The Number of Soldiers
 

Regarding the number of the soldiers and supporters of the Ima-m of the Time (‘atfs), there are various hadi-ths available. Some hadi-ths say that their number is three hundred and thirteen while others say ten thousand and more. It is necessary here to highlight two points:

1. The three hundred and thirteen persons—as mentioned in the hadi-ths—are the special forces that will be in the company of the Ima-m at the beginning of the uprising. They will be the administrators of the global government of the Ima-m of the Time (‘a). As the late Arbeli- has stated in Kashf an-Ni‘mah: “From this hadi-th (regarding ten thousand persons), it can be deduced that the number of supporters of the Ima-m cannot be limited to three hundred and thirteen, for it is only the number of supporters who will be in the company of the Ima-m at the beginning of the uprising.”

2. The number, four thousand, ten thousand, etc. which has been mentioned in some hadi-ths, is not the total number of the military forces of the Mahdi- (‘a). Instead—as can also be deduced from the hadi-ths—each of these figures indicates the number of forces who will participate in the uprising at a particular juncture of the Ima-m’s advent or in a particular battle in a certain part of the world. Perhaps, there are other issues we do not know, which will be clarified with the advent of the Ima-m (‘atfs).

1. Special Forces

Yu-nus ibn Z.ibya-n said: “I was in the company of Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) when he mentioned the name of one of the supporters of Hadrat al-Qa-’im and said: “They are three hundred and thirteen persons and each of them sees himself as being among the three hundred persons.”[152]

As the Ima-m (‘a) said that “Each of them sees himself as being among the three hundred,” there are two probabilities that can be entertained in this regard: (1) that the physical strength of each of them would be equivalent to that of three hundred persons just as the strength of one of the believers at that time would be equivalent to that of forty men;

and (2) that each of them would have three hundred forces and sees himself among three hundred forces under his command. Therefore, they will probably be commanders of approximately three hundred soldiers. It is equally probable that it only means what it literally says. That is, each of them regards himself part of that number as some have said.

Ima-m Zayn al-‘A-bidi-n (‘a) said: “Those who will disappear from their locations in order to assist Ima-m al-Qa-’im (‘atfs) are three hundred and thirteen—equal to that of Badr—who will gather together in Mecca in the morning of the following day.”[153]

Ima-m al-Jawa-d (‘a) said that the Messenger of Allah (s.) said: “The Ima-m of the Time (‘a) will appear in the land of Tuha-mah (Mecca). He has treasures that are not gold and silver, but powerful horses and illustrious men who are equal in number to that of the Companions in Badr. They are three hundred and thirteen from different parts of the world who will come to rally around him. There is a sealed book in his possession in which the number of his supporters has been written along with their names, cities, races, characteristics, and epithets. They will all be under the command of al-Mahdi- (‘atfs).”[154]

The Messenger of Allah (s.) said: “The people will gather around him like birds until they reach three hundred and fourteen persons—some of whom will be women, and the Ima-m will prevail over any tyrant and son of a tyrant, and justice will be as the people would wish. I wish the dead among them were among the living and benefit from justice!”[155]

Ima-m al-Ba-qir (‘a) said: “Hadrat al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) will appear with three hundred and thirteen persons—equal to the number of Companions in Badr—without any prior notice and arrangement. This is when they would have been scattered like an autumn cloud. They are lions in the day and worshippers at the night.”[156]

Iba-n ibn Taghlub said that Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “Three hundred and thirteen persons will soon come to your mosque (Mecca). The people of Mecca know that these persons are not related to their fathers and forefathers (and are not among the people of Mecca). Each of them has a sword on which a word is inscribed from which thousands of words (problems) can be unravelled and solved.”[157]

In some hadi-ths, the names of some of them have been mentioned of which it shall suffice to quote two hadiths:

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said to Mufad.d.al ibn ‘Umar, one of his companions: “You and forty four other men are among the supporters and companions of Hadrat al-Qa-’im.”[158]

Perhaps, what is meant by “forty four” is the number from among the companions of Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a).

