Various Characteristics of The Mahdi
Various Characteristics of The Mahdi
Various Characteristics of The Mahdi
Mahdi will first wage in intellectual struggle within the Islamic world and will return
Muslims who have departed from the true essence of Islam back to true belief and moral
virtues. The Mahdi will have three main tasks at this point:
1. The eradication of philosophical systems that support denial and atheism,
2. To combat superstition by freeing Islam from the hypocrites who have corrupted it. To
reveal and apply true Islamic moral values based on the commands of the Qur'an.
3. To strengthen the Islamic world politically and socially, to establish peace, security and
well-being, and to resolve social problems.
According to the hadith, the Prophet 'Isa (as) will return to Earth at the same time as the
Mahdi, will principally address the Christan and Jewish world, and will summon them to live
by the Qur'an by purging them of the errors into which they have fallen. As Christians follow
the Prophet 'Isa (as) the Christian and Islamic worlds will unite in a single belief, and the
world will enjoy a period of great peace, security, happiness and well-being, known as the
Golden Age.
The hadith of our Prophet (saas) contain various portents regarding the beginning of the End
Times. There are also verses in the Qur'an that allude to this period. The following section
sets out various portents of the End Times in the light of hadith and verses of the Qur'an.
the messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is Allah's help coming?" Be
assured that Allah's help is very near. (Surat al-Baqara, 214)
An evil generation succeeded them who neglected the prayer and followed their appetites.
They will plunge into the Valley of Evil. (Surah Maryam, 59)
But if anyone turns away from My reminder, his life will be a dark and narrow one. (Surah Ta
Ha, 124)
If only the people of the cities had believed and feared [and respected Allah], We would have
opened up to them blessings from heaven and earth. But they denied the truth so We seized
them for what they earned. (Surat al-A'raf, 96)
Would that there had been more people with a vestige of good among the generations of those
who came before you, who forbade corruption in the Earth, other than the few among them
whom We saved. Those who did wrong gladly pursued the life of luxury that they were given
and were evildoers. (Surah Hud, 116)
When he leaves you, he goes about the Earth corrupting it, destroying crops and animals.
Allah does not love corruption.
(Surat al-Baqara, 205)
***
Truly you are one of the Messengers on a Straight Path. (Surah Ya Sin, 3-4)
The People of the Book who are unbelievers and the idolators would not be cut off until the
clear sign came to them: a messenger from Allah reciting purified texts containing upright
precepts. (Surat al-Bayyina, 1-3)
Do people find it so surprising that We should reveal to a man among them: "Warn mankind
and give good news to those who believe that they are on a sure footing with their Lord'? The
unbelievers say, "This is downright magic!" (Surah Yunus, 2)
Every nation has a messenger and when their messenger comes everything is decided
between them justly. They are not wronged. (Surah Yunus, 47)
It is He Who sent His messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over
every other deen, even though the idolators detest it. (Surat at-Tawba, 33)
It is He Who sent His messenger with the Guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over
every other religion and Allah suffices as a witness. (Surat al-Fath, 28)
You who believe! If any of you renounce your religion, Allah will bring forward a people
whom He loves and who love Him, humble to the believers, fierce to the unbelievers, who
strive in the way of Allah and do not fear the blame of any censurer. That is the unbounded
favour of Allah which He gives to whoever He wills. Allah is Boundless, All-Knowing.
(Surat al-Ma'ida, 54)
Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid
the wrong. They are the ones who have success. (Surah Al 'Imran, 104)
We appointed leaders from among them, guiding by Our command when they were steadfast
and when they had certainty about Our signs. (Surat as-Sajda, 24)
He said, "Go down from it, all of you, as enemies to one another! But when guidance comes
to you from Me, all those who follow My guidance will not go astray and will not be
miserable."
(Surah Ta Ha, 123)
He who brings the truth and he who confirms it - those are the people who respect [and fear
Allah].
(Surat az-Zumar, 33)
***
Fight them until there is no more strife and the religion is Allah's alone. If they stop, Allah
sees what they do. (Surat al-Anfal, 39)
Say to those who are unbelievers: "You will be overwhelmed and crowded into Hell. What
an evil resting-place!" (Sura al-Imran, 12)
As for those who strive in Our way, We will guide them to Our paths. Truly Allah is with the
good-doers.
(Surat al-'Ankabut, 69)
Musa said to his people, "Seek help in Allah and be steadfast. The Earth belongs to Allah. He
bequeathes it to any of His servants He wills. The successful outcome is for those who fear
[and respect Allah]." They said, "We suffered harm before you came to us and after you
came to us." He said, "It may well be that your Lord is going to destroy your enemy and
make you the successors in the land so that He can see how you behave." (Surat al-A'raf, 128129)
This was so that He might verify the truth and nullify the false, even though the evildoers
hate that.
(Surat al-Anfal, 8)
Rather We hurl the truth against falsehood and it cuts right through it and it vanishes clean
away! Woe without end for you for what you portray! (Surat al-Anbiya', 18)
Say: "My Lord hurls forth the Truth - the Knower of all unseen things." Say: "The Truth has
come. Falsehood cannot originate or regenerate."
(Surah Saba', 48-49)
Say: "Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is always bound to vanish."
(Surat al-Isra', 81)
They desire to extinguish Allah's light with their mouths. But Allah refuses to do other than
perfect His light, even though the unbelievers detest it. (Surat at-Tawba, 32)
.those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, whom they find written down with
them in the Torah and the Gospel, commanding them to do right and forbidding them to do
wrong, making good things lawful for them and bad things unlawful for them, relieving them
of their heavy loads and the chains which were around them. Those who believe in him and
honor him and help him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him, they are the
ones who are successful. (Surat al-Ar'af, 157)
They desire to extinguish Allah's light with their mouths but Allah will perfect His light,
though the unbelievers hate it. (Surat as-Saff, 8)
Then We will rescue Our messengers and those who believe as well. It is incumbent upon Us
to rescue the believers. (Surah Yunus, 103)
Allah is the Protector of those who have believe. He brings them out of the darkness into the
light. But those who do not believe have false deities as protectors. They take them from the
light into the darkness. Those are the Companions of the Fire remaining in it timelessly, for
ever.
(Surat al-Baqara, 257)
They say, "If we follow the guidance with you, we shall be forcibly uprooted from our land."
Have We not established a safe haven for them to which produce of every kind is brought,
provision direct from Us? But most of them do not know it. (Surat al-Qasas, 57)
Similarly We never sent any warner before you to any city without the affluent among them
saying, "We found our fathers following a religion
and we are simply following in their
footsteps." Say: "What if I have come with better guidance than what you found your fathers
following?" They say, "We reject what you have been sent with."
(Surat az-Zukhruf, 23-24)
***
And peace be upon the messengers. (Surat as-Saffat, 181)
Those are Allah's signs which We recite to you with truth. You are indeed one of the
messengers. (Surat al-Baqara, 252)
. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together. Truly Allah has power over all things.
(Surat al-Baqara, 148)
They said, "Are we to forsake our deities for a mad poet?" Rather he has brought the truth
and confirmed the messengers. (Surat as-Saffat, 36-37)
Our word was given before to Our servants, the messengers, that they would certainly be
helped. It is Our army which will be victorious. (Surat as-Saffat, 171-173)
Messengers before you were also denied but they were steadfast in the face of the denial and
injury they suffered until Our help arrived. There is no changing the words of Allah. And
news of other messengers has come to you. (Surat al-An'am, 34)
By those sent forth in succession. (Surat al-Mursalat, 1)
It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to exalt it over every
other religion, though the idolators hate it. (Surat as-Saff, 9)
***
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them
successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for
them their religion with which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security.
(Sura an-Nur, 55)
When Allah's help and victory have arrived and you have seen people entering Allah's
religion in droves, then glorify your Lord's praise and ask His forgiveness. He is the EverReturning. (Surat an-Nasr, 1-3)
We wrote down in the Zabur, after the reminder came: "It is My servants who are righteous
who will inherit the Earth." (Surat al-Anbiya', 105)
He bequeathed their land, their houses and their wealth to you, and another land you had not
yet trodden on. Allah has power over all things. (Surat al-Ahzab, 27)
Then We appointed you after them to be successors on the Earth so We might observe how
you would act. (Surah Yunus, 14)
He Who responds to the oppressed when they call on Him and removes their distress, and has
appointed you as successors on the Earth. Is there another deity besides Allah? How little you
pay heed! (Surat an-Naml, 62)
Those who, if We establish them firmly on the earth, will establish prayer and pay alms, and
command what is right and forbid what is wrong. The end result of all affairs is with Allah.
