1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

21 Questions

Will any wars after the reappearance of Imam Mehdi (as) be fought using swords or guns?
Amina Inloes

This is a good question and one that doesn't have a clear answer.

One would assume that it would happen using modern weaponry (whatever that happens to be at the time), and there are some narrations suggesting the Dajjal might have some sort of modern machinery, and some of the signs of end times seem (God forbid) similar to the results of modern warfare. From this angle, the word "swords" in narrations could be taken as a figure of speech to represent weaponry.

However, it is also entirely possible that, at that time, something will have happened to make modern technology unworkable. (Some people have suggested a magnetic pole shift; one could also consider a massive solar flare, or really anything that would result in the destruction of the means of production or use of such items such as an environmental crisis.) This would also be concordant with the general description of chaos preceding the arrival of the Mahdi (A).

So, basically, there is no clear evidence either way; it is one of those things which we will have to wait and see. Of course the important thing is to be on the side of the Imam (A), regardless of what kind of technology is available. 

 
How many minor signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (as) remain and what are they? Will the major signs follow soon thereafter?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There are many minor signs before the re appearance of Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) mentioned in many books, but no one can claim timing or expectations for any of the major signs because the major signs are definite signs before the Re appearance which is not known to any one except Allah (SWT).

Wassalam.
When will the sun rise from the West in reference to Imam al-Mahdi's reappearance? Will it be before or after his advent? Is it the case that no repentance or Dua will be accepted after this sign?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There are many narrations in Sunni books about the Sun rising from the
west as a sign of the Day of Judgment as it is narrated in Sahih
Bukhari  (vol. 5 pg. 195 and also vol. 7 pg. 191)  and in Shahih
Muslim (vol. 1 pg. 95). The narrations says that after that incident,
the repentance will not be accepted.

In our Shia books of Hadeeth, we also have many narrations that the
rising of the Sun from the west will take place but not as s sign of
the Day of Judgment. In Kitab al-Irshad by Shaikh Mufeed (pg. 358)
narrated from Abi Hamzah al-Thimali saying : “I asked Abu Ja’far
al-Baqir (AS) : “Is the coming of Sufyani definite?” He (AS) said
“Yes. And the huge sound from the sky and the rising of the Sun from
the west and the dispute between Bani Al Abbas and the killing of
al-Nafs al-Zakiyah and the coming back of Imam al-Mahdi (ATFS) are all
definite”.”

Wassalam.
How can we prepare for the wars following Imam Mahdi's (as) reappearance if he reappears in our lifetime? Is there a way to reach combat prowess similar to Imam Ali (as) for these battles? What were the secrets to Imam Ali's (as) strength in battle?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Imam Al Mahdi (ATFS) will come to establish peace and justice all over
the world. He will not fight with people and will never endanger the
life of anyone except those who fight against him. Our responsibility
is to prepare ourselves to be strong practicing believers. Our real 
strength depends on th degree of our Imaan (Faith).

The secret of the strength of Imam Ali (AS) is his greatest degree of
humbleness to Allah (SWT) which is next only to the greatness of the
Holy Prophet (SAWA). And when we are unable to know the greatness of
the Holy Prophet (SAWA) and Imam Ali (AS) because of our limited
abilities of understanding, there is no question for us to understand
the secret of his extra-ordinary strength and power but only to say
that it is linked with his great humbleness and faith in Allah SWT).

Wassalam.