Chapter Two
Al-Mahdi, Muhammad bin Abdullah
The Rightly Guided Caliph
All those who are gifted with sound comprehension know that the Mahdi, who the Shiites are waiting for, does not and did not exist. The Muslim nation has faced numerous hardships and calamities because of this mystical belief that the Shiites carry and propagate regarding this Mahdi.
In the Shiite mythology, believing in the Imams is a cornerstone of their faith. However, such mythology is similar to Greek and Persian mythology, as well as the beliefs of the other nations of Al-Jahiliyah.
The Sunnis believe that Al-Mahdi will be an ordinary man, born to an ordinary woman, raised by ordinary men and living an ordinary life with the people of his time. He will not live in caves, as the Shiites believe. They are waiting for their Mahdi to appear from an alleged cave, where they claim he has been in hiding for over ten centuries.
In reality, Al-Mahdi will be an Imam and a Caliph, among other Caliphs who rule Muslims with justice. However, what differentiates Al-Mahdi from other Caliphs is that he will meet Jesus son of Mary r .
Also, Jesus, the Prophet of Allah, will pray behind Al-Mahdi. Allah will give Al-Mahdi the ability to righteously rule the Muslim nation in the span of a night. He will fill the earth with justice, as it was filled with injustice. He will lead the Muslim nation to the second conquering of Constantinople and possibly Rome.
A Caliphate That Follows the Guidance of the Prophet r
The Prophet Muhammad r mentioned that just before the end of this world, the Muslim nation will be ruled by a Caliphate that will follow the guidance sent with the Messenger of Allah r .
Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman reported that the Messenger of Allah r said, “Prophethood (meaning himself) will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain, then Allah will raise it up whenever he wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood remaining with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, He will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a reign of violently oppressive rule and it will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, there will be a reign of tyrannical rule and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, Allah will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Then, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood.” Then Hudhaifah said, “The Prophet stopped speaking.”
The reason behind mentioning this Hadith here is to state that Al-Mahdi will live in the last period of rightly guided Caliphs that the Messenger of Allah r mentioned.
In this Hadith, the Messenger of Allah divided the history of the Muslim nation into the following stages:
1. The reign of the Prophet Muhammad himself r .
2. A Caliphate that rules according to the guidance revealed to the Messenger of Allah r . This period is called the reign of the rightly guided Caliphs, starting with Abu Bakr, then Umar, then Uthman and ending with the murder of Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them all. Some scholars included the short reign of Al-Hasan bin Ali, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah r . These are the thirty years which the Messenger of Allah r stated comprised the reign of the rightly guided Caliphs.
3. The reign of unjust rule. This reign contains some injustice to a varying degree between one king and another. This period started after Al-Hasan bin Ali and includes the Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluks and until the fall of the Ottoman State in the twentieth century.
This period includes all states that ruled in the Muslim World during those centuries. However, we exclude the reign of those rulers whose rule was similar to the rule of the rightly guided Caliphs, such as the reign of Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr and Umar bin Abdul-Aziz. These two are considered among the just Caliphs from among the tribe of Quraish who ruled or will rule the Muslim nation.
4. The reign of the tyrannical rule. This period started in the end of the Ottoman state and continues. We ask Allah that He saves us from the evils of this period and that we witness its end soon.
This reign includes all the regimes that ruled the Muslim World, whether imperial, party oriented, governments controlled by the disbelievers, like those after World War I, populist or republic, which all sought to deprive Allah from His right as the Only Legislator in all matters of life and religion.
When the Messenger of Allah r mentioned the periods that this nation will experience, he categorized them according to the type of government, whether unjust, or that which follows the guidance of the Prophet, or autocratic and tyrannical, as we experience today.
5. The return of a Caliphate that rules following the guidance of the Prophet r . This period requires the Muslims to be prepared and strive for its imminent coming, by spreading the knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah and the way of our righteous ancestors, As-Salaf As-Salih. This is because nothing can resurrect this nation except that which resurrected its ancestors. Until this final period comes, the religion will become a stranger, the same way it started in Makkah, a stranger to its masters and slaves, the powerful and the weak, its women, and its children.
Those who will strive to establish this righteous period are those ghurabaa, strangers as the Messenger of Allah r called them, who will carry this religion with knowledge, sound comprehension and determination. They will willingly sacrifice their well-being, face hardships, and persecution, with patience and steadfastness. They will follow the advice of the Messenger of Allah r , when he said, “Therefore, hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs, hold it between your front teeth! And beware of innovations (in the religion), for every innovation is a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is a deviation, and every deviation is in the Fire.”
The ghurabaa are the ones who, by the will of Allah, will correct that which people have altered and changed of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah r after his departure from this earthly life. They will fight in the sake of Allah and dominate those who oppose them. They will be unrelenting even in the face of those who abandon or defy them, until Allah brings about His Decree (the Hour), while they are steadfast on this path. We ask Allah, the Praised and Ever-High One, that He grants us steadfastness on the path of His Messenger r and the path taken by the companions and those who followed their lead until the Day of Judgment.