(Surat al-Hajj, 41)
Do not give up and do not be downhearted. You shall be uppermost if you are believers.
(Surah Al 'Imran, 139)
Except those who believe and do right actions and remember Allah repeatedly and defend
themselves after they have been wronged? Those who do wrong will soon know the kind of
reversal they will receive! (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 227)
And We bequeathed to the people who had been oppressed the easternmost part of the land
We had blessed, and its westernmost part as well. (Sura al-Ar'af, 137)
Allah has written, "I will be victorious, I and and My messengers." Allah is Most Strong,
Almighty. (Surat al-Mujadala, 21)
Do not imagine that Allah will break His promise to His messengers. Allah is Almighty,
Exactor of Revenge. (Surah Ibrahim, 47)
We will leave you the land to live in after them. That is the reward of those who fear My
station and fear My threat. They asked for Allah's victory, and every obdurate tyrant failed.
(Surah Ibrahim, 14-15)
And other things you love: support from Allah and imminent victory. Give good news to the
believers!(Surat as-Saff, 13)
Truly We have granted you a clear victory, so that Allah may forgive you your earlier error
and any later ones and complete His blessing upon you, and guide you on a Straight Path, and
so that Allah may help you with a mighty help. (Sura al-Fath, 1-3)
He knew what you did not know and ordained, in place of this, an imminent victory. (Surat
al-Fath, 27)
There is good news for them in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. There is no
changing the words of Allah. That is the great victory! (Surah Yunus, 64)
Say: "Everyone is waiting expectantly so wait expectantly. You will soon know who are the
Companions of the Right Path and who is is guided." (Surah Ta Ha, 135)
Allah will certainly help those who help Him - Allah is All-Strong, Almighty, (Surat al-Hajj,
40)
You who believe! Obey Allah and obey the messenger and those in command among you.
(Surat an-Nisa', 59)
We said, "Have no fear. You will have the upper hand." (Surah Ta Ha, 68)
***
Those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and give of what We have provided
for them, secretly and openly, hope for a transaction which will not prove profitless: (Surah
Fatir, 29)
The metaphor of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain which
produces seven ears; in every ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives such multiplied
increase to whoever He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara,
261)
"Eat of your Lord's provision and give thanks to Him: a bountiful land and a forgiving Lord."
(Surah Saba', 15)
What is with you runs out but what is with Allah goes on for ever. Those who were steadfast
will be recompensed according to the best of what they did. Anyone who acts rightly, male or
female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them
according to the best of what they did. (Sura an-Nahl, 96-97)
Allah calls to the Abode of Peace and He guides whom He wills to a straight path.Those who
do good will have the best and more! Neither dust nor debasement will darken their faces.
They are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Surah Yunus,
25-26)
Say, "All favour is in Allah's Hand and He gives it to whoever He wills. Allah is AllEncompassing, All-Knowing. He picks out for His mercy whoever He wills. Allah's favour is
indeed immense."
(Surah Al 'Imran, 73-74)
He gives wisdom to whoever He wills and he who has been given wisdom has been given
great good. But no one pays heed but people of intelligence. (Surat al-Baqara, 269)
In Ibn Hajar Al-Askalani Fat-hal-Bari, it has become mutawatir that the Mahdi will be from
this nation and the Prophet Jesus (as) will pray behind him. Shawkani also says that the
number of hadiths reporting that Jesus (as) will return has reached to 29. He reported all of
them and finally said: "The hadith we have reported reached the level of mutawatir. With this
statement, we can conclude that the hadith about the awaited Mahdi, the hadith about the
Dajjal and the return of Jesus (as) are mutawatir." (Sunan Ibn Majah 10/338)
The sahih hadith about the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) has become mutawatir.
(Signs of the Judgment Day, s.193)
According to their assumption, Hazrat Mahdi (as) has passed away and gone... However, the
hadith concerning this subject are very well known. Moreover, they are at the level of
spiritual tawatur and they contradict the words of the others.
(Maktubat, Rabbani, 2/250)
There are many hadith reported by the Messenger of Allah (saas) at the level of mutawatir
about the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).
(Ab'ul Hasan Muhammad Ibn Hasan al-Uberi Sicistani, Manaqib al-Shafi / Dr .G. Huseyn
Tacirinasab, (Mahdism and Imam Mahdi), p.88, p.405)
The existence of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and that he will emerge in the end times, that he is from
the family of the Prophet (saas) and the sons of Fatima, are explained by hadith at the level of
tawatur and there is no sense in denying these hadith. It has been proved by clear and explicit
hadith that exceed the level of tawatur that Hazrat Mahdi (as) is from the predecessors of
Fatima, that he will emerge before the end of the world, that he will bring justice and peace to
this world which is full of injustice and oppression, that Jesus (as) will descend from the sky
in his time and pray in his leadership.
(Muhammad Ibn 'Abd Al-Rasul Al-Barzanji Madani, el-isae, pp.184, 305 / Mahdism and
Imam Mahdi, p.328)
One of the biggest signs of the day of resurrection is the emergence of a 'person' about whom
there are many hadith that exceed the level of tawatur. Many hadith scholars have accepted
that Hazrat Mahdi (as) comes from the Prophet's family, so it would be unbecoming to turn
our backs on such a mutewatir subject. According to the belief of the righteous, Hazrat Mahdi
(as) is different from Jesus (as). Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear before the Messiah. This
subject has become spread among the Sunni scholars to such an extent that it can be regarded
as their belief.
(Summary from Shams Ud-Din Muhammad Bin Ahmad As-Safarayni, al-Anwar al-bahiya,
V.2, p.74-76-86)
Muhammad ibn Ali al- Sawkani said in his book called "at-Tawzih...":...These (The reports
about Hazrat Mahdi (as), Dajjal and the Messiah) are undoubtedly mutawatir hadith. They
can be seen as the command of the Prophet (saas). In this sense, just as the reports about the
Dajjal and the Messiah are mutawatir, so are those about the Mahdi.
(Muhib Ibn Salih al-Burayni, Iqd ad-Durar fi Akhbar al-Imam al-Muntazar, p.14-15 / Abi AlTayyab Siddiq, al-Izaetu... p.95, 130 / (Mahdism and Imam Mahdi) p.329)
The hadith about Hazrat Mahdi (as) have exceeded the level of spiritual tawatur, there is no
sense in their being rejected.
(Sheikh Hassan Al-Hamzawi, Mashariq al-Anwar, F.2, p.115, -1307 H. Basimi / (Mahdism
and Imam Mahdi) p. 329)
...The hadith about the Mahdi are more than the level of tawatur. They exist in the books
"Sunan", "Masnad" and "Mu'cam.
(M.Siddik Ibn Hasan Qunuji, al-Izaetu... p.94)
As well as the sources cited above, many writers in countless works have stated that the
hadiths which have come down to us on the subject of Hazrat Mahdi (as) possess a 'tawatur'
level of certainty. Some of these Islamic scholars and their works are:
1. Abu Abdillah Muhammad bin Yusuf Ganji, al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sa'hibi-z-Zaman, p. 126 2.
Muhammad ibn Ahmad Qurtubi, Kitab Al-Tadhkirah Bi-Ahwal Al-Mawta Wa-Umur Alakhirah, p. 710
3. Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya Muhammad b. Abi Bakr Dimishqi, Al-Manar al-Munif, p. 142
4. Ahmad ibn Ali Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Al-Nukat ala Taqrib Al-Tahdhib , V.9, p. 126
5. Jalal Ad-Din As-Suyuti, Al-'Arf al-Wardi, Al hawi Lilfatawi, V.2, p. 165
6. Ab'ul-Abbas Ibn Hajar Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Haytami, Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa, p. 99 /
Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, p. 23
7. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd Al-Rasul Al-Barzanji Madani, al-Isae, pp. 147, 185
8. Shams Ud-Din Muhammad Bin Ahmad As-Safarayni, al-Anwar al-bahiya, V.2, p. 89 /
Ahwal Yaum al-Qiyamah, p. 33
9. Muhammad b. `Ali al-Sabban al-Misri, Is`af al-raghibin, Nur'ul-Ebsar printed footnotes p.
192 directly from Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa.
