It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "Soon there will be a tribulation in which people will be sifted and separated just as gold is separated (from earth) in a mine. So do not revile the people of Syria, but revile their oppressors, for among them are the Abdal (the chosen servants of Allah). Soon Allah Almighty will send upon them (the oppressors) a calamity (a flood or disaster) from the sky that will drown them, so much so that if even foxes fought them, they would overcome them. Then at that time Allah Almighty will raise up a man (al-Mahdi) from the family ('itrah) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), with twelve thousand (if they are few) or fifteen thousand (if they are many) people with him. Their slogan (or sign) will be 'Amit, amit' (Kill, kill). They will fight under three banners, while opposing them will be the people of seven banners, every banner-bearer among whom will covet kingship. So they (the opponents) will be killed and defeated. Then that Hashimi (al-Mahdi) will appear, and Allah Almighty will restore to the people their harmony, blessings, prosperity and provision (grain, the fruit of the arak and the like), and they will remain in this state until the Dajjal emerges." This hadith has a sahih (authentic) chain, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.

It is narrated from Muhammad Ibn al-Hanafiyyah (the son of Sayyiduna Ali) that he said: We were sitting with Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) when a man asked him about the 'Mahdi'. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "How far off he is! (His time has not yet come.)" Then he tied a knot of seven (eras or periods) with his hand and said: "He will emerge at the end of time, when (the situation will be such that) if a man says 'Allah, Allah', he will be killed. Then Allah Almighty will gather for him (the Mahdi) a people who will come together like scattered patches of cloud (coming from different places). Allah will create such harmony in their hearts that they will neither feel lonely (at anyone leaving) nor rejoice (on a worldly basis) at anyone joining them. Their number will be equal to the Companions of Badr (313); those before them did not outstrip them, and those after them will not attain their rank. And their number will be equal to the companions of Talut who crossed the river with him." Abu al-Tufayl said: Ibn al-Hanafiyyah asked me: Do you wish to see him? I said: Yes. He said (pointing towards Makkah): He will emerge from between these two pieces of wood (or pillars). Abu al-Tufayl said: I said (to myself): By Allah! I will not leave these two until I die. And so he died there. (Makkah is meant.) This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), but they did not record it.