Imam Sadiq (pbuh) stated,
There are some signs by God for the faithful people, before the Emergence:
Surly, we will test all of you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth and lives, and fruits. So, 29/5000
Give glad tidings to the patients.
By hunger, it refers to the high expenses.
By lack of assets, it refers to market slack and lack of incomes.
And by loss of lives, it refers to early and abundant deaths.
And by lack of fruits, it refers to lack of incomes and agricultural products.
Hence, Good tiding [by God] to hasten the emergence of Qaim1 [imam Mahdi( hgr)] , there with _God willing.
Qaim is a title of imam Mahdi (hgr), as he arises for truth.
“Kamal al-deenâ€, V. 2, p. 650
Nu’mani, “al Ghaybaâ€, p.250
Ayyashi, “Tafsirâ€, v.1, p.68