423- It is narrated from Husayn Ibn Ubaidullah from Abu Ja’far Muhammad Ibn Sufyan Bazufari from Ahmad Ibn Idris from ‘Ali Ibn Muhammad Ibn Qutaibah from Fadhl Ibn Shazan Nishaburi from Ismail Ibn Sabbah that he said: “I heard from an elder that Saif Ibn Umaira narrated: Once I was in the company of Abu Ja’far Mansur Dawaniqi. I heard him say: O Saif Ibn Umaira, it is inevitable that the name of a man from the descendants of Abu Talib will be announced from the sky.

I asked: Has someone reported a tradition about it?

He replied: By the one in whose control my life is, I have directly heard that an announcement will be made from the sky in the name of a person.

I said: O chief of believers, but I have never heard any such report?

He replied: O Saif, when there is such an announcement, I will be the first to harken to it, except that it would be in favour of one of my cousins.

I asked: Which cousins.

Mansur said: From the descendants of Lady Fatima (‘a).

Then he said: O Saif, if I had not heard this from Abu Ja’far Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali (‘a) I would not have believed it even if the whole world had stated thus.

424- A group has narrated from Talakbari from Ahmad Ibn ‘Ali Raazi from Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali from Uthman Ibn Ahmad Sammak from Ibrahim Ibn Abdullah Hashmi from Yahya Ibn Abi Talib from ‘Ali Ibn Asim from Ataa Ibn Saib from his father from Abdullah Ibn Umar that he said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “The hour will not arise until the Mahdi from my descendants comes forth. The Mahdi will not come forth until sixty liars come forward, all of them declaring: I am a prophet.”

425- It is narrated from Ahmad Ibn Idris from Ibn Qutaibah from Ibn Shazan from Ibn Mahbub from Thumali that he said: I said to Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a): Your respected father, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) used to state that the coming of Sufyani is inevitable, the call from the sky is inevitable, the rising of the sun from the west is inevitable and he used to mention the same about many things.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) said: And mutual discord in Bani so-and-so is inevitable, killing of Nafs az-Zakiyyah is inevitable and the rising of Imam Qa’im is also inevitable.

I asked: What the call from the sky would be?

A caller will call out from the sky in the morning: Know that the truth is with Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and his Shi’a. And then in the evening the Iblis will call out from the sky: Know that the truth is with Uthman and his followers.

This call from Iblis would make the people of falsehood fall into doubts.

426- It is narrated from Ibn Faddal from Hammad from Husayn Ibn Mukhtar from Abu Nasr from Aamir Ibn Wathila from Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Ten things are inevitable before Judgment Day: Sufyani, Dajjal, Smoke, Daabba, advent of the Qa’im, rising of the sun from the west, splitting of the earth in the east, descent of Isa (‘a), splitting of the earth in the Arabian Gulf, rising of a fire from the sea of Adn, which will herd the people towards the field of gathering (Mahshar).”

427- It is narrated from Ibn Faddal from Hammad from Ibrahim Ibn Umar from Umar Ibn Hanzala from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “Five signs will become visible before the reappearance of the Qa’im: Call from the sky, advent of Sufyani, splitting of the earth in the desert, advent of Yamani and killing of Nafs az-Zakiyyah (the pure soul)."

428- It is narrated from Fadhl Ibn Shazan from Washa from Ahmad Ibn Ayez from Abu Khadija1 that he said: Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “The Qa’im will not come forth until twelve of the Bani Hashim come forth before him, all of them summoning men to themselves.”

429- It is narrated from Fadhl from Abdullah Ibn Jabla from Abu Ammar from ‘Ali Ibn Abu Mughira from Abdullah Ibn Shareek Aamiri from Umaira Bint Nufail2 that she said: I heard Bint Hasan Ibn ‘Ali (‘a) say: "The matter, for which you are waiting for, will not occur till you do not get fed up of each other, till you don’t curse each other, till you don’t spit at each other’s face and call each other disbelievers.”

I (the narrator) said: “There is nothing positive about it!”

He said: “There is indeed, because at that time our Qa’im will reappear and all that will end.”

