How great Islamic scholars have interpreted various verses of the Qur'an referring to Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the global dominion of the moral values of Islam

•    VERSE 86, SURAH HUD

Abu Jaffar listed these signs as follows: “... When he [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] appears he will lean his back against the Kaaba. He will have 313 followers. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will first read this verse: “WHAT ENDURES WITH ALLAH IS BETTER FOR YOU IF YOU ARE BELIEVERS.” (SURAH HUD, 86) Having read that verse, he will say: “I AM HE WHO ENDURES WITH ALLAH AND I AM HIS CALIPH (spiritual leader of Muslims). I AM HIS GUIDE.” THOSE WHO GREET HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL GREET HIM IN THE WORDS: “GREETINGS TO YOU, YOU WHO ENDURE WITH ALLAH.” After that, everyone will swear allegiance to him [to Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. The number of his [Hazrat Mahdi’s (as)] men will reach ten thousand. Those who worship other than Allah, Christians and Jews and everyone, will all believe in him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. There will thus be but one single nation on earth; the nation of Islam. A flame will fall from the sky onto the heads of and burn those who worship other than Allah. Allah knows the truth.” (Nurul Ebsar, Ehl-i Beyt, Oniki İmam, Kutuplar ve Mezhep İmamlarının Menkıbeleri Şeblenci [Ahl al-Bayt, Twelve Imam, the Stories of Qutbs and Mazhab Imams Seblenci] (1250), Translated by: Saim Güngör, (Pamuk Press April 2004 Vol. 628 77 93) p. 594)

 

•    VERSE 55, SURAH NUR

ALLAH HAS PROMISED THOSE OF YOU WHO BELIEVE AND DO RIGHT ACTIONS THAT HE WILL MAKE THEM SUCCESSORS, AND WILL FIRMLY ESTABLISH FOR THEM THEIR RELIGION WITH WHICH HE IS PLEASED AND GIVE THEM, IN PLACE OF THEIR FEAR, SECURITY. ‘THEY WORSHIP ME, NOT ASSOCIATING ANYTHING WITH ME.’ ANY WHO ARE DISBELIEVERS AFTER THAT, SUCH PEOPLE ARE DEVIATORS. (Surat an-Nur, 55) Narrated by Ayyasi by way of Ali ibn Hasan: This verse was read at his side: Be it sworn to Allah that they are from among those who love the Ahl al-Bayt. ALLAH WILL CAUSE THEM TO DO THIS WITH THE HAND OF ONE OF US [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]. THAT PERSON IS THE MAHDI OF THIS COMMUNITY. (Abu Ali Fadal ibn Hassan ibn al-Fadl al-Tabarsi, Majma' al-Bayan fee Tafsir al-Qur'an, 1986, Vol. 4, p. 832)

 

In his commentary, Ayyasi said: Zeyn al-Abidin read the verse (Surah Nur, 55) and said: “I SWEAR TO ALLAH! THEY ARE THOSE WHO LOVE THE AHL AL-BAYT. ALLAH WILL CERTAINLY DO THIS FOR THEM, WITH THE HAND OF ONE OF US, … AND HE IS THE MAHDI OF THIS COMMUNITY.”

 

•    VERSE 105, SURAT AL-ANBIYA’

•    WE WROTE DOWN IN THE ZABUR, AFTER THE REMINDER CAME: ‘IT IS MY SERVANTS WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS WHO WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.’ IMAM MUHAMMAD BAQIR SAID THIS ABOUT THIS VERSE: "THEY ARE THE PEOPLE OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WHO WILL APPEAR IN THE END TIMES." (Abu Ali Fadal ibn Hassan ibn al-Fadl al-Tabarsi, Majma' al-Bayan fee Tafsir al-Qur'an)

 

•    VERSES 54 OF SURAT AL-MA’IDA AND 89 OF SURAT AL-AN’AM:

