In Depth Analysis of The Mahdi

In Depth Analysis of The Mahdi

One of the prophecies made by our master, The Holy Prophet Muhammad^saw, are the prophecies in regards to the Imam Mahdi. These prophecies are accepted by almost all Muslims and the arrival of the Mahdi is also a figure awaited by majority of the sects, whether Shia or Sunni. The term Mahdi is a name of purity and refers to the one who is rightly guided. Sadly, this title has been ruined by the scholars of Islam who have turned the “rightly guided” into a killer of the innocent. They have views which state that this mahdi would kill all of the disbelievers and worsten the present condition of the world. This section will have the objective to remove these misconceptions in regards to the Imam Mahdi and the points will be summarized which are of Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali^ra, a great companion of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as and points from Ahmad^as himself.

 

Inauthenticity of the Traditions in Regards to the Mahdi

 

When one studies the traditions in regards to the advent of the mahdi, we realize that majority of these sayings are not authentic, whether be from Sahih Sitta or any other ahadith book. Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan, who was a great scholar collected many of these ahadith in his famous book “Hujaj ul Karamah” and stated :

 

“There is no doubt that in the chain of narrators of most of the traditions there are persons who were careless, of bad memory, weak or feeble judgement and had other faults…These weak and faulty traditions, taken collectively bear evidence to the truth of the fact that the Mahdi shall appear in the latter days, though there are very few of them that are pure” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 365)

 

The fact that many of the ahadith are not authentic is not just a view of the Ahmadi Muslims. This is a view of the non Ahmadi scholars as well, and is a fact which is disclosed to any one who studies thesse ahadith. This shows us that the Imam Mahdi would appear, but we are not given a clear vivid description of him, as many of the ahadith contradict each other, further proving that all were not said by our Prophet^saw. Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan further states: “All the traditions that relate to the ppearance of the Mahdi, the events, the occurrences, the dangers, and the conquests of his time, etc, only show the truth of his appearance, in whatever way it may be” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 384)

 

According to Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan the Mahdi was to appear but he truthfully admits that the reality of how he would appear, or what his tasks would be, is not completely known to us. Another important point which shows us the inauthenticity of these narrations is that the Imam Mahdi is not mentioned anywhere in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim, despite these being the greatest and most authentic ahadith books according to the Muslims. This shows us that both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim did not believe in these narrations to be authentic, and therefore did not include them in their collections. Most of the narrations are not only unreliable because of the problems in their chains and narrators, rather the traditions are also full of contradictions. There are contradictions in the name of the mahdi, his lineage, his place and time of appearance, and for how long his life would be. Here are some narrations which contradict each other:

 

Contradictions in the Name of the Mahdi

 

“Even if there remain only one day of the end of the world, God will lengthen that day until He raises therein a man from or (or from my family) who name will coincide with my name and whose father’s name will coincide with that of my father” (Abu Dawud)

 

The same author in a different narration representing Ali has a tradition which states: “This is my son, Hasan, is a leader as the Holy Prophet styled him, and there shall appear from among his descendants a man who will be called after the name of your Prophet, whom he will resemble in character and not in personal appearance”

 

Both of these ahadith suggest that the name of the Mahdi would be Muhammad. Now there are further traditions that state that the name of the Mahdi would be Ahmad rather than Muhammad. Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan states “A crier shall cry from the heavens: O people, verily God has rid you of tyrants and the hypocrites and their hosts and made the best of his servants a lord over you, so join him at Mecca, for he is the Mahdi and his name is Ahmad, son of Abdullah” (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 66). Another name given to the Mahdi is the name “Isa” the Arabic name of Jesus. The Shias on the other hand state that the father would be Hasan and not Abdullah.

 

Inauthenticity of the Traditions in Regards to his Descent

 

There are traditions showing that the Mahdi would be a descendant of Fatima. Abu Daud reported on the authority of Ummi Salma “The Mahdi is from my (Holy Prophet’s) family, from the children of Fatima. Now the question is who’s descendant would he be? Of Hussain or of Hasan? Both were the sons of Fatima, and some narrations state he would be a descendant of Hasan while others deny it and state that he would be from Hussain. The narration showing that he would be from the children of Hasan is as follows:

 

“Ali looked at his son, Hasan, and said :”This my son is a leader, as the Holy Prophet styled him and there shall appear from among his descndants, a man, who will be called after the name of your prophet whom he will resemble in character, but not in personal appearance.”

 

Another tradition which is narrate by Tamam and Ibn Asakar states: “There shall appear n the last days a man from the children of Hasan,w ho if confronted by mountains, shall remove them from their resting place and shall make his way through them”

 

Now we also come accross contradicting narrations which state that the Mahdi is to be a descendant of Husain rather than Hasan. Ibn Asakar narrates on the authority of Jabir: “Verily Mahdi is from the children of Hussain”. Ths Shias are content that the Mahdi would be from Hussain. Astonishingly, there are further narrations which state the Mahdi would be from both Hasan and Hussain. Tabarani and Abu Nuaim narrate on the authority of Ali Halali: “The Holy Prophet said to Fatima, “By Him who raised me with truth, verily the Mahdi of this religion is to be from these two (Referring to Hasan and Hussain)”.

 

There are yet more contradicting narrations in opposition to these, which state that the Mahdi would be a descendant from the uncle of the Holy Prophet^saw, named Abbas. There is a saying attributed to Kaab Ahbar which states: “The Mahdi is to be a descendant of Abbas.” Dar Qutni and Ibn Asakar further narrate: “Usman (the third Khalifa” statedL “I heard the Holy Prophet say that the Mahdi was to be a descendant of his uncle, Abbas.” Furthermore a narration attributed to Khateeb states: “The Holy Prophet said, O Abbas, God commenced this religion, Islam, with me, and it is nigh that He should perfect it with a child of thine, who shall fill the earth with peace and equity after it has been fille with injustice and iniquity, and it is he who shall perform his prayers with Jesus Son of Mary.” There are more narrations which state that the Mahdi who be from the Abbasides, while the Omayyads claim that he would be from them. The prophecy of the mahdi has been applied to a king of the Omayyads named Omar bin Abdul Aziz. Imam Suyuti has quoted the words of Wahab bin Munabbah in his work Tarikh Ul Khulafa which states:

 

“If there is any Mahdi among the followers of the Holy Prophet, he is Umar, son of Abdul Aziz” (Tarikh ul Khulafa, Page 158)

 

We come to know that there are five different possibilities according to these traditions in regards to whom the mahdi would be a descendant of:

 

a)The Children of Hasan

 

b)The Children of Hussain

 

c)The Abbasides

 

d)The Omayyads

 

e) The Children of Omar

 

Furthermore, the descendants of Ali from his other wives think that the Mahdi must be a child of Ali but does not have to be from Fatima. The conclusion which arises is that the Mahdi would be from the followers of the Holy Prophet^saw. There are many traditions of Abu Daud and other ahadith books which show us that the Mahdi would be a follower of the Holy Prophet^saw.

 

The Shias also have many traditions showing that the Mahdi would follow the way of the Shia Muslims and would kill all the non Shia Muslims. The Muatazlas deny the very coming of the Mahdi. The Hanafis declare that the Mahdi would be a follower of Imam Abu Hanifa, while the Wahabis state that the Mahdi would be a staunch follower of their sect. The sects themselves are confused and it is obvious that they are not ready to accept a Imam Mahdi who goes against there ways. The author of the book Hadees-ul-Ghashiya who was a Wahabi stated: “If we live long enough to see the time when the Mahdi comes or the Messiah descends from the heavens, we will hail these gentlemen, the Hanafis, and ask them to tell which of us was in the right, they or we. Then they will know the rate of flour and dal and then they will learn their error” (Hadees-ul-Ghashiya, Page 352)

 

Inauthenticity of the Traditions in Regards to the Place of the Mahdi

 

There are further contradictions in the name of the location of the Mahdi and where he would appear. Here are the places we are told about:

 

1. “A village named Kada” (Jawahirul Asrar, Page 55)
2. Medina, Abu Daud narrates “There shall be a difference on the death of a caliph. There shall then appear a man from among the people of Medina, who shall fly to Mecca.”

 

Nawab Sidiq Hasan states in regards to this narration: “By a man in this tradition is meant the Mahdi and the tradition shows that the mahdi shall not only be born in Medina but also make his appearance there.” ” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 358)

 

3. Mecca. Naim bin Hammad narrates: “The Mahdi shall appear at Mecca at the time of the night prayer.” ” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 363) Furthermore, Ali Muttaqi states in his work the Mahdi Observes :

 

“O Reader, know that it is related in the stories of th Prophets and in the traditions and in the writings of the Holy Saints that the Mahdi shall be the seed of Hussain, the name of his father coinciding with that of the Holy Prophet’s father, viz, Abdullah and he shall be born at Mecca and shall also die there”

 

4. The land known as the Maghrab (North Africa)

 

Nawab Siddiq Hassan Khan states: “Qirtabi says in his book, the Tazkkirah that the place of the birth of th Mahdi is the Western Land (The Maghrab). From there he shall come by way of sea” ” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 358)

 

5. The Masjid-e-Aqssa, in Bait-ul-Muqaddas meaning Jerusalem

Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan states “It is related that the Mahdi shall appear from the Masjid-e-Aqsa”  (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 358)

 

6. The East- Abu Nuaim and Ibn Asakar narrate :

 

“There shall appear in the East a man from the descendants of Hasan, son of Ali, who, If confronted by mountains shall remove them and shall make a way through them.”

 

This is another tradition which states that the Mahdi would be from the desscendant of Hasan. Another hadith from Ibn Maja states :”There shall appear men in the east who shall render assistance to the Mahdi”. This hadith is quite often quoted by both the non Ahmadi Muslims and Ahmadi Muslims in regards to the Mahdi being the Khalifa of Allah.

 

7. Khorasan. It is narrated in Musnad Ahmad : “When you see the black banners coming from Khorasan, go unto them, for there you shall find the Caliph of Allah, the Mahdi”

 

Inauthenticity of the Period of Years

 

There are many contradictions in regards to how long the Mahdi would live on earth as well. Here are the contradicting time periods:

 

1). 5 Years

 

2). 7 Years

 

3). 9 Years

 

4). 19 Years and a few Months

 

5.) 20 Years

 

6). 24 Years

 

7). 30 Years

 

8). 40 Years

 

Nawab Siddiq Hasan states: “The traditions regarding the period of the Mahdi’s ministry are conflicting. Some traditions give the period as 5, 7, or 9 years, some give it as 7, some as 9; some say, he shall not live for less than 5 years and more than 9 years, some give the period as 19 years and a few months, some as 20 years, some as 24 years, some as 30 years, while there are others that give the period of his ministry as 40 years” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 380)

 

The traditions most widely accepted in regards to the Mahdi are the ones mentioning 40 years. Furthermore a tradition states that the Mahdi would be in between the Holy Prophet^saw and the Promised Messiah:

 

“God will never destroy a people whose beginning is marked with my appearance, middle by that of the Mahdi, and end by that of Jesus,” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 384)

 

It is quite sad that the Mullahs have continuously used weak narrations to spread the belief of a Mahdi who would attempt to kill all of the dsbelievers. The statements which depict a bloody Mahdi are not authentic and the scholars of Islam who follow such beliefs ruin the name of Islam and distort what this religion teaches us. It is stated by Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan that most of these traditions of the Mahdi are inauthentic, and that they only prove a Mahdi will appear. Sadly, this same writer has been reported to have said, despite his knowledge on these ahadith being weak that the European rulers of india shall be brought in chains before the Mahdi (Iqtirab-us Saah Page 64)

 

This shows that despite the scholars knowing the weakness of these ahadith they continued to narrate such false narrations which have misguided many Muslims today.

 

The Deniers and Believers of the Imam Mahdi

 

There are many people who deny the coming of the Mahdi which include the Mu’tazlas. Ibn Khuldoon, who is a famous traditionalist also rejects the coming of the Mahdi. The main reasons of why the coming of the Mahdi is rejected is because the traditions contradict, the chain of narratos are untrustworthy, thirdly because of the parties which all wanted their own power which included the Fatimites, the Abbasides and the Omayyads. After the Prophet and the four caliphs passed away, the caliphate was given to the Omayyads but this caliphate was not accepted by the Abbasides and the Fatimites.

