Imam Al Mahdi

[qardasay]

In the name of Allah (SWT), the Graceful, the Merciful

I will restrict the traditions mentioned, to those that are 'sahih' (correct) and 'hasan' (good), All traditions mentioned are authentic, and their contexts exist in writing. Any traditions mentioned that are otherwise, will be labeled as such.


Section 1: Heavenly Signs Of The Imam's Occulation:

HEAVENLY VOICE:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' has narrated a tradition in Section 3, Chapter 4 from Imam Hussein as follows: 'If you happen to see a fire for three or seven days from the easter side, the God-willing you may expect the 'Faraj' (deliverence) of Ale-e-Muhammad. The Imam continued: "Later a caller from the heavens shall call out Mahdi's name in such a manner that it will ne heard in the East and West. None shall be alseep that he will wake up and none shall be sitting but that he will stand on his two feet out of awe. May Allah (SWT) shower His Mercy on the one who hears and answers that call since the callir is none other than Gibra'eel.

The author of 'Yanabi-ul-Muwadda' on page 414 has narrated from the book 'Durrul-Manzoom' as such: One of the evidences of Mahdi's emergence is the very caller who shall call out: 'Know that the 'Master of the Age' has emerged. After this, none shall be sleeping but that he will arise and none shall be standing but that he will sit....

HEAVENLY SIGNS:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in Section three, chapter four has narrated from Hafiz Abu-Bakr-ibn Hemmad and he from Ibn-Abbass as such: 'Mahdi shall not emerge until certain signs appear with the sun.

Again, in the same section and chapter of the afore-said book, its author narrates from 'Al-Fatan' of Hafiz Na'eem-ibn-Hemad and he, from Ka'ab al-Ahbar who said: 'Before Mahdi's emergence, stars shall appear from the East with constant glitterings.'

ECLIPSE OF THE SUN AND MOON:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in section one, chapter four narrates from 'Al-Fatan' of Hafiz Abu-Abdullah Na'eem-ibn-Hemmad and he, from Yazid-ibn-Khalil Asadi who said: 'I was in the presence of Imam Muhammad Baqir. He mentioned two of the signs which would occur before the emergence of Mahdi and which has not yet been witnessed (right from the time of fall of Adam till now). One sign is this that there shall occur an eclipse of the sun on 15th of Ramadhan and the moon too shall be eclipsed at the end of Ramadhan.


Section 2: The state of Humanity before the Occulation:

DISCORD AND PESSIMISM AMONGST THE PEOPLE:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in Section one, chapter four has narrated from Imam Hussein (A.S.) as such:

'The affair for which you are awaiting i.e. the emergence of Mahdi shall not be fulfilled until some amongst you feel disgusted of the other, while some amongst you bear testimony against the other and until some amongst you curse the other. Narrator says: I asked: Will there by any goodness in this matter? Imam replied: Goodness will be at that time when Mahdi emerges and will destroy such cruelties and oppressions.

The author of 'Yanabi-ul-Muwadda' narrates on page 491 from the book 'Arba'een' of Hafez Abu Na'eem Isfahani that Ali-ibn-Abi Talib said: 'I asked the Messenger of Allah as such: 'O Messenger of Allah! Is Mahdi from our progeny or from others? The Holy Prophet replied: Rather he is from us. Religion shall terminate by his hands just as it commenced from us. People shall be delivered from seditions through Mahdi just as they got delivered from polytheism through us. Through Mahdi Allah (SWT) will create a feeling of intimacy between their hearts (after hatred and sedition) just as He created intimacy amongst them through us after hatred and polytheism....

The author of Es'aaf-ur-Raghebeen on page 151 has narrated from Ahmad and Maawardi a tradition from the Messenger of Allah as follows: 'Glad-tidings be to you about Mahdi. He is from the Quraish and from my progeny who shall emerge at the time of discord and strife amongst the people....

CRUELTY AND OPPRESSION:

Ibn-Hajar in 'Sawa'eq' narrates (on page 99) from Abul-Qasim Tabarani that the Holy Prophet said: 'After me, shall come the Caliphs. After the Caliphs will come the rulers and after the rulers will come the kings. Then oppressors will follow them and after them will emerge a man from my Ahl-e-bayt who shall fill the earth with justice as it was filled with injustice....

