Time of reappearance of the Imam (a.s)

We are not aware of the exact time of the reappearance of the Imam (a.s); on the contrary he is hidden from us, till Almighty Allah accords him permission to reappear.

H 410 - The Holy Prophet (s) said: “Even if only a day remains from the tenure of the world, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, would prolong it enough to allow a man from my progeny to appear. Then he would fill up the…

I asked Imam Baqir (a.s): “Is there a fixed time for reappearance?” He said: “The time-fixers have lied, they have lied, they have lied.”

“One who fixes (predicts) the time of the reappearance, has lied. Neither have we fixed a time for it in the past nor would we do so in future.”

I was with Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s) when Muhzim Asadi entered and asked: May I be sacrificed on you, please tell me when the reappearance is? It has been delayed too much.” Abu Abdullah (a.s) said: “O Muhzim, the…

“One who fixes the time of reappearance for you, do not pay attention to his falsification, because we have not specified its time for anyone.”

“The rule of Bani so-and-so will continue till a fixed time. When they get peace and security they will think that their kingdom will never decline. Meanwhile, suddenly a divine command will arrive and no king will be…

Reports apparently contradicting the above traditional reports:

the Imam (a.s): “Is there a fixed time for reappearance; so that we can sit quietly till that time?” He replied: “It was fixed; but you people publicized it and it was postponed.”

“I asked Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s): O son of Allah’s Messenger, Amirul Momineen (a.s) used to say: There will be sedition till 70 A.H. and after that there will be peace and prosperity; but 70 A.H. has passed and we are…

I heard Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s) say: “Initially this task was entrusted to me; but later on the Almighty Allah postponed it and kept it in my progeny.”

The explanation of these reports is that we say: Supposing these reports are correct, it would not negate the possibility that Allah, the Mighty and the High has fixed one of the times that are mentioned. Thus if He…

I heard Imam Ridha (a.s) say: Allah, the Mighty and the High did not send any prophet, but to prohibit wine, to confess in Bada from Almighty Allah and that He can do whatever He likes; and that He has advised the use of…

Ali Ibnul Husain, Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s) and before him Amirul Momineen (a.s); and Imam Muhammad Baqir and Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s) have said: With attention to the blessed verse: “Allah makes to pass away and…

Muhammad bin Salih Armini asked Imam Hasan Askari (a.s) about the verse: “Allah makes to pass away and establishes what He pleases, and with Him is the basis of the Book.” (13:39) Imam (a.s) said: Is it other than that…

I asked Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) or Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s): “Does reappearance of the master of affair has a fixed time that we might rest assured be pleased with it?” He replied: “Yes, it was fixed, but you people…

The reason behind these is the same, which we mentioned before that the exigency in that matter changed and it was postponed to another time, but it does not mean that its exigency became known to Almighty Allah at that…