Signs of the reappearance of the Imam of the time (a.s)

Traditional reports of the Prophet of Islam and Purified Imams (a.s) on the subject of the reappearance of His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s), mention about signs and portents of his advent. They mention about the time and place where he would reappear. However, the signs of reappearance can be categorized into the certain and probable signs of reappearance.

Certain Signs

Narrations and traditions are unanimous in this respect and some of the signs preceding the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s) are certain and inevitable. Among them are the following:

Widespread Injustice and Oppression

Among the prominent signs of reappearance of His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) is widespread injustice and oppression and total absence of peace and security in such a way that fear, terror, calamities, problems, corruption, mischief and ignorance will dominate human society. The people shall do anything for the sake of the world and they shall compete with each other on the way of sin and evil and in their view sin would be considered good and on one hand the Islamic Law, like in the beginning, would be unknown to the people. Kingdoms of the great oppressors of the world would subjugate Muslims and their reputation and economic sources shall be destroyed. Following are some traditions in this regard:

1. Abu Saeed Khudri has narrated that the Holy Prophet (a.s) said, “After me mischiefs will arise and Ihlas (Addiction) is one of them. And in it is war and flight and after that also mischiefs will arrive in such a way that for every age it would be said that another mischief has ended in the same way it will move forward and these mischiefs will enter each and every center of the family of all Arabs and Muslims till a man from my progeny will appear.”^[1]

This tradition proves that tribulations, bloodshed, calamities and horrible events would surround the Islamic and non-Islamic countries and the life of all Arabs and Muslims.

2. Abu Saeed Khudri has narrated that the Holy Prophet (a.s) said, “This severity and suffocation would continue on you in such a way that the earth shall be replete with injustice and oppression and no one would dare to say, “God”. After that the Almighty Allah would send a man from my progeny who would fill the earth with justice and equity just as it would have been fraught with injustice. And the earth will discharge its bounties and blessings and the life of Muslims would become prosperous and comfortable.”^[2]

3. Abu Saeed Khudri narrated that the Holy Prophet (a.s) said, “In the Last Age, severe tribulations would afflict my community from their rulers and kings such that they have not heard of more severe atrocities and the earth shall become constricted for them and become filled with injustice and oppression and the faithful believer would have no place of refuge from those oppressions. At that time, Almighty Allah would send a man from my progeny who would fill the earth with justice and equity and all inhabitants of the earth and heavens would be satisfied and happy and the earth would spew out its treasures and the sky would shower its blessings...”^[3]

4. The Holy Prophet (a.s) said, “After me are Caliphs and after Caliphs, rulers and after rulers, kings and after kings, emperors and tyrannical and rebellious dictators. After that a man from my Ahle Bayt will reappear and fill the earth with justice and equity just as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression.”^[1]

This tradition shows that the administrators of the Muslims shall be of various kinds: Some caliphs, some kings and some tyrants. They would fill up the earth and cities with injustice. After that Almighty God would send the great savior, Mahdi of the Progeny of Muhammad and he would destroy the tyrants and establish Divine Law on the earth.

5. Auf bin Malik has narrated from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “How shall you be, O Aufa When the community would be divided into 73 sects, one of whom would go to Paradise and the rest to Hell ?”

Auf immediately asked, “How ?”

The Prophet of Islam (a.s) said, “...A time when fools would occupy the pulpits and Zakat would be considered a loss and trusts shall be considered as war booty. Contemplation in religion of Allah shall be for other than Allah. Men shall obey their wives and be disowned by their mothers. They shall become aloof from their father. The last of this Ummah will curse the first and the transgressing tribes shall be leading them and the leaders of the people will be the worst people among them. People would respect them for being safe from their mischief. At that time people will take refuge in Damascus which is the best city of Sham (Syria) and they shall remain safe from the enemies.”

It was asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would Sham be conquereda”

He replied, “Very soon (it would be conquered), after that mischief will arise. Then the mischief of the worst kind would appear. In short, there would be mischief after mischief till finally a man from my Ahle Bayt would appear, whose name is Mahdi (a.s).”^[1]

6. The Prophet of Islam (a.s) said, “The Mahdi of this community is from us (our family). When confusion, turmoil and mischief would surround the world and the paths shall be cut off and people will destroy each other and the elders shall not be merciful on the young and the young shall not respect the elders. In that period, the Almighty Allah would send our Mahdi, who is the ninth descendant of Imam Husain (a.s) and he would conquer the centers of deviation and the oblivious hearts and establish religion just as it were founded and he shall fill the earth with justice and equity just as it would be full of injustice and oppression.”^[2]

7. It is narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) that he said, “Mahdi (a.s) will reappear at the time when fear, mischiefs, calamities, epidemics, violence, divisions in religion and transformation of the peoples’ condition shall be dominant on the world and society. Day and night people would yearn for death and shall be at each other’s throat. In other words despair and hopelessness would have conquered them. At that time His Eminence would reappear; and congratulations to the one reaches Imam Mahdi (a.s) and becomes his supporter and woe to the one who opposes him.”^[3]

8. His Eminence, Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) said to a group of his Shias regarding His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s), “Our Qaim would receive help in instilling fear and awe in the hearts of the enemies, and the earth will come into his control and its treasures would be uncovered for him. His rulership will extend to the east and the west. The Almighty Allah would make His religion dominant even if polytheists detest it. He would revive the barren lands and the earth would sprout out its vegetation and during his time, people would be immersed in blessings such that its parallel has never been seen.”

A man in the gathering asked, “When would your Qaim reappear ?”

The Holy Imam (a.s) in reply to this question related the signs of reappearance saying, “A time when men shall resemble women. When women shall be in saddles and men shall omit prayers and follow the base desires and take usury and consider spilling of human blood easy and deal with usury and openly commit fornication and construct high-rises and consider lying permissible and accept bribery and follow sensual desires and sell religion in exchange of material benefits and dissociate from relatives and consider forbearance as weakness and oppression as pride. The rulers shall be sinners, the administrators, liars, the trustees, misappropriators and friends and helpers shall be oppressors. Reciters of Quran shall be sinners. Oppression would be open and divorces common and sins would be committed openly and false testimonies would be accepted, wine would be imbibed and man shall mount upon man and women shall be needless of men and public funds would be considered spoils of war, alms would be considered a monetary loss. They would be afraid of the tongue of the evil people. A time when Sufyani would arise from Sham and Yamani would appear from Yemen and a descendant of the Progeny of Muhammad would be slain between Rukn and Maqam. A caller will call out from the sky: The truth is with him and his followers. This is the time of

the reappearance of our Qaim. When he reappears he would lean on the Ka’ba and 313 of his followers will gather around him. The first words he utters would be: The remnant of Allah is best for you, if you only knew it. Then he would say: I am the remnant of Allah and the Caliph of Allah and His proof upon you. At this his point every Muslim would salute him in the following manner: Peace be upon you, O remnant of Allah on His earth. And when ten thousand men gather before him neither would Jews survive nor Christians or those who worship other than Allah. Rather all would bring faith on him and testify about him and a single community, that is the Islamic community shall come into being. Indeed a fire would descend from the sky and burn up all the deities other than Allah that are deified in every nook and corner of the world.”^[1]

The Signs of the Hour (Qiyamat)

Some traditions mention the events of the Final Age, like the mischiefs, calamities and tribulations and it is assumed that these are also signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s) and we shall mention two traditions of this type:

First Tradition

Ata, son of Abu Riyah narrated from the Rabbi of the Ummah, Abdullah bin Abbas that he said: I performed the Farewell Hajj with the Holy Prophet (a.s). His Eminence held the door of the Ka’ba and glanced to the people and said, “Do you want me to inform you about the signs of the Hour and Qiyamata”

Salman Farsi who was the most proximate to the Prophet replied, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger!”