ANARCHY:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in Section 3, Chapter 9 has narrated from Hafiz Abu Na'eem who has narrated from Ali-ibn-Hallal who has narrated from his father as such:

'At the time when the Messenger of Allah was departing from this world, I went in his presence. He narrated for me a tradition where he concluded it as such: 'O Fatemah, I swear by the Lord who appointed me by the truth that Mahdi of this nation shall be from Hassan and Hussein .

Allah (SWT) shall send Mahdi at the time when the world will fall into chaos. When seditions will prevail; when means will be cut-off; when some will revolt over the other; when there will remain no elder who will have mercy upon the young and when there will remain no young who will respect the elders. Mahdi shall conquer the forts of deviation and depravity and she afted hearts. Mahdi shall rise for the religion at the end of time just as I rose for it in the beginning. He shall fill the world with justice as it was filled with oppression.

KILLING AND DEATH:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in Section one, Chapter four narrates from Ali-ibn-Muhammad Azdi' who narates from his father who narrates from his grand-father that Ali-ibn-Abi Talib said:

'During Mahdi's time red and white death and locuts will become visible. Otherwise too red coloured locusts will be found. Red death refers to the sword and white death refers to plague.

In the same section and same chapter of the afore-said book, its author narrates from 'Sunan' of Imam Abu Amro Uthman-ibn- Saeed Muqarri and 'Fatan' of Hafiz Abu-Abdullah Na'eem-ibn - Hemaad a tradition from Amir-ul-Mumineen Ali-ibn - Abi Talib as such: 'Mahdi shall not emerge until out of three persons one gets killed, the other dies and the third remains.'

CALAMITY AND TRIBULATION:

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in Section one, chapter four has narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir as such: of 'Mahdi shall not emerge but after prevalence serve awe amongst the people, when people will be afflicted with earthquakes and plagues, when strife and discord will emerge amongst the people, when differences in religion will prevail amongst them, when people's condition will so change that they would wish for death, day and night.... Mahdi shall emerge at the time of hoplessness and despair. Blessed is he who perceives Mahdi and joins the rank of his helpers. Woe be to the one who opposes him and his commands.

In the same section and the same chapter of the afore-said book, its author narrates from Abu Saeed Khudri that the Holy Prophetsaid: 'After me, seditions (disasters) will arise the deliverence of which would not be possible. In those seditions, wars and sporadic fightings would occur. Thereafter, more severe seditions will arise such that if seditions would calm down in one place, the same would continue in another place. Things would extend so far that there would remain no Arab house and no Muslim who would not be affected by it. It would be then that a man from my progeny will emerge.


Section 3: The signs of Imam Al Hujja's Occulation:

THE SIGNS OF OCCULATION:

The author of Fusul al-Muhimma (who is one of the Sunni authors) in chapter 12 says:

