Because of the numerous words and titles used in Mahdism connection, in this series of Mahdavi messages, we are going to engage in more important and useful words and titles. God willing.
A- Abdal (the substitutes)
(They are Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) companions in the Reappearance era.) It is said that: “There are some known decent servants of Allah who the Earth is not vacant of them and whenever one of them is dead, Allah choose another one.” (1) It is narrated that: “They are a group of Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) companions living in the current Syrian area and reach to him at the Reappearance and swear fealty to him.” (2) Imam Reza (PBUH) said: “Abdal are the successors whom Allah has set the substitutes for prophets.”(3)
A- Antioch
(The place where the original Torah and Bible will be brought out after the Reappearance.) Antioch is the name of a city built 300 years before Christ by the Greeks and now located in Turkey borders. Maybe the use of Antioch in Mahdism narrations denotes the close relation between Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and Prophet Jesus (PBUH). Imam Baqir (PBUH) said: “(Imam Mahdi (PBUH)) brings out the (original) Torah and Bible from a land named Antioch.” (4)
(1: Kanz al-Ummal, v. 11; 2: Al-Ghayba al-Tusi, p. 476; 3: Al-Ihtijaj, v. 2; 4: Elal al-Sharaye’a, v. 1)
H- The Hujjatia society
They are a group that have been the center of attention in Mahdism context since over half a century ago. This society was established in 1953 to fight Bahaism (that had also influenced the Pahlavi regiment) by Sheikh Mahmoud Zakerzadeh Tavallaei’s (Halabi) efforts in cooperation with a group of religious people. The existence of a clause in their statute has annoyed the revolutionaries before and after the revolution very much: “The society won’t interfere in political affairs in any way.”
Most people who returned from Bahaism by the society would write a letter of repentance which most of them are available in the Library of Astan Quds. They had confirmations from some Marja’s before the revolution that they still refer to. Their trained forces were divided into three types: some were against the revolution, some for the revolution and some were indifferent. The Hojjatieh society changed its stance regarding politics a few months prior to the revolution (September 1978) and went alongside with the revolution. After the revolution, the society was introduced as a dangerous element by some revolutionary leaders.
For instance, Imam Khomeini who once approved Mr. Halabi, gradually became pessimistic about the movement of the society and cut his support. And they, after going back and forth, officially announced their dissolution in a statement in 1983. Now that it’s been 35 years since their dissolution, some parties still talk about the influence of the society every now and then.
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A- Awtad (The pegs)
(Some of Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) prominent companions) Since Awtad is the plural form of Watad meaning peg, looks like this group is formed of sincere and courageous men who are as stable mountains at Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) service.*1 According to narrations, Awtad are 30 special companions of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) who are always at his service. Imam Sadiq (PBUH) has said: “Undoubtedly there is an absence for the owner of this affair … and with 30 companions there will be no fear.”*2
B- Al-Bai’ato Lillah (Allegiance is only for Allah)
It is inferred from some of valid Islamic narrations that the motto of Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) honorable flag at the time of his Reappearance is the phrase “Al-Bai’ato Lillah”. *3 It is said in some other narrations: “Al-Bai’ato Lillah is the Call which Gabriel makes the whole world hear and people come promptly and pledge allegiance to Imam Mahdi (PBUH).” *4
(1-Bihar al-Anwar, v. 53, 2-Usul al-Kafi, v. 1 p. 340, 3-Kamal al-Din and Tamam al-Nimeh, v. 2 p. 654, 4-Al-Ershad by Shaikh Mufid, v. 2 p. 379.)
The black flags
In the narrations concerning Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and his Reappearance, there is some discussions about the “Black Flags from Khurasan” indicating that before Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) Reappearance, there will be a revolution and people will rise with hoisting black flags in the Khurasan area (the old Khurasan covers a large area of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).*1
Imam Baqir (PBUH) said: “There will be black flags that come out from Khurasan and move towards Kufa. When Imam Mahdi (PBUH) reappears, they will send someone to pledge allegiance to him.”*2
In some narrations, it is written that the black flags will come out in the time near the Reappearance. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “When you see the black flags coming out from Khurasan, dash to them, even if you have to crawl over ice. Indeed, it will be the Caliphate of Mahdi (PBUH).”*3
(1 and 2- Al-Ghayba al-Tusi, p. 452 and 453 , 3- Kashf al-Ghumma, v. 2, p.472)
F- Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) flag:
It is stated in narrations that Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) flag is the same as Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH). Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said: “He (Imam Mahdi (PBUH)) has Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) flag… Gabriel will bring the flag (for him).” *1 Imam Sadiq (PBUH) told Abu Basir about Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) flag: “I swear by Allah it is not of cotton, flax or silk… It is of the leaves of Paradise. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) hoisted it on the day of Badr and then folded it and gave it to Imam Ali (PBUH) and it was with Imam Ali (PBUH) until the day of Basrah (the battle of Jamal) came and Imam Ali (PBUH) hoisted it and Allah made him conquer them… It is with us now. No one will spread it until Qa'im (PBUH) rises and hoists it.”*2
T- Twqi'e (epistle):
Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) handwritten letters during the Minor Occultation is called twqi'e. Since a long time ago, it has been customary for governors and rulers to write twqi'e. There are some mentions of twqi'e in historical and religious references. These twqi'es were issued by Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and were delivered to the people by his Special Deputies during the Minor Occultation.
