Is the outcry of Satan one of the signs of Imam Mahdi's reappearance? (question)

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Is the outcry of Satan one of the signs of Imam Mahdi's reappearance?
Upper entryMahdism / Preconditions for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a) / Signs for Imam Mahdi's reappearance

One of the immutable signs of Imam Mahdi (a)'s reappearance is the celestial proclamation from sky by Jabraʾil in which he introduces Imam Mahdi (a) and calls on people to obey him. Alongside that, shall come a second, but simultaneous call, by Satan to create doubts within people's hearts regarding their obedience to Gods Definitive Proof (i.e. Imam Mahdi (a)). Therefore, the first one is regarded as an immutable sign of Imam Mahdi (a)'s reappearance but the latter, issued by Satan, is a mutable sign.

Short Comprehensive Answer

Alongside mention of the celestial proclamation that shall come from the sky, some narrated traditions also speak of Satan's outcry that shall come from the Earth. The only thing these traditions indicate is that these two sounds will be generated simultaneously. However, they bear no indication that Satan's outcry will have any role to play in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a). As such, it is not regarded as a sign of Imam Mahdi's return.[1]

The most important objective pursued by Satan through the generation of this sound is to create doubts within people's hearts regarding their obedience to Gods Definitive Proof (i.e. Imam Mahdi (a)).[2] It is possible that such doubt, created by the outcry in question, will form one of the reasons behind the opposition faced by Imam Mahdi (a) from certain groups of people. Nevertheless, truth and verity will be clearly evident because the proclamation articulated by Jibra'il (or Gabriel) will ring out from the sky, while Satan's foul shriek will be yelled from the Earth. Similarly, the celestial proclamation will be pleasing to the senses and its contents will correspond to the narrated traditions of the Infallibles (a), while Satan's scream will enjoy none of these factors. In reality, prosperity and salvation at the time of these two sounds will depend wholly upon a person's prior beliefs, as well as the life he or she has lived up until then.[3]

Some of the narrated traditions about Satan's outcry are listed below:[4]

  1. Imam Baqir (a) is reported to have said : “At the end of the day, the accursed Iblis (or Satan) will scream out, “Lo and Behold! Such and such person was wrongfully killed!” (and by doing so) he will seek to spread doubt amongst the people and afflict them with tribulation”.[4]
  2. Imam Sadiq (a) is narrated to have said : “Then, at the end of the day, Iblis (or Satan) will scream out from the Earth, saying, “Lo and Beware! ‘Uthman and his followers were in the right!” In this narration, the name ‘Uthman indicates ‘Uthman ibn ‘Anbasah, also known as the Sufyani.[4]
  3. Zurarah ibn A'yun reports this narrated tradition from Imam Sadiq (a): “I asked, “Who shall oppose him, once he has been called upon by name?” The Imam answered, “Satan will not let them be. He will create an outcry at the end of the night in order to spread doubt within people's hearts”.[3]
  4. Zurzrah ibn A'yun reports that he addressed Imam Sadiq (a) and said : “I am astonished! May God preserve your health! I am totally baffled as to how they shall wage war against the Qa'im (i.e. Imam Mahdi) after having witnessed all those supernatural events: such as the desert earth swallowing up the troops and the sound that shall come from the sky?” The Imam (a) replied, “Indeed, Satan will not let them be, until he cries out in the manner he cried out for the Prophet of God (s) on the day of the ‘Aqabah”.[1]

Some people have tried to equate the idea of this Satanic outcry to various manifestations of modern and advanced technology. However, numerous narrated traditions clearly contradict and disprove this notion.[5]

References