The hadiths about al-Mahdi and the signs that he is rightly guided
There are several Hadiths about Al-Mahdi. Some of which are weak, but popular with some people. However, there are several authentic Hadiths, some hasan (accepted) and some sahih (authentic), as scholars of Hadith have agreed. The following are some of these authentic Hadiths regarding Al-Mahdi.
Umm Salamah, the wife of the Messenger of Allah r , narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “Al-Mahdi is from my family, a descendant of Fatimah.”
Also, Ibn Mas’ud narrated that the Prophet r said, “If even one day remain in this life, then Allah would lengthen that day until a man, from among my family is raised up. His name will be like my name and his father’s name will be like my father’s name. He will fill the earth with justice and fairness as it was filled with injustice and inequity.”
Also, Ali bin Abi Talib said that the Prophet r said, “If there was even one day left of life, then Allah would raise up a man from among my family who will fill it (the earth) with justice as it was filled with injustice.”
Ahmad, Abu Dawood and At-Tirmidhi narrated that Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet r said, “Life will not end nor vanish until a man from among my family, whose name is like my name, rules.”
Therefore, Al-Mahdi is from the descendants of the Messenger of Allah r , from his family, and his name is Muhammad bin Abdullah. However, it is not entirely clear if he will be a descendant of Al-Hasan or Al-Husain. This is because the narrations which mention this matter are all weak. Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah suggested that Al-Mahdi is a descendant of Al-Hasan Ibn Ali, because he accepted a saying that was attributed to Ali bin Abi Talib. However, Muhammad Nasirud-Din Al-Albani rendered this narration weak in his edition of Mishkat-ul-Masabih.
As for his physical description, Abu Sa`id reported that the Messenger of Allah r said, as was correctly narrated by Abu Dawood and Al-Hakim, “Al-Mahdi will come from me (my lineage). His forehead is wide and his nose is long, thin and pointed. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with injustice and inequity. He will rule for seven years.” This Hadith specified that Al-Mahdi’s rule will last for seven years.
Also, Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “The earth will be filled with inequity and injustice. When it is full of inequity and injustice, Allah will raise up a man from me, his name is like mine and his father’s name is like my father’s. He will fill it (the earth) with justice and equity. He will stay with you seven or eight (years). If he stays longer, it will be nine.”
Upon his second coming, Jesus will pray behind Al-Mahdi. Bukhari and Muslim narrated that Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah r said, “How will you be when the son of Mary descends to you and your Imam is from among you?”
Also, Abu Na’im recorded an authentic sanad to Abu Sa`id that said that the Messenger of Allah r said, “Among us is the one whom Jesus son of Mary, will pray behind.”
Imam Muslim recorded that Jabir bin Abdullah said that he heard the Messenger of Allah r saying, “A group of my nation will fight while holding fast to the Truth remaining victorious till the Day of Judgment.” Then, the Messenger said, “Then Jesus son of Mary, r will descend. Their leader will say, ‘Come lead us in prayer.’ He will say, ‘No. Some of you are leaders of others as an honor from Allah for this nation.’”
Al-Mahdi is the one whom we believe the following Hadith refers to; “Among the last of my nation, there will be a Caliph who will give away money by the handful and will not count it.” This is part of a Hadith that Imam Muslim recorded in his Sahih.
In another narration of this Hadith, the Messenger of Allah r said, “From among your Caliphs is a Caliph who will give away money by the handfuls and will not count it.”.
These Hadiths only serve to show that wars between Muslims and their enemies will be many. Also, these Hadiths show that Muslim victories over the disbelievers and as a consequence, war possessions, will be in abundance during that time.
As for the appearance of Al-Mahdi, it will happen after Allah prepares him to lead this nation, as the Messenger of Allah r said, “Al-Mahdi is among us, Ahlu Al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet r ). Allah will prepare him (for leadership) overnight.” This Hadith means that Allah prepares Al-Mahdi to lead this nation overnight, and Allah has the perfect Knowledge.
The Messenger of Allah r described Al-Mahdi as being righteous, by saying, “And their Imam is a righteous man...”
After Allah I prepares Al-Mahdi for leadership, leaders of that time will try to kill him. Al-Mahdi will escape and take refuge in Makkah, along with some of his loyalists, having no credible force, neither in terms of numbers nor arms. An army will be sent after him to kill him. This fact was reported by Imam Muslim, when he narrated that Umm Salamah said, “The Messenger of Allah r said, ‘A refugee will seek refuge in Al-Bayt (the Grand Mosque in Makkah). An army will be sent after him until they reach Al-Baydaa, when the earth will collapse underneath of them.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! How about he who disliked (going after him)?’ He said, ‘The earth will collapse underneath of them, but he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment according to his real intention.’”