 

All three parties believed that the Mahdi would be from among them. At first the grandson of Hussain claimed the caliphate to be his , but he had died in the attempt. When Zaid, who was the one martyred, (grandson of Husain)died, he recommended Muhammad son of Abdullah to be the caliph. The traditions which represent the Mahdi as a child of Fatima, who would have the name of the Prophet were fulfilled in him, and was He was even called Mahdi but was put to death by the forces of Caliph Mansur.

 

There was much rivalry between the Abbasides and the Fatimites and this is available in the traditions as well. One tradition states that the Holy Prophet^saw stated:

 

“We the children of Abdul Muttalib, are leaders of the people of Paradise, I, Hamza, Ali, Jafar, Hasan, Hussain and the Mahdi” It is quite clear that there is a omission of Abbas as he was a child of Abdul Mutalib as well. These are the reasons of why the coming of the Mahdi is rejected by some Muslims, however such arguments cannot deny the coming of a Mahdi. The problem arises of how to distinguish truth from falsehood in thse narrations. In order to know the truthful narrations, we would have to look at the chain of narrators. If a tradition is true, and it is clearly fulfilled, it should be taken as a correct hadith no matter how much opposition there is against it. This would prove the truthfulness of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet^saw himself, and should not be rejected. If there are a number of contradictory traditions, but some are fulfilled, we should accept those despite their authenticity.

 

There are many views in regards to the Mahdi and this can be divided into three schools of thought. The first school of the Shias who state Muhammd bin Hasan Askari would be the Mahdi, who is in occultation for more than a thousand years and went missing in the cave of the Samarrah. They have gone into such desperation that they go to the mouth of the cave and cry here “Come out, Our Lord, come out, Our Lord.” Never have they received a response nor will they. They believe he will come out of the cave with a sword and kill every non  Shia and infident and will also kll the companions of the Prophet^saw whom the Mahdi would resurrect.

 

The second await a Fatimite Mahdi from the progeny of Hasan or Hssain. The third state that the Mahdi is only another name for the Promised Messiah (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 387). The doctrine of the Shias is totally insulting and no sincere Muslim can believe in such violence and mockery of the companions. The second two schools of thought should however be analyzed.

 

The first school of thought beliees that the advent of the Messiah would be fulfilled by the Same Messiah of 2000 years ago and the Mahdi would appear from the children of Fatima and wage wars against the disbelievers with the sword. The Messiah accoding to them would come down from the heavens, while the Mahdi would be raised from the children of Fatima. They believe that these are two different appearances. The second school of thought believes in the bodily ascension of Jesus as well and believe that he would come back to cause Islam to be victorious over all religions, but that he would be the Mahdi as well. They believe the Mahdi is a title for the Promised Messiah.

 

Firstly the death of Isa^as is already clear from the Qur’an. For example Allah States:

 

 

 وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنْتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَٰهَيْنِ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِنْ كُنْتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلَا أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ {117} مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنْتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ{118}

 

And when Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary, didst thou say to men, ‘Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah?’”, he will answer, “Holy art Thou. I could never say that to which I had no right. If I had said it, Thou wouldst have surely known it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy mind. It is only Thou Who art the Knower of hidden things.  “I said nothing to them except that which Thou didst command me — ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them, but since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the Watcher over them; and Thou art Witness over all things. (Chapter 5 Verses 117-118)

 

The Promised Messiah^as states in his book, The Will:

 

The  meaning [of this verse], in the context of the relevant  verses, is that on the Day of Judgement God will ask  ‘Isa^as,”Was it you yourself who taught your followers  ‘Believe in me and my mother as gods?’ “. To this he will reply, ‘As long as I remained among them I was witness over them and was their custodian, but after  You caused me to die, how could I know what the  heresy was with respect to which they had gone  astray!’ Now, if one desires one can take the verse to mean ‘When You caused me to die;’ or if one so desires, without abandoning one’s unjustified obduracy, one can take it to mean: ‘When You raised me to Heaven with my physical body.’ In any event, this verse proves that ‘Isa^as will not return to this world. For had he come again to this world and had he  [having returned to this world] broken the Cross, then  in that case it would not be possible that ‘Isa^as, who is a Prophet(as) of God, should tell such a blatantly plain  lie in the presence of God on the Day of Judgment  viz., ‘I have no knowledge whatsoever that after me  my people adopted a false creed and made me and my  mother gods’. Can a person who returns to this world  and lives in it for forty years and fights battles against  Christians, tell such detestable lie—i.e. ‘I am totally  ignorant of it all’—even though he is a Prophet? Thus the above verse prevents the return of ‘Isa^asbecause,  otherwise, he has to be taken for a liar. If he is in Heaven with his physical body and, as the above verse   elucidates, will not descend on the earth till the Day of Judgment, will he die in Heaven and will his grave  be in Heaven, while his dying in Heaven is  contradicted by the verse He said, “Therein you will live, and therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth.”. Hence, all this proves that he [‘Isa^as] did not ascend to Heaven with his physical body but went to Heaven after having died. If to oppose the Book of God, when it has given an explicit verdict, is not a sin, then what else is sin? (The Will page 17-19)

 

Secondly we are told in the authentic ahadith of both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that He^saw stated:

 

حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، مَوْلَى أَبِي قَتَادَةَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ كَيْفَ أَنْتُمْ إِذَا نَزَلَ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ فِيكُمْ وَإِمَامُكُمْ مِنْكُمْ ‏”‏‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ عُقَيْلٌ وَالأَوْزَاعِيُّ‏.‏

 

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said “How will you be when the son of Mary descends amongst you and is your imam among you.”(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Hadith #658)

 

We are told that the Messiah would be our leader and that he would be from amongst ourselves. The reason majority of the scholars did not understand this, was because of their false belief in regards to Jesus^as being alive physically in the heavens. Because of this false belief, the scholars fell into the error of twisting the words of the ahadith into something completely different. Some have the misconception that he would not be a leader but forget that the Prophet^saw clearly said that he would be a just ruler. Secondly, why have the belief that a Messiah would descend from the heavens, and lose his prophethood, along with his leadership. Such ideologies do not make sense and contradict the Qur’an and the Ahadith.

 

The Identity of the Mahdi and the Messiah

 

One of the main misconception in regards to the Messiah and the Mahdi within the Muslims, is that they would be two different people. In reality, both are titles which refer to one person. The Holy Prophet^saw gave the title of Mahdi to the Messiah showing us that he would be from among us, but because the Muslim scholars did not understand this and thought it would be the same messiah of 2000 years ago, they falsely took the Mahdi as a different person. The word Mahdi means the guided one and this title is not restricted to the Imam Mahdi alone. The Holy Prophet^saw also has the title according to ome narrations. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Tirmadhi, Ibn Majah and Haim give the following saying of the Holy Prophet^saw in their works:

 

“I advise you” said the Holy Prophet^saw,: to fear God even if a negro slave be placed to rle over you. Whichever of you will live after me will see great differences, but he should adhere to my path and to the path of my successors, the guided and the righteous”

 

Furthermore, it is stated in Bukhari:

 

حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ جَرِيرٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ مَا حَجَبَنِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُنْذُ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَلاَ رَآنِي إِلاَّ تَبَسَّمَ فِي وَجْهِي‏.‏ وَلَقَدْ شَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ إِنِّي لاَ أَثْبُتُ عَلَى الْخَيْلِ‏.‏ فَضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ فِي صَدْرِي وَقَالَ ‏ “‏ اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ وَاجْعَلْهُ هَادِيًا مَهْدِيًّا ‏”‏‏.‏

 

Narrated Jarir:Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) did not screen himself from me since my embracing Islam, and whenever he saw me he would receive me with a smile. Once I told him that I could not sit firm on horses. He stroke me on the chest with his hand and said, “O Allah! Make him firm and make him a guiding and a rightly guided man.” (Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith #3035, 3036)

 

In this hadith, the Holy Prophet^saw prayed for Jarir to become a Mahdi meaning one who is guided. Another hadith states:

 

 

حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ الْفَزَارِيُّ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ الْحَذَّاءِ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ قَبِيصَةَ بْنِ ذُؤَيْبٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى أَبِي سَلَمَةَ وَقَدْ شَقَّ بَصَرُهُ فَأَغْمَضَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏”‏ إِنَّ الرُّوحَ إِذَا قُبِضَ تَبِعَهُ الْبَصَرُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَضَجَّ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ لاَ تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِلاَّ بِخَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ يُؤَمِّنُونَ عَلَى مَا تَقُولُونَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏”‏ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لأَبِي سَلَمَةَ وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ فِي الْمَهْدِيِّينَ وَاخْلُفْهُ فِي عَقِبِهِ فِي الْغَابِرِينَ وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ وَافْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ ‏.‏ وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فِيهِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

 

Umm Salama reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon came to Abu Salama (as he died). His eyes were fixedly open. He closed them, and then said: When the soul is taken away the sight follows it. Some of the people of his family wept and wailed. So he said: Do not supplicate for yourselves anything but good, for angels say” Amen” to what you say. He then said: O Allah, forgive Abu Salama, raise his degree among those who are rightly guided, grant him a successor in his descendants who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Universe, and make his grave spacious, and grant him light in it.(Sahih Muslim 920 a)

 

We also have narrations which speak about the conquest of Constantinpole by a Mahdi as well, which shws that the conqueror of Constantinpole, Muhammad II was indeed a Mahdi. This simply shows us that the word Mahdi is a title and it can be applied to all successors of the Holy Prophet^saw. Why would the greatest successor from the Ummah of the Holy Prophet^saw than be deprived of such a title? This is agreed to by Muslim scholars who have stated that the Promised Messiah would be a greater Mahdi that the Imam Mahdi himself (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 385). Why would God raise a lesser Mahdi when there is a greater Mahdi already present? Why would the one who is less greater be the leader? Such questions further prove that the Messiah and Mahdi were two titles for the same person.

 

Another point to keep in mind is that both the Messiah and Mahdi would appear at the same time as Khulafa. However, in Islam there cannot be two leaders at one time. The Messiah and Mahdi are both called Khalifas and the Messiah is also called a great and just judge, which further proves that he has to be a leader of the Ummah.

It is narrated about that Mahdi:

فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَبَايِعُوهُ وَلَوْ حَبْوًا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ فَإِنَّهُ خَلِيفَةُ اللَّهِ الْمَهْدِيُّ ‏”‏ ‏.

“When you see them, then pledge your allegiance to them even if you have to crawl over the snow, for that is the caliph of Allah, Mahdi.” (Sunan Ibn Maja, Hadith #4084)

Furhtermore, it is narrated:

(حديث مرفوع) حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّيْدَلانِيُّ ، قَالَ : نَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُقْبَةَ السَّدُوسِيُّ ، قَالَ : نَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ سِنَانٍ الْقُرَشِيُّ ، قَالَ : نَا كَعْبٌ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيِّبِ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ : قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : ” أَلا إِنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ لَيْسَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ نَبِيٌّ وَلا رَسُولٌ ، أَلا إِنَّهُ خَلِيفَتِي فِي أُمَّتِي بَعْدِي ، أَلا إِنَّهُ يَقْتُلُ الدَّجَّالَ ، وَيَكْسِرُ الصَّلِيبَ ، وَتَضَعُ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ، أَلا فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيَقْرَأْ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامَ ” ، قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ : ” إِنِّي لأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَقْرَأَهُ السَّلامَ مِنْ أَبِي الْقَاسِمِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، وَآكُلُ مِنْ جَفْنَتِهِ ” .

Narrated Abu Hurairah^ra: The Holy Prophet Muhammad^saw said: “Hearken! There is no Prophet and Messenger between me and the Forthcoming Jesus. He is the Khalifa in my Ummah after me. Verily, He will kill the Dajjal, and break the cross, and abolish war. Anyone from among you who sees him, should convey my Salam to him” (Tabarani, Hadith #5040)

The non Ahmadi Muslims have sometimes quoted a hadith which states that the Messiah would let others lead the prayers, but the non Ahmadi Muslims forget that to lead the prayers is a action allowed by any man other than the Imam of the day. Furthermore, some weak traditions state that the Messiah would pray behind the Mahdi when he descends, but Sahih Muslim tells us that it would be the Messiah who would lead the prayer, and this is much more authentic.

