Ibn-Hajar in `Sawa`eq` (page 112) narrates from Ibn-Maaja and he, from Anas that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said: `We, the sons of Abdul-Muttalib – Ali, Jafar, Hassan, Hussein, Mahdi and myself are the chiefs of the people of Paradise`.
In Nahjul-Balagha, Ali (A.S.) says as such:- `Know, O` creatures of Allah, that the one who fears Allah will certainly be shown (by Allah) the path of exit from seditions and will be bestowed a light for his darknesses. Whatever he describes, will be granted to him. Moreover Allah shall give him mansions besides Himself in a beautiful place – a mansion which he himself has constructed, its canopy will be his throne and its brightness will be his own self, Angels will be his visitors and Prophets shall be his friends.`
The author says:- `Paradise is a place which Allah has prepared for His obedient servants. Thus its inhabitants are the best ones and its residents are the most righteous ones. In them are the Prophet, Messengers, veracious believers and martyrs. With these specifications, Mahdi (A.S.) is amongst the seven chiefs of Paradise and the great chief over here refers to the greatness of spirituality and not greatness in age.
The author of «Nur-ul-Absar» on page 229 writes: `Ibn-Shirwiya writes in his book `Firdaus` as such: Ibn-Abbass says- The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said: `Mahdi is the pea***** of the inhabitants of Paradise`.
The author of «Yanabi-ul-Muwadda» too has narrated a tradition similar to this one from `Kanzul-ul-Daqa`eq` quoted from Ahmad-ibn-Hanbal.(71)
The author says:- Comparing Mahdi with a pea***** amongst the inhabitants of Paradise (in spite of knowing who its inhabitants are) is a good indication of his superiority which is the speciality of Mahdi and no other human-being.
Verily, whatever is derived from Mahdi`s existence and his emergence such as Divine Magnificience, Elegance, Greatness and Glory is such an affair which has not occurred for any of the Prophets or Messengers. Why should not it be so when traditions which are `Mustafiza` clearly stipulate that Hazrat shall fill the earth with equity and Justice and illuminate it with the light of Allah and his kingdom shall engulf the East and West.
These signs of elegance and majesty are specialities of Mahdi, the Awaited one. Thus, from the view-point of beauty, he shall be like a pea***** (as compared to other birds) among the inhabitants of Paradise.
«MAHDI AND SUBMISSION»
The author of «Eqdud-Durar» narrates in chapter No. 3 from Abu Abdullah Na`eem-ibn-Hemad and he, from Iaber-ibn-Abdullah who said:- `A person once visited Abu Jafar Muhammad-ibn-Ali and said: Take these 500 dirhams from me concerning `Zakat` (alms-tax) on my wealth. Abu Jafar said:- `Pick them up and give them to your Muslim neighbours and those brethrens who are in dire need. Thereafter he said: When Mahdi from our progeny shall emerge, he shall distribute wealth equally and act justly with the people. Therefore, any one who obeys him has obeyed Allah and anyone who disobeys him has disobeyed Allah.
The author of «Eqdud-Durar» narrates in the fourth chapter from Hafez Abu Abdullah Na`eem-ibn-Hemad that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said: `A caller shall call out from the heavens as such:
Know that, the chosen one of Allah amongst His servants is so and so. Thus listen to him and obey him.(72)
The same tradition has come in the seventh chapter of the afore-said book and its author mentions that by so and so is meant `Mahdi`.
The author of «Yanabi-ul-Muwadda» narrates (on page 435) from Ibn-Maaja who in turn narrates from Ibn-Omar who narrates from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W A.) as such:
`The Angels shall cry out from the heavens and will incite the people towards him and say: Verily Mahdi has emerged. Obey him.`
MAHDI AND TRUTH
The author of «Eqdud-Durar» narrates (in the seventh chapter) from `Muajam` of Abul-Qasim Tabarani, `Manaqib-ul-Mahdi` of Abu Na`eem Esfahani and Hafez Abu Abdullah Na`eem-ibn- Hemad who in turn narrate from Amir-ul-Mumineen Ali-ibn-Abi Talib (A.S.) that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said:-
`Whenever the caller shall cry out from the heavens that the truth can be found in Muhammad`s household, Mahdi shall emerge at that very moment.(73)
In the afore-mentioned book (in Section 3, Chapter 7) its author narrates from Amir-ul-Mumineen Ali-ibn- Abi Talib (A.S.) as such: `Whenever the caller shall call out from the heavens that truth is with Al-e-Muhammad, Mahdi shall come forth.
The author of `Al-Musawiyah` writes:- Ahmad- ibn Musa-ibn-Mardawiya narrates through various channels from Ayesha, the wife of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) and she from Hazrat that:
`Truth is with Ali and Ali is with truth. There shall be no separation between the two until they meet me near the fountain`.
The author says: The son appears to be so similar to the father that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) made this remark with regards to both of them.
