Hawzah News Agency- In the noble teachings of the Imams (pbut), true awaiters of Imam Mahdi (pbuh) are assigned such amazing, lofty ranks and honors, that one might ask how this state can carry such great value.
Below are some of the virtues of the sincere awaiters as reported in the Infallibles' hadiths:
1.The Best of People
Because of the special conditions of the age of occultation, those who truly believe in his Imamate and await his uprising reach a distinguished status.
Imam Sajjad (pbuh) said:
إِنَّ أَهْلَ زَمَانِ غَیْبَتِهِ وَ الْقَائِلِینَ بِإِمَامَتِهِ وَ الْمُنْتَظِرِینَ لِظُهُورِهِ عجل الله تعالی فرجه الشریف أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَهْلِ کُلِّ زَمَان لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَی ذِکْرُهُ أَعْطَاهُمْ مِنَ الْعُقُولِ وَ الْأَفْهَامِ وَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ مَا صَارَتْ بِهِ الْغَیْبَةُ عَنْهُمْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُشَاهَدَةِ.
“The people of the time of his occultation who profess his Imamate and await his uprising are superior to the people of all ages; because that Allah, Exalted is His remembrance, He has granted them such intellect, understanding, and knowledge that what is hidden for them is as if they were observing [the Imam].” (Kamal al-Din and Tamam Al-Ni’ma, vol. 1, p. 319)
2. Present in the Imam’s encampment at the time of his presence
One of every righteous person’s longings is to be present when corruption is removed and justice prevails. That honor is perfected if one is found in the nearest status to the leader of the uprising — in the Imam’s tent.
Imam Sadiq (pbuh) said about the waiters who die before his advent:
مَنْ مَاتَ مِنْکُمُ عَلی هَذا الْاَمْرِ مُنتَظِراً کانَ کَمَنْ هُوَ فِی الفُسْطَاطِا الَّذِی لِلْقائم.
“Whoever among you dies while awaiting for this matter, it is like one who is in the encampment of the Qa’im (Imam Mahdi pbuh).” (Al-Kafi, Vol. 5, p. 22)
3. Their reward is like the reward of those who pray and fast
Among the highest forms of worship are prayer and fasting. The hadiths indicate that those who spend their life awaiting the uprising of the Imam receive a reward comparable to one who fasts by day and stands in prayer by night.
Imam Baqir (pbuh) said:
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْمُنْتَظِرَ لِهٰذَا الأَمْرِ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ القَائِمِ.
And know that the one who awaits this matter (the uprising of the Imam) shall have a reward like that of one who fasts [by day] and stands [in prayer by night].”(Al-Kafi, Vol. 2, p. 222)
4. The companions and the most honored of my nation
Among humans, who is more noble than the glorious Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who is the most noble of the divine prophets and the most beloved of beings to Allah (swt)? Those who live rightly during the age of occultation will be among the Prophet’s dearest companions and the most honored of his nation.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said:
... اُولئِکَ رُفَقائی وَاکْرَمُ اُمَّتی عَلَی.
“…They are my companions and the most honored of my nation.”(Kamal al-Din and Tamam Al-Ni’ma, vol. 1, p. 286)
5. Warriors in the way of Allah alongside the Prophet
Among the noblest humans are the strugglers (Mujahideen) in the path of Allah. This virtue reaches its perfection when this struggle is in the companionship of the Perfect Human, the glorious Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family.
Imam Husayn (pbuh) said:
إِنَّ الصَّابِرَ فِی غَیْبَتِهِ عَلَی الْأَذَی وَ التَّکْذِیبِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُجَاهِدِ بِالسَّیْفِ بَیْنَ یَدَیْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.
“Indeed, the patient one in his occultation, facing harm and denial, is like a mujahid with the sword in the companionship of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).”(ʻUyun Akhbar al-Ridha, vol.1, p.68)
6. Reward Equal to a Thousand Martyrs of Badr and Uhud
For those who remain steadfast in loyalty to the Ahlul-Bayt during the occultation, enormous reward is promised — even likened to the reward of a thousand martyrs from Badr and Uhud.
Imam Sajjad (pbuh) said:
مَن ثَبَتَ عَلی مُوالاتِنا فِی غَیْبَةِ قائِمِنا اَعْطاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ اَجْرَ اَلْفَ شَهیدٍ مِنْ شُهَداءِ بَدْرٍ وَاُحُدٍ.
“Whoever remains steadfast in his devotion to us during the occultation of our Qa’im(Imam Mahdi), Allah (swt) will grant him the reward of a thousand martyrs from the martyrs of Badr and Uhud.” (Kamal al-Din and Tamam Al-Ni’ma, vol. 1, p. 323)
This discussion continues…
Adapted from “Mahdism Textbook” by Khodamorad Salimian with slight modifications.
Your Comment