Traditions have come down about the signs of Mahdi's emergence and the events which would occur before his uprising and the evidences which would be discovered before his emergence. They are as such:
(1) Sufyani's revolt,
(2) killing of Hasani,
(3) discord amongst Bani-Abbass about possession of kingdom,
(4) eclipse of the sun during mid-Shaban,
(5) unusual eclipse of the moon during the end of Shaban contrary to astronomies calculations. The moon will not be eclipsed but during the thirteenth, fourteenth or fifteenth of the month. The moon will be eclipsed at the time when the sun and the moon would be facing each other in a special form. The eclipse of the sun will not occur but on the twenty-seventh, twenty-eight or twenty-ninth of the month. The sun will be eclipsed at the time when it comes close to the moon in a special form,
(6) rising of the sun from the West,
(7) killing of seventy pious people
(8) killing will become a habit
(9) destruction of the wall of the Mosque of Kufa,
(10) advancement of the holders of black flags from Khorasan,
(11) Yamani's revolt,
(12) Maghrabi's revolt in Egypt and becoming the ruler of Syria,
(13) descencion of Turks in an island,
(14) the coming of Romans in Rumalah,
(15) the rising of a star in the East which would be like a sparkling moon,
(16) that star would bend and break into two in such a manner that they would come close to each other,
(17) a redness will appear in the sky and it will cover its surrounding,
(18) a fire would appear throughout the East and it would remain so for three or seven days,
(19) Arabs would set free their rein,
(20) Arabs would become owners of cities,
(21) Arabs would exit from the rule of Iranian Kings,
(22) the inhabitants of Egypt would kill their ruler and his commands,
(23) Syria would be destroyed and three flags will advance towards it,
(24) the flags of Qais and Arab would advance towards Egypt,
(25) engraved flags would advance towards Khorasan,
(26) The entry of some Arabs in the outskirts of Hirah
(27) the coming of black flags from the East,
(28) A split shall occur in Euphrates as a result of which its water would flow on the roads of Kura,
(29) Sixty liars will emerge where each of them will claim Prophethood for themselves,
(30) twelve persons from the progeny of Abu-Talib would revolt and each of them would claim Imamate for themselves,
(31) A dignified person from the followers of Bani-Abbass will get drowned near the bridge of Karkh in Baghdad,
(32) A black wind will blow in Baghdad,
(33) An earthquake shall occur in Baghdad where a greater portion of the city will collapse,
(34) fear will encompass the inhabitants of Iraq,
(35) death will swiftly overtake the people of Iraq,
(36) The people of Iraq will face deficience in their property and fruit,
(37) locusts will appear during the normal season as well as during off-season and they will get attracted to plants and cereals,
(38)the agriculture output of the people will be poor,
(39) discord will arise amongst non-Arabs and they will shed blood of one another, (40) slaves shall disobey their master and will kill them.
(41) After that, it would rain successively for twenty-four times. The earth would become alive after its death and would throw out its treasures. At that time, all types of calamities will be kept away from Mahdi's believers. At that moment they will realize that Mahdi has emerged in Mecca. As a result, they will move towards Mecca for assisting the Imam and the same can be seen in the traditions.

Some of these events are sure and certain to occur while some others are conditional. Allah (SWT) knows better what might take place. We have mentioned the afore-mentioned happenings as per the traditions. Allahu Akbar, as you can tell, many of the signs, have already occured. Subhan Allah.

TRADITIONS ABOUT THE YEAR AND DAY OF MAHDI'S EMERGENCE

Abu Basir has narrated from Sadiq Aal-e-Muhammad as such: 'Mahdi shall not emerge but in the odd year i.e. the first, third, fifth, seventh or ninth year.' Again Abu Basir narrates from Imam Jafar Sadiq who said: 'The name of Qa'em will be taken on the 23rd night of the blessed month of Ramadhan. The Qa'em shall emerge on the day of Ashura - the day on which Imam Hussein was martyred. As if I am seeing the Qa'em emerging on Saturday, the tenth of Muharram between Ruku and Maqaem and someone standing in front of him calling out: Allegiance, Allegiance,. Thus Mahdi's followers will turn towards him from all sides and will give allegiance to him. By Mahdi's means Allah (SWT) will fill the earth with justice just as it was previously filled with cruelty and oppression. Thereafter, Mahdi will turn his attention from Mecca to Kufa and will land in Najaf from where he will send soldiers towards the cities.

It has been narrated from Abdul-Karim Nakh'ee as such: 'I asked Sadeq Aal-e-Muhammad : For how long will the Qa'em rule?
Imam replied: Seven years. The days and nights during Mahdi's time will be so lengthy that one year of that time will be like twenty years of today and (seven) years of Mahdi will be equal to seventy years of your reckoning.

In a lenghty tradition, Imam Muhammad Baqir said: 'When the Qaem shall emerge, his attention will be drawn towards Kufa. He will develop the mosques of Kufa, strike down the balconies overlooking the roads, destroy the wells and drain-pipes on the road-paths, uproot all sorts of heresy, enliven every custom and conquer Istanbul, China and the mountains of Dailam. This will remain so for seven years where each year would be equal to ten years of your reckoning.

THE FIRST OCCURANCES AFTER THE IMAM'S APPEREANCE:

The narrator says: I said: 'O son of the Messenger of Allah! When will your Qa'em emerge?

