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The 20th Imam, Imam Mansoor Al-Aamir Bi-ahkaamillah (SA) was born on the 13th of Moharram-ul-Haraam 490H in Al-Qahera (Cairo).
He ascended the throne of Imamate at the age of five following the passing away of Imam Musta`li Billah (AS). The oath of allegiance for the Imam was conducted that very day in the court and letters were sent to distant territories notifying them of the 19th Imam`s passing away and the succession of the 20th Imam.
During his reign the Romans captured Damascus. The Imam (SA) sent Al-Afzal with an army towards the transgressors and forced them into retreat. This was a major victory for the Imam (SA) and Al-Afzal returned bringing with him the spoils of war.
In another uprising led by a man called ‘Sumbus’ Al-Qahera was besieged for a number of days. An Armenian guard involved in the siege relates that, "One night I and my men saw the gates of Al-Qahera open and a lone horseman emerge. We hid ourselves so that we could monitor his intentions and lo it was the Imam himself! We followed furtively to see where he was heading. We then saw him (SA) meet another horseman. They greeted each other and dismounted from their steeds. At that moment we thought of ambush but were awestruck by the Imam`s (SA) presence and could only look on.
The other horseman humbly enquired as to the Imam`s route and he answered, "I have set forth to assist my army in vanquishing Sumbus and his followers."
The Imam`s (SA) army assembled and there was a heated battle. Amidst this the Imam (SA) and the horseman laid out two kerchiefs on the ground and prayed two rak`at namaaz. The horseman then beseeched the Imam (SA) to return to the safety of Al-Qahera pleading with him, "O Waliyullah! We will suffice for you in this encounter." They then parted company and the Imam (SA) returned through the gates to Al-Qahera and in the morning news was received that Sumbus had been slain." The Armenian soldier and his companions who witnessed the Imam`s glory entered into the fold and gave their oath of allegiance.
The Imam’s (SA) Dawat was widespread. In Yemen under the auspices of Molatena Hurratul-Maleka (RA) and Syedna Yahya (RA) the Dawat`s foundations became well established. In the year 513H the Imam (SA) sent Ali-bin-Ibrahim, also known as Najeeb-u-Daulat, to Yemen and the affairs of the army there were entrusted to him by Molatena Hurratul-Maleka (RA).
In 515H the Imam`s (SA) wazir Al-Afzal passed away and he appointed Abul Mansoor Al-Mamoon in his place. In 520H Syedna Yahya-bin-Lamak (RA) passed away in The Yemen.
In the year 524H, on the 4th of Rabi-ul-Akhar, the 21st Imam, Molana-al-Imam Al-Taiyyeb (AS) was born.
A historian of those times, Ibn-Muyesser who was also a judge, records in the chronicles of Misr (Egypt):
"The Imam (SA) informed all of the glad tidings of the birth of his son Imam Taiyyeb (AS) and that he was indeed his successor. All of Misr was decorated to mark this occasion especially the palaces, which were embellished with grand banners and utensils of gold and silver.
On the 14th day the kabash for aqiqah was dressed up in silk finery and silver ornaments before zabihat. The newborn Imam (SA) was brought into court and I was one of those who had the honour of holding the 21th Imam (SA).
Throughout that entire day gold coins were distributed amongst the public. Exotic fruits from far-off orchards were distributed in the palaces and the scent of musk and amber emanated from all around."
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