 

There is another belief which state that there can be no Mahdi except the Messiah in his time. The Mahdi whom the Muslims excpet is to be a child of Hasan or Hussain or the seed of Abbas or Ummaya, despite the fact that the Holy Prophet^saw stated that in the time of the Messiah, leadership shall pass out of the hands of th Quraish (Hujajul-Karamah, Page 425) This shows us that during the days of the Messiah, there can be no Fatimite, Abbaside, or Omayyide Mahdi.

 

The non Ahmadi Muslim scholars have tried to explain this but in a horrible manner. Siddiq Hasan Khan states: “The Promised Messiah is greater than tha Promised Mahdi, but it is not necessary that the greater should also be the Caliph or Leader” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah Page 381). Furthermore, Ibn Hajar Asqalani states: “The Passing away of leadership out of the hands of the Quraish means that after the advent of the Messiah, the Quraish Mahdi shall not divide anythng without consulting the Messiah” This makes no sense at all because it is stated that the Mahdi would be guided by inspiration and would be visited by the angel of God (Hujaj-ul-Karamah Pages 364 & 432). If the latter day Mahdi would have a divine connection with Allah, why would he need an adviser? Furthermore, if the Messiah is to only come down as an adviser, his advent becomes useless.

 

It has already been made clear that the Messiah would be an Imam from among ourselves from Sahih Muslim and Bukhari. Furthermore, it would not make sense to say that the Messiah would not be the leader, despite the authentic ahadith telling us this. Sadly, the opinion of the non Ahmadi Muslims is that the Messiah and Mahdi are two different people. Many questions arise with their view, which include who would die first? According to the weak traditions the Mahdi would die 7 or 9 years before the Messiah. Now who would be the Imam during these years? According to the Muslim scholars the Messiah cannot be the leader and he would be from amongst ourselves, and they sadly await the Messiah who was sent to Bani Israel.

 

It is also important to understand that the information we are given about the Mahdi and Messiah is identical. This further proves that they would be one and the same person, who would have both of these titles. They both are supposed to appear in the same age and have to work for the same period of time. Many of the traditions about the Messiah state that he would serve for a period of forty years, and in regards to the Mahdi the most authentic Ahadith and widely accepted also state forty years. It is also stated in regards to both, that they would distribute wealth (meaning wealth of knowledge and wisdom) among the people. Both are represented as Leaders who would distribute wealth, which does not refer to physical money rather spiritual wealth. Hazrat Ali^ra stated: “Blessed be the people of Taliqan (Might be a corruption of Qadian), for there are the treasures of God. These treasures are not, however of silver and gold, but there shall be people who shall have a full knowledge of God and these shall be the helpers of the Mahdi” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 396)

 

Another similar sign in regards to both of these titles, is that in reality they shall not physically cause bloodshed. There is a clear narration in regards to the Messiah which is well known that states: “Yadhaul Harb” meaning He would put an end to the warfare. Hazrat Ibn Hajar has mentioned some signs in regards to the Mahdi in his book Qauli-Mukhtasar. He states: “He shall not even awaken a sleeping man, nor shed any blood, he will defend the Sunnat, shall not leave any practice of the Holy Prophet but shall re-establish it, and shall not leave any innovation but shall remove it and shall restore Islam to its original purty” (Narrated in Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 363). Many Muslims would be shocked as they are always told that the Mahdi would shed blood, but in reality this is not true and a false belief attributed from weak narrations.

 

It is also stated that both of these claimants would be condemned by the Muslim scholars and would be declared disbeleivers who should be killed. Syed Ahmad, who was a famous saint of Sirhind, wrote in his Maktubat that the priests shall declare the Promised Messiah to be a heretic. Similarly the Mahdi is also to be declared as a herectic by the Muslim Ulama (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 363). This is narrated by Ibn Arabi, who states in his book Futuhat-e-Makiyya:

 

“At the appearance of Imam Mahdi none would be his open enemy other than the divines – the religious scholars in particular” (Futuhat-e-Makiyya, Volume 3, Page 336)

 

This further shows that the latter day Messiah was not supposed to be accpeted by the entire ulama, rather only by a minority as the scholars would lead millions astray.

 

A further similarity stated in regards to these personalities, is that they would fill the earth with the truth and justice and make Islam prevail over all religions.

 

It is also stated that the Mahdi shall bring victory to Islam over all religions, and at the same time it is also said that the Messiah would do the same. Their personal appearance is also identical. The Messiah is described as “Wheat coloured like the handomest of the wheat-coloured men that you have ever seen” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 424). This narration is found in Bukhari. In regards to the Mahdi, it is stated that he would also be wheat coloured like the men of this country (Naeem bin Himad).

 

It is also interesting that the Holy Prophet^saw made it clear that the latter day messiah would be someone completely different. He^saw states in regards to the description of the messiah^as sent to Bani Israel:

 

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، أَخْبَرَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ رَأَيْتُ عِيسَى وَمُوسَى وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ، فَأَمَّا عِيسَى فَأَحْمَرُ جَعْدٌ عَرِيضُ الصَّدْرِ، وَأَمَّا مُوسَى فَآدَمُ جَسِيمٌ سَبْطٌ كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ الزُّطِّ ‏”‏‏.‏

 

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I saw Moses, Jesus and Abraham (on the night of my Ascension to the heavens). Jesus was of red complexion, curly hair and a broad chest. Moses was of brown complexion, straight hair and tall stature as if he was from the people of Az-Zutt.” (Bukhari Volume 5, book 55, Hadith 648)

 

He^saw states in regards to the Messiah of the end times who was to be from our ummah:

 

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو ضَمْرَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ذَكَرَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمًا بَيْنَ ظَهْرَىِ النَّاسِ الْمَسِيحَ الدَّجَّالَ، فَقَالَ ‏”‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيْسَ بِأَعْوَرَ، أَلاَ إِنَّ الْمَسِيحَ الدَّجَّالَ أَعْوَرُ الْعَيْنِ الْيُمْنَى، كَأَنَّ عَيْنَهُ عِنَبَةٌ طَافِيَةٌ ‏”‏‏.‏ ‏”‏ وَأَرَانِي اللَّيْلَةَ عِنْدَ الْكَعْبَةِ فِي الْمَنَامِ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ آدَمُ كَأَحْسَنِ مَا يُرَى مِنْ أُدْمِ الرِّجَالِ، تَضْرِبُ لِمَّتُهُ بَيْنَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ، رَجِلُ الشَّعَرِ، يَقْطُرُ رَأْسُهُ مَاءً، وَاضِعًا يَدَيْهِ عَلَى مَنْكِبَىْ رَجُلَيْنِ وَهْوَ يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالُوا هَذَا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ‏.‏ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُ رَجُلاً وَرَاءَهُ جَعْدًا قَطَطًا أَعْوَرَ عَيْنِ الْيُمْنَى كَأَشْبَهِ مَنْ رَأَيْتُ بِابْنِ قَطَنٍ، وَاضِعًا يَدَيْهِ عَلَى مَنْكِبَىْ رَجُلٍ، يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ، فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا قَالُوا الْمَسِيحُ الدَّجَّالُ ‏”‏‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ عَنْ نَافِعٍ‏.‏

 

Narrated `Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned the Masih Ad-Dajjal in front of the people saying, Allah is not one-eyed while Masih Ad-Dajjal is blind in the right eye and his eye looks like a bulging out grape. While sleeping near the Ka`ba last night, I saw in my dream a man of brown color the best one can see amongst brown color and his hair was long that it fell between his shoulders. His hair was lank and water was dribbling from his head and he was placing his hands on the shoulders of two men while circumambulating the Ka`ba. I asked, ‘Who is this?’ They replied, ‘This is Jesus, son of Mary.’ Behind him I saw a man who had very curly hair and was blind in the right eye, resembling Ibn Qatan (i.e. an infidel) in appearance. He was placing his hands on the shoulders of a person while performing Tawaf around the Ka`ba. I asked, ‘Who is this? ‘They replied, ‘The Masih, Ad-Dajjal.’ (sahih Bukhari Volume 4, book 55, Hadith #639)

 

Another similarity in the narrations is that they would descend in two sheets. Abu Nuaim narrates that the Holy Prophet^saw said:

 

“He (The Mahdi) shall have on him two shining sheets, as if he is one of the Israelites”. The Promised Messiah is also described as one who would descend in two yellow sheets, which refers to him having two sicknesses according to the interpretation of dreams.

 

It is also said about both the Mahdi and the Messiah that they would bring treasures from the earth. In regards to the Mahdi, it states that he would bring many treasures and among others the treasure that lies hidden under the Ka’aba. In regards to the Promised Messah it states that in his days there shall come out treasures, not of gold and silver, but of heavenly wisdom instead. This is further itself clarified by the tradition of the treasures being brought from under the Ka’aba which is the centre for heavenlyl wisdom.

 

It is also stated that both the Messiah and Mahdi woud recieve revelation from God, and angels would be sent to them (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, pages 431-432). Another similarity is that the Holy Prophet^saw advised his followers to visit and accept both.

 

The Promised Messiah was given the title of the Messiah because he would point out the faults in the Christian doctrine, but was also alled the Mahdi because his main task would be to reform the Muslims and bring them back to the true teachings of Islam. The Holy Prophetsaw stated “The Mahdi shall make his appearance at the age of forty, as if he is a man from the Israelites” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, page 358). This further shows that the Mahdi would have a double character of both correcting Muslims and Christians and of course all other religions as well. It is also stated “The Mahdi is from my children, hsi colour is to be that of the Arabs, while his body is to be like that of an Israelite” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 360).

 

The Holy Prophet^saw  also stated that the Messiah would safeguard people against harm. He stated  “How can my people be destroyed when I am among the first of them and Jesus son of Mary is to be among the last of them”. It is also attributed to the Holy Prophet^saw that he stated “The best of these people are the first and the last; there is the Prophet of God in the midst of the first, and in the midst of the last there is Jess Son of Mary and between these two there are a crooked people, they are not from  me , nor I from them (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 423). If these two titles were for two different people, the Prophet^saw would have mentioned the Mahdi as well. How can the Prophet Muhammad^saw forget the coming of the Imam Mahdi if he was to be a separate person? There is a further tradition whcih states “God shall never destroy a people, whose beginning is marked with my appearance, the middle with that of the Mahdi, and the end with that of Jesus.” This does not go against our view as it speaks of a Mahdi who would appear in the period between the Prophet^saw and the Promised Messiah, and we have already outlined what the term Mahdi refers to.

 

In reality, all of these similarities prove to us that the latter day Promised Messiah is in realiy the Mahdi of that time and the Imam Mahdi whom the Muslims await. There are no traditions which mention that the Messiah and Mahdi would b protecting the people in the end times. The Holy Prophetsaw spoke in regards to the Messiah who would shield the people from every harm, since he would point out the true teachings and remove misconceptions which were brought into Islam since the Holy Prophet^saw had left the earth by the ignorance of the people. The commonly held belief in regards to a Mahdi who would spend all of his time killing the disbelievers is clearly against Islam and  is contradictory to the character of the Holy Prophet^saw.  The view of Islam having two people as the best of the people for the Ummah is also addressed in Surah Jumah. Allah States in the Qur’an:

 

هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {3} وَآخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {4}

 

He it is Who has raised among the Unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest misguidance. And among others from among them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise. That is Allah’s grace; He bestows it on whom He pleases; and Allah is the Master of immense grace.”(Chapter 62 Verses 3-4)

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad^saw, in Bukhari which is the most authentic book after the Qur’an, did commentary of these ayahs, and prophesied in regards to a prophet who would descend to revive Islam. He^saw states:

 

حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ كُنَّا جُلُوسًا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأُنْزِلَتْ عَلَيْهِ سُورَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ ‏{‏وَآخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ‏}‏ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَمْ يُرَاجِعْهُ حَتَّى سَأَلَ ثَلاَثًا، وَفِينَا سَلْمَانُ الْفَارِسِيُّ، وَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَهُ عَلَى سَلْمَانَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏”‏ لَوْ كَانَ الإِيمَانُ عِنْدَ الثُّرَيَّا لَنَالَهُ رِجَالٌ ـ أَوْ رَجُلٌ ـ مِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ ‏”‏‏.‏

 

Narrated Abu Huraira: While we were sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) Surat Al-Jumu’a was revealed to him, and when the Verse, “And He (Allah) has sent him (Muhammad) also to other (Muslims)…..’ (62.3) was recited by the Prophet, I said, “Who are they, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” The Prophet (ﷺ) did not reply till I repeated my question thrice. At that time, Salman Al-Farisi was with us. So Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) put his hand on Salman, saying, “If Faith were at (the place of) Ath-Thuraiya (pleiades, the highest star), even then a man from these people (i.e. Salman’s folk) would attain it.” (Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith #4897)

 

This further shows us that the Mahdi, Messiah, and the Persian reformer are three titles which were to be fulfilled in one person. The tasks which are assigned to all of these three titles is also the exact same. The ahadith state that the Messiah and Mahdi would re-establish Islam  and bring back its pure teachings and this is exaclty what is stated in regards to the Prophecy of the Prophet mentioned in the Qur’an to come in the end times. This also shows us that the latter day Messiah would not be the same Prophet who was sent to Bani Israel, and would be a man of Persian lineage.

