3) Familiarity with the position of those in Anticipation or the great companions of the Imam of the Age (AS)

One of the other reasons for people being attracted to the path of Anticipation is familiarity with the position of those in Anticipation and with the great companions of the Imam of the Age (AS). One of the amazing results which Anticipation bestows on those perfect ones is that not only as far as belief and trust is concerned are they learned in the area of the Wilayat of the Ahlul Bayt (AS) but they are also themselves openings for the radiant sun of Wilayat. Meaning that as a result of their perfection relating to the Anticipation of the Imam (AS) as far as they are able, they have acquired special powers from the household of revelation and by using them, perform the responsibilities given to them. Such persons are the companions of the Imam of the Age (AS) and are in the forefront of the path of Wilayat.

Consider the words of Allah in the Holy Qur’an,

فَاسْتَبِقُوْا الْخَيْرَاتِ اَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا يَأتِ بِكُمُ اللهُ جَمِيْعاً

 “Then strive together (as in a race) towards all the is good. Wheresoever ye are Allah will bring ye together.”[1]

This verse concerns the 313 persons among the companions of the Imam (AS) who will be assembled by Allah the Exalted, on the day of his reappearance, next to His house in the presence of the holder of Wilayat so that they can rush to the Imam’s (AS) aid and bring an end to the life of the dark-hearted of the time.

Sometimes an important question arises in the minds of some: what is the reason for their being ahead in righteousness? What virtues do the 313 persons among the leading companions of Hazrat Mahdi (AS) possess which sets them ahead of others and allows them to enjoy such a high position?

We will turn to the school of thought of revelation and seek the answer. Hazrat Imam Baqir (AS) in the exegesis of the verse, which has been mentioned, said the following,

اَلْخَيْرَاتُ: اَلْوِلاَيَةُ لَنَا اَهْل البَيْتِ

 “ The meaning of the righteousness mentioned in the verse is the Wilayat which is of us the Ahlul Bayt.”[2]