﴾
“Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you all together”.’”[331]
The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “A community (qawm) will emerge after you that will gather the world under their feet, and the world will be spread out for them, while the men and women of Persia will serve them. The earth will be traversed under their steps in less than the blink of an eye in such a manner that anyone of them could cover the distance from east to west in an instant. They are not of this world and the world has also no benefit and portion for them.”[332]
Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said: “The Shi‘ah and supporters of Mahdi (‘atfs) will go toward him from different parts of the world; the earth will be gathered under their feet and by traversing the world they will reach the Imam (‘a) and pay allegiance to him.”[333]
‘
Abdullah ibn ‘Ajlan said: “I was in the company of Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) when he was talking about the uprising of Hadrat al-Mahdi (‘a). I asked him: ‘How can we be informed of the advent of the Mahdi?’ He answered: ‘While getting up in the morning you will see a letter under your pillow in which it would be written: ‘Following the Mahdi is an excellent and good deed’.’”[334]
Imam ar-Rida (‘a) said: “By Allah! If our Qa’im stages the uprising, God will gather the Shi‘ah from all cities (and countries) to be around him.”[335]
Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) also said: “While the young Shi‘ah will be sleeping on rooftops, suddenly and without prior notice, they will be brought in multitudes in one night beside him (‘atfs). Then in the morning everybody will be gathered around him (‘atfs).”[336]
Things Necessary in Recruiting and Training the Soldiers
In this regard, the Commander of the Faithful (‘a) said: “The supporters of the Mahdi (‘atfs) who number three hundred and thirteen will go to him and they will find him who had been hidden, and they will ask: ‘Are you the Promised Mahdi?’
He will answer: ‘Yes, O my supporters!’ Then he will again hide himself from them and go to Medina. Because they will become aware of this, his supporters will leave for Medina and when they arrive at the city of Medina, the Imam (‘a), still being hidden will return to the city of Mecca and in order to join him, his supporters will go to Mecca. Once again, the Imam (‘a) will go to the city of Medina and his supporters will go to Medina (for the second time), again he will go to Mecca, and this routine will be repeated three times.
“The Imam (‘a) will test his supporters in such a manner in order to be aware of their degree of adherence to him. Thereafter, he will appear between Safa and Marwah and while addressing his supporters he will say: ‘I will not pursue any activity unless you pay allegiance to me under certain conditions, adhere to it and not violate it in any way. I am also obliged with respect to eight things.’ In reply to him, the Imam’s (‘a) supporters will say in unison: ‘We do render our total submission to you, follow you, and accept whatever conditions you set. Kindly tell us what those conditions are.’
“The Imam (‘atfs) will go to Mount Safa in Mecca and his supporters will also follow him. Addressing them there, he will say: ‘I will make a covenant with you under these conditions:
(1) You shall not desert the battlefield;
(2) you shall not steal;
(3) you shall not perform any illegitimate act;
(4) you shall not commit unlawful acts;
(5) you shall not do any evil and obnoxious act;
(6) you shall not unjustly strike anyone;
(7) you shall not amass gold and silver;
(8) you shall not hoard wheat and barley;
(9) you shall not destroy any mosque;
(10) you shall not bear witness to falsehood;
(11) you shall not despise and belittle any believer;
(12) you shall not consume anything earned from usury;
(13) you shall endure adversities and difficulties;
(14) you shall not curse any theist and monotheist;
(15) you shall not drink wine;
(16) you shall not wear brocade;
(17) you shall not wear silk clothing;
(18) you shall not pursue an escapee;
(19) you shall not shed blood unlawfully;
(20) you shall not nourish the hypocrite and infidel;
(21) you shall not wear fur garments;
(22) you shall make the soil as your pillow (perhaps it means that “you shall be humble and meek”);
(23) you shall shun unworthy acts; and
(24) you shall enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong.
“‘If you abide with and act upon these conditions, it is incumbent upon me to choose no one but you as my assistants; I have to wear nothing but what you wear; I have nothing to eat but what you eat; I have nothing to ride but what you ride; I should be with you wherever you go; I have to go wherever you set out for; I have to be satisfied and pleased with a small force and fill the earth with justice and equity just as it has been full of injustice and oppression; and I have to worship God as He is worthy to be worshipped. I will remain committed to what I have said while you also have to remain committed to your pledges.’
