Prior to dawn Imam Ali (as) was getting ready to lead Salatul Fajr in the masjid-e-Kufa. Jabir ibn Abdullal Ansari came into the masjid looking pale and worried. The people saw his worried look, ushered him through to the front to see Imam Ali (as). Imam asked Jabir why he looked so worried. Jabir said he saw a dream which has disturbed him a lot.

He narrated the dream and Imam explained each part of it as signs which would precede the coming of Imam Mahdi (as).

Jabir saw a beautiful and attractive cloth hanging from the sky. An announcement was being made that anyone who wished to possess it could take it for free. However, Jabir saw that most people just tore away bits from it, leaving it in tatters. Imam explained that the cloth represented Islam. and invitation was from the side of Allah to take it wholly but Muslims would take part which would appeal them.

Jabir also saw both healthy and weak animals but he saw that people came to milk only the weak animals and not the healthy ones. Imam explained that this would be the state of governents who would tax the poor and exempt the rich.

In his dream Jabir saw some sick people visiting healthy people instead of visa-versa. Imam explained that it would be a time when the poor would have to go to the rich to claim their rights.

He saw two-headed animals, eating with both head but still not satisfied. Imam explained people will I use both halal and haram means to acquire wealth but would still be not satisfied.

Jabir saw water being poured from copper pot to gold pot But the level of water in the copper pot remained the same although it was being poured at a fast rate. Imam explained Gold pot represented hereafter and the copper one the world. There would be many deaths through various calamities but the population of the world will not seem to decrease at all.