Also, Imam Muslim reported that Hafsah heard the Messenger of Allah r saying, “An invading army will head towards Al-Bayt. When they reach Al-Baydaa, the earth will collapse underneath of their mid-line forces. Their front lines will call to those in the rear. Then the earth will collapse underneath of them. None will remain except some survivors who will tell about their fate.” In another narration of this Hadith, Hafsah reported that the Messenger of Allah r said, “A group of refugees, who have no credible forces in terms of numbers or arms will take refuge in this House and an army will be sent after them. When they reach Al-Baydaa, The earth will collapse underneath of them.”
Also, Imam Muslim reported that Aaishah said, “The Messenger of Allah r moved in an unusual manner during his sleep. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! You did something in your sleep that we never saw you do before.’ He said, ‘A strange thing indeed is the fact that some of my nation will head towards Al-Bayt, where a man from Quraish will take refuge in the House. When they reach a Al-Baydaa, the earth will collapse underneath of them. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! The road gathers various kinds of people.’ He said, ‘Yes, indeed. Among them will be those who seek directions (to Makkah), those who are forced, and the wayfarers. However, they will all perish and will be resurrected apart, for Allah will resurrect them according to their intentions.’”
Also, Umm Salamah said that the Prophet r said, “A group of my nation will perish due to a collapse of the earth. They will be sent to (kill) a man who will come to Makkah, but Allah will give him refuge from them. The earth will collapse underneath of them. Even though they will all perish together, they will be resurrected apart because some of them will hate (to go after Al-Mahdi to kill him), but will be forced to join them (the army).”
Also, the wife of Al-Qa’qaa’ bin Abi Hadrad Al-Aslami said that she heard the Messenger of Allah r say, “O people! When you hear of an army that perished by the earth’s collapsing nearby here, then the Hour is imminent.”
These Hadiths state that an army will be sent after Al-Mahdi, who will take refuge in the House along with some of the believers who follow him. This army will perish in Al-Baydaa, a flat piece of land next to Madinah facing Makkah's direction.
Afterwards, Al-Mahdi will be given a pledge of allegiance as a Caliph for Muslims. He will lead Muslims to many battles in jihad. His reign will be a Caliphate that will follow the guidance of the Prophet and many battles will ensue between Muslims and the disbelievers during his time, until Allah sends down Jesus son of Mary r .
It is during Al-Mahdi’s reign that the second conquering of Constantinople (Istanbul) will occur, just before the appearance of Al-Masih Al-Dajjal and the second coming of Jesus r .
Yusayr bin Jabir said, “A red sandstorm erupted in the city of Al-Kufah. Afterwards, a man came shouting and repeating the same words, ‘O Abdullah bin Mas’ud! The Hour has come.” He (Yusayr) then said that he sat up after he was leaning (on his side) and said, ‘The Hour will not arrive until no inheritance will be divided and no war possessions will bring about satisfaction.’ He pointed with his hand towards Ash-Sham saying, ‘An enemy will gather its forces against the followers of Islam.’ I said, ‘Do you mean Ar-Rum?’ He said, ‘Yes. Then, during this war, fierce fighting will occur. Muslims will ask for a volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates between them. Both sides will return to their camps not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. Muslims will then (in the second day) ask for a volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates between them. Both sides will return to their camps not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. Then, (in the third day) Muslims will ask for a volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night and both sides will return to their camps not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. In the fourth day, the rest of the Muslim forces will all stand up against them (the disbelievers) and Allah will defeat them (the disbelievers). They will suffer casualties never heard of before...’ or he said, ‘Never seen before, even birds flying near them will not pass without falling down dead. Afterwards, sons of the same father (from the Muslims side), who were near a hundred, will count the survivors and will find out that only one of them survived. Therefore, what war possessions will bring satisfaction and what inheritance will be divided? While they are doing this they will hear of an even a bigger calamity; that is, a man will scream amongst them that the Dajjal has appeared among their families whom they left behind. They will discard what they have in their hands and proceed. They will send ten horsemen as an expedition force. The Messenger of Allah r said, ‘I know their names and their fathers names and the colors of their horses. They will be the best horsemen on the face of earth,’ or (he said) ‘(They) will be among the best horsemen on the face of earth.’”
