The arrival and analysis of Imam Mahdi (AS) in the light of the Quran and Hadith! Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhrachki.
The last representative of Allah is a great truth on earth, which has been referred to in various verses of the Quran, and many traditions have been narrated in explanation of those verses. Today, I, Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhrachki, have presented some of them below: As it is said in verse 105 of Surah Al-Anbiya, “And We have written in the Psalms after the Reminder that the earth will be inherited by My righteous servants.”
Indeed, after the Torah, We mentioned in the Psalms that the worthy servants will be our inheritors of the earth. Imam Baqir (a.s.) said: ‘Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and his helpers are the worthy servants who will inherit the earth (Tafsir-e-Qummi Vol. 2, p. 52)’
In verse 5 of Surah Al-Qasas it is stated: And We intended to give guidance to those who were oppressed on earth and to make them leaders and to make them heirs.
Imam Ali (AS) said: The deprived or weak refers to the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet (PBUH). After much effort and hardship, Allah will send the Mahdi (AS) from this lineage and will give him high status and severely humiliate the enemies (Ghaybat-e-Shaykh Tusi Hadith 143, p.-184).
In verse 86 of Surah Hud it is stated: ﴿The remaining of Allah is better for you if you are believers﴾ The wealth of Allah is sufficient for you if you are believers. Imam Baqir (a.s.) said: After the emergence of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), he will first recite this verse while leaning towards the Kaaba. Then he will say: ﴿I am the remaining of Allah in His land and His successor and His proof upon you.
I am the treasure of Allah on earth, His heir and proof to you. Then those who greet him will say: Peace be upon you, O remnant of Allah on earth.
Peace be upon you, O treasure of Allah on earth (Kamalud Deen, Vol. 1, Chapter 32, Hadith 16, Page 603).
It is stated in verse 17 of Surah Hadeeth:
Know that Allah is the One who revives the earth after its death. We have explained the signs to you in detail so that you may understand. In explaining this verse, Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) said: Allah Ta’ala will revive the earth through the sincerity of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), because the earth died through the oppression of the oppressors (Ghaybat-e-Nomani, p.-32).
Introduction to Hazrat Imam Mahdi (AS):
Name and lineage:
His real name is Muhammad. (Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 3601). Surname: Abu Abdullah / Abul Qasim. Title: Mahdi (AS).
It is narrated in the Hadith that the Mahdi will come from my lineage, carrying the lineage of Fatima (Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 3603/4284).
The hadith also states, “The Mahdi will be from my lineage. On a certain night, the Almighty will bless him and correct him.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapter on Chaos; Hadith No. 4085, Sanad Sahih).
It was narrated from Ummul Mu’minin Hazrat Aisha (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “I am surprised that a group from my Ummah would attack a person who has taken refuge in the Kaaba. When they cross the desert, they will be buried in the earth.” (Sahih Bukhari, Business Chapter, Market Section and Sahih Muslim, Hajj/2882, Fitna Chapter, Tirmidhi Hajj/1276)
Here, the person who takes refuge in the House of Allah is meant to be Imam Mahdi (a.s.), because he is a Quraysh and the honored caliph of Allah Almighty before the Day of Judgment.
Birth and birthplace:
He will be born in the womb of his parents like a normal human being. There is disagreement about his place of birth. However, a weak narration in Kanzul Ummal Kitab (Ha/39671) indicates that his place of birth will be ‘Madinah’.
However, it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) that he said, “O people of Kufa, you are very fortunate in the arrival of Imam Mahdi.” This also means that the city of Kufa could be his birthplace. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, AH/33121 and 38798). But this is not clear from the authentic narrations. Therefore, it is natural for there to be differences of opinion.
Characteristics of Imam Mahdi:
His physical build will be of medium size. His forehead will be bright, bright, with sharp eyes. His bright front teeth will be gapped. He will have a thick beard. He will wear white, loose clothes, etc. At that time, his age will be forty. (Tabarani fil-Kabir, H/7495; although its chain of transmission is weak, this is supported by other hadiths).
The hadith also states, “The Mahdi is from my progeny. He will have a bright forehead and a hooked nose. He will fill the earth with justice and righteousness. He will rule for seven years.” (Sunan Abu Dawud: Ha/4285; its chain of transmission is Sahih).
The boasting of hypocrites claiming to be the Mahdi throughout the ages:
Since there is good news of the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS) in various hadiths, a group of dishonest people claim to be the “Mahdi”. This nonsense of theirs has been seen in almost every era. Sometimes, the imperialist powers also wanted to fish in troubled waters by supporting the hypocrisy of these hypocrites. The Qadiani sedition in the Indian subcontinent is such a shameful history that it cannot be imagined without the British imperialist powers. The whole world has come to know today whose blessings and creation Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani (1840-1908) was blessed by!
“Qadiani” of that time and “Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat” today. Only the words have changed. The ideology and purpose are the same as before. This is another device to divide the Muslim nation. Whoever inputs from one side and outputs from the other side, there is no shortage of good looks from the British government and big jobs in London.
The founder of this Qadiani Jamaat, Mirza Sahib, first claimed to be a prophet and made a public announcement in 1901. But earlier he had claimed to be the “Mahdi”. In 1908, he died of cholera a week after engaging in a “mubahala” with the renowned Indian scholar Chanaullah Amritswari (RA). The subsequent history of his extremely humiliating death by drowning in excrement is well known.