He replied: At the time when men will imitate the women and women will imitate the men; when women will ride on saddles; when people will cause their prayers to die and will follow their carnel desires; when people will turn usurers; when shedding of blood will become something insignificant; when trade and business of the people will be based on usury; when people will openly commit adultery; when they will make towering constructions; when they will consider lie to be lawful; when they will accept bribes; when they will follow their lusts and desire; when they will sell their religion for this world; when they will sever their relation (with others); when they will hold under obligation the one whom they feed; when they will consider forbearance to be the sign of weakness and feebleness and injustice to be an honour; when their rulers will be evil and their ministers liars; when the trustworthy amongst them will be traitors; when the helpers amongst them will be unjust; when the reciters of Quran will be transgressors; when cruelty and oppression will become manifest; when divorce will increase; when people will engage in debauchery and libertinism; when forced witness and lie will be accepted; when they will engage in drinking and gambling; when men will be mounted on; when women shall engage with women (indecent acts); when people will consider 'Zakat' to be a booty and charity to be a loss; when they will fear from the tongues of the wicked people; when Sufyani shall revolt from Syria and Yemen; when 'Baidah' which is between Mecca and Medina will sink; when a child from the progeny of Muhammad will be killed between 'Rukn' and 'Maqaam' and when a live voice will be heard from the heavens .crying out that the truth is with Mahdi and his followers. It will be then that our Qaem will emerge. When he re-appears, he will stand with his back against the wall of Ka'aba and 313 of his followers would gather around him. The first speech of Qaem would be the following verse:---

'What remains, with Allah is better for you if you are believers'.

Then he will say: I am the 'Baqiyatullah,' (God's remainder) representative and Proof of Allah upon you. After that, no Muslim would salute him but in this manner:

Assalamu-Alaika - ya Baqiyatullah-Fi-Arzeh (Peace be upon you 'O God's remainder on the earth)

As soon as 10000 men gather around him, no Jew or Christian will remain but that they will bring faith in him and religion shall be confined only to Islam.

A fire shall descend from the sky and will burn every object of worship (other than Allah) on the earth.

Some of the historians say: Mahdi is the same Awaited Qa'em. Traditions about Mahdi's emergence substantiate each other. Traditions manifest the luminous of Hazrat's light. It will not be long when the gloomy day and night of his Occultation will turn into brightness and luminosity. Due to his emergence the desired dawn shall rise and the veil of darkness of the night will be set aside. Hazrat will emerge from behind the veil of Occultation and the hearts will be filled with joy. His Justice, will reach the horizons and the luminousness of his Justice will be more than luminousness of the luminous moon.

This post contains information about about the helpers of Imam Al-Hujja , those who will pave the way for his occulation, and those that will oppose him. I have read many posts on this issue, and would just like to differentiate between what is supported by Hadeeth, and what isn't, as well as

This post is going to be split up into sections, each highlighted by a boldened title. I will restrict the traditions mentioned, to those that are 'sahih' (correct) and 'hasan' (good), All traditions mentioned are authentic, and their contexts exist in writing. Any traditions mentioned that are otherwise, will be labeled as such.


SAYED KHORASANI

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in chapter five narrates from Hafiz Abu Abdullah Na'eem - ibn -Hemaad who narrates from Sa'eed-ibn- Musayyeb that the Messenger of Allah said:

'A person from Bani-Abbass shall emerge from the East and whatever Allah Wishes will be established accordingly. Afterwards, men with small black flags will rise and will battle out with the offsprings of Abu Sufyan. They will prepare the ground for the obedience and submission of Mahdi.

In the same chapter of the afore-said book, its author narrates from Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad (from his book 'Fatan') that Muhammad-ibn-Hanafiya said: 'The people of the flag will emerge from Khorasan. Afterwards people of another flag with white will rise. A man from Bani-Tamim called as Tamim-ibn-Saleh will face them.... it will be then that people would seek and desire for Mahdi.

Again, in the same chapter of the same book, its author narrates from Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad and he from Shareey-ibn-Abdullah Rashid-ibn-Sa'ad and Hamza-ibn-Habib as such:

'The people of the East will swear allegiance to a person from Bani-Hashim who shall emerge with the army of Khorasan. A man from Bani-Tamim will face them.... If mountains confront him, he will destroy them. Later he will encounter the army of Sufyani and will defeat them. Fierce battle will take place with them and he will kill them. He will expel them from one place to another until he will defeat them in Iraq. Thereafter an incident shall occur between them as a result of which Sufyani will gain victory and the Hashimi man will escape towards Mecca and Tamim-ibn-Saleh (who is one of the leaders of the army of Hashimi) will escape towards Baitul-Muqaddas. When Mahdi shall reappear, the Hashimi man too will emerge.


