The importance and superiority of Hazrat Mahdi (as)

It is narrated from Ibn Shirin that: "THE MAHDI IS SUPERIOR TO ABU BAKR AND UMAR (AS) … They asked Abu Bakr:

"Will he be superior to Abu Bakr and Umar?"

"HE WILL EVEN BE SUPERIOR TO SOME PROPHETS!"he replied.. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 193)

Worldy passions and animal lusts have spread to the utmost extent, they have been torn apart, wolves have descended into the cities and a storm of corruption has covered all places. This in day time, following such a night; [THE COMMUNITY OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS THE MOST AUSPICIOUS OF THE MARTYRS, THE MOST SUPERIOR OF THE CERTAIN. THEY ARE THE UNIQUE SERVANTS OF ALLAH. They will resolve all their business through consultation. They are all adept to knowing what is going on around them. As for him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]; He is the Lord of governance and politics. He will draw the strength he needs from Allah. Because he is a confirmed caliph who knows the tongues of birds and all animals. His justice will apply to all men and djinn. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 189)

Their numbers will be those of the people of Badr (313). IN THE SAME WAY THAT THOSE BEFORE THEM CANNOT PASS BEYOND THEM, NEITHER THOSE WHO COME AFTER CAN REACH THEM. Their number is as many as those who crossed the river with Saul. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 57)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS TOLD OF PARADISE 

From Ibn-i Abbas; he said: Rasulullah (saas) said:
"HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS THE PEACOCK OF THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE." (Fusul ul Muhimma, P. 295; Deylemi, al-Firdaws, Elif and Lâm Section; Yanabee’ al-Mawadda, P. 181, 435 and 489; Nur al-Absar, P. 154)

From Enes bin Malik; I heard Rasulullah (saas) say: "WE, SEVEN OF THE SONS OF ABDULMUTTALIB, ARE THE LORDS OF THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE: ME, HAMZA, ALI, JAFAR, HASAN, HUSEYIN AND THE MAHDI."

(Sunan Ibn Majah, hadith no: 4077, Yanabee’ al-Mawadda, p.435, Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami Al-Makki's books, al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, p.309, Dhaka’ir al-Uqba, p.15, Matalib al-Saul, second edition, Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, second edition and...)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL POSSESS LOFTY MORAL VIRTUES, LIKE THE PROPHETS 

Ebu Salih Saibi relates from the Lord of Believers in his work El-Fitan: “HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL CLOSELY RESEMBLE THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAAS) IN APPEARANCE, NATURE AND LOFTY VIRTUE.”

[Trials And Fierce Battles (Kitab Al-Fitan Wa Al-Malahim), chapter 79]

... HE WILL FEAR ALLAH like the TREMBLING OF THE WINGS OF A BIRD [from the eagles]. (Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 51)

Hazrat Mahdi (as) is totally submissive to Allah. HE RESEMBLES THE PROPHET IN TERMS OF MANNERS. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 163)

A son of mine will appear, whose manners will be just as mine. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 21)

The superior moral virtues of the Prophet (saas) are described thus in the Qur’an:

And, doubtlessly, you are blessed with a great moral character. (Surat al-Qalam, 4)

OUR PROPHET (SAAS) TOLD HIS UMMAH TO “GO AND FIND HAZRAT MAHDI (as) AND FOLLOW HIM, NO MATTER WHAT.”

Whoever of you or who come after you live to see him, LET THEM CRAWL OVER SNOW TO HIM AND JOIN HIM. Certainly, they are the banners of guidance. (Ramuz Al-Ahadith, Vol. 1, p. 298, No 2)

So whoever of you reaches him SHOULD COME AND JOIN HIM EVEN IF CRAWLING ON THE SNOW, since he is the Mahdi. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 14)

