Imam Mahdi, or the Imam of the Time, is one of the most influential figures in Islamic tradition, and his arrival is expected to be the sign of the final days before the Day of Judgment (Qiyamah).
So who exactly is Imam Mahdi? And what does his arrival mean for Muslims today? Why his appearance in this world holds so much weight with Muslims?
The arrival of Imam Mahdi will be the beginning of the Messianic era (The whole universe would be under the rule of Imam Mahdi)- A period before the end of the time when the savior will govern the earth and bring about universal harmony and justice.
Who is imam Mahdi
Imam Mahdi is the leader of paradise. He is among the descendants of the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) and his daughter Fatima (peace be upon him and his progeny). There are numerous reports available in abundance.
All these reports indicate the same outcome about Imam Mahdi’s future coming. As a practicing Shia Muslim, I also wanted to learn the sayings about Imam Mahdi and his future. So that is why I have researched and read many books written hundreds of years back. To find out what is authentic and what just heard things.
Hadith about Imam Mahdi from prophet Mohammad (PBUH)
Only if one day remained of this world. According to the Za’idah version, Allah would prolong that day until he raised a blessed person who belonged to my family or to me and whose father’s name is the same as mine, who would fill the earth with fairness and justice as it has been filled with oppression and tyranny.
The hadiths mentioned here are authentic and have been said even before Imam Mahdi was born. Some are from Prophet (PBUH), others from the Imam who came before the Al Mahdi (PBUH).
The lineage of Imam al-Mahdi
Allah’s last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) has said, “Imam Mahdi is from my progeny, and his face would be like the brightly illuminated moon.”
Women In the Imam’s army
It has been reported by 6th Imam Hazrat Jafar-e-Sadiq (PBUH) that there will be thirteen women in the army of Imam Mahdi.
Moreover, the narrator asked the Imam. What will their role be?
Imam replied
Their work will be to treat the injured and sick people just as the woman did at the time of Allah’s messenger.
Tears of separation
Imam Jafar-Sadiq (PBUH) said I swear by Allah that your Imam will go into an occultation for years (No one knows the exact time of his occultation, As the Almighty only knows it). During those periods, the eyes of true believers shall be filled with tears.
The house of Praise
Imam-Sadiq (PBUH) said Indeed, The possessor of command Al-Mahdi (PBUH) has a house known as the house of Praise. A lamp in this house has been glowing since Imam Al-Mahdi was born and will continue to glow until the day comes when the Imam makes his appearance with the sword, and it will not be blown out.
Perfection of the Intellect and Moral Traits
The fifth Imam, Hazrat Muhammad Baqir (PBUH), has said when our Al-Mahdi makes his advent, the servants’ intellects will unite, and their ethical qualities will be perfected when he places his hand over their heads.
These were some sayings from the Prophet (PBUH) and Imam (PBUH). Honestly, there are numerous saying, and I can’t mention all of the hadith.
You might wonder how someone can live for more than a thousand years. As in this case, the age of Al-Mahdi (PBUH) must be more than one thousand one hundred.
Practically or Scientifically, this is unachievable for any of us or third person.
Imam Ali (PBUH)
Imam Ali has said that when Al-Mahdi comes, his holy name will be on different tongues, and people will be so full of love that no other name will be on their minds and tongues. Friendship with him will enliven their spirits.
Names of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)
- Al-Mahdi – This is among the well-known and most popular names of Imam.
- Al-Qaim – Means one who rises. As a matter of fact that he would rise for truth.
- Muntazar – It means the awaited one Imam Mahdi (PBUH). For example, his true believers are patiently waiting for him.
- Hujjat – It means proof. Because he is the proof of almighty Allah upon his creatures.
- Sahib-al-Zaman – Guardian of th age
- Khalaf-e-Salih is the righteous successor and the best because he is from the most remarkable families of this world and here and after.
Significant Signs of the Reappearance of the Twelfth Imam (PBUH)
Lunar and Solar Eclipses as important Signs of the Resurrection
These signs have been mentioned by both Shia and Sunni renowned scholars of their time. The last sign of reappearance, which is even mentioned in the holy Quran, is the eclipse as an essential Sign of the Resurrection.
There will be a Solar eclipse in the middle of the month of Ramadan, and then after a few days in the same month of the same year, there will be a Lunar eclipse at the end of that month.
This is a sign which has never appeared since the creation of this earth.
And three landslides, one in the east, another in the west, and one in the Arabian peninsula
When the twelfth Imam reappears, one Sufyani will build an army that will attack Iraq and then march towards Hejaz, reaching Medina. They will ransack Medina with cruelty. While heading towards Mecca, his army will set up a camp in the desert near Mecca.
One heavenly voice will be heard. Oh, earth, swallow this tyrant’s group. Suddenly the ground will open, and the whole army will fall. Only a few will be remaining so that they can pass on this news to Imam Mahdi.
FAQ
Will imam Mahdi come before dajjal?
Dajjal means deceiver and will falsely claim that he is Messiah being awaited by his followers. He will have one eye and be blind in the other eye. His false claims will increase with his number of followers.
Dajjal will be among the sons of Adam, and he would be the last leader of falsehood, and it has been mentioned that Dajjal will come before Al-Mahdi (May Allah hasten his reappearance) And he will be killed by the righteous successor Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him)
It is unknown if Dajjal is alive or will be born, but there are numerous sayings on this that he is alive. But as a matter of fact, I did not find any authentic narration about this that mentions the exact date when Dajjal was born.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) sayings on Dajjal
According to prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Dajjal will be a young man and his hair will be thick and curly, he will be blind in his right eye.
Will imam Mahdi rule the world?
Yes, Al-Mahdi will not only rule the world but also the heart of his people. He will fill the earth with justice and equality and everyone will be equal. There will be one and only region Islam will prevail.
How Imam Mahdi will look like?
His face will be like glittering stars, and his skin tone will be Arab. People will recognize the glory and majesty in his look. The tradition from the holy prophet (PBUH) that certainly Allah shall make a person to appear from my progeny.
How will Imam Mahdi rule the world, and what will Imam Mahdi do?
Imam will establish his government in Kufa (a city in Iraq). It has been mentioned that it would be considered the most important city in Imam’s Regime and that people will regret not buying any land in Kufa).
It has been mentioned in authentic sayings that his government will start in the Mosque of Salah or his house in Samarra. And then Imam will expand his kingdom of Allah outwards far east to China and European cities as well from there his government will grow.
His government mission will be to clear it from all the oppressors. Oppression will not return to the world, and justice will prevail until the day of judgment.
Very well written
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Awaiting