430- It is narrated from Fadhl from ‘Ali Ibn Asbat from Muhammad Ibn Abi Bilad from ‘Ali Ibn Muhammad Awdi from his father from his grandfather that Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) said: “Before the Qa’im, there will be red death and white death; there will be locusts at their usual time and at their unusual time like the colours of blood. As for red death it is (from) the sword, while the white death is (from) plague."3

431- It is narrated from Sa’ad Ibn Abdullah from Hasan Ibn ‘Ali Zaituni and Abdullah Ibn Ja’far Himyari together from Ahmad Ibn Hilal from Ibn Mahbub from Abul Hasan Imam ‘Ali ar-Ridha’ (‘a) that he said in a long tradition, which we have condensed here as follows: “It is inevitable that a terrible mischief will arise, in which all the secrets will be exposed and it will happen at a time when the Shi’a will be deprived of my third descendant; that is after the passing away of Imam Hasan al-’Askari (‘a) on which the folks of the earth and the sky will mourn. And how many will be aggrieved by the disappearance of the spring of sweet water.

As if I can see their worried state, when there will be a call for them, which the whole world would be able to hear clearly. This call will be a mercy to the believers and chastisement to the disbelievers.

I asked: What that call would be?

He replied: Three calls will be issued in the month of Rajab. The first will say: Know that, “the curse of Allah is on the unjust” (11:18).

The second call will say: The near event draws nigh. (53:57). O community of believers. At the time of the third call, a shape will be seen in the sun and a voice will say: This is Amir al-Mu’minin; he will repeatedly attack the oppressors. And in another report Himyari has said that a shape will become visible in the sun and it will say: The Almighty Allah has sent so-and-so; listen to him and obey him. And at that time, people will get deliverance and peace and even the dead will wish to have been alive and the hearts of the believers will become free of grief.”4

432- It is narrated from Fadhl Ibn Shazan from Nasr Ibn Muzahim from Abu Lahiya from Abu Dharraa from Abdullah Ibn Razeen from Ammar Ibn Yjsir that he said: “The call from the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) of your Prophet will come during the last period of time. Thus till you don’t see the leader of this call, hold on to the earth and keep quiet till the Turks confront the Romans; battles rage all over the world; a caller calls out from Damascus: Mischief is near, and the wall of the mosque of Damascus does not collapse.”

433- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Abi Najran from Muhammad Ibn Sinan from Abul Jarud from Muhammad Ibn Bashar that he asked Muhammad Ibn Al-Hanafiyyah about the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (aj) and he said: "How is it possible so soon? The cruel time has not yet arrived. How is it possible so soon? As yet brothers have not started oppressing brothers. How is it possible so soon? The ruler of the time has not started oppressing. How is it possible so soon?

The atheists have not staged an uprising from Qazwin. That they may halt their progress; who may change their town shelters, who destroys their joys, who apprehends those who try to flee from them, who kills those who come out to fight them, those who recede to solitude become needful, one who obeys them becomes a denier; so much so that there will finally be two kinds of mourners: One who will mourn for their religion and another, who will mourn for their world.”

434- It is narrated from Fadhal from Hasan Ibn Mahbub from Amr Ibn Abil Miqdam from Jabir Ju’fi from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) that he said: “Stay close to the ground. Don’t move an arm or a leg until you see the signs, which I will mention to you - I don’t think that you will live until that time. The Abbasides will dispute and disintegrate into groups; a voice will call out victory from the sky and his voice will come to you from the direction of Damascus; one of your villages named Jabia5 would cave into the ground; the brothers of Turks will rise up in Jazira or the city of Jazira; the Byzantines6 will attack Ramla7; at that time there will be much conflict throughout the land until Syria is destroyed. The cause of its destruction will be the meeting of three standards there; the standard of the Red, the standard of the Spotted8 and the standard of the Sufyani.”

435- It is narrated from Ahmad Ibn ‘Ali Raazi from Maqani from Bukkar Ibn Ahmad from Hasan Ibn Husayn from Abdullah Ibn Bukair from Abdul Malik Ibn Ismail Asadi from his father that he said: Narrated to me Sa’id Ibn Jubair that: "It will rain twenty-four times in the year in which Imam al-Mahdi (aj) will reappear; and its effects and bounties would be clear."

