Allah the Most High has blessed the Imam of the time Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) with innumerable noble traits and distinctive characteristics. This shows the special position held by Imam (a.t.f.s.) near Allah, the Almighty. It is not even possible to list all of these attributes. We have listed below some of these special characteristics.
1. Light:
During his ascension (Meraj) the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) witnessed the light of the Holy Infallibles (a.s.). Among these, the light of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) was most bright and was the only one in an upright position.
2. Lineage:
The lineage of our Imam (a.s.) is the most noble and honorable. He is the grandson of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he is of the family of the pure and holy Imams (a.s.). In addition to this, from his mother’s side his lineage extends to the Caesar (Qaiser) of Rome and further to Shamoon al-Safa, who was the successor of Hazrat Isa (a.s.). Consequently his lineage extends to Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) from both of his sons, Hazrat Ishaaq (a.s.) and Hazrat Ismaaeel (a.s.). Thus the supplication of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) reaches fruition through Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).
3. Imam (a.t.f.s.) visiting the skies:
When Imam (a.t.f.s.) was born, two angels took him up to the Throne and there, Allah The Most High spoke to Imam (a.t.f.s.) thus, ‘Welcome my servant, welcome! You are created for helping My religion and for the manifestation of My Glory. O Mahdi of the servants! I swear that I will accept through you, I will reject through you, and because of you will I forgive.’
4. Baitul Hamd:
Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) has a house called ‘Baitul Hamd’. Inside this house is a lamp, which is alight from the time of his birth and will remain so till his emergence from occultation.
5. The name and agnomen of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):
It is generally prohibited in traditions for a person to have both the name as well as the agnomen of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). But Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is an exception as his name and his agnomen is the same as that of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a).
6. Termination of Imamat:
Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is the last link in the chain of Imamat. In his holy personality is the culmination of Imamat and successorship.
7. Occultation:
From the time of his birth itself, Imam-e-Zaman (a.s.) was concealed from the common people. He was in the care of Hazrat Roohul Qodos (an angel who enjoys a higher position than even Hazrat Jibraeel (a.s.) and Hazrat Mikaaeel (a.s.) as is found in the exegesis of Surah Qadr). In the world of light (Aalam-e-Noor) and an environment of holiness (Fizaa-e-Quds), Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) was always away from the filth of the innumerable sins of men and the Devil (Shaitan).
8. Staying away from unbelievers, sinners and hypocrites:
Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) was never in the company of unbelievers, sinners and hypocrites. In fact none among them have even touched him.
9. Being free from oppressive governments:
Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) has never been and will never be under the allegiance of any oppressive government.
10. Seal of Imamat:
As the seal of prophethood was present on the back of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), similarly there is a seal of Imamat and Wilayat on the back of Imam-e-Zaman (a.t.f.s.) as well.
11. Heavenly Books:
All the heavenly books and revelations of ascension (Meraj) mention the titles of Imam (a.t.f.s.). In fact he (a.t.f.s.) has been referred to, in them with numerous titles.
12. Signs in the heavens and the earth:
Unique signs were manifest at the time of Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) birth and such will also be seen at the time of Imam’s (a.t.f.s.) reappearance. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says about the verse,
‘Soon will we manifest our signs in the worlds and in themselves, so that it is clear for them that this is the truth.’
(Surah Fusselat, Verse 53)
This verse is regarding the reappearance of Qaem (a.t.f.s.). Up to 400 signs of his reappearance have been narrated. (It must be borne in mind that the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) does not depend on the manifestation of the signs but only and only upon Allah’s will. Then, it is possible that Allah may order for the reappearance, while the signs have not been manifested. For more information regarding this matter please refer to Al-Muntazar 1990 Issue – Awaiting for Imam (a.s.) or for Symptoms and Signs
13. Voice from the sky:
Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) says:
‘(At the time of reappearance) a caller will call from the sky, which will be heard by all the people of the world. If someone is asleep, then by hearing this call he will wake up, the one who is standing will sit down and he who is sitting will stand up due to fear and this call will be given by Hazrat Jibraeel (a.s.).’
14. Movement of the skies (planets):
During the rule of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), the movement of the heavenly bodies will slow down. It is narrated from Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) that Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will rule for seven years, each of which will be equal to ten years (as calculated today). The narrator inquired ‘How will the day be prolonged?’ Imam (a.s.) replied: ‘Allah will decrease the speed of the rotation of skies.’ The narrator said ‘People say that if the skies were changed, the world will be destroyed.’ Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) replied, ‘This is the saying of the unbelievers (Zindiq). Muslims do not have any choice but to accept it because Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has cleaved the moon into two parts, the sun was made to return for Yusha bin Nun and nothing has happened. And moreover one day of Qiyamat will be as long as one thousand years of this world.’
