The Awaited Time: Imam Mahdi (AS) and the Revelation of the Complete Quran

The Awaited Time: Imam Mahdi (AS) and the Revelation of the Complete Quran

From the very beginning of our Quran and Zikr series, we explored how the Book of Allah was revealed, how it was compiled, and how questions around its preservation arose. We examined Sunni narrations that hinted towards missing verses and different recitations, and then turned to Shia sources that spoke of a complete Quran compiled by Imam Ali (AS) — a Quran that was rejected and has remained hidden ever since. We also saw how the Imams spoke of a divine record far more detailed than the text in our hands today, with narrations like that of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) mentioning 17,000 verses in the original revelation.

But the story does not end there. According to both Sunni and Shia traditions, the final chapter of this divine plan is yet to unfold. The hidden Mushaf will return — not through scholars or rulers, but through the hands of the awaited savior: Imam al-Mahdi (AS), the twelve and final Imam. His appearance will not only bring justice to a world drowning in tyranny, but it will also reveal the true and complete Quran as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

In this final part of our series, we will explore what the authentic narrations tell us about the signs of his reappearance, the global events that will shake the world before his arrival, and the momentous return of the hidden Quran. By understanding these signs, believers can prepare their hearts for that awaited day — a day when truth will no longer be hidden, and divine justice will walk the earth once again.

Signs Before the Appearance of Imam Mahdi (AS)

The reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) is not sudden — it is a carefully described event foretold by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, Imam Ali (AS), and the rest of the Imams. In numerous narrations, they outlined clear signs and global events that would unfold before the final Imam emerges and unveils the original Quran. These signs are not merely symbolic — they are meant to prepare the believers, warn the oppressors, and mark the final chapter of human history before divine justice returns.

Below are some of the most important signs mentioned in classical Shia sources:

The World Will Be Filled with Injustice Before the Mahdi Appears

Hadith:

Imam Ali (AS) said:

“The Mahdi will not appear until the earth is filled with injustice and oppression, and when it is overwhelmed by tyranny, he will rise and fill it with justice and equity.”

— Nahj al-Balaghah

Explanation:

This is one of the most repeated prophecies in both Sunni and Shia sources. It shows that Imam Mahdi's emergence is not a random event — it happens at the peak of global corruption. Governments will become tools of oppression, religion will be manipulated, innocent people will be slaughtered, and truth will be buried. Only when humanity loses hope in man-made systems will the Divine leader rise.

The Two-Tailed Star Appears After the Eclipses

Imam ʿAlī (AS) said:

“When you see two signs in Ramadan — the sun and the moon eclipsed outside their usual times — then await the appearance of the star luminous from the East, bright and luminous, with a tail that splits into two, illuminating the horizon. This will be among the signs of the nearness of the Qaim.”

Sources:

al-Numani, Kitāb al-Ghaybah,

al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar,

Explanation:

Immediately after the miraculous solar and lunar eclipses, the heavens will send another powerful sign — a two-tailed star (comet-like object) blazing across the sky. Its light will be visible from every land, and people will speak of it with awe. Classical scholars interpret this as a divine marker: once this celestial sign appears, the rise of Imam Mahdi (AS) is imminent. It signals that the world is entering the final phase before his appearance. and it happened in 2024

Appearance of Three False Islamic Movements

Hadith 1:

Imam ʿAlī (AS) said:

“Before the Qaim (al-Mahdi) rises, three banners will be raised, each claiming to belong to Islam and each calling people to the truth, yet all three will be false. Their leaders will be known as Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmn.”

— Bihar al-Anwr, al-Ghaybah al-Nu mani

Hadith 2:

Imam Jafar al-Ṣadiq (AS) said:

“Three groups will fight under the banner of Islam before the Qaim, each believing they are on the right path. They will shed the blood of Muslims more than they shed the blood of unbelievers.”

— Bihar al-Anwar,

Explanation:

These narrations give one of the most chilling and specific signs before Imam Mahdi's (AS) appearance: the rise of three false Islamic movements.

They will use the name of Islam and quote the Quran and Hadith, presenting themselves as protectors of the faith.
1 mulla Um@r fitna al khuwarij
2 abu bakar b@ghd@di fitna al khuwarij
3 will be here soon

Two Stages of Imam al-Mahdi's Appearance: Secret and Public

The arrival of Imam al-Mahdi (AS) will not happen all at once. According to many Shia narrations, his re-emergence occurs in two distinct stages — a period of secret appearance (ẓuhur khaṣṣ) followed by a public uprising (ẓuhur amm).

The Secret Appearance – The Hidden Return

Hadith:

Imam Jafar al-Ṣadiq (AS) said:

“Our Qaim will have two appearances: one hidden, in which only his closest followers and allies will recognize him, and one open, in which he will rise publicly by Allah's command.”

— al-Ghaybah by al-Nu mani

Explanation:

During the initial phase, Imam al-Mahdi (AS) will reappear quietly and discreetly. He will communicate with a select circle of the most devoted believers — often referred to as al-khawaṣṣ — to prepare them spiritually and strategically.

The Public Appearance – The Global Manifestation

Hadith:

Imam al-Baqir (AS) said:

“When Allah permits, the Qaim will rise publicly on a Friday in the month of Rajab. A caller from the heavens will announce his name and lineage so that all people will hear it.”

— Bihar al-Anwar,

Explanation:

Once the preparation is complete, Imam al-Mahdi (AS) will appear openly and globally. His emergence will be unmistakable:

Conclusion – The Awaited Dawn and the Return of the True Quran

From the very beginning of this series, we questioned a foundational belief: did Allah promise to protect the Quran or the Zikr? We how explored verses, narrations, and historical events show that while Allah guaranteed His message, the physical compilation we hold today may not be complete. We examined reports from leading Companions, the compilation under Caliph Uthman, and testimonies from both Sunni and Shia sources — all of which suggest that the original, unaltered Quran compiled by Imam Ali (AS) is yet to reappear.

We then traced the words of the Twelve Imams (AS), who consistently taught that the full Quran — containing more details, more ayat, and deeper explanations — is preserved with the Ahl al-Bayt. They emphasized that this Quran will be revealed only by the Final Imam, al-Mahdi (AS), who will unveil its hidden truths and restore the divine message in its entirety.

And now, as we stand at the final chapter of this series, the picture becomes clearer: the world is moving rapidly toward the time of Ẓuhur. The signs — cosmic, political, and spiritual — are unfolding just as the narrations foretold. Extremist movements rise and fall, celestial events occur, tyrants emerge and are swallowed by fate — all pointing to one final moment in history.

When Imam Mahdi (AS) emerges — first secretly, then publicly — he will not only establish justice across the earth but also bring forth the complete Quran, the same mushaf compiled by Imam Ali (AS), unchanged and untouched. That day will be the true unveiling of divine knowledge, and humanity will finally see the Quran in the form it was originally revealed.

Until then, the responsibility on every seeker of truth is clear: to study, question, and prepare — so that when that moment arrives, we are among those who recognize him, believe in him, and stand with him. And perhaps, as many narrations hint, you and I may witness that day within our own lifetimes, Insha'Allah.