10. Shablanji, Shaykh Mumin bin Hasan Mumin, Nur ul Absar, p. 189
11. Muhammad Siddiq Khan al-Qunuji, al-Izae, p. 120
12. Abu Abd-Allah Muhammad B. Jafar Al-Idrisi Al-Qatani, Nazmu'ul-Mutanasir Fi'lHadith'il-Mutawatir, p. 145
13. Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Ghimari, Ibraz al-Wahm al-Maknun, pp. 3-4
14. Abdul Muhsin al Abbad, Majallat al-Jami`ah al-Islamiyah, No. 3, Year 1, p. 598
Accounts of the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) by Islamic Scholars
Many great Islamic scholars have made statements confirming that no doubt attaches to the
coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the final times. One of the best known of these is Muhyi AdDin Ibn Al-Arabi. In his work al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya, Arabi says:
'It is certain that when the world is full of cruelty and injustice, the caliph of Allah will rise up
and fill the earth with justice and equality ... He will divide general earnings equally among
the people, govern them with justice and decide on disputes between them ... Allah will order
his activities in one night, and victory will always proceed him ... He will walk in the
footsteps of the Prophet and never deviate from them ... He will do away with superstitions,
and only the true religion will prevail...'
(Ibn al-Arabi, Futuhat al-Makkiya, Vol. 3, pages 327-328)
Someone else who has made statements on this subject is the famous Egyptian writer Sheikh
Mansur Ali Nasif, who describes belief in the Mahdi in these terms in one of his works:
'It is certain that one called the Mahdi from the People of the House will appear and rule the
lands of Islam. Muslims will follow him, and He will govern them with justice and strengthen
the religion. After that, the Anti-Christ will emerge, and the Messiah (the Prophet Jesus) and
either kill the Anti-Christ or help the Mahdi to do so.'
(At-Tajul-Jami'u Lil-Ussoul, Vol. 5, p. 341)
The writer Sayyid Sabik, an academic at Egypt's al-Azhar University's Department of Beliefs,
makes the following comments about the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in his book Aqaid-iIslamiya, published as a selected text by the Islamic Conference:
'The essence of the promise regarding the Mahdi is this: He will appear soon, at the end of
time ... At a time when the world is full of cruelty and injustice, he will fill it with justice and
good governance. It is certain that he will bring the law of Islam to the fore and will give new
life to the weakened Sunna of the Prophet.'
(Aqaid-i-Islamiya, p. 250)
In his book 'ar-Raddu,' Ala al-Din Ali ibn Abd-al-Malik Husam al-Din al-Muttaqi al-Hindi
says:
'May Allah have compassion on you and may you know that there is no doubt about the
coming of the promised Mahdi. Three hundred and more hadiths and works have proved this.'
(Jasim Muhalhil, al-Burhan, Vol. 1, page 339 / (Mahdism and Imam Mahdi), p. 328)
Alongside these statements of famous Islamic scholars, there are also detailed accounts of the
belief of the People of the Sunna regarding the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). Some of these
are as follows:
In his book "Sharh us-Sunnah", Hanbali Abu Muhammad al-Barbahari writes of the belief of
the People of the Sunna, '... The belief that Jesus, son of Mary, will come down from the sky
and kill the Anti-Christ, and that he will pray behind Qaim (the Mahdi) of the sons of the
Prophet Muhammad.'
(Jasim Muhalhil, al-Burhan.., Vol. 1, page 426)
'Based on the true hadiths, one certain belief is in the existence of the Mahdi (who will
appear). In his time, the Anti-Christ and the Messiah will appear.'
(Ibn Hajar, bn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar,
p. 74)
'In his book Sharh us-Sunnah Abu Al-Asbal Ahmad Ahmad Muhammad Shakir writes:
According to this Sunna that has come down from many of the companions of the Prophet,
belief in the Mahdi is proven, and nobody has the right to entertain any doubts on the matter.'
(Jasim Muhalhil, al-Burhan..., Vol. 1, p. 343)
'This means that it is obligatory to believe that the Mahdi will appear, and it is necessary to
believe that in order to abide by the commands of the Prophet. This matter has been recorded
and proven in the books of faith of the People of the Sunna.'
(Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Ghimari, Ibraz al-Wahm al-Maknun, pp. 3-4)
There can be no doubt that these commentaries by Islamic scholars of those hadiths
concerning the coming and actions of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are of the greatest importance. Even
more important, however, is the fact that our Prophet's hadiths regarding the final times and
Hazrat Mahdi (as) are actually coming true one after the other. These events leave no room
for doubt about their veracity, nor that they are coming true as a miracle of our Prophet
(saas).
As has already been described, the Mahdi will come in the End Times and save the entire world from the terrible confusion,
injustices and moral degeneration afflicting it. Many of the Mahdi's attributes are described in the hadith related from our
Prophet (saas) and in various accounts from his companions. He will do away with ideologies that deny the existence of
Allah, put an end to the continuing injustices, oppression and terror all over the world, ensure that people live by the faith as
in the time of our Prophet (saas), establish the rule of Qur'anic moral values, and build peace and security across the world.
This task undertaken by the Mahdi is a very difficult and wide-ranging responsibility and one calling for considerable
endeavour. There is a high likelihood that the Mahdi, who will assume and successfully discharge that responsibility,
represents a spiritual entity due to reign during the End Times, as various Islamic scholars have suggested. Every spiritual
movement has a leader, of course, and the blessed Mahdi is the leader who will appear in the End Times. (Allah knows the
truth)
As we shall be seeing throughout this site, the portents of the End Times have one by one been taking place. The Mahdi is a
spiritual entity encapsulating the devout soul of the virtuous, heroic and steadfast Turkish nation. As a legacy from the
Ottoman Empire that once ruled over three continents, the Turkish nation will grow and become a super-power and, when
the time comes, will base itself on Islamic moral values in such a way as to produce a modern, enlightened and peaceful
world. That is the system of the Mahdi. But every spiritual movement must still have a leader, and the blessed Mahdi is the
true leader who will be coming in the End Times.
By Allah's leave, the 21st century will be a most excellent age, in which people across the world will turn to the faith, and
particularly in the nations of the West.
A child of mine whose morality is similar to me will emerge. (Al-Burhan fi `Alamat alMahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 21)
Allah describes our Prophets (saas) superior moral values:
And, doubtlessly, you are blessed with a great moral character. (Surat al-Qalam, 4)
BELIEVERS ADOPT HIS MORAL VIRTUE AS A ROLE MODEL
He attains divine virtue. He receives knowledge of the faith and exemplary moral virtue from
Allah. (Konavi Risalat al-Mahdi, p. 161 B)
The Quran reveals that our Prophet (saas) is the finest possible role model for true believers:
You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah, for all who put their hope in
Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much. (Surah al-Ahzab, 21)
HE IS FIGHTER AND VALIANT
The days and nights will not end until a man from the Family of my House [Hazrat
Mahdi (as)], who will easily prevent disorder and who will not be dissuaded from doing
so even by threatened to be killed, appears. (Al-Suyuti, Portents of the Mahdi, p. 13)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be dedicated to his work. (Portents of the Last Day, Barzanji, p. 175)
He will continue his struggle until people return to the truth. (Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar,
Ahmad ibn Hajar Makki, p. 23)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will perform his duties scrupulously and will not go back on his word.
(The Book of Portents of the Mahdi of the End Times, p. 24)
Even if mountains rise up before him he will crush and cross them, and he will find a
path for himself in those mountains. (The Book of Portents of the Awaited Mahdi, p. 39)
Allah speaks of His messengers excellent moral values and valiant natures in many verses.
They responded to their peoples denial, mockery, snares, and assaults in the finest possible
manner and always overcame them, with Allahs help.
