One of the Signs Before the Emergence of the Mahdi Is the Iran War

Many events foretold by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the End Times (Akhir al-Zaman) have occurred throughout history and continue to unfold. The realization of his prophecies over time is regarded as an important indication that this knowledge is of divine origin. One of these reports concerns a major war that will take place in the region of Iran in the End Times. Today, developments that began with attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran are seen as consistent with the events described in the hadiths.

1. The Iran War Is Among the Events Reported in End-Time Hadiths

There are numerous hadiths in Islamic sources indicating that wars will occur in the region of Iran during the End Times. These narrations include details about how the war will begin, the regions it will spread to, and the conditions under which it will end. Such reports are found both in reliable hadith collections like the Kutub al-Sittah and in major works compiled by prominent Islamic scholars. For example the following works extensively address events that will occur in the End Times:

• Ali bin Husam al-Din al-Muttaqi – “Signs of the Mahdi of the End Times (Kitab al-Burhan fi ‘Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman)” Compiled From the Classifications of Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti”
• Ahmad Ibn Hajar al-Haytami – “Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi ‘Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar” (The Concise Statement on the Signs of the Awaited Mahdi)
• Nu'aym ibn Hammad – “Kitab al-Fitan” (The Book of Tribulations)
• Imam al-Sha'rani – “Death, Resurrection and Hell”
• Muhammad Rasul al-Barzanji – “Signs of the Day of Judgment”
• From Ja‘fari sources: “Ghaybat al-Nu‘mani” (The Occultation of al-Nu‘mani)

According to the common narrative of these reports:

• One of the major signs before the emergence of the Mahdi is a war that will take place in Iran.
• This conflict will occur between Iran and Western powers.
• It is reported that the war will begin during the month of Ramadan.
• The conflict will quickly spread across much of the Middle East and affect a wide geographical area.
• The wars, turmoil, and suffering experienced will come to an end with the emergence of the Mahdi.

2. It Is Reported in the Hadiths That the War Will Begin in the Month of Ramadan and That Significant Celestial Events Will Occur During This Period

Some hadiths state that events of the End Times are connected to developments that will take place during the month of Ramadan. In these narrations, it is mentioned that a group carrying black banners will emerge from Khorasan, and that a great terror will occur during Ramadan. Indeed, it is known that the Iran War began on February 28, 2026, that is, within the month of Ramadan.

Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

“Once Amirul Mo'mineen (as) was asked about (the meaning of) this Qur’anic verse, ‘The sects among them disagreed.’
He said: ‘EXPECT DELIVERANCE [OF THE MAHDI] WHEN THREE SIGNS APPEAR.’
He was asked: ‘What are they?’
He said: ‘Disagreement among the people of Sham, THE BLACK BANNERS COMING FROM KHURASAN AND TERROR IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN.’”
(Ghaybat al-Nu‘mani, Chapter 14, Hadith No. 8)

In this hadith, the key elements highlighted—namely the emergence of black banners and the occurrence of major events during Ramadan—are interpreted as having manifested in the manner described in the narrations:

The great mystic scholar Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi also pointed in his works to celestial events that may occur on the 13th night of Ramadan and to developments that would cause fear among people:

“IF THE MOON IS ECLIPSED ON THE 13TH NIGHT OF RAMADAN, IT IS A SIGN THAT DISORDER WILL ARISE IN THE WEST, THAT LIGHTNING AND THUNDER IN THE SKY WILL INCREASE, that people will awaken from their sleep in fear, and that some people will faint.”
(Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, Treasure of Watches, p. 257)

As described, a blood moon lunar eclipse occurred on the night of March 3, 2026. This date also coincided with the 13th day of the month of Ramadan.