Verse 54 of Surat al-Ma’ida reads: "YOU WHO BELIEVE! IF ANY OF YOU RENOUNCE YOUR RELIGION, ALLAH WILL BRING FORWARD A PEOPLE WHOM HE LOVES AND WHO LOVE HIM,  HUMBLE TO THE BELIEVERS, FIERCE TO THE DISBELIEVERS, WHO STRIVE IN THE WAY OF ALLAH AND DO NOT FEAR THE BLAME OF ANY CENSURER..." ... Imam Jaffar Sadik says this about the verse: “THE OWNER OF THIS TASK [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS UNDER PROTECTION. EVEN IF ALL PEOPLE DEPART, ALLAH WILL BRING HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] AND HIS PEOPLE. THESE ARE PEOPLE ABOUT WHOM ALMIGHTY ALLAH SAYS THIS: 'if these people reject it, WE HAVE ALREADY ENTRUSTED IT TO A PEOPLE WHO DID NOT (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) AND THE MUSLIMS WHO FOLLOW HIM).” (Surat al-An’am, 89) THEY [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) AND THE MUSLIMS WHO FOLLOW HIM], ARE THE PEOPLE REFERRED TO IN THE VERSE: "O YOU WHO BELIEVE! IF ANY OF YOU RENOUNCE YOUR RELIGION, ALLAH WILL BRING FORWARD A PEOPLE WHOM HE LOVES, AND WHO LOVE HIM.”  (Surat al-Ma’ida, 54)." (Tafsir al-Numani)

 

•    VERSE 30 OF SURAH YA SIN:

BUT THE GUIDE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL KNOW THE PEOPLE, BUT THE PEOPLE WILL NOT KNOW HIM [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. JUST LIKE THE PROPHET JOSEPH (AS). THE PROPHET JOSEPH (AS) RECOGNIZED THE PEOPLE, ALTHOUGH THEY DENIED HIM. AFTERWARD, HAZRAT ALI (RA) READ THE VERSE: "ALAS FOR MY SERVANTS! NO MESSENGER COMES TO THEM WITHOUT THEIR MOCKING HIM." (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 162)

 

•    VERSE 105 , SURAT AL-ANBIYA’:

WE WROTE IT DOWN IN THE PSALMS, AFTER THE REMINDER CAME: ‘IT IS MY SERVANTS WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS WHO WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.’ It is related from Imams Bakr and Sadik that: "THE SERVANTS WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS here (in the verse) ARE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) AND HIS FRIENDS.” (Hussain ash-Shirazi, p. 113)

 

•    VERSE 62, SURAT AN-NAML:

“WHO IS IT THAT ANSWERS THE DISTRESSED WHEN THEY CALL UPON HIM? WHO REMOVES THEIR
SUFFERING? WHO MAKES YOU SUCCESSORS IN THE EARTH? ...”
 

A HADITH REGARDING VERSE 62 OF SURAT AN-NAML: Muhammed ibn Muslim says that Imam Muhammad Bakr said of the verse: "Who is it that answers the distressed when they call upon Him?...”: This verse refers to the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. IT IS GABRIEL (AS) WHO WILL come to the Kaaba in the form of a white bird and FIRST SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO HIM AMONG THE PEOPLE. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 37)

 

•    VERSE 155, SURAT AL-BAQARA:

WE WILL TEST YOU WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FEAR AND LOSS OF WEALTH AND LIFE AND FRUITS. But give good news to the steadfast.

... From Abu Bashir: Imam Jaffar Sadik said: THE PEOPLE WILL SUFFER HUNGER ¬*ONE YEAR BEFORE THE COMING OF THE QAIM [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] AND A FEAR OF BEING KILLED WILL ENFOLD THEM; THERE WILL BE A DECLINE IN THEIR POSSESSIONS, LIVES AND CROPS. Allah EXPLICITLY REFERS TO THIS IN THE QUR’AN. He then interpreted this verse: "WE WILL TEST YOU WITH FEAR, HUNGER AND LOSS OF POSSESSIONS, LIFE AND CROPS. BUT GIVE GLAD TIDINGS TO THE STEADFAST.” (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 297)

*There will be severe economic stagnation lasting 7 years prior to the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). Imam Jaffar Sadik said that this economic crisis would worsen further and manifest its effects especially over the course of one year.

