The Martyr Whom Imam al-Mahdi Shrouded

In the Name of God, the Creator

During the Iran–Iraq War, there was a soldier who would repeatedly recite a poem. I do not know whether he had composed it himself or whether it was written by someone else:

“O son of Fāṭimah al-Zahrāʾ (peace be upon her),
Either come and visit me,
Or come and shroud me yourself.”

He had a deep love for Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance). He therefore left a request with one of his friends, who was a clergyman:

“If I am martyred, I would like you to deliver a speech at my mourning ceremony.”

The clergyman later related what happened:

When I returned from the war front, I was surprised to see his picture displayed on a banner. I went to his parents and told them, “Your son had made this request of me. May I deliver a speech at his mourning ceremony?”

They gave me permission to fulfill his request.

I went to the ceremony and delivered the speech. During the ceremony, I mentioned that the martyr used to recite the following poem:

“O son of Fāṭimah al-Zahrāʾ (peace be upon her),
Either come and visit me,
Or come and shroud me yourself.”

As soon as I mentioned the poem, one of those present suddenly stood up and began shouting.

After a few minutes, he calmed down and explained:

“I am a person who performs the ritual washing of the deceased. Last night, I was informed that one of the martyrs who had been killed behind the front lines was to be shrouded the following day.

The next day, when I was ready to shroud the martyr, a dignified man entered and said, ‘Leave. I must shroud this martyr myself.’

I left the washing room, wondering why I had not been allowed to shroud the martyr. I soon returned, but I found that the martyr had already been shrouded.

The entire washing room was filled with a pleasant fragrance. The dignified man whom I did not recognize was, I believe, Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance).”