Qasim, a young boy had heard from his father that after the death of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) the responsibility of Imamat came upon Imam Mahdi (a.s.) the last successor of the Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.). At that time he was only five years old.

Qasim asked his father "Is it possible to attain Imamat at such a young age?'

The loving father explained "Of course my dear, Imamat and Prophethood, both are divine positions. Allah gives it to whosoever he pleases. The Almighty Allah gave the task of prophethood to Hazrat Yahya (a.s.) when he was a small boy and Hazrat Isa (a.s.) introduced the mission of prophethood while he was a baby in the cradle.
All these incidents are mentioned in the Holy Quran".

"Similarly Imam Javad (a.s.) our ninth Imam attained Imamat at the age of 8 years. Imam Hadi (a.s.) was given the responsibility of Imamat when he was less than 7 years old. Therefore my son, Imamat is a divine position which was given to the Imam of our time. Imam Mahdi (a.s.) at the age of five."

Qasim got the reply to his question and so did we.