The Ima-m also said: “During the advent of the Qa-’im from Muhammad’s Progeny (‘a), twenty seven persons will come out from behind the Ka‘bah and twenty five persons from the community [qawm] of Mu-sa- (Moses); those who were judges that were always on the path of truth and justice; the seven persons from the Companions of the Cave; Yusha‘ the executor of Mu-sa-’s will [was.i-] (Joshua); the believer from the family of Pharaoh; Salma-n al-Farsi; Abu- Duja-nah al-Ans.a-ri-;[159] and Ma-lik al-Ashtar will return to the world.”[160] In some hadi-ths Miqda-d ibn Aswad has also been mentioned.

Based on the hadi-ths, the angels who move things from place to place will transfer the good among the dead to holy places such as the House of God (Ka‘bah).[161] Therefore, these persons are perhaps those whose bodies will be transferred near the Ka‘bah and their raj‘ah or return to life will take place right there. Based on other reports, this place is behind the city of Ku-fah, i.e. Najaf al-Ashraf, which again will render the meaning of the hadi-th correct; for their bodies will be transferred there, i.e. Najaf al-Ashraf.

It is worthy of note that these individuals have experience in struggle in the political and military arenas against the t?a-ghu-ti-s[162] of their time, particularly Salma-n al-Fa-rsi-, Abu- Duja-nah, Ma-lik al-Ashtar, and Miqda-d ibn al-Aswad who had participated in the wars during the early period of Islam and had demonstrated their own acts of bravery. Some of them have also experience in leadership and command.

2. The Army of Ima-m al-Mahdi- (‘atfs)

Abu- Bas.i-r said: “A man from among the inhabitants of Ku-fah asked Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a): ‘How many persons will be with Hadrat al-Qa-’im in his uprising? People are saying that the companions of Ima-m are equal in number to the soldiers (of Islam) in (the Battle of) Badr, i.e. three hundred and thirteen persons.’ The Ima-m (‘a) said: ‘Hadrat al-Mahdi- will not appear unless he is with a strong and powerful army and a powerful army will not have less than ten thousand combatants’.”[163]

The Ima-m (‘a) also said: “When God grants Hadrat al-Qa-’im (‘atfs) the permission to stage the uprising, three hundred and thirteen persons will pay allegiance to him. The Ima-m will stay in Mecca until the number of his companions will reach ten thousand persons. Then, he will set out toward Medina.”[164]

The Commander of the Faithful (‘a) said: “The Mahdi- will appear with an army of at least twelve thousand persons and a maximum number of fifteen thousand persons. Fear and intimidation (of the enemies) with respect to his military forces will go ahead of his soldiers. No enemy will confront them without being defeated. He and his soldiers will not reproach anybody in the way of Allah. The slogan of his soldiers is this: ‘Let them die! Let them die!’”[165]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “The Ima-m of the Time (‘atfs) will not appear unless their assembly and number would be completed.” The narrator asked: “How much is their number?” The Ima-m (‘a) replied: “Ten thousand persons.”[166]

Shaykh Hurr ‘A-mili- said: “It is stated in the hadi-th that the total number of the army of the Ima-m of the Time (‘atfs) is one hundred thousand persons.”[167]

3. Security Guard Corps

Ka‘b said: “A man from Bani- Ha-shim will reside in Bayt al-Muqaddas. The number of his security forces is twelve thousand.” In another hadi-th he said: “The number of his guards is thirty six thousand persons, and twelve thousand will be stationed at the beginning of every highway leading toward Bayt al-Muqaddas.”[168]

Of course, the word h.aras in the hadi-th also means “aid” and “help” but this meaning in the context of hadi-th is not appropriate because it possibly means the supporters and friends of the Ima-m (‘atfs).

Mustering the Soldiers

As stated earlier, the soldiers of Hadrat al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) will gather around him from the different corners of the world. The hadi-ths indicate various means by which the soldiers become aware of the uprising and how they gather in Mecca. Some who are asleep in their beds at night will find themselves in the presence of the Ima-m (‘a) in the morning. Others will travel by traversing long distances within very short periods of time and come into the presence of the Ima-m (‘a). After being informed of the uprising, a certain group will join the Ima-m (‘a) by riding on the clouds.