KILLING OF NAFS-ZAKKIYAH

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in Section Chapter 4 narrates from Hafiz Abu Abdullah Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad (from the book 'Fatan') that Ammar Yasir said:

When Nafs-Zakkiyah will be killed a caller will call out from the heavens - 'Be aware that your ruler is so and so a person i.e. the Mahdi who shall fill the earth with truth and Justice.'

In the same section and the same chapter of the afore-said book, its author narrates from Hafiz Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad (from the book 'Fatan') who in turn narrates from ka'ab al-Ahbar as saying:

'Plundering of Medina will become lawful and Nafs-Zakkiyah will be killed.'

Again in section 3 and chapter 4 of the afore-said book its author narrates from Imam Hussein-ibn-Ali as such: There will be five signs for Mahdi. (1) Sufyani (2) Yamani (3) Heavenly cry (4) Sinking of the land of 'Baideh' and (5) Killing of Nafs-Zakkiyah.


DAJJAL'S UPRISING

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in chapter 5 narrates from Bukhari and Muslim and they in turn narrate from Ma'az-ibn-Jabal that the Holy Prophet said:

'A tribe from my nation will battle for the truth and will gain victory over the enemies until he will face Dajjal for the last time.'

In section 3, chapter 9 of the same book, the author narrates from the book 'Mustadlak' of Hakim Abu-Abdullah (who reckons the chain of transmission of this tradition to be correct provided it has been narrated by Muslim) who narrates from Jabil-ibn Samrah and that Nafeh-ibn-Uqbah said: I heard the Holy Prophet saying: 'You will battle with the people of Arabian Peninsula and will gain victory over them. Thereafter you will battle with the Persians and you will gain victory over them too. Then you will battle with Dajjal .....

In section 2 chapter 12 of the same book, the author narrates from Abul-Abbass Ahmad-ibn-Yahya-ibnTughlab as saying: 'The reason why Dajjal is called as Dajjal is because he displays everything in contrariety.

Again, in the same section and the same chapter of the afore-said book, the author narrates from Bukhari and he from Anas-ibn-Malik and he from the Holy Prophet as such: 'There is no Prophet but that whose nation terrifies the ominous and mendacious Dajjal....'

Ibn-Hajar in 'Sawa'eq' (page 99) has narrated from Abul-Hussein Abari as such: 'Abundant traditions related by successive hearsay have come down from the Holy Prophet regarding Mahdi's emergence; concerning the fact that Hazrat is from the progeny of the Holy Prophet; that he will rule for seven years; that he will fill the earth with Justice; that he will emerge along with Isa and the latter would help him in killing Dajjal....


SUFYANI'S UPRISING

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in section 2, chapter 4, narrates from Abdullah-ibn-Safwan and he from Hafsah (wife of the Holy Prophet) as such:

'I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: This house shall remain safe from an army which would attack it until the army takes position in a soft land. The centre row would sink in the ground while the first row would seek help from the last row. Then no one shall remain from them except the one who will inform about them.

A person addressed Abdullah-ibn-Safwan as such: I bear witness that you have not lied about Hafsah and she too has not lied about the Holy Prophet . This tradition has been narrated by Imam Muslim in his book 'Sahih'.

In the same chapter of the afore-said book, the author narrates from Imam Muslim (book of 'Sahih') who in turn narrates from Abdullah-ibn- Utbah who said: I approached Umm-ul-Mumineen (i.e. Umm-Salma, the wife of the Holy Prophet along with Harith-ibn-Abu Rabiyah and Abdullah-ibn Safnan. Both inquired from Umm-Salme about the army which would sink in the ground and Umm-Salma replied:- The Messenger of Allah said: A person will seek shelter in the House (Ka'aba?) Allah shall appoint an army and when they reach the soft land they will sink in it. I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah' How will be the state of the one who will be un-prosperous? He replied: He too shall sink with them but Allah will appoint him on the Day of Judgement as per his intention.

In one tradition, Imam Muhammad Baqir says: By 'soft land' it is meant Medina.

In section 3 chapter 4 of the same book, the author narrates from Hafiz Abu Abdullah Na'eem-ibnHemaad (book of Fatan) that Zuhri said: 'When Sufyani and Mahdi will encounter each other a cry will be heard from the heavens as such: Be aware Allah's saints are the helpers of so and so a person i.e. Mahdi .... .

