And when he unfurls the flag of the Messenger of Allah (S)...

And when he unfurls the flag of the Messenger of Allah (S) 13013 angels would descend to him from the sky as they all would be in anticipation of the orders of Qaim (aj)…”[^4] It is narrated from Abu Hamza that he said: His Eminence, Abu Ja’far Baqir (as) told me: “As if I can see Qaim (aj) appearing in Kufa at the back of Najaf. When he arrives at Najaf he would unfurl the standard of the Messenger of Allah (S).

Its pole would be a pillar of the Arsh and those who accompany it would be helpers of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.

He would not bring it down for anyone but that the Almighty Allah would destroy that person.” The narrator says: I asked in a polite manner: “Is that flag with him or it would be brought for him?” He said: “It would be brought for him by Jibraeel (as).”[^5] In the same book it is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) in a lengthy tradition that he said: “He would be having a standard which would unfurl itself automatically when the time is ripe for his reappearance.

And the Almighty Allah would give it the power to speak and it would say: O Wali of Allah, march forward and eliminate the enemies of Allah. And he would have two flags and two emblems.

And he is having a sheathed sword, which at the time of reappearance would come out its sheath automatically and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime would bestow the power of speech to it and it would call out to His Eminence: O Wali of Allah, march forward as it is not right for you to avoid the enemies of Allah.”[^6] In Biharul Anwar it is narrated from Abu Baseer that he said: His Eminence, Abu Abdillah Sadiq (as) said: “When Amirul Momineen (as) confronted the Basrans, he unfurled his standard, that is the standard of the Holy Prophet (S), therefore they were routed and the sun had not yet set when they called out: O son of Abu Talib, you have destroyed us (or we bring faith).[^7] At that time His Eminence ordered that the prisoners not be killed, the wounded must not be attacked, the runaways must not be pursued and whosoever drops his weapons would be secure and whosoever shuts the door, his house (and one who remains there) is safe.” In the battle of Siffeen (the companions of His Eminence) requested him to wave that flag once more but the Imam did not agree to it.

They petitioned him through the mediation of Hasan, Husain (as) and Ammar Yasir (r.a.).