 

The narrations which suggest the idea of a Mahdi who would be separate from the Messiah, are not trustworthy. In fact, their weakness has caused people to reject the belief of the Mahdi altogether.They have also started to say such statements like:

 

“We admit that Mahdi will not appear. What harm is there if he does not appear?”
(Hadith-al-Ghashiyya, p. 343)

 

“We admit that Mahdi may not come. This does not contradict any important belief of the people of Islam.”
(Iqtarabus Sa’ah, p. 147)

 

“See the descent of God on the minaret of your heart; now even discard the awaiting for Mahdi and Isa.”
(Dr. Allama Iqbal)

 

“As far as the belief for the Promised Mahdi is concerned, it is the invention of the helpless and indolent.”
(Shorash Kashmiri, Editor, Chitan, Lahore, May 28, 1962)

 

Iqtirab-us-Saah which is known to be have written by Nawab Sidiq Hasan, states : “There is not, however, the slighest doubt as to the advent of the Messiah. The Christians also believe in and expect his advent. If we suppose that the Mahdi will not come, there is no harm in this; this does not falsify any established doctrine of the Muhammadans. All believe in the advent of the Messiah; may God send him at least. He will perform whatever is expected of the Mahdi. The Mahdi may come or not; Islam will not suffer thereby. The advent of the Messiah will serve the purpose” (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Pags 147-148)

 

Once again a key point to the Messiah and Mahdi being the same person, is the absense of any mention of the Mahdi from Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim. They were not ignorant in regards to these traditions. They have narrated the ahadith which states that the Messiah would be the imam and had this view which is the correct position.

 

A further proof for the Messiah and Mahdi being one, is that their tasks are completely identical. These signs include the breaking of the cross, and the killing of the swine which is attributed to both the Messiah and Mahdi (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Pages 363 and 382, annd Iqtirab-us-Sah Page 64). This is one of the biggest evidence for the Messiah and Mahdi being the same people. The Holy Prophet^saw himself has cleared this misconception of many and stated:

 

لاَ الْمَهْدِيُّ إِلاَّ عِيسَى ‏.‏

 

“There is no Mahdi other than the Promised Messiah” (Ibn Majah and Hakim)

 

This has been clearly proven by the points above and should leave no doubt. It is sad that despite the Qur’an clearly announcing the death of Isa^as, the Muslims continue to believe otherwise.

 

 

Fulfillment of the Prophecy

 

It has been made clear that the Messiah and Mahdi are in reality two titles for one person. He is called Jesus Son of Mary because of his mission for the Christians to bring them back to the true teachings, and also because he was the last in the link of successors of the Holy Prophet^saw just as Jesus was in the lst of the successors of Moses^as. He was called the Mahdi because he was sent to reform the true teachings of Islam an bring the Muslims together by forming acommunity. Now this Messiah and Mahdi is no other than Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as of Qadian. The prophecy of the Mahdi was fulfilled in him, and some signs will now be discussed.

 

In regards to the advent of the Messiah and Mahdi, there are the lesser signs which were to be fulfilled before his advent, and some which would be fulfilled later on in his advent and afterwards. The non Ahmadi Muslims are forced to believe in the fulfillment of these signs. A writer of the Ahl-e-Hadith writes :

 

“All the lesser signs have been fulfilled. The world is full to the brim with them and they are multiplying by thousands. The greater signs have to begin with the advent of the Mahdi and the Messiah. The exact time of their appearance is not known. But the signs which had to precede their advent have all been witnessed. This assures us that the appearance of these two holy personages is near at hand.” (Hadees-ul-Gashiya Page 198)

 

Similar is stated by Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan who states:

 

“Briefly it may be said that the time of the expected Fatimite (meaning the Mahdi) is near at hand. The fact that all the lesser signs have come to pass, that there has taken place a change in the world and in the people of the world, that Islam has been completely weakened, that knowledge of God has disappeared, that ignorance, sin, immorality, malice, envy, and intense love of money prevail, that people are bent on making money and have neglected the life to come and have given this life a preference over the next— all these facts clearly show that the time of the appeaance of the Mahdi is near hand.” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 395) He further states: “An observation of the moral change that has taken place in the world in these days leads one to conclude that such a state of things never existed before. A detailed account of this moral and siritual degradation requires volumes….what is left now is only the appearance of the Promised Messiah. Let us see at what hour it takes place.” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 395) Furthermore, on page 6 of the book Iqtirab-us-Saah which is also attributed to the same author, it states: “All the lesser signs that were to take place have been witnessed. Take for instance the sovereignty of the Christians.” After this it is written : “Now the time is ripe for the advent of the Mahdi and the Messiah” (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 14).

 

Even the opponents of Ahmad^as were forced to believe that all of the lesser signs were already fulfilled and that it was the time of the Mahdi. Some of the lesser signs will now be explained.

 

One of the lesser signs in regards to the coming of the Mahdi was the predominance of the Christians. Siddiq Hasan Khan states:

 

“One of these signs is the extension of the Christian dominions. Muslim narrated from Mastoor that the Holy Prophet^saw  stated: “The Day of Judgment would not come until the Christians predominate all other people.” This shows us that in the end times the Christians would multiply and would be rulers of the greater part of the world. We have been witnessing the fulfillment of this sign for the past hundred years, nay, for more than a hundred years.”  (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 343)

 

Another lessser sign is the condition of the Muslim scholars degrading and becoming exactly like the Jews. No one has the right to deny the state of the ummah and that they had become just like the Jews and even worst in todays age. There is a hadith which states:

 

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عُمَرَ الصَّنْعَانِيُّ ـ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ ـ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ لَتَتْبَعُنَّ سَنَنَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ شِبْرًا شِبْرًا وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ، حَتَّى لَوْ دَخَلُوا جُحْرَ ضَبٍّ تَبِعْتُمُوهُمْ ‏”‏‏.‏ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى قَالَ ‏”‏ فَمَنْ ‏”‏‏.‏

 

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! (Do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said, “Whom else?”(Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith #7320)

 

Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan also quotes this hadith in his book and states “This tradition is given in the Bukhari and the Muslim. The words “spn for spam and cubit for cubit” signify complete imitation in everything. Tirmadhi quotes the following tradition from Abdullah, son of Amru: The Holy Prophet^saw stated ” There will come on my people a time that will make them as like the Israelites as one shoe corresponds to another so that if there was one among them who committed….there will be among my people men who will do that very act.” We see a perfect verification of the above words of the Holy Prophet in the Muslims of today” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 271) He further states: “Ali is reported to have said: “Soon said the holy Prophet a time will come over my people when nothing will be left of Islam but name only and nothing will be left of the Qur’an but the letters only. Their mosques will be full of people but they will be devoid of guidance, their priests shall be the worst of all the people that will be under the canopy of heaven. They will be the cause of mischief that shall revert to them.” This tradition is quoted by Baihaqi, and Ibn Adi. I say, this prophecy is fulfilled in our day in the fullest sense of the words.”(Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 269) These are not the words of Ahmadi scholars, rather the non Ahmadi Muslims themselves and by scholars respected by many. It was these same scholars whom the Holy Prophet^sawprophesied about, who like the Jews, went against the Promised Messiah and Mahdi and declared him to be a disbeliever.

 

Another sign which had to occur before the advent of th Mahdi was the disregarding of the Qur’an and Islam being weakned as the hadith states “Nothin will be left of the Qur’an but letters, and nothing will be left of Islam but its name”. Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan states some more signs and here are a few: The spread of trade, merchants will go from one end of the earth to the other, the predominance of the pen, the prevalence of the evil of drinking, open commission of adultery, the multiplicity of illegitimate children, the increase of unnatural crimes, the practice of bearing false witness, too much engrossment with worldy matters and the care for being wealthy, apostating, the springing up of various creeds so that a son would have a faith different than his father, and a brother would follow a different creed than his brother, Islam splitting into many sects, the existence of women in clothes which will in reality make them look like they are naked. All of these were fulfilled before the coming of Ahmad^as. Nawab Siddq Hasan Khan himself believed that the time of the Mahdi was so close that he wished to live long enough to see the Mahdi and that his coming was extremely close (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Pag 365) He even stated that “I also enjoin on my children” and “That if I am not fortunate enough to be blessed with this great boon and if my life fails me, they should not at all fail to convey this message of peace to the Messiah and the Mahdi and should leave no stone unturned in going to and seeing them and in assisting them with their life and money.” Siddiq Hasan Khan sb was alived and received a copy of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya as well, but during this time Ahmad^as had not claimed to be the Mahdi and did not live long enough to see the signs of God either in regards to Ahmad^as. Such statements were not only said by Siddiq Hasan Khan. Majority of the Muslims prayed to God to keep them alive to witness the coming of the Mahdi. Many scholars even stated that the Messiah would come in the 14th century which is hinted in the Qur’an and the Ahadith as well. Shah Wali Ullah, the well known saint of Delhi, stated that the Mahdi would appear in 1268 A.H after being inspired by God (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, page 394). This was during the time where Ahmad^asreached the age of puberty. Furthermore, we have a statement of Niamat-Ullah who was also a saint, who stated that the Mahdi would appear near the thirteenth century. He lived in the 6th century in Delhi and had a huge reputation and was well respected. He left a prophecy which was printed in 1868 A.D in a pamphlet named Arbain fi Ahwal-il-Mahdiyyin. Some of its verses translated in English as:

 

“I do not utter these words like an astrologer but Almighty God has shown me all these things. When 1200 years passed, I see strange things happening. I see the mirror of the condition of the world covered with dust and rust; I see the darkness of injustice prevailing in the world to an unlimited extent; I see masters reduced to the condition of the servants; I see servants raised to the position of masters; I see a new kind of coin which is of small value; but do not be grieved, for in the midst of that trouble, I find the good tidings of the advent of the Beloved One; when the verdureless winter passes away, I see the Sun of happy spring rising. When he (the beloved one) hs run his course successully. I see that a son of his takes his place. I smell the fragrance of the garden of faith. I see the flower of Islam blooming. My brother, I see his reign lasting for forty years; He is like the Prophet in character; I see him a man of learning and humility, I read Ahmad to be the name of the illustrious leader. I see Mahdi and Messiah Both together”

 

These are only a few of th statements of Niamat Ullah, the Saint in which he stated events which he foresaw many centuries before. The poem was at first kept in manuscript and printed in 1868 A.D, which is long before Ahmad^asclaimed to be the Messiah and Mahdi. It is not possible for such a beautiful and precise form to be a fabrication. This poem shows that the Messiah and Mahdi would come near the thirteenth century and also shows that they would be one in person. There are more saints who have given such a date of the Messiah and Mahdi as well as the thirteenth century. Gulab Shah, who lived near Ludhiana become known because of his statements that Jesus Christ is dead and that he would not come back, and that the Promised Messenger was already born and lived in a village named Qadian, and that his name was Ahmad who would be dened by the maulvies. He made these statements in front o Karim Baksh and told him that he would live long enough to see this Messiahs advent and that he would see the opposition against him as well. When Ahmad^as visited Ludhiana in the year of 1891, Karim Baksh made a testimony on oath in front of a large gathering, and all who knew him new that he would never lie. Despite this, he was later declared a heretic and was cursed by the maulvis. A hadith of the Holy Prophetsaw also supports this as he stated: “The signs which have to forerun the Last Day shall begin to be witnessed after two centuries” These words refer to the first two centures after the first 1000 years after the death of the Holy Prophet^saw since the definite article of al has been used. Hazrat Mullah Ali Qari stated:

 

“Perhaps the definite article Al in the word al-mi’atain refers to that period of 200 years as well following 1000 years (meaning 1200) and this is the time of the advent of the Mahdi as well” (Mishkat Mujtaba’i, Page 471 Footnote and Ibni Majah Volum 2, Page 21 footnote by Allamah Sindhi) Furthermore it is stated : “The author of the Tuhfai Isna Ashriyya says that the Sunnis shall never accept the claims of the Mahdi before 1000 A.H. and even for some time after that, for it is an admitted fact among them that the two hundred years after whcih signs are to be witnessed are to be reckoned after 1000 A.H., that is according to them, signs shall begin to be witnessed affter 1200 A.H.” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 393)

 

This further proves that the Messiah and Mahdi was to be sent after 1200 A.H. Sidiq Hasan Khan has stated: “Some Holy saints and learned theologians have said that the advent of the mahdi shall take place after 1200 A.H and in no case it shall step beyond 1300 A.H.” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 394). He further states “Nintety years of the present century which is the thirteenth century of the Muhamadan era have passed, but the Mahdi has not yet made hsi appearance, and one is included to think that the Mahdi may make his appearance at the head of the 14th century” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 395).

