Hazrat Imam Mahdi (as) bears the special characteristics and more from the previous prophets. He is the embodiment of their virtues and qualities. He carries their signs and is the inheritor of all that they stood for and what was revealed upon them. The following article mentions the similarity between Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Imam Mahdi (as).
Concealed birth
Hazrat Ibrahim’s mother when she was pregnant with him was not obvious and his birth was concealed.
It was the same with Qaem (as) and his (mother’s) pregnancy and his birth was also concealed.
Quick growth
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) grew up in a day as much as others grow in a week and his growth every week was as much as others grow in a month and he grew in a month as much as others grow in a year – as narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) (Beharul Anwar volume 12, page 19)
Imam Mahdi (as) also was such, as mentioned by Janabe Hakima (sa) in the report quoted from her: After forty days, I went to the house of Imam Askari (as) and suddenly saw that Imam Mahdi (as) was walking about the house. I had never seen a face more beautiful than his, nor heard a tongue more eloquent than his. Imam Askari (as) said to me, “This is the boy dignified before Allah, the Exalted.” I said to him, “My master, he is forty days old and I see him like this.” He said, “My aunt, don’t you know that we the congregation of legatees grow in a day as much as others grow in a week, and grow in a week as much as others grow in a year?” (Beharul Anwar volume 51, page 27)
Separation from people
Ibrahim (as) separated himself from the people. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime has quoted him as: “And I will withdraw from you and what you call on besides Allah…” (Surah Maryam 19:48) (Read More)
Imam Mahdi (as) has also detached himself from the people through his Ghaybat.
Two occultations
Ibrahim has two occultations. Qaim is also having two occultations.
Garment of paradise
When Ibrahim (as) was thrown into the fire (of Nimrod), Jibraeel brought a garment of Paradise for him.
Imam Mahdi (as) also – when he reappears – would also be wearing the same garment. It is reported by Mufaddal in Kamaluddin that he quoted Imam Sadiq (as) to have said: “Do you know what was the garment of Yusuf? ‘No,’ replied I. He said, “When fire was lit for (burning) Ibrahim (as) Jibraeel brought a garment of Paradise for him and dressed him in it. That garment protected him from heat and cold and when his death approached, he made it into an arm band and tied it to Ishaq; Ishaq in turn tied it to Yaqoob and when Yusuf was born Yaqoob tied it on him. And it was tied to his arm till those circumstances befell him. Thus when Yusuf removed it from the arm band in Egypt, Yaqoob perceived its fragrance and it is about the same that Allah quotes him saying: “Most surely I perceive the fragrance of Yusuf, unless you pronounce me to be weak in judgment.” (Surah Yusuf 12:94)
It is the same garment that had come down from Paradise.” I said: May I be sacrificed on you, whom did this garment reach after him? He replied, “To the one deserving of it. And the garment is with our Qaim, when he would reappear. Then he said: All knowledge or things inherited by every prophet have reached to Mohammed(sawa).” (Kamaluddin, volume 1, page 142)
The author says: This tradition is not contradicting the one quoted by the notable scholar, Allamah Majlisi in his book, Beharul Anwar from Nomani. The tradition is as follows: from his own chain of narrators, from Yaqoob bin Shuaib from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said: “Shall I show you the garment, wearing which the Qaem would reappear?”
“Yes,” said I (the narrator).
So Imam (as) asked for a garment and opened it and out of it came a canvas garment. And he spread it. I saw that the left sleeve was smeared with blood. Then he said, “It is the same garment that the Holy Prophet (sawa) wore when his teeth were injured. And Imam Mahdi (as) would put on the same garment and reappear.” I kissed that blood and put it on my face. After that the Imam (as) folded it and took it away. (Beharul Anwar volume 52, page 355; Al-Ghaybah by Nomani, page 128)
There is a possibility that he may be wearing both these garments at some time; perhaps he would be having the garment of Ibrahim (as) with him, tied to his arm or like that. Because in the first tradition it is not clearly mentioned that the Imam (as) would be dressed up in it. And Allah knows best.
