Mikyalul Makarim Fee Fawaaid ad-Duaa Lil Qai’m vol. 1

The Letter Laam (L)

1. Liwa (Flag) Of His Eminence

Among the important matters is to pray for the hoisting of the flag of His Eminence, as due to it, people would be happy and their distress shall be dispelled as mentioned in Kamaluddin from Amirul Momineen (as) that he said from the pulpit:

“A man from my descendants would appear in the last age of time. His complexion would be fair with a reddish hue and he would have a broad stomach, his thighs would be big. And his sides would be broad. He would have two moles, one skin colored and the other like the seal of prophethood of the Holy Prophet (S). He would have two names, one is confidential and the other, popular. His secret name is Ahmad and his known name is Muhammad. When he hoists and waves his flag, he would illuminate the east and the west. He would stroke the heads of the people.

Thus there would not remain any believer but that his heart would become as a strong as a mountain of steel and Allah, the Mighty and the High would give each of them the strength of forty men. And no corpse would remain but that the celebration of his reappearance would reach its grave as the believers in the grave also would see him in their graves and they would greet each other upon the reappearance of Qaim (aj).”[^1]

I say: Grave implies the spiritual state of the believers in the Purgatory (Barzakh). That which proves this matter is a tradition quoted by some elders.

Also in Kamaluddin it is narrated that in the standard of Mahdi (aj) is the pledge of allegiance to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.[^2]

In the same book it is narrated from Amirul Momineen (as) that he said:

“There is a flag for us; and one who goes ahead of it, is a transgressor and one who lags behind it, is destroyed and one who follows it, would achieve the aim.”[^3]

It is reported from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (as) that he said:

“As if I could see Qaim (aj) that he has reached to the rear of Najaf. When he reaches to the back of Najaf he would mount a dark colored pie-bald horse having a white streak between its eyes. Then he would fly on it. Thus there will not remain any city that would not think that Qaim (aj) is with them in that town. And when he unfurls the flag of the Messenger of Allah (S) 13013 angels would descend to him from the sky as they all would be in anticipation of the orders of Qaim (aj)…”[^4]

It is narrated from Abu Hamza that he said:

His Eminence, Abu Ja’far Baqir (as) told me: “As if I can see Qaim (aj) appearing in Kufa at the back of Najaf. When he arrives at Najaf he would unfurl the standard of the Messenger of Allah (S). Its pole would be a pillar of the Arsh and those who accompany it would be helpers of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. He would not bring it down for anyone but that the Almighty Allah would destroy that person.”

The narrator says: I asked in a polite manner: “Is that flag with him or it would be brought for him?” He said: “It would be brought for him by Jibraeel (as).”[^5]

In the same book it is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) in a lengthy tradition that he said:

“He would be having a standard which would unfurl itself automatically when the time is ripe for his reappearance. And the Almighty Allah would give it the power to speak and it would say: O Wali of Allah, march forward and eliminate the enemies of Allah. And he would have two flags and two emblems. And he is having a sheathed sword, which at the time of reappearance would come out its sheath automatically and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime would bestow the power of speech to it and it would call out to His Eminence: O Wali of Allah, march forward as it is not right for you to avoid the enemies of Allah.”[^6]

In Biharul Anwar it is narrated from Abu Baseer that he said:

His Eminence, Abu Abdillah Sadiq (as) said: “When Amirul Momineen (as) confronted the Basrans, he unfurled his standard, that is the standard of the Holy Prophet (S), therefore they were routed and the sun had not yet set when they called out: O son of Abu Talib, you have destroyed us (or we bring faith).[^7] At that time His Eminence ordered that the prisoners not be killed, the wounded must not be attacked, the runaways must not be pursued and whosoever drops his weapons would be secure and whosoever shuts the door, his house (and one who remains there) is safe.”

In the battle of Siffeen (the companions of His Eminence) requested him to wave that flag once more but the Imam did not agree to it. They petitioned him through the mediation of Hasan, Husain (as) and Ammar Yasir (r.a.). His Eminence said to Husain (as): “My son, a time period is appointed for these people and they would reach it, and it is a flag that none would wave after me, except Qaim (aj).”[^8]

Another tradition from His Eminence, Abu Ja’far Baqir (as) about the description of this flag says:

“By Allah, that flag is not made of cotton, silk or muslin.” The narrator says: I asked: “Then of what material is it?” Imam replied: “Made of the leaves of the tree of Paradise. The Holy Prophet (S) unfurled it on the day of the battle of Badr. After that he folded it up and gave it to Ali (as). It always remained with Ali (as) till he unfurled it in Basra (in the battle of Jamal).

When Amirul Momineen (as) unfurled it, the Almighty Allah granted victory to him. After that he rolled it up again. And that flag is with us. No one would open it till Qaim (aj) reappears. When he arises no one would remain either in the east or west but that he would see it. Its awe would travel a month’s distance before as well as after it and to right as well as left.”

Then he said: “He would rise up to take revenge for his forefathers. Infuriated and aggrieved for the fury of the Almighty Allah on the people. He would be wearing the dress the Holy Prophet (S) had used on the day of the battle of Uhud. Upon his head would be the turban called Sahaab and he would also be equipped with the armor of the Prophet. Zulfiqar, the sword of the Messenger of Allah (S) shall be in his hand. At that moment he would extract the sword and go on fighting for eight months…”[^9]

I say: This tradition proves that His Eminence is having more than one flag. Other reports also support this point but in this brief discussion we shall refrain from quoting them.

[^1]: Kamaluddin, Vol. 2, Pg. 653

[^2]: Kamaluddin, Vol. 2, Pg. 653

[^3]: Kamaluddin, Vol. 2, Pg. 653

[^4]: Kamaluddin, Vol. 2, Pg. 653

[^5]: Kamaluddin, Vol. 2, Pg. 672

[^6]: Kamaluddin, Vol. 1, Pg. 268

[^7]: In Biharul Anwar it is ‘you have killed us’ and in Ghaibat of Nomani it is ‘we bring faith’.

[^8]: Biharul Anwar; Vol. 52, Pg. 367

[^9]: Biharul Anwar; Vol. 52, Pg. 360