The Foundational Principle of the Continuation of the Era of Hardship (Asr al-Usrat) for the Shia Until the Time of the Reappearance

Principles

1: Principle: The Existence of the Era of Hardship (Asr al-Usrat) as a Prelude to the Reappearance.[1]

2: Principle: The Prediction of Trials (Fitnas) and Calamities During the Era of Hardship.[2]

3: Principle: The Transformation from the Era of Hardship to the Golden Age Following the Reappearance.[3]

4: Principle: The Inevitable Occurrence (Hatmi al-Wuqu’) of Certain Signs and Events of the End Times (Akhir al-Zaman).[4]

Challenges

1: Correlating the Signs of the Reappearance with Present-Day Realities.[5]

2: The Increase of Trials (Fitnas) and Corruption During the Era of Hardship.[6]

Footnotes:

[1]. End-Times narrations in Islam describe a period of great calamities, trials (fitnas), and tribulations, referred to as the “Era of Hardship” (Asr al-Usrat). This period is considered a precursor to the Reappearance (Zuhur) and the entry into humanity’s Golden Age. During this era, humans grapple with severe problems and trials, indicative of the intensity of the calamities and crises of the End Times.

[2]. During the Era of Hardship, trials and calamities are predicted that will put humans in dire straits. These trials can include social, religious, economic, and cultural corruption, bringing humanity’s condition to a critical point on the threshold of Imam Mahdi’s (AS)¹ reappearance. In this era, humans distance themselves from divine values, and society moves towards misguidance and deviation.

[3]. The second phase of human history, occurring after passing through the Era of Hardship, is the Golden Age, commencing with the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). This era is known as the “Divine Utopia” (Armanshahr Ilahi), where justice, peace, and prosperity are established globally. During this time, many human problems are resolved, and people attain happiness and tranquility.

[4]. Some signs of the End Times are mentioned in narrations as definitively and inevitably occurring (Hatmi al-Wuqu’). These signs include wars, trials, the appearance of specific figures, and events whose occurrence is definitively predicted. Examining these signs and their occurrence over time is of great importance.

[5]. One of the significant challenges in studying the Era of Hardship and the signs of the Reappearance is correlating the narrations and predictions with the actual conditions and events of the present time. Some signs may not be entirely clear, and their interpretation might differ in various eras. This challenge can create difficulties in correctly understanding religious concepts and End-Times predictions.

[6]. A fundamental challenge during the Era of Hardship is the increase of trials (fitnas), corruption, and crises at individual and societal levels. These trials and corruptions lead to human misguidance and deviation, turning individuals away from the right path. In such conditions, maintaining faith and divine principles against external and internal pressures becomes very difficult.