The Final Geopolitics: Shaykh al-Kourani on the Khorasani Banner, the Western Truce, and the Descent of Christ

April 16, 2026

The Final Geopolitics: Shaykh al-Kourani on the Khorasani Banner, the Western Truce, and the Descent of Christ

What many people ask is how the world will develop in the lead-up to the Great Appearance. According to the late Shaykh Ali al-Kourani, the path to the end of times is not a chaotic collapse, but a highly structured series of geopolitical shifts. In these two discussions, he provides a roadmap—moving from the global liberation of Jerusalem and the role of Jesus in the West, to the specific internal political struggles within Iran and the rise of key figures like the Sufyani, the Yamani, and the Khorasani.

Link to the Video in Farsi: https://youtu.be/zATzo9auIsQ

Short Biography of Shaykh Ali al-Kourani

Allamah Shaykh Ali al-Kourani (1944–2024) was a prominent Lebanese Shia cleric, author, and researcher who became a central figure in the study of Islamic Eschatology. Born in Yatar, Lebanon, he undertook his formal religious education in the seminaries of Najaf, Iraq, where he studied under influential jurists such as Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr. After serving as a religious representative in Kuwait and Lebanon, the geopolitical shifts following the 1979 Islamic Revolution led him to relocate to Qom, Iran, where he established himself as a prolific scholar.

He is best known for his book "Asr al-Zuhur" (The Era of Appearance), which provides a detailed analysis of the Signs of the Appearance of Imam Mahdi. Kourani was noted for connecting modern geopolitical events—specifically involving Palestine, Iran, and the broader Levant—to traditional prophetic narrations. In addition to his writing, he was an early adopter of technology within the religious scholarly community, founding the Ahl al-Bayt Global Information Center to create digital databases for Islamic Hadith and research.

Until his death in May 2024, he remained a frequent commentator in Arab and Iranian media, often discussing the theological implications of Middle Eastern conflicts. He maintained that the liberation of Jerusalem was a key event within the Islamic eschatological timeline. He is remembered for his efforts to systematize the study of Mahdism and for utilizing digital tools to modernize traditional religious research.

Contents

Short Overview

Extended Version

Part 1: The Global Stage — Jerusalem, the West, and the Great Epic

Part 2: The Regional Crisis — The Sufyani, the Yamani, and the Internal Struggle in Iran

Conclusion & Chronology of Main Events according to Shaykh al-Kourany

Short Overview

The Prophetic Roadmap: A Chronological Synthesis of the End Times

In these two discussions, he provides a roadmap—moving from the global liberation of Jerusalem and the role of Jesus in the West, to the specific internal political struggles within Iran and the rise of key figures like the Sufyani, the Yamani, and the Khorasani.

Part 1: The Global Stage — Jerusalem, the West, and the Great Epic

In the first phase of this roadmap, the focus is on international relations and the initial shift of power in the Middle East.

The First War with the Jews: This conflict occurs before the Appearance. It involves the "People of the East" (Resistance forces) and ends in a significant victory.
The First Conquest of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is liberated, and according to al-Kourani, a democratic administration is formed via a referendum. This creates a period of relative peace where the city is open to both Palestinians and Jews.
The Role of Jesus and the "Romans": As the Imam’s message spreads, Prophet Jesus begins to have a profound influence on Western ("Roman") societies. This ideological shift prepares the world for the eventual descent of Christ.

Part 2: The Regional Crisis — The Sufyani, the Yamani, and the Internal Struggle in Iran

As the actual moment of the Appearance nears, the focus shifts to a rapid, seven-month period of intense regional upheaval and internal division.

The 7-Month Countdown: Seven months before the Imam appears, two major figures emerge: the Yamani (the Imam's representative in Yemen) and the Sufyani (a bitter enemy who takes control of Syria and the Levant).
The Internal Iranian Dispute: Iran faces a political "tug-of-war" between those ready to hand over power to the Imam and those who are hesitant. The Khorasani leaders and the military commander Shu'ayb bin Salih eventually stabilize the nation.
The Trade-off: Kourani describes a divine balance where the Resistance "loses" Syria to the Sufyani but "gains" Yemen via the Yamani, setting the stage for the Imam's final arrival.

Conclusion: The Chronology of the Great Appearance

Based on the synthesis of these transcripts, the following timeline represents the main events leading to the final victory:

I. The Pre-Appearance Era (Unknown Duration)

War with the Jews: The initial conflict involving the "People of the East."
Liberation of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is opened; a joint democratic state is formed.
The Interim Period: A phase of stability and Iranian support for the new Palestinian state.

