| Mufaddil said: O My Master! How will his [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] coming be? (Sadik) said: O Mufaddil! He will come in doubt, but his name will spread, his command will be known, he will be known by his name and title, his family can be elucidated, and he will be discussed by those who accept him and those who do not, those who recognize and those who deny him; we have set out his name and epithet, we have given him the name of the Prophet (saas), his ancestor, so that people should not say they do not know his name and title. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 53) |
The hadith notes that in the initial period of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), he will be looked on with skepticism. Allah will then lift this doubt from people and then, by that means, will remove all skepticism from him. Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) name will spread, meaning that he will become someone known to others. He will preach the moral values of the Qur’an and his word will be heard. The hadith also notes that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have a title, by which he will also be known. It notes that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will preach the word under that title and that his title will thus be heard. Another characteristic mentioned in the hadith is that Hazrat Mahdi (as) line of descent will be set out and made available to people. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be much talked about, both by those who adopt the Islamic moral values he preaches and those who oppose him. The fact he is so much talked about will be instrumental in Hazrat Mahdi (as) being known right down to the minutest detail. In this way, people will be able to see in him all the portents revealed by our Prophet (saas) 1400 years ago. Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) ancestry and the name and epithet bestowed on him by our Prophet (saas) will be instrumental in his being known by all. 
