IMAM AL-MAHDI Who is Imam Mahdi and What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) say about him? Imam Mahdi is from the noble family of Ahlul Bayt (the family of the prophet, peace be upon him), specifically from the lineage of Fatimah (RA), and he is part of the Khulafa’ al-Rashidun (the rightly guided caliphs). He will be the prince of justice, the rectifier of wrongs, and one of the Siddiqeen (the truthful). His rule will be marked by a commitment to the Sunnah, and he will not initiate conflict or cause unnecessary bloodshed. He will not disturb the peace of the people unnecessarily, nor will he wake anyone from their sleep without a just cause.
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Masood (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The world will not come to an end until the Arabs are ruled by a man from my family whose name will be the same as mine and his father’s name is like mine.” – Source: Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 3571) and Sunan Abu Dawood (Hadith 4282 Imam Mahdi will have the following physical appearance: Narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Mahdi will be of my lineage, with a broad forehead and a prominent nose. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years.” – Source: Sunan Abu Dawood (Book 36, Hadith 4272). Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama‘ah believe that the appearance of Imam Mahdi is the doorway to the Major signs of the Day of Judgment because during his khilafa, Prophet Isa (peace be upon him] and the Dajjal will come who are both from the Major Signs.
Narrated by Hudhayfah ibn Asid Al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came out to us when we were discussing the Hour. He said: ‘What are you discussing?’ They said: ‘We are talking about the Hour.’ He said: ‘It will never begin until you see ten signs before it.’ He mentioned: the smoke, the Dajjal (the Antichrist), the Beast, the rising of the sun from its place of setting, the descent of ‘Isa ibn Maryam (peace and blessings be upon him), Yajuj and Majuj, and three landslides—one in the east, one in the west, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. And the last of that is a fire which will emerge from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering.’ “ – Source: Sahih Muslim (Book 41, Hadith 6931).
Narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The signs of the Hour will emerge in quick succession, one after another, just like the beads of a string falling when its thread is cut.” – Source: Sahih Muslim (Book 41, Hadith 7050). Before the arrival of imam Mahdi, a time of great turmoil will occur, with people fighting over the treasure of Makkah.
Narrated by Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Three will fight one another for your treasure, each one of them the son of a Caliph, but none of them will gain it. Then the black banners will come from the East, and they will kill you in an unprecedented manner.” Then he mentioned something that I do not remember, then he said: “When you see him, then pledge your allegiance to him even if you have to crawl over the snow, for that is the Caliph of Allah, the Mahdi.” – Source: Sunan Ibn Majah (Book 36, Hadith 4082). He will be given the bay‘ah (allegiance) in Makkah, specifically between the Rukn al-Yamani (the Yemeni corner of the Ka’bah) and Maqam Ibrahim by a group of scholars, who will recognise and identify him. However, initially, he will not be aware of his status as the Mahdi and will hesitate to accept giving the bay‘ah (allegiance). After enduring numerous trials and struggles, he will finally accept it, marking the first bay‘ah. The proof is mentioned in the Hadith below.
Narrated by Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “There will be discord when a Khaleefa (ruler) dies. A man from the inhabitants of Madeenah will flee to Makkah, and people will come to him from the dwellers of Makkah. They will bring him out (to the people), yet he will be averse to what they want of him (to be their leader). Then they will pledge allegiance to him between the Rukn (i.e. the Black Stone) and the Maqaam (the Station of Ibraaheem in Makkah). An army will be sent to (attack) him from Sham (Syria and surrounding areas), and they will be swallowed up (by a Khasf) in Al-Baidaa — a place between Makkah and Al-Madinah. When people see that, the Abdaal from Sham will come to him, and the best people from Iraq will come and pledge allegiance to him. Then a man from the Quraish (the ruling tribe of Makkah) will appear; his uncles are from the children of Kalb (ruling tribe of Syria today). He will send an army to them but they (the Mahdi’s army) will be victorious over them… Wealth will be distributed, and people will apply the Sunnah of their Prophet. Islam will achieve stability and firmness in the earth. That will last for seven years, after which (after this period ends) the Mahdi will die and the Muslims will pray over him.” – Source: Sunan Abu Dawood, Ibn Kathir in al-Bidaya wa Nihaya.
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Masood (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When the black flags come from Khurasan, go to them, for among them is the Khalifah of Allah, the Mahdi.” – Source: Jami` at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2232) In that moment, Allah will transform him from an ordinary man into the ruler of the world overnight. He will be endowed with divine knowledge, wisdom, generosity, courage, and bravery, all in an instant. His appearance will coincide with a time when the world is overwhelmed with injustice, oppression, and bloodshed, unlike anything ever seen before. He will come to restore justice, light, and peace to the earth, just as it was previously filled with darkness and tyranny. Under his rule, the earth will bring forth its crops, and the sky will shower abundant rain. Wealth will flow in abundance, and his leadership will bring prosperity and harmony to the people. Imam Mahdi will rule for about seven years (in other narrations 5,7 or 9 years) living his life in strict accordance with the Sunnah, reviving the religion and guiding humanity toward righteousness in the final days. Imam Mahdi will fight in accordance with the Sunnah, reviving practices and abolishing innovations (bid‘ah). He will bring to life every Sunnah that has been forgotten, restoring the true teachings of Islam, just as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did in the beginning of Islam. His time will be one of prosperity and blessings like no other. He will have great wealth, which he will distribute equitably among the people, ensuring no one is deprived. The creatures of the earth and sky will live in harmony with him—whether birds in the sky, animals on the earth, or fish in the sea. They will all be content and at peace during his reign. The hearts of the Ummah (the Muslim community) will be filled with contentment, and they will experience blessings, both in good times and in hardship. His time will be a period of unimaginable blessings, and the sky will send its rains without holding back. Imam Mahdi will truly be the leader who restores justice, peace, and prosperity, uniting the people of the earth under the banner of Islam in a way that the world has never witnessed before.