Let us look at a certain hadi-th in this regard:

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “When the permission (of God) for the appearance and uprising is to be granted to Hadrat al-Mahdi- (‘atfs), he will recite “God” in His Hebrew name. At that time his supporters will be ready; they will number three hundred and thirteen persons who will be scattered like the autumn clouds and they will also be the standard-bearers (and commanders). While resting at night, some of them will disappear and in the morning they will find themselves in Mecca. Others will be seen riding on clouds in the daytime. They will be recognized by their names, their fathers, their families, and their reputations.”[169]

Mufad.d.al ibn ‘Umar said: “I asked: ‘May I be your ransom! Which group has a higher station in terms of faith?’ The Ima-m (‘a) said: ‘They are those who will move on top of the clouds, those who will disappear about whose station this blessed verse [a-yah] has been revealed:

? Ãóíúäó ãóÇ ÊóßõæäõæÇú íóÃúÊö Èößõãõ Çááøåõ ÌóãöíÚðÇ ?

“Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you all together”.’”[170]

The Messenger of Allah (s.) said: “A community [qawm] will emerge after you that will gather the world under their feet, and the world will be spread out for them, while the men and women of Persia will serve them. The earth will be traversed under their steps in less than the blink of an eye in such a manner that anyone of them could cover the distance from east to west in an instant. They are not of this world and the world has also no benefit and portion for them.”[171]

Ima-m al-Ba-qir (‘a) said: “The Shi-‘ah and supporters of Mahdi- (‘atfs) will go toward him from different parts of the world; the earth will be gathered under their feet and by traversing the world they will reach the Ima-m (‘a) and pay allegiance to him.”[172]

‘Abdulla-h ibn ‘Ajla-n said: “I was in the company of Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) when he was talking about the uprising of Hadrat al-Mahdi- (‘a). I asked him: ‘How can we be informed of the advent of the Mahdi-?’ He answered: ‘While getting up in the morning you will see a letter under your pillow in which it would be written: ‘Following the Mahdi- is an excellent and good deed’.’”[173]

Ima-m ar-Rida- (‘a) said: “By Allah! If our Qa-’im stages the uprising, God will gather the Shi-‘ah from all cities (and countries) to be around him.”[174]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) also said: “While the young Shi-‘ah will be sleeping on rooftops, suddenly and without prior notice, they will be brought in multitudes in one night beside him (‘atfs). Then in the morning everybody will be gathered around him (‘atfs).”[175]

Things Necessary in Recruiting and Training the Soldiers

In this regard, the Commander of the Faithful (‘a) said: “The supporters of the Mahdi- (‘atfs) who number three hundred and thirteen will go to him and they will find him who had been hidden, and they will ask: ‘Are you the Promised Mahdi?’ He will answer: ‘Yes, O my supporters!’ Then he will again hide himself from them and go to Medina. Because they will become aware of this, his supporters will leave for Medina and when they arrive at the city of Medina, the Ima-m (‘a), still being hidden will return to the city of Mecca and in order to join him, his supporters will go to Mecca. Once again, the Ima-m (‘a) will go to the city of Medina and his supporters will go to Medina (for the second time), again he will go to Mecca, and this routine will be repeated three times.

“The Ima-m (‘a) will test his supporters in such a manner in order to be aware of their degree of adherence to him. Thereafter, he will appear between S.afa- and Marwah and while addressing his supporters he will say: ‘I will not pursue any activity unless you pay allegiance to me under certain conditions, adhere to it and not violate it in any way. I am also obliged with respect to eight things.’ In reply to him, the Ima-m’s (‘a) supporters will say in unison: ‘We do render our total submission to you, follow you, and accept whatever conditions you set. Kindly tell us what those conditions are.’

“The Ima-m (‘atfs) will go to Mount S.afa- in Mecca and his supporters will also follow him. Addressing them there, he will say: ‘I will make a covenant with you under these conditions:
(1) You shall not desert the battlefield;
(2) you shall not steal;
(3) you shall not perform any illegitimate act;
(4) you shall not commit unlawful acts;
(5) you shall not do any evil and obnoxious act;
(6) you shall not unjustly strike anyone;
(7) you shall not amass gold and silver;
(8) you shall not hoard wheat and barley;
(9) you shall not destroy any mosque;
(10) you shall not bear witness to falsehood;
(11) you shall not despise and belittle any believer;
(12) you shall not consume anything earned from usury;
(13) you shall endure adversities and difficulties;
(14) you shall not curse any theist and monotheist;
(15) you shall not drink wine;
(16) you shall not wear brocade;
(17) you shall not wear silk clothing;
(18) you shall not pursue an escapee;
(19) you shall not shed blood unlawfully;
(20) you shall not nourish the hypocrite and infidel;
(21) you shall not wear fur garments;
(22) you shall make the soil as your pillow (perhaps it means that “you shall be humble and meek”); (23) you shall shun unworthy acts;

and (24) you shall enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong.

