Although the superior moral values and incomparable actions of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be evident, very few people will support him

It is revealed in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be someone with a powerful fear of Allah and very elevated moral values:

A son of mine will appear, whose manners will be just as mine. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 21)

Hazrat Mahdi (as) is totally submissive to Allah. He resembles the Prophet in terms of manners. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 163)

I find Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the books of the prophets as follows: Neither cruelty nor shame will exist in his practices. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 21)

It can be seen from this information in the hadiths that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be a remarkable person, devoted to Allah, possessed of purity and elevated moral values. Our Prophet (saas) has revealed that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will render many services of benefit to the faith and to Muslims, and will perform very important deeds. Under normal circumstances, an auspicious and worthy person whose moral values are compared to those of the Prophet (saas), who seeks the approval of Allah alone, who makes sincere efforts for the salvation of all mankind in this world and in the Hereafter and who will bring peace, security, plenty and abundance to Earth should collect a large number of people around him.

All Muslims who clearly see these moral virtues and auspicious deeds must wish to take their place alongside this personage and support the community of truth that acts together with Hazrat Mahdi (as), and they must compete with one another in joy and enthusiasm in order to assist them. Nonetheless, it is still indicated in the hadiths that the number of Muslims supporting Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be very small. This state of affairs is most surprising and thought-provoking. It means that although the people in the society in which Hazrat Mahdi (as) lives clearly perceive his virtues and the auspicious actions he takes, they will still not fully recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his community.

This situation of Hazrat Mahdi (as) strongly resembles the life of the Prophet Joseph (as). In the verse “The brothers of Joseph came into his presence and he knew them but they did not know him.” (Surah Yusuf, 58), Allah reveals that the prophet’s brothers failed to recognize him, although he recognized them. The hadiths indicate that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will, just like the Prophet Joseph (as), recognize other people though they will be unable to recognize him.

Some people may even form the exact opposite opinion and avoid supporting him, and even regard him as odd and stay away from him and engage in negative activities in opposition to him. It is reported in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) that:

A community from my people supported by Allah and that can never be harmed by the people who do not help them will never be lacking until the Day of Judgment. There will always be such a grouping within my community. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol 1, p. 16)

The Day of Judgment will only happen when a group from my community will come out victorious to people. This group will regard neither those who help them, nor those who do not. (They will attach no importance to their behavior.) (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol 1, p. 19)

There is no doubt that this is a miracle from Allah. The way that words spoken by the Prophet (saas) some 14 centuries ago are coming true now is exceedingly important. Although Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his community are very important and beneficial to the future of everyone in the world, they will initially not be known by Muslims and will receive no support from the public.

Of course some of these people will realize the superior nature of this blessed individual with their consciences. Yet despite their seeing all the evidence they will pretend not to recognize him, will not support him, will attempt to keep their distance from him and will conceal these truths from others, all out of a concern for their personal interests. The fact that society as a whole does not support him will also lead these people to avoid supporting Hazrat Mahdi (as), and they will fear that doing so will damage their material and other interests.