II. The Seven-Month Transition

Rise of the Sufyani: Syria, Jordan, and Palestine fall under the Sufyani's rule.
Rise of the Yamani: Yemen becomes the base for the Imam's special representative.
Iranian Consolidation: The Khorasani faction secures internal control in Iran.

III. The Appearance and the Truce (The Final 10 Years)

The Appearance: Imam Mahdi arrives; Prophet Jesus descends.
The 10-Year Truce: Jesus mediates a ceasefire with the West (the Romans).
The 7-Year Growth: For seven years, the Imam’s government thrives and Jesus’s influence in the West grows.
The Broken Treaty: In the 7th year, the West breaks the truce and declares war.
Final Victory: Jesus refuses to fight the Imam, prays behind him, and the "Great Epic" concludes with the global establishment of justice.

Note on Interpretation: Shaykh al-Kourani maintains that while these events follow a set sequence, we must avoid Tawqit (setting exact dates). The specific figures mentioned—such as the Khorasani—are identified by their roles and titles rather than specific modern names, though he acknowledges the potential for contemporary leaders to fulfill these roles.

Extended Version

Part 1: The Global Stage — Jerusalem, the West, and the Great Epic

This section covers the international dimension, including the role of Christian Zionists, the first liberation of Jerusalem, and the eventual mediation and descent of Prophet Jesus.

Transcript of Part 1 of the Video:

Interviewer: As you are aware, among American and British Christian Zionists, they harmonize with Zionists in speaking of Armageddon. They attempt, in every way possible, to make the event of Armageddon a reality. In our Shia narrative sources, reaching us from the Imams of Guidance, is there any reference to the event of Armageddon? Do we have it or not?

Scholar: Armageddon—its name is Har-Magedon, a small mountain near Acre. They have made this very common in the West, saying, "We have a great battle called Armageddon," and that Jesus will descend to help us, to help Israel. They have linked these things together and created a sect: the "Jewish Christians" (Zionist Christians) who magnify this. I remember Rumsfeld, the U.S. Defense Secretary in Iraq; it was clear when we took Iraq that the goal was for it to be in Israel's favor. Why in Israel's favor? Because of a group of Christians called "Biblical Christians" (Evangelical Zionists).

Bush and others are among them. Their belief is that we must help Israel so that Jesus can descend. This is a lie they have magnified. We don't have it like that. We don't have [Armageddon], but we have the "Great Epic" (al-Malhama al-Kubra).

This happens after a ceasefire agreement mediated by Jesus. The final truce you will have with the Romans (the West) will be for ten years. Its duration is ten years. It lasts for seven years, but after seven years, the Westerners see that Imam Mahdi’s government has progressed and Jesus’s influence in Western society has grown. They then declare war against Imam Mahdi. Jesus cannot convince them not to fight. At that time, he comes and prays behind Imam Mahdi. This is after seven years.

Interviewer: Where is Qirqisya in this timeline?

Shaykh al-Kourany: Qirqisya will be finished by then. It's over.

Interviewer: If you say Qirqisya is in the era of the Appearance, and the "Turks" and "Romans" are actually the Russians and Americans...

Shaykh al-Kourany: No, I used to think "Turks" meant Russians, but it appears the "Turks" refers to Turkey itself. Facing them is the Sufyani. Perhaps the Kurds are also involved. Neither of these groups will emerge victorious. Their war will be prolonged until the Imam of Time (Imam Mahdi) enters Syria to fight the Sufyani. That is when their wars will end; they will exhaust themselves.

Interviewer: Now, considering these events—specifically the current war between Israel and the Palestinians—this issue is very prominent now. Regarding those initial verses of Surah Al-Isra and the "two times of corruption" that the Jews commit, and the ultimate victory over them: what is the interpretation of these two stages?

Shaykh al-Kourany: I have said a lot regarding our war with the Jews. I can send some of it to you, God willing. In summary: we have two wars with the Jews. Both are in the future.

Interviewer: Both stages are in the future?

Shaykh al-Kourany: Both are future. Perhaps we have started this [first stage] now. Before the appearance of the Imam, we will prevail. We will win and we will enter Jerusalem (Beit al-Maqdis).

Interviewer: So, the conquest of Jerusalem is mentioned as happening before the Appearance?

Shaykh al-Kourany: Yes, it is stated. "A people whom Allah will send before the appearance of the Mahdi." “We sent against you servants of Ours of great military might...” (Quran 17:5).