Therefore, carry out the orders given to you and disregard the idol worshippers. (Surat
Al-Hijr, 94)
Therefore, do not obey the unbelievers and strive mightily against them with this
(Quran). (Surat al-Furqan, 52)
Those who respond to Allah and his Messenger, despite the persecution they suffer, and
maintain their good works and lead a righteous life will have a great reward. (Surah Al
Imran, 172)
HE WILL FEAR ALLAH
Hazrat Mahdi (as) is a person who, as the shaking of a birds wings, has a deep fear for
Allah. (The Book of Portents of the Awaited Mahdi of the End Times [Al- Burhan fi `Alamat
al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar], p. 23)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) is extremely submissive towards Allah. (Portents of the Last Day,
Barzanji, p.163)
HE WILL BE VERY COMPASSIONATE
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be so compassionate that no one will be woken up from their sleep
or have a bleeding nose. (Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 42)
His compassion for the poor is one of the signs of Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Fera Idu Fevaidi'l
Fiqr,)
He has great compassion for the wronged. (Nuaym ibn Hammad, vr. 50b; Al-Uqayli, AnNajmu al-Saqib)
In listing Hazrat Mahdis (as) characteristics, the great Islamic scholar Ibn al-Arabi refers to
his superior compassionate thus:
1 He has foresight,
2 He understands the Book,
3 He knows the meaning of verses,
4 He knows that state and actions of those he will assign,
5 He will still be compassionate and just even when angered,
6 He knows the classes of beings,
7 He knows the intricate aspects of affairs,
8 He has a sound understanding of peoples needs, and
9 The manifestation of secret things in his time, because only then will he be able to resolve
any problems that may arise. (Signs of the Judgment Day, p. 189)
HE HAS A POWERFUL URGE TO DEFEND ISLAM
The hadiths say that Hazrat Mahdis (as) protective instincts are very powerful. He will
respond to every word spoken and neutralize every action taken against Islam.
Even a single word spoken against Islam will offend him. (al-Haythami, Al-Qawl alMukhtasar, p. 30)
HE IS INDEBTED TO NOBODY
He is from my community, a man who does not lower himself (who feels gratitude only
toward Allah). (al-Suyuti, Al-Hawi, 2/24)
HE WILL NOT TELL PEOPLE OF HIS NEEDS
Hussain was asked: By what signs will Hazrat Mahdi (as) be known? He replied,
People will need him, but he will express his needs to no one. (Fera Idu Fevaidi'l Fiqr)
thousand years of the age of this world to the one who meets
the need of any of his brothers in the faith on the path of
Allah as if he spends his days in fasting and his nights in
worship. (Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, 88)
The Messenger of Allah (saas) used comparisons to describe matters referring to the past, the
future and the Hereafter.
The reference to 7,000 years here does not mean that the real age of the world is 7,000
years.
(Allah knows the truth) At that time, accounts regarding these 7,000 years may refer,
like the start of a calendar, to the beginning of a very important event in human history,
such as human beings establishing a settled life style after the flood and the life of this
world restarting in a new form. In other words, the history of mankind may have
restarted, people's numbers may have grown and urbanisation may have begun anew
after that date. Some of the ulama have referred to the period following the Prophet
Nuh (as) as a new beginning in the history of mankind. In the same way that Christians
accept as if an important event took place 1987 years ago and divide history into dates
before that time and dates after it, this account may well refer to a dating system based
on events taking place prior to 7,000 years ago and events after. In other words, if the
life of this world is 7,000 years, and if one says that "I am in a certain date of that
period", then this person is referring to a specific way of calculating dates.
Imam Rabbani related the following in his Letters.
124,000 prophets came and went between the time of the Prophet Adam (as) and the
Messenger of Allah (saas). In another account Imam Rabbani says:
The blessed Ali narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:
Even if no more than a day remains until Doomsday, Allah
will send an individual from my Ahl al-Bayt.
(Abu Dawud)
As can be seen from various accounts and conditions, the year 1400 (according to the
Hegira calendar) is also the year of the emergence of the Mahdi. Even if only one day!
remains until the year 1400, Doomsday will be postponed for a certain length of time to
allow the Mahdi, who is ready and waiting to serve, to do his duty. (Allah knows the
truth.) Another trustworthy account from Ibn Abbas cites the Prophet (saas) as saying:
The world is seven days long, each day is like a thousand years, and the Messenger of
Allah (saas) was sent at the end of that.
Some of the ulama, including Imam as-Suyuti (ra) refer to the life of this community
extending up to around 1500 (Hegira calendar), following which there will be a period of
degeneration (Allah knows the truth). According to sahih hadith, the blessed Mahdi will live
for 40 years after his appearance. It is also revealed in hadiths concerning the Prophet 'Isa (as)
that he will remain on Earth some 40-45 years. the blessed Mahdi and the Prophet 'Isa (as)
will live simultaneously of this mentioned time; for around 7-10 years. According to this
information, the death of the blessed Mahdi and the Prophet 'Isa (as) will coincide with the
years 1475-1480. There will be a period of 20-25 years, continuing up to 1500, when people
try to preserve that legacy. It is also revealed in this account that the Mahdi will appear at
the beginning of the century.
Yet his coming (of the blessed Mahdi) will take place at the
beginning of the century. (Letters of Rabbani)
As stated above, according to Imam as-Suyuti's accounts, the life of the community of
Muhammad will not exceed the year 1500. The beginning of only one century remained
before the year 1500 (Hegira), that of 1400.
It is reported by IbnAmr (ra) that Our Prophet (saas) said: O People! There are six
things without which Doomsday will not fall... the sixth is the conquest of the city.
Which city? They asked.
Constantinople, he replied.
(*) This is the capture of Constantinople by the Mahdi.
Portents of Doomsday, p. 204
Ramuz Al-Ahadith, p. 296
Abu Huraira narrated:
After the Greeks [Rum] oppresses a governor from my line whose name matches mine
has been appointed, they will wage war against you at a place called Amiq. One-third of
Muslims will be killed here. On the third day, the battle will turn against the Greeks.
The Muslims will continue fighting and will capture Constantinople and seize all the
goods within it. At that exact moment they will hear a voice saying, "The Dajjal has
entered your home and taken your children captive."
Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 73
(The Mahdi) will battle against the Greeks [Rum] for three days, and on the third day
the victory will be his. The battle will continue until Constantinople is captured.
Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 29
The Mahdi will fight a savage battle against the Greeks [Rum] and will conquer
Constantinople.
Doomsday will not take place until the Greeks [Rum] descend to the place known as
Amiq or Dabiq. Then an army made up of the most auspicious people in the world will
oppose the Greeks [Rum]. When the Greeks tell the Muslims "'Vacate a place between
us and those who made captives a tribe of ours," the Muslims will respond "No, we will
not clear a place between you and our brother Muslims." Then the two great armies will
come to blows. Eventually, one-third of the army of Islam will lose heart and flee. Allah
will never accept their repentance, and one-third of the army will be martyred. They are
the most virtuous of martyrs in the sight of Allah. And one-third will defeat the foe and
continue with the conquest never fall into corruption. This victorious army will conquer
Constantinople.
Death-Doomsday-The Hereafter and the Portents of the End Times, p. 443
In his commentary, Ibn Jarir relates from Sudiy:
"Their humiliation in this world is for the Mahdi to depart from Medina and capture
Constantinople and defeat the Greeks [Rum].
Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 76
Amr ibn Awf (ra) relates:
You will fight the People of Asfar, and those who come after you will fight them. Elect
Muslims who fear no condemnation on the path of Allah will battle against them and
will capture Constantinople with prayer beads and the taqbir.
Ibn Majah
Where is Constantinople?
Some people have interpreted the city of Constantinople as referring to Rome, though the
hadith contain no unequivocal statement that the name does in fact refer to the modern city of
Rome. On the contrary, all the evidence shows that Constantinople refers to the city of
Istanbul.
Constantinople: One of the names used in the Islamic world to refer to Istanbul.
Buyuk Lugat (The Great Dictionary), TRDAV
Istanbul has been known by many names over the years. The oldest known of these is
Byzantion. In 196 A.D. it took the name Antoninia in honor of Antonius, son of the Emperor
Septimus. When the seat of the Empire was moved there from Rome in 330 A.D., the city
was given the name of the Second Rome. This was changed to New Rome in the 5th century.
Later, however, the name used by the local population, Constantinopolis (Constantine's city),
became generally accepted.
Cumhuriyet Encyclopedia
This city (the present-day Istanbul) took the name of Constantinopolis, in honor of the
Emperor, from the 4th century on.
Meydan Larousse
In 325 A.D. the city began to be known by the name of the Roman Emperor Constantine.
Encyclopedia Hachette
The Emperor Constantine built the old Byzantium as a new capital, which began to be known
by his own name.
