Islamic Insights

Shaikh Husayn El-Mekki Abdullah-Aziz

Will there only be 313 companions for Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance)?

The three hundred and thirteen companions of Imam Mahdi, will be the core and main companions of Imam Mahdi, of which 50 will be women. Some of these companions will be present before the Imam's reappearance, meaning they will be living and active. Narrations say that during Imam Mahdi's second absence or disappearance, no one other than a select few of the most privileged, faithful companions will know of his whereabouts. (Bihar al-Anwar)

The other members will appear when he appears, including Prophet Isa, Imam Ali and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them). However, the number of people who will be companions of Imam Mahdi is not limited to these 313 individuals, and other faithful Muslim followers will join Baqiyatullah (Imam Mahdi). There are narrations which also explain that some people who are thought to be of his followers will not be of his companions and some others who were not thought to be his followers will join him. Imam as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) has said, "When Imam Mahdi appears, some people who were thought to be of his family will desert him, and others who were known as sun and moon worshipers will join him." (Mizan al-Hikmah)

When will these companions of Imam Mahdi appear?

As was stated in the previous question, some of the main companions of Imam Mahdi will already be present and some will already be in contact with him. Imam as-Sadiq stated that, "When Imam Mahdi revolts, Allah will make the ears and the eyes of the followers of Imam Mahdi so sharp that there will be no courier (no medium) between them and the Imam. He will speak to his followers from his location, and they will hear his words and see [the Imam] himself." (Al-Kafi)

However the assembly and formation of these individuals as Imam Mahdi's core companions is contingent upon the reappearance of the Imam himself. And it is not known when exactly Imam Mahdi will reappear, not to us, nor to the Imam himself. Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) was asked whether or not the time when Imam Mahdi will reappear has been specified. He answered: "Those who have specified a time have lied, those who have specified a time have lied, those who have specified a time have lied." (Al-Ghaiba of Shaikh Tusi) This was repeated several times to show the emphases of the fact that no one, not even Imam Mahdi himself, knows of the time when he will reappear.

In regards to Du'a al-Ahd, there is a narration from Imam as-Sadiq: "Whoever recites this supplication for 40 consecutive days in the morning will be of Imam Mahdi's companions, and if he dies before the reappearance of Hazrat Imam Mahdi, Allah will take him out of his grave so that he may serve as one of Imam Mahdi’s companions."

It is possible that some who have read this supplication and pass away before Imam Mahdi's reappearance will also be of those 313 initial comrades; however, the time they appear is also dependant upon the time which the Imam will appear.

Born in the United States, Shaikh Husayn El-Mekki Abdullah-Aziz moved at an early age with his parents to the seminary in Iran, where he studied Islamic jurisprudence, philosophy, and exegesis. He is a popular speaker among the youth in several Shia communities around North America.

Comments (4)

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Sayyid Baqir: ...

Bah, bah, bah, khaile jaalib Agha Shaikh. Istifaada kardam.

1

September 24, 2008

Ali Maki: A Question

I am sorry I am a little confused about something. Are you saying that the Prophet and Imam Ali will re-appear also with Imam Mahdi ? If so can you provide the hadith that says this and the chain of narrators ?

2

September 25, 2008

Jamaa`atu-l-Fitrah: 12 Mahdiyyeen

Yes, there are many ahadeeth discussing the raj`a of MANY figures, from Ibraaheem, to Isma'eel, to Dawood, Sulaiman, `Iysaa, Muhammad, `Ali, Mahdi al-Husayn (the successor of the Mahdi), and indeed ALL 12 a'immah as 12 "Mahdiyyeen." Kuffar like Yazid too are said to make raj`a.

http://www.myspace.com/fitriyyah

3

December 19, 2008

husayn Abdullah-Aziz: ON RAJ'AT

There are numerous references and instances of Raj'ah, some have been mentioned in the Quran and many in hadith. The topic is a discussion all its own. here is a few pointers to help you to understand:
Concerning this matter, Imam Sadiq (as) says: “When the time comes for the rise of Imam Mahdi (as) in the month of Jamdil-Akhar and after it heavily rains for ten days in the month of Rajab such that the people have never seen rain like it before, Allah (swt) will cause the bones and meat of the believers in their graves to grow by virtue of the rain; it is as if I am seeing them coming from Juheynah[1] right now and shaking off the dust from their hair.”[2]
[1] Juheynah: A place far from Medinah; there is also a tribe by this name. Majma’ul-Bahrayn, vol. 6, pg. 230.
[2] Mizanul-Hikmah, hadith 6928.


Verse 243 of surah Baqarah speaks of another group of people who left their homes out of fear of death (and according to commentators of the Quran, as an excuse for not participating in jihad against the enemies of Allah (swt)), Allah (swt) ordered them to die and they died and he brought them back to life again.[3
[3] “???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????”.]

4

December 26, 2009

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