436- It is narrated from Kaabul Ahbar that he said: “When the owner of Ain9 [A’] from Bani Abbas comes to the throne; that is Abdullah, then this rule will begin with a person named Abdullah and end with a person named Abdullah. He will be the key to calamities and the sword of annihilation. When his announcement will be read in the evening, that: From the slave of Allah, Abdullah, the chief of believers, to the people of Syria: You will immediately come to know that the same is being announced from the pulpit of Egypt: From the slave of Allah, Abdullah, the chief of believers, to the people of Egypt..." When this happens, it will be the time of the decline of the kingdom of Bani Abbas. When this announcement is made by Bani Abbas in the morning, in the name of Abdullah you should wait till this announcement is made in the evening, in the name of Abdur Rahman and the latter will attack Abdullah in the crudest way.”

437- It is narrated from Hazlam Ibn Bashir that he said: “I said to ‘Ali Ibn Husayn (‘a): Describe to me the rise of Mahdi and tell me about his proofs and signs. He said: Before his advent, a man will appear whose name is Auf Salmi, in the land of Jazira,10 who will stay in Tikrit and will be killed in the Masjid of Damascus; after that will appear Shuaib Ibn Salih11 from Samarqand.

At that time will appear the accursed Sufyani from the valley of Yabis, and he would be from the progeny of Utbah Ibn Abu Sufyan; and when Sufyani appears, the Mahdi will go into occultation, after that he will appear again."

438- It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (S) that he said: “A man will rise up from Qazwin, whose name will be same as the name of a Prophet. People will make haste in accepting his authority; but the mountains will be full of disbelievers and believers due to his fear.”

439- It is narrated from Fadhl Ibn Shazan from Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Nasr from Thalaba from Badr Ibn Khalil Azdi that he said: Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) said: “Two signs will come before the Qa’im (aj); there will be a solar eclipse in the middle of Ramadhan and a lunar eclipse at the end of it.” “Son of Allah’s Messenger,” I said, “usually a solar eclipse occurs at the end of the month and lunar eclipse occurs in the middle of it?”

“I know what I have said,” replied Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a), “They are signs, which have not occurred since Adam came down.”

440- It is narrated from Fadhl from Hasan Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Faddal from Thalaba from Shuaib Haddad from Salih that he said: I heard Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) say: “There will be only a gap of fifteen days between the rising of the Qa’im of Aali Muhammad and the killing of the Pure Soul (Nafs az-Zakiyyah).”

441- It is narrated from Fadhl Ibn Shazan from Nasr Ibn Muzahim from Amr Ibn Shimr from Jabir that he said: “I asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a): When will this event occur? He replied: Jabir, it will occur at a time when killing between Hira and Kufa is considerable.”

442- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Abi Najran from Muhammad Ibn Sinan from Husayn Ibn Mukhtar from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “When the wall of the mosque of Kufa, which adjoins the house of Abdullah Ibn Masud is destroyed, al that time the kingdom of Bani Abbas would decline. And know that one who demolishes that wall would not rebuild it.”

443- It is narrated from Fadhl from Saif Ibn Umaira from Bakr Ibn Muhammad Azdi from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “There will be three appearances in one year, one month and one day - the Sufyani, the Khurasani and the Yamani. The standard of guidance will not be among them, except the standard of the Yamani, because he will summon (people) to the truth.”

444- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Faddal from Ibn Bukair from Muhammad Ibn Muslim that he said: “Misri and Yamani will appear before Sufyani.”

445- It is narrated from Fadhl from Uthman Ibn Isa from Darast Abi Mansur from Ammar Ibn Marwan from Abu Basir that he said: I heard Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) say: “I am prepared to guarantee Imam Qa’im to one who guarantees the death of Abdullah; because after the death of Abdullah, the Muslims will not have consensus on any one person and this matter will not end, except with your Imam. If Allah wills, the kingdom running into years will end and the kingdom running into days and months will begin.”

I (the narrator) asked: “Would this matter be prolonged?”

He replied: “Definitely not.”

446- It is narrated from Fadhl from Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali from Salam Ibn Abdullah from Abu Basir from Bakr Ibn Harb from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “The kingdom of Bani so-and-so cannot decline till the two swords of so-and-so do not clash. When they clash, their kingdom will begin to decline.”

447- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Nasr from Abul Hasan Imam ‘Ali ar-Ridha’ (‘a) that he said: “Among the signs of the relief is an event, which will occur between the two mosques (of Mecca and Medina). So- and-so from the descendants of so-and-so will kill fifteen leaders of the Arabs."

448- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Faddal and Ibn Abi Najran from Hammad Ibn Isa from Ibrahim Ibn Umar Yamani from Abu Basir from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “The kingdom of these men will not disappear until they slaughter people in Kufa on Friday. It is as if I was looking at heads falling between the Gate of al-Feel and (the place of) the soap-sellers.

449- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Asbat from Hasan Ibn Jaham that he said: A man asked Imam Musa al-Kazim (‘a) about the reappearance and he asked in return: “Do you want most of it or shall I give you a summary?”

“Would you give me a summary?” he said.

"(It will be) when the standards of Qays are carried in Egypt and the standards of Kinda in Khurasan,” he replied.

450- It is narrated from Fadhl from Hasan Ibn Mahbub from ‘Ali Ibn Abi Hamza from Abu Basir from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “The year preceding the reappearance of Imam Qa’im (aj) will be so verdant that dates will rot on the trees and there will be no one to pick them. Have no doubt about it.”

451- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ahmad Ibn Umar Ibn Saalim from Yahya Ibn ‘Ali from Rabi from Abi Lubaid that he said: "The people of Abyssinia will demolish the Kaaba; the Black Stone will be taken away and fixed in the Kufa Mosque.”

452- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Abi Umair from Umar Ibn Uziyana from Muhammad Ibn Muslim that he said: I heard His Eminence, Abu Abdullah Sadiq (‘a) say: “After the Sufyani gets control over five provinces he would rule equal to the duration of pregnancy of a woman.” Then he said: “I seek forgiveness of Allah, he would rule for the duration of pregnancy of a camel. And his matter is inevitable.”

453- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ismail Ibn Mahran from Uthman Ibn Jabla from Umar Ibn Aban Kalbi from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “As if I can see the Sufyani or a representative of Sufyani camped outside Kufa and his statements are being announced to the people: Anyone who brings a severed head of a Shi’a of ‘Ali (‘a) would be rewarded a thousand Dirhams. Then a neighbour would attack his neighbour and say: 'he is from them’, and he would cut off his head and collect a thousand Dirhams.

And indeed, the rulership and kingdom at that time would not be in the control of anyone, except the illegitimate born. As if I can see the veiled one. I asked: 'Who is the veiled one?' He replied: 'He is a man from you who would be talking just like you. He would be veiled and he would identify each of you so that you may be captured, he is not, but a bastard.”

454- It is narrated from Fadhl from ‘Ali Ibn Hakam from Muthanna from Abu Basir that he said: Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “The Almighty Allah will assist Imam al-Mahdi (aj) through people who have no religion and faith. When he reappears, there will be people who had till date been idolaters, but they will give up idolatry and join the Imam.”

455- It is narrated from Fadhl from Hamani from Muhammad Ibn Fudhail from Ajlah from Abdullah Ibn Huzail that he said: “Judgment Day will not arrive till all the believers do not gather in Kufa.”

456- It is narrated from Ahmad Ibn ‘Ali Raazi from Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Muqri from Maqani from Bukkar from Ibrahim Ibn Muhammad from Ja’far Ibn Sa’ad Asadi from his father from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “In the year of the reappearance, there will be such a terrible flood in the Euphrates that even the lanes of Kufa will be inundated."

457- It is narrated from Fadhl from Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali from Uthman Ibn Ahmad Sammak from Ibrahim Ibn Abdullah Hashmi from Ibrahim Ibn Hani from Naeem Ibn Hammad from Sa’id from Abu Uthman from Jabir from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) that he said: “Those black flags will emerge from Khorasan and come up to Kufa. When Imam al-Mahdi (aj) reappears, they will be sent to give allegiance to him.”

458- It is narrated from Fadhl from Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali Kufi from Wuhaib Ibn Hafas from Abu Basir from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “The name of Imam Qa’im (aj) will be announced on the 23rd night and he will reappear on the Day of Ashura, on which Imam Husayn (‘a) was martyred.”

459- It is narrated from Fadhl from Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali from Muhammad Ibn Sinan from Hayy Ibn Marwan from ‘Ali Ibn Mahziyar from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) that he said: "As if I can see the Qa’im (aj) on the Day of Ashura, on Saturday standing between the Rukn and Maqam and Jibraeel is announcing before him: Allegiance is for Allah. Then he would fill the earth with justice and equity, like it would have been fraught with injustice and oppression.”

460- Fadhl has narrated from Ibn Mahbub from ‘Ali Ibn Abi Hamza from Abu Basir from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: The Qa’im will not reappear, except in an odd year, like 9, 3, 5 and 1.

461- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Mahbub from ‘Ali Ibn Abi Hamza from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “The rising of Imam Qa’im (aj) is an inevitable matter.”

I asked: “How will it be announced?”

He replied: “A caller will call out from the sky in the morning: Know that the truth is with Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and his Shi’a. And then in the evening, Iblis will call out from the sky: Know that the truth is with Uthman and his followers.” At this time people of falsehood would fall into doubt.

462- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Mahbub from Abu Ayyub from Muhammad Ibn Muslim that he said: “A caller will announce the name of Imam Qa’im (aj) from the sky, which will be heard by all the people of the world; which will awaken the sleeping ones; those who are standing will sit up and those who sit will stand up and this voice will be that of His Eminence, Jibraeel (‘a).”

463- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ismail Ibn Ayyash from Amash from Abu Wael from Huzaifah that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (S) say when Imam al-Mahdi (aj) was mentioned in his presence: “Indeed his allegiance will be given between Rukn and Maqam. He has three names: Ahmad, Abdullah and Mahdi."

464- It is narrated from Ibn Abu Umair from Ibn Bazi from Mansur Ibn Yunus from Ismail Ibn Jabir from Abu Khalid Kabuli that Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) said: When the Qa’im enters Kufa, no believer would remain, but that he would be in Kufa or that he would move to Kufa. It is also mentioned in the discourse of Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) that Imam al-Mahdi (aj) would address his companions: Come and join us to march against this transgressor [Sufyani, Dajjal and every tyrant who confronts the Imam],

465- It is narrated from Sa’ad Ibn Abdullah Ashari from Muhammad Ibn Isa Ibn Ubaid from Salih Ibn Muhammad from Hani Tammar that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) said: “There will be occultation for the master of this affair. During this time those who remain attached to their religion will be like those who rub their hands on a thorny branch.12

Then he gestured and said: There is occultation for the master of this affair and every person is duty-bound to fear Allah and remain attached to his religion."

466- It is narrated from Fadhl Ibn Shazan from Ismail Ibn Mahran from Aiman Ibn Mahraz from Rufaa Ibn Musa and Muawiyah Ibn Wahab from His Eminence, Abu Abdullah Sadiq (‘a) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "Blessed be those, who are fortunate to live during the time of Qa’im of my Ahl al-Bayt; those who would believe in him during his occultation and before his advent; who would love his friends and remain aloof from his enemies. Such people would be my closest ones and my friends on Judgment Day." (According to the tradition of Rufaa) “And the most respected creatures of Allah in my view."

467- It is narrated from Hasan Ibn Mahbub from Abdullah Ibn Sinan from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "Very soon will come a people after you, each of whom will be eligible for fifty times your reward. They said: O Messenger of Allah (S), we lived in your company, fought the Badr, Uhud and Hunain battles with you and the Holy Qur’an came down among us? The Prophet said: Indeed, if you were to face what they faced, you will not be as patient as them.”

468- Narrated to us Sa’ad from Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Isa from Muhammad Ibn Khalid Barqi from one who narrated to him from Mufaddal Ibn Umar Ju’fi that he said: Abi Abdullah (‘a) said: “The most proximate servants of Allah and those with whom Allah is pleased are those who when the proof of Allah disappears from sight and they don’t know about his location, yet they continue to have faith that the Proof of Allah can never be invalid and day and night they continue to wait for him. And the wrath of Allah is on those of His enemies who when the proof of Allah disappears from sight, they fall into doubts and denial. He (Allah) knew that His special servants will never fall into doubts and if it were not so, He would not have taken away His Proof from their sight even for a moment. These doubts will reign supreme over the hearts of evil ones.”

469- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Abi Najran from Muhammad Ibn Sinan from Khalid Aquli from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “Why are you waiting so eagerly? Why are you so hasty? Are you not in peace and security? Does not one of you who leaves his house for some need return safely? Whereas in the past whenever one of your co-religionist left his house, he was immediately apprehended and his limbs were amputed and he was impaled on a date palm; he was sawn into half without being told what his fault was.” After that he recited the following verse:

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُمْ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مَسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ

“Or do you think that you would enter the garden while yet the state of those who have passed away before you has not come upon you; distress and affliction befell them and they were shaken violently, so that the Apostle and those who believed with him said: When will the help of Allah come? Now surely the help of Allah is nigh!” (2:214).