His Eminence began to reply and said, “One of the signs of Qiyamat is that the Prayer would be wasted – that is the Prayer of the Muslims will lapse. And sensual desires shall be followed.

And people would be inclined to their carnal desires. Religion would be lost for material gains. It is the time when hearts of the faithful shall be terrified of widespread evils that they would witness but would be unable to change. It would be like salt dissolves in water.

Salman inquired in surprise, “O Allah’s Messenger! Indeed, would such a time really come to passa” He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose control is my life! O Salman! At that time leadership and guardianship of Muslims shall be in the hands of tyrannical rulers. Rulers, whose ministers shall be transgressors and the nobles, unjust and the trustees, misappropriators.”

Salman (r.a.) asked, “Would such conditions really occur, O Allah’s Messenger!” He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose hands is my life! At that time evil shall be considered good and good, evil. The misappropriator would be a trustee on paper only and the trustee would misappropriate. The liar shall be testified for and the truthful deemed a liar.”

Salman asked in astonishment, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would it indeed be in this waya”

He said, “Yes! By the God in Whose Control is my life! O Salman! In that age, women shall be rulers and maidservants would become consultants and children would mount pulpits. Lying would be a way of life, Zakat would be considered a monetary loss, and misappropriation of public funds would be considered a type of profit. Men shall oppress their parents and be kind to their friends and a comet shall appear.”

Salman again asked, “O Allah’s Messenger would it indeed be in this waya” He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose control is my life! O Salman! At that time, the wife would be a partner in the trade of her husband and rain would not fall in its season. But it would fall in summer. The kind people would be very hot- tempered. The poor man shall be humiliated. At that time markets shall become proximate to each other. A time when one would say: I have not sold anything and another would say: I have made

no profit. In such a way that everyone who hears this would understand that he is thankless to God.”

Salman asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would this indeed come to pass ?”

He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose control is my life! O Salman! At this time some groups would be dominating them. Such that even if they move their lips they shall be killed and if they don’t say anything their enemies would consider their property permissible for themselves. Till they would fill their pockets with public funds and misbehave with their ladies, spill their blood and their fill their hearts with fear, terror and awe. In those days you will not see the believers except in a condition of fear, terror and awe.”

Salman beseeched, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would such a time come for the believers ?”

He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! At this time, they would get some things from the east and some from west so that they may lead the Muslim community. In that period woe be to the helpless condition of my community by the mischiefs of the east and west. And woe be on the condition of the easterners and westerners from divine chastisement. Yes, neither would they be merciful on the young nor have any respect for elders and nor would they condone anyone who commits a mistake. Their news are all indecencies and improper. Their bodies are humans but their hearts like satans.”

Salman implored, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would such a day really come to pass ?”

The Messenger of Allah (a.s) replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! At that time males shall satisfy their lusts with males and females with females. And in the same way the father and people of family will be possessive of their own daughters and sons (that is they would want them for

themselves). Men shall resemble women and women shall resemble men and women shall ride mounts. May curse of Allah be on them.”

Salman asked in surprise, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would this indeed happena”

The Messenger of Allah (a.s) replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! At that time mosques would be decorated with gold like churches and synagogues. Qurans would be taken as ornament and decoration and shops would be elevated and rows, elongated but they would be inimical to each other and everyone shall have their own justifications.”

Salman asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would this really happen ?”

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) said, “Yes! By the God, in Whose hands is my life! At that time men and boys of the community would wear gold and silk and deal in leopard skins.”

Salman asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would this also happen ?”

The Prophet replied, “Yes! By the One in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! At that time usury would be widespread and a common activity and business transactions would comprise of backbiting and bribery. Religion shall be humiliated and the world shall be honored.”

Salman asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would this also come to pass ?”

He replied, “Yes! By the One in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! At that time divorces would increase and no penalty would be carried out although Almighty Allah would not be harmed by all this in any way.”

Salman asked, “Would this also happen ?”

He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose Hands is my life! O Salman! In that age singing girls would appear and the mischiefs of my community shall dominate.”

Salman asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would such circumstances really appear ?”

The Prophet replied, “Yes! By the One in Whose hand is my life! O Salman! The affluent people of my community would go for Hajj for the sole purpose of recreation and the middle class would go for business and the poor for show off. In that time the community would learn Quran for (a purpose) other than Allah and recite it with musical instruments. A group of people will obtain knowledge of religious jurisprudence for other than Allah. In that time illegitimate children will increase, Quran will be recited in tune for entertainment.”

Salman requested, “O Messenger of Allah! Would such a day come to pass ?”

He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! It is the time when no type of sanctity and limits shall be observed and people would knowingly and willingly commit sins and evil people will dominate righteous souls. Lying would become open and flattery will become general, the poor shall openly display their poverty, some would pride upon others with regard to their clothes. Rain shall be unseasonal. People would consider chess, backgammon and music as favorite activities and in comparison to it they would consider Amr bil Maroof (Advising good) and Nahy Anil Munkar (Restraining from evil) as bad. So much so, that a faithful person shall be the most degraded and despised person of the community. The reciters (of Quran) will denounce the worshippers and the worshippers shall denounce the reciters. These are the people who are considered as filth in the kingdom of the heavens.”

Salman asked in astonishment, “O Messenger of Allah! Would such a day really come ?”

He replied, “Yes! By the God in Whose hands is my life! O Salman! In that time the ‘Ruwabyiza’ will speak.”

Salman asked, “O Messenger of Allah! My parents be sacrificed on you! What is ‘Ruwabyiza’ ?”

