The city of Qum at the end of time will assume this pivotal role.

The city of Qum at the end of time will assume this pivotal role. There are many hadith s that express words of appreciation for this holy city and its upright people whose existence has emanated from the pure fountain of the school of the ( ‘a ) and who have shouldered the mission of conveying the divine message.

The Infallible Imams ( ‘a ) have made various statements regarding Qum and its role in the cultural movement during the period of occultation ( ghaybah ) of the Imam of the Time ( ‘atfs ). We shall mention some of them below. Qum as the Sanctuary of the (‘a) It can be deduced from some hadith s that Qum and its inhabitants are the keys and models of Shi‘ism and wilayah (guardianship). Thus, they will label as “Qummi” anyone they would like to introduce as a lover and enthusiast of the ( ‘a ).

A group of people came to Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) and said to him: “We are among the people of Rey.”[^4] He ( ‘a ) said: “Hail to our brothers from among the people of Qum!” They repeated several times: “We have come from Rey.” And he ( ‘a ) also repeated his statement. Then, he ( ‘a ) said: “God has a sanctuary which is in Mecca. There is also a sanctuary for the Messenger of Allah and it is in Medina.

Kufah is the sanctuary of the Commander of the Faithful ( ‘a ) while our ( ’s) sanctuary is the city of Qum and a daughter from my progeny with the name of Fatimah will soon be buried there.

Anyone who would sincerely pay homage ( ziyarah ) to her, paradise would be incumbent upon him.” The narrator said: “Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) made this statement at the time when Imam Musa al-Kazim[^5] ( ‘a ) was not yet born.”[^6] Safwan narrated: One day I was with Abu’l-Hasan—Imam al-Kazim ( ‘a )—and he ( ‘a ) talked about the people of Qum and their love and enthusiasm for Hadrat Mahdi ( ‘atfs ).

The Seventh Imam ( ‘a ) said: “May God have mercy on them and be pleased with them.” Then he ( ‘a ) continued: “Heaven has eight doors one of which is for the people of Qum. From among the cities and countries, they are among our excellent and chosen Shi‘ah.

God has blended our wilayah (guardianship) and friendship with their disposition and essence.”[^7] It can be inferred from these hadith s that the Infallible Imams ( ‘a ) have regarded the city of Qum as a base of the lovers of the ( ‘a ) and Hadrat al-Mahdi ( ‘atfs ).