However...

However, according to the next tradition, once the Imam (PBUH) reappears, no one would be able to believe in him if he denied him, disbelieved his existence, his rights, or his Sunna before the time of his reappearance; or, it is better say, believing in him at that time will be of no use for a disbeliever. It is just like believing in Allah on the Day of Judgment, which will be of no benefit for the disbelievers.

Those who entertain doubt about his existence during the time of occultation (after truth has reached them through the traditions) will have no way to escape from his sword once they meet him (PBUH). Allah states in the Quran: ... On the day that certain signs of your Lord do come, no one would benefit from believing in (that sign) if he did not believe (in that) before, or such belief is no good for him. Say, "Wait!

We too are waiting." (6:158) Ibn Ri'aab narrated that, on the commentary of the above verse, Imam Ja'far al- Sadiq (PBUH) said: "The 'Signs' are the Imams (PBUT), and the 'expected sign' is al-Qa'im (PBUH).

On that day, no one would benefit from believing in (that sign) if he did not believe in him before his rising by sword even if such a person believed in (the Imamate of) his ancestors, peace be upon them."[^2] In some other traditions, rising of the sun from the west has been mentioned as a sign after which having faith will not be helpful for the disbelievers.[^3] [^1]al-Amali, al-Tusi, p. 412, Hadith 926; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 189, Hadith 17. [^2] Kamal al-Din, p.

336, Hadith 8; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 51, Hadith 25; vol. 52, p. 149, Hadith 76 (a similar narration from Abu Basir). [^3]Tafsir, al-Ayyashi, vol. 1, p. 384; Tafsir, Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, vol. 1, p. 221; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 6, p. 34, Hadith 46. As we have shown, there is nothing to worry about identifying Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) once he emerges. We should only worry about our belief before his reappearance since believing in him after his reappearance will be of no benefit at all.

Those who will oppose Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) when he does appear will not doubt that he is the Imam (PBUH). They will oppose him because they did not believe in the sayings and practices of him and those of his fathers, as they do not match with their innovations and the innovations of their fathers.