Also, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “The Hour will not begin until after Ar-Rum camp in Al-A’amaq or Dabiq. Then, an army from Madinah, among the most righteous people on earth those days, will head their way. When the two camps face each other, Ar-Rum will say, ‘Let us get through to those who captured some of us, so we can fight them.’ The Muslims will say, ‘No, by Allah! We will never let you get through to our brothers.’ They will fight them and a third of the (Muslim army) will run away, they are those whom Allah will never forgive. Another third will be martyred, they are the best martyrs in the sight of Allah. The (last) third will be victorious and they will never fall to fitnah. They will conquer Constantinople. Afterwards, while they are dividing the war possessions and hanging their swords on olive trees, Satan will shout among them, ‘The (False) Messiah has appeared among your families.’ They will head back home to face him. Although, this warning will be False, when they reach Ash-Sham, he will appear. While they are preparing to fight, straightening their lines, the prayer will be called for and Jesus son of Mary, will descend and rule them. When the enemy of Allah (the Dajjal) sees him, he will dissolve, just as salt dissolves in water. If he was left alone, he would dissolve until he perished. However, Allah kills him by his (Jesus’) hand and he will show them (the Muslims) his blood on his spear.’”
This Hadith mentioned that Jesus r will lead the Muslim Nation. In another narration of this Hadith, Muslim reported Abu Hurairah saying, “And he (Jesus) will rule you by the Book of your Lord (Al-Qur’an) and the Sunnah of your Prophet (r ).”
This narration clearly states that Jesus will rule the Muslims by the Qur’an and the Sunnah and not by the Law that he delivered to the Children of Israel.
Before the war between Ar-Rum and the Muslims erupts, there will be a truce between them. Then, Ar-Rum will treacherously break the truce and come to face the Muslims with eighty divisions, each division comprising of ten thousand, and in another narration “... twelve thousand soldiers.” This is when Al-Malhamah will start and when the Muslims will defeat Ar-Rum.
Abu Dawood reported that one of the companions of the Prophet r said that the Messenger of Allah r said, “You will conduct a truce with Ar-Rum and will join them in fighting an enemy behind you. You will (both) be victorious and divide war possessions and will be safe. You will head back until you camp at Marj Thi Tuloul. Then, a Christian man will raise the cross and shout, ‘The cross has won victory.’ A Muslim man will become angry and kill him. This is when Ar-Rum will show their treachery and gather for Al-Malhamah.’”
Also, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban reported that the Messenger of Allah r said, “You will conduct a truce with Ar-Rum and both invade an enemy from behind you and you will be safe, acquiring war possessions. Then, you will camp by Marj Thi Tuloul. A Rumi man will stand up, and raise the cross saying, ‘The cross has won victory!’ A man from among the Muslims will stand up and kill him. Ar-Rum will break the truce, and Al-Malahim will start. They will gather their forces to face you and come in eighty divisions, each division having ten thousand (soldiers).’” In another narration, Abu Malik Al-Ashja’i said that the Messenger r said, “There will be a truce between you and the blond ones (Ar-Rum) and they will break the truce. Then, they will come to you in eighty divisions, with each division twelve thousand (soldiers).”
During Al-Malhamah, the Muslim’s fustat will be docked at Al-Ghoutah, an area that surrounds the city of Damascus. Al-fustat is the main camping ground for the army.
Abu Ad-Dardaa narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “The Muslims’ fustat, during Al-Malhamah, is near a city called Damascus, one of the best cities in Ash-Sham.”
In another narration he (r ) said, “The Muslims’ fustat during the Great Malhamah is in a land called Al-Ghoutah, in a city called Damascus, the best of where Muslims reside then.”
This is where Muslims from Ash-Sham, the Arabian Peninsula and other Muslim areas will gather to fight against Allah’s enemies. All these Muslims, including mawali will be united on the religion of Allah fighting with their brethren for the sake of Allah.
Ibn Majah reported that Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah r said, “When the fights begin Allah will send mawali who will have the best horses among the Arabs, and best arms. Allah will make the religion victorious through them.” We ask Allah that he unites this ummah and raise the jahiliyah and the differences from it.
Allah will grant victory for Muslims at Al-Malhamah and they will conquer Constantinople without using weapons to enter it.
The Messenger of Allah r said, “Have you heard of a city that is surrounded by land from one side and by sea from the other?” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “The Hour will not begin until seventy thousand offspring of Ishmael invade it. When they reach it, they will camp without having had to use a weapon or throw an arrow in fighting. They will say, ‘La Ilaha illa Allah wa-Allahu Akbar.’ Then, one of its sides (the city wall) that is next to the sea will collapse. They will say for the second time, ‘La Ilaha illa Allah wa-Allahu Akbar,’ and the second side (the wall that is next to the land) will collapse. They will say for the third time, ‘La Ilaha illa Allah wa-Allahu Akbar,’ and there will be sufficient holes (in its walls) through which they will enter and collect war possessions. While they are dividing the war possessions, a heralder will come to them, saying, ‘The Dajjal has appeared.’ Then, they will discard everything and return (to Ash-Sham).”