The first stage: “You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice.” Historically, you caused corruption twice. “So when the promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours...” Well, the time of the first corruption ended at the hands of the Prophet and the Commander of the Faithful (Ali). It was finished. The Jews in Jerusalem were under the protection of the Romans until the Battle of Yarmouk.

The Commander of the Faithful sent Malik al-Ashtar, Amr bin Ma'adi Yakrib al-Zubaydi, and others. They prevailed over Heraclius. Heraclius said goodbye to Syria and Palestine and retreated. When they retreated, the Jews surrendered. “They entered the very innermost parts of your homes.” This was the first one.

The second promise is the same people I sent first. “To sadden your faces.” They will engage with you intensely and enter Jerusalem. Right now, we have narrations about the People of Qom, the people of Kufa, and Iraq—that they will enter and be victorious alongside the Palestinians and the Resistance. This war apparently continues until victory.

After the victory and entering Jerusalem, the plan is simply what Ayatollah Khamenei proposed. It’s not two [states]; it’s a referendum. The Jewish and Palestinian populations will decide and choose. It will be a democratic government. A joint government with two ethnicities. Since the majority are Arabs, it will be an Arab state with two ethnicities. The system in Jerusalem will be an Arab country in the hands of Palestinians and Jews, and Jerusalem will be open.

This will continue for a period until the Sufyani emerges.

Interviewer: Ah, so the Sufyani comes after the conquest of Jerusalem?

Shaykh al-Kourany: Definitely. The Sufyani emerges seven months before the Appearance of the Imam. Yes, seven months. And the distance between the conquest of Jerusalem and the Sufyani might be 30 years. They [the Palestinians] will govern themselves. They will thank Iran and the Shia, saying, "Our country liberated us," and our relations will be good. Some of them will even become Shia.

This lasts until the Sufyani appears. They will fall under the influence of the Sufyani. The Sufyani will be the ruler of Jordan, Palestine, and all of the Levant (Bilad al-Sham). His government will include all of these. The Jews and Westerners will support the Sufyani with immense wealth and weapons. They will help him until the final event.

Part 2: The Regional Crisis — The Sufyani, the Yamani, and the Internal Struggle in Iran

This section focuses on the specific geopolitical shifts seven months before the Appearance, detailing the loss of Syria, the rise of the Yemeni representative, and the political dispute within Iran.

Transcript of Part 2 of the Video:

Scholar: Later, in the year of the Appearance of the Hazrat [the Imam], peace and blessings be upon him, a dispute will arise inside Iran. It will be divided into two parts—meaning the Yamani, seven months before the Appearance of the Hazrat, becomes the ruler of Yemen. He is the special representative of the Imam of Time. The Sufyani becomes the ruler of Syria. This means we will lose Syria, but in exchange for Syria, God gives us Yemen.

Sayyid [Nasrallah], may God protect him, sent word to me saying, "In your programs, be mindful regarding Bashar [al-Assad]." I said, "We want nothing but good for Bashar, but when we speak of the Sufyani, the Sufyani appears seven months before our Imam." This is a sign of our Imam, peace be upon him. We want the Appearance of the Hazrat; we do not want harm to come to Bashar.

In any case, in Syria, this Sufyani—who is a bitter enemy of the Imam of Time, peace be upon him—rules Syria for only about one year. And inside Iran, at this point, a dispute arises. The dispute is between two groups. One group says, "Why should we give the banner [of leadership] to the Imam of Time and the Yamani?" and another group says, "No, we will not give it."

Regarding the Iranian banner, the Khorasani companions will be victorious. And how will they be victorious? It is inevitable for us (labudda lana). Imam Sadiq says if they rise from Azerbaijan—meaning we have become victorious in Iran—then you can move toward us.

Well, at that time, there is an internal struggle, an internal political dispute, like between two schools of thought. One thought is "Let us give the country to its rightful owner [the Imam]," while another thought says no. Ultimately, the Khorasani companions prevail. When they prevail—"Khorasan" meaning the ruler of Iran—and he is a Sayyid as well...

Interviewer: Tell us about his specific characteristics. We don't have a "Khorasani Ruler" [in history], so what are his traits? They say there is a defect in his right hand, or he has thick hair? You didn't include this in your book, The Era of Appearance?