He replied, “A thing or a person’s speaking about the general matters that has never been spoken about. In that time people will not have a long life, suddenly the earth will call out and every person will think it is for him or her. After that the world would remain in that condition till Allah likes and after that it would be destroyed. The earth would spew out whatever it contains. The Prophet himself said: That is Gold and Silver. At that moment he pointed out to the pillars and said: Like this, but on that day neither gold nor silver be of any use. This is the meaning of the verse: Now indeed the tokens of it have come…”^[1]

Second Tradition

Humran has related that Imam Sadiq (a.s) was speaking about the pomp and splendor of the tyrant rulers and the poverty and bad conditions of the Shias. He says, “I was in the presence of Abu Ja’far Mansur Dawaniqi while he was the ruler and he was riding his mount accompanied by numerous attendants. Some others were riding astride him. He asked me, ‘O Aba Abdillah! Indeed it is a fact that the Almighty Allah has given us kingdom and security and an honor, which He made easy for us. Be happy with it and do not say to the people you and your Ahle Bayt are more eligible than us for this rulership because if you utter such a thing it would be as if you have instigated yourself and the people against me.’”

He says, “I said, ‘Who has told you such a thing. Whoever has said it has lied.’” Mansur asked, “Can you swear that you have not said anything like it ?”

He says, “I replied, ‘People are magicians. They like to instigate you against me. It is upto you to keep your ears protected and do not accept all they say because our caution regarding you is more than your caution about us.’

At that time he said to me, ‘Do you remember that day when I asked you whether I would reach your thronea You said: Yes! A rule of long duration widespread and secure, which will not decline in your kingdom you will be given respite and comfort. And in your world would be increase and excess till the time that in the Holy month and the Holy city their hands shall be smeared in our blood.’”

The Imam says, “I understood that I remembered that incident. I said, ‘Yes! I hope Allah, the Mighty and the Sublime would keep you safe and I also on that day by those words did not mean you by that person. Rather it was a tradition I had quoted for you. Although it is possible that person who would smear his hands with our blood may be a person from your family.’

When I told him this he fell silent and did not say anything else. After we reached our destination one of our supporters came to me with some people and said to me, ‘May I be sacrificed on you! I saw you in the caravan of Abu Ja’far (Mansur). You were on an ass while he rode a horse. His head was bowed towards you and he was speaking to you. As if he wanted to control you. I said to myself: O flatterer! This is the proof of God on the creatures and is the real owner of this kingdom and grandeur. And he is the one whom all the rulers of the world should follow. And this other person is an oppressor, a tyrant and the slayer of the children of the prophets and a blood-shedder who spills innocent blood and whom Allah does not like. At that time he was riding a horse while you rode an ass. That thought worried me so much and I got such a doubt that I began to doubt about my life and my religion.’

Imam (a.s) said, “I told you that if you had seen the honor and the service of the angels who were moving ahead of me and behind me, Mansur’s kingdom would have become worthless in your view.”

When my follower heard this he said, “Now my heart is satiated.”

And then he asked, “For how long would these people remain in powera And in which time would Islam become safe from their mischief ?”

I replied to him, “But you don’t know that there is a limit to everything.”

He said, “Why not! (I know it)”

I said, “If you know when this would occur, before the blink of the eye. At that time your knowledge would be beneficial to you. Yes! You knew the position these people have near Allah at that time your hatred to them will increase. If you and all the people of the earth endeavor to make more severe the condition in which they are, you are not at all capable of it. Then Shaitan would not touch you that honor is for Allah, the Messenger and the believers but the hypocrites do not know.”

Do you not know that one who is in anticipation of our affair and are patient on difficulties they face, tomorrow he shall be in our army. Thus whenever you see that truth is extinct and inhabitants of the earth are destroyed and injustice and oppression have surrounded from all sides and Quran has become old-fashioned and those things become apparent in it that are not in it and you see Quran interpreted by selfish motives and see that religion is inverted like a bowl. (Another version says: Like water is inverted). And you see people of falsehood dominating over people of truth and see mischief becoming common but no one restraining it. Rather the mischief-makers shall be defended and you will see that transgression is openly committed. Men shall satisfy their lust with men and women shall satisfy theirs with women. You will see that the believer assumes silence as his advice will not be accepted. You will see the transgressor lying and also see that his lies are being accepted and no one is refuting and falsifying his words. You will see the young insulting the elders. You will see that dissociating with relatives has become common. You will see that when a person praises sin he would do it laughingly

and one who says it will not be refuted. You will see boys will be given to those whom they give women. You will see women marrying women. You will see that praise and extolling would increase. You will see that people spending their wealth on the way of other that God and there would be none to restrain them and hold back their hands. You will see that when people see a believer making effort and searching, they would seek the refuge of Allah that they may not become like him. You will see a neighbor harassing other neighbor and no one would stop him. You will see that when a disbeliever sees the poor condition of the believer he would be elated by his own condition and when he sees corruption widespread on the earth he would be happy. And you will see that wine is openly imbibed and people who are gathered around tables do not care about Allah, the Mighty and the Sublime. You will see that enjoining good has become extinct. You will see that the transgressor is powerful and is being defended and praised in deeds disliked by Allah. You will see that those having the signs (Another version: Those having the relics) would also face humiliation. You will see that the path of good is closed and the path of mischief is open and full of people who walk upon it. You will see that the Holy Ka’ba is rendered empty and people shall be prevented from its visitation and encouraged to leave it. You will see each one advising others what he himself hasn’t done. You will see men dressing up for men and women shall dress up for women (and show off themselves as they are not). You will see men earning their living through service and women through their private parts.

You will see women arranging for themselves assemblies like men do. You will see descendants of Bani Abbas openly committing sodomy and women becoming men. That is why they dye and comb their hair like ladies make up their hair for their husbands. Men would spend their wealth for their private parts. Many people would fight for one man and each of them would try to put to shame the other.

You will see that one possessing wealth is more respected than a believer. Usury would be openly practiced and none shall be chastised about it. You will see a woman praised for her adulterous exploits. The wife would help and support her husband in committing sodomy with another man. You will see people helping their ladies in sensual deeds and they shall be considered the best family men.

You will see the believer always in sorrow, degradation and humiliation. You will see innovations and adultery common. You will see people competing with each other in testifying falsely. You will see that the prohibited has become permissible, the permissible has become prohibited. You will see people justifying their religion on the basis of their personal views and opinions and the Book of God and its commands are rendered useless.

You will see that no one is committing sins in the darkness of the night. Rather you will see them committing sins in broad daylight. You will see the believer, except by his heart, cannot refute the evils. You will see unprecedented wealth being squandered on activities hated by God. You will see wealthier people more deserving of leadership of the people. You will see relatives of prohibited degree satisfying each other and marrying each other. You will see people killed merely on allegations and doubts. You will see men dropping their shame in competing for the love of a boy. So much so, that they would sacrifice their life and wealth on this love.

