In this statement, there is a testimony from Sadaqah bin Al-Fadl, may God have mercy on him, regarding the narrations of Al-Walid bin Muslim in the chapter of tribulations and their signs. He had a special distinction because he was one of the most knowledgeable people about this type of hadith. Abu Nu'aym narrated in his book "Al-Fitan" from Ali, may God be pleased with him, who said: "There will be a pledge of allegiance before the pledge of allegiance to the Mahdi, and it will be a pledge of allegiance to someone who is not the Mahdi. He will be killed, and he will not have any successor with God Almighty, unlike the Mahdi, who will live, God willing, and triumph over his enemies. His killing is destined by God Almighty because his death after his pledge of allegiance will lead to the desecration of the House of God Al-Haram. This is a great matter with God Almighty. What supports this meaning is what Ahmad narrated in his Musnad from Sa'id bin Al-Musayyab, who said: 'The people of Medina will pledge allegiance to a man from the people of Medina, and the people of Medina will be in a state of conflict. Then a man from Mecca will come, and the people of Medina will pledge allegiance to him. Then the people of Quraysh will dispute over him. Then a man from the people of Quraysh will come, and when he is between the Rukn and the Maqam, he will be given the pledge of allegiance. And it will be said to him: 'If you accept it, then you have the caliphate.' And if you refuse, then you will be killed.'"

The two preceding narrations (16 and 17) indicate that the pledge of allegiance to the Mahdi will be preceded by a pledge of allegiance that has the same characteristics as the pledge of allegiance to the Mahdi. These characteristics are: 1. The pledge of allegiance will be to someone from the Household of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, and so will the Mahdi. 2. The pledge of allegiance will be made while seeking refuge in the House of God Al-Haram, and so will the Mahdi. 3. The pledge of allegiance will be with a small group of individuals, and so will the Mahdi. 4. The pledge of allegiance will take place between the Rukn and the Maqam, and so will the pledge of allegiance to the Mahdi.

The pledge of allegiance before the Mahdi will be to someone who will be killed or die, and he will not have any successor with God Almighty, unlike the Mahdi, who will live, God willing, and triumph over his enemies. His killing is destined by God Almighty because his death after his pledge of allegiance will lead to the desecration of the House of God Al-Haram. This is a great matter with God Almighty. What supports this meaning is what Ahmad narrated in his Musnad from Sa'id bin Al-Musayyab, who said: "The people of Medina will pledge allegiance to a man from the people of Medina, and the people of Medina will be in a state of conflict. Then a man from Mecca will come, and the people of Medina will pledge allegiance to him. Then the people of Quraysh will dispute over him. Then a man from the people of Quraysh will come, and when he is between the Rukn and the Maqam, he will be given the pledge of allegiance. And it will be said to him: 'If you accept it, then you have the caliphate.' And if you refuse, then you will be killed."

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