Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Designates 7th Rabi‘ al-Awwal to Commemorate Lady Narjis, Mother of Imam Mahdi
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Husayni Shirazi has issued a directive declaring the 7th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal as the official day to honor Lady Narjis (peace be upon her), the mother of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance).
According to the announcement, commemorating Lady Narjis is a reflection of veneration for Divine symbols and a sign of piety of the heart. His Eminence emphasized the importance of holding special ceremonies and programs to mark this occasion.
The office of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi stated that this commemoration honors both the mother and the progeny of the Imams, linking it directly to the reverence of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). In his note, the Supreme Marja wrote:
“Honoring the noble mother of our master, Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), is in essence an appreciation of his virtuous lineage and a manifestation of devotion. May Allah grant success to those who organize such commemorations and accept their efforts.”
Historical sources do not provide a precise date for Lady Narjis’s passing. Some researchers, based on the writings of Sheikh Saduq in Kamal al-Din, suggest it occurred after the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), while others, citing Khizrani, indicate it may have been before his martyrdom.
Following requests from the faithful, the Public Relations Office of Imam Husein Media Group (peace be upon him) has registered the 7th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal—one day prior to the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him)—in its calendar of commemorative events. Programs in multiple languages will introduce and explain the elevated status of Lady Narjis.
The office invites the faithful to hold gatherings and events that honor her memory and present Lady Narjis as a historical model of virtue, particularly for young women.
Lady Narjis, originally of Christian lineage and a descendant of Simon, the disciple of Jesus (peace be upon him), achieved the highest spiritual and moral ranks under the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). She exemplified obedience to God, love for the Imams, and steadfastness in adversity, making her a unique figure in the history of Imamate as the mother of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance).
