Did the Mahdi fight alongside the bearers of the Black Banners, or was he merely compelled to accompany them? And why would he denounce their actions if they were in the right? Is there a similarity between the Mahdi's reform of his nation and the Prophet's reform of his people? And which conflict is more severe: the fighting of the banner-bearers against the Muslims, or the fighting of the Muslims against the Romans?

The hadith indicates that the Mahdi will triumph over his opponents and will engage in much killing among them, but it is not necessarily a complete annihilation. The Mahdi will fill the earth with justice and fairness, and it is inconceivable that he would kill righteous Muslims. There is a hadith about the Mahdi fleeing to Mecca and being sworn allegiance to, followed by the earth swallowing up an army from Syria (Sham), and then the people of Syria and Iraq swearing allegiance to him. There is no text stating that the Mahdi will disavow actions or reprimand the people of the Black Banners, or that he was coerced, but he may participate in fighting. Allah will rectify the Mahdi in a single night. The fighting mentioned in the hadith of the Black Banners might be fighting that precedes the battle with the Romans, or it might be the more severe one. A sound hadith has been narrated about fighting the Romans, conquering Constantinople, and the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him).