“The companions said: ‘We are satisfied and we promise to be committed to what you have said.’ Then, the Imam (‘a) will shake the hands of each of his supporters (as a sign of allegiance)’.”[337]
Of course, it must be noted that the Imam (‘atfs) will set these conditions and impose this test on his special forces because they will serve as administrators in his global government and they are ones who, having good deeds, will play crucial roles in spreading justice in the world.
Meanwhile, it must be borne in mind that the chain of transmission of this hadith is dubious as it is from the Khutbah al-Bayan, which some scholars regard as “weak” (da‘if) notwithstanding the fact that some prominent figures have come to its defense and reinforcement.[338]
Peculiarities of the Soldiers
Many peculiarities and salient characteristics of the companions and supporters of al-Mahdi (‘a) have been stated in the hadiths and we will mention some of them below:
1. Worship and Devotion
In describing the supporters of al-Mahdi (‘atfs), Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “They keep regular vigils and spend the night standing in worship of God. During their prayers, their silent supplications are like the buzz of honeybees. They mount their horses during the daytime in line with the performance of their duties. They are worshippers at night and lions during the day. On account of fear of God, they are in a particular state. God will extend succor to the rightful Imam through them.”[339]
The Imam (‘a) also said: “It is as if I can see the Qa’im of Muhammad’s Progeny (‘a) and his supporters behind the city of Kufah. As if birds are spreading their wings over their heads. They are running out of travel provisions and their garments are worn out and patched. There are marks of prostration on their foreheads.
Yes, they are lions in the day and worshippers in the night. Their hearts are like pieces of iron, firm and formidable. Each of them has the strength equal to that of forty men. They will not be killed by anyone but by hypocrites and infidels. God has thus described them in the Qur’an:
﴿
﴾
“There are indeed signs in that for the percipient.”[340]”[341]
2. Love for the Imam and Obedience to Him
Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said: “The Master of the Affair (sahib al-amr) (‘atfs) will be in occultation in some of these valleys (Dhi Tawa). Two nights prior to his advent, his closest attendant will go to meet some of the Imam’s supporters, asking them: ‘How many of you are here?’ They will answer: ‘Forty persons.’ He will ask: ‘What will happen to you if you see your leader?’ They will reply: ‘By God! If he lives in a mountain, we will be with him and live the same way’.”[342]
Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “The supporters of the Imam (‘atfs) will place their hands on the saddle of his horse and by doing so, they will be asking for blessings. They will form a ring around him and in battles they will offer their bodies and souls for him. They will accept and do whatever he would ask from them.”[343]
The same Imam (‘a) also stated the following in describing the supporters of al-Mahdi (‘a): “He has men whose hearts will seem to be as if they were from pieces of iron... They are more obedient to the Imam than a slave girl would be in relation to her master and owner, and they are subservient to his command.”[344]
The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “God will gather warriors for Hadrat al-Mahdi from the different corners of the world whose number would be equal to that of the (Muslim) combatants in (the Battle of) Badr. They are very diligent and determined in their obedience to him.”[345]
Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “It is as if I can see Hadrat al-Qa’im and his supporters stationed in Najaf (Kufah) and (they are so steady and unflinching there) that it is as if birds are sitting on their heads.”[346]
The warriors are standing with such discipline, lack of motion and total submission to him that it is as if birds are sitting over their heads, for if they would show the least movement, the birds will fly away.
3. Strong and Young Soldiers
The Commander of the Faithful (‘a) said: “The supporters of al-Mahdi are all young. There are no old and aged among them but a few who are like antimony for the eye and salt for the food. Of course, the least amount of a thing needed in food is salt.”[347]
Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “What Prophet Lut (Lot) (‘a) meant in his statement addressed to his enemies when he said, ‘I wish I had a potent force against you or I can take refuge in a formidable column,’ was a force similar to the potent force of the Promised Mahdi (‘atfs) and his supporters each of whom has the strength equal to that of forty men. They have hearts firmer than steel and when they traverse mountains, the rocks tremble. They do not sheathe their swords unless when God wants and is pleased with it.”[348]
In this regard, Imam as-Sajjad (‘a) said: “When our Qa’im stages the uprising, God will keep away sluggishness and weakness from our Shi‘ah and make their hearts as firm and resolute as steel; He will grant each of them the strength of forty men and they will become rulers and leading figures on earth.”[349]
Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “In the government of al-Mahdi (‘atfs) our Shi‘ah will be the rulers and leading figures on earth and each of them will have the strength of forty men.”[350]
Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said: “There is fear of the enemy in the hearts of our Shi‘ah (today), but when our government is established and Imam al-Mahdi (‘atfs) appears, each of our Shi‘ah will be more fearless than a lion and sharper than a spear. They will crush our enemies underfoot and slay them with their hands.”[351]
‘
Abdul-Malik ibn A‘yun said: “As I got up to say goodbye to Imam al-Baqir (‘a), I leaned on my hands and said: ‘I wish I could perceive the advent of Hadrat al-Qa’im (‘atfs) in my youth (at the moment when I am physically sound).’