He then listed the attributes of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and said: “HE IS YOUR GREATEST REFUGE, THE ONE WHO HAS THE MOST KNOWLEDGE AMONG YOU AND THE MOST CONCERNED FOR HIS FRIENDS AND THOSE HE LOVES. My Allah! Make his appearance a virtue for the elimination of sorrows and bring the fragmented community back together through him! If Allah grants you success, RUN TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE [TO JOIN] HIM AND NEVER ABANDON HIM. IF SUCCESSFUL, IF YOU REACH HIM AND ATTAIN THE PATH TO SALVATION, NEVER GIVE UP ON HIM.  And pointing to his chest he said ‘How I wish to see him.’ (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 252)

Ibn Abi Shayba and Nuaim Ibn Hammad in Kitab Al-Fitan, and Ibn Majah and Abu Na’im quoted from Ibnu Mas’ud. He said that:

"... He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] owns the earth and fills the earth with justice which was previously filled with oppression and violence. WHOEVER OF YOU LIVES TO SEE HIM, LET HIM CRAWL OVER SNOW TO HIM AND JOIN HIM. Because he is Hazrat Mahdi (as).” (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 14)
 

"O lord of the believers, inform us about your Mahdi (as)..." The lord of the believers said: "... He [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS THE BEST REFUGE, THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND THE KINDEST OF YOU ALL. O’ Allah, make the pledge of allegiance to him the occasion of exit from affliction, AND UNITE THE DISPERSION OF THE UMMAH THROUGH HIM.When it is permissible for you, do it,  BUT DO NOT TURN AWAY FROM HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]  if you find your way to him." (Kitab al-Ghayba, [Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51], Ansariyan Publications, Collected by: Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, Iran-Qum, 2003, p. 184)

Abul Jarud says: Imam Muhammad Bakir told me: “O Abul Jarud! Time will pass such that people will say: “Is he dead? Has he perished? Or to which valley has he gone?” And those who ask about the Mahdi will say: “When will he appear? Have his bones now decayed? EXPECT HIS COMING AT THAT TIME, AND IF YOU HEAR THAT HE HAS COME, THEN STRIVE TO JOIN HIM, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO CRAWL OVER ICE.” (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani,p.177)

THE COMING OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE 

HEAR THE GLAD TIDINGS OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS).He is one from Quraysh and from my Ahl al-Bayt. He will appear at a time when people are in disputes and social upheaval. He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will fill the earth with justice and compassion, when before him it was filled wıth cruelty and oppression.   (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 13)

All these (portents of the End Times) will be realized in a perıod when countrıes will change, human beings will fall into a decline and abandon all hope for the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). Then the qaim (Hazrat Mahdi (as)) who is from by my descent, will emerge with a nation and Allah will make the truth prevail through this nation and crush the superstitious by swords of knowledge… OH PEOPLE, JOY WITH THE COMING OF THE MAHDI (AS). Because the word of Allah is true, it does not come to anything. His Command is not averted. He does everything with wisdom and He knows everything. ALLAH’S CONQUER IS CLOSE. (Yanabee’ al-Mawadda, p. 440)

Abu’l Hijaf narrates that the Prophet (saas) three times said: “GLAD TIDINGS ON THE SUBJECT OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) FOR YOU. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear at a time when people are scattered and when troubles manifest themselves... (Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 51, p. 74)

“Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will not appear until people are terrified. Earthquakes and corruption will afflict people first, and plagues will be seen… Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear at that time. GLAD TIDINGS FOR THOSE WHO WILL LIVE TO SEE HIM AND BE HIS HELPERS. Woe to those who oppose him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] and reject his commands.”(Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar)

Everybody shall sit round him like affectionate father to his dear children, or sitting of a merciful king with those under him, showing the introduction to the cheerful verses and glad tidings in the everlasting house of felicity that those present shall witness for those absent. (Sayyid Murtada Mujtahidi Sistani, Selected Supplications from al-Sahifah al-Mahdiyah Selected Supplications, Nashr Almas, p. 257)