You will see people denouncing men who go to women for satisfying their lusts. You will see people living off the adulterous earnings of their wives knowingly. You will see wives dominating and suppressing their husbands. They act contrary to their desires and spend money on it. You will see people hiring out their wife, daughter, and maid for sex and be satisfied to eat and drink things purchased by such money. And you will see that false oath is common, chess is played openly and wine is sold openly and no one is prohibiting it. And you will see Muslim women giving their kinswomen to disbelievers.

And you will see music and singing very open and common. Muslims would go beyond that and none shall refrain the other and none shall dare to prevent him. You will see respectable people humiliated by those whose power they dread. You will see that the closest people to their leaders shall be those who speak ill of us, Ahle Bayt and praise those leaders. You will see that people would find it very difficult to listen to Quranic recitation while on the other hand, it would be easy and acceptable for them to listen to impermissible sounds.

You will see people respecting a neighbor for fear of his sharp tongue. You will see the most truthful people lying. You will see that mischief is open and tale telling is common. You will see that rebellion and injustice has come out in open. You will see backbiting has become a sort of good and jovial manner and people would give glad-tidings to each other through it. You will see that the aspect of other than Allah would be found in Hajj and Jihad. You will see the ruler humiliating a believer because of a disbeliever. You will see destructions dominating their lives. You will see that human life would become a saleable commodity. You will see that bloodshed would become an easy and very common matter.

You will see that someone is standing up for leadership while his sole aim will be the world and he would introduce himself to be a harsh-tongued person so that none may dare to oppose him and through it he may have his purpose solved. You will see that carelessness is exercised with the Prayer. You will see that the rich has much wealth collected with him and since he has started hoarding it he has not paid Zakat on it. You will see that they would take out the corpse out of the grave, hurt it and sell off its shroud. You will see that there is too much of topsy-turvy. You will see that people are intoxicated in the morning and late afternoon without any care for anyone or anything. You will see them having sexual intercourse with animals. You will see animals fighting and killing each other.

You will see people going to places of worship and coming back in condition of having their garments looted. You will see that the hearts of the people have become hard and their eyes have no shame and the remembrance of Allah is hard on them and consumption of prohibited would become open and they would compete with each other in this. You will see that if a worshipper goes to the worship house he does so with the intention of showing off, that people may see him. If you see a jurisprudent is contemplating something other than religious aim it is that he intends to obtain material gains and worldly power. You will see that people are supporting only those who are powerful and those who are victorious without any thought of whether he had been on the right or wrong.

You will see that those who try to earn through lawful means are denounced and criticized and those who seek through unlawful means are respected and praised. You will see such activities in the two holy sanctuaries of Ka’ba and Medina, that the Almighty Allah does not like and none would be there to stop it. Rather there would be no obstacle between them and their ignorance. You will see that music is played openly in the two sanctuaries. You will see a person issuing good exhortation but someone would stand up and say that Allah does not want him to say these things; while he would be considered a well-wisher of this man. You will see people united in following the people of mischief. You will see that paths of good are deserted and no one walks upon them.

You will see that they shake up the dead body and no one would be disturbed by it. You will see that every year there is increase in innovations and mischief would increase. You will see that people and groups do not follow anyone except the rich. You will see that the needs of the needy are fulfilled laughingly and mockingly and their kindness shall be for ulterior motives. You will see that the heavenly signs shall become apparent but none would be afraid of them. You will see people clinging to each

other like animals and none would consider it bad. Even if they consider it bad, they would not say anything against it due to the fear of the people. You will see people spending most of their wealth in ways other than Allah’s and they would be unwilling to spend even a little on the way of Allah. And you will see that hurting parents, being disowned by them or insulting the parents would be common. Parents would be considered the worst of the people in view of their children. So much so, children will be pleased when allegations are made against their parents. You will see women dominating rulership and they would be having power on everything that fulfills their sensual desires.

You will see children making allegations against their parents and criticizing them. They would be elated on hearing the news of their demise. You will see that the conditions reach to such a stage that if a day passes for a man without having committed any sin, short-selling, misappropriation, usurpation and wine-drinking he would think that a day of his life is wasted. You will see the ruler hoarding essential commodities and the property of the near kindered of the Prophet (a.s) being distributed unjustly. And he will spend it in gambling and drinking.

You will see him seeking cure through wine, and he would praise and recommend it for those who are sick. He would say: Such and such wine is beneficial for you. He would seek cure from alcohol. You will see people united in leaving off the enjoining of good and restraining from evil. You will see that the flag of hypocrites is flying high and the flag of people of truth missing. You will see callers to Prayer and worshippers calling Azan and performing prayers for money.

You will see the mosques full of people who do not fear God. They have gathered to backbite and consume the flesh of the people of truth. They shall discuss about wine-drinkers. You will see the prayer leader leading prayer in a state of intoxication. Such that he would not understand what he is reciting and none

would denounce him. Rather if he is intoxicated, people would respect him due to fear and leave him alone. They would not pursue him; rather they would consider him worthy of being excused. You will see people who usurp the property of orphans praised. You will see judges issuing judgments against divine commands. You will see rulers, because of greed, seeking refuge of those who misappropriate.

You will see the guardians giving off the wealth to transgressors and sinners against Allah rather than pay the inheritance according to religious law. They would accept their bribes as fees. And they shall leave him free so that inheritors may do whatever they like. You will see people advising good from the pulpit but themselves not acting upon it. You will see that Prayer is not recited on time and preference will not be accorded for praying at the earliest hour. You will see charity (Sadaqah) and alms are being paid on the basis of recommendation. And in it there would be no intention of seeing Allah’s pleasure but it would be only because people are petitioning. You will see that people are free in satisfying carnal desires and they do not care what they eat and where they fulfill their lust. You will see that the world is moving towards the people.

You will see that the signs of religion have become outdated, antiquated and old. Then beware of such a day for the sake of Allah and beseech the Almighty for salvation. Know that in such days people shall be deep in divine chastisement. And if the Almighty Allah has given them respite it is because you must wait for the time Allah has appointed for a matter. You must try to be such that you are opposed to these types of people so that if chastisement descends upon them, you may soon reach the mercy of Allah. If their chastisement is delayed and they fall into it, you may be out of their midst; you must not be the one who has dared to disobey Allah. You should know that the Almighty Allah does not waste the rewards of the good doers. And the mercy of Allah is near to the righteous ones.”^[1]

Here we conclude our discussion about traditions that speak about the signs of the Day of Judgment. These traditions clearly show that the moral and ethical level of the people shall be at the lowest and they shall be mired in the filths of ignorance. It is very likely that these would also be the signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s).

Advent of Dajjal (Anti-Christ)

One of the sure signs of reappearance of His Eminence, the Awaited Imam, is the advent of Dajjal. He would misguide the thinking of the people and Jews would accept him and become attached to him and be fond of him. Dajjal would deceive the gullible people with wealth and money. He would become so powerful that he would control some parts of the Islamic world. Here we shall explain some things related to him.

