Prayer TimesThe Qur'an does not mention Imam Mahdi or his coming. However, hadith scholars such as Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Tabarani, Abu Ya'la, Bazzar, Ahmad ibn Hanbal have transmitted several hadiths about Imam Mahdi from prominent Companions. In some of these, the name of Imam Mahdi is mentioned explicitly, while in others it is implied. Some scholars, like Ibn Khaldun, have considered these hadiths to be weak.
Religious sources describe the following: "As the end times approach, Imam Mahdi will appear in the lands of Mecca and Medina. After a caliph dies and disorder spreads among Muslims, a man from Medina will flee to Mecca. A group from Mecca will meet him and, despite his reluctance, pledge allegiance to him between the Rukn and Maqam. This man will be Imam Mahdi.
He will be from the family of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), a descendant of Imam Hasan, the son of Ali and Fatima (may Allah be pleased with them). The word ‘Mahdi’ (المهدي) means ‘one who is rightly guided and who guides others to the right path.’
An army will be sent against Imam Mahdi from the region of Sham (Greater Syria). Between Mecca and Medina, the earth will swallow them up. When news of this reaches the leaders of Sham and Iraq, they will come and pledge allegiance to Imam Mahdi.
Later, he will go to the mosque in Jerusalem. At that time, the Dajjal will also appear. Then, Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) will descend at the eastern minaret of the city of Damascus in Sham. He will also come to fight the Dajjal. Together, they will kill the Dajjal. When they pray together, Prophet Isa will appoint Imam Mahdi to lead the prayer (Sharh Kitab al-Fiqh al-Akbar, pp. 191-192).
Imam Mahdi will revive the Sunnah of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) among the people, and Islam will become firmly established on earth. Imam Mahdi will be a generous person. He will distribute all wealth to the people without counting it. He will be caliph for seven years. When he dies, Muslims will perform his funeral prayer."
The Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jama'ah believe in the coming of Imam Mahdi. However, they do not consider those who deny his coming to be disbelievers.
Prepared by Hasan AMANKUL,
"Munara" newspaper, No. 22, 2021
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.