Question 072: I read this in the book ‘Scale of Wisdom’: Imam al-Mahdi (AS) said, when ‘Ali b. Mahzyar asked him, ‘O my master, when will this rule be?’ ‘When the way between you and the Ka’bah will close). Nur al-Thaqalayn, v. 5, p.461, no. 3. What does it mean by the way to the Ka’bah will be closed? Is it telling of a time that no one will be able to make Hajj? Does evil close the way, or is there no longer a need to go to the Ka’bah when al-Mahdi reappears?

Answer 072: Tthe hadith is regarded as one of the signs of re-emergence of Imam Mahdi (ajtf) according to the book al-Ghaybah and Kamal al-Din, but it is not actually one of the signs which will certainly occur. In short, the signs fall under two categories. One group consists of those signs which will certainly occur, foreshadowing the re-emergence: the rebellion of Sufyani, the rebellion of Yamani, the burst of a heavenly cry, the murder of an innocent soul, the sinking of the army of Sufyani into the desert ground, the rebellion of Dajjal. The remaining signs are not certain and as such might not occur. This hadith is not among those signs which will certainly occur. Read More