In the same way, according to an account narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim;  
 

•    Imam Jaffar Sadik said: •    There are signs before the coming of the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]: “Scourges will come to believers from Almighty Allah. What are these signs? I asked. •    He replied: THIS IS GREAT AND GLORIOUS ALLAH’S PRONOUNCEMENT. WE WILL TEST YOU WITH FEAR, HUNGER AND LOSS OF POSSESSIONS, LIFE AND CROPS. BUT GIVE GLAD TIDINGS TO THE STEADFAST.” •    He says: I will definitely test believers. We will alarm those servants with a government of the sons of so-and-so toward the end of their dominion and with fear. And with hunger, meaning high costs of living. With a reduction in goods, meaning business stagnating and a decline in prosperity. (A reduction in) lives, means sudden and rapid deaths. A reduction in goods, in other words, a decline in farming and crop fertility. GIVE GLAD TIDINGS TO THE STEADFAST, IN OTHER WORDS, TELL THEM OF THE COMING OF THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)], BEFORE THAT TIME. He then said to me: O Muhammad! This is its commentary (its true meaning and significance). Great and Glorious Allah says: “Only Allah and those with profound knowledge know its significance.”

 

•    VERSE 83, SURAH AL-’IMRAN:

IS IT OTHER THAN THE RELIGION OF ALLAH THAT YOU DESIRE, WHEN EVERYTHING IN THE HEAVENS AND EARTH, WILLINGLY OR UNWILLINGLY, SUBMITS TO HIM AND TO HIM YOU WILL BE RETURNED?

The Tafsir al-Ayashi says that this account, narrated from Imam Musa Kazim, refers to Hazrat Mahdi (as)

 

•    VERSE 17, SURAT AL-HADID:

KNOW THAT ALLAH BRINGS THE EARTH TO LIFE AFTER IT WAS DEAD. WE HAVE MADE THE SIGNS CLEAR TO YOU SO THAT HOPEFULLY YOU WILL USE YOUR INTELLECT. Salam ibn al-Mustanir narrates this hadith from Imam Muhammad Bakr: "ALMIGHTY ALLAH WILL REVIVE LIFE ON EARTH BY THE HAND OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS). HE (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL GOVERN THE PEOPLE WITH JUSTICE. HE (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL FILL THE EARTH THAT HAD DIED FROM OPPRESSION WITH JUSTICE ONCE MORE."  (Sheikh al-Tusi, Kitab al-Ghayba, p. 120; Duhayyil, al-Mahdi, p. 57)

 

•    VERSE 8, SURAH HUD

If we postpone the punishment for them for a limited time, they will say, ‘What is holding it back?’ No, indeed! The day it reaches them it will not be averted from them and the things they mocked at will encompass them.

…From Ishaq ibn Abd al-aziz: Imam Jaffar Sadik said this about the verse “IF WE POSTPONE THE PUNISHMENT FOR THEM FOR A LIMITED TIME: The punishment is that of the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. The limitation is that of a community numbering only as many as those at the battle of Badr.”

 

•    VERSE 148, SURAT AL-BAQARA

... So race each other to the good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together. Truly, Allah has power over all things.

…From Abu Bashir: IMAM JAFFAR SADIK said this about the verse “SO RACE EACH OTHER TO THE GOOD. WHEREVER YOU ARE, ALLAH WILL BRING YOU ALL TOGETHER: “This verse has been sent about the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] and his companions. Allah will bring them (Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his companions) together.”

 

•    VERSE 41, SURAT AR-RAHMAN

(Because on that day) The evildoers will be recognized by their mark and seized by their forelocks and their feet.