... In one hadith Rasulullah (saas) said: “Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not appear until disbelief infests all places and its commands are openly implemented in society.What applies at that time is the infestation of  disbelief. Its power. Islam and Muslims are weak. This time is the age described by Rasulullah (saas), when the people of Islam will be weak. HOW HAPPY THEY ARE. THOSE TO WHOM RASULULLAH (SAAS) HAS GIVEN THE GOOD NEWS. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, Vol. 2, Letter 381, p. 1184-1186)

Those among the nation of Allah's Messenger (saas) are highly perfected in faith. It does not matter whether they are few in number, even a thousand years passes after the death of the Messenger of Allah (saas). The coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) after 1000 years serves this purpose. THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAAS), THE LAST MESSENGER, GAVE THE GLAD TIDINGS OF HIS COMING. Even the Prophet Jesus (as) will come down after 1000 years. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 440)

THE COMING OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS AN UNCONDITIONAL SOLUTION TO ALL MATTERS

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS HE WHO COMES TO HELP AND RENDER ASSISTANCE [TO THE ONE WHO CRIES FOR HELP]. ALLAH WILL SEND HIM TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD... (Al-Mahdiyy Al-Maw’ud, Vol. 1, p. 264, 275, 277, 285, 287, 288, 311, 318, Vol. 2, p. 11)

He said: O Commander of the Faithful! From whom does Hazrat Mahdi (as) come? He replied: He is from the Bani Hashim, from the peak of the Arabs’ great mountain. HE IS SUCH AN OCEAN THAT PEOPLE CAN ENDLESSLY GROW IN KNOWLEDGE AND MORALITY IN THIS SPIRITUAL OCEAN. HE IS A MERCY FOR THOSE WHO SHELTER IN HIM... (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 251)

Abdullah bin Zamre RELATES FROM ibn-i Mâti-i Himyeri (Kâ’b-ul Ahbar) THAT HE SAID: “… The Mahdi who will appear is descended from Ali. HE WILL GIVE THIS EARTH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FORM... (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani,p.168-169)

Abu Vâil says: The lord of believers looked at Hazrat Huseyin (as) and said: “This son of mine is a sayyid and Rasulullah (saas) has also called him a sayyid. And Allah will bring forth a man from his line, and his name will be the name of a prophet. His face and morals with resemble those of the prophet. He will appear at a time when people are heedless and truth is dead and oppression comes forth. I swear that if he appears before his time they will kill him. THOSE IN THE SKY AND ON THE EARTH WILL BE EASED BY HIS COMING. …He will fill the Earth with justice, in the same way it is filled with cruelty and repression.” (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 251)

People will flee him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] as sheep flee the shepherd...

Jaffar Sadik (a.s) narrates: People will set about seeking (a savior) everywhere. FAILING TO FIND ONE IN ANYBODY ELSE, THEY WILL FLOCK TO HIM (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS))(Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 326)

Jaffar Sadik (a.s) narrates: People will set about seeking (a savior) everywhere. FAILING TO FIND ONE IN ANYBODY ELSE, THEY WILL FLOCK TO HIM [HAZRAT MAHDİ (AS)]. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 326)

Ibni Munawi says: "IT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL THAT" ... HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL APPEAR AND Allah THE ALMIGHTY WILL SAVE THOSE WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY OPPRESSED AND WHO HAD FAITH THROUGH HIM (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)). The Sunnah will be purged by him... (This hadith appears in a handwritten copy of the Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zamanin the Suleymaniye Library.)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL FREE PEOPLE FROM A GREAT SCOURGE, FROM BLIND CORRUPTION THAT AFFLICTS EVERYONE. (Al-Mahdi al-Maw’ud, vol. 1, p. 264)

Sheikh Tusi's Ghaybat: "Then there will be the rise of Hazrat Mahdi (as)... THROUGH HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)], ALLAH WILL ELIMINATE ALL THE LIES. THROUGH HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] HE WILL ELIMINATE VIOLENCE. He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will lift the shame of slavery off your necks." (Kitab al Ghaybat, [Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51], Ansariyan Publications, Collected by: Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi, Iran-Qum, 2003, p. 132)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS THE SUN WHO WILL DO AWAY WITH ALL TROUBLES AND OPPRESSION. When he bestows goodness he is fertile rain. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 188)