Encyclopaedia of World History and Ancient Civilisations
Some accounts correctly consider Rome and Constantinople (Istanbul) to be separate cities.
The Mahdi and the forces under his command will set out to capture Rome,
Constantinople and the Golden Church.
Death-Doomsday-The Hereafter and the Portents of Doomsday, p. 441
We can also see from other accounts that Constantinople refers to Istanbul. This city was
founded on the coast and on an estuary.
This army will be sent and progress along the coast in the area known as Masine in the
Maghreb mountains.
Death-Doomsday-The Hereafter and the Portents of Doomsday, p. 439
The work known as the "Iqdud Durar" reads:
Constantinople has seven ramparts. It is built on an estuary opening onto the Greek
Sea. The sea stretches as far as the provinces of Rum and Andalusia.
Portents of Doomsday, p. 181
Where Is Rumiyya?
The place that the blessed Mahdi and his people will conquer is referred to as Constantinople
in some accounts and as Rumiyya in others.
Hudhaifa ibn Yemani describes the Messenger of Allah (saas) as saying this about the
Mahdi and the conquest of Rumiyya:
The walls of Rumiyya will fall when the Mahdi's troops recite the taqbir four times...
Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 74
The blessed Mahdi will conquer Rumiyya with four taqbir...
(The Mahdi) will capture the bastions of Rum and Rumiyya with the taqbir.
...The Mahdi and his army will come to the land of Rumiyya, which contains the
Captain's market, and every bazaar of which holds a hundred thousand traders.
Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, pp. 35-46-36
Ibn Hajar Makki describes where this city known as Rumiyya stands:
Historians ascribe various characteristics to this land known as Rumiyya which no
other city possesses. The city most closely matching these is Constantinople.
Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 31
As we have seen, Rumiyya and Constantinople are names given to the same city, and both
refer to Istanbul.
The Qur'an refers to messengers being sent to holy lands and their main centers, in other
words, their capitals.
Your Lord would never destroy any cities without first sending to the chief of them a
Messenger to recite Our signs to them. We would never destroy any cities unless their
inhabitants were wrongdoers. (Surat al-Qasas, 59)
Declaration of the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as)
Division and disputes will continue until a hand appears from the sky and a voice cries,
"Your commander is Hazrat Mahdi (as)."
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 55)
The sign of that day is; a hand will be extended from the sky and people will look upon
it and see.
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 55)
Asma bint Umays is reported as saying:
The sign of that day is a hand extended from the sky and people stopping to look upon
it.
(Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 69)
The "hand" in the hadith refers to an unknown power. Allah refers to hands in the
Qur'an, and we know that this is not a hand of the kind we are familiar with.
Those who pledge you their allegiance pledge allegiance to Allah. Allah's hand is over
their hands. He who breaks his pledge only breaks it against himself. But as for him who
fulfils the contract he has made with Allah, We will pay him an immense reward.
(Surat al-Fath, 10)
The meaning of these completely reliable accounts is this: These accounts impart miraculous
tidings:
"Means of communications in the time of the Dajjal...Will be so advanced that a hadith
will be heard all over the world in one day. It will speak over the radio, east and west
will hear and it will be read in public newspapers...It miraculously speaks of the
telegraph, telephone, radio...Ten centuries before their appearance. (Rays, 496)
Other hadith referring to the subjects are:
Naim Hz. Ali is reported as saying:
When a voice from the sky cries "The truth lies with Muhammad" Hazrat Mahdi (as)
will appear, and everyone will speak of him. They will absorb his love and speak of
nothing else.
(Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 33)
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 40)
(Portents of Doomsday, p. 200)
There will be widespread, seemingly endless, corruption, and that corruption will
persist until a voice three times cries out "Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the lord, he is the
truth."
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 55)
(Portents of Doomsday, p. 200)
A voice will be heard from the sky: "O People, Allah has finally distanced the deniers
and hypocrites and their helpers from you. He has appointed the most auspicious of the
Community of Muhammad to lead you."
(Portents of Doomsday, p. 165)
Where Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Appear
"Bearers of black flags will soon come from the direction of Horasan. Join them, though
you have to crawl over snow. Because among them is the "Mahdi," the caliph of Allah.
(Hazrat Savban r.a. / Ramuz Al-Ahadith, Vol. 1, p. 298, No 2)
It is related that: "It is certain that in the End Times an individual known as Hazrat
Mahdi (as) will appear from the furthest part of the Maghrab. And helpmates will walk
40 miles ahead of him. Hazrat Mahdi's (as) banners are white and yellow. There are
lines on them. The great name of Allah is written on them. No force under that banner
can ever be defeated..." (Imam Sharani, Death-Doomsday-The Hereafter and the
Portents of Doomsday, p. 438)
The Taking of the Oath of Allegiance to Him against Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Wishes
According to Ummu Salama (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:
There will be disputes the moment the caliph dies. One of the people of Medina will run
to Mecca. A group from the people of Mecca will bring him out (from where he is),
against his wishes. They will swear allegiance to him between Al-Hajar al-Aswad and
Ibrahim's Maqam.
threatened with death. We do not think that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will wish to be caliph from any
earthly desire. This duty is a heavy one, full of difficulties. The caliph is responsible to
Almighty Allah for all Muslims, and even for the Peoples of the Book living under his
protection. For that reason, the Messenger of Allah (saas) warns people to be on their guard
about people who request the task.
Abu Said relates from Abdurrahman ibn Samura (r.a.): One day, the Messenger of
Allah (saas) addressed me as follows:
O Abdurrahman, do not ask for a post as clerk; because if you are made a clerk without
your asking, you will receive help from Allah. But if you are appointed by your own
request, you will be left to get on with it as best you can." (Riyadhu al-Salihin from
Buhari and Muslim, 2/89)
From Abu Dhar (r.a.): O Messenger of Allah (saas)! Will you not appoint me clerk? I
said. He placed his holy hand on my shoulder and said:
Abu Dhar, you are weak; the post of clerk is one of trust. It is sorrow and regret on
Doomsday. Only one exception can assume the post and succeed in it. ((Muslim)
Riyadhu al-Salihin, 2/90)
It was revealed to the Prophet (saas) by Almighty Allah Himself that Hazrat Mahdi (as)
will be the caliph. At that, the Messenger of Allah (saas) referred to Hazrat Mahdi (as)
as "Halifatullah" (the Caliph of Allah). When Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears, he will
unanimously be elected caliph by the scholars. After that, oaths of allegiance will be
accepted. (Allah knows the truth)
Surah 12 of the Holy Qur'an reveals that Prophet Yusuf (as) was also raised up by the
monarch, against his own wishes, on account of his honesty, justice, knowledge and
trustworthiness.
The King said, 'Bring him to me straight away! So I may draw him very close to me.'
When he had spoken with him, he declared, 'Today you are trusted, established in our
sight.' (Surah Yusuf, 54)
What Is the Issue Regarding the Mahdi's Disappearance?
Abu Abdullah Hussein ibn Ali is reported as saying:
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will twice disappear from men's sight. The first time, he will
disappear for so long that some people will imagine he has gone for good, and none but
his closest friends will know where he is.
This hadith exists in a hand-written manuscript of the Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi
Akhir al-Zamanin the Sulaymaniya Library.
This hadith reveals that following Hazrat Mahdi's (as) appearance he will vanish twice,
once for a short time and once for longer. In addition, the hadith notes that Hazrat
Mahdi's (as) second disappearance will take place under difficult conditions and will be
longer than the first, that it will be difficult to contact him and that only those closest to
him will be able to do so. (Allah knows the truth)
According to descriptions set out in other hadith, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will begin his
struggle as soon as he appears and will call people to the Truth and the signs leading to
faith. Since it is inconceivable that Hazrat Mahdi (as) can abandon his efforts he makes
in Allah's path, his most important obligation at such a time when he knows it is most
essential, his withdrawl from other people will take place outside his own free will.
(Allah knows the truth)
Dani relates from Salama ibn Zufar:
It was one day said in Huzayfa's hearing that Hazrat Mahdi (as) had appeared. He said:
If he appears among you as one of the people of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) you will
be restored. Certain it is that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not appear before men until he has
become their most beloved due to the evils they are faced with.
(Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 27)
This hadith also makes clear the groundless nature of the Shiite belief in the "Lost Mahdi." In
other words, the disappearance of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is not a mythical-type one lasting
hundreds of years, but a withdrawal from public view for a specific length of time and his
remaining apart due to prevailing difficulties. The final part of the hadith notes that people's
love and longing for Hazrat Mahdi (as) will increase during the time of his absence because
of various evils that they are afflicted by.
The close links between the story of Yusuf in the Qur'an and Hazrat Mahdi (as) is described
as a separate chapter in due course. However, it will also be appropriate to note one similarity
here.
Like Hazrat Mahdi (as), the blessed Prophet Yusuf (as) also disappeared twice from the sight
of men, once for a short time and once for longer. In the former Yusuf was cast into a well,
from which he was shortly thereafter rescued by a passing caravan. In the second he was
falsely imprisoned for a much longer period. He was eventually released, however, when his
innocence was established.
But when, in fact, they did go out with him and gathered all together and agreed to put
him at the bottom of the well. We then revealed to him that: 'You will inform them of
this deed they perpetrate at a time when they are totally unaware.' (Surah Yusuf, 15)
Then, after they had seen the Signs, they thought that they should still imprison him for
a time. (Surah Yusuf, 35)
The Matter of the 12 Caliphs
There is a Shiite belief regarding Hazrat Mahdi's (as) disappearance and return to Earth as the
12th and last imam. This erroneous belief stems from the corruption of two of our prophet's
(saas) hadith. The first refers to the disappearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as outlined above.
The second is the hadith referring to the tradition of the coming of the 12th caliph. These
hadith are true in essence, but have been distorted.
In his account, Jabir ibn Samura (r.a.) quotes the Messenger of Allah (saas) as saying:
The superiority of this faith will persist until the 12th caliph. All these caliphs will be
from the Qur'aysh (descended from the Prophet (saas)). (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/90)
First and foremost the Shiites have altered the word "caliph" in the hadith to "imam" and
maintain that these imams are immaculate (without sin). In addition to these two distortions,
our Prophet (saas) says that the caliphs are "from the Qur'aysh," thus emphasising their
descent from the Prophet (saas).
The majority of Islamic scholars say that the first four of the 12 caliphs in this hadith are the
first four caliphs of the Prophet (saas) (Abu Bakir, Omar, Osman and Ali). Hazrat Mahdi (as)
is also one of these pure caliphs. Another hadith refers to three pure caliphs who will assume
the leadership after Hazrat Mahdi (as)(Allah knows the truth). The four remaining caliphs are
not fully known. But it is highly likely that they were immaculate caliphs who led the world
in earlier periods. (Allah knows the truth)
A verse from the Qur'an makes this illustrative reference:
We raised up twelve leaders from among them (Surat al-Maida, 12)
Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Opponents
Almighty Allah reveals in the Qur'an that every prophet has had a principal foe. The Prophet
Musa's (as) principal foe was Pharaoh, and the Prophet Ibrahim's was Namrud. The main
enemy of our Prophet (saas) was Abu Jahl, the leader of society.
In this way We have assigned to every Prophet an enemy from among the evildoers. But
your Lord is a sufficient guide and helper. (Surat al-Furqan, 31)
What about the one who argued with Ibrahim about his Lord, on the basis that Allah
had given him sovereignty? Ibrahim said, 'My Lord is He Who gives life and causes to
die.' He said, 'I too give life and cause to die.' Ibrahim said, 'Allah makes the sun come
from the East. Make it come from the West.' And the one who was a disbeliever was
dumbfounded. Allah does not guide wrongdoing people. (Surat al-Baqara, 258)
The names of Hazrat Mahdi's (as) foes are given several times in the hadith. These include
the Sufyani, among whom the Dajjal is one of them. The main distinguishing feature of the
Sufyani is that he will attempt to hinder Hazrat Mahdi's (as) ongoing cause.
SUFYANIS
In his book, Ibn Munavi states: There are three Sufyani and three Mahdis. The first
Sufyan will come for the first Mahdi, the second Sufyani for the second Mahdi and the
third Sufyani for the third Mahdi.(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi alMuntadhar, p. 64)
This hadith says there will be three Sufyan corresponding to three Mahdis. The third
Mahdi for the third Sufyan is the true and great Mahdi (Hazrat Mahdi (as))
It is related from Abu Huraira (r.a.):
One known as the Sufyan, most of whose followers are from the tribe of Kalb. He will
kill by ripping open the stomachs of women and slaughtering children.
(3) He will travel all the countries... This part of the hadith may indicate, as well as the
Sufyani travelling personally to many countries, that his ideological system will spread
widely among the nations._
(4) He will wage war against many kings... In his time, the Sufyan will engage in armed
conflict against numerous states
(5) And he will defeat everyone... The Sufyan will overcome all the armies that oppose
him and absolute victory will be his. (Allah knows the truth)
As we are told in the hadith, the Messiah Dajjal will emerge from among the Jews, and in
later years. And he, personally, will be a Jew. The Dajjal will perform deceptive but alluring
illusions, along the lines of magic and hypnotism, will claim that he is the awaited Messiah
and will subsequently claim divine status for himself. He will encourage atheism and all
forms of immorality, thus gathering considerable support for himself. But he will eventually
be slain by the Prophet 'Isa (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as).
This aspect has gained considerable renown among earlier and later scholars; a man
will definitely appear during the End Times. He will be one of my Ahl al-Bayt. He will
be known as Hazrat Mahdi (as). He will later slay the Dajjal. (Crown Book of Hadith,
Canaan and the Sahara, Vol. 1)
When Hazrat Mahdi (as) comes to the border of Hijaz and Sham he will stop there.
When they say, "What have you stopped for? Keep going!" he will reply: "Let me first
write to my cousin (Sahari). If he refuses to submit to me, I will march against him."
When Hazrat Mahdi's (as) letter reaches him, his friends will say, " Hazrat Mahdi (as)
has appeared... Either follow him, or we will kill you." At this, he will come to
Jerusalem... Then one from the tribe of Kalb, by the name of Knana, will come to
Sahari and say: "We have sworn loyalty to you and helped you. You also took the oath
of loyalty to this man (Hazrat Mahdi (as)) when the opportunity arose. Shame on you!
Allah gave you a shirt to wear, but you have cast it off."
"Are you telling me I should break my word?"
"Yes." Another account says: "After three years have passed he will break his oath, and
it will no longer have any meaning."
(Portents of Doomsday, p. 175)
Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Struggle against the Reactionists
"He will stand the faith back on its feet and restore it to its former nature. He will
breathe the spirit back into Islam, and after it has been debased He will give Islam back
its former, powerful character. Through Hazrat Mahdi (as) He will resurrect Islam after
it has died. He will abolish the tax on non-Muslims and will call people to Allah's true
faith by way of the sword. Those who flee will be killed, and those who seek to oppose
him will be laid waste."
Even were the Messenger of Allah (saas) alive, he would do nothing to him. His law
would bind him. Thus not even the Messenger of Allah (saas) would interfere in his
work. The faith will be restored to its former nature in his time, free of all impurity.
Many of his laws will oppose the ideas of the ulama. He will therefore keep his distance
from them."
The hadith state that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will confront various reactionist bigots. They will be
displeased at Hazrat Mahdi's (as) efforts to rid the faith of superstitions and restore it to its
former nature. They will even go so far as to say, "This man wishes to ruin our faith." But
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will rule in the light of the verses of the Qur'an and the Sunna of our
Prophet (saas), and he will be most determined and eventually victorious in this intellectual
struggle. In the time of Hazrat Mahdi (as), Allah willing, the faith will return to how it was in
the days of the Prophet (saas), to its original essence.
The Holy Qur'an speaks of the prophets' struggle against the deniers and idol-worshipers, and
describes the bigoted mindset of their opponents. That mindset by no means vanished during
the days of the prophets, however. We know that it still survives today. The verses of the
Qur'an describe many of the attributes of the bigots and strongly condemns them.
1. They make the faith needlessly difficult. As a result, belief in Allah, the main
foundation of faith, and devotion, the main foundation of worship, are forgotten. In
reality, however, the Holy Qur'an states that the faith is easy and that all fanaticism is to
be avoided.