In section 2, chapter 4 of the same book, the author narrates from Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad and he from Khalil-ibn-Sufyan as saying: Sufyani shall revolt and he will be having three pipes in his hand. He will not play on it for anyone but will die.

In section 2 chapter 4 of the same book, the author narrates from Hafiz Abu Abdullah Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad (book of Fatan) and Hafiz Abu Abdullah (book of Mustadrak) who reckon [the chain of transmission of this tradition to be authentic] and they from Ibn-Massoud that the Holy Prophet said: Be on guard against seven calamities which would occur after me: The sedition which would arise in Medina, the sedition which would arise in Mecca, the sedition which would arise in Yemen, the sedition which would appear in Syria, the sedition which would appear from the East, the sedition which would arise from the West and lastly the sedition which would arise from central Syria which would be the sedition of Sufyani.

Ibn-Massoud says: Some of you will perceive the beginning of these seditions while some of you will perceive the last part of it.

Walid-ibn-Abbass says: The sedition of Medina was the very one which appeared from Thalha and Zubair, the seditiion of Mecca was the very one from Ibn-Zubair; the sedition of Yemen ascended from Najdah's side; the sedition of Syria appeared from Bani-Ummayah and sedition of central Syria is through this group.

In section 2, chapter 4 of 'Eqdud-Durar' its author narrates from Jabir-ibn-Yazid Ju'afi that Hazrat Imam Muhammad Baqir addressed Jabir as such: 'O Jabir! Sit firmly in your place until I describe for you the signs ..... Three flags will set out from Syria: Red and white flag, black and white flags and the flag of Sufyani ..... Sufyani shall dispatch 10000 men towards Kufa. They will plunder, kill and take as captives its inhabitants. When they will engage in these activities, men from Khorasan holding flags will march forward with swiftness. They are Mahdi's helpers.... Sufyani shall dispatch troops towards Medina and Mahdi shall escape from Medina to Mecca. The commander of the Sufyani's army shall be informed about Mahdi's flight towards Mecca.

Najdeh-ibn-Aamer Hanafi was one of the Khawarij who commands his army to persue Mahdi but they will not find him.... The commander of Sufyanis army shall descend over the land of 'Baidah' (soft land between Mecca and Medina) and a caller from the heavens shall cry out: 'O baidah! destroy this group'. Then the land of Baidah shall swallow them.

The author of 'Yanabi-ul-Muwadda' (page 414) has narrated from the book 'Durrul-Monzoom' as such: 'One of the signs of Mahdi's emergence will be the revolt of Sufyani. He will dispatch 30000 men towards Mecca where they will sink in the land of Baidah'....

Ibn Abil-Hadid in his 'commentary of Nahjul-Balagha (vol. 1, pg. 21 1) on the occasion when Ali delivered a sermon on the 'Ghaib' (unseen)says:- 'Abu Dawoud Thayalesi has narrated from Sulaiman Zarriq who has narrated from Abdul Aziz-ibn- Suhib who has narrated from Abul-A'alia that Mazrah (who was one of Ali's followers) said: 'An army shall advance until it reaches the land of Baidah. There, the army would sink in the ground.'

Abul-A'alia says: I asked Mazrah whether he would give me the news of the unseen and he replied: Keep guard of whatever I tell you since a reliable man like Ali-ibn-Abi Talib has informed me.

Ibn-Abid Hadid says: The tradition of 'Sinking in the ground' has been narrated by Bukhari and Muslim in their books of 'Sahih' from Umm-Salme (may Allah be satisfied with her) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: 'A group will seek shelter in the Ka'aba until they reach 'Baidah' and then the ground would swallow them.

I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Perhaps the discontented people are amongst them! The Messenger of Allah said: The land shall swallow them but they will be gathered. Or he said: They will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement according to their intentions. Ibn-Abi Hadid says: Imam Muhammad Baqir was asked whether every land was called as 'Baidah' and Imam replied: Never. Rather 'Baidah' is in Medina. Bukhari has narrated a part of this tradition while Muslim has narrated the rest.

The author of 'Esaaf-ul-Raghebeen' on page 153 says: It is mentioned in traditions that Sufyani will dispatch troops from Syria against Mahdi and they will sink in the ground at 'Baidah'. None will remain alive except the person who will spread news about them. Sufyani and Mahdi will approach that person along with their respective followers and victory will be on Mahdi's side and Sufyani will be killed.... The author says: I have not come across any authentic traditions which have revealed the matter of meeting of the two afore-said armys - Perhaps it is between Kufa and Medina - Allah Knows best.

