Amidthe chaos of life and the entanglement of events, waiting remains a centraltheme in the life of a believer—especially when tied to that promised day when theearth will be filled with justice after being filled with oppression. However,this waiting is not passive idleness; rather, it is a conscious movementgrounded in correct understanding and clear methodology, far from confusion andsuperstition.

‍The Signs of Reappearance: BetweenClarity and Ambiguity

There are numerous narrations and hadiths discussing the signs of the Reappearance. Some are general, pertaining to end-time events, while others are specific and directly linked to the rise of Imam Mahdi (atfs). The challenge lies in how to approach these signs. Some fall into the trap of haste, attempting to apply every sign to a contemporary event or specific figure without clear evidence, leading to confusion and weakening trust in the narrations themselves.

Even more dangerous are attempts to predict the exact time of the Reappearance—something religious texts have strongly warned against. The occultation is among divine mysteries, and claiming knowledge of its timing is nothing but folly. Imam al-Sadiq (pbuh) said: "Those who setspecific times are liars." A true believer waits with a conscious heart, not a hasty mind. 

Narrations About the Future

‍Islamic tradition, both Sunni and Shi'a, contains numerous narrations about future events. Some have already come to pass, while others remain unfulfilled. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) often spoke to his companions about future occurrences—some near in time, others tied to the signs of the end times, there appearance of Imam Mahdi (atfs), and the events preceding the Day of Judgment.

Many of these prophecies have already been realized throughout history, though not all are directly linked to the signs of the Reappearance. However, there are still narrations that remain in the realm of anticipation, divided into:
-Those not directly connected to Imam Mahdi.
-Those hinting at his reappearance without specifying a time.
-Those outlining a clear chronological sequence of major signs, such as the rise of Sufyani, the celestial call, and the earth's swallowing (Khasf). 

Challenges in Understanding the Narrations

‍Engaging with these narrations is not without errors and excesses, including:
-Citing unverified narrations or those without reliable sources in Islamic literature, relying on dreams or unsubstantiated stories.
-Depending on narrations that require scholarly scrutiny, necessitating review by specialists in hadith and biographical evaluation (ilm al-rijal) to determine their authenticity and suitability for doctrinal foundations.
-Unrestricted projection of signs onto individuals and events—such as claiming someone is the Yamani or Sufyani—which misleads people and creates false hopes that later crumble, leading to disillusionment or doubt in the core belief. 

Contemporary Deviations & Dangers

‍One of the gravest issues today is the spread of false claims alleging direct communication with Imam Mahdi (pbuh)—such as those who pretend to be his special deputy, messenger, or even the Imam himself! These claims are rejected, fabricated, and lack any religious or rational basis. They harm the faith and exploit people's ignorance and emotions.

Another problematic trend is the arbitrary application of signs, where some individuals—even scholars—assert that a certain person is the Khorasani, another is the Yamani, or that a specific event is a definitive sign. Some even go as far as setting timelines: "This will happen in six months, that in seven, and the next in a year." This is extremely dangerous. Predicting the time of the Reappearance is religiously prohibited, as it is part of the unseen knowledge reserved for Allah alone. Explicit prohibitions against "setting times" (tawqit) exist in hadiths, and such claims are considered misleading and invalid. Moreover, when the predicted time passes without the claimed events occurring, it leads to frustration and skepticism about the very foundation of the Mahdawi belief—a creed firmly establishedamong Muslims. 

The Correct Way of Awaiting Imam Mahdi(atfs)

‍True waiting does not mean forcibly applying narrations to current events, nor does it mean passive reliance or idle anticipation. Rather, it is both a spiritual and active project, built on clear foundations:
1. Certainty in Divine Promise: Firm belief that Allah will never break His promise and that the Reappearance is an undeniable truth.
2. Conscious Anticipation: Facing the future with hope, not despair.
3. Assuming Responsibility and Preparing the Ground: Working to pave the way for the blessed Reappearance, not waiting     for events to unfold independently of human effort.
‍Supplication Coupled with Action and Sacrifice: Supplication alone is insufficient unless it comes from those who     actively reject oppression and strive for truth.

‍"I Have Seen Only Beauty"—A Waiting Filled with Hope
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‍Amid this anticipation, the slogan of Ashura for this year—"I have seen only beauty"—presents a spiritual approach to dealing with the unseen and waiting. Imam Hussain (pbuh) viewed trials and hardships only through the lens of contentment and certainty. Thus, despite their pain, all the events of Karbala carried within them the beauty of faith and sacrifice. Similarly, the waiting for relief (Faraj) should be radiant—free from despair and untainted by speculation and illusions. When the signs of the Reappearance are understood correctly, they strengthen the believer's confidence in Allah's wisdom and plant in their heart the hope that the future belongs to them, no matter how long it takes.