Muslims’ Victories Before the Dajjal's Appearance
Jabir bin Samurah narrated, “Nafi’ bin ‘Utbah said, ‘We were accompanying the Messenger of Allah r to a battle.’ Then, he (Nafi’) said, ‘Then, some people from the west (of Madinah) came to the Prophet wearing clothes made of wool and they met him next to a mound. They were standing while the Messenger of Allah r was sitting.’ He (Nafi’) then said, ‘So I told myself, “Let me come closer to them and stand between them and him so that they will not assassinate him.” He (Nafi’) then said, ‘(Then, I said to myself) “They may be having a conversation with him.” However, I came close by and stood between them and him.’ He (Nafi’) then said, ‘And then I memorized four sentences from him, and I can count them with my hand. He said, “You will invade the Arabian Peninsula and Allah will grant it (to you). Then (you will conquer) Persia and Allah will grant it (to you). Then, you will invade Ar-Rum and Allah will grant it (to you). Then, you will invade The Dajjal and Allah will grant him (to you).” Nafi’ said to Jabir, “O Jabir! We do not believe that the Dajjal will appear until Ar-Rum is conquered.”
The land of Ar-Rum is Europe and Rome is its heart. The Messenger of Allah gave us the good tidings that we will conquer Rome, the capital of Christendom today, after the Muslims conquered the first capital of Christendom, Constantinople.
Imam Ahmad narrated that Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-Aas said, “While we were around the Messenger of Allah, writing (the Hadith) the Messenger of Allah r was asked, ‘Which of these two cities will be conquered first, Constantinople or Romiyah (Rome)?’ He said, ‘The city of Heraclius will first be conquered.’ He meant Constantinople.”
Chapter Three
Jesus son of Mary r
Allah I refuted the Jews in their claim that they crucified Prophet Jesus son of Mary, saying,
[ And their saying; “We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah” but they did not kill him, nor crucified him, rather it appeared to them so. And those who differ about it are full of doubts and they have no knowledge about it except that they follow conjecture. For a surety they did not kill him. But Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.] [4:157-158],
and;
[ And when Allah said, “O Jesus! I am taking you and raising you to Myself and clearing you of those who disbelieve...”] [3:55].
Therefore, Jesus r was neither killed nor crucified and he will come to this earth for a second time to fight the disbelievers and force them to accept Islam. Some of the People of the Book will believe in him, as Allah I said,
[ And there is none of the people of the Scripture, but must believe in him before his death And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them.] [4:159].
We mentioned the Hadith by An-Nawwas bin Sam’an reporting that Jesus son of Mary, will descend next to the white minaret in eastern Damascus. The same Hadith also mentions that any disbeliever whom Jesus’ breath reaches will perish and his breath reaches as far as his sight reaches. We also mentioned that the Dajjal will be killed by the hand of Jesus r .
We will now mentioned Jesus’ physical description and his work during his second coming to earth.
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “During the Night of Al-Israa, I passed by Moses son of Imraan r , and I saw that he has dark brown skin, he was tall with curly hair and he looked just like one of the men of Shanoo’ah. And I saw Jesus son of Mary; he was well-built, (and the color of his skin was) between red and white and his hair was soft.”
Also, Imam Muslim reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “The Prophets were paraded for me (during the Night of Al-Israa) and I found that Moses was a man who looks just like the men of Shanoo’ah. I also saw Jesus son of Mary r and found that the one who resembles him the most is Urwah bin Mas’ud. He was well-built, his color was red as if he has just been to a bath.”
Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “One night I saw myself in the Ka’bah and I saw a light colored man, as beautiful as a light color in men can be, with his hair reaching the ears as beautiful as any hair can be. He combed it and it was dripping water. He was leaning on two men -- or on the shoulders of two men-- circling the Ka’bah. I asked, ‘Who is this?’ I was told, ‘This is the Messiah, son of Mary...’”
Also, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “There was no Prophet between me and Jesus and he will descend, and if he does, know him. He is a well-built man, (the color of his skin ) between red and white. He will descend while wearing two pieces of clothes. His head looks like it is dripping even though no moisture touched it. He will fight people to accept Islam, breaking the cross, killing the pig and banishing Al-Jizyah. During his time, Allah will destroy all religions except Islam and destroy Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal. He (Jesus) will remain for forty years on earth, then when he dies the Muslims will pray for him.”