"He has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion..." (Surat
al-Hajj, 78)
"Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can stand..." (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
"Allah desires to make things lighter for you. Man was created weak." (Surat an-Nisa,
28)
"Allah does not want to make things difficult for you, but He does want to purify you
and to perfect His blessing upon you so that hopefully you will be thankful. (Surat alMa'ida, 6)
"Those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, whom they find written
down with them in the Torah and the Gospel, commanding them to do right and
forbidding them to do wrong, making good things halal for them and bad things haram
for them, relieving them of their heavy loads and the chains which were around them.
Those who have iman in him and honour him and help him, and follow the Light that
has been sent down with him, they are the ones who are successful'." (Surat al-A'raf,
157)
Abu Musa relates:
Our Prophet (saas) said: Make it easy, not difficult. Give glad tidings and do not cause
people to hate it [the faith].
(Al-Lu'luu Val-Marjan, p. 296)
In Ibni Abbas' account: Our Prophet (saas) said: "Avoid division in the faith. For that
reason alone, those before you were destroyed."
(Ramuz Al-Hadith, 1/176)
In the blessed Aysha's account, our Prophet (saas) said: Allah did not charge me with
monasticism. Beside Allah, the best faith is the path of easy union.
(Ramuz Al-Ahadith, 2/498)
2. They make many things unlawful that are really lawful (food, drink, technology etc.).
They forbid these things to people in the name of Allah.
"Do not say about what your lying tongues describe: 'This is lawful and this is
unlawful,' inventing lies against Allah. Those who invent lies against Allah are not
successful -" (Surat an-Nahl, 116)
"Say: 'What do you think about the things Allah has sent down to you as provision
which you have then designated as halal and haram?' Say: 'Has Allah given you
authority to do this or are you inventing lies against Allah?'" (Surah Yunus, 59)
"Those who kill their children foolishly without any knowledge and make what Allah
has provided for them haram, inventing lies against Allah, such people are lost. They are
misguided. They are not guided." (Surat al-An'am, 140)
"You who have faith! Do not make unlawful the good things Allah has made lawful for
you, and do not overstep the limits. Allah does not love people who overstep the limits."
(Surat al-Ma'ida, 87)
3. They portray minor details of no divine origins as commandments of the faith.
The Holy Qur'an attaches considerable importance to this subject:
In the time of the Prophet Musa (as), Allah told the believers to sacrifice a cow. This was
revealed very clearly, simply and distinctly. But people of that time with the same
mindset were unsatisfied and demanded that Allah clarify the most minor details.
He said, 'He says it should be a cow not trained to plough or irrigate the fields completely sound, without a blemish on it.' They said, 'Now you have brought the
truth.' So they sacrificed it - but they almost did not do it. (Surat al-Baqara, 71)_
Nothing is related for no reason in the Holy Qur'an. Note that people's preoccupation
with minor details is most unwelcome here. Because minor details make religious
observances more difficult and lead to people forgetting their true purpose._
4. Not content with the faith's simplicity and easiness, they invent many new additions
to it, including their own superstitions.
The Holy Qur'an is never an adequate reference source for them.
Illustrative verses:
"What is the matter with you? On what basis do you judge? Or do you have a Book
which you study?" (Surat al-Qalam, 36-37)
5. They blindly accept the information reaching them, without investigating its
accuracy. They then repeat that information to their children, even if it is false.
Illustrative verses:
"When they are told: 'Follow what Allah has sent down,' they say, 'No, we will follow
what we found our fathers doing.' What! Even if satan is calling them to the punishment
of the Blazing Fire?" (Surah Luqman, 21)
"When they are told, 'Follow what Allah has sent down to you,' They say, 'We are
following what we found our fathers doing.' What, even though their fathers did not
understand a thing and were not guided!" (Surat al-Baqara, 170)
6. They attach great importance to external appearances, thinking that their faith was
revealed in that form.
7. Morality is of secondary importance to them. They are generally unable to get on
with other people, are hurtful, speak cutting words, have no idea of tolerance and are
crudely behaved. Yet our Prophet (saas) says: "I was sent only to complete proper moral
virtues."
8. They have little conception of proper behaviour and good manners.
9. Another of their distinguishing features is that they look down on women and regard
them as second-class citizens. Loving, respecting and admiring women are foreign
concepts to them.
10. They have no comprehension of art and take no interest in any of the fine arts, and
as if that were not enough they try to get of the matter by saying it is unlawful.
11. They are opposed to any form of novelty. This can be seen in their attitude to new
technology or to any new means of preaching the faith (*).
12. All bigots maintain that the group they belong to is in the right. They are hostile to
other groups. Because of their fanaticism they have no hesitation about offending their
brothers in religion, and they immediately reject any piece of information coming from
them, no matter how excellent. They envy their successes and seek to hinder their
service.
In fact, however, all human beings are created with a predisposition to have faith, to be
virtuous and to live by religion.
"...Allah has given you love of faith and made it pleasing to your hearts, and has made
disbelief, deviance and disobedience hateful to you. People such as these are rightly
guided..." (Surat al-Hujurat, 7)
They imagine that every negative form of behaviour they exhibit actually stems from the
faith itself and abandon their intent right at the very beginning. There arises a coldness
towards religion, and even a hostility. All Muslims find themselves denigrated as "backward
and superstitious," and the blame for all sorts of adversity is sought to put on a Muslim.
The importance of this subject is as follows: Because the public lack a proper knowledge of
Islam, they begin judging the faith as manifested in the person of bigots. It is also a fact that
anti-religious press and broadcasting organisations play a major role here by deliberately
encouraging this and equating Islam with bigotry and backwardness.
What the public actually hate is not Islam, but the bigot mindset. People are hesitant, from a
concern that "If I start living by my faith will I end up like them?" It is therefore most
important that everyone describing themselves as Muslims should have a sound knowledge of
the faith, read about and research it, and learn what they do not know from people with
specialist knowledge. All Muslims must strive to be enlightenencourd and cultured. Never
abandoning tolerance, they must call on people to know Allah and eage them to be virtuous.
Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Restoration of the Faith to Its True Form
In his book "The Conquests of Mecca," Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi says: "... Hazrat Mahdi
(as), will restore the faith exactly as it was in the time of the Prophet (saas). He will
eliminate schools from the world. No school will be left apart from the true and genuine
faith. He will have enemies who imitate doctrinal scholars. Because unlike the imams of
the school of Hazrat Mahdi (as), they will be displeased when they see his laws, but will
be unable to oppose them. His open enemies will be scholars of jurisprudence (religious
law). Because they will have no more esteem in the public eye.
(Portents of Doomsday, 186-187)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will implement the faith in exactly the same way as our Prophet
(saas). In other words, his guides will be the sublime book of Allah, the Holy Qur'an,
and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas). The practices, words, decrees and Sunnah of our
Prophet (saas) will occupy an important place in Hazrat Mahdi's intellectual struggle.
In addition, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will rule and labour among Muslims with only the Holy
Qur'an, Almighty Allah's revealed scripture. He will eliminate denominational
differences among Muslims and do away with many beliefs and forms of worship not in
the original form of the faith, having been added onto it later. People will be amazed by
this state of affairs they have never seen before, and some will even imagine that Hazrat
Mahdi (as) is trying to do away with their religion.
"Hazrat Mahdi (as) will leave behind no customs that have been introduced into faith
and that do not form part of its original essence." (Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat alMahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 43)
"Hazrat Mahdi (as) will leave no customs that have been introduced into faith and that
do not form part of its original essence in tact. He will implement the observances of the
faith in the End Times as did the Prophet (saas)." (Portents of Doomsday, p. 163)
Imam Rabbani says on this subject:
When Hazrat Mahdi (as) promises in the future to seek to increase the worth of the
faith and resuscitate the Sunnah, some people who imagine that things outside the
essence, the heart of the faith are actually the commandments of the faith will be
amazed and say:
-This person (Hazrat Mahdi (as)) wishes to eliminate our faith and destroy our law.
(Letters of Rabbani, 1/535)
In the same way that our Prophet (saas) kept Islam alive at the beginning, so Hazrat
Mahdi (as) will keep Islam alive at the end.
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 27)
receive the reply, "If he stays up in the mountains, we will stay there, too." At that this
man will depart, but he will return the following night and say, "Take 10 of your
leaders," and they will meet with Hazrat Mahdi (as).
Artah relates:
...(The most numerous army in Hazrat Mahdi's (as) war against the Sufyan consists of
100 (one hundred) people.