15. Book of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.):
After the demise of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) compiled a book (mus’haf) in which all the things revealed upon the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as miracles were present without any change or distortion. When the people turned away from this mus’haf, Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) kept it safely with himself. This Mus’haf of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) is with Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and only after his reappearance, people will have access to it.
16. White cloud:
A white cloud will always hover over Imam Mahdi (a.s.). A caller will call from it and will be heard by everyone across the world, including all the men and the jinn. ‘This is the Mahdi from the progeny of Mohammad peace be on them who will fill the earth with equity and justice like it was filled with injustice and oppression.’ This call is different from the one referred to under point 13.
17. Imam’s (a.s.) army:
His army will include the jinn and the angels. The companions of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will be able to see them.
18. Imam (a.s.) will always appear youthful:
The passage of time affects each and every one of us. By its passing we grow from childhood to maturity and consequently to old age. The Holy Quran speaks of the old age of the prophets in the 72nd verse of Surah Hud and 4th verse of Surah Maryam. But when Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will reappear, notwithstanding his age of more than a thousand years, he will appear as a youth of forty years or even younger.
19. The end of hate and hostility:
Hate and hostility among men is common and among animals, it is even more intense. After the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), there will be no hate or hostility. According to a tradition narrated on the authority of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.), there will be peace among all animals and for men there will be no fear of hostile animals.
20. The dead will be resurrected:
Some people like Ashaabe Kahf, Yusha bin Nun (a.s.), Janabe Salman (r.a.) Janabe Abu Zarr (r.a.), Janabe Abu Dujana Ansari, Janabe Malik-e-Ashtar (r.a.) will be raised from their graves for helping Imam Zamana (a.s.). They will be appointed as governors by Imam (a.s.) in various cities. It is found in traditions that if a person recites Dua-e-Ahad for forty days and dies before the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), he will be raised at the time of reappearance and will join the supporters and helpers of Imam (a.s.). One of the sentences of this supplication is as follows
“O Allah! If there occurs between me and him (Imam’s (a.t.f.s. reappearance) death, which you have decreed for your servants, then raise me from my grave, wrapped in my shroud, my sword unsheathed, my spear bared, answering the call of the caller in the cities as well as the deserts.’
21. Treasures of the earth:
The earth will reveal all its hidden treasures to Imam Mahdi (a.s.)22. Abundance of provisions: Rains, vegetation, fruits and crops will be so abundant that it will seem as if the earth has been changed anew and the following promise of Allah in the Holy Quran will actualize:
“On that day this earth will be changed to another earth ”
(Surah Ibrahim, Verse 48)
23. Perfection of intellects:
After his reappearance, Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.s.) will place his hand on the heads of the people by which their intellects will become perfect and their hearts will be purified of malice and ill will. The hearts of the believers will become full of knowledge and wisdom. Then no believer will be in need of any help from other believers for gaining knowledge. This will be the manifestation of the following Quranic verse,“Allah by His Grace will make
each of them independent of the others”
(Surah Nisa, Verse 130)
24. Increased sight and hearing:
The sight and hearing of the companions of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will become so sharp that they will see Imam (a.s.) and listen to him from a distance of four farsakh (approx. 22 kilometers)
25. Long life:
The companions of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will lead very long lives, so much so that each of them will be able to bear and rear a thousand children.
26. End of all calamities:
Calamities, afflictions and weaknesses will not be there. The companions of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will not experience fatigue.
27. Strength:
Each companion and helper of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will have the strength of forty men. Their hearts will be strong like iron and if they so desire, they will be able to uproot mountains.
28. The sun will not be needed:
The light (noor) of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will make people independent of the light of the sun. This is the explanation of the following Quranic verse:
‘The earth will be luminescent with the light of its Lord.’
(Surah Zumar, Verse 69)
The light in the verse refers to Imam’s (a.s.) light and he will be the master of earth.
29. The banner of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):
Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) will have the banner of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.)
30. The armour of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):
Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) will have the armour of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.) and it will fit him as it used to fit the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.).
31. Special cloud:
Allah the Almighty has created a special cloud for Imam Mahdi (a.s.) which contains ‘Barq and Raad’. Imam (a.s.) will ride it and it will carry him to the seven heavens and the seven earths.