The Messenger of Allah described the time when Jesus descends, his work and the situation of Muslims then. He said, “And their Imam is a righteous man. While their Imam has moved forward to lead them in the dawn prayer, Jesus son of Mary, will descend to them in the morning. That Imam will step back so that Jesus can move forward. However, Jesus will lay his hand between his shoulders and then say to him, ‘Move forward and pray for the prayer was called for you (to lead)’. Their Imam will lead the prayer for them. When he goes, Jesus will say, ‘Open the gate,’ and they will open while the Dajjal, along with seventy thousand Jews all wearing beautified swords and sheaths, will be behind it. When the Dajjal looks at him he will dissolve as salt dissolves in water and will start running away. (Jesus will follow him and) will catch him close to the eastern gate of Lud and kill him. Then, Allah will defeat the Jews, they will not find refuge under anything that Allah created. Everything, whether a stone, tree, wall or animal - except the boxthorn tree - because it is one of their trees, will be made by Allah to speak, saying, ‘O Slave of Allah, O Muslim! Here is a Jew, come and kill him.’ Jesus son of Mary will be a just ruler and a fair Imam, breaking the cross, killing the pig, banishing charity, and as a result no sheep or camel will be taken care of. All disputes and hatred will vanish and all (animals) which are dangerous will become harmless. Even a male baby will pet a snake and it will not harm him. A female baby will harm a lion, but the lion will not harm her. The wolf will be like the guard dog for the sheep. The earth will be full of peace, as a pot is filled with water. The word will be one, and only Allah will be worshipped. War will cease and Quraish will be rid of its rule. The earth will be just like a pot of silver, and its greens will grow as they did during Adam’s time. Even a group (of people) will gather around a cluster of grapes and it will provide them with their fill. And a group will gather around a pomegranate, and it will provide them with their fill. The bull will be worth such and such, and the horse will be worth a few dirhams.”
Also, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated that Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet r said, “By Him Whose Hand my soul is in! It is almost the time when the son of Mary descends to you, he will be a just ruler and a fair Imam. He will break the cross, kill the pig, banish Al-Jizyah, and money will be in such abundance that no one will accept it anymore. Then, one sajdah will be better than the earth and all that is in it.”
The Messenger of Allah r said that Jesus will perform Hajj to the Holy House in Makkah. The Prophet r said, “By Him Whose Hand my soul is in! From Fajj Ar-Rawhaa, Jesus son of Mary will announce that he will perform Hajj, Umrah or both.”
Also, the Messenger of Allah r described life during the second coming of Jesus r saying, “Blessed is the life after Jesus. The sky will be given permission to send its rain and the earth will grow its produce until if you even throw your seeds on hard stones, they will still grow! A man will even pass by a lion and it will not harm him and step on a snake and it will not harm him. Then, there will be no enmity, envy or hatred.”
The Messenger of Allah r gave the glad tidings to those who will fight with Jesus. This group is the remainder of At-Ta’ifatul-Mansoorah that will always raise the flag of Islam first raised by the Prophet r and his Companions.
The Prophet r said, “Allah has given immunity from the Fire for two groups among my nation: a group that will invade India and a group that will be with Jesus son of Mary.”
Also, the Messenger of Allah r said, “There will always be a group of my nation, fighting on the side of righteousness, victorious over all who defy them until the last of them fight Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal.”
We end our research about the Messenger of Allah, Jesus, the son of Mary r by mentioning the following Hadith.
Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-’Aas said, “The Messenger of Allah r said, ‘The Dajjal will appear in my nation and will remain for forty (days). Then Allah will send down Jesus son of Mary, looking just like Urwah bin Mas’ud to seek him (the Dajjal) and kill him. Afterwards, people will remain for seven years with no enmity between any two people. Allah will send a cool wind from Ash-Sham that will leave no man who has even the weight of an atom of righteousness or faith, but take (his soul). Even if one of you is in the middle of a mountain, it will reach him in it and will take (his soul).’ Then he said, ‘Only the most evil people will remain. They will be as light as birds, having the comprehension of beasts. They will not know or enjoin righteousness, nor forbid or know evil.’”
Chapter Four
Gog and Magog
Allah I mentioned in the Qur’an the story of Gog and Magog, who are held behind a dam,
[ Until, when Gog and Magog are released and they swiftly swarm from every mound. And the True Promise shall draw near] [21:96-97].
Also, the Prophet r said, “Gog and Magog dig holes in the dam every day until they are almost able to see sunlight, when their leader says to them, ‘Go back! You will dig it tomorrow.’ However, Allah rebuilds it stronger than it was before. When they reach their destined time and Allah ordains to send them upon people, they will come (and dig the dam) until they are able to see the sunlight. Then, their leader will say, ‘Go back! You will dig it tomorrow, Allah willing.’ They will say, ‘Allah willing.’ They will return and find it (unchanged), as they left it (the day) before and they dig it and emerge upon mankind. They will drink the water and people will seek refuge from them in their forts. They will hurl their spears toward the sky; they will return with what appears to be dry blood on them and they will say, ‘We overpowered the people of earth and dominated inhabitants of the sky.’ then Allah will send An-Naghaf to their necks which will kill them. By Him Whose Hand my soul is in! The animals of earth will fatten and become bloated with milk from their meat and blood.’”
