Events Upon Imam Mahdi’s Return
The return of Imam Mahdi will be a seismic and pivotal event in the history of humankind. It will signal the dawn of a new era characterised by justice, peace, and divine guidance. But this era will not occur overnight. Several events will unfold before the ushering in of Imam Mahdi’s government, testing the faith of those who purport to follow him.
1. The Initial Appearance of Imam Mahdi
Imam Mahdi will first appear in Mecca, near the holy sanctuary of the Kaaba. He will be accompanied by 313 of his most loyal followers who will have been divinely selected for this mission. These individuals will pledge their allegiance to him, recognising him as the rightful leader and Imam.
2. The First Speech of Imam Mahdi
Upon his appearance, Imam Mahdi will deliver a profound and stirring speech at the Kaaba, addressing the gathered believers and the world at large. His speech will declare his mission and call upon humanity to join him in the fight against oppression and to return to the true path of Islam.
Imam Mahdi’s speech will resonate deeply with the believers, and many will be inspired to join his cause. This speech will mark the beginning of his open mission to establish a just and divinely guided government on Earth.
3. Gathering the Forces
Following his speech, Imam Mahdi will begin to gather an army composed of true believers from across the globe. His call will attract people from all walks of life who are yearning for justice and the end of tyranny. As his army grows, Imam Mahdi will face opposition from various factions and regimes that seek to maintain the status quo of oppression.
4. The Battle Against the Sufyani
The Sufyani will emerge as a significant adversary. He will already control parts of the Middle East, particularly Syria, and will pose a formidable challenge to Imam Mahdi’s mission. The Sufyani’s forces will be ruthless, spreading fear and chaos across the region.
Imam Mahdi will lead his army into a series of battles against the Sufyani’s forces. These battles will be fierce and challenging, but the Mahdi’s divine guidance and the righteousness of his cause will lead to his eventual victory. The defeat of the Sufyani will be a turning point, eliminating one of the greatest obstacles to the establishment of the Mahdi’s government.
5. The Conquest of the Hejaz
After defeating the Sufyani, Imam Mahdi will focus on unifying the Hejaz, or Arabian Peninsula, under his rule. His forces will move from Mecca to Medina and then to other key cities, establishing control and spreading his message of justice and equity. The Hejaz, which will have been riddled with corruption and chaos, will be purified under the Mahdi’s leadership. The Mahdi will restore the true teachings of Islam in these lands, bringing the people back to the path of righteousness.
6. The March to Iraq
With the Hejaz under his control, Imam Mahdi will turn his attention to Iraq, particularly the city of Kufa, which holds significant historical and religious importance in the history of the twelve Imams. Kufa will serve as the capital of the Mahdi’s global government. His journey to Iraq will be met with resistance from local rulers and external forces who oppose his mission. However, with divine support and the loyalty of his followers, Imam Mahdi will overcome these obstacles and consolidate his power in Iraq.
Imam Mahdi will establish a just administration based on the principles of Islam. From Kufa, the Mahdi will send out emissaries to other parts of the world, calling upon people to join his cause and adhere to divine rule.
7. The Return of Prophet Isa (Jesus)
One of the most significant events during the Mahdi’s mission will be the return of Prophet Isa (Jesus). According to Hadith, Isa will descend from the heavens and will join forces with Imam Mahdi. The return of Isa is seen as a fulfilment of divine promise and a testament to the unity of the Abrahamic faiths under the banner of true monotheism.
Prophet Isa will publicly declare his support for Imam Mahdi and will pray behind him, signifying the Mahdi’s leadership in the final battle against falsehood. Substantial numbers of Christians around the world will convert to Islam upon witnessing this event unfold. Isa’s role will be crucial in countering the Dajjal (Antichrist), who will have misled many people with his deceitful claims of divinity.
8. The Defeat of the Dajjal
The Dajjal, a one-eyed deceitful figure who will claim to be a god, will lead a vast army and spread falsehood across the world. His emergence will be one of the greatest trials for humanity. Imam Mahdi, with the support of Prophet Isa, will confront the Dajjal in a final battle.
The confrontation with the Dajjal will be intense, but Isa will eventually kill the Dajjal, putting an end to his reign of deception. This victory will be a monumental event, symbolising the triumph of truth over falsehood and marking the beginning of a new era of divine rule.
9. Establishing the Global Government
Following his final victory, Imam Mahdi will establish a global government based on Islamic principles. This government will be characterised by justice, peace, and the elimination of oppression. The seat of Imam Mahdi’s government, and his home, will be the al-Sahla mosque in Kufa, Iraq
References: Al-Ghaybah by Shaykh al-Tusi, Bihar al-Anwar by Allama Majlisi, Kitab al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid, Al-Kafi by Al-Kulayni Tafsir al-Mizan by Allama Tabatabai, Al-Ihtijaj by Al-Tabarsi, Nahj al-Balagha.