Emphasis of traditions for the advent of Dajjal

Traditions are emphatic that Dajjal would appear before the advent of His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s). Here are some of these traditions:

1. Hisham bin Aamir has narrated from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “There is nothing greater than Dajjal between the Creation of Adam and the Day of Judgment.”^[1]

2. Anas bin Malik has related from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “All prophets have warned about the liar Dajjal. But on Dajjal’s forehead is the inscription that he is a disbeliever.”^[2]

3. Asma binte Yazid has narrated that the Messenger of Allah (a.s) was in her house when there was a discussion about Dajjal and he (a.s) said, “His tenure shall be for three years. In one year, it would rain for a third of the year and for the rest two-thirds of the year there would be drought. In the second year the

earth and sky would have no rain and cultivation, thus all cattle and quadrupeds would perish. The most terrible mischief of the Dajjal is that he would come to a Bedouin and say, ‘If I bring your dead camel back to life would you not accept me as your Lorda’ The Bedouin would reply, ‘Yes!’ Thus Satans will appear in the form of a fitful camel with huge udders and long teeth and go to the man whose brother and father have died and say to him, ‘If we bring your brother and father back to life would you not create a belief in our divinity ?’ He would reply, ‘Yes!’ At that time the satans will appear in the form of his brother and father.”

Asma says: His Eminence left the house for some work and then returned. The people in his house were still shocked and sorrowful due to what they had heard from the Prophet about Dajjal. Then, His Eminence took me near the door and asked, “Are you perplexed and worried ?”

Asma replied, “O Allah’s Messenger! The discussion about Dajjal has made me distraught.”

The Messenger of Allah (a.s) said, “If Dajjal appears and I am alive I would stand up to confront him and I would prevent his deceits. Otherwise my Lord would be the protector and defender of every believer.”^[1]

4. Abu Amama Bahili has quoted the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “From the time the Almighty Allah created Adam, there had been no mischief greater than that of Dajjal. All prophets have issued warnings against the mischief of Dajjal. I am the last of them (prophets) and you are the last community. On the basis of this, Dajjal is sure to appear in this community…He would be between Syria and Iraq and wherever he goes he would create chaos and confusion. I am explaining in a way no prophet has explained. Then he (Dajjal) would say, ‘I

am a Prophet and after me there is no prophet.’ Then he would say, ‘I am your Lord.’ From his mischiefs is the claim that Hell and heaven are with him (in his control). Then his hell is heaven and his heaven, hell. And whoever falls into his Hell should seek refuge of Allah and recite Surah Kahf so that it becomes cool and safety for him. Just as the fire became such for Ibrahim. And from his mischief is that he shall say to a Bedouin, ‘If I bring your parents back to life would you testify that I am your lorda’ He would reply, ‘Yes!’ At that time two Satans shall come in the form of his parents and tell him. ‘O Son, obey him, because he is your Lord.’”^[1]

Titles of Dajjal

His name is not clear but he would be famous by the titles of ‘Aawar’ (one-eyed) and Dajjal. Another title of his is ‘Christ’. It is due to the following reasons:

(a) His eye has been rubbed out.

(b) He would conquer the earth from Mecca, Medina to Baitul Maqdas.^[2]

Patronymics of Dajjal

1- Abu Yusuf

2- ‘Amirus Salem’ or ‘Ilahkar’; these titles are given by Jews.^[3]

3- ‘Raees’ – the Christians has given him this title.^[4]

4- Dictator^[5]

5- The Great Ruler^[6]

Characteristics of Dajjal

The qualities of Dajjal are abhorring and despicable and show his evil and filthy character. In some traditions of the Messenger of Allah (a.s) it is mentioned:

1- His left eye is blind.^[1]

2- His right eye is blind.^[2]

3- He is blind and the pupils of his eyes are protruding out.^[3]

In other words he is one-eyed or he is blind in the right or the left eye.

4- He is fair complexioned.^[4] There is redness in his face.

5- He has broad forehead and long neck.^[5]

6- He has long and curly hair.^[6]

Fabricated Traditions

Zahak has narrated that Dajjal has no beard and has a long mustache and his face is two yards long and his stature is eighty yards to the sky. His dress, shoes, saddle and bridle are of gold and precious stones and there is a crown on his head, set with precious stones…^[7]

It is not possible for a human being to posses these characteristics and no other tradition has supported the above report. Therefore it shows that it is a fabricated tradition.

Plight of the Believers under Dajjal

The people of belief shall be troubled and oppressed under the tyranny of Dajjal and some say that nothing is more terrible than the scourge of Dajjal.^[1]

Nawawi says, “Dajjal is a person to whose scourge the Almighty Allah would subject the people and install him upon some of the destined affairs.^[2] Through him some of the signs and miracles, like the rain etc. shall be brought out. And this would cause many people to be deceived by him. But the Almighty Allah would make his tactics known to the people of faith. However the gullible and simple-minded people shall be fooled by him.”^[3]

It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “How shall you be when a man shall be controlling the streams and fruits of the earth and you are involved with hima While he would provide food to whosoever follows him and he would turn him into a disbeliever.”^[4]

The aim of Dajjal is mischief, calamities and tests of the people. One who brings faith in him has exited from Islam. One who denies him shall be a believer, whose heart the Almighty Allah has prepared for faith. Faith has become deep-rooted in him. However, Dajjal shall wreak the worst of the tortures on the believers.

Followers of Dajjal

As for the followers and supporters of Dajjal—most of them shall be Jews—are the actual source of mischief in the world. It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “The first supporters of Dajjal would be seventy thousand Jews

wearing silk garments and the Jew magicians and sooth-sayers that deceive the people – shall be with him.”^[1]

In another tradition it has come that, “Seventy thousand Jews of Isfahan shall become followers of Dajjal; they shall be wearing skins.”^[2]

Also 13000 women would follow him. The Messenger of Allah (a.s) says, “A group of people would go out to him and shall be deceived by his propaganda and the greedy people shall become his supporters.”

It is quoted in prophetic traditions that, “Some communities would gather around Dajjal and say, ‘We are with him so that we may get food from him and we know that he is an infidel.’ Thus when the divine chastisement descends, it would fall on all of them.”^[3]

Faith of Jews on Dajjal

The Jews would bring faith on Dajjal and consider him their greatest leader and guide. They would think that he is the promised savior of their scriptures. They shall say, “He is that same savior, in whose anticipations we had been for a long time. He is the same person described in our Holy Book.”

The actual cause of the Jews having faith in Dajjal is their animosity towards Islam and very soon Dajjal would battle against Muslims; which in fact is the ultimate aim of Jews and Zionists.