470- Fadhl has narrated from Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali from Ja’far Ibn Bashir from Khalid Ibn Amara from Mufaddal Ibn Umar that he said: “Once we were discussing the subject of Imam Qa’im and those who died waiting for him from among us. Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: When the Qa’im rises up, someone will come and announce in the grave of every believer: Your Imam has risen, if you want to join, you may do so. Otherwise, you may continue to lie in the mercy of God.”

471- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Asbat from Hasan Ibn Jaham that he said: “I asked His Eminence, Abul Hasan Musa Ibn Ja’far (‘a) regarding relief (Faraj). He replied: Don’t you know that waiting for the Faraj is Faraj? I asked: I don’t know anything, except what you have taught. He replied: Yes, waiting for the Faraj is (also) a kind of Faraj.”

472- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Faddal from Thalaba Ibn Maimoon that he said: “Obtain recognition of your Imam. If you are able to gain their recognition, it will not make any difference whether the period of their rule comes earlier or later. If one is able to gain the cognition of his Imam and he dies before his rule, and the reappearance of the Imam comes later, he would also be rewarded as one who is present in the Imam’s army.”

473- It is narrated from Mufaddal from Abdur Rahman Ibn Abi Hashim from ‘Ali Ibn Abi Hamza from Abu Basir that His Eminence, Abu Abdullah Sadiq (‘a) said: “Why are you impatient for the advent of Qa’im (aj)? By Allah, there will be no garments, except the coarse ones and no food, except barley with bran.13 His advent is not, except with the sword and death under the shade of the sword.”

474- It is narrated from Fadhl from Ibn Faddal from Muthanna Hannat from Abdullah Ibn Ajlan from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: “One who believes in occultation and reappearance, but dies before the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (aj) it is as if he has died fighting alongside the Imam.”

475- Ibn Abi Umair has narrated from Jamil Ibn Darraj from Zurarah Ibn Ayin from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a) that he said: If Almighty Allah wishes, He has the right to admit the deviated ones to Paradise and it is preferable for Him and not a defect.

Zurarah asked: May I be your ransom, how is that possible?

Imam (‘a) replied: The speaking one [Imam] passes away and the silent one also does not say anything.14 On the basis of this a person who dies between these two in this period would be admitted to Paradise by Almighty Allah.

476- It is narrated from a group from Abu Mufaddal Shaibani from Abu Naeem Nasr Ibn Isaam Ibn Mughira Amri from Abu Yusuf Yaqub Ibn Naeem Ibn Amr Qarqara Katib from Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Asadi from Muhammad Ibn Ahmad from Ismail Ibn Abbas from Muhajir Ibn Hakim from Muawiyah Ibn Sa’id from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) that he said: Imam ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (‘a) said: “After that there will be a terrible earthquake in Shaam, which will be a blessing for the believers, but a punishment for disbelievers. A hundred thousand will die because of it. When this happens, you will see the companions of Barazeen;15 an army mounted on red horses coming from the west, waving a yellow flag and entering Shaam. When this happens, you will see a village of Shaam, [named Harasta16] cave into the earth. When this also happens, you will witness the rising of Sufyani, the son of Hind, the liver-eater from the Yabis Valley.”

477- It is narrated from Qarqara from Muhammad Ibn Khalaf from Hasan Ibn Salih Ibn Aswad from Abdul Jabbar Ibn Abbas Hamadani from Ammar Dahni that he said: Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) asked: “How long will the rule of Sufyani last?”

I replied: “For the duration of a normal human pregnancy (nine months).”

Imam (‘a) said: "O people of Kufa, how knowledgeable you are about this matter!”

478- It is narrated from Qarqara from Ismail Ibn Abdullah Ibn Maimoon from Muhammad Ibn Abdur Rahman from Ja’far Ibn Sa’ad Kahili from Amash from Bashir Ibn Ghalib that he said: “Sufyani will come from the Roman area in the disguise of a Christian, wearing a cross and leading a group."

479- It is narrated from Qarqara from Nazr Ibn Laith Maruzi from Ibn Talha Juddari that he said: Narrated to us: Abdullah Ibn Lahiya from Abi Zaraa from Abdullah Ibn Razeen from Ammar Ibn Yasir that he said: “The rule of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) of your Prophet shall be there in the last period of time and there are some signs for it; you should sit tight and keep quiet until you see them.