 

Furthermore, it was a belief of many that the Mahdi would make his appearance at the start of a century as he was one of the reformers of Islam, and all reformers were to appear at the beginning of the century according to the Holy Prophet^saw (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, page 394). This showss us that he could not have appeared earlier than 1300 A.H and the time would indeed be close to the thirteenth century and the beginning of the fourteenth century, which would fulfill the purpose of coming at the head of the century.

 

The Place of the Mahdi’s Appearance

 

It has been made clear that the time of the Messiah was the exact time of when Ahmad^as made his claim. Now the topic of the appearance of the Mahdi will be discussed, although much of this topic has already been mentioned.Many of these traditions are mentioned by Siddiq Hasan Khan who states:

 

“I say, Abu Dawood quotes a long tradition on the authority of Ummi Salma in the course of which the Holy Prophet is represented as saying : “There shall be a disagrement on the death of a Caliph; then a man shall come out of Medina and shall fly to Mecca” By the man in the tradition is meant the Mahdi and the tradition shows that the Mahdi shall both be born at and come out of Medina. So it is binding on us to depend on this  tradtion and all other traditions must be rejected, and it is unanimously believed that the Mahdi shall make his appearance at Mecca” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 358).  If this tradition is accepted as true, it does not prove that the Mahdi must appear at Mecca. It only states that a man and there is no proof in regards to this being the mahdi. Another tradition states :

 

“The Holy Prophet said: “There shall be a disageement at the death of a caliph. There shall come out, then, a man from the people of Medina; he shall fly to Mecca; then the Meccans would come to him and lead him out of the city against his will and swear allegiance on his hands between the Rukn and the Maqam. Then there will be ssent against him an army from Syria which will be swallowed up by the earth (i.e it will be completely destroyed) in the desert. When the people shall see this, there will come to him the holy men of Syria and bands of men from Iraq who will swear allegance on his hands between the Rukn and Maqam. Then there shall appear a man from the Quraish who shall have maternal uncles in th clan of kalb. He will be overpowered and that will be called the expedition of the kalb, and woe to him who does not attend the plunder of the kalb. Then he will divide booty among the people and shall follow the path of the Holy Prophet^saw.

 

This story corresponds to the story of Abdulah bin Zubair and if it is a true tradition, it is already fulfilled in the son of Zubair, and was not for the Mahdi. Abdullah, son of Zubair is known to be the one who refused to accept Yazid after Muaviyah passed away. He was afterwards accepted and people swore allegiance to him between Rukn and the Maqam. This was completely fulfilled as there was a disagreement at the death of a caliph, meaning Muaviyah. Then peole refused to accept Yazid and among them was Abdullah bin Zubair. Abdullah bin Zubair fled from Medina to Mecca and the Meccans swore allegiance to him between to Rukn and the maqam. An army was then sent against him, which was routed by Ibn Zubairs adherents. This is also stated in the narration which says that an army will be sent against him and would be swallowed up by the earth, which means it would be completely destroyed.  Furthermore, critics believe that the partisans of Ibn Zubair fabricated the tradition in an attempt to get the men to join him by making the Holy Prophet say that the men who were holy from Syria and Iraq would run towards him and it is true that the people of Iraq did aknowledge him as the caliph and the governon o Damascus also declared to be on his side which fulfills the part of both Syria and Iraq. The part of the saying which states “Then there shall appear one who shall have maternal uncles among the tribe of Kalb” was also fulfilled since Muaviyya I and Yazid married wives from the Yemnite tribe of Kalb. This is the true reality of the narration, and the reason why the Muslim scholars typically believe that the Mahdi would appear in mecca and Medina, was simply because they were the most holiest places. However, there is no evidence in regards to this rather than a interpretation.

 

Now there is a famous saying which is narrated by Ibn Asakar and Abu Nuaim that : ” Abdullah son of Omar said, there shall come out from the East a man from the children of Hasan bin Ali who, if confronted by mountains, shall remove them and make his way through them.” This tradition is stated to be one, which claims that the Mahdi would appear in the East. Despite people saying this hadith is a fabrication, it can be our guide in many ways. The reason the traditions were fabricated was so the people can claim that the Mahdi belongs to their houses or their areas. When a narration is presented in regards to the Mahdi, it is possible that we do not take the part of its mentioning the specific house of the Mahdi but accept the sign itself. for example, it is stated in many traditions that the Mahdi would be a part of different progenies, but all agree that he would fill the earth with justice and equity. We don’t necessarily have to accept the part which is fabricated, but we can agree on the sign mentioned about the Mahdi. In the same way one can reject that he would be a part of the progeny of Hasan but accept the part where it says he would appear in the East, as this is not something worth fabricating, since it would not prove anything for any house.

 

This is not the only narration which speaks in regards to the Mahdi’s appearance. There are more traditions where the East is pointed towards. the Holy Prophet^saw stated : “There shall appear men in the east who shall assist the Mahdi, the prince of the east”  In this narration the followers of the Mahdi are also called the east people and there is no reason of why one would feel the need to fabricate this. Sidiq Hasan Khan states :”The common people will welcome him with greater pleasure than the people of higher classes. Holy and wise men will accept his bait, being guided by visions and inspiration. He shall have with him godly men who shall support his mission and shall aid him, and they shall be his advisers, who will share his burder and will aid him in the work which will be entrusted to him, and they will be nine in number, who will follow the footsteps of the companions of the Holy Prophet. They will be true to the promise which they will make to God (on the hands of the Mahdi). They will all be Ajamies; none of them will be an Arab, but they shall speak Arabic.” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 382) In this tradition we are told that the Mahdi would come in a country which is not an Arab country. Both of these traditions of the Mahdi not being Arab and being from the East make it clear that the Mahdi would not appear in Mecca or Medina.

 

A further tadition fixes the name of the land of the Mahdi as Kada or Kadia. This is stated in Jawahir-ul-Asrar which was written in 840 A.H, and states : “It is said in the Arbaeen that the Mahdi shall appear in a village named Kada or Kadia. The Holy Prophet said “The Mahdi shall come out of a village named Kada or Kadia. God will bear testimony to his truth, and his companions shall flock to him from distant places, their number being 313 like the number of those who fought at Badr. He shall hae with him a printed book containing the number of his companions with their names and the names of their towns.” This narration gives us the name of the village and one cannot say that it doe not correspond to Qadian. Kadian is a foreign name to the Arabs so it would be natural for them to state it in a different way. The Arabs would pronounce London as Lundra and England as Injalatara. This is their way of speaking. The Mahdi ppeard at Kadian and the tradition was completely fulfilled. The original name of this village was Islampur Kadi Majhi which was shortened to Kadi. It is nown as Kadian and Kadi. Furthermore, the prophecy of the 313 companions was also fulfilled and printed in the book which was published by Ahmad^{as (}Supplement to Anjam-e-Atham).

 

There are many more narrations which also show that the Mahdi would appear in the east. One of the main task of the Messiah and Mahdi was to kill the Dajjal and therefore the Dajjal’s appearance would be at the location of the Mahdi. Siddiq Hasan Khan stated in regards to the Dajjal “As for the place of the Dajjal’s appearance it is the East decidedly” (Hujaj-al-Karamah, Page 408) He also states “East is the place where evils have to rage, it must also be the place for the reformation and the establishment of faith” (Hujaj-al-Karamah, page 408) This further proves that the Mahdi and Messiah would not appear in Mecca or Medina since the Holy Prophet^saw made it clear that Dajjal would not even step in these Holy areas.

 

Furthermore, the prophecy of the Holy Prophet^saw shows that the Messiah and Mahdi would cause Islam to prevail over all religions and that he would be a champion. This also points to India since Islam was struggling there and the forces of all the militant religions were kept there as well, which further makes it obvious that this would be where the Mahdi had to appear. THere is no other country where all of the militant religions of the world are present in the way they are in India.

 

Another proof of the Mahdi’s advent being in the east, is that many of the signs in regards to the Mahdi were to appear in the east. These include:

 

The Holy Prophet^saw said: “There shall appear in the east a star with a brilliant tail before the appearance of the Mahdi”

 

The appearance of a star named Zis Sinnain in the east (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 344)

 

Hussain bin Ali stated : “When you see a sign on the heavens and a fire in the east for three or seven days, then expect that the Muhammadans are about to receive the assistance of God.” Nawab Sidiq Khan stated that the appearance of this fire in the east is a sign for the advent of the Mahdi (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 344, and Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 67)

 

These narrations make it clear that the Mahdi would appear in the East and that the proof for him appearing in the East is much greater than him appearing in Meccca or Medina. In regards to the traditions stating that the Mahdi would appear in Khorasan, they have been declared inauthentic and it is believed that it was a fabrication of the Abbasides.

 

The Descent and the Name of the Mahdi

 

It has already been proven that many communities claimed that the Mahdi would be from among them. The traditions of him being from the house of Fatima are given the most acceptance and this is the main belief. It has been made clear that the Messiah and Mahdi are one, and this shows us already that he would not be a Fatimite since the Holy Prophet^saw that the leadership would pass out of the hands of the Quraish in the days of the Promised Messiah (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 425). The Holy Prophet^saw said that the Messiah would be a leader from among yourselves, but did not state which house he would belong to. In fact, no Muslim has stated that the Messiah would even be a Fatimite. Therefore, these traditions are put into the same category as the others, but are not completely denied since there is a higher authenticity in these, in comparison to the other narrations. Ibn Maja states that the Holy Prophet^saw said:

 

“The Mahdi is from us, the people of my family, God will bring about a reformation through him in a night (i.e a period of darkness and vice). The words ahlul Bayt does not at all refer to a blood relation alone when the Holy Prophet^saw is speaking. This expression was used by him in regards to even Salman, the Persian. He^saw stated:”Salman is from us, the people of my family”. Everyone is aware that Salman the Persian had no blood relationship with the Holy Prophet^saw, rather it was a spiritual relationship. In the same way, if these words are attributed to the Mahdi, they do not signify a blood relatonship, rather a spiritual relationship. The Holy Qur’an has also supported this in the famous story of Noah^as and his son. Hazrat Noah^asprayed that “My son is from my family” and Allah replied by Stating “He is not from thy family, he is a man of unrighteous deeds” (Chapter 11, Verse 47) This further shows that even according to the Qur’an, the word family or اهل signify a spiritual relationship. This point of a spiritual relationship is further supported by a hadith of the Holy Prophet^saw narrated in Abu Dawood which states:

 

“Even if there remained only a single day out of the life of the world, God shall lengthen that day until He raises in the world a man from me or from my family; his name will coincide with my name and his father’s name will coincide with my father’s.” The reporter is not sure of whether the words from me or my family were stated, but this shows us that they are both the same. Abu Dawood and Hakim state another tradition in which the words from me occur alone rather than from my family.  They state “The Mahdi is from me, with an open forehead” We will now analyze the words from me and see what they refer to.

