The Prophet’s banner

“When Imam Ali (as) met with the people of Basra (in the battle of al-Jamal-the camel), he raised the banner of the Prophet (S) and their (people of Basra’s) legs began to shake. They were so until before the sunset when they said: “O ibn Abu Talib, safeguard!” Then Imam Ali (as) said to his army: “Do not kill the captives. Do not finish off the wounded. Do not follow after the fleers. Whoever lays down his arms is to be safe and whoever closes his door (stays at home) is to be safe.” When the battle of Siffeen broke out, Imam Ali’s companions insisted on him to raise the banner of the Prophet (S) but he refused. They sent to him his two sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn (as) and his close companion Ammar bin Yassir as mediators. He said to al-Hasan: “O my son, the people have a term that they must reach. No one is to raise this banner after me except al-Qa’im (as).”

“Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) said: “Al-Qa’im will not appear until the chain is completed.” I said: “How is the chain completed?” He said: “With ten thousand (fighters), Gabriel will be on his (al-Qa’im’s) right hand and Michael will be on his left hand. Then he will shake the banner and move. Every one in the east and in the west will curse the banner. It is the banner of the Prophet (S) that Gabriel has brought (from the Heaven) on the day (battle) of Badr. It is not of cotton, flax or silk.” I said: “Then what is it of?” He said: “It is of the leaves of Paradise. The Prophet (S) has spread it on the day of Badr and then he has folded it and given it to Imam Ali (as). It has been still with Imam Ali (as) until when he has spread it on the day of the battle of al-Jamal against the people of Basra and has gained victory. Then he has folded and kept it safe. It has been with us and no one is to spread it until al-Qa’im (as) appears. When he appears, he will spread it and then every one in the east and the west will curse it. Terror will move a month before it, a month behind it, a month on its right side and a month on its left side.” Then he said: “O Abu Muhammad, he (al-Qa’im) will appear depressed and angry because of the anger of Allah with the human beings. He will appear wearing the Prophet’s shirt, which the Prophet has put on in the battle of Badr, turban, armor and holding the Prophet’s sword Thulfaqar. He will unsheathe the sword for eight months. He will kill hurly-burly. He will begin with Bani Shayba. He will cut their hands and will hang them on the Kaaba. Then his caller will call out: “These are the thieves of the Kaaba.” Then he will move to kill the people of Quraysh. He will not leave any one of them safe from his sword. Al-Qa’im (as) will not appear except after that two books will have been read openly; one in Basra and the other in Kufa. By these books people will declare their acquittance of (believing in) Ali (as).”

“Once Abu Ja’far al-Baqir (as) said to me: “O Thabit, as if I see al-Qa’im of my family coming near to your Najaf.” He pointed with his hand towards Kufa and then added: “When he comes to your Najaf, he will spread the banner of the Prophet (S) and then the angels of Badr will descend to him.” I asked him: “What is the banner of the Prophet (S)?” He said: “Its pole is from the pole of the Throne of Allah and from His mercy. The rest of it is from the assistance of Allah. Everything that he swoops on with this banner Allah will make it perish.” I said: “Is it kept with you until al-Qa’im (as) appears or it is brought then?” He said: “No. It is brought then.” I said: “Who brings it?” He said: “Gabriel (as).”

“I heard Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) saying: “As if I see al-Qa’im on the hill of Kufa wearing a dress of brocade and the armor of the Prophet (S), riding a black horse and holding the banner of the Prophet (S).” I said: “Has the banner been kept somewhere or it will be brought then?” He said: “Gabriel will bring it. Its pole is from the poles of the Throne of Allah and the rest of it is from the assistance of Allah. Everything that he swoops on with this banner Allah will make it perish. Nine thousand and three hundred and thirteen angels will come down with the banner.” I said: “May I die for you! Will all these angels be with him?” He said: “Yes, they will. It is they, who have been with Prophet Noah (as) in the Ark, with Abraham (as) when he has been thrown into the fire, with Moses (as) when the sea has been cleft to him, with Jesus Christ (as) when he has been raised to the Heaven and four thousand angels, who have been with Prophet Muhammad (as) and three hundred and thirteen angels, who have fought with him in the battle of Badr besides four thousands that have ascended to the Heaven asking permission to fight with al-Husayn (as) but when they have descended they find that al-Husayn (as) has been martyred. They have remained near his tomb weeping for him until the Day of Resurrection. They are waiting for the appearance of al-Qa’im (as).”

“Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) said: “As if I see al-Qa’im standing on the hill of Najaf, wearing a dress of brocade and the armor of the Prophet (S) and riding a black horse. He will spread the Prophet’s banner, whose pole is from the poles of the Throne of Allah and whose rest is from the assistance of Allah. Whatever he swoops on with the banner Allah will make it perish.” I said: “Has the banner been hidden somewhere or it will be brought then?” He said: “Gabriel (as) will bring it. When he shakes it, every believer’s heart will become like iron. He will be given a power of forty men. Then every dead believer will feel happy in his grave. The dead will begin to visit each other in their graves and they bring the good news of the appearance of al-Qa’im to each other. Thirteen thousand and three hundred and thirteen angels will descend with al-Qa’im then.” I asked: “Have these angels been with any of the prophets before him (al-Qa’im)?” He said: “Yes, they have been with Prophet Noah (as) in the Ark, with Abraham (as) when he has been thrown into the fire, with Moses (as) when the sea has been cleft to him, with Jesus Christ (as) when he has been raised to the Heaven besides four thousands, who have been with Prophet Muhammad (as), three hundred and thirteen angels, who have supported the Prophet (S) on the day of Badr and four thousands, who have asked permission to fight with al-Husayn (as) but they have not been permitted. They have descended to find that al-Husayn (as) has been Martyred. They have remained near his tomb weeping for him until the Day of Resurrection. Their chief is an angel called Mansoor. They receive every visitor coming to visit al-Husayn (as), escort everyone farewelling him, visit every sick person and no one dies unless they offer the prayer for him and ask Allah to forgive him after his death. All these angels are waiting for the appearance of al-Qa’im (as).”