Signs of the advent of Dajjal

Among the portents of advent of Dajjal are: Widespread oppression, injustice and usurpation of rights, corruption, discords, ill manners, deviations and other social evils. It is mentioned in a tradition of the Holy Prophet (a.s) that he said, “Five years prior to the advent of Dajjal there shall be drought and nothing shall be cultivated. Such that all the hoofed animals shall perish.”

Dajjal would bring food for them so that he may deceive them and prevent them from the path of God. It is that time when hunger would melt their bodies and in a condition that technology shall fail to provide food to the people.

A tradition says, “We know what Dajjal has; there are two streams with him; one of them is of white water and other of blazing flames of fire.”^[1]

Treasures under Dajjal’s control

One of the tortures of Dajjal is that the treasures of the earth would come under his control. It has come in traditions that: Dajjal would pass by a ruin and say to it: Throw out your treasure. The ruin would also bring out its treasure.^[2]

In another tradition it is mentioned that Dajjal would say to the earth: Sprout forth. And the earth would also sprout forth vegetation.^[3] The meaning of these acts is that in order to achieve his aim and to deviate the people, Dajjal would resort to magic and sorcery. Thus magic is that sole weapon and medium that would dominate over people who are gullible and the general public, which does not have knowledge and piety.

The End of Dajjal

The end of this dangerous criminal and sinner shall be at the hands of the Awaited Imam (a.s), the Great reformer of humanity. His Eminence, Imam Sadiq (a.s) narrates from his father and he from his great grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he mentioned about the advent of Dajjal, the place of his appearance and some of his characteristics and said that the Dajjal would claim divinity and on the first day of his appearance, seventy thousand Jews of illegitimate birth, habitual drinkers, singers, musician, bedouins and women shall follow him.

He said, “Then Dajjal would make fornication, sodomy and all sinful activities lawful. So that people may have illicit relationships with women and children openly on the roads. His followers shall be prolific in consuming pork, wine and all types of sinful acts. They would obtain control over various areas of the earth except Mecca, Medina and shrines of the Holy Imams (a.s). At the time when his transgression would exceed all limits and the earth full of his oppression and his followers, one behind whom Isa bin Maryam (a.s) shall pray would slay him. And that person is Imam Mahdi (a.s).”^[1]

For the sake of Zionism, Dajjal would continue to increase terrorist attacks and keep on increasing corruption and destruction. He would rise up to fight against God. His end shall be at the hands of the greatest reformer of society, His Eminence, the Remnant of Allah, the Great (Baqiyatullah-il-Aazam).

Advent of Sufyani

One of the sure signs of the reappearance of the Awaited Imam (a.s) is the advent of Sufyani who is one of the pillars of mischief and corruption on the earth. We shall discuss in brief about him also.

Sufyani’s Lineage

Some sources explain that Sufyani is from the lineage of Khalid bin Yazid the great grandson of Abu Sufyan, the oldest enemy of the Holy Prophet (a.s) and Islam. Actually this clan was nurtured for the sole purpose of animosity towards Islam, Quran and wickedness.

Physical features of Sufyani

He shall be having a fat body and a swollen face and there is a white spot on his eye.^[1]

Sufyani’s Character

Sufyani shall be having a mischievous temperament and oppressive nature towards people. Actually, he shall be a person who has transmogrified and the filthiest of them. When appears, he would have children killed and bellies of women slit.^[289] He would put righteous people to death and commit the worst of deeds and destructions.

Tradition of His Eminence, Ali (a.s)

regarding Sufyani

His Eminence, Ali (a.s) issued an important and detailed narration regarding the crimes, oppressions and tyrannies of Sufyani. After His Eminence mentioned the name of Sufyani he said, “He is the accursed one in the heavens and the earth and the most oppressive of the creatures of Allah…Thus he would

appear suddenly, and greedy and hateful people would gather around him and their figure shall reach 50000. Then he would send them to the Kalb tribe. They would come towards him like floodwaters. At that time Berbers shall fight with Abbaside rulers and they are from Dailamites, Turks and non-Arabs. They shall have black flags and Berbers shall have yellow flags while the flag of Sufyani shall be red. They shall have a severe battle in the center of the Jordan valley and 60000 men shall be killed and as a result of this Sufyani would be victorious and he shall adjudicate regarding them so that the sayer says, ‘Nothing but lies have been told about him.’ By Allah, they themselves are liars. If they realize what benefits the community of Muhammad has obtained from them, they would never speak about them in this manner. He would dispense justice in this way and move forwards and pass by the Euphrates River and then return to Damascus. He would prepare two armies and send one of them to Medina and another to the East. However, the army that he dispatches to the East would kill 70000 people in Zura (Baghdad) and slit the bellies of 300 women; and from Baghdad it would move to Kufa and slay some people there also.

The army sent towards Medina would accomplish what it had intended, then move towards Mecca. When they shall be in the middle of the desert, a caller would call to them. And he is Jibraeel. Then none would remain among them except that Allah shall cause them to sink into the earth. There would be only two survivors. One shall be the giver of glad-tidings and the other a warner. So the two of them would return to Sufyani and inform him about the fate of his army. These two persons shall be from Juhaina.

After that a group from the descendants of the Messenger of Allah (a.s) shall flee towards Rome. Sufyani would ask the ruler of Rome to send them back and the Roman king would deport them. Then Sufyani would slay them in the eastern side of the Damascus Mosque and none would say anything against it. Then

70000 persons would move to Kufa and Basra. They would surround the cities, kill the enemies, burn the Quran, demolish mosques, make unlawful as lawful, make sinful acts lawful and make everything that Allah had made obligatory on them as unlawful. They will not refrain from any transgression and sinful act. On the basis of their animosity towards the Progeny of the Messenger, they would put to death anyone having the name of Ahmad, Muhammad, Ali, Ja’far, Hamzah, Hasan, Husain, Fatima, Zainab, Ruqaiyyah, Umme Kulthum, Khadijah or Aatika.

After that they would collect children, boil olive oil for them, and kill them. Children would plead that even if their parents had opposed them, they have caused them no harm. He would take out two children from them named Hasan and Husain and crucify them.

Then they would rush to Kufa and do the same thing with children there. Here also two children, named Hasan and Husain would be crucified at the Mosque gate. Their blood would boil like the blood of Yahya bin Zakaria. So when he sees them he would become certain that calamity and death is inevitable. After that he would go Syria and not bear to see anyone opposing him. When he enters Syria he would make wine and sinful activities lawful for himself and his followers and command them for these acts. Sufyani will come out openly armed and catch a woman and throw her towards his companions and tell them to rape her. They would rape her in the middle of the road and then slit her belly and take out the fetus from her and none would raise any voice against it. Then angels of God would become restless in the heavens. At that time the Almighty Allah would command Jibraeel to scream over the festivities of Damascus, ‘O community of Muhammad! The refuge and shelter has arrived. Your release has come. This is Mahdi, who has arisen from Mecca. So harken to him.’”

