5. Appearance of al-Mahdi
Asmentioned above,even Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.)himself is waiting for
Allah’spermissionforhisappearance.Thismeansthatnooneknowsthe
timeofthe appearanceoftheImam.Wehaveclearahādīthstatingthat
thosewhospeakabout thetimewhentheImam willmakehis appear-
ancearetobedeclaredasliars.Inthelettermentionedearlier,Imamal-
Mahdi(a.s.) wrote, “Asforthe appearance of deliverance[by me], it’s
mentioning is with Almighty Allāh and those who fix the time are liars.”
However,therearemanyahādīthwhichdescribethesignsbeforethe
appearance of Imam al-Mahdi. Some of these signs are as follows:
- Injustice, tyranny, and sinful acts will become very common all
over the world. - Appearance of Sufyāni and the destruction of his army. Sufyāni
has been described as a Syrian by the name of ‘Uthmān bin
‘Anbasa from the descendants of Yazid bin Mu‘āwiyah. - An uprising will take place by a Hasani sayyid in Iran. He will
form a just Islamic government and call people towards Islam. He
will be in Kufa when the news of Imam al-Mahdi’s appearance in
Mecca will spread world-wide. The Hasani sayyid will come to
Mecca and pledge allegiance to Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.). - Soon after the appearance of Imam al-Mahdi in Mecca, a heavenly
sound will be heard all over the world which will introduce Imam
al-Mahdi to all people. - Descent of Prophet ‘Isa (a.s.) from heaven to the city of Damascus.
He will pray behind Imam al-Mahdi.
* * *After avery longOccultation, on Allāh’scommand, Imam al-Mahdi
(a.s.)willmakehisappearanceknownattheHolyMosqueinMeccaand
start his mission of establishing the Kingdom of God on the earth.
Threehundredandthirteenpeoplewillpledgeallegiancetohim,and
thenhewillmovetowardsMedina.FromMedina,al-Mahdiwillproceed
toKufa,Iraq.AfterthatProphet‘IsawilldescendinDamascusandjoin
Imam al-Mahdi.