabi Saahab (r.a) – a learned, pious and noble scholar.
A few, who were in his company, began to share his concerns and a desire for serving Islam and the followers of Ahle Bait (a.s.) blossomed in their hearts. These select few were as follows: Maulana Sayed Ghulam Hasnain Rizvi Karaarvi (r.a.), Sayed Muhammad Akbar Rizvi and Janab Haiderbhai Nayani.
It was in 1977 when the respected Maulana Saahab (r.a.) advised them to initiate some kind of religious teaching and training activity for the youth and the religiously inclined intelligentsia of the Shiite society. He explained to us the method for conducting this training. This paved the way for the first class of Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). It was conducted at the house of Maulana Saahab (r.a.) and Maulana Ghulam Hasnain Rizvi (r.a.) was its teacher who conducted the class in the presence of Maulana Saahab (r.a.).
Gradually, more people – especially the youth – began joining such classes. Thus, the group of knowledge-seekers associated with Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) increased by the day.
These classes were held in Mosques, Imambargahs and houses of the religiously inclined. Children and youth all began joining these classes in large numbers. The syllabi for all categories (youth, elders and children) were designed as per their capabilities.
Today, the Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is run under the patronage of Respected Hujjatul Islam Maulana Sayed Ahmed Ali Abedi Saahab, who also happens to be the Principal of Jaameato Ameeril Momineen (a.s.), Najafi House, Dongri, Mumbai. He is also the representative of His Excellency Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayed Ali Husaini Seestaani and other Maraaje’, besides being a prolific writer and translator of several books and treatises.
Alhamdolillah, some of its youngsters acquired deep religious knowledge and became inexhaustible researchers, writers and translators, whose works are published by the Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) year after year.
Printing and publishing plays an important role in the field of religious propagation. This is one area that dispels any doubts and misgivings that people may have about any organization. Thus, to the best of its ability, Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) has always been active in this field and its youngsters too have worked hard in this noble endeavor. Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) publishes two issues of the magazine “Al-Qaem Al-Muntazar” every year – one in Sha’baan al-Muazzam and the other in Muharram al-Haraam. These articles are penned after in-depth research, with the mention of all necessary references and hence are valued not only in India but also abroad in scholarly and literary circles.
Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) had received the Ijaazah from the late Marja’ Ayatullah al-Uzma, Sayed Abul Qasim al-Khoi (r.a.) to receive and spend unrestricted Sahme Imam (a.s.) for its activities.
Presently, His Excellency Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayed Ali al-Seestaani has also granted the Ijaazah to Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) for receiving and spending unrestricted Sahme Imam (a.s.) for all its activities. Moreover, in a very recent statement, His Excellency Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayed Ali Husaini al-Seestaani has also mentioned in no uncertain terms that attending these classes is the cause of pleasing our master Imam-e-Zamaan (a.t.f.s.).
Association of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is a registered trust whose accounts are regularly audited by an authorized chartered accountant (CA) and the audited report is submitted to the ‘Charity Commissioner’ on an annual basis.