THIS CHAPTER will cover the problems of the communication between the divine and satanic forces that constantly surround humanity during the apocalyptic era. These forces are not the primary focus of the apocalyptic traditions; instead, they tend to stand in the background and direct the events only at key moments. For this reason it is important to study the field of concepts surrounding them and to try to come to some conclusions as to how and why they were chosen for the tasks that they perform in Muslim apocalyptic. For the most part they are divided into the opposing figures of the munādī and the ṣriākh.Each of these figures has one key role to play within the texts, and is designed to make sure that the believer receives certain information at. certain time, or to prevent him from doing so. Obviously one of the difficulties facing the apocalyptist was to find. way to prove something to the populace in such. way that no one could deny it. The only sure way to do this is to invoke the authority of heaven, and bring. figure who could speak with the voice of God to bear witness to the truth of the Mahdī's mission, for example. Astonishing as it may seem, the apocalyptists did worry that people would not understand the signs at the crucial moment, and so apparently sought such an unambiguous device.

The root nadā would seem to indicate the act of directing. call or authoritative statement from. superior figure (either in rank, or in age) either to an inferior one, or to. large group. The munādī, therefore, is. he voice of heaven-the voice through which God communicates to humanity. One must hasten to add that this is not entirely confined to the apocalyptic world, yet in it we find. very distinctive development as. person.