“‘If you abide with and act upon these conditions, it is incumbent upon me to choose no one but you as my assistants; I have to wear nothing but what you wear; I have nothing to eat but what you eat; I have nothing to ride but what you ride; I should be with you wherever you go; I have to go wherever you set out for; I have to be satisfied and pleased with a small force and fill the earth with justice and equity just as it has been full of injustice and oppression; and I have to worship God as He is worthy to be worshipped. I will remain committed to what I have said while you also have to remain committed to your pledges.’

“The companions said: ‘We are satisfied and we promise to be committed to what you have said.’ Then, the Ima-m (‘a) will shake the hands of each of his supporters (as a sign of allegiance)’.”[176]

Of course, it must be noted that the Ima-m (‘atfs) will set these conditions and impose this test on his special forces because they will serve as administrators in his global government and they are ones who, having good deeds, will play crucial roles in spreading justice in the world.

Meanwhile, it must be borne in mind that the chain of transmission of this hadi-th is dubious as it is from the Khut.bah al-Baya-n, which some scholars regard as “weak” [d.a‘i-f] notwithstanding the fact that some prominent figures have come to its defense and reinforcement.[177]

Peculiarities of the Soldiers

Many peculiarities and salient characteristics of the companions and supporters of al-Mahdi- (‘a) have been stated in the hadi-ths and we will mention some of them below:

1. Worship and Devotion

In describing the supporters of al-Mahdi- (‘atfs), Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “They keep regular vigils and spend the night standing in worship of God. During their prayers, their silent supplications are like the buzz of honeybees. They mount their horses during the daytime in line with the performance of their duties. They are worshippers at night and lions during the day. On account of fear of God, they are in a particular state. God will extend succor to the rightful Ima-m through them.”[178]

The Ima-m (‘a) also said: “It is as if I can see the Qa-’im of Muhammad’s Progeny (‘a) and his supporters behind the city of Ku-fah. As if birds are spreading their wings over their heads. They are running out of travel provisions and their garments are worn out and patched. There are marks of prostration on their foreheads. Yes, they are lions in the day and worshippers in the night. Their hearts are like pieces of iron, firm and formidable. Each of them has the strength equal to that of forty men. They will not be killed by anyone but by hypocrites and infidels. God has thus described them in the Qur’an:

? Åöäøó Ýöí Ðóáößó áÂíóÇÊò áøöáúãõÊóæóÓøöãöíäó

“There are indeed signs in that for the percipient.”[179]”[180]

2. Love for the Ima-m and Obedience to Him

Ima-m al-Ba-qir (‘a) said: “The Master of the Affair [s.a-h.ib al-amr] (‘atfs) will be in occultation in some of these valleys (Dhi- T.awa-). Two nights prior to his advent, his closest attendant will go to meet some of the Ima-m’s supporters, asking them: ‘How many of you are here?’ They will answer: ‘Forty persons.’ He will ask: ‘What will happen to you if you see your leader?’ They will reply: ‘By God! If he lives in a mountain, we will be with him and live the same way’.”[181]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “The supporters of the Ima-m (‘atfs) will place their hands on the saddle of his horse and by doing so, they will be asking for blessings. They will form a ring around him and in battles they will offer their bodies and souls for him. They will accept and do whatever he would ask from them.”[182]

The same Ima-m (‘a) also stated the following in describing the supporters of al-Mahdi- (‘a): “He has men whose hearts will seem to be as if they were from pieces of iron... They are more obedient to the Ima-m than a slave girl would be in relation to her master and owner, and they are subservient to his command.”[183]

The Messenger of Allah (s.) said: “God will gather warriors for Hadrat al-Mahdi- from the different corners of the world whose number would be equal to that of the (Muslim) combatants in (the Battle of) Badr. They are very diligent and determined in their obedience to him.”[184]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “It is as if I can see Hadrat al-Qa-’im and his supporters stationed in Najaf (Ku-fah) and (they are so steady and unflinching there) that it is as if birds are sitting on their heads.”[185]

The warriors are standing with such discipline, lack of motion and total submission to him that it is as if birds are sitting over their heads, for if they would show the least movement, the birds will fly away.