…From Abu Bashir: Imam Jaffar Sadik said this about the verse “THE EVILDOERS WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY THEIR MARK AND SEIZED BY THEIR FORELOCKS AND THEIR FEET: ALLAH WILL RECOGNIZE THEM, AND THIS VERSE IS SENT ABOUT THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]. HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL RECOGNIZE THEM BY THEIR FACES, AND HE AND HIS COMPANIONS WILL SMASH THEM INTELLECTUALLY.

 

•    VERSE 53, SURAH FUSSILAT

WE WILL SHOW THEM OUR SIGNS ON THE HORIZON AND WITHIN THEMSELVES UNTIL IT IS CLEAR THAT IT IS THE TRUTH.  Is it not enough for your Lord that He is a witness of everything?

Abu Bashir says: Imam Muhammad Bakr  was asked to interpret this verse of Allah the Great and Glorious: “WE WILL SHOW THEM OUR SIGNS ON THE HORIZON AND WITHIN THEMSELVES UNTIL IT IS CLEAR THAT IT IS THE TRUTH.” He said: They will be shown the bestiality in their earthly desires and how the world is closing in around them. In this way, they will see the might of Allah in both their earthly desires and in the worlds.” That time is the time of the coming of the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] is the truth that comes from Allah the Great and Glorious, and the people will certainly see him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)].”

 

VERSE 54, SURAT AL-MA’IDA

You who believe! If any of you renounce your religion, Allah will bring forward a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble to the believers, fierce to the disbelievers, who strive in the Way of Allah and do not fear the blame of any censurer. That is the unbounded favor of Allah which He gives to whoever He wills. Allah is Boundless, All-Knowing.

Sulayman ibn Harun al-Ijli says: I heard Imam Jaffar Sadik say: “The people of the lord of this command [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] are protected, even if they all die Allah will bring his [Hazrat Mahdi’s (as)] people. Allah the Great and Glorious says this about them (Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his companions): “If they are unbelievers against him, We have given him such a people that they cannot be unbelievers.” Allah also says this about them (Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his companions): “Allah will forward a people whom He loves (Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his companions) and who love Allah, humble to the believers, fierce to the disbelievers.”

 

•    VERSE 249, SURAT AL-BAQARA

When Saul marched out with his army he said: "ALLAH WILL TEST YOU WITH A RIVER..."

Abu Bashir says: Imam Jaffar Sadik said: “The people of Saul were tested with a river and Allah said of them, “We will test you with a river.” JUST LIKE THEM, THE PEOPLE OF THE QAIM [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] WILL BE TESTED WITH A RIVER.”

 

•    VERSE 200, SURAH AL ‘IMRAN

You who believe, be steadfast; be supreme in steadfastness; be firm on the battlefield; and have fear of Allah; so that hopefully you will be successful.

Imam Bakr interpreted this verse as follows: “O Muhammadans! Be patient in performing your obligations, have fortitude in the face of oppression from your enemies, help one another and CLING TIGHTLY TO YOUR IMAM, THE MAHDI.” (Suleyman Ibrahim, The Springs of Love, the Prophet Muhammad (saas) and Al Aba, the Twelve Imams, Verses and Hadiths About Hazrat Mahdi (as), Translated by: Adnan M. Selman, p. 219)

 

•    VERSE 33, SURAT AT-TAWBA

It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, even though the idolaters detest it.

Imam Jaffar Sadik says of this verse: “I swear that the meaning of this verse will not be manifested until the coming of the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. Abaye ibn Raba’e  narrates from Hazrat Ali (ra), Commander of the Faithful, regarding the above verse: “I swear to Allah Who holds my life in His hands! There will be no village, town or city in which the people do not say, “I testify that there is no other god but Allah and that Hazrat Muhammad is His Messenger” Imam Zeyn al-Abidin and Imam Muhammad Bakr said: “Almighty Allah will certainly make Islam victorious over all other religions by way of the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)].”

 

VERSE 20, SURAH YUNUS

They say, ‘Why has a Sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say: ‘The Unseen belongs to Allah alone. So wait, I am waiting with you.’

...JAFFAR SADIK SAID “THE UNSEEN IN THIS VERSE IS HAZRAT MAHDI (AS).”