Kaaba – its construction and rebuilding
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) constructed the Holy Kaaba and fixed the Black Stone in its place. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says, “And when Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House: Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing…” (Surah Baqarah 2:127)
And in Tafseer Burhan and other books it is reported from Uqbah bin Basheer from either Imam Baqir (as) or Imam Sadiq (as) that he said, “Allah, the Mighty and Sublime commanded Ibrahim (as) to build the Kaaba and to raise its foundations so that it becomes a place of worship for people. So Ibrahim and Ismail every day constructed equal to one ‘Saaq’ (leg) till they reached the place of the Black Stone. Imam Baqir (as) said, Here Mount Abu Qubais called out to them that it was holding something as trust for them. At that time it gave the Back Stone to Ibrahim and he fixed it in its proper place.” (Al-Burhan, volume 1, page 153)
Imam Mahdi (as) also is having something like that. It is mentioned in Beharul Anwar that Imam Sadiq (as) said, “When Qaim (as) reappears, he would raze the Masjidul Haraam till he reaches its foundations and he would return the place of Ibrahim to its original location…” (Beharul Anwar volume 52, page 338)
And in Kharaij it is narrated from Abul Qasim Jafar bin Mohammed Quluwahy that he said: In the year 337 I had the honor of performing the Hajj and enroute to it reached Baghdad. That year by the destruction of Qaramtians, they had returned Hajar al-Aswad to its prior place. Most of my efforts were aimed to find someone who could fix that stone in its original spot. Because I had learnt from books that except for the Divine Proof of the time no one can fix it in its original spot. As was seen during the time of Hajjaj when Imam Zainul Abideen (as) placed it in its original spot. But I fell severely ill and began to fear for myself, and in that condition I was not able to continue my journey. Then I learnt that Ibne Hisham was traveling to Mecca. Therefore I wrote a letter, sealed it and entrusted it to him.
In that letter I had asked about the span of my life, that whether I was destined to die during this illness or not. And I told Ibne Hisham: My endeavor is that this letter should reach into the hands of one who fixes the Hajar al-Aswad. And for this job I have summoned you.
Ibne Hisham says: When I reached Mecca and came to the place where Hajar al-Aswad was supposed to be fixed, I gave an amount of cash to the caretakers of the Haram to allow me to remain there at that fixed time. I took up a location from where I could see who fixes that stone. I told the guards to remain with me so that they may take me away from the crowd. I saw that everyone was trying to fix the stone but none was able to do so and it used to fall down. Then a young man of wheat complexion and an elegant appearance approached; he took the stone and placed it in the proper spot. It became so well fixed that I imagined it must not have been so even in the beginning.
Clamor arose from the people due to that and that young man headed towards the exit. I rose from where I was sitting and went after him. I pushed people to right and left and they thought I had gone insane. People were making way for him and I did not let him get out of my sight till he separated from the people. I was walking very fast and he moved calmly and with composure. When he reached a place where none could see him except me, he turned to me and said: Give me that which you are carrying. I presented the letter to him. Without looking at it he said: Tell him that there is no danger for you in this illness and the death from which he is helpless would come after thirty years.
Tears filled up my eyes and I could not even move. He left me in my condition and went away. Abul Qasim says: This incident was related to me by Ibne Hisham. The narrator adds: Thirty years after that mysterious incident Abul Qasim fell ill. So he gathered his affairs, wrote down his will and he made exceptional efforts in this regard. They asked him: What fear is that? We expect that the Almighty Allah would again give you good health. He replied: This is the year about which I was warned. He passed away in that illness. May Allah have mercy on him. (Kharaij, Chapter 13)
Protection from fire
Allah the Almighty saved Hazrat Ibrahim (as) from the fire. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says in His book: “We said: O fire! be a comfort and peace to Ibrahim…” (Surah Anbiya verse 69)
Imam Mahdi (as) would also have a similar situation. As mentioned in some books it is reported by Mohammed bin Zaid Kufi from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said: When Qaim (as) reappears a man from Isfahan would approach him and ask him to show the miracle of Hazrat Ibrahim, the friend of Allah. So the Imam would order the preparation of a huge fire and he would recite the following verse, “Therefore glory be to Him in Whose hand is the kingdom of all things, and to Him you shall be brought back.” (Surah Yasin verse 83) After that he would enter the fire and then he would come out of it safe and sound. That accursed man who had demanded this miracle would deny it and say: This is sorcery. Then the Imam (as) would command the fire and it would catch hold of that man and burn him up. And he would say: This is the punishment of one who denies the Master of the time and the Proof of the Beneficent.
Invitation towards religion of Allah
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) would call the people towards the Almighty Allah. The Holy Quran says: “And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage…” (Surah Hajj verse 27) It is mentioned in Tafseer Burhan that Imam Baqir (as) said: “Ibrahim called out among the people for Hajj and said, O people, I am Ibrahim, the friend of Allah; the Almighty Allah commands you to perform the Hajj of this House, so you all perform the Hajj. One who goes for Hajj – till the day of Qiyamat – has obeyed Ibrahim.” ( Tafseer Burhan, volume 1, page 154; Al-Kafi, volume 4, page 205)
Imam Mahdi (as) would also invite the people to Allah. In Ziyarat Ale Yaseen, he is called Assalamo Alaika Ya Daeyallah (the one who calls towards Allah).
(The above article was taken and adapted from the book Mikyalul Makarim Fee Fawaedid Dua Lil Qaem)