The Companions of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s) and their characteristics

It is evident that the appointment of an individual is made solely on the  basis of the work and its aim. The qualification of an engineer is taken into consideration if a small house has to be constructed. But if a bigger project has to be undertaken, then the engineer will have to be more capable and qualified. And if one has to draft a plan for an entire nation then the qualifications of the engineer and others responsible for its implementation will be at a totally different level. In the last scenario, the utility of each and every individual will be minutely scrutinized as the responsibility given to them is extremely critical and hence due attention will have to be paid to each and every aspect. Now, if the same plan has to be implemented throughout the world, then the qualifications of this individual will have to be extraordinary, in fact, even peerless. His capabilities, his plans, his skills must be far superior and superlative vis-à-vis the rest.

Now let us try to gauge the enormity of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr’s (a.t.f.s) tasks. We will mention couple of them below:

1. Establishing justice and equality in the whole world.

Whenever there is mention of the auspicious reappearance of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.), the following sentence comes to mind instantly:

‘He will fill the earth with justice and equality as it would have been filled with oppression and injustice.’

So one critical task that Imam (a.t.f.s.) shall perform on his reappearance is the establishment of justice and equality in the whole world.

2. Prevalence of Islam

Allah declares in the Holy Quran

‘He it is Who sent His Apostle with the guidance and the true religion, that He may make it overcome the religions, all of them, though the polytheists may be averse.’

(Surah Saf, Verse 9)

Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) will actualize this divine promise.

3. Apart from this there are many such objectives can be taken from Dua-e-nudba and many ziyarah.

From the abovementioned points one can safely assume and understand that after the reappearance of the radiant light, the responsibilities of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) will not be limited to narrating the rules but also establishing in totality the perfect religion of Allah. He has to carry out a unique task that has not been performed by anyone till date. The task of all the divine messengers (a.s.) was only to convey the divine message and not its implementation.

Implementation of rules is more difficult than mere invitation

The duty of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) is not restricted to conveying the divine message, but to get it implemented in its entirety across the length and the breadth of the world.

The messengers (a.s.) had encountered innumerable hardships and  obstacles in conveying the divine message. They were made victims to the severest of tribulations. When prophets (a.s.) and apostles (a.s.) faced such resistance at the ‘conveying’ stage, then how many trials and tribulations will Imam (a.t.f.s.) have to encounter at the ‘implementation’ stage.

Characteristics of Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) helpers and companions

In the light of what we have outlined earlier, we can begin to appreciate the
characteristics of Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) helpers and companions. Indeed, they will be at a sublime level of excellent morals and character. It is undeniable that Allah has bestowed a great favor on us by keeping us attached to the infallible personalities of Ahle Bait (a.s.).

General traits

In one tradition Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) has mentioned the general traits of the companions of Imam Mahdi (a.s.):

• Their hearts are stronger than iron.
• They will be having complete faith in Allah. There is no place for doubts in their hearts.
• They shall be tougher than stones. They will uproot the mountain only by turning towards it.
• They will conquer every city they enter with their standard.
• They are like swift eagles, mounted on fast horses.
• They will touch the saddle of Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) mount to seek blessings.
• They will be encircling Imam (a.t.f.s.) to safeguard him from all calamities and misfortune.
• They will fulfill every desire of Imam (a.t.f.s.) with their heart and soul. They will not sleep in the nights.
• They will buzz like honeybees in their prayers.
• They will pass the night in worship and in the morning they will be seen mounted on horses, ready for helping Imam (a.t.f.s.).
• They will be devout worshippers by the night and like the lions in the day. They will be more submissive and obedient to Imam than a maidservant. They are like burning lamps and their hearts are like glowing beacons. They are fearful of Allah and testify to His Unity.
• They are hopeful of martyrdom in the Way of Allah.
• Their slogan will be “O Avenger of Husain!”
• When they march, their awe will precede them by a distance of one month’s journey.
• These are the ones who seek Allah’s Pleasure.
• Allah will help Imam (a.t.f.s.) through them.(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 307-08, tradition 82)

Number of companions

Imam Mohammad Taqi (a.s) declared,

‘Allah will gather his followers around him. Their number will be 313, the same as the companions of Badr. They will gather from different parts of the earth.’ And this is the exegesis of Allah’s Words, ‘…wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together; surely Allah has power over all things.

(Surah Baqarah, Verse148) (Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 283, tradition 10)

How will they gather?

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) prophesied,

‘When our Qaem (a.t.f.s.) will establish himself, Allah will gather the people of the East and West. These people will come together in one place in the same m anner as the leaves gather in one place in autumn.’

(Al Sawaeq Al Mohreqa, pg. 163; Muntakhab Al Asar, pg. 477)

They will travel on clouds

Some of them will travel on the clouds by the day. Imam (a.t.f.s.) will recognize them by their names, by the names of their ancestors, by their lineage and by their style and mode. The narrator inquired who will be the most faithful? The prophet replied, ‘The one who will travel on the clouds by the day.’ (Ibid)

They will be extremely brave and pious

Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) relates,

‘I am seeing Qaem (a.t.f.s.) and his companions in Kufa. Their foreheads bear the distinct marks of prostration. They have the ferociousness of a lion by the day and are intense worshippers by the night. Their bodies will be stronger than steel. The strength of each one of them will be equal to forty men. They will only kill the hypocrites and the infidels.’

(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 386, tradition 202)

Their names shall be inscribed on their swords

On each of their swords their names shall be inscribed along with their lineage. (Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 53, pg. 329, tradition 155)

Contracting of the earth

Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s) informs,

‘From different parts of the land his (Imam (a.t.f.s.)) Shias will access him as the land will shrink for them. When they reach to him, they shall pay their allegiance to him.’

(Kitab al-Irshad, pg. 341, Muntakhab Al Asar, pg. 198)

Intellects shall attain perfection; Sight and hearing shall become sharp

One of the characteristics of the companions of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) shall be that their intellects shall be at the highest level and their sense of justice and ethics shall be perfect.

Imam Baqir (a.s.) informs,

‘When our Qaem reappears, he will place his hand on the heads of the people by which their intellects will become complete and their ethics will scale the peak of perfection.’

(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 329, tradition 7, 336-47, tradition 71)

Instructors of Quran, Carriers of Quran.

Imam Ali (a.s) reveals,

‘I see my Shias in Masjid-e-Kufa and they are teaching the Holy Quran in different tents and teaching it just the way it was revealed.’

(Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 52, pg. 364, tradition 140-141)

In this tradition, Imam Ali (a.s) has enumerated the companions of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s) as his own Shias. This not only serves to highlight the esteemed position of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) but also underscores the status of his companions in the eyes of the Imams (a.s.).

United Heart

Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s) wrote in one of his signed letters (tawqee) to Shaikh Mufeed (r.a.), ‘May Allah bestow our Shias with the ability to obey, for if they had sincerely adhered to their covenant with united hearts, then there wouldn’t have been any delay in our blessed reappearance.’

Imam (a.t.f.s.) will take allegiance from his companions on these criteria (mentioned earlier) and once the companions fulfill the criteria, then Imam (a.t.f.s.) will remain with them and spend his life alongside them. This highlights the intense love and affection of Imam (a.t.f.s.) for his companions. 

‘May my father, my mother, my family, myself and my wealth be sacrificed upon you, O my Master, O Saahebuz Zamaan!