According to the Shia Imamiyya sect, the line of their 11th Imam ended in 254 AH. They want to associate Imam Mahdi (AS) with the 12th line, which is completely absurd and unacceptable. We consider their so-called Imamiyya sect to be an un-Islamic and fabricated doctrine. Because they believe that Imam Mahdi (AS) was born on the 15th of Shaban in 255 AH (currently 1436 AH). According to the Shia, his father’s name was “Hasan Al-Ashkari”. At the age of five, their so-called 12th Imam went into hiding. He will soon appear before the Hour – this is the fictional doctrine of the Shia Imamiyya sect. We do not believe these baseless stories of theirs.
Who will be Imam Mahdi?
The word “Mahdi” means guide. He has been given the title Mahdi because he will save and help the Muslim nation before the Day of Judgment.
The self-interested circles that have made fun of themselves or others by making them the “Mahdi” have been thrown into the dustbin of history. Therefore, it is necessary to say a few basic words for the information of the general public. Remember, Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is neither a prophet nor an angel. The end of his name is added as a prayer, “Alaihis Salam”. For example, it is added to the end of the names of great people like Hazrat Khidr, Bibi Maryam, Bibi Asia. He will come from the descendants of Hazrat Fatima in the Quraysh tribe. It is stated in the Hadith, “Allah Almighty will send a person from my lineage. His name will be in my name, and his father’s name will be in my father’s name.”
(Sahih al-Jami’, AH/5073, Musnad Ahmad 3/26-27, Tirmidhi, AH/2232).
Imam Mahdi (AS) will appear in the Holy Kaaba. The Dajjal, Hazrat Masih Isa and the Promised Imam Hazrat Mahdi will all have the same duration. The Islamic state will be established in the world during the lifetime of the Promised Imam Hazrat Mahdi, he will rule as Caliph for 7/8/9 years and then he will die naturally.
It is also narrated from Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I give you good news of the coming of the Mahdi. He will be sent when people are in disagreement. He will remove oppression and oppression from the earth and fill it with justice. All the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth will be pleased with him. He will distribute wealth equally among the people.” (Musnad Ahmad. Imam Al-Haythami said: The narrators of the hadith are reliable. Majmaw Zawa’id 7/313-314)
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A man will seek refuge near the Ka’bah. A group of soldiers will be sent against him. When the soldiers reach a place called ‘Bayda’, the earth will swallow them up.” Umm Salamah said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) what will happen to those who go with them despite their dislike? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: The earth will swallow him up, but on the Day of Resurrection he will be resurrected according to his intention.” (Muslim, Chapter: Kitab al-Fitn)
Allama Shamsul Haq Azimabadi (RA), a commentator on Sunan Abu Dawood Sharif, said: “It is very well known among all Muslims of all times that in the last days a righteous person will emerge from the descendants of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He will strengthen this religion. He will establish justice. Muslims will follow him. His dominion will spread over all the Islamic states. His name will be Mahdi. Only after his arrival will the other major signs of the Hour mentioned in the Sahih Hadith be revealed. It is during his time that Jesus (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will emerge and kill the Dajjal. Mahdi will also assist him in this regard.
From the above discussion, we have learned that it is obligatory to believe in the coming of Imam Mahdi. Because many authentic hadiths have been narrated about his coming. The Muslims will pledge allegiance to him at a place between Maqam Ibrahim and Rukn al-Yamani. A group of soldiers will be sent from Syria to kill him. When the army reaches a place called ‘Bayda’ on the way to Mecca, a landslide will kill all the soldiers. Allah Almighty will thus protect Imam Mahdi from his enemies. He will become the Caliph of the Muslims and will judge and decide through Islam. During his time, the Muslims will enjoy immense peace and blessings. Then he will meet Jesus (peace be upon him) during the Fajr prayer in the mosque of Damascus. First, he will request Jesus (peace be upon him) to lead the prayer. But if he refuses, Imam Mahdi himself will lead the prayer. Jesus ibn Maryam (a.s.) will lead the prayer behind Imam Mahdi. Then he will join Jesus (a.s.) and go out to fight against the Dajjal and will assist Jesus (a.s.) in killing the Dajjal. Then he will live on earth for seven years, or nine years, and die. Muslims will offer his funeral prayer.
From all the above discussions, it is clearly proven that Imam Mahdi will come, and several events will happen on the occasion of his arrival, some of which have already happened. Also, before he comes, many people will falsely claim to be Imam Mahdi. That does not mean that he will come this month or next month or next year or the year after that. No one except Allah Almighty can say or know for sure. Therefore, those who are campaigning on social media or online about the arrival of Imam Mahdi by setting a date are basically doing this to achieve their specific interests. Or the enemies of Islam are trying to weaken your faith by spreading this. May Allah Almighty grant us all the tawfeeq to lead our lives under the shadow of true Islam and on the path of truth, keep everyone steadfast on faith and guidance, and protect us from all kinds of conspiracies that destroy faith. Amen
Author: Prominent Islamic thinker, writer and columnist Hafiz Masum Ahmed Dudhrachki, former Imam and Khatib of Kadamtali Mazar Jame Mosque, Sylhet.