Gog and Magog will pass by the Sea of Galilee and will drink all of its water, as reported in the Hadith of An-Nawwas bin Sam’an which we mentioned previously. Also, we mentioned that Allah will reveal to His Prophet Jesus r son of Mary to gather the believers at Mount At-Tur because no human can defeat Gog and Magog. Then Allah will cause them all to perish by the worms that will appear on the back of their necks, and they will die as easily and quickly as if they were one soul dying.
Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “Gog and Magog will be release upon mankind just as Allah I said,
æóåõãú ãöäú ßõáøö ÍóÏóÈò íóäúÓöáõæäó
[ And they swiftly swarm from every mound.]
They will overwhelm the people. The Muslims will have to seek refuge in their cities and forts along with their cattle. Gog and Magog will drink the water of the earth. Some of them will even pass by a river and drink it all until they leave it dry. Whoever is behind them will pass by the river and say, ‘There was water here once!’ There will be no one left but he will seek refuge in a fort or city. One of them will say, ‘Those are the people of the earth, we are finished with them. Only the inhabitants of the sky remain!’
Then one of them will shake his spear and throw it at the sky and it will return bloody. (All of this will serve as a) test and fitnah (for mankind). While they are doing this, Allah will send creatures like locust worms which will attach to their necks, until they die the death of locusts, piled upon one another. In the morning the Muslims will not hear a sound from them. Therefore, Muslims will say, ‘Will a man sell himself (for the sake of Allah) and see what happened to them.’ Then a man from them goes down being sure that they will kill him. He will find them dead and piled on top of each other. He will shout to the Muslims, ‘Good news! Your enemy was destroyed.’ Then the people will come out and release their cattle. There will be nothing to graze upon but their corpses. They will become fatter from them than they ever did from eating any plant.’”
We also mentioned the Hadith by An-Nawwas bin Sam’an that narrated that the Prophet r said, “Afterwards, Jesus the Prophet of Allah will come down with his companions to the low grounds. They will find that no space of a hand-span is saved from their fat and rot (rotten corpses). Jesus the Prophet of Allah and his companions will supplicate to Allah. So, Allah will send birds as large as the necks of camels, which will carry them (corpses of Gog and Magog) and will throw them wherever Allah wills. Then, Allah will send rain that no house made of mud (or bricks) or animal hair will be saved from, cleansing the earth until it makes it like a mirror. The earth will be commanded, ‘Produce your fruits and retrieve your blessing.”
This is the time that the Prophet r praised by saying, “Blessed is the life after the Messiah.”
Also, the Messenger of Allah r described Gog and Magog’s numbers, when he said, “For seven years Muslims will build fires with Gog and Magog’s bows and arrows.”
Chapter Five
Other Major Signs of the Last Hour
The Hadith by An-Nawwas bin Sam’an reported that a pure, cool wind will overcome the earth and capture the soul of every believer and Muslim. Afterwards, only evil people will remain on the earth and indulging in all types of mischief, including public sexual intercourse. Just before the coming of this wind, the sun will rise from the west; a beast that will be raised from earth will speak directly to the people; the Qur’an will be erased from books and from people’s hearts; the Law of Islam will be totally abandoned and smoke will engulf the earth. The last of these signs is a fire which originates in lower Aden, a place in Yemen. This fire will herd the people from east to west, to their gathering grounds in Ash-Sham, constantly remaining with them until they reach their final destination.
The Hadiths do not give more details about the three great tremors that cause the earth to collapse, except for the tremor near Madinah that will devour the army heading toward Makkah to kill Al-Mahdi. This may be one of the three tremors. However, Allah has the best Knowledge.
Hudhaifah bin Usaid Al-Ghifari said, “The Messenger of Allah r passed by us while we were having a conversation and he said, ‘What are you talking about?’ They said, ‘We are talking about the Hour.’ He said, ‘It will not come until you witness ten signs beforehand.’ Then, he mentioned ad-Dukhan (the Smoke); the Dajjal; the beast; the rising of the sun from the west; the descent of Jesus son of Mary r ; three tremors; one in the east, one in the west, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. The last is a fire that will rage from Yemen herding people to their final gathering ground.”
Rising of the Sun From the West
Allah I said,
[ Are they waiting for the Angles to arrive for them or your Lord to arrive or some of your Lord’s signs. On the day that some of your Lord’s signs come it will not avail a person to believe if he did not believe before nor earned good through his faith. Say, ‘Wait, we are too waiting] [6:158].
Imam Muslim reported that Abu Tharr said, “One day, the Prophet r said, ‘Do you know where this sun goes?’ They said, ‘Allah and His Messenger have more knowledge.’ He said, ‘It goes until it reaches its fixed course under the Throne and bows down in sujud and continues doing this until it is told, “Rise up! Go back from where you came.” It go back and rises up in the morning from where it usually rises. Then, while people do not suspect anything, it will run until it reaches its fixed course under the Throne. It will be told, “Rise up! Rise from where you have set.” So it will rise from the west.’ Then, the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do you know when this will happen? This will happen when no soul will benefit from its belief, unless it believed beforehand and gained any good from its belief.’”
