Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Some precursory signs of Imam Mahdi’s reappearance may not take place

The daily scholarly meeting of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Sadegh al-Hosseini al-Shirazi was held on Sunday, the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal. In this session, like the previous meetings, the Marja answered the questions of the attendees about various jurisprudence issues.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi said that Imam Mahdi and other infallible Imams, peace be upon them, have instructed people to pray for the purpose of bringing forward the awaited reappearance, but have forbidden us from determining the time of the reappearance.

His Eminence explained the meaning of the two words “Waqqatun” and “Musta’jilun” in the hadiths, and said: Waqqatun refers to those who set a particular time for the reappearance, saying for example that Imam al-Hujjah will come this year or next year or several years from now. This is problematic as it contradicts the hadiths. Musta’jilun is sometimes used in the same sense as those who try to rush the process of reappearance and determine its time. This practice is different from praying to hasten the Imam’s reappearance, which is highly recommended.

The Marja also pointed to the certainty of the reappearance of Imam al-Hujjah, peace be upon him, and said: Many narrations emphasize the certainty of the reappearance, because this prophecy is a Divine promise. Based on verse 9 of Surah Aal e Imran, which states: God Almighty does not violate the promise he has made, the reappearance will definitely be fulfilled, but some of the conditions and precursory signs of this event may not take place as they are possible threats (wa’eed).