Imam ‘Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (pbuh)
“ … So when he [Imam al-Mahdi (a.j.)] will make his advent, the Earth with radiate with the celestial illumination of its’ Lord and the scale of justice will be positioned among mankind such that not a single person will oppress another individual …”
Who is Imam Mahdi (a.j.)?
Imam Mahdi (a.j.), whose full name is Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Askari, is the last of the twelve infallible Imams. God has sent him to guide and save humanity from oppression and corruption. He is currently in occultation, and he will reappear at a time known only to God, to establish justice and found a global government based on truth and righteousness.
The duties and characteristics of Imam Mahdi (a.j.) during his reappearance include:
- Defeating oppression and tyrants
- Establishing a just, pure, and God-pleasing government
- Reviving the true religion and moral values
- Bringing peace, security, and prosperity to all humankind
According to religious sources, Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will return to earth at the time of Imam Mahdi’s (a.j.) advent to assist him in establishing global justice. The presence of Prophet Jesus (pbuh) alongside Imam Mahdi (a.j.) symbolizes the bond between these two great figures and the unity of humanity in building a better world.
His reappearance symbolizes the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood and fulfills God’s promise to restore balance and justice to the world.
Signs of the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.j.)
The signs of the reappearance are divided into definite and non-definite signs. Definite signs are those whose occurrence is certain, and Imam Mahdi (a.j.) will not reappear until they take place. Non-definite signs, on the other hand, are those that are not confirmed to be certain, and the Imam Mahdi (a.j.) may reappear even if they do not occur.
According to a narration reported by Sheikh Saduq, some of the definitive signs are:
- The appearance of Sufyani
- The uprising of Yamani
- The heavenly cry
- The killing of the Pure Soul (Nafs al-Zakiyyah)
- The swallowing of the army in the desert of Bayda
In Judaism and Christianity, certain signs have been mentioned regarding the coming of the savior, some of which are similar to the signs of reappearance mentioned in Islamic traditions.
- Jews believe that the spread of corruption and the prevalence of war and chaos are among the signs of the coming of the Messiah (Mashiach).
- Christians, on the other hand, believe that the Antichrist—or Dajjal—is a person or group who denies or rejects the messiahship of Jesus (pbuh). The Antichrist will rise at the end of times, and when Jesus (pbuh) returns, he will defeat him.