MAHDI'S HELPERS

Ibn-Hajar in 'Sawa'eq' (on page 98) has narrated from Ibn-Asaker that Ali has said: 'When the 'Qae'm' from the progeny of Muhammad will emerge, Allah will gather together the inhabitants of the East and West. His companions will be from Kufa and the brave ones who would assist him would be from Syria.....

The author of Eqdud-Durar (section two, chapter four) has narrated from Jabir-ibn-Yazid Jua'fi who has narrated from Imam Muhammad Baqir a lenghty tradition where he has mentioned in it some of the signs of Mahdi's emergence: the revolt of Sufyani, Mahdi's escape from Medina to Mecca until he says: Allah will gather together for Mahdi 313 of his companions.....

In the same book (section one, chapter four) its author narrates from Hakim Abu Abdullah (from his book 'Mustadrak') that Muhammad-ibn-Hanafia said: 'We were in the presence of Ali. A person asked Hazrat some questions about Mahdi. Hazrat (A.S.) replied: Alas! and he repeated the word seven times and then said: Mahdi will emerge at the end of time when those who would call out the name of Allah would be killed.

Thereafter Allah will gather together a group whose sagacity and agility will be like a cloud and He will make their hearts intimate towards each other. They will neither fear anyone nor will they flee. Their number will be equal to the number of the companions of 'Badr'. Neither the people of the past took precedent over them nor the people of the future will comprehend them. Their number will be equal to the number of the companions who crossed the river with the Saul.....

In the seventh chapter of the same book, the author narrates from Abu Amro Osman-ibn-Sa'eed Muqarri (from his 'Sunan') who narrates fromHuzaifa-ibnYaman that the Messenger of Allah while narrating about Mahdi and his emergence has said: Courageous men from Syria will hasten towards Hazrat along with their followers while sober men from Egypt too will join him. Yet another group will proceed from the East until they reach Mecca and swear allegiance to him.....

The author of 'Yanabi-ul-Muwadda' (on page 449) has narrated from Ganji who in turn has narrated from Ibn Athim Kufi that Ali has said: Bravo! to the people of Thaleqan because Allah has hidden treasures amongst them which are neither gold nor silver. Rather they are those people, who have recognized Allah in the true sense and they will be Mahdi's helpers at the end of time.

The author of Esaaf-ur-Reghebeen (on page 150) says: It is true that the Holy Prophet said: Discord will arise at the time of a Caliphs death. Thereafter he mentioned about Mahdi's emergence at Mecca, the allegiance which people will swear to him at Mecca, the sinking of Sufyanis army at 'Baidah' and then said: When people will witness this miracle from Mahdi the brave men from Syria and groups of people from Iraq will approach Hazrat and swear allegiance to him.....

THE ANGELS WILL ASSIST MAHDI

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' (chapter five) narrates from Abu Amro Osman-ibn-Sa'eed Muqarri (from his 'Sunan') who in turn narrates from Huzaifa-ibn-Yaman that the Holy Prophet said: Allegiance will be sworn to Mahdi between Rukn and Maqaam. He will proceed towards Syria with Gibra'eel in front of him and Micha'eel on his right....

In section one, chapter four of the same book, its author narrates from Imam Muhammad Baqir a tradition wherein he mentions about Mahdi's emergence and his allegiance between Rukn and Maqaam and then says: Gibra'eel would be on his right and Micha'eel on his left .....

Again, in the seventh chapter of the afore-said book, the author narrates from Abu Amro Osman-ibn Sa'eed Muqarri (from his 'Sunan') who in turn narrates from Huzaifa-ibn-Yaman that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.A.) while mentioning about Mahdi's emergence and his allegiance between Rukn and Maqam says: Mahdi's attention will be directed towards Syria while Gibra'eel would be in front of him and Micha'eel on his left.

DESCENSION OF ISA-IBN-MARYAM

Bukhari in his 'Sahih' (vol. 2 Pg. 158) narrates from Abu Huraira, that the Messenger of Allah said: 'How be it at the time when Ibne Maryam will descend down amongst you and your Imam will be from you.'

Then the author of 'Eqdud-Durar' (in chapter ten) has narrated the same tradition from 'Sahih' of Muslim.

