There is another possibility. It is that perhaps the name of the Imam’s (A.S.) noble mother was deliberately concealed to protect him from the evil of enemies. Just as his conception and place of birth were kept hidden, in fact, in those circumstances, even mentioning his name was considered forbidden. As this matter is clearer than the sun in authentic and explicit narrations. Based on this, there is no objection to keeping the Imam’s (A.S.) mother concealed.
And the members of the Imam’s (A.S.) family were mixed with each other. So that his matter remained dubious to the people and they would not increase the pressure on Imam Hasan Askari (A.S.) because of it.
Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr favoured this answer in his encyclopaedia. He writes: The mother of the Imam of the Time (A.S.) lived her life with great caution. Sometimes her name was changed, sometimes she was called by different names at the same time and at different times. This has been her way of life since she came to the family of the Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.), because in the near future she was to be honoured with the motherhood of Imam Mahdi (A.S.). For this reason, she had to face the oppression and tyranny of the government and spend a part of her life in prison. Therefore, it was necessary for her to live according to this strategy, so that she could protect her life and the life of her son as much as possible. Secondly, that the minds of the rulers should be confused in this regard, what is the name of this woman who is in their custody? Where is the Imam’s (A.S.) arrival expected? Who is the mother of Imam Mahdi (A.S.)? … So that the rulers would understand that the multiple names mean that the number of women is greater and not limited to one person. Undoubtedly, this is the most likely possibility regarding Imam Mahdi (A.S.). (Reference-Kamal al-Din: 431)
Perhaps Muhaddith Noori also pointed to this meaning by narrating a report about the multiplicity of her names. Thus, he writes:
ثم سأله الراوى عن ام صاحب الامر الله ، قال : امه مليكة التي يقال لها بعض الايام سوسن، وفى بعضها ريحانة ، وكان صقيل و نرجس ايضاً من اسمائها ، ومن هذا الخبر يتبين وجه الاختلاف
“His mother is Malikah, who is sometimes called Susan on some days and Rayhana on others. Saqil and Narjis were also among her names.”
(Reference-Al-Najm al-Thaqib: 1/130)
This narration, as cited by Muhaddith Noori, strongly suggests that there was deliberate secrecy surrounding the name of the mother of Imam Mahdi (as). The fact that she was known by multiple names—Malikah, Sawsan, Rayhanah, Saqil, and Narjis—indicates that different names were used in different contexts, making it difficult to track her identity with certainty. This variation aligns with the broader strategy of concealment employed by the Imams (as) to protect the life of Imam Mahdi (as) from Abbasid persecution.
The Abbasid rulers were relentless in their efforts to eliminate the promised Imam, as they were aware of the prophecies regarding his birth and future mission. Historical precedent shows that when oppressive regimes sought to suppress a significant figure, secrecy became necessary for survival. The deliberate use of multiple names for Imam Mahdi’s (as) mother would have served as a protective measure, ensuring that state informants and spies could not easily verify or locate her.
This strategy of concealment is not unique to Islamic history .It has parallels in Western history as well. For example, Anne Frank, the Jewish girl whose diary became one of the most famous accounts of the Holocaust, had to live under an alias while in hiding to avoid Nazi persecution. Similarly, leaders of underground resistance movements during World War II, such as members of the French Resistance, frequently adopted code names to protect themselves from enemy forces. Even in modern times, intelligence operatives and political dissidents living under authoritarian regimes often assume false identities for survival.
Another historical parallel is the case of royal children who were hidden or given different names to evade political threats. The most famous example is the Russian Tsarevich Alexei, son of Nicholas II, whose fate was shrouded in secrecy after the Russian Revolution. Similarly, Henry VII of England, as a child, had to be hidden and moved across Europe under different identities to escape assassination attempts from the ruling Yorkist monarchy.
These examples illustrate that secrecy surrounding names is often a response to persecution rather than an indication of fabrication. The multiple names recorded for the mother of Imam Mahdi (as) must be understood in this historical context. The Abbasids were actively searching for any trace of the awaited Imam, and the only way to protect him and his family was to obscure key details including his mother’s name.
Therefore, rather than undermining the historical reality of Imam Mahdi (as), this variation in names strengthens the case for the intense secrecy that surrounded his birth. This was a survival strategy, much like those used in various historical contexts where individuals facing political oppression had to alter or obscure their identities for protection.
1. Shia Perspective:• Secrecy for Protection: Shia scholars argue that the mother of Imam Mahdi (A.S.) was deliberately concealed to protect both her and her son from the oppressive Abbasid regime.
• Multiple Names: Her multiple names Malika, Sawsan, Rayhana, Saqil, and Nargis were part of a strategy to confuse the authorities and ensure her safety.
• Narrative from Kamal al-Din & Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr: These sources emphasize that secrecy was necessary because even mentioning Imam Mahdi’s (A.S.) name was forbidden.
• Hidden Birth: Imam Mahdi’s (A.S.) birth itself was hidden, and his family members were mixed with others to prevent Abbasid spies from identifying him.
• Prison and Oppression: Some reports state that Imam Mahdi’s (A.S.) mother spent part of her life in prison due to government persecution.
2. Sunni Perspective:• Historical Scepticism: Sunni scholars generally question the secrecy surrounding the identity of Imam Mahdi’s (A.S.) mother and his birth. They argue that historical figures, especially those of religious significance, usually have well-documented backgrounds.
• Lack of Explicit References: Sunni sources do not provide clear and widespread narrations about her identity, reinforcing their argument that there is no strong historical basis for multiple names.
• Alternative Beliefs About Mahdi: Sunni traditions hold different views regarding Imam Mahdi (A.S.), often identifying him as a future figure from the lineage of the Prophet (PBUH) rather than a hidden figure born in the 9th century.
Conclusion:The Shia view emphasizes secrecy as a necessary strategy to protect Imam Mahdi (A.S.) and his family from Abbasid persecution