At this juncture...

At this juncture, we shall mention some hadith s that illustrate the progress and advancement in science and technology during the period of Hadrat al-Mahdi ( ‘atfs ): Regarding the means of communication during the period of the Imam of the Age ( ‘atfs ), Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) said: “During the period of Hadrat al-Qa’im ( ‘atfs ) the believer in the east would be able to see his brother in the west.

Similarly, the believer in the west would be able to see his brother in the east.”[^5] This hadith can be better understood by taking into account the invention of video telephones. It is not clear, however, if this means of communication will be introduced in the entire world so that the people could use it conveniently. It is also possible that a more advanced system will replace it, or there is another means which is beyond all these mentioned things.

The same Imam ( ‘a ) also said in another hadith : “When our Qa’im rises up, God will enhance the audio-visual power of our Shi‘ah in such a manner that the Imam will talk to his Shi‘ah from a distance of one barid (24…