Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What principles should be followed when talking about Imam al-Mahdi?
We should restrict ourselves to talking about what is narrated in the hadith about him. We should realise that his coming is a sign of Allah and something that Allah has promised that will come to pass at its appointed time. Our hearts should not be focused on his coming but rather on the obligations we would have to fulfil where he to appear. We should ask ourselves what we are doing to serve the Sacred Law which he will come to serve. Also refer to the section in the book ‘Tawhij al-Nabih’ (page 192) for clarification of our methodology in relation to these affairs.