(1,2: Al-Ghayba al-Nu'mani, p. 307 & 308)
V- Visiting:
Means to meet Imam Mahdi (PBUH)
Kh- Khazra Island:
It is one of the claimed and controversial locations of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and his children during the Major Occultation. In some religious books, this island is mentioned as the location of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), but every information about this island has derived from two stories which their narrators are unknown and there are fundamental objections to their validity. For example, none of the scholars has narrated these stories directly or indirectly.
Unfortunately despite the great emphasize of Shia scholars on these two stories being fiction, some people started propagating it and establishing connection between the story of this island and the Bermuda Triangle (which is made of the western media and story-tellers). For further information, it is better to refer to the book "Khazra Island in criticism balance" by Sayyed Ja’afar Mortaza translated by Muhammad Sepehri.
J- Ja’far al-Kazzab (Ja’far, the liar):
Ja’far is the son of Imam Hadi (PBUH) and the uncle of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) who falsely claimed to be the successor of his brother, Imam Hassan Askari (PBUH), after his martyrdom. Since he claimed Imamate, he became well-known as al-Kazzab (one who lies a lot). However his reputation and his claim had already been prophesied in the words of Shia Imams, such as Imam Sajjad (PBUH). Ja’far’s actions can be perused as follows: 1- Claiming Imamate. 2- Denying Imam Hassan Askari’s (PBUH) heir (he confiscated Imam Hassan Askari’s property with the assistance of the government) 3- Inciting governors against Imam Mahdi (PBUH).
H- Husayn Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti:
He was one of the specific representatives and legates of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)
H-Hakimah Khatun:
The aunt of Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) father who witnessed Imam Mahdi’s birth and one of the influential ladies in the Shiite history. By perusing the Islamic narrations, we clearly understand that Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) mother has learned religious teachings in the school from this honorable lady.
R- The rise of Khurasani
In some narrations, the rise of Khurasani is mentioned as one of the Reappearance signs. Although he is not clearly introduced in these narrations, but some people believe that he is of the tribe of Bani Tamim. In most narrations mentioning him, he is contemporary with Sufiani.
Imam Sadiq (PBUH) said: “The rise of Khurasani, Sufiani and Yamani happens in the same year and the same month and the same day and among them the flag of Yamani is the flag of guidance.”*1
In some narrations, Khurasani and Sufiani are likened to two race horses that Khurasani is heading towards Kufa from the east and Sufiani is heading towards Kufa from the west.*2
(1- Al- Ghayba al-Tusi, p. 446; 2- Al-Ghayba al-Nu'mani, p. 259)
Kh- Prophet Khidr (PBUH)
He is called as the companion of prophet Moses (PBUH) in the Quran in that famous story. It is inferred from narrations that this decent servant of Allah, besides being a companion of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) during the Occultation,*1 will also have an important role in his government.
(1-Kamal al-Din, v. 2, p. 390)
K-Khasf in Bayda’
This is one of the definitive signs of Imam Mahdi’s (PBUH) rise. The word “Khasf” means “to sink into the earth” and “to disappear”. The “Bayda’” is the name of a region between Mecca and Medina. “Khasf in Bayda’” refers to the incident when Sufyani with his enormous army moves towards Mecca to fight with Imam Mahdi (PBUH), but with the order of God, they will miraculously sink into the earth in an area known as Bayda’, where is situated in between Mecca and Medina. In many narrations, this incident has been reminded as one of the definite signs of the Reappearance.
Imam Baqir (PBUH) says:
“Sufyani sends a group to Medinah and Imam Mahdi (PBUH) departs from Medina towards Mecca. Sufyani gets notified that Imam Mahdi (PBUH) has left towards Mecca. He dispatches an army to follow Imam Mahdi (PBUH), but the army cannot find him… the commander in chief of Sufyani’s troops lands in the desert. A celestial voice says: “Oh land! Destroy those people.” So the earth will swallow them inside his depth and no one will be saved among them.”
(Al-Ghaybat al-No’mani, page 279, chapter 14)
Abnormal solar and lunar eclipses
In narrations, solar eclipse in the middle of month of Ramadan and lunar eclipse in the beginning or end of Ramadan are mentioned as one of the Reappearance signs. Solar eclipse in the beginning or ending days of a month and lunar eclipse in middle days of a month are natural and normal. But solar eclipse in the middle of a month or lunar eclipse in the beginning or end of a month are apparently abnormal.
Imam Baqir (PBUH) has said: “2 signs will appear before Qa’em’s (Imam Mahdi (PBUH)) rise: one is solar eclipse in the middle of month of Ramadan and the other is lunar eclipse at the end of it… I know better what I told. These are the two signs which have not happened since Prophet Adam’s descent.”
(Usul al-Kafi, v8, p22; Al-Ghayba al-Nu’mani, p390.)
This sign is not among those definite signs of the Reappearance, but the philosophy behind this unusual sign can be awakening people from negligence. Of course, some people believe that such a solar and lunar eclipses can be studied in natural and usual incidents too.
Source: Mahdiaran Channel (@Mahdiaran); http://islampfr.com