When Rome and Turks attack you; when armies are prepared and that Caliph of yours, who hoards wealth, passes away. He is succeeded by an honest person, but within a few years of his allegiance, he is dismissed from where he was appointed (from Khorasan).17 Turks and Rome confront each other and battles rage everywhere.

A caller will call out from the war shelters of Damascus: Perdition is near for humans. The western portion of the Masjid of Damascus caves in and its boundary walls collapse. Three groups will set out from Damascus to seize power. One would be led by a person on a piebald horse, another on a red horse18 and a man from the descendants of Abu Sufyan19 would rise up from the province of Kalab;20 who would bring all the people to Damascus and expel the people of the west to Egypt.

When they enter Damascus, it would be the sign for the uprising of Sufyani and before that a person would stage an uprising and call the people to Aali Muhammad (‘a). The Turks would camp in Hira21 and the Romans would camp at Palestine and Abdullah would march forward till both the armies come face to face at Qurqisiya22 and a severe battle would ensue at the riverbanks. When the king of the west marches, he would kill the men and captivate the women. Then he would return to Qays23 till Sufyani enters the peninsula. Then Yamani would move and take over whatever the people had gathered.

Then he would come to Kufa and slay the followers and supporters of Aali Muhammad (‘a); on the contrary, he would also slay the one who is named after them. After that Imam al-Mahdi (aj) would arise and his standard would be held by Shuaib Ibn Salih. When Syrians realize that their country has come under the rule of the descendant of Abu Sufyan, they would go to Mecca. Nafs az-Zakiyyah and his brother would be killed at that time. A call would be raised from the sky: Your chief (Amir) is so-and-so [that is Imam al-Mahdi (aj)], who would fill up the earth with justice and equity, as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression.”

480- It is narrated from Qarqara from Muhammad Ibn Khalaf Haddadi from Ismail Ibn Aban Azdi from Sufyan Ibn Ibrahim Jurairi that he heard his father say: "Nafs az-Zakiyyah (the pure soul) is a young man from the Progeny of Muhammad (S), his name is Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan, who would be killed without any crime and sin and when they slay him, they shall neither have any excuse in the heavens nor would they have any friend in the earth.24

At that time the Almighty Allah will send the Qa’im of Aali Muhammad with a group that in the view of the people would be softer than antimony. When they come out, the people will weep at their condition as they would think that they would very soon be eliminated at the hands of the enemies. However, the Almighty Allah will conquer the easts and the wests of the earth for them. Know that they are the true believers. Know that the best of the Jihads shall be in the last period of time.”

481- It is narrated from Abi Hatim from Muhammad Ibn Yazid Adami from Yahya Ibn Sulaym Taifi from Mateel Ibn Ibad from Abu Tufayl that Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) said on the pulpit of Kufa: ‘Dark, blind and gloomy mischiefs are ahead of you. None will be rescued from it, but the nauma.’ He was asked, ‘What is nauma, O Chief of believers?’ He said: ‘He is the one who does not know the people and people do not know him.’

482- It is narrated from Abbas Ibn Yazid Bahrani from Abdur Razzaq Ibn Hammam from Muammar from Ibn Tawus from ‘Ali Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abbas that he said: “The Mahdi will not reappear till a sign appears with the Sun.”

