These Signs may be divided into two categories...

These Signs may be divided into two categories:- First: The signs which are connected with the general behaviour of the society - moral corruption, shamelessness, dishonesty, and in short, a complete lack of the sense of direction on the part of mankind. The appearance of these signs may serve as a warning to those who believe in Allah and His Prophet; they will realize that the 'Hour is near'! Still, their appearance does not imply that its approach is imminent.

Second: The Signs which are to appear just before Qiyamat one after another culminating in Qiyamat. Those Signs are not in the hands of society, and most of them are what is termed in modern language as 'the acts of God'. One of these Signs is the Re-appearance of our 12th Imam (A). As the first group of the Signs is to appear before the Re-appearance of the Imam (A), many of the traditions of previous Imams (A,S) have described them among the Signs of the Re-appearance of the 12th Imam (A).

And it fits with the forecast of the Holy Prophet (SAW.) that Imam Mahdi (A) will re-appear when the world would become full of injustice and tyranny (and he will fill it with justice and equity). There are many traditions of the Holy Prophet (S) and Imams concerning the first category of the Signs. In the next chapter, is given a summary of one important tradition, together with short comments.

(26) Said The Holy Prophet Abdullah bin Abbas (r.a.) said that after completing the Last Pilgrimage (in the 10th year of Hijrah), the Holy Prophet (S) stood before the door of the Kaaba, keeping the latch of the door in his hand, and said to his companions: “Should I not tell you of the Signs of the Day of Resurrection?