 

The Holy Prophet^saw stated:

 

“The best of this people are the first of them and the last of them; among the first of them is the prophet of God and among the last is Jesus, Son of Mary; between these two people, there are crooked people; they are not from me , nor I from them.” In this tradition the words from me show that it referred to a spiritual relation rather than one of blood. Since the words they are not from me means there is no spiritual relation, the words from me must mean a spiritual relation exists.

 

This simply shows that even the traditions which state that the Mahdi would be a child from the family of the Prophet, it would still have the meaning of a spiritual relationship. Furthermore, it is possible that the Holy Prophet^saw said that the Mahdi would be from the progeny of Fatima since the foremothers of Ahmad^as were syed by origin and had the blood of Fatima. This shows us that it is quite possible for those traditions to have reality to them, however the main meaning would have to be a spiritual relation. Another tradition on the authority of Abu-Saeed ul Khudree states:

 

“I heard the Holy Prophet say, there shall appear a man from among my people who shall instruct men to follow my practice…and who shall fill the earth with equity and justice after it has been filled with injustice and iniquity” Bazar and Tabarani quote a tradition on the authority of Abu Hurairah which states : “The Holy Prophet^saw said : The Mahdi shall appear among my people” .

 

The traditions show us that it is made to appear that the Mahdi would be a man of Persian lineage, as prophesied by the Holy Prophet^saw. Ahmad^as was indeed of Persian lineage and also fulfilled this prophecy. A lot of proof has been stated in regards to the Mahdi not being a descendant of Hasan and Husain which include that in the days of political rivalry, many people declared that the mahdi would be from among them. Secondly, the traditions which state such claims are admitted to be unreliable. Thirdly, if the Holy Prophet^saw said the Mahdi was from him, it only referred to a spiritual connection. Fourthly, there could be no Qurashi Mahdi in the days of the Messiah. Fifthly, the Mahdi and Messiah are two different titles for the same person and therefore could not be a descendant of Hasan or Husain since He was to be a leader from among us. Sixthly, there are traditions showing that the Mahdi would be from among the followers of the Holy Prophet^saw . Another key point to remember is that he had to be of the Persian Lineage.

 

A misconception which arises in many is the name of the Mahdi as the traditions say that his name would coincide with that of the Holy Prophet^sawand his father’s name would coincide with that of the Holy Prophet^saws name.The ones who already deny the Mahdi have rejected these traditions as fabrications, to suit Muhammad Bin Abdullah who was from the house of Fatima and was recommended as the Caliph by Zaid who was martyred. Even if we were to accept these traditions to be true, it would hardly mean that his name would in reality be Muhammad bin Abdullah. The Mahdi has to appear in two capacities, which include his being the Mahdi and the Messiah. In his latter capacity, he is given nthe name Jesus son of Mary and in the former Muhammad son of Abdullah. We have a clear gide for us in this matter. John the Baptist was called Eliah in the prophecy. We also have the testimony of Jesus that the Elijah of the prophecy was John the baptist. This shows us that names are gien to point out spiritual resemblance. These titles are desriptve names, and are not to be mistaken with names given to children by their parents. The Qur’an states that Jesus gae the glad tidings of the advent of Ahmad and this prophecy was fulfilled in our Holy Prophet who was known among the people as Muhammad. The Holy Prophet^saw described the Promised Mahdi, and the latter day Messiah and gave them these names because of their spiritual identity with him.
There have been claimants to being the Mahdi who were called Muhammad bin Abdullah and their claims were rejected. The messengers are not recognized by their names rather by the signs they bring. Thus the Mahdi was Muhammad bin Abdullah in the same sense he was Jesus Son of Mary, since he was spiritually lke both of the Prophets. Furthermore, the Mahdi is also called Ahmad in some narrations which was fulfilled, however shows that he would resemble the Holy Prophet^saw, and it is a clear fact that Ahmadas fulfilled this and was a great lover of Muhammad^saw.

 

The Signs Fulfilled in the Lifetime of Ahmad^as

 

This section will now discuss the signs which were fulfilled in the life time of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as.

 

1) The first sign is a tradition which is accepted by many non Ahmadi Muslims as well. Naeems quotes : “There shall appear in the East before the appearance of the Mahdi a star with a bright tail.” This star is also called zus-sinnain in the traditions. It was fulfilled and appeared in 1882 during the lifetime of Ahmadas before his claim to being the Mahdi. It had a long and brilliant tail like a peacock and many witnessed this sign. This is a sign which a human cannot cause to occur, and is a heavenly sign which should not be ignored.

 

2) Another sign in regards to the Mahdi was the appearance of fire in the East. It is reported from Husain bin Ali : “When you see a sign in the heavens, a great fire from the East, know that the blesssed days have come, that will be a sign of the advent of the Mahdi.” Furthermore, Muhammad son of Bariq reported : “When you see fire in the East for three or seven days, then know that Islam is about to be aided by God.” This fire was seen in the Eastern horizon owing to the violent volcanic eruptions in the Island of Java in the year of 1883.

 

3) A third sign is the sign of the heavenly eclipses which has been explained in detail under the section of Truthfulness of Ahmad^as.

 

4) Many events in regards to the life of the Mahdi are clearly foretold in countless traitions. Naeem relates :

 

و عن جعفرالباقر عليه السلام قال ينادي من السماء ان الحق فى ال عيسى او قال العباس تشك فيه و انما الا سفل كلمه الشيطان و الصوت اعلى كلمه الله هى العليا رواة نعيم بن حماد

 

“A crier shall cry from the heavens, verily truth is with the side of the followers of Muhammad” And a crier shall cry from the earth “Verily truth is with the followers of Jesus” The cry from below shall be the cry of the Devil while the cry from above shall be the word of God which shall prevail”(Iqtirab al Sa’ah, Page 104)

 

This is also narrated on the authority of Ali:

 

“When a crier shall cry from the heavens, “Verily truth is with the followers of Muhammad” then the people shall talk of the Mahdi and shall drink the draughts of his love and they shall talk of nothing but him.”

 

If we read both of these narrations, we see that both are speaking in regards to the Mahdi and refer to the same event. The event which is being hinted towards in these traditions is a debate which would occur between the Muslims and the Christians in the days of the Mahdi where there would be a diversity of opinion between the Muslims. Many know of the debate between Abdullah Atham and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as. The controversy in that debate was the prophecy of Ahmad^as in regards to the death of Atham. It was stated that Atham would die within 15 months, unless he would turn to the truth and in that way the punishment would not occur. There was a complete change within Atham and he stopped preaching the Gospel. At first he would spend majority of his time mocking Islam but after this debate he never spoke against Islam again. This was the same case with the Prophet Jonah and is a law recognized by all religions. The wrath of God is averted by repentence and Atham escaped the punishment by exhibiting fear and he changed his entire life. After the ignorant people objected against this prophecy, Ahmad^as called Atham to make an oath that he was not trembling with fear in regards to this prophecy and even offered a reward to him if he had stated it. Ahmad^as said that if he had escaped punishment by crying and weeping before Allah and stated that he had not done so, he would die within a year. He was too scared to do so. We see the similar case of Jonah who predicted the punishment of his followers in 40 days but this was averted because the people turned to God. The prophecy of Atham will be discussed in detail in the section of Allegations against prophecies.

 

5)Another narration stated by Naeem is as follows:

 

“When there is a cry in the month of Ramadhan, listen to it and obey it. And in the latter part of th day, there shall be a cry of the cursed one, the Satan, that such and such a person has been killed unjustly. That shall be a trial for people and they will doubt and wonder, but when yo have heard the first cry in Ramadhan, don’t doubt that it is a cry of Gabriel, its sign being that he shall cry in the name of the Mahdi”

 

This prophecy was also fulfilled in Ahmad^as and relates to the murder of Lekh Ram which occured on the fifth of March 1897 in Lahore at around 6:00PM. Lekh Ram allowed Ahmad^as to pray to Allah concerning him. Allah revealed to Hazrat Ahmad^as. It was revealed to him that Lekh Ram would be put to an end within six years, and the fulfillment of this prophecy would be the day next to Eid. The prophecy was so in depth, that it included the manner of his death as well. During the month of Ramadhan Ahmad^as saw an angel which was extremely scary and he asked Ahmad^as where Lekh Ram was as if he was going to murder him. Lekh Ram sadly took this as a joke. In reply to this prophecy, Lekh Ram increased in his violence against Islam and was not safe from the Wrath of Allah. Lekh Ram was stabbed in his own house when his mother and wife were close to him, and no one was able to tell who he was stabbed by and neither was this discovered.This was also the day next to Eid. This prophecy was clearly fulfilled which stated a crier would cry towards the close of the day that such and such a man had been murdered unjustly and the people would wonder and that would be a trying time; but that would be the cry of Iblis, for the mrder had taken fulfillment of the word of an angel, that had appeared to the Mahdi.
 

6) A further prophecy in regards to the Mahdi is that the Holy Prophet^saw said that in his day a holy soul with a brother of his would be murdered. This will excite the wrath of God and a crier shall cry from the heavens “Such and such a man is your Amir” and that man shall be the Mahdi (Iqtirab-us-Saah Page 102 and Huja-ul-Karamah, Page 350). This was also clearly fulfilled in the murder of the two disciples of Ahmad^as at Kabul. This was only because of their rejection of the false concepts about the Imam Mahdi. One of these two is Known as Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheed who was among the distinguished members of the Kabul Dardar, and he had 50,000 Afghans as his devoted followers. Ahmadas wanted him to stay at Qadian but he replied “To part with you is more than I can bear, but there is a duty which calls me back to Kabul. I know that certain death awaits me there, but death has no terror for me. Being a son of Aghanistan, I must carry this news to my natie land; and it shall be with my own blood that I will deliver this message to my country. I know, my country demands my blood, and I will willingly shed it in order to deliver this message to my countrymen, for blood is the only means by which I can carry these glad tidings to my bretheren in Afghanistan. This kind of death will be a pleasure to me rather than a pain. I must part with you, and you will soon hear that I have been murdered at Kabul.” This was the love he had for Ahmad^asand this fulflled the prophecy of Ahmadas in regards to two sheep being slaughtered. The second person was Maulvi Abdul Rahman^ra who was a follower of Abdul Latif Shahid^ra.

 

7) There are more traditions that refer to the cries from the heavens in regards to the Mahdi. Here are some of them narrated:

 

“A crier shall cry from the heavens in the name of the Mahdi, and all those that are in the East and all those that are in the West shall hear it.(Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 345 and Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 67)

 

Abu Nuaim and Khateeb narrated: “There shall be an angel on the head of the Mahdi and he shall cry, “This is the caliph of God, the Mahdi; so listen to him and obey him.”

 

Abu Nuaim also quotes: “The cloud shall over-shadow him (the Mahdi) and a crier from the cloud shall cry, “This is the Mahdi, the caliph of God, obey him” And a han shall come out of the cloud and shall point to the Mahdi”

 

This sign simply shows that God shall show the truthfulness of the Mahdi to many people through his revelation. Allah Sent revelation to the Mahdi and gave him the glad tidings of many events of the future which were all flfilled. The entire world heard these cries, and these revelations were published all over the world. Furthermore, many saints were inspired by God who foretold the approach of the near Mahdi as well and many had true dreams in regards to the Mahdi during his lifetime also.

 

8) Another sign of the Mahdi was that he would appear under a government which is peaceful. It states that during his time peace shall eign in the country, so much so, that the goat and the lion shall drink together at the same fontain. Hakim has reported a tradition which states that even the cattle, sheep and goats would be safe from the wild beasts. This is one of the blessng of the British government. The weak are protected from against the strong.

 

9)Another prophecy from Hakim iss that “The earth shall throw out its loads”. This refers to the mines which are discovered all over the world. Loads of coal, gold iron and many other metals were not known during the time of th Holy Prophet^saw.

 

10) Another sign of the Mahdi was staated n a tradition as “Before his appearance there are dangers of the worst type. Evening shall find a man to be a believer but the morning shall see him an apostate”. The time of the Mahdi was no other then the time of Ahmad^as as that is exactly when Muslim children left Islam at a high rate and even elders were leaving and becoming Christians.

