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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Moment By Moment : Expecting the Advent of Al-qa'im (pbuh) 6 Will There Be Any Confusion in Identifying Al-qa'im (pbuh)? The occurrence of the signs indicates that the reappearance of al-Qa'im is about to take place. However, if Allah wants to respond to people's supplication for an early relief, He may expedite, change or cancel some of the decreed events.

The question that may arise here is that, will there be any confusion among people in recognizing Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH)-once he starts his mission-due to the changes in some of the signs? Moreover, if there would be no confusion that he is the promised Mahdi (PBUH), why would then some people oppose him?

According to the traditions, once Allah calls Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) to reappear, all people around the world, believers and disbelievers likewise, will become aware of him immediately and without any shadow of doubt. In the following tradition, it is mentioned that his reappearance will be as clear as sunshine and will be identified by all people. Narrated Jabir Ibn Yazid: Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) said, "Be calm so long as the heavens and the earth are calm...

Verily your matter (i.e., the movement of the Imam (PBUH)) shall not take place secretly as it shall be a sign from Allah, not from people. Be hold! It shall be brighter than sunshine so much so that it shall not remain hidden from the righteous and the evildoer (likewise). Do you know morning/dawn?

It shall be like the dawn without anything hidden in it."[^1] According to another tradition, Imam al-Ridha (PBUH) explained the sentence, 'Be calm so long as the heaven and the earth are calm' as 'Be calm so long as the [^1]al-Ghaiba, al-Nu'mani, p. 200, Hadith 17; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 139, Hadith 49. heaven is calm from the call (of Gabriel) and the earth is calm from sinking the army (of al-Sufyani).'[^1] These two signs are among the five definite signs that we discussed earlier.

We do not know of anything brighter than sunshine, which could be sensed by our faculties. The reappearance Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will be clearer than that. The above tradition proves that Allah has guaranteed He will not let anyone remain ignorant of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH).

It also warns the believers against joining the hidden agenda of those who pretend to be the Mahdi, by stating that Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) will starts his mission openly, and will be immediately identified by all people.