 

•    VERSE 80, SURAH HUD

HE SAID, ‘IF ONLY I HAD THE STRENGTH TO COMBAT YOU OR COULD TAKE REFUGE IN SOME POWERFUL SUPPORT!’

Meaning: The Prophet Lot addressed his people by complaining to Allah; ‘If only I had the strength to combat you or could take refuge in some powerful support.’    Imam Jaffar Sadik said: “The force that the Prophet Lot  (as) hopes for in this verse is the force of the Qaim (Hazrat Mahdi (as), and the refuge he would seek shelter in is the companions of Hazrat Mahdi (as). They are the ‘Rukn al-Shadid’ [The Strong Pillar]. One of them will be as strong as 40 men, and the heart of each will be like iron....”

 

•    VERSE 110, SURAH YUSUF

Then when the Messengers despaired and thought themselves denied, Our help came to them, and those We willed were saved. Our violent force cannot be averted from people who are evildoers.

From Mufaddal, from Jaffar Sadik, from his father, from his fathers, from the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Ali (ra): Allah’s victory will come at a time when people prefer death to life, as our Lord reveals in this verse in His book:... So far so that when they nearly lost hope and were convinced that they were denied, Our help came to them. And whoever We willed was saved. OUR LORD’S VICTORY WILL COME WITH THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)].

 

•    VERSE 105, SURAT AL-ANBIYA’:

We wrote down in the Psalms, after the Reminder (Torah) came: ‘It is My servants who are righteous who will inherit the earth.’

We (recorded in the Supreme Preserved Tablet and then) wrote down in the Psalms after the Torah that My righteous servants will inherit the earth. Muhammed Baqir and Jaffar Sadik said: “WHAT IS MENTIONED IN THIS VERSE IS THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] AND HIS PEOPLE.

 

•    VERSE 41, SURAT AL-HAJJ

Those who, if We establish them firmly on the earth, will perform prayer and give the alms, and command what is right and forbid what is  wrong. The end result of all affairs is with Allah.

From Abu al-Jarud: ... If we give a place on the earth to those chased from their homes, ‘they (Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his companions) will not grow proud when they have dominion,’ they will continue to pray, to give alms, to command what is right and to forbid what is wrong. The course of their life belongs to Allah. Imam Bakr: “THIS VERSE IS ABOUT HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) AND HIS COMPANIONS. ALLAH WILL GIVE THEM DOMINION FROM EAST TO WEST, OVER THE WHOLE WORLD, HE WILL RAISE ISLAM WITH THEM AND NO TRACE OF OPRRESSION OR SUPERSTıTıOUS ADDITIONS TO THE RELıGıON WILL REMAIN.

 

•    VERSE 23, SURAT ADH-DHARIYAT

By the Lord of heaven and earth, IT IS CERTAINLY THE TRUTH, JUST AS YOU HAVE SPEECH.

By the Lord of the heavens and earth! ALL THIS IS AS REAAL AS YOUR SPEAKING. In this verse, Almighty Allah says:  “I SWEAR BY THE LORD OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH THAT THE PROMISED COMING OF THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS AS CERTAIN AND TRUE AND YOUR SPEAKING.

 

•    VERSES 4/5, SURAT AR-RUM

...On that day, the believers will rejoice in Allah’s help. He grants victory to whoever He wills...

Imam Jaffar Sadik said of this verse: “WHEN THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] APPEARS, BELIEVERS WILL BE EASED WITH THE VICTORY OF ALLAH.”

 

•    VERSE 53, SURAH FUSSILAT

We will show them Our Signs on the horizon and within themselves until it is clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not enough for your Lord that He is a witness of everything? 

From Abu Bashir: When asked about this verse, Imam Bakr said: “They will see the manifest and hidden miracles of Allah inside and outside them, AND THEY WILL BELIEVE THAT THE COMING OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS TRUE. NOBODY WILL HAVE ANY DOUBT AS TO IT.”