Then His Eminence, Ali (a.s) explained the characteristics of Imam Mahdi (a.s), characteristics and number of his followers, the Hasanid Sayyid who would pledge allegiance to him etc.

“And clamor would arise in Syria that the Bedouins of Hijaz are moving towards them. Then Sufyani shall ask his companions, ‘What do you think about this communitya’ They would reply, ‘They are archers and camel riders while we are strong and armed with weapons. Take us out so that we may confront them.’ They think that Sufyanis are fearful and he knows what is expected of him. After that 260 persons shall come out and reach Hira (Tiberia) and Mahdi shall also move forward and on his way no town or city comes but that it gives the message of peace, security and glad tidings. Jibraeel shall be to his right and Mikaeel to his left and people would join him from all sides. In these circumstances there is confrontation with Sufyani at Tiberia. The Almighty Allah sends His wrath on Sufyani and his followers and all the creatures, including the bird are wrathful on Sufyani and his followers hitting him with their wings and feathers. The mountains hit the Sufyani army with stones and the Almighty Allah destroys the army of Sufyani. Due to the defeat they flee the battlefield and a man named Sabah, a follower of Imam, arrests Sufyani and brings him to Imam Mahdi (a.s) while he was concluding his night Prayer (Isha). The Imam concludes his Prayer and comes out to see that a turban is put around the neck of Sufyani and is being pulled. After that Sufyani is left with the Imam and he addresses the Imam, ‘O cousin! Have pity on me so that I may survive. I give you my word that I would be your sword and fight your enemies.’ While he (the Imam) is among his companions he says, ‘Catch hold of him.’

The companions would ask, ‘O son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah! Would you let him live while he has killed the descendants of the Messenger of Allah ?’

His Eminence shall say, ‘The decision is upon you.’

Sabah along with a group of people would take Sufyani near Sidra, behead him and bring his severed head to His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s). Then Shias of Mahdi shall glance at the

severed head and raise slogans of ‘Allah is the Greatest. There is no God except Allah and Praise be to Allah.’ Then His Eminence would command them to bury it.’”^[1]

Since the chain of narrators of this tradition is authentic it provides a detailed account the circumstances of Sufyani, that he shall be a sinful and tyrannical fellow who would render the prohibited of God as lawful. And that his end shall be at the powerful hands of His Eminence, the Wali of Allah, the Greatest.

Duration of Sufyani’s Rule

The period of Sufyani’s rule and his oppression shall last for eight months. In this brief time span he would exceed all limits in wreaking havoc and terror. He shall slay the righteous and during his tenure the hope of the weak, the deprived and the oppressed, His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) shall reappear.

Black Flags

Another sure sign of the reappearance is the formation of Islamic army, which would raise up black standards and it is strongly conjectured that the black flags shall be for the sake of the mourning for the chief of the martyrs and the beloved grandson of the Messenger of Allah (a.s), Imam Husain (a.s). Here we narrate some traditions on this subject:

1. Thauban narrates from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “When you see black flags approaching from Khorasan, join them, because the Caliph of God, His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) is among them.”^[2]

2. Hasan narrates from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that His Eminence mentioned the calamities that would befall his Ahle Bayt (a.s) and then said, “Till the time the Almighty Allah brings out the black flags from east; and He shall help all those who

help it. And whosoever causes disrespect to him shall be degraded by Allah. Till the time they shall gather near a person having my name and entrust their affairs to his guardianship (Wilayat). Then the Almighty Allah would support and help him.”^[1]

3. Jabir has quoted from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) that he said, “The flags that arrive from Khorasan shall reach Kufa. And when His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) reappears from Mecca, these flags shall go towards him and pledge allegiance to him.”

4. Abdullah bin Masud says, “We were with the Messenger of Allah (a.s) and suddenly we saw that some Hashemite youths approached and upon seeing them, His Eminence became worried and his eyes opened wide and his complexion changed. I asked, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! What’s wrong with youa Why your mood has changed suddenlya’ He replied, ‘We and my Ahle Bayt, the Almighty Allah has selected for us the Hereafter over the world. Very soon my Ahle Bayt shall fall into calamities, arrests and flights. Till the time groups will come from east, holding black flags. Then they would not get anything but good. They would fight a battle and they shall be victorious and whatever they desire shall be given to them but they shall not accept it. A person from my Ahle Bayt would be given the power to fill the earth with justice and equity, as it would be full of injustice and oppression. Whomsoever of you reaches them should join that group.’”

5. Jalaluddin Suyuti quoted the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “Black flags shall come out of Khorasan and nothing could halt their movement till they reach Eliya.”

Ibne Kathir says, “These are not flags of Abu Muslim Khorasani that the Umayyads may destroy. Rather they are some other flags that shall be with His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s).”

6. Abu Tufail Aamir narrated from His Eminence, Ali (a.s) that he said, “O Aamir! Whenever you hear that flags are moving from Khorasan, and you are in a casket and it is locked, you must break the lock so that you may lay your life below those flags. If you are not able to break it, you must overturn it so that you may reach under the flags.”

Others traditions that prove that black flags would appear from the east or from Khorasan, imply that it is the preface to the reappearance of His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s).

Voice from the Sky

One of the sure signs of the reappearance of the Awaited Imam is the voice of the angel of sky giving glad-tidings of the reappearance of His Eminence and it would invite people towards the Imam. There are there kinds of traditions in this regard:

First Group of Traditions

This group clearly says that when the Awaited Imam (a.s) reappears there would be an angel above his blessed head proclaiming: This is the same Mahdi, so follow him.

(a) Abdullah bin Umar narrated from the Messenger of Allah (a.s) that he said, “The Mahdi shall reappear and there would be a cloud above him and in it shall be angel proclaiming: This is the Caliph of Allah and the same Mahdi, so obey him.”^[1]

(b) Abu Naeem quoted from Ibne Umar that the Messenger of Allah (a.s) said, “The Mahdi shall reappear in such a way that an angel shall proclaim above his head: This is the same Mahdi, who is the Caliph of Allah. So follow him. And people would bring faith on him and his love shall enter the hearts of the people. He is one who shall rule over the east and the west and those who pledge allegiance to him first shall be same as the

number of Badr fighters. They shall give allegiance to him between Rukn and Maqam.”^[1]

(c) Abu Naeem quotes from Ibne Umar that the Messenger of Allah (a.s) said, “The Mahdi shall reappear in such a way that an angel shall proclaim from above his head: This Mahdi is the Caliph of Allah. So obey and follow him.”^[2]

Second Group of Traditions

An angel shall proclaim from the sky that the Awaited Imam (a.s) has reappeared, so you all follow him:

