The occupation of Afghanistan

Pity poor Taliqan [a region in Afghanistan]. At that place are treasures of Allah. These are not of gold and silver, but consist of people who have recognized Allah as they should have. They are Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) followers. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 59)

The hadith may refer to the invasion of Afghanistan during Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) time. Indeed, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 (Hijri 1400), the beginning of a new Islamic century.

As our Prophet (saas) reveals in the hadiths, the date for the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is Hijri 1400. And again as revealed in the hadiths, the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) coincide with the beginning of the Hijri 1400s. The invasion of Afghanistan in Hijri 1400 is one of the signs of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

… At that place are treasures of Allah. These are not of gold and silver…

This hadith also draws attention to Afghanistan's material riches. Today, large oil deposits, iron basins, and coal mines that have not yet been commercially exploited have been detected there.

Just as indicated in the hadith.