The Imam (‘a) said: ‘Are you not satisfied that your enemies are killing one another while you are safe in your own houses? If the Imam (‘a) appears, each of you will be given the strength of forty men and your hearts will be like steel so much so that if you struck the mountains with such hearts, the mountains will rend asunder and be pulled up. And you will become the leaders and trustees on earth’.”[352]
Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “At the time of our affair (the government of Hadrat al-Mahdi), God will remove fear from the hearts of our Shi‘ah and place it on the hearts of our enemies. At that moment, each of our Shi‘ah would be sharper than a spear and braver than a lion. A single Shi‘ah will hit his enemy with a spear, strike him with a sword, and crush him underfoot.”[353]
The same Imam (‘a) also said: “The supporters of al-Mahdi (‘atfs) are men whose hearts are as firm and formidable as iron. Doubt and skepticism about the Essence of God are never entertained in those hearts. They are firmer than stone. If they were given the mission to shuffle the mountains and interchange them, they would quickly do it, and if the mission of destroying a city is given to them, they would be able to destroy it (with such speed and decisiveness that it would be) as if they were eagles sitting on horses.”[354]
4. Beloved Soldiers
Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said: “It is as if I can see the supporters of al-Mahdi (‘atfs) dominating heaven and earth and there is nothing in the world that would not be under their rule and sovereignty. Fierce animals and predatory birds also seek their pleasure. They will be so beloved that everywhere on earth will brag and boast to the other, saying: ‘Today, one of the supporters of al-Mahdi (‘atfs) dropped in and passed by here’.”[355]
5. Lovers of Martyrdom
Regarding the characteristics of Hadrat al-Qa’im (‘atfs), Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “They have an intense fear of God and they aspire for martyrdom. Their aspiration is to be slain in the way of Allah. Their slogan is ‘O avengers of Husayn (‘a)!’ As they move, the fear and dread of them in the hearts of their enemies move with the distance of one month’s travel.”[356]
Source:
An Overview of Imam al-Mahdi’s (atfs) Government
By: Ayatullah Najmuddin Tabasi
Notes:
[324] Kamaluddin, vol. 2, p. 654; ‘Ayyashi, Tafsir ‘Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 134; Nur ath-Thaqalayn, vol. 4, p. 98; vol. 1, p. 340; Al-‘Adad al-Qawiyyah, p. 65; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 548.
[325] Al-Mustajad, p. 511.
[326] Ibn Tawus, Malahim, p. 65.
[327] Nu‘mani, Ghaybah, p. 307; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 545.
[328] Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 578; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, pp. 307, 367; Bisharah al-Islam, p. 190.
[329] Ibn Hammad, Fitan, p. 106; ‘Aqd ad-Darar, p. 143.
[330] Kamaluddin, vol. 2, p. 672; ‘Ayyashi, Tafsir ‘Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 67; Nu‘mani, Ghaybah, p. 315; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 368; Al-Kafi, vol. 8, p. 313; Al-Muhajjah, p. 19.
[331] Surah al-Baqarah 2:148.
[332] Firdaws al-Akhbar, vol. 2, p. 449.
[333] Rawdah Al-Wa‘izin, vol. 2, p. 263; ‘Aqd ad-Darar, p. 65; Muttaqi Hindi, Burhan, p. 145.
[334] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 324; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 582; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 13 (Persian translation), p. 916.
[335] Majma‘ al-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 231; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 524; Nur ath-Thaqalayn, vol. 1, p. 140; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 291.
[336] Nu‘mani, Ghaybah, p. 316; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 198; Bisharah al-Islam, p. 198.
[337] Ash-Shi‘ah wa’r-Raj‘ah, vol. 1, p. 157; ‘Aqd ad-Darar, p. 96.
