Preparing for the Reappearance: The Greatest Imperative of Our Life in the Present Day
The awaited Reappearance of the Promised Savior is a reality long anticipated—not only by Shia Muslims but also by countless freedom-seeking individuals around the world. In an era where global events are accelerating at an unprecedented pace, the urgency of preparing for this divine occurrence is more deeply felt than ever before.
In a letter from Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) to Sheikh al-Mufid, two fundamental prerequisites for the Reappearance are emphasized: unity among the Shia and their unwavering loyalty to the Imam. Today, we are witnessing a significant degree of progress toward fulfilling these conditions. The existential threats that once necessitated the Imam’s occultation have substantially diminished, and the Shia community—both militarily and intellectually—has attained the capacity to safeguard its Imam.
Moreover, a spirit of compassion and self-sacrifice is gaining momentum on a global scale. A cultural ethos once primarily reflected in gatherings like Arbaeen pilgrimage is now emerging in diverse regions across the world. Following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, the moral conscience of humanity has become increasingly evident. People from various faith traditions—and even those without any religious affiliation—have risked their lives in defense of the oppressed. They have endured severe trials: beaten in public, dismissed from their jobs, had their academic records annulled, and faced extensive restrictions and punitive measures from their oppressive governments. Nevertheless, they have remained steadfast in their cause, continuing to resist and raise their voices in the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom.
The necessity of preparing for the Reappearance is felt today more urgently than ever before. The pace of global events has accelerated dramatically—a reality that can be clearly perceived through numerous signs and developments. The Islamic Revolution of Iran, as the government destined to pave the way for the Reappearance, has now attained a level of power far beyond what Western governments could have imagined. Not only has it become a regional superpower in its own right, but it has also succeeded in mobilizing global support. By spreading its ideals of justice and resistance, it has inspired freedom-seeking nations to rise against oppressive and hegemonic regimes. Today, the front of disbelief, tyranny, and hypocrisy stands at its weakest point in all of history—gradually sinking deeper into the very swamp it has created with its own hands.
These and many other signs point to the nearness of a momentous event. The world is taking its final steps toward the Reappearance of the Savior, and with each passing moment, we draw closer to the ultimate confrontation between truth and falsehood. A battle which, according to the Quran, will culminate in the annihilation of the leaders of disbelief, and in the earth being inherited by the righteous—forever. In this inevitable confrontation, and in these golden days leading up to the Reappearance, the most vital question each of us must ask ourselves is this:
What is my role in all of this? What actions must I take to navigate this historic turning point safely and successfully? How can preparing for the Reappearance be fulfilled, and what is my role in it?
A Great Ideal Demands Lofty Resolve!
Effort must be proportionate to the goal. No great objective can be achieved through minimal effort. If any one of us wants to bring about even a small change in our neighborhood or city, it would require tireless planning and nonstop action. So how can we expect to enact global transformation and overthrow the usurpers of the earth with sporadic and limited endeavors? We are entrusted with the mission of dismantling a satanic civilization that has persisted for thousands of years and establishing in its place a divine, God-centered civilization. Naturally, the realization of such a lofty ideal comes at a price—it cannot be attained through laziness, passivity, or disorganization.
We now live in the finest era in human history—an age that the righteous of all generations before us longed to witness. This golden age is the result of the tireless sacrifices of virtuous nations throughout the decades and centuries past. It has not been handed to us without cost. Today, we stand mere steps away from the Reappearance, and the conditions for this monumental transformation are more favorable than ever before. Yet this should not lull us into a false sense of sufficiency. We are in the midst of a decisive and historic battle, and any negligence, heedlessness, or spiritual slumber may bring about consequences that are irreparable—not only for ourselves, but also for the oppressed and vulnerable across the world.