3. Strong and Young Soldiers

The Commander of the Faithful (‘a) said: “The supporters of al-Mahdi- are all young. There are no old and aged among them but a few who are like antimony for the eye and salt for the food. Of course, the least amount of a thing needed in food is salt.”[186]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “What Prophet Lu-t. (Lot) (‘a) meant in his statement addressed to his enemies when he said, ‘I wish I had a potent force against you or I can take refuge in a formidable column,’ was a force similar to the potent force of the Promised Mahdi- (‘atfs) and his supporters each of whom has the strength equal to that of forty men. They have hearts firmer than steel and when they traverse mountains, the rocks tremble. They do not sheathe their swords unless when God wants and is pleased with it.”[187]

In this regard, Ima-m as-Sajja-d (‘a) said: “When our Qa-’im stages the uprising, God will keep away sluggishness and weakness from our Shi-‘ah and make their hearts as firm and resolute as steel; He will grant each of them the strength of forty men and they will become rulers and leading figures on earth.”[188]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “In the government of al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) our Shi-‘ah will be the rulers and leading figures on earth and each of them will have the strength of forty men.”[189]

Ima-m al-Ba-qir (‘a) said: “There is fear of the enemy in the hearts of our Shi-‘ah (today), but when our government is established and Ima-m al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) appears, each of our Shi-‘ah will be more fearless than a lion and sharper than a spear. They will crush our enemies underfoot and slay them with their hands.”[190]

‘Abdul-Malik ibn A‘yun said: “As I got up to say goodbye to Ima-m al-Ba-qir (‘a), I leaned on my hands and said: ‘I wish I could perceive the advent of Had.rat al-Qa-’im (‘atfs) in my youth (at the moment when I am physically sound).’ The Ima-m (‘a) said: ‘Are you not satisfied that your enemies are killing one another while you are safe in your own houses? If the Ima-m (‘a) appears, each of you will be given the strength of forty men and your hearts will be like steel so much so that if you struck the mountains with such hearts, the mountains will rend asunder and be pulled up. And you will become the leaders and trustees on earth’.”[191]

Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “At the time of our affair (the government of Had.rat al-Mahdi-), God will remove fear from the hearts of our Shi-‘ah and place it on the hearts of our enemies. At that moment, each of our Shi-‘ah would be sharper than a spear and braver than a lion. A single Shi-‘ah will hit his enemy with a spear, strike him with a sword, and crush him underfoot.”[192]

The same Ima-m (‘a) also said: “The supporters of al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) are men whose hearts are as firm and formidable as iron. Doubt and skepticism about the Essence of God are never entertained in those hearts. They are firmer than stone. If they were given the mission to shuffle the mountains and interchange them, they would quickly do it, and if the mission of destroying a city is given to them, they would be able to destroy it [with such speed and decisiveness that it would be] as if they were eagles sitting on horses.”[193]

4. Beloved Soldiers

Ima-m al-Ba-qir (‘a) said: “It is as if I can see the supporters of al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) dominating heaven and earth and there is nothing in the world that would not be under their rule and sovereignty. Fierce animals and predatory birds also seek their pleasure. They will be so beloved that everywhere on earth will brag and boast to the other, saying: ‘Today, one of the supporters of al-Mahdi- (‘atfs) dropped in and passed by here’.”[194]

5. Lovers of Martyrdom

Regarding the characteristics of Had.rat al-Qa-’im (‘atfs), Ima-m as.-S.a-diq (‘a) said: “They have an intense fear of God and they aspire for martyrdom. Their aspiration is to be slain in the way of Allah. Their slogan is ‘O avengers of Husayn (‘a)!’ As they move, the fear and dread of them in the hearts of their enemies move with the distance of one month’s travel.”[195]