Door to Forgiveness is Open till the Sun Rises From the West
Safwan bin `Assal reported that the Messenger of Allah r said, “There is an open door, as wide as seventy years, where the sun sets. This door will still be open for forgiveness until the sun rises from where it sets. When it rises from there, no soul will benefit from its belief, unless it believed beforehand and gained any good from its belief.”
Also, Abu Hurairah said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah r saying, ‘The Hour will not start until the sun rises from where it sets. When it rises from where it sets, and people witness this, they will all believe. However, that is the time when no soul will benefit from its belief, unless it believed beforehand or gained any good from its belief.’”
The Beast
Allah I said,
[ And when the Sentence is passed against them, We shall bring forth to them from the earth a Beast which will tell them that mankind had no faith in Our signs] [27:82]
Abdullah bin Umar said, “I memorized a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah r that I have not forgotten. I heard the Messenger of Allah r saying, ‘The first of the signs that will come is the rising of the sun from where it sets and the emergence of the Beast upon the people at early morning. Whichever of these two occurs before the other, then the other is right behind it.’”
This Beast will emerge from the earth stamping people on their noses, (what reads); “... this is a believer and this is a disbeliever.”
Until the pure, cool wind comes and takes the soul of every believer and Muslim.
The Messenger of Allah r said, “The Beast will emerge and stamp people on their noses. Then, she will remain with you until a man buys an animal and when asked, ‘Whom did you buy it from?’ He replies, ‘From a stamped man.’”
The Gathering Fire
The Fire that herds mankind for the Day of Judgment is the last of the ten major signs of the Hour. This fire will originate in Yemen, from lower Aden, and will herd people, “Camping where they camp and resting when they rest.”
Before the raging Fire and the pure, cool wind come, “Islam will vanish just as the patterns on a dress vanish. Until no fasting, no prayer, no sacrificing nor charity are known. The Book of Allah will be erased overnight and no verse of it will remain on earth. Groups of old people, old men and women, will be saying, ‘We found our fathers on this word, “La Ilaha illa Allah”, so we say it.’”
However, after the pure, cool wind captures the souls of believers and Muslims, people will revert to worshipping idols and statues, just as their ancestors did during the time of jahiliyyah.
Imam Muslim reported that Aaishah said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah r say, ‘The Day and night will not end until Al-Lat and Al-Uzza are worshipped again!’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I thought that when Allah revealed,
[ It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to make it superior over all religions even though the polytheists hate it],
its dominance would be permanent?’ He said, ‘This will happen as long as Allah wills, then He will send a pure wind which will bring death to whoever has the weight of a mustard seed of Iman in his heart. Afterwards, only those who have no righteousness will remain and they will revert to the religion of their ancestors’”
Also, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah r said, “The Hour will not begin until the women of Daws shake their rear ends around Thi Al-Khalasah.”
The Smoke
Who Will Witness the Hour?
The Hour will be witnessed by those who know no righteousness or belief. Allah has ordained that it will not begin while any believer exists on the earth. This is why it will start with those who are pure evil, those who neither know good nor forbid evil, those who do not know good or enjoining righteousness.
The Messenger of Allah r said, “The Hour will not begin except upon the most evil among creation.”
Also, He r said, “The Hour will not begin until no one will say, ‘Allah, Allah.’” Meaning no one will say, “La Ilaha illa Allah”, as narrated in an authentic Hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad.
Also, the Messenger of Allah r said, “The Hour will start while a man is milking an ewe. However, the pot (of milk) will not reach his mouth until it begins. Two men indulging in the sale and purchase of a dress - they will not finish their transaction, but it will begin. A man will be making his trough (for his cattle) and will be unable to bring them to drink, but it will begin.”
Think of how forgetful people are about the major hardships of the Last Hour and the Day of Resurrection, while the Messenger of Allah r said, “How can I live in comfort, when the Bearer of the Trumpet has place it in his mouth, lowering his forehead, listening attentively, waiting to be ordered to blow it, so he can blow?” The Muslims said, “O Messenger of Allah! What should we say?” He said, “Say, Hasbuna Allahu wa ni’ma al-Wakil, tawakkalna 'ala Allah rabbina.”
In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah r said, “Ever since he was given his duties, the sight of the Trumpet Bearer is ready and raised toward the Throne, for fear that if he loses his focus, he will be ordered (to blow in the Trumpet). His eyes are like two bright planets.”
We say, “Hasbuna Allahu wa ni`ma al-Wakil.” All our dependence is on Allah, our Lord.
We ask Allah to grant us safety and security from the horrors of the Biggest Day of Horror,
[ The Day when neither wealth nor sons will avail. Except for he who comes to Allah with a clean heart] [26:88-89].