Note; these two accounts exist in a manuscript copy of the Small Book of Portents of the
Mahdi of the End Times in the Sulaymaniya Library.
He will have 313 people, soldiers, under his command as in the Battle of Badir, and he
will challenge those around. Because these 313 people are servants by night and heroes
by day.
(Portents of Doomsday, 169)
It is reported from Muhammed ibn Hanafi (r.a.) that:
...As clouds gather in the sky, Allah will muster a community around him. He will
reconcile their hearts. There will be no grieving for those who are martyred, nor
rejoicing at those who join them. Their number will be that of the people of Badir (313).
In the same way that those of the past could not surpass them, so later men will fail to
match them, and their numbers are those of the men who crossed the river with Talud.
(Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 57)
314 people, including women, will take the oath of allegiance to Hazrat Mahdi (as).
(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 25)
Hazrat Mahdi's (as) army may consist of different parts, such as elite followers and the
airs of the elite. It is possible that these different accounts refer to the numbers in their
different ranks.
The fact that so few (313) people swear allegiance to Hazrat Mahdi (as) must be
regarded as quite normal. That has been so in all periods of history. It was the case in
the times of Prophet Nuh (as) and Musa (as). Twelve people believed in 'Isa (as). Our
Prophet (saas) had very few believers at first. According to some reports, there were
only 40 believers in the first six years of the prophethood.
When Talut marched out with the army, he said, 'Allah will test you with a river.
Anyone who drinks from it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is with me except for him who merely scoops up a little in his hand.' But they drank from it except for a few of them. Then when he and those who had iman with him had crossed
it, they said, 'We do not have the strength to face Goliath and his troops today.' But
those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said, 'How many a small force
has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah's permission! Allah is with the
steadfast. (Surat al-Baqara, 249)
So when Our command came, and water bubbled up from the earth, We said, 'Load
into it a pair of every species, and your family - except for those against whom the Word
was preordained - and all who have faith.' But those who had iman with him were only
few. (Surah Hud, 40)
Pharoah sent marshals into the city.These people are a small group;" (Surat ashShu'ara', 53-54)
No one had faith in Musa except for a few of his people out of fear that Pharaoh, and
the elders, would persecute them. Pharaoh was high and mighty in the land. He was one
of the profligate. (Surah Yunus, 83)
The Community That Will Struggle Until Doomsday
It is related from Muaviya (as) that:
Doomsday will not take place until a group from my community rule over all. These will
pay no heed to those who abandon them, nor to those who help them.
(Ramuz Al-Ahadith, 472) (Hanbal al-Musnad-Buhari-Muslim)
It is related from Muaviya ibn Kirra (as) that:
A group from my community will continue to receive help until Doomsday. Neither will
their being abandoned by those who depart from them do them any harm.
(Ramuz Al-Ahadith, 472)
A group from my community will constantly mercilessly battle the foe to implement
Allah's commandments and their opponents will never harm them. This state of affairs
will continue until Doomsday.
(Portents of Doomsday, p. 286)
The above hadith reveal that one body from the Community of the Prophet (saas) will
struggle for the truth until Doomsday. We already know from other hadith that shortly
before Doomsday He will take the souls of believers and Doomsday will break over the
unbelievers. Therefore, the Doomsday referred to here must be something else. Another
account on the subject helps to clarify the matter:
From Muaviya ibn Jurra (r.a.)'s account:
...A group from my community will continue to enjoy the victory of "the truth" until the
war against the Dajjal.
(Ramuz Al-Ahadith, 65) (History of Ibn Asakir -Abu Muaym)
As we have seen, the Doomsday referred to here actually means "the beginning of the
war against the Dajjal." Another hadith reveals that this holy group that will struggle
against the Dajjal is Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his followers.
Ahmad, Muslim, Ibni Jurayr and Ibni Hibban all relate from Jabir ibn Abdullah (as):
A group from my community will fight and be victorious for the truth. And when 'Isa
(as) son of Maryam appears from the sky their leader (Hazrat Mahdi (as)) will say to
him "Lead us in the salat (prayer)." But he will reply, as a blessing of Allah, to that
community, "One of you is the leader of the others." (Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi
Akhir al-Zaman, p.80)
From Hazrat Imran (ra):
A group from my community will continue in their struggle for the truth despite being
victorious over their enemies. The last of them will wage war against the Messiah Dajjal.
The Messenger of Allah (saas) imparts the tidings that a mujaddid (one who resuscitates or
renews the faith) will be sent at the beginning of every century. A mujaddid must have been sent,
as the hadith describes, in the year 1400 (Hijra calendar) (1979-1980), in other words at the
beginning of the 14th century, when denial, prostitution, perversion and diversion from faith were
all at a peak. According to the hadith and expositions by scholars, it is the Hazrat Mahdi (as)
whom the Islamic world is expecting for 1400 years.
According to Abu Huraira's account, the Messenger of Allah
(saas) said: Certainly Almighty and All-Powerful Allah will send
an individual at the beginning of every century who will renew
the faith and free it from subsequent accretions.
(Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/100)
Fourth: Before he was 20 years old, Mawlana was regarded as superior to the ulama in learning
and taught classes. Those who have seen and know the course of his life know that Said Nursi
received his diploma at the age of 14 and entered into disputation with the ulama of the time, and
taught students close to graduation.
It appears from the above accounts that Mawlana Khalid is the mujaddid of the 12th century and
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi that of the 13th. Hazrat Mahdi (as) can be expected to appear around
1400 (Hijri calendar) as the mujaddid of the 14th century.
Bediuzzaman discussed Hazrat Mahdi (as) in detail and full clarity, as the mujaddid due to follow
him and as a source of joy and excitement for the community of the faithful for 1400 years.
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Come in the 14th Century (Hijri calendar)
In the End Times, the true lords in the broad sphere of life, in
other words Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his disciples, will come by
Allahs permission and will broaden that sphere and those seeds
will bloom. And I shall watch from my tomb and give thanks to
Allah.
(Confirmation Seal of the Unseen Universe, 138, Kastamonu
Addendum, 72)
A long time ago I heard from a holy man that that individual
had learned the mysteries of the holy ones of old and had
deduced that: A light will appear from the East and will
eliminate the oppression of novelties that have subsequently
entered the faith. I awaited the appearance of that light, and
am still waiting. But flowers come in Spring. The ground has to
be made ready for such holy blooms. And I understood that I
am preparing the ground for that personage with my work.
(Confirmation Seal of the Unseen Universe, 189 Letters, 345)
In the above extracts Bediuzzaman states that with his work he has prepared a proper climate for
Hazrat Mahdi (as), and that when Hazrat Mahdi (as) comes he will already be dead and that he
will watch the services performed by Hazrat Mahdi (as) from his grave.
Numerological information provided in the Risale-i Nur collection about the stages of Hazrat
Mahdis (as) struggle and reign:
They desire to extinguish Allahs Light with their mouths. But Allah refuses to do other
than perfect His Light, even though unbelievers detest it. (Surat at-Tawba, 32)
Bediuzzaman says this about the words ... "Allah refuses to do other than perfect His light
in the verse:
It occurred to me now that if the 23rd and 24th letters (of the
Arabic alphabet) are counted twice, those people who will
eliminate cruelty from the face of the Earth will be the pupils of
Hazrat Mahdi (as).
(Rays, 605)
A numerological analysis of this verse reveals the stages under which Islam will rule the world
(1424 - Gregorian 2004) under the leadership of Hazrat Mahdi (as).
... But those who are unbelievers have false deities as protectors... (Surat al-Baqara,
257)
Bediuzzaman gives the date of the (numerological) collapse and destruction of the false gods
(the intellectual system of denial) in this verse as 1417 (Gregorian 1995).
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi refers to that personage who is truly awaited and will come a century
later, thus revealing that the Hazrat Mahdi (as) had not yet come and will come in the century
following his own. Bediuzzaman lived in the 13th century. The century after his is the 14th. And
that is when Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear.
Thus, unfair people who do not know this truth say: Why did
the Companions of the Prophet with their vigilant hearts and
keen sight, who had been taught all the details of the Hereafter,
suppose a fact that would occur one thousand four hundred
years later to be close to their century, as though their ideas
had deviated a thousand years from the truth?
(The Words, 318)
"A fact that would occur one thousand four hundred years later."
InshaAllah, he will scatter the nine fronts of the foe half a century (50 years) later.