Yes, ALMIGHTY ALLAH WILL SEND THE GREAT PURIFIER (HAZRAT MAHDI [AS]) WHEN STRIFE AND ENMITY ENFOLD THE WORLD, WHEN EVERYWHERE IS FILLED WITH OPPRESSION, RUINATION AND PILLAGING, TO TEAR DOWN THE BASTIONS OF DEPRAVITY AND DEVIATION (to intellectually neutralize the circles that deviate towards falsehood leaving the truth behind), TO UNIFY HEARTS OF STONE AND DARKNESS AND ENLIGHTEN THEM WITH HUMANITY AND THE LIGHT OF JUSTICE. (Al-Mahdi Al-Maw’ud, Vol. 1, p. 310)

Al-Khani says: “I asked Al-Imam Abu Jaffar ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir and he said “[HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL APPEAR like a meteor shining/burning ON A DARK NIGHT. IF YOU LIVE TO SEE THIS TIME, YOUR HEARTS WILL KNOW PEACE.” (Kitab al-Ghayba, [Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51], Ansariyan Publications, Collected by: Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, Iran-Qum, 2003, p. 206)

THESE MESSENGERS OF THE FAITH, MESSENGERS OF PEACE AND JUSTICE, WILL BRING SUCH JOY AND CONTENTMENT THAT THE PLACES WHERE HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) COMPANIONS SET FOOT WILL FEEL PRIDE OVER EVERYWHERE ELSE. (Sheikh al-Saduq, Kamal al-Din; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 327)

Al-Harith ibn Mughirah al-Nasri says: When I asked Imam Jaffar Sadik,  “HOW WILL THE IMAM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] BE RECOGNIZED? he replied:

BY HIS GRANDEUR AND DIGNITY.

BY WHAT ELSE WILL HE BE RECOGNIZED? ALSO BY WHAT IS LAWFUL AND UNLAWFUL, BY THE PEOPLE’S NEED OF HIM AND BY HIS OWN NEED OF NOBODY. .. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 283)

"O Lord of Believers, tell us of your Mahdi (as)." And the Lord of Believers (saas) said: "... THERE WILL BE A SPHERE OF PURITY (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)) WHEN EVERYONE IS DEGENERATE... HIS HEAD IS HELD HIGH IN GRAVITY, AND HIS NOBILITY IS ROOTED IN THE LOFTIEST CHARACTER..." (Kitab al-Ghayba, [Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51], Ansariyan Publications, Collected by: Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, Iran-Qum, 2003, p. 184)

Amr ibn al-Nufail says: I heard Imam Hussein say: “He whom you await [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will not come UNTIL YOU SAY YOU ARE FAR REMOVED FROM ONE ANOTHER, UNTIL YOU SPIT IN ONE ANOTHER’S FACES AND ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF DENIAL AND UNTIL YOU CURSE ONE ANOTHER. I SAID: SO THERE WILL BE NOTHING AUSPICIOUS AT THAT TIME? HE SAID: “NO, THE MOST AUSPICIOUS OF ALL WILL BE DURING THAT TIME. HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL APPEAR AND ELIMINATE ALL THESE THINGS.” (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani,  p. 241)

Hz. Ali b. Ebi Talib states: “When Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears, HE WILL ROOT OUT ALL THE CAUSES OF ENMITY AND DISPUTE IN PEOPLE’S HEARTS. THE RESULT WILL BE GENERAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER.” (Bihar  al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 336)

Hisham ibn Salih said: Imam Jaffar Sadik said:

"All classes of people will rule the people until the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). SO THAT NOBODY WILL BE ABLE TO SAY, 'IF WE RULED WE WOULD IMPLEMENT JUSTICE'. THEN THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL APPEAR WITH TRUTH AND JUSTICE." (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 322)