Today, we discuss some of the other signs of reappearance of the 12th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Mahdi (AS).

As a reminder, in the previous week, we studied some of the signs of the end times such as escalation of war and violence, spread of corruption and sedition, exacerbation of injustices, and widespread social abnormalities, in addition to a surge in natural disasters.

Today, we study some of the positive or negative characters and currents which emerge on the verge of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), and lead to a number of developments.

One of the certain signs of reappearance of Imam Mahdi is the emergence of Sofyaani. He is the most important commander of the enemies of Imam Mahdi (AS). In a hadith which has been cited from the 6^th Infallible Successor to Prophet of Islam, Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS), it has been pointed out that prior to the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), Sofyaani emerges. In the Shia and Sunni hadiths, emergence of Sofyaani has been named as the first certain sign of Imam Mahdi's reappearance. Sofyaani is a rouge, deceitful, and ruthless individual, from the Omayyad Dynasty, and is one of the descendants of Abu Sofyan. He starts his move from the present-day Syria. He pretends to maintain religious beliefs, while deceiving a group of Muslims and mustering up a number of troops. He murders many Shias. Sofyaani occupies parts of the World of Islam and dominates a number of regions within Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq. He battles for six months and rules over present day Syria for nine months. He also attacks and occupies Iraq and Hejaz, mass murdering people. He continues his conquests, until he hears the news on the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). At this point in time, Sofyaani dispatches a number of his troops to Mecca in order to confront Imam Mahdi (AS). Following a number of crushing defeats by Imam Mahdi's troops, Sofyaani is arrested and is ultimately killed.

In the culture of the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a corrupt and destructive current in the end times has been mentioned which is known as the Dajjaal current. Dajjaal is defined as a deceitful liar. Dajjaal which is the symbol of deceit and misguidance, emerges at the end times on the verge of reappearance of Imam Mahdi. Dajjaal makes baseless allegations, deceiving a number of people, while displaying good deeds as misdeeds and misdeeds as good deeds. Imam Mahdi stands up against the Dajjaal current and wipes it out.

The movement and uprising of Seyed Khorasani is another sign of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). The uprising of Seyed Khorasani begins in the East and advances toward the city of Kufa in Iraq. A fierce battle breaks out between his troops and Sofyaani forces, in which Sofyaani's troops are crushed. Seyed Khorasani finally swears allegiance with Imam Mahdi (AS).

The commander of Khorasani's troops is a man named Shoaib ibn Saleh. A number of narrations refer to emergence of a man, popularly known as Seyed Hassani. He is a charismatic youth from Iran., based on narrations, upon the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), Seyed Hassani and his troops approach the Infallible Imam and swear allegiance with him. Meanwhile, some believe that Seyed Hasani is in fact Seyed Khorasani.

Concurrent with the emergence of Sofyaani, an individual from Yemen emerges which is popularly known as Yamani, staging one of the revolutions on the verge of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). This uprising has been repeatedly mentioned in the news related to the developments in end times and reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), and it is one of the certain signs of Imam Mahdi's emergence. Yamani invites people to righteousness and justice, and is one of the disciples of Imam Mahdi (AS).

In accordance with a hadith which has been cited by Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS); Khorasani, Sofyaani, and Yamani emerge concurrently. Sofyaani attacks Iraq from the West and advances up to Kufa. Concurrently, Khorasani's troops swiftly leave Iran, heading toward Iraq, and standing firm against Sofyaani's troops. At the same time, Yamani leaves Yemen for Iraq, while leading a number of troops. In the related narrations, mentioned have been made about the alliance of Yamani with Khorasani against enemies. As it was mentioned, in this military confrontation, Sofyaani suffers a crushing defeat.

One of the astounding developments at the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), is the emergence of Prophet Jesus from Heavens. According to Shia and Sunni narrations, Jesus takes part in the congregational prayer, led by Imam Mahdi (AS). Upon the observation of the prayer, Prophet Jesus stands up and swears allegiance with Imam Mahdi (AS). The allegiance of Prophet Jesus with Imam Mahdi (AS) shows the righteousness of the uprising of the Infallible Imam, for the World of Christianity. Also, participation of Jesus in the congregational prayers led by Imam Mahdi manifests that Islam is the last divine religion, and Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) is the Last and Greatest Messenger of God.

Meanwhile, the majority of the followers of Prophet Jesus, under the guidelines of their prophet, convert to the sacred religion of Islam.

It is said that Imam Mahdi reappears in the city of Mecca on a Friday. Some narrations state that his arrival is on the anniversary of epic of Ashura.

Upon the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), the Infallible Imam has 313 disciples. They attend the city of Mecca and swear allegiance with the Infallible Imam. This point in time marks the beginning of the justice-seeking uprising of Imam Mahdi (AS).

The Infallible Imam sends thousands of his troops to different lands and regions to uproot injustices. Imam Mahdi conquers the East and the West. The capital of Imam Mahdi's global government, and his place of residence is the city of Kufa.  

MR/EA