[338] In a footnote pertaining to the Khutbah al-Bayan in the first volume of As-Shi‘ah wa’r-Raj‘ah, my late father has thus written: “We have quoted this sermon (khutbah) from the book Dawhah al-Anwar of Shaykh Muhammad Yazdi but it is not only confined to this book. In fact, it has also been quoted in other books as Aqa Buzurg Tehrani mentions the titles of the following books in volume 7 of his Adh-Dhari‘ah:
a. Qadi Sa‘id Qummi, Sharh-e Hadith Ghamamah, 1103 AH;
b. Muhaqqiq Qummi, Jami‘ ash-Shitab, p. 772;
c. A manuscript in Imam ar-Rida (‘a) Library dated 729 AH;
d. A manuscript inscribed by ‘Ali ibn Jamaluddin dated 923 AH;
e. Khulasah at-Tarjuman; and
f. Ma‘alim at-Tanzil.
This sermon has some expressions that are repugnant to the essence of monotheism (tawhid), but in all the manuscripts these lines are not included and as such, there is no doubt that they are among the forgeries of the Ghullahs (a certain group that attributes divinities to the infallible Imams (‘a)).
But the expressions such as
ÇäÇ ãæÑÞ ÇáÇÔÌÇÑ æ ãËãÑ ÇáËãÇÑ
and the like are also numerous in other hadiths. The same is true with this phrase,
ÈäÇ ÃËãÑÊ ÇáÇÔÌÇÑ æ ÃíäÚÊ ÇáËãÇÑ æ ÌÑÊ ÇáÃäåÇÑ æ ÈäÇ íäÒá ÇáÛíË æ ÊäÈÊ ÚÔÈ ÇáÃÑÖ.
In Ziyarah al-Mutlaqah, it is thus stated:
æ Èßã ÊäÈÊ ÇáÃÑÖ ÃÔÌÇÑåÇ æ Èßã ÊÎÑÌ ÇáÃÔÌÇÑ æ ÃËãÇÑåÇ...
And in Ziyarah ar-Rajabiyyah, it is also stated:
ÃäÇ ÓÇÆáßã æ Âãáßã ÝíãÇ Åáíßã ÇáÊÝæíÖ æ Úáíßã ÇáÊÚæíÖ ÝÈßã íÌÈÑ ÇáãåíÖ æ íÔÝì ÇáãÑíÖ æ...
Therefore, every expression or phrase that was apparently contradictory to the apparent meaning of the Qur’an and couldn’t be justified as authentic has nothing to do whatsoever with the Infallibles (‘a). The presence of some expressions in the sermon that are forgeries should not necessarily render the whole noble sermon as unauthentic.
[339] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 308.
[340] Surah al-Hijr 15:75.
[341] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 386.
[342] ‘Ayyashi, Tafsir ‘Ayyashi, vol. 2, p. 56; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 341.
[343] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 308.
[344] Loc. cit.
[345] Ibid., p. 310.
[346] Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 585.
[347] Shaykh at-Tusi, Ghaybah, p. 284; Nu‘mani, Ghaybah, p. 315; Ibn Tawus, Malahim, p. 145; Kanz al-‘Ummal, vol. 14, p. 592; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 334; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 517.
[348] Kamaluddin, vol. 2, p. 673; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, pp. 317, 327.
[349] Kamaluddin, vol. 2, p. 673; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, pp. 317, 327, 372; Yanabi‘ al-Mawaddah, p. 424; Ihqaq al-Haqq, vol. 13, p. 346.
[350] Shaykh al-Mufid, Ikhtisas, p. 24; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 372.
[351] Shaykh al-Mufid, Ikhtisas, p. 24; Basa’ir ad-Darajat, vol. 1, p. 124; Yanabi‘ al-Mawaddah, pp. 448, 489; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 557; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, pp. 318, 372.
[352] Al-Kafi, vol. 8, p. 282; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 335.
[353] Khara’ij, vol. 2, p. 840; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 336. See Hilyah al-Awliya’, vol. 3, p. 184; Kashf al-Ghumah, p. 345; Yanabi‘ al-Mawaddah, p. 448. Similar hadith has also been reported from Imam al-Baqir (‘a) as recorded in Basa’ir ad-Darajat, p. 24; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 189.
[354] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 308.
[355] Kamaluddin, vol. 2, p. 673; Ithbat al-Hudah, vol. 3, p. 493; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 327.
[356] Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, vol. 11, p. 114.