Preparing for the Reappearance—within ourselves and those around us—is the most urgent necessity of our time. If we neglect this preparation and fall into the illusion of imminent victory, the enemy will exploit our complacency and inflict serious blows upon the front of truth. In such a case, God may once again postpone the Reappearance for years—just as has happened many times in the past. History has witnessed moments when the forces of righteousness stood on the very threshold of victory, only to squander the opportunity due to a lack of preparedness, laziness, and a preference for ease and comfort. The Reappearance depends—above all else—on the strength and continued resilience of the forces of truth. And such strength is not gained overnight. For years, whether consciously or unconsciously, we have numerous detrimental and weakening habits through our conformity to the Western lifestyle. Overcoming these deeply ingrained patterns requires a comprehensive and determined spiritual struggle—one that must begin as soon as possible. The most vital step each of us can take today is preparing for the Reappearance by transforming our lifestyle and reshaping our habits. This is no longer optional—it is the decisive action of our era.
Our Duties in Preparing for the Reappearance
Every nation, during times of peace and before any conflict arises, takes deliberate measures to strengthen its defensive and offensive systems in order to protect itself from external threats. Defense encompasses all actions and systems designed to repel enemy attacks and safeguard vital personnel, infrastructure, and territories. Offense, by contrast, consists of actions aimed at striking the enemy and inflicting damage. In essence, defense serves to protect and preserve, while offense seeks to engage and defeat.
Although these concepts originate in the military sphere, they can be meaningfully extended to our spiritual and physical realms as well. Just as we are obliged to defend our homeland against external military threats, we are equally responsible for proactively shielding our bodies and souls from spiritual assaults—especially those emanating from Satan—and from anything that leads to lethargy, stagnation, or withdrawal from purposeful action. For successful and safe navigation through the final stages of this historical era, and for truly preparing for the Reappearance, we must strengthen our spiritual and physical defense and offense systems. Victory in this global and timeless battle depends on the inner strength of nations—on the resilience and readiness of their people.
We, along with all freedom-loving individuals across the globe, must first make our hearts and bodies impervious to harm and corruption. Only then can we rise at the crucial moment to fulfill our roles in the unfolding events of the End Times and liberate the world once and for all from the dominion of disbelief, tyranny, and hypocrisy.
The world is undergoing profound change. The awakening of nations, the spread of compassion and self-sacrifice, the rising religious and political awareness throughout the Muslim world, and the growing strength of the Resistance Front—all these signs point unmistakably to one truth: The Promised Reappearance is drawing near. Today, more than ever, the groundwork has been laid. Yet, this alone is not enough. The Reappearance Is not a one-sided event. It is not something we can passively await, hoping that when the destined day arrives, everything will suddenly be set right. The Reappearance is like the sunrise—if we haven’t cleaned the windows of our home beforehand, then even with the sun’s arrival, darkness will remain.
We must be prepared. Preparing for the Reappearance
means inner reform. It means transforming our way of life. It means breaking the habits that have kept us weak, distracted, consumer-driven, and passive. The era of the Reappearance requires people who are strong, resolute, responsible, purposeful, and pure. Such individuals are not created overnight—they are formed through discipline, struggle, self-purification, and collective effort.
Moreover, we are in the midst of a historic battle. In this battle, two essential weapons are required:
- Spiritual and Physical Defense: to resist satanic temptations, despair, laziness, indulgence, and confusion.
- Faith-Driven and Social Offense: to challenge oppressive systems, promote virtue, build communities, support the oppressed, and actively prepare the world for the Reappearance.
In this fight, no one is a bystander. Silence is itself a stance, and negligence only delays the Reappearance. If we truly wish to be among the Awaiters, we must rise, not merely wait. We must have a plan. We must be willing to change. We must break, one by one, the habits that have distanced us from the horizon of the Reappearance.
The Reappearance of the Savior is not merely a promise for the future—it is a responsibility of the present. We will only be worthy of witnessing it if we begin moving toward it now.
In the next article, we will explore practical ways to change our lifestyles and strengthen both body and soul as part of this vital preparation.
