The Mahdi and his helpers

Our Prophet (saas) has told us that the Mahdi will serve for the
benefitof Islam and Muslims andwill carry out many important
activities. According to the information provided in the hadiths, the
Mahdi, who resembles our Prophet (saas) in terms of his moral values,
will engage in sincere effortsfor people's salvation in this world and
in the Hereafter, and by means of him there will be comfort, peace and
abundance in the world.It is also reported that he will have a small
number of helpers in this honorable and superior duty. The information
provided regarding the Mahdi's helpers in the hadiths and in the
expressions ofIslamic scholars are the signs that will enable him to
be recognized.
The 1400s (Hijri) in which we are living is a time when the portents
of the end times reported in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) and in
the works of Islamic scholars are becoming true one by one. We are
informed that great and historic events will take place in this
period. Allah has chosen blessed people toconduce to those
developments. The superior moral values and honorable struggle of the
Mahdi, is described detailed in thehadiths. Another thing we are
informed about is the Mahdi's helpers and their various features. One
of the moststriking features is their numbers. According to the
hadiths, the numbersof his helpers, who will be active on a global
scale, will remain the same and won't change during their
transmission. This is a miraculous state of affairs created by Allah
in His wisdom. The numbers of the Mahdi's helpers are going to be the
cause of his recognition.
When the Mahdi AppearsHis Helpers Will Be Few
As revealed by our Prophet (saas) in the hadiths, the number of the
people who support him when he first appears will be very few as a
requirement of the law of Allah revealed in the Qur'an. This has
beensame in all the communities of believerswho lived throughout the
history. The Qur'an also contains information about the fewness of
sincere believers around the prophets.
For example, only few young people constituting the community in which
the Prophet Musa (as) lived, believed in him:
"No one believed in Musa except for a few of his people out of fear
that Pharaoh, and the elders, would persecute them. Pharaoh was high
and mighty in the land. He was one of the profligate." (Surah Yunus:
83)
The same thing is valid for the helpers in the period when Prophet
'Isa (as) first appeared. Itis understood that noone has believed in
him except few Disciples The Disciples believed in Prophet (as) is
revealed as follows in the Qur'an:
"You who believe! Be helpers of Allah as 'Isa son of Maryam said to
the Disciples, 'Who will be my helpers to Allah?' The Disciples said,
'We will be the helpers of Allah.' One faction of the tribe of Israel
believed and the other disbelieved. So We supported those who believed
against their enemy and they became victorious." (Surah As-Saf: 14)
The Qur'an also tells us that the Companions of the Cave were very few
in number:
"They will say, 'There were three of them, their dog being the
fourth.' They will say, 'There were five of them, their dog being the
sixth,' guessing at the Unseen. And they will say, 'There were seven
of them, their dog being the eighth.' Say: 'My Lord knows best their
number. Those who know about them are very few.' So do not enter into
any argumentconcerning them, exceptin relation to what is clearly
known. And do not seek the opinion of any of them regarding them."
(Surat Al-Kahf: 22)
In another verse we are told that the number of people following
Prophet Nuh (as) was also few:
"…But those who believed with him were only few." (Surah Hud: 40)
It is also reported in the Qur'an that very few people believed in
Prophet Lut (as). When the People of Lut (as) were struck by a great
disaster, apart from his non-believing wife, Allahrescued only the
believer members of Prophet Lut's (as) family:
"…We are going to rescue him and his family–except for his wife. She
will be one of those who stay behind. When Our Messengers came to Lut,
he was distressed on their account, feeling incapable of protecting
them. They said, 'Do not fear and do not grieve. We are going to
rescue you and your family–except for your wife; shewill be one of
those whostay behind." (Surat Al-'Ankabut: 32-33)
The Number of the Mahdi's Helpers Will be Around 300
A specific number is cited in the hadiths for the number of people who
will follow the Mahdi:
These 313 are devout believers by night and heroes by day.
(Al-Uqayli,An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b.
Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam ve'l Qamal)
They consist of a group, including women, of 314people. They will
overcome all tyrants. Their hearts are like iron, and they are lions
by day and devout believers by night. Neither those before norafter
them can match them in self-sacrifice. (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi
Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam ve'l Qamal)
Three hundred and fourteen people, among them women, will appear
before the Mahdi. (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi
min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam ve'l Qamal)
It is striking that the number of people believing in this
valuableperson who serves for the religion and calls people to believe
in Allah, are few. There is no doubt that this is a miraculous state
of affairs. The Mahdi, who will prevail the moral values of the
Qur'an, willhave only 313-314 helpers, when even the smallest
religious communities today have thousands of members, is one of the
main distinguishing features of the Mahdi and his community.