 

11) One of the signs of the Mahdi was also that the amount of earthquakes which occur, woould increase (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 345, Iqtirab-as-Saah, Page 67, Hadees ul Ghashiya, Page 349)

 

Nawab Sidiq Hassan Khan states: “One of the signs of the Mahdi is the frequency of earthhquakes and the abundance of differencess in all parts of the world (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 345). This is also a clear fulfilled prophecy and the amount of earthquakes in the time of Ahmad^as were greater than ever before.

 

12) One of the most anticipated signs for the Mahdi was the oubreak of the plague (Hadees-ul-Ghashiya, Page 349). The tradition narrated is:

 

“The Mahdi must appear when there is a great danger for the people, when pague makes its appearance, and when there are earthquakes andn other disasters.” (Hadees-ul-Ghashiya, Page 349). Furthermore it is stated by Nawab Sidiq Hasan Khan that India shall be a land which will consist of diseases and the author gives “speedy death” as the sign of the latter days Mahdi. (Iqtirab-us-Saah Page 50). This sign was also clearly fulfilled and the plague made its appearance in India just as the tradition suggested.

 

13) Another sign mentioned is famine, in regards to the advent of the Mahdi (Hadees-ul-Ghashiya, Page 349). This sign was also clearly fulfilled in India during the advent of the Mahdi.

 

14) Another important sign was that pilgrimate to Mecca wold be obstructed (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 28). THis was clearly fulfilled during the plague as well. The Governmment of India was not letting people visit the Holy City because of the plague and danger of it spreading.

 

15) A sign states that the inhabited places would become waste while the places which are uninhabited, would become inhabited (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 39). This sign was a amazing sign for the Mahdi as well since many villages were ruined by the plague and new ones grew in those parts of Punjab which were originally comprised of jungles.

 

16) A well known sign of the Mahdi was also the dominance of the pen. Ahmad and Hakim related the saying of the holy Prophet which stated that the pen would be dominant. This was also clearly fulfilled.

 

17) A tradition states: “When the Mahdi shall fight to revive the Sunnah and destroy every kind of innovation, the Mullahs of the day shall say, “This man undermines our faith, and shall rise up against him and shall declcare him to be an infidel, but their effort shall be of no avail owing the power of the sword” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 363) This was also beautifully fulfilled in Ahmad^as since when he made his claim and showed the blind mullahs the true meaning of ihad, they raised a cry against him and declared him a heretic, but had no success.

 

18) Another sign of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi was that the people would flock to him as bees flock to their queen (Naeem bin Hammad). This prophecy was also fulfilled as people joined the true Islam is many large numbers.

 

19)The ministry of the Mahdi according to many traditions was to be forty years. From the work Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Allah spoke to Ahmad^as which is near the year of 1869 and 1869 of the Christian era where Allah revealed “I will bless thee so abundantly that monarchs shall seek blessings from thy clothes.” He was also known as the champion of Islam and between 1870-1880 he contributed many articles in the defence of Islam. This extends over four decades and fulfills the prophecy of the forty years as well.

 

20) There are also traditions which stated that the Mahdi and Messiah would be of wheat coloured just as Ahmad^as was and also state:”an open forehead, a high nose, modest eyes, an open space between the two bowshaped brows, thick beard, a slight heaviness in the voice, and moderate stature” and these were also fulfilled in Ahmad^as.

 

All of these signs are only some of the signs which were fulfilled in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as of Qadian. In reality, the case of the Mahdi is extremely similar to the Israelite Messiah. The Jews did not expect a Messiah as meek as Jesus and were waiting for a Ghazi Messiah who would overthrow the foreign power that was established on the soil where David and Solomon used to rule, and they thought he would restore the throne of David and also be a king over all the Jews. Such a belief s a misinterpretation of both the Muslims and thre Jews and caused them both to reject a Prophet of God. The Muslims also expected a Messiah who would kill the disbelievers and would have and have empires around the world. For example Iqtirab-us-Saah states: “He will invite men to God by means of sword. Those who will refuse will be put to death. He who will oppose him will meet with failure.” And also :”Then the earth shall falll into the hands of the Mahdi. Islam shall become powerful. All the kings of the earth shall become obedience to the Mahdi. He will send an army to India and the rulers of India shall be taken in chains before him.” (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 80). It also states : “The Mahdi shall fight battles, he shall draw out treasures, shall take city after city and conquer the whole earth from east to west. The rulers of India shall be taken to him with chains abotu their necks. Their treasures shall serve as ornaments for Jerusalem. I say, there are now no kings in India. There are certain chiefs, both Hindus and Muhammadans, but they are not independent rulers, they are so in name only. The great rulers of the country are the Europeans. Probably the Mahdi shall appear in their time and these very Europeans shall be presented before the Mahdi, or the rule of some other monach may be established here by that time.” (Iqtirab-us-Saah, Page 64).

 

This shows us that the Muslims sadly awaited a violent Mahdi just as the Jews awaited a violent Messiah. Jesus came for the Jews as a peaceful Messiah and Ahmad^as also came as a peaceful Mahdi. The Qur’an itself shows us that such a Mahdi which the non Ahmadi Muslims await, would contradict the Qur’an which states “There is no complsion in religion”. Furthermore, the Muslims believe that all would accept Islam but this also contradicts the Qur’an which shows us that the disbelievers would remain till the end of the world.

 

The Qur’an is the greatest book and has no contradictions in it at all. Here are many clear ayahs that prove that disbelievers would remain till the Day of Judgment:

 

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِمْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا {156}

 

Then, because of their breaking of their covenant, and their denial of the Signs of Allah, and their seeking to kill the Prophets unjustly, and their saying: ‘Our hearts are wrapped in covers,’ — nay, but Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not but little —(Chapter 4 Verse 156)

 

This ayah is mentioned just a couple of verses before the verse being addressed. It clearly tells us that in regards to the Jews, a minority of them believe. Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief which caused only a little of them believe.

 

Allah further States:

 

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَىٰ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنْتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ {56}

 

When Allah said, ‘O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death and will exalt thee to Myself, and will clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve, and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ. (Chapter 3 verse 56)

 

Allah makes it clear that He will place those who follow Isa^as above those who disbelieve until the day of resurrection which shows us that for this to happen, disbelievers must exist till the Day of Judgment.

 

Allah also States:

 

وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَىٰ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَهُمْ فَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَأَغْرَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ وَسَوْفَ يُنَبِّئُهُمُ اللَّهُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ {15}

 

And from those also who say, ‘We are Christians,’ We took a covenant, but they too have forgotten a good part of that with which they were exhorted. So We have caused enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection. And Allah will soon let them know what they have been doing.(Chapter 5 verse 15)

 

This ayah has clearly stated that Allah has taken a covenant from the Christians and has caused enmity and hatred among them till the day of resurrection. Now for them to have enmity and hatred they have to exist. Allah further states similar in regards to the Jews:

 

وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ يَدُ اللَّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ ۚ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُوا بِمَا قَالُوا ۘ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنْفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنْهُمْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا ۚ وَأَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ كُلَّمَا أَوْقَدُوا نَارًا لِلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا اللَّهُ ۚ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا ۚ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ{65}

 

And the Jews say, ‘The hand of Allah is tied up.’ Their own hands shall be tied up and they shall be cursed for what they say. Nay, both His hands are wide open; He spends how He pleases. And what has been sent down to thee from thy Lord will most surely increase many of them in rebellion and disbelief. And We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. Whenever they kindle a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. And they strive to create disorder in the earth, and Allah loves not those who create disorder. (Chapter 5 verse 65)

 

This ayah is also really clear and states that the Allah Has Caused enmity and hatred till the day of resurrection in regards to the Jews. In the very next ayah Allah states:

 

وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَكَفَّرْنَا عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَأَدْخَلْنَاهُمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ{66}

 

 

And if the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We would surely have removed from them their evils and We would surely have admitted them into Gardens of Bliss.(Chapter 5 Verse 66)

 

Allah clearly States that If the People of the Book had Believers and been righteous. This shows that they will not believe nor be righteous as a whole. Again Allah States:

 

وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِنْهُ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ{56}

 

And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt about it until the Hour comes suddenly upon them or there comes to them the punishment of a destructive day. (Chapter 22 Verse 56)

 

It is clear that the Qur’an is totally against such a view of a Mahdi coming with a sword who would threaten people to join the religion of Islam. Furthermore, as stated earlier, the most authentic tradition in regards to the Messiah states that he would set aside the war, or “Yadhaul Harb”.

 

Another statement of the Holy Prophet^saw which supports that the Mahdi would not fight is that “God shall send His word to Jesus son of Mary saying, ‘verily I have raised men from among My creatures with whom you have no power to fight, so take My servants to Mount Sinai as a place of refuge” (Sahih Muslim Hadith #2937 a). This further shows that the Messiah would not fight and its also quoted in Hujaj-ul-Karamah page 431. The prophecy of the Mount Sinai is described and explained in the section under Truthfuless of Ahmad^asbut here is a small description:

 

“Mount Sinai was the place where God manifested Himself in the days of Moses.It served then as the Throne of God where He manifested His power and glory and revealed Himself to the Israelites by showing His signs and other wonders. Similarly the Messiah was to take his people to the place of the manifestation of Divine power, i.e he was to strengthen their faith by showing them heavenly signs as it happened in the days of Moses on Mount Sinai. As God revealed Himself on the sacred mount, so He was to revea Himself to the people in the days of the Messiah by showing His mighty and Majestic signs. As God spoke to Moses, so He was to also speak to the Promised Messiah. Heavenly signs were to be the refuge of the Messiah’s people; they were to sustain them and strengthen them. ” (Part 5 of The Mahdi Articles by Maulwi Sher Ali^ra)

 

Another tradition which proves the truthfulness of the Messiah is from Imam Nasai and Ahmad and states:

 

“There are two parties from my people whom God shall protect from fire, the party that will fight in India and the party that shall be with Jesus son of Mary”

 

The first party which is named is that one that fought with Syed Ahmad of Bareli. He was a pious man with many followers and lived in the early part of the thirteenth century. He saw that the Muslims were being persecuted by the Sikhs for their religious practices, so he made up his mind to free the poor Muslims from the Sikh tyranny. He collected a group of Muslims and went to attack the Sikhs and his purpose was to save the uslims from this persecution. He faught against the Sikh rule rather than the British government. The reason he was likened to the latter day Messiah was to show that the Messiah would not come to fight. Muslim scholars have been forced to admit that there would not be wars during the time of the Messiah. Even those who believe that the Mahdi is different then the Messiah, should not have such a belief. Ibn Hajar stated in regards to the Mahdi “The Mahdi will not awaken the sleeping, nor will he shed any blood” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 363) Siddiq Hasan Khan stated: “The Mahdi shall make peace with the Christians” (Hujaj-ul-Karamah, Page 374). The reason such false beliefs came into scholars in regards to the Mahdi is because this was the imagining of the mullahs themselves. They themselves awaited a bloody Mahdi and their nature had become just like the Jews. There is no authentic tradition that suggests a bloody Mahdi and the authentic ahadith show that he would put aside the wars.

 

A misquoted saying which is often mentioned is “The Mahdi is from my family, he will fight for my practice”. Sadly the non Ahmadi Muslims misinterpret this statement along with others. He will fight does not necessarily signify fighting with the sword. If the Mahdi was to fight for the practice of the Holy Prophet^saw it would not mean that he would use a sword, rather that he would push himself to his full extent to spread the true teachings of Islam. This is supported by the hadith of Sahih Muslim “There shall always be a body among my followers who shall fight for the truth and shall prevail to the Day of Judgment until Jesus, son of Mary descends” (Sahih Muslim Hadith #156)

 

Another misquoted statement is “He shall appear with the shirt, the sword, and the standard of the Holy Prophet. The standard has never been unfurled since the death of the Holy Prophet. It shall be written on it the words “Enter into his Bai’at for God’s sake.” This does not show that the Mahdi would be a warrior, rather shows that he would be a representative of the Holy Prophet. These things do not exist in the world and this tradition should not be taken literally. It just shows that the Mahdi shall be a true successor and representative of the Holy Prophet^saw  and that all Muslims should accept him and support him. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as was the first one to show the reality in regards to the Mahdi this clearly to the Ummah. People were so against the Qur’an and wanted a Ghazi Mahdi so much so, that they declared Ahmad^as as a Kafir. This further shows how weak the condition of the Muslim scholars got. They would be agains the Qur’an and would verdict fatwas on those who would follow the Qur’an and Ahadith. Ahmadas has passed away but his jamaat continues to spread the true teachings of Islam and will until the Day of Judgment. Ahmad^as has done a great obligation to not the Muslims alone, but to entire humanity by disclosing the true teachings of Islam to the world which the non Ahmadi Muslims tried to distort.