Narrated by Nu’man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him). The prophet) peace be upon him) said: “Prophethood will remain amongst you for as long as Allah wills. Then Allah will remove it when He wills. Then there will be Khilafah upon the methodology of Prophethood, and it will remain for as long as Allah wills. Then Allah will remove it when He wills. Then there will be hereditary rule (ملكًاعاضًا), and it will remain for as long as Allah wills. Then Allah will remove it when He wills. Then there will be oppressive rule (ملكًاجبرية), and it will remain for as long as Allah wills. Then Allah will remove it when He wills. Then there will be a Khilafah upon the methodology of Prophethood.” – Source: Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 17680
Narrated by Naafi’ ibn Utbah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “We were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in a battle. Some people came to him from the direction of the west. They were dressed in woollen clothes and they met him on a hillock. They stood while the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting. I said to myself: ‘Go and stand between them and him, lest they should assassinate him.’ Then I said to myself that he was probably having a private conversation with them. However, I went to them and stood between them and him. I kept to my memory four things that he (the Prophet) said, which I count on my fingers: ‘You will invade the Arabian Peninsula and Allah will conquer it; then Persia and Allah will conquer it; then you will attack the Byzantines and Allah will conquer them; then you will attack the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) and Allah will conquer him.’ ” –Source: Sahih Muslim (Book 41, Hadith 6924).
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Out of Aden-Abyan will come 12,000, giving victory to the religion of Allah and His Messenger. They are the best between me and them.” – Source: Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 27548). The ambiguity surrounding Imam Al-Mahdi holds profound wisdom. If his identity were made explicit, there are those who might attempt to harm him or obstruct his mission. Despite not knowing who he is, oppressors still persecute the Ahlul-Bayt, It was mentioned by scholars, that some groups of the madhabs spoke about his birth and mission. Some have stated that he has already been born but remains in concealment, awaiting the appointed time to emerge and fulfil his divine role. When the time comes, it will unfold exactly as Allah wills it. Some of the Signs of the Appearance of Imam Mahdi: Disruption of Transportation and Trade: When the trade and the road is cut and increase in fitna, ibn masood Increase in killing: Another narration states: “The Mahdi will not come until, out of nine people, seven will be killed.” (Kitab al-Fitan by Naeem ibn Hammad). Al-Junayd ibn Maymun, from Safwan ibn Amr, from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The fourth fitna will be blind and dark, it will rage like the waves of the sea. There will not be a house, whether among the Arabs or non-Arabs, that it will not fill with humiliation and fear. It will spread in the Levant (Sham), it will cover Iraq, and will strike the Arabian Peninsula with its hands and feet. The nation will be turned over in it like leather being tanned, and the calamity in it will intensify until what is known becomes unrecognisable, and what is unknown will be recognised. No one will be able to say ‘stop’ (maḥ maḥ), and they will not be able to repair it from one side except that it will split open on another. A man will wake up in the morning as a believer and go to bed as a disbeliever. The only ones to be saved from it will be those who make supplication like the drowning person calling out in the sea. It will last for twelve years, and when it is over, the Euphrates River will recede to reveal a mountain of gold. People will fight over it, and from every nine, seven will be killed.” – Source:Nu’aym ibn Hamad al-Khuza’I, Kitab al-Fitan (676) Weakness and Depression Amongst Muslims: During this time, Muslims will feel weakened and depressed by the continuous tribulations and events taking place. A Loud Sound in Ramadan: It is reported that a cosmic event will occur, producing a loud sound in Ramadan, before the Mahdi’s appearance. This sound, originating from the heavens, will serve as a sign. On the authority of Ibn Mas’ud, he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When there is a Sayhah (loud sound) in Ramadan, there will be bloodshed in Shawwal, and the tribes will form groups in Dhul-Qi’dah, and blood will be spilt in Dhul-Hijjah, and al-Muharram! What will happen in al-Muharram?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) repeated this three times. “Indeed, indeed! The people will be killed in a great massacre.” The Companions then asked: “What is the Sayhah, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “It is in the middle of Ramadan on a Friday night. It will be a blast that awakens the sleeper, makes the one standing sit down, and brings maidens out from their seclusion. It will happen on a Friday night in a year with many earthquakes and extreme cold. If Ramadan in that year coincides with a Friday night, then when you pray Fajr on the Friday in mid-Ramadan, enter your homes, shut your doors, block your windows, cover yourselves, and plug your ears. If you feel the blast, then fall down in prostration to Allah and say: ‘Glory be to the Most Holy (Subḥān al-Quddūs), Glory be to the Most Holy, our Lord the Most Holy.’ Whoever does that will be saved, and whoever does not will perish.” – Source: Nu‘aym ibn Hammaad’s Kitab al-Fitan (160/1) The Coming of the Black Flags from Khorasan (Northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan): Muslims will support the cause of Imam Mahdi. Narrated by Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Three will fight one another for your treasure, each one of them the son of a Caliph, but none of them will gain it. Then the black banners will come from the East, and they will kill you in an unprecedented manner.” Then he mentioned something that I do not remember, then he said: “When you see him, then pledge your allegiance to him even if you have to crawl over the snow, for that is the Caliph of Allah, the Mahdi.” – Source: Sunan Ibn Majah (Book 36, Hadith 4082). Additionally, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 1E8E4D(Kinzil al-‘umal). This demonstrates the significance of joining the cause of Imam Al-Mahdi. A Muslim must exercise thorough investigation, ensuring clarity when discerning who the rightful leader is. There will be discord among Muslims, fuelled by confusion over the signs of the Mahdi. It is crucial not to act impulsively based on similarities in signs, as these can often be misleading. Allah’s commands stand apart— it is divine, untainted by the influence of worldly politics.