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi also recalled in his writings that although
their numbers will be few every member of the community of the Mahdi
would be spiritually very powerful:
It was related from Muhammed b. Hanefi that: Their numbers will be
those of the people of Badr (313). In the same way that those before
them cannot match them, neither can those who come after. Their number
is as many as those who crossed theriver with Talut. (Fera Idu
Fevaidi'l Fiqr Fi'l Imam al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar)
The force and spiritual army this duty depends on is some students in
full possession of titles ofloyalty and solidarity. Nomatter how few
they may be, they are as powerful and valuable as a literal army.
(Emirdag Addendum, p. 259)
Angels Will Also Assist theMahdi
Allah will support him with three thousand angels. (Ibn Hajar
al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar)
Jibril will be before them, and Mikail behind.
... .( Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi
al- Muntadhar)
It is reported in the hadith that Jibril and Mikail will be among
theMahdi's helpers. According to this information, by Allah's will,
angels are also going to help the Mahdi.
The angels' help to true believers is reported in various verses of
the Qur'an. Our Lord also supported our Prophet (saas) and his
companions with angels.Some verses on the subject are as follows:
"And when your Lord revealed to the angels, 'I am with you so make
those who believe firm…" (Surat Al-Anfal: 12)
"And when you said to the believers, 'Is it not enough for you that
your Lord reinforced youwith three thousand angels, sent down?'"
(Surah Al 'Imran: 124)
Every Believer Living in the End Times Is Very Valuable
Another noteworthy subject in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) is
thatevery believer in the endtimes will be very valuable. In the end
times, when atheism is widespread all over the world and when moral
degeneration is proceeding at a great pace, believers, and especially
the Mahdi, willencounter great difficulties and social pressure. This
is reported in one of the hadiths as follows:
Such a time will come that he who is patient before the religion will
be like one holding a glowing ember. (Fera Idu Fevaidi'l Fiqr Fi'l
Imam al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar)
To serve with this worthy person who is patient in the face of such
pressure, people need to compete with one another to be his helpmates
in great excitement and enthusiasm. However, during the end times,
truth and falsehood will change place in practice.The people who have
left the moral values of the Qur'an and the moraldegeneration's
enormous dimension may prevent people from following such an honorable
believer and joining his community.
The Mahdi's Helpers in Various Islamic Sources
They are young
The standard-bearer of the Mahdi will be a young person, fair colored,
with light beard." (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi
Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 51)
His (the Mahdi's) standard-bearer will be a young person belonging to
the line of Temimi from the East. ((Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl
al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 26)
They are non-Arabs
The Mahdi's helpers will not be Arabs, but will be from other
nations." (Portents of Doomsday, p.187)
They possess knowledge
"These ministers will be wise in all matters." (M. Arabi) (Hayrettin
Gumusel, The Awaited Mahdi, p. 37, Kopru Publishing)
They will be supported spiritually
Know that when the Mahdi appears all those with great knowledge and
fear of Allah and thepeople in general will rejoice. They will be
divine, in other words spiritually supported man of the Mahdi. They
will preserve his call, assist him, and reunite him to the victory.
They will assume all heavy burdens belonging to the nation. They will
support the Mahdi beyond the duty entrusted to him by Allah." (M.
Arabi) (Hayrettin Gumusel, The Awaited Mahdi, p. 37, Kopru Publishing)
They will have a protector who is not oneof their kind. This has never
opposed Allah. He will be one of the purest and most honest
ministers." (M. Arabi) (Hayrettin Gumusel, The Awaited Mahdi, p. 37,
Kopru Publishing)
It is related from Muawiya b. Qurra that:
A group from his community will be helped until the Resurrection day.
(Ramuz al-Ahadith, 472)
They have superior moral values
It is certain they are banners of the true path.(Ramuz al-Ahadith, 1/135)
They are people of Islam who fear no condemnation from any critics nor
any malicious tales on the path of Allah. (Sunan Ibn Majah,10-259)
It is related from the blessed Ali that:
"…they are people who truly know Allah, and they will be the Mahdi's
helpers in the end times." (Abu Naim Al Qufi)
By Allah's will they are not going to be defeated
One of the distinct qualities of these ministers is that they
willnever be defeated." (M. Arabi) (Hayrettin Gumusel, The Awaited
Mahdi, p. 37, Kopru Publishing)
According to Nuaym, related from Abu Jaffar:
Allah will grant success to the army of the Mahdiand his helpers..."
