Ahle Tasannun scholar Shaikh Sulaiman Qundoozi, in his book Yanaabee’ al-Mawaddah, chapter 71, p. 485 has narrated a tradition from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (peace be upon him) in which Mufazzal Ibn Umar enquired from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) about Surah Shura (42): Verse 18
إِنَّ الَّذينَ يُمارُونَ فِي السَّاعَةِ لَفي ضَلالٍ بَعيدٍ“Those who dispute obstinately concerning the hour are in great error.”
Imam (peace be upon him) replied:
“The sceptics ask about when Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) was born? Who has seen him? Where is he now? When will he reappear? All of this is akin to doubting Divine Decree and Power. These are those who will be at a loss in this world and the hereafter.”
To summarise, it is absolutely clear from the Quranic verse and the tradition of Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) that people will doubt the existence of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).
They will not just themselves be in doubt but create doubts for others as well. According to this tradition, doubting the existence of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) is like doubting the Decree and Power of Allah.
Sending 124,000 Prophets (a.s.), making Islam the last Shariah, establishing the Day of Judgement; all of these are the Divine Decrees, which means these are Allah’s decisions and no one can interfere in His decisions. Allah has regarded these as certain.
Similarly, the entire universe has been created by Divine Power and Allah can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. He has the power of “be and it becomes” and has power over all things. The one who doubts Allah’s Decree and Power has, in reality, cast a doubt on Allah Himself.
In the same way, the existence of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), his reappearance, his rule are the decree and power of Allah. Therefore, anyone who has any doubts concerning Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), has undermined Allah’s Power and such a person will be at a loss in this world and the hereafter.
Lastly, we pray to Allah that He hastens the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and protects us from the evil of those who are sceptical about him.
Aameen, O Lord of the worlds!