The Qualities of Imam al-Mahdi: He will uphold the Sunnah and eliminate Bid’ah (innovation in religion). Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If only one day of this world remained. Allah would lengthen that day (according to the version of Za’idah), till He raised up in it a man who belongs to me or to my family whose father’s name is the same as my father’s, who will fill the earth with equity and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny.”(according to the version of Fitr). – Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 4282 He will rule the entire world, as Dhul-Qarnayn and prophet Suleyman (peace be upon them) once did. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Four have ruled the world: two believers and two disbelievers. The two believers were Dhul-Qarnayn and Suleyman, and the two disbelievers were Nimrod and Nebuchadnezzar. The fifth to rule will be from my Ahlul-Bayt (the Mahdi, peace be upon him).” – Source: History in tafsirnnya Tabari, 5/43, Mustadrak al-Hakim 4143 Fatawi Ibn Taymiyyah The First Stage of the Mahdi: He will spread Islam among non-believing nations and challenge the concept of the Trinity. However, the complete eradication of this belief will be achieved by prophet Isa (peace be upon him). He will possess great wealth and provide for the economic needs of nations, distributing wealth with fairness and justice. He will abolish interest and reject economic systems like communism, capitalism, and any other man-made theories. He will unify the nations’ perspectives to return to governance through the caliphate, ending the innovation of political parties and resolving conflicts based on class, beliefs, sects, and politics. He will bring the Muslims back to the original essence of Islam, free from shirk, bid’ah, and deviations. He will also address the politicisation of madhabs, combat extremism in belief, and remain strict with leaders while being generous to the poor. Some scholars may even question if he is the Mahdi, as noted by Imam al-Barzanji in his writings. He will redefine the concepts of freedom and human rights, aligning them with the true principles of Islam with an emphasis on its softness, compassion, and forgiving nature. He will eliminate the influences of deviated cultures on education, media, and society etc. There will be barakah in food, crops, and livestock, fostering self-sufficiency. He will restore the relationships between people, fostering mercy and understanding, particularly during the early stages of his life to establish political and economic systems. He will engage in battles against the army of the second Sufyani, eventually capturing him, leading to his killing in Sham. He will form a truce with the Romans (the West), gaining the obedience of world leaders for several years. During this period, Muslims will become strong, Shariah will be implemented across the Muslim world, and the Ummah will regain its global prestige. Peace will prevail with many non-Muslim states, including the Jewish state. There will be no war. The Second Stage of the Mahdi: The Romans will break the truce, and war will resume. They will attack Sham and seize control, but Imam Mahdi will lead victorious battles against them. He will strike at their own territories and bring the war booty to Bayt al-Maqdis. As Imam Mahdi’s victories increase, the Dajjal will emerge personally. This will intensify the wars, and jihad fi sabilillah (struggle in the cause of Allah) will revive across many regions. The Muslims will conquer India. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A group from my Ummah will conquer India, and when they do, their sins will be forgiven.” – Source: Musnad Ahmad, Al-Hakim’s Mustadrak, Na’im ibn Hammad’s Kitab al-Fitan It was narrated that Thawban, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘There are two groups of my Ummah whom Allah will free from the Fire: The group that invades India, and the group that will be with ‘Isa bin Maryam, peace be upon him.’” – Source: Sunan an-Nasa’i 3175 Abu Hurayrah reported: The prophet (peace be upon him) said:“In the hand of that Yemeni leader, that will conquer Constantinople and Romia, in his time Dajjal will appear, in his time Esa bin Maryam will come, in his time India will be conquered, and he will be form Bani Hashim.” – Source: The Book of Fitn, Naeem bin Hammad