• 1. Abu Khadija is Salim Ibn Mukarram, whose agnomen (Kuniyah) was Abu Salam, which Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) had chosen for him. He was a reliable companion of the Imam as-Sadiq and Imam al-Kazim (‘a). Refer to Mojam Rijal al-Hadith, Vol. 8, Pg. 22 and Pg. 27.
• 2. Umaira or Umrah Bint Nufail is among the companions of Imam ‘Ali (‘a). Mojam Rijal al-Hadith, Vol. 23, Pg. 196.
• 3. It is possible that it is an allusion for every deadly disease, which threatens humanity; like plague, epidemic, even AIDS etc.
• 4. Refer to Surah at-Tawbah, 9:14.
• 5. Jabiya is a village situated in the Jaulan Province and it is under the control of Jews today. There is a hilly area called as Jabiya Jula.
• 6. It implies Europeans or probably Jewish Zionism.
• 7. Ramla is a town of Palestine situated near Bayt al-Muqaddas and is today under the control of Zionism.
• 8. As-hab in dictionary is used in the meaning of a red camel or a white camel having a shade of red; in the same way, As-hab is also a water spring situated between Basra and Bahrain and is also used in the sense of the enemy. Therefore, Romans and Europeans have also been referred to as As-hab due to the colour of their skin and due to their enmity to Islam. Abqa according to the dictionary means piebald; that is everything, which is black and white, especially a crow which is a mixture of black and white; it also implies a dirty person, a leper or a nasty tempered person and everyone who wears multi coloured patched garments is also known as Abqa. Abqa and As-hab are two opponents of Sufyani; Sufyani would defeat them and there will be severe battle between them and Sufyani at the borders of Syria, Iraq and Turkey. In some traditional reports; for example, in Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51, Pg. 70 one and the same person is referred to as As-hab and Abqa; but on the basis of other reports, they are two different persons. Therefore, in Yaumul Khalas, Vol. 2, Pg. 993, the Shi’a are ordered not to be influenced by the propaganda of As-hab and Abqa and in the same way they must also not be influenced by Sufyani and they may not support anyone. (Extract from Maood Nama, Pg. 56 and 107)
• 9. One whose name begins with the Arabic alphabet of ‘Ain and it is that the beginning and the end of the kingdom is from him. That its beginning will be the kingdom of Abbasides and its end is the Caliphate of Abdullah in such a way that the first Caliph of them was Abul Abbas Abdullah Ibn Muhammad Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abbas and the last was Abdullah Mustansir.
• 10. With attention to the native place of Auf Salmi, which is Tikrit, it should be mentioned that Tikrit is located in Iraq between Baghdad and Mosul. It can be said that it is possible that Jazira, which is mentioned in some reports, is an area of Khavar Miyana that is Arab lands in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and even Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon, which have the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman on one side, Red Sea on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other side.
• 11. Shuaib Ibn Salih was a young man of wheat complexion, emaciated appearance and with thin facial hair. He was a pious and religious person and was in charge of the administration and worked under Sayyid Khorasani. He will hand over the standard of Islam to Imam al-Mahdi (aj). But in most traditional reports, he is a native of Rayy, though it is possible that the Imam has mentioned his native place for confirmation as in this way both statements would be right, because both places in relation to Medina are situated to the north-east. It is necessary to mention that the names are alluded to for security and to ensure peace, so that the divine promise is fulfilled.
• 12. It is a tree called Qatad, which grows in the desert and it has a lot of needle-like thorns and it is very difficult to prune it. Among Arabs, the rubbing of a Qatad plant by hand is used as a simile for a very difficult task.
• 13. It is a simile that his life would be extremely simple, without any luxuries.
• 14. That is the apparent Imam will pass away and the hidden Imam is also not seen.
• 15. Companions of Barazeen are the mounted men of Barazeen. Barazeen is the plural of Barzun, which means a horse used to carry heavy loads. Turkish horses are also called as such and it is possible that the mounted men would be the Turks.
• 16. It is a huge area located around Damascus. It would be one of the places of the advent of Sufyani. Maoodnama, Pg. 275.
• 17. Bani Abbas was destroyed by Hulagu Khan, who launched an attack from Khorasan, just as the foundation of Bani Abbas regime was laid by Abu Muslim who had also come from Khorasan. Mahdi Maood, Vol. 2, Pg. 45.
• 18. It is the complexion of Europeans.
• 19. Regarding these three persons, complete explanation is mentioned in tradition no. 431.
• 20. It is an area in Shaam near Damascus and the tomb of Prophet Ilyas (‘a) is located there. (Mahdi Maood, Vol. 2, Pg. 45) and Kalab is also a town at the end of Beirut and Saida.
• 21. Hira is a town at a distance of one Parasang (6.24 kms) from Kufa and during Sasanid rule it was ruled by Iranian kings and they were the foremost rulers of Iran; who were overthrown by Khusro Parvez. Afterwards Hira came under the control of Muslims, but due to the premier position of Kufa, it developed further and was subsequently destroyed.
• 22. Qurqisiya is to the north of Syria; it is the location of two rivers: Khabur and Euphrates.
• 23. Qays denotes west and it is to the north of Africa and it is mentioned in other reports as well that Qays denotes an Egyptian tribe that would be defeated by Sufyani in face-to-face confrontation. (Quoted from Maoodnama).
• 24. Allamah Majlisi has said under the explanation of this report that the descent of divine chastisement for the sake of completion of argument would become obligatory on them. On the basis of this, no one from the heavens would seek intercession for them from Almighty Allah and no will help them on the face of the earth as well.