In chapter one of 'Eqdud-Durar' its author narrates from Abu Na'eem (from the book of Manaqib-e-Mahdi) who narrates from Abu Sa'eed Khudri that the Messenger of Allah said: 'The one behind whom Isa, the son of Maryam will pray is from my progeny.' Also, in the same chapter of the same book, he has narrated a similar tradition from Na'eem-ibn-Hemad (from the book 'Fatan').

Author says: Traditions in this regard are abundant and this saying is an authentic saying in which the renowned ones believe. The Sunni scholars too believe in this saying. The saying that Mahdi will follow Isa-ibn-Maryam and which can be seen in some of the traditions or books are few in number and are unworthy of attention.

The author of Esaaf-ur-Raghebeen (on page 159) has narrated from Shaikh Mohyidin Arabi from his book of 'Futouhat' as such: 'The Almighty God will make Isa-ibn-Maryam descend over the white Minaret which is on the East of Damascus along with two angels where one would be on his right side and the other on his left. People at that time would be engaged in their evening prayers. When Isa will descend, Imam will offer his place to Isa who in turn would go ahead and recite (the congregation) prayers with the people.

After narrating this tradition the author of 'Fotouhat' says:- This saying that Isa will recite prayers with the people at the time of his descension, is inconsistent with the past traditions saying: The one who will recite prayers with the people is Mahdi'. Thereafter he says: The saying that people would be engaged in evening prayers at the time of Isa's descension is inconsistent with what history says that: People would be engaged in morning prayers at the time of Isa's descension.

Ibn-Hajar in his 'Sawa'eq' (on page 99) says: What is apparent is this that Mahdi's emergence will take place before Isa's descension, while it is said that it would occur after Isa's descension.

Abul-Hassan Abari says: Abundent traditions with succeSsive transmission have come at hand from Hazrat Mustafa that: Mahdi will emerge; that Mahdi is from the progeny of the Holy Prophet; that Mahdi will rule for seven years; that Mahdi will fill the earth with justice; that Mahdi will emerge along with Isa that Isa will assist Mahdi in killing Dajjal at the Gate of Lud in Palestine; that Mahdi will lead this nation and Isa will pray behind Hazrat.

Ibn-Hajar says: Abul-Hassan's statement that Mahdi would lead the prayers and Isa would stand behind him is a matter which is substantiated by traditions just as we have mentioned before. However Taftazani's statement that Isa would lead Mahdi because of the former being more superior that the latter and so Isa is more preferable and worthy is without any evidence. This is because Mahdi's Imamate (leadership) for Isa means that Isa will descend from the heavens so that he remains as a follower of our Holy Prophet and remains governed by his 'Shariat' (religious laws) and does not possess any independence for his own 'Shariat'. Moreover the matter that Isa will follow someone from this nation (i.e. Mahdi) eventhough Isa may be more superior than the Imam whom he follows, is so explicit and clear that nothing remains concealed from this matter.

Besides, we can gather together these two sayings and say: 'Isa will first of all follow Mahdi in order that he manifests his motive (i.e. following the Islandi path) and after that Mahdi will follow Isa so that he has had acted upon the essence of the principle.

Author says: Ibn-Hajar's objection and reply to Taftazani's views is a matter to think about just as the same is not concealed from our respected readers.

The author of Esaaf-ur-Raghebeen (on page 163) says: In the book of 'Kashf' Suyuti has narrated in various ways that after descending down, Isa would live for a period of forty years. Again Suyuti in his book 'E'alam' says: 'AS explicitly mentioned by the scholars Isa will judge as per the Shariat of our Holy Prophet. Traditions have come down in this regard and a consensus too has been agreed upon.

Author says: Traditions in this regard are numerous where in the third chapter of this book traditions have already been mentioned through Ganji's tongue which are compatible with this matter.

[LionHeart-112]

I'm desperately awaiting him. Can you please page me when he comes?

[MARKANO]

Allahuma Ajmac beynanaa wa bayna Sahibul Zaman, Siyiddinaa Mahdi AS. AcjalahuLaah, AjaabanaLaah, AyaddahuLaah, AjaabanaLaah, NasarahuLaah, AjaabanaLaah, AmmaddahuLaahi, Ajaaban. Allahuma Ajacalnaa minu junnuuddihi.
Amin