32. End of Taqaiyyah:
In the time of Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) there will be no fear for the believers of any kind from the unbelievers and hypocrites. The people of the whole world will worship Allah alone. Then the following promise will be fulfilled.
‘Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good that He will certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers before them. And that He will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly, after their fear give them security, in exchange; (as) they serve Me only and do not associate anything with Me.’
(Surah Noor, Verse 55)
33. Universal Government:
The whole world will be under the dominion of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). Each and every creature from the skies to the earth will be obedient to Imam (a.s.) and will serve him unconditionally. The Holy Quran informs us about such a situation.
‘And to Him submits whoever is in the heavens and the earth willingly or unwillingly’.
(Surah Aale Imran, Verse 38)
34. Justice and equity:
The earth will be filled with justice and equity. Filling the earth with justice is widely acknowledged as it is talked about in most traditions regarding Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
35. Legal decisions:
Imam (a.s.) will judge among the people on the basis of his divine knowledge as was practiced by Hazrat Dawood (a.s.) and Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.).
36. Establishment of Islamic law:
Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will establish the Islamic law along with those rulings that have not been acted upon till date. For example Imam (a.s.) will kill that irreligious old man who is not paying due Zakat and similarly will also kill the twenty-year-old youth who does not know the Islamic rulings (Ahkam). People who have taken the oath of brotherhood in Alam-e-Zar, will be given each other’s bequests.
37. Complete knowledge:
When Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will reappear, all sciences will make themselves manifest. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says,“There are 27 letters of knowledge. The knowledge that is revealed till date through all the Prophets (a.s.) is the interpretation of only two of those letters. When our Qaem (a.s.) will rise, then Allah will reveal the remaining 25 letters and will add to these the two letters already present. In this way knowledge with all 27 letters will become complete.”
38. Heavenly swords:
Allah will send swords from the sky for the companions of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
39. Obedience of animals:
All the animals will be obedient to Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and will submit to his authority.
40. Rivers of water and milk:
Imam (a.s.) has the stone of Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) from which streams had gushed forth. Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) says,
“When the Qaem (a.s.) reappears from Mecca, and sets forth for Kufa, a caller will call out, ‘Do not take anything for eating or drinking but only take that stone of Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) from which 12 springs had gushed forth. Wherever you camp, fix that stone (on the earth) and the springs will gush forth. When a thirsty man will drink from it, his thirst will be quenched and when a hungry man will drink from it his hunger will be satiated.’ This stone will be with Imam (a.s.) till he reaches Najaf. By this time, milk and water will start flowing from the stone near the outskirts of Kufa.”
41. The descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.):
It is widely acknowledged that when Imam (a.s.) will reappear, Hazrat Isa (a.s.) will descend from the heavens and will pray Namaz behind Imam (a.s.).
42. Killing of Dajjal:
Dajjal’s evil will be a punishment for the people. Imam (a.s.) will slay Dajjal and end the dissension spread by him.
43. Takbeer:
To proclaim the takbeer seven times on any funeral is prohibited except for Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.). After Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.), the seven Takbeer are associated only with Imam Zamana (a.s.).
44. Tasbeeh of Imam (a.s.):
Specific dates of every month are associated with the Tasbeeh of Masoomeen (a.s.). The 1st of every month is associated with the Tasbeeh of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Similarly 2nd is for that of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.), 3rd is for that of Hazrat Fatemah (s.a.), ……. 10th and 11th is for that of Imam Reza (a.s.), 12th and 13th is for that of Imam Mohammad Taqi (a.s.), 14th and 15th is for that of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.), 16th and 17th is for that of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) and 17th onwards till the end of the month is for the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Hujjat (a.s.).
45. End of oppressive governments:
After the reappearance of Imam (a.s.) no oppressor will survive in the world. The government of Imam (a.s.) will last till the Day of Judgment. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) used to often recite this couplet:
‘Every one is waiting for the time of his rule,
Our government will manifest in last days’
(Al-Hamdo-li-Allah-Rabbil Aalameen)
All the above mentioned characteristics are taken from the book of Muntahal Aamaal by Theqatul Ilm Sheikh Abbas-e-Qummi (r.a.) (author of Mafaatihul Jinan). These characteristics are mentioned in detail in the second volume, from pages 763 to 771of the aforementioned book. May Allah reward the author and have mercy on him. Let us pray that Allah keeps us alive to see the time of reappearance of Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) or if death overtakes us then may He raise us from our graves to serve Imam (a.s.). Aameen.