Scholar: No. On his cheek is a mole... [as for] the Imam of Time. Later, regarding Shu'ayb bin Salih: among the Sunnis, there are many lies regarding Shu'ayb bin Salih. We cannot easily distinguish many of the narrations about the Imam of Time. For example, we have the book Al-Fitan by Nu'aym bin Hammad; it is very old, contemporary to Imam Reza, but it contains so many weak and fabricated narrations.

Regarding Shu'ayb bin Salih, you see [descriptions of] a young man from the Tamim tribe, a brown-skinned youth with thin hair, and so on. One time it says he comes from Samarkand, another time from somewhere else. You cannot find certainty with these narrations. When you see a high volume of narrations like that—for instance, about Jerusalem and the Jews—then you look for the narrations of the Imams found in authentic sources. Our authentic sources are [the books of] Sheikh Saduq, Sheikh Tusi's Ghaybah, [the Ghaybah of] Numani—books that are reliable—Kulayni’s Al-Kafi, and others.

Therefore, regarding the Khorasani, we don't have much. Only the name "Khorasani" in the sense of the Ruler of Iran; nothing more than this has come down to us. The specific physical traits of the Khorasani have not been mentioned. It is mentioned that Iran goes to serve the Imam and pledges allegiance to him (bay'at). The Imam says, "Return and be the ruler of Iran." And Shu'ayb bin Salih—meaning the Commander-in-Chief of all Iranian forces—the Imam says to him, "You stay here," and appoints him as the Commander-in-Chief of all the Imam of Time's forces.

Interviewer: A statement of yours has been published on the internet where you said it is not unlikely that the Supreme Leader of the Revolution [Ayatollah Khamenei] is that "Hope"...

Scholar: Yes, but one cannot certainly reject it, nor certainly confirm it.

Interviewer: Correct.

Scholar: Excellent. If we speak with certainty, we are "setting a time" (tawqit). If we say the Imam of Time will appear during the lifetime of the Supreme Leader, this is a "setting of time" which is forbidden (manhiyun 'anh).

And much has been said about Shu'ayb bin Salih. Back when we were in Ahvaz, they said of Ali Shamkhani—because his father's name was Haji Salih—they said, "This is Shu'ayb bin Salih." A Lebanese Sheikh came and said this. I said, "Man, this is Haji Salih and that is Ali Shamkhani, that's his name." He said, "No, this is Shu'ayb bin Salih!"

Must his name be Shu'ayb bin Salih or not? Is it a reference? I suspect his name is Iranian, and the Imam of Time gives him this name; it becomes a title of sorts.

Conclusion & Chronology of Main Events according to Shaykh al-Kourany

Time Relative to Appearance	Major Event
Years Prior	First war with the Jews; First Conquest of Jerusalem.
7 Months Prior	Appearance of the Sufyani (Syria) and the Yamani (Yemen).
Year 0	The Appearance of Imam Mahdi; Descent of Prophet Jesus.
Years 0–7	The 10-year truce with the West is in effect; Jesus influences the West.
Year 7	The West breaks the truce; War is declared against the Imam.
Post-Year 7	Jesus prays behind the Imam; Final victory and end of the "Great Epic."

Phase 1: The Pre-Appearance Era (Current/Near Future)

The First War with the Jews: A conflict begins involving the "People of the East" (Iran and the Resistance).
The Conquest of Jerusalem: Before the Imam appears, the Resistance forces enter Jerusalem.
Interim Governance: A joint Palestinian-Jewish democratic state is formed via a referendum; this period of relative stability may last for several years (possibly up to 30 years).

Phase 2: The Seven-Month Countdown

The Loss of Syria: The Sufyani (an enemy of the Imam) rises and takes over Syria, Jordan, and the Levant.
The Rise of the Yamani: Simultaneously, the Yamani (the Imam's representative) takes control of Yemen.
The Iranian Internal Dispute: Political tension peaks in Iran between two factions. The Khorasani group (the loyalists) and Shu'ayb bin Salih (the military commander) eventually secure control to prepare for the Imam.

Phase 3: The Appearance and the Great Truce

The Arrival: Imam Mahdi appears.
The 10-Year Ceasefire: Prophet Jesus descends and mediates a peace treaty between the Imam and the "Romans" (the West).
Expansion of Influence: During the first 7 years of this truce, the Imam’s government progresses and Jesus’s influence spreads rapidly through Western society.

Phase 4: The Final Conflict

The Truce is Broken: After the 7th year, Western leadership, fearing the Imam’s growing influence, violates the treaty and declares war.
The Final Prayer: Jesus refuses to side with the West. He prays behind Imam Mahdi, signaling the end of the Western opposition and the beginning of a new global era.

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