(a) His Eminence, Imam Reza (a.s) said, “When His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) reappears, the earth shall be illuminated by his effulgence and scales of justice shall be established among people. Then none shall oppress the others and the earth shall be at his disposal. A caller shall proclaim from the sky and all the inhabitants of earth shall hear it: Know that, the Proof of God has reappeared near the House of God. The truth is in him and with him. So you all follow him. And that is the saying of Allah when He says:

If We please, We should send down upon them a sign from the heaven so that their necks should stoop to it.”^[3]

(b) Rabi bin Kharrash narrates from Huzaifah regarding the tradition about Sufyani that he said, “When the slaves who have fled from Rome reach the gates of Damascus a caller shall proclaim from the sky: O People! The time of the oppressors, hypocrites and their followers is over and the best of the Progeny of Muhammad (a.s) that is the same Mahdi, the master of guardianship over you has arrived. Then go and join him at Mecca.”^[4]

(c) Huzaifah Yamani narrated from the Prophet of Islam (a.s) that he said, “At that time – that is during the tyranny of Sufyani – a voice shall proclaim from the sky: O people! Almighty Allah has ended the reign of the tyrants and oppressors and the best member of the community of Muhammad, that is His Eminence, Mahdi is appointed as your guardian. So join him at Mecca.”^[1]

(d) His Eminence, Ali (a.s) said, “Await for the reappearance of the Awaited One on three occasions.” He was asked what those three occasions area He replied, “When the Syrians fight among themselves, when black flags arrive from Khorasan and when there is terror and fear in the month of Ramadan.” His Eminence was asked as to what is the terror and fear of the month of Ramadana He replied, “A caller will proclaim from the sky in such a way that all those who are asleep shall wake up and all those awake shall be shook up. A young maiden shall come out from behind the veil and all shall hear the heavenly call. And whoever comes from whichever side would say: I have also heard the voice.”

(e) His Eminence, Amirul Momineen (a.s) said, “When the caller proclaims from the sky: The Truth is indeed with the Progeny of Muhammad – That is the same time when His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) shall reappear and people shall become prosperous and the matter of the reappearance of His Eminence, will become known to all.”^[2]

Third Group of Traditions

This group states that the angel who proclaims from the sky giving glad tidings of the reappearance of His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s), is Jibraeel:

His Eminence, Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) says, “That call shall be raised in the month of Ramadan on Friday Eve. So pay

heed to it and obey it. And at the end of the day the accursed Shaitan would raise a call that such and such – probably Sufyani – has been killed unjustly. He would make the people fall into doubt and on that day many people shall be perplexed.” His Eminence said, “If you hear the call in the beginning of the month of Ramadan do not doubt it as that call is from Jibraeel and its sign is that he would call by the name of Mahdi and his father.”^[1]

Jesus shall pray behind Imam Mahdi (a.s)

Among the sure signs of the reappearance of His Eminence, the Master of the Age (a.s) is the coming down on earth of His Eminence, Jesus Christ and his paying allegiance to and praying behind in congregation Prayers led by His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s). When Christians see him, they shall bring faith on Islam and embrace it and abandon Christianity.

1. The Prophet of Islam (a.s) said, “Isa bin Maryam shall descend to the earth at dawn, decked in Mahar and Deen. And Mahar and Deen are two pieces of saffron garments. He shall be fair complexioned and his hair would be red, shinning and thin. It would be as if oil is dripping from his hair. In his hand he shall hold a weapon with which he shall break the cross, kill the pig and destroy Dajjal and recover the Imam’s property and the People of the Cave shall walk behind him. And he shall be the vizier, the right hand, the guard and protector of the Qaim of the Progeny of Muhammad. He shall spread peace in the East and the West.”^[2]

2. After the description of the scourge of Dajjal, His Eminence, Ali (a.s) says, “When it would be Friday and the people would be ready for Prayers, Isa bin Maryam shall descend to the earth wearing two pieces of bright garments. As if oil is dripping from

his hair, he shall have an elegant face and he shall resemble Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) greatly. Then His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) would glance at him and say, ‘O Son of the Chaste lady (Maryam)! You lead the Prayer.’ Jesus Christ would reply, ‘Leading the Prayers is your prerogative.’ Then Imam Mahdi (a.s) would step forward and lead the congregation Prayer and Christ would pray behind him. Then he would pay allegiance to him. When His Eminence, Isa (a.s) comes out he would see Dajjal taunting; he (Dajjal) would melt like lead.”^[1]

3. Saeed bin Jubair has narrated from Ibne Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (a.s) said, “My Caliphs and successors are twelve persons, first of whom is my brother and the last my great grandson.” He was asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Who is your brothera” He replied, “Ali bin Abi Talib.” He was asked, “Who is your great grandsona” He replied, “Mahdi, who shall fill the earth with justice and equity like it would be fraught with injustice and oppression. By the One in Whose hands is my life! Even if a day remains for the earth, the Almighty Allah will prolong this day till my son, Mahdi reappears and Isa bin Maryam descends to the earth and recites prayer behind His Eminence. The earth shall be illuminated from the east to the west.”^[2]

4. Abu Amama Bahili has related that the Messenger of Allah (a.s) recited a sermon for us and spoke about the Dajjal and his mischief. Then he said, “And the Imam of the people is a righteous and worthy person, who would be His Eminence, the Mahdi. It would be told to His Eminence to lead the Morning Prayer and when he recites the Takbir (Allaaho Akbar) and begins the prayer, Isa Ibne Maryam shall descend and when Imam Mahdi (a.s) sees him, he shall recognize him. He would slowly move behind till Isa bin Maryam becomes ahead of him. However Isa (a.s) would put his hand on his shoulder and say,

“You lead the prayer, as the establishment of prayer is for you.” Then Isa (a.s) shall recite his prayers behind His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) and then say, “Open the gates,” and gates shall be opened and there shall appear Dajjal with 70000 armed Jews. When Dajjal sees Prophet Isa (a.s) he shall melt like lead melts in fire or like the ice melts in water and is dissolved in it…”^[1]

5. Muhiyyuddin Arabi says, “Know that His Eminence, Mahdi – May Allah, the High, hasten his reappearance – when he reappears, all Muslims shall be in a prosperous condition and people of God shall accept his invitation. They shall help him and be his deputies as they would be responsible for important functions of his government. Isa bin Maryam shall descend to the white minaret on the east of Damascus while an angel shall be on his right and another on his left and he shall meet His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s).”^[2]

Although numerous narrations prove the descent of His Eminence, Jesus Christ from the sky and also mention that Isa (a.s) shall pay the oath of fealty at the hands of His Eminence, Imam Mahdi (a.s) and assist him in truth and justice.

Although other signs and portents like the advent of Yamani, killing of the Pure Soul (Nafs-e-Zakiyyah), rising of the sun from the west etc. have been recorded in traditional sources we have refrained from quoting them here. Those who desire may refer to the concerned books.