3. Hadiths Mention Wars That Will Erupt in the Iranian Region

Some hadiths directly refer to conflicts that will take place in Farsi, i.e., the lands of Iran:

“A NATION/TRIBE WILL COME FROM THE FARSI (IRAN) DIRECTION, saying: ‘You Arabs! You have been too zealous! If you don't give them their due rights, nobody will have an alliance with you... It must be given to them one day and to you the following day, and mutual promises must be kept...’ They will be going up Mutekh; Muslims will be coming down to the plain... Mushrikun (idolaters) will be standing over there on the bank of a black river (Rakabeh) on the other side... THERE WILL BE A WAR BETWEEN THEM. God will deprive both armies of a victory...” (Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 179)

According to this narration, disagreements will arise between the Farsi region and Arab communities, escalating into full-blown wars. Throughout history, there have been various political and ideological tensions between Iran and certain Arab countries. Following attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, the Iranian state has targeted multiple Arab nations with missiles and drones. The countries affected include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Iraq.

Other hadiths emphasize that the conflicts will not remain confined to Iran, but will spread toward the eastern territories:

“Sufyani sends his army from the lands of KHORASAN AND PERSIA AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST. THEY FIGHT THE EASTERN PEOPLE REPEATEDLY. These wars continue…”
(Al-Muttaki, Signs of the Mahdi in the End Times – Hadiths Compiled from Suyuti, Hadith No. 4:55)

Similarly, another narration states:

“The army of Sufyani reaches THE LANDS OF KHORASAN, FARSI, AND THEN THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST. The eastern people rise against them and fight repeatedly.”
(Al-Qawl Al-Mukhtasar Fi alamat Al-Mahdi Al-Muntazar, Hadith No. 20)

These hadiths indicate that recurring wars will occur in Iran and surrounding regions, particularly in areas extending eastward. Indeed, around the same time as the Iran conflict, clashes also began between Afghanistan and Pakistan, reflecting the geographic expansion foretold in the narrations.

Another key point emphasized in the hadiths is that these wars will occur repeatedly. In reality, a prolonged war did occur between Iran and Iraq. Following this period, Iran faced international sanctions and, even if not in direct confrontation, remained in a constant state of tension with the West. Since 1979, Afghanistan has experienced almost continuous war and conflict, and this situation has also extended to Pakistan.

4. Wars and Tribulations Will Continue Until the Mahdi’s Appearance

Hadiths describe that in the End Times, tribulations and wars will intensify. People will face oppression, economic hardships, famine, and insecurity. Even if conflicts seem to end in one region, they will reignite elsewhere.

One hadith explains these circumstances:

"... a corruption will appear such that nowhere will be free of it, and when this corruption ends in one place it will immediately spread in another direction, and this state of affairs will continue until a herald from the sky calls out, “O people, your leader is now the Mahdi.”
(Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, Hadith No. 22)

The proclamation, “O people! Your leader is now the Mahdi”, indicates the Mahdi’s apparent emergence, recognized and known by people.

Another narration states:

"A sedition which is very prevalent and appear impossible to come to an end will appear and this sedition will continue until a call from the heavens will announce, ‘The Amir is Mahdi, he is the truth.’”
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, Hadith No. 40)

“After the tribulations and wars continue through the month of Ramadan and then until Dhu al-Hijjah, allegiance will be pledged to the Mahdi in the month of Muharram.

Following these tribulations and wars, so intense that they would extinguish even blazing fires… the Mahdi, although unwilling himself, will accept the people’s pledge of allegiance between the Rukn and the Maqam after their persistent insistence.”
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, Hadith No. 58)

According to the hadiths, tribulations and wars will continue from the month of Ramadan through Dhu al-Hijjah. Following this period, it is informed that people will pledge allegiance to the Mahdi in the month of Muharram. It is reported that after this intense turmoil and warfare, the Mahdi will accept the pledge of allegiance from people between the Rukn and Maqam, even though he personally does not desire it, responding to their persistent insistence.

From this, it is understood that the Mahdi will not appear on his own initiative or make a claim by himself. Instead, he will assume responsibility as a result of people’s insistence, driven by their trust in his justice, wisdom, and conscience in the face of severe difficulties and impasses.

The hadiths cited above are found in important and reliable Islamic sources. Over the years since the beginning of Hijri 1400 (AD 1979), many of the signs foretold by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have been realized. The war in Iran is considered one of these prophesied signs (God knows best).