(Fera Idu Fevaidi'l Fiqr Fi'l Imam al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar)
They are the most trustworthy among people
The Mahdi will remain hidden until the time comes, he will appear at
the promised time. Those whom he trusts, his viziers are the most
trustworthy. (M. Arabi) (Hayrettin Gumusel, The Awaited Mahdi, p. 37,
Kopru Publishing)
His (the Mahdi's) commanders are the most auspicious of people." (Ibn
Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-
Muntadhar, p. 49)
They feel no sorrow for those who leave, nor joyfor those who join them
It is related from Muawiya b. Qurra that:
Neither will the desertion of those who abandon them will do them no
harm. (Ramuz al-Ahadith, 472)
It is related from Muhammad bin Hanafi that:
…As the clouds gather around the skies, so Allah will gather a
community around him. He reconciles their hearts. They do not grieve
for the martyred nor rejoice for who join them. Their number will be
as many as the Peopleof Badr (313). In the same way that those before
them can not equal them, neither can those who come after and their
number is as many as those who crossed the river with Talut (Book of
sayings on the portents of the Mahdi of the End Times-57)
Allah has concealed them
Allah has appointed a group to them as viziers.Allah has concealed
these individuals. (Hayrettin Gumusel, The Awaited Mahdi, M. Arabi p.
36, Kopru Publishing)
Allah creates a community for the Mahdi. They are concealed by Allah.
(Prophecies of the Mahdi. p. 129)
They will be true to theirword
They will act in the vanguard like leaders… In the same way that
leading believers kept their word to Allah, so they will confirm their
words. (M. Arabi) (Hayrettin Gumusel, The Awaited Mahdi, p. 37, Kopru
Publishing)
In his commentary, Ibn Marduya relates a hadithfrom Ibn Abbas: He stated that:
The Companions of the Cave will be the Mahdi's helpmates." (Al-Muttaqi
al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman)
In his commentary on the Qur'an, Imam Abu Ishaq Salam states that:
When the Mahdi appears he will go to theCompanions of the Cave and
greet them, and Allah will resurrect them and they will take their
places at the Mahdi's side. Afterwards, they will return to the place
where they lie and not rise again until the day of Resurrection.
(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman)
Imam Suyuti states:
The slumber of the Ashab al-Kahf is a grant them by Allah. Because
they will be the Mahdi's helpers and will have the honor of being
included in the community of Muhammed (saas). (Hadiths from the
commentary by Jalaladdin Suyuti, Portents of the Mahdi of the End
Times, p. 59)
The Mahdi's Helpers in Various Islamic Sources
As revealed by our Prophet (saas) 1400 years ago, the Mahdi, one of
the chosen servants of Allah, by the will of Allah, will prevail the
moral values of the Qur'an to all over the world. He will fulfill that
duty as written in his destiny, even if he has todo it alone. It is a
mercy and blessing from Almighty Allah to be supported by helpers
during the period of his transmission. Our Lord's support for His
emissaries is revealed in the Qur'an as follows:
"If you do not help him, Allah did help him..." (Surah At-Tawba: 40)
The Ashab al-Kahf Will Join the Mahdi's Helpers
According to the blessed Huzayfa:
The Prophet (saas) stated: "My community will not be raised beforethe
Mahdi appears. Allah will support him with three thousand angels… The
Ashab al-Kahf will bewith him and be his helpers."
They Will Pray by Night and Work by Day
Abu Nuaym related from Abu Jaffar:
"Upon this call, 313 people, as many as the People of Badr, who were
not previously allied together will immediately appear, andworship by
night and actas lions by day (Fera Idu Fevaidi'l Fiqr Fi'l Imam
al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar)
CONCLUSION
The Mahdi will be a holy individual, whose moral values, physical
features,activities, services and effect on the world weredescribed by
our Prophet (saas) 1400 years ago, and which are written in his own
destiny. Those features cannot be imitated, nor acquired by effort,
so, bythe will of Allah, the Mahdi's work cannot be prevented or
rejected byany kind of pretext. By Allah's will The Mahdi will serve,
together with Prophet 'Isa who will return back to Earth for the
second time in the end times to prevail the moral values of the Qur'an
to all over the world as reported by ourProphet (saas). This is a
destiny determined by Allah. The domination of the moral values of
Islamis described in the Qur'an as follows:
It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of
Truth to exaltit over every other religion, though the idolaters hate
it. (Surat As-Saff: 9)