Concerning the Angelic Supporters on Several Occasions

صنف دوم:، انصار آن جناب بودند كه نازل شدند در چند مورد:

انصار از ملائكه در چند مورد

اول در خارج مدينه: آن وقتي كه حضرت به راه افتادند، چند فوج از ملائكه با او ملاقات كردند، كه بر مركوبهاي بهشتي سوار بودند، و در دست ايشان حربه‌ها بود، پس سلام كردند، و عرض كردند: اي حجت خدا بر خلق بعد از جد و پدر و برادرش، به درستي كه خداوند ما را به ياري جدت فرستاد در مواطن بسيار، و اينكه به ياري تو آمده‌ايم، حضرت فرمود: ميعاد ما با شما بقعه‌ي من است كه در آنجا شهيد مي‌شوم و مدفون مي‌گردم، چون به آنجا رسيدم به نزد من بيائيد، عرض كردند: اي حجة خدا امر كن ما را به هر چه خواهي، اگر از دشمني مي‌ترسي به همراه تو بيائيم، فرمود: كسي را بر من [ صفحه 415] راهي نيست تا به بقعه‌ي خود برسم. [1288] . دوم در مكه: چنانكه واقدي و زرارة بن صالح نقل كرده‌اند، كه ملاقات نموديم حسين (عليه‌السلام) را پيش از آن كه به سوي عراق رود به سه روز، و خبر داديم او را، به اينكه قلوب اهل كوفه با شما، و شمشير ايشان بر شما است، پس اشاره نمود به سوي آسمان، درهاي آن باز شد، و نازل شدند ملائكه‌ي بسياري، كه عدد ايشان به حصر نمي‌آمد، پس فرمود: اگر نه ملاحظه‌ي اجر شهادت، و تقدير الهي بود، با اين لشكر به ايشان مقاتله مي‌كردم، و لكن به طريق يقين مي‌دانم كه مصرع من و مصرع اصحابم از آنجاست، واحدي نجات نمي‌يابد از قتل مگر فرزندم علي. [1289] .سوم در كربلا: وقتي كه امر بر او سخت شد، ملائكه آمدند به خدمتش، و نصرت و ظفر بر او نازل شد، پس مخير شد ما بين نصرت، و مابين ملاقات خدا، پس اختيار نمود لقاء الهي را. [1290] .

The second group: His supporters (أنصار) from among the angels, who descended on several occasions.

Concerning the Angelic Supporters on Several Occasions

The first occasion was outside Madinah.

When the Imam (a.s.) set out on his journey, several companies of angels met him.

They were mounted upon heavenly steeds and carried spears in their hands.

They greeted him with salām and said:

“O Proof of Allah upon His creation after your grandfather, your father, and your brother.

Indeed Allah sent us to assist your grandfather (s.a.w.a.) on many occasions, and now we have come to assist you.”

The Imam (a.s.) replied:

“Our appointed meeting place is my land, where I shall be martyred and buried.

When I arrive there, come to me.”

They said:

“O Proof of Allah, command us with whatever you wish.

If you fear an enemy, we shall accompany you.”

He replied:

“No one has any power over me

[ صفحه 415]

until I reach my destined place.” [1288]

The second occasion was in Makkah.

As al-Wāqidī and Zurārah ibn Ṣāliḥ narrated:

“We met al-Imam Husain (a.s.) three days before he departed for Iraq.

We informed him:

‘The hearts of the people of Kufah are with you, but their swords are against you.’

He then pointed toward the sky.

The gates of heaven opened, and countless angels descended, so numerous that they could not be counted.

Then he said:

‘Were it not for the reward of martyrdom and the Divine decree, I would fight them with this army.

But I know with certainty that my place of martyrdom and the place of martyrdom of my companions is there, and none shall survive the killing except my son Ali (a.s.).’” [1289]

The third occasion was in Karbala.

When the situation became extremely difficult for him, the angels came to him.

Divine support and victory were presented to him.

He was then given the choice between victory and assistance on one hand, and meeting Allah on the other.

He chose the meeting with Allah (liqaa Allah). [1290]