What will happen threshold of Imam Mahdi’ uprising?
All people are eager to know what events will happen during Imam Mahdi's global uprising, where and how the Imam’s movement will be triggered, how he will deal with different groups, how he will conquer the whole world, and so forth. Although such questions may occupy the mind of every expectant believer, it is indeed very difficult to talk about the incidents and events related to the advent of the Imam, as it is about reporting on the future and events that have not taken place yet; so, naturally no one can gain accurate information about these events. With this explanation, what is presented here is only a very brief look at the events and happenings of the era of the appearance of Imam Mahdi (pbuh), which is derived from numerous Hadiths cited in Islamic sources in order to draw a general perspective of the events at that time.
When tyranny and oppression are spreading all over the world, and the oppressors and the arrogant powers are making the Earth a place for their carnal lusts and profiteering, as a matter of sudden and by the will of the Almighty Allah, a celestial heavenly call will announce the advent of the great Promised Savior. At this time, Sufyānī, who controls a large territory in the today Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, will reportedly be busy with preparing a big army to fight the Imam. The army of Sufyānī, which is pursuing the Imam on his way to Mecca, will be suddenly swallowed up by the Earth and destroyed at a place called al-Baydā, located between Mecca and Medina.
Shortly after the martyrdom of the Purified Soul (al-Nafs al-Zakīyyah), Imam Mahdi (pbuh) will appear in the form of a forty-year-old man in the Holy Mosque (Masjid al-Ḥarām) in Mecca while wearing the shirt of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and holding his Excellency’s flag. He will lean on the sanctuary of the Ka'bah, between the Corner of the Kaˈbah (Rukn) and the Station of Abraham (Maqām), and speak to the people of the world. After the Imam finishes his words, the angels will descend in groups and pledge allegiance to him, while in front of them is the “Angel of Revelation”, the Trustworthy Gabriel. After that, 313 of the most pious people, including 50 women, will come to Mecca from different parts of the world, and, like butterflies encircling around the candle of the Promised Mahdi, will pledge allegiance to him. This process will continue until 10,000 soldiers will gather at the Imam's camp and swear allegiance to him. It is then that the Imam together with all this loyal army will start the uprising and quickly take control of Mecca and its neighborhoods and cleanse it from the dirt of the unworthy and opponents. Then the Imam will start to conquer Medina to spread the shadow of justice and mercy on it and defeat the oppressors and murderers of the city.
Then, heading to Iraq, Imam Mahdi (pbuh) will choose the city of Kūfa as headquarter of his global government and lead the uprising from there. Next, he will send his companions and troops to different parts of the world aiming to invite the people of the world to Islam so that they live in the light of the laws of the Quran, and to destroy the tyrants and oppressors. The Almighty Allah will instill such a fear of him and his companions in the heart of the arrogant throughout the world that no power will be able to face him or resist against his army.
It is worth mentioning that one of the areas conquered by the Imam's army is Jerusalem (The holy city of Al-Quds) in Palestine. At the same time, a very blessed event will take place, which is decisive in the uprising of Imam Mahdi (pbuh) and strengthening his front. Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will descend from the heavens by the will of the Almighty Allah and will stand to pray behind the Imam; following this, many Christians, who make up a large part of the world's population, will convert to Islam and believe in Imam Mahdi (pbuh).
It is worth mentioning that the occurrence of miracles by the hands of Imam Mahdi (pbuh), on the one hand, and provision of intellectual discussions by him for the guidance of mankind to the right path, on the other, will be among the programs of the Imam's universal government. In this regard, the Imam will uncover the Holy Tablets of the undistorted Torah (the divine book of Prophet Moses), which are buried in certain parts of the world. Many Jews, by seeing the signs of the legitimacy of his Imamate in the Tablets will believe in him. Additionally, a large number of the followers of other religions will also join him in groups after observing this great milestone, as well as hearing the message of the “Truth” and observing the miracles and behavior of the Imam. In this way, the definite promise of the Almighty Allah will come true and the oppressed of the world will become the inheritors of the Earth.[1] What remains now are only a few arrogant powers and oppressors who are not willing to surrender to the “Truth”; however, they will not be able to oppose the prevailing trend and the majority of believers. Although Imam Mahdi (pbuh) is the manifestation of the Almighty Allah’s mercy and kindness, he will stand against these small groups of stern opponents and punish them with the sword of justice for their disgraceful deeds in a way that the Earth and all of its inhabitants will be freed and get rid of these wicked bullies and evil-doers forever.
[1] The Quran, 28:5