 

Now there will be some quotations provided from the books of Ahmad^as in regards to the Imam Mahdi:

 

“My belief and the belief of the members of my Community is that the bulk of the Ahadith concerning the advent of the Mahdi and the Promised Messiah are utterly untrustworthy. These fall into three categories: 1) The Ahadith which are false and fabricated. They are reported on the authority of people who were considered dishonest and given to falsehood. No sincere Muslim can place any trust in them. 2) The Ahadith which are considered weak and which are untrustworthy on account of mutual contradictions. They are either not mentioned by the great Imams of Hadith or have been mentioned as doubtful, and the truth and honesty of their narrators is not certified. 3) The Ahadith which are true, and are confirmed as such, but have either been already fulfilled or they make no reference to any physical warfare and only predict the coming of the Mahdi who will have no worldly kingdom or Khilafat and will neither fight nor cause bloodshed. He will have no army but will establish faith in the hearts of the people through his spirituality and inner attention. For instance, there is the Hadith:

 

لاَ الْمَهْدِيُّ إِلاَّ عِيسَى ‏

 

This is mentioned in the collection of Ibn-e-Majah, which is known by this very name, and is also comprised in Hakim’s Mustadrak, on the authority of Anas bin Malik. This Hadith has been narrated by Muhammad bin Khalid Jundi on the authority of Aban bin Saleh who related it on the authority of Hasan Basri who related it on the authority of Anas bin Malik who heard it from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.) This Hadith means that there will be no Mahdi except the person who will appear in the spirit of Jesus^as, and whose teachings will be like those of Jesus^as, because he will not physically resist evil nor fight; he will spread the truth through his holy example and through heavenly signs, and will be both the Promised Messiah and the Mahdi. This Hadith is supported by another Hadith comprised in the collection of Sahih Bukhari, which says:

 

 

This means that the Mahdi, whose other name will be the Promised Messiah, will put an end to all religious wars and will direct that there should be no fighting in the cause of religion and that religion should be propagated through the light of the faith, moral miracles and the signs of nearness to God. I, therefore, affirm that he who fights in this age for the sake of religion, or lends support to any such fighter, or—openly or secretly—counsels fighting, or entertains any such designs, is guilty of disobedience to God and the Holy Prophet^saw and transgresses the limits, obligations and admonitions which are prescribed by them…

 

…I am the Promised Messiah who is Divinely guided, and who follows the morals of the Messiah (peace be on him.) Everyone should judge me with reference to these morals and should purge his heart of all ill will concerning me. A careful consideration of the teaching that I have set forth during the last twenty years, from Brahine-Ahmadiyyah to Raz-e-Haqiqat, should testify to my inner purity. I can prove that I have spread these books as far as Arabia, Turkey, Syria and Kabul. I utterly repudiate the doctrine that Jesus will descend from heaven to fight the battles of Islam, or that anyone who calls himself Mahdi, and appears from among the descendants of Hadrat Fatima, will be the monarch of the time, and that the two of them will start a reign of bloodshed. God has revealed to me that all these speculations are false. Jesus (peace be on him) died long ago and lies buried in Mohalla Khanyar in Srinagar, Kashmir. Thus as the descent of the Messiah from heaven is disproved, the appearance of any warrior Mahdi is also falsified. Let him who thirsts for truth accept this.(Haqiqat-ul-Mahdi, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 14, Pages 429-433)

 

The one who was to come was named Mahdi, to indicate that he would acquire the knowledge of the faith from God Himself, and would not acquire the knowledge of the Qur’an or Hadith from a teacher. I can state on oath that such is my case. No one can prove that I have had a single lesson of the Holy Qur’an or Hadith or Tafsir from any human being or have been the pupil of any commentator of the Holy Qur’an or scholar of Hadith. This indeed is the status of Mahdi, which has been bestowed upon me on the pattern of the Prophethood of Muhammad^saw. I have been taught the mysteries of the faith directly, without any intermediary. (Ayyam-us-Sulh, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 14, Page 394)

 

I, the claimant of both these dignities, have been among you for twenty-five years. Who then are you waiting for beside me? All these signs refer to the one who is present at the time of their manifestation, and not to someone of whom there is no trace in the world. It is a case of strange hard-heartedness. I simply fail to understand why people still await someone else when my claim has been affirmed by all the relevant signs and all opposition against me has been frustrated! It is true that I have not descended physically from heaven, nor have I come into the world to fight and cause bloodshed, but I have come for peace and am from God. I prophesy that after me and till the end of days, no Mahdi will ever appear from God who will create disturbance in the world through war and bloodshed, nor will there be any Messiah who will descend physically from heaven. You had better bid farewell to both these notions. These are vain desires which the people of this generation will carry with them to the grave. No Messiah will descend and no blood-thirsty Mahdi will appear. He who was to come has come, and I am that one fulfilling God’s promise. He who does not accept me, fights God for having sent me. (Majmu-ah Ishtiharat, Volume 3, Page 520)

 

The Hadith of the Black Flags : Interpretation of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba)

Three men shall fight for a treasure: meaning of a hadith

Someone wrote a letter to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V^aa and quoted the following hadith in it, as narrated by Hazrat Thauban^ra:

“Allah’s Messenger^sa said, ‘Three individuals shall fight one another for one of your treasures (and shall be killed), each one of them the son of a caliph (ruler), but none of them shall gain that treasure. Then, black flags shall appear from the east. They shall kill you in an unprecedented manner.’ Then, he mentioned something that I do not remember, and then he said, ‘When you see him (the Mahdi), pledge your allegiance to him even if you have to crawl over snow, for he is al-Mahdi, the Caliph of Allah [Khalifatullah Al-Mahdi].”

 

The person then interpreted a part of the hadith and asked Huzoor^aa for his opinion of it. Moreover, he requested further explanation of another part of the hadith.

In a letter dated 30 May 2020, Huzoor^aa gave the following reply to this question:

“You have quoted this hadith from Al-Bahr Al-Zakhkhar, whereas it has also been recorded in Kitab al-Fitan, Bab Khurooj Al-Mahdi of Sunan Ibn Majah which is one of the Authentic Six [al-Sahih al-Sittah]. The interpretation you have done of the treasure [kanz] and the sons of the caliphs, mentioned in the hadith, is merely your personal point of view.

“In my view, in this hadith, the Holy Prophet^sa is informing of various events that were to occur in the Muslim ummah in the future, some of which relate to worldly and others to spiritual matters. Although many scholars have applied the word kanz to the treasure of the Ka‘bah, that treasure has fallen into the hands of many rulers. Therefore, the treasure mentioned in the hadith cannot mean the treasure of the Ka‘bah because the Holy Prophet^sa is saying in the hadith that none of them shall get that treasure.

“Therefore, it refers to the spiritual treasure, of which the Holy Prophet^sa had given the glad tidings in the form of the establishment of Khilafat ala Minhaj al-Nubuwwah, the Khilafat on the precepts of Prophethood after him. Since the foremost condition for obtaining this treasure, according to the Holy Quran, is faith and righteous deeds, which had ceased to exist among those worldly rulers, they fought numerous wars to obtain it, but that spiritual treasure did not get into anyone’s hands.

“That is why in this hadith, the Holy Prophet^sa has merely used the words ‘Ibnu khalifa’ for those who fought for a [physical] treasure. That is, they will be caliphs in the sense of heirs, but they will not be caliphs established by Allah the Exalted or subject to the caliphate based on prophethood. However, in the same hadith, the Holy Prophet^sa has used the words ‘Khalifatullah al-Mahdi’ for the person who was to receive the spiritual treasure of Khilafat ala Minhaj al-Nubuwwah – the Khilafat on the precepts of Prophethood.

“You have expressed your opinion regarding the mention of the killing of Muslims in this hadith, that it would take place through the Mahdi, which is not correct in my view.

“If it is interpreted to mean physical killing and bloodshed, then that could not be carried out by the Mahdi at all; rather, it would refer to the bloodshed in the wars fought among Muslims during the two periods mentioned in the prophetic statement in another hadith of the Holy Prophet^sa (recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih) in the words: ‘مُلْكًا‭ ‬عَاضًّا [tyrannical monarchy]’ and ‘مُلْكًا‭ ‬جَبْرِيَّةً [monarchical despotism]’. Moreover, it would also refer to the massacre of Muslims by the Mongols in the thirteenth century.

“One of the proofs as to why this massacre was not to be carried out by the Khalifatullah al-Mahdi is that the Holy Prophet^sa has mentioned ‘يَضَعُ‭ ‬الْحَرْب’ i.e. ‘He will put an end to wars and bloodshed’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Anbiaa, Bab Nuzooli ’Isa) as a hallmark of the coming Mahdi. Thus, how can it be that on the one hand the Holy Prophet^sa is declaring the coming Mahdi as a standard-bearer of peace and reconciliation, and on the other hand, he is informing of such bloodshed of the people of the ummah of Muhammad^sa as never carried out by anyone in the past?

“Then, the narrator’s statement in this hadith that ‘After that, the Holy Prophet^sa said some other things which I do not remember’ deserves special attention and it is quite possible that those matters were related to the appearance of the Dajjal, the Antichrist, because there are numerous traditions in the books of hadith in which the Holy Prophet^sa described the trial of Dajjal as the greatest trial and gave the glad tiding to his ummah of the coming of the Promised Messiah to counter that [trial]. According to the narrator, after these words, the Holy Prophet^sa mentioned the arrival of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^as and, while making it obligatory to pledge allegiance to him, he stressed that even if one had to crawl over glaciers on one’s knees, one ought to swear allegiance to him, because he is the Khalifatullah al-Mahdi.

“Therefore, the Holy Prophet^sa has mentioned three distinct periods of time in this hadith:

1. The period of time when the blessed era of the Holy Prophet^sa and the Rightly-Guided Khilafat was to come to an end according to God’s will and after that, the Muslims were to fight among themselves and were to shed blood of their own people after having subjugated them. At that time, they were to lose their spiritual treasure.

2. The second is the period of time when Muslims were to be subjected to bloodshed by their non-Muslim opponents due to their material weakness too.

3. Then there is the third time when, according to the prophecies of the Holy Prophet^sa, the Imam Mahdi, the Muhammadan Messiah was to appear and the part of the Muhammadan ummah which was to embrace this ardent devotee and spiritual son of the Holy Prophet^sa by pledging their allegiance to him, was to experience, once again, a time of prosperity which was once witnessed by the Muhammadan ummah during the blessed era of its Master and Guide, the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa, the Chosen One. The glad tiding of ‘صحابهؓ‭ ‬سے‭ ‬ملا‭ ‬جب‭ ‬مجھ ‬كو‭ ‬پايا’ [He meets the Companions^ra when he finds me] was to be fulfilled for fortunate souls at that time.

“If the murder and destruction mentioned in the hadith is taken metaphorically, then its meaning will be as follows: Just as the true meaning of the phrase ‘فَيَكْسِرَ‭ ‬الصَّلِيبَ‭ ‬وَيَقْتُلَ‭ ‬الْخِنْزِيرَ’ [He shall break the cross and kill the swine], as mentioned in the hadith about postponing warfare [يَضَع‭ ‬الْحَرْب] in Sahih al-Bukhari is not the [physical] breaking of crosses and killing of swine; rather, it is the counterblast to the objections raised against Islam by Christianity, likewise, the killing of Muslims by the Imam Mahdi refers to the eradication of false beliefs that have found their way into Muslims, and it refers to establishing the faith across the world in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet^sa, after having revived the faith.

“So, in my view, if this hadith is taken in this way, it becomes a more befitting interpretation and the qitaal [killing] can also be explained in this way.”

https://www.alhakam.org/answers-to-everyday-issues-part-xxiv/