The Messenger of Allah and the infallible Imams have talked so much about Imam Mahdi and the signs of his advent at different times; even they have specified the details about him, his facial features, and his characteristics to the degree that is not seen about other infallible Imams. All of these attentions are because of several reasons:
Mentioning his Majesty’s features is to know and disgrace the lying people who have misused religious beliefs and introduced themselves as the promised Mahdi, during history.
Besides, talking profusely about Imam Mahdi and his coming is a factor for inserting confidence into the hearts of people and for letting them know that a better future is waiting for them.
Moreover, by this way, the believers and the poor know that Allah has not abandoned them; rather, He supports them by His divine proof, who is the infallible Imam. Through this support, they will not be afraid of anything or anybody, and go forward under the leadership of the Imam.
Finally, paying attention to the features of the Imam, people know who can be the Imam’s deputy during the period of Occultation; a leader who has to be close to those characteristics and attributes of the Imam to lead people as the “Valī Faqīh” (the Guardian of the Jurist).
Now, if these characteristics of the Imam and the signs of his appearance were not described in our Islamic narrations, people would be misled in many political, social, and spiritual matters; and would join the East and the West, instead of the Right Way.
Editor in Chief: Sayyed ‘Abd-al-Mahdi Tavakol
