How a five-year-old boy can become an Imam for the people?

Hawzah News Agency –  One of the most frequently asked question about Imam Mahdi (aj) is how a five-year-old child can be chosen as the leader and Imam of the people.

Answer:

First, we must question whether or not in the history of religion, the phenomenon of young leaders has a parallel. Undoubtedly, there is. The Quran strikes two examples which are worthy of mentioning:

We have the example of Jesus (PBUH) who became Prophet and spoke people when he was a baby in the cradle:

“But she pointed to the baby. They said: `How can we talk to one who is a CHILD in the cradle?’ He said: `I am indeed a servant of Allah. He HAS GIVEN me Scripture and ASSIGNED me a Prophet, and He has made me blessed wherever I be, and has enjoined on me Prayer and zakat as long as I live.'” (Holy Quran 19:29-31)

Thus Jesus (PBUH) became a Prophet and received revelation and book while he was less than one year old!

Furthermore, in few verses before, Quran mentions the case of Prophet Yahya (John), to whom Allah said:

“O Yahya! Take hold of the Book with might:’ And We gave him the appointment (of prophethood) in his CHILDHOOD.” (The Quran 19:12)

So if a two-year old boy can become a prophet and receives revelation, then why cannot a five-year old boy become Imam?

Have you ever heard of prodigies? They are kids between the ages of four to 18 that exhibit signs of exceptional skills that are usually found in highly qualified adults only. Here are some examples from history:

“John Stuart Mill (1806-73), a 19th-century English philosopher and economist, advocated utilitarian reforms in his many writings and as member of Parliament. A child prodigy, Mill had mastered Greek by the age of 7 and studied economics at the age of 13. His works express his social thought with great clarity and thoroughness. (The Bettmann Archive)”

“The French thinker, mathematician, and scientist Blaise Pascal, b. June 19, 1623, d. Aug. 19, 1662, has been credited not only with imaginative and subtle work in geometry and other branches of mathematics, but with profoundly influencing later generations of theologians and philosophers. A prodigy in mathematics, Pascal had mastered Euclid’s Elements by the age of 12. Pascal invented and sold the first calculating machine (1645).”

“Wolfgang was the greatest musical child prodigy who ever lived. He began composing minuets at the age of 5 and symphonies at 9.”

“Beethoven’s own talent was such that at the age of 12 he was already an assistant to the organist Christian Gottlob Neefe, with whom he studied.”

“Sarah Caldwell, born Maryville, Mo., Mar. 6, 1924, is a conductor and producer. A child prodigy in both mathematics and music, before reaching the age of ten.”

While not exhaustive, the list serves the purpose of demonstrating that this phenomenon occurs naturally among normal human beings from all walks of life. So scientifically speaking, it is quite possible that a child demonstrates abilities that adults cannot. Also religiously speaking anything Allah desires will happen no matter how strange. Indeed, Allah asserts unequivocally in Quran thatif He wanted something, all He has to do is to say to it: “Be! and it will be!”.