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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Overview of The Mahdi’s (‘atfs) Government The Leader of the Uprising We have so far talked about the revolution and the uprising of Hadrat al-Mahdi ( ‘atfs ). In this chapter we shall discuss his physical and moral characteristics as well as his miracles by quoting hadith s. Physical Features 1.

Age and Features ‘Umran ibn al-Husayn said: I said to the Messenger of Allah (S): “Kindly describe that man (al-Mahdi) to me and mention some of his characteristics.” The Prophet (S) said: “He is from my progeny; his stature is that of the men of the Children of Israel—firm and robust; at the time when my ummah is in difficulty and affliction, he will rise up; the color of his countenance is similar to that of the Arabs; his appearance is like that of a forty-year old; his face will shine like that of a half moon; he will fill the earth with justice and equity when it would have been full of oppression and injustice; he will take charge of affairs for twenty years and he will conquer all the cities of kufr such as Constantinople and Rome…”[^1] Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba ( ‘a ) said: “…God will extend the age of Hadrat al-Mahdi ( ‘atfs ) during the period of occultation ( ghaybah ).

Thereafter, by His infinite power, He will let him appear in the form of a young man less than forty years old.”[^2] Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) said: “During the advent of Hadrat al-Qa’im ( ‘atfs ), the people will deny him and no one will cling to him except those with whom God has made a covenant in the ‘alam adh-dharr .[^3] He ( ‘atfs ) will appear with a perfect, proportioned ( muwaffaq ) and normal young face.”[^4] The Commander of the Faithful ( ‘a ) said: “At the time of the uprising of al-Mahdi ( ‘atfs ), his age will be between thirty and forty.”[^5] Marwi said: I asked Imam ar-Rida ( ‘a ): “What is the sign and symbol of your Qa’im at the time of his uprising and appearance?” The Imam ( ‘a ) answered: “The sign is that he ( ‘atfs ) would be old but he will appear young such that anyone who would look at him will think that he ( ‘atfs ) is forty years old or even younger.