Hazrat Mahdi (as) has been described in the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) in considerable detail, with his name, attributes, helpers, the features of his time and his activities. So clear and detailed are the Prophet’s (saas) descriptions of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) that anyone seeing him in person will immediately be able to recognize him.
It is related in a Qur’anic verse that the People of the Book will recognize the Prophet (saas) “as they recognize their own sons.”
Those We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their own sons. Yet a group of them knowingly conceal the truth. (Surat al-Baqara, 146)
Metaphorically, this verse also refers to the recognition of Hazrat Mahdi (as). When he appears, people will recognize him, in the light of the Prophet’s (saas) descriptions, as they do their own sons. And Allah knows the truth.
One of the verses in the Qur’an pointing to the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) refers to “a messenger (metaphorically a kind of messenger, a preacher) who will appear after the Prophet Muhammad (saas).”
Through this verse, Allah tells us that He has made a covenant with the prophets that they would believe in and help a messenger who will come after them:
Remember when Allah made a covenant with the prophets: “Now that We have given you a share of the Book and Wisdom, and then a messenger comes to you confirming what is with you, you must believe in him and help him.” He asked, “Do you agree and undertake my commission on that condition?” They replied, “We agree.” He said, “Bear witness, then. I am with you as one of the witnesses.” (Surah Al ‘Imran, 81)
The names of the prophets referred to in this verse, those reported to have made that covenant, are revealed in another verse:
When We made a covenant with all the prophets—with you and with Nuh and Ibrahim and Musa and ‘Isa son of Maryam—We made a binding covenant with them. (Surat al-Ahzab, 7)
It is revealed in the verse that a covenant has been made with Prophets “Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa and ‘Isa (peace be upon them all)” and with “the Prophet Muhammad (saas),” as the term “with you” implies.
This revelation in the verse shows that “this messenger whose coming is described is not the Prophet Muhammad (saas), but is a messenger who will come after the Prophet (saas).” And Allah knows the truth. This messenger, whom Allah reveals will come after the Prophet Muhammad (saas), may well be “Hazrat Mahdi (as),” the glad tidings of whose coming are related also in the sayings of our Prophet (saas). And Allah knows the truth.
The way that the messenger whose coming has been promised has also received a promise of assistance from ‘Isa (as), as reported in verse 7 of Surat al-Ahzab, further reinforces this view. That is because as we know, Prophet ‘Isa (as) is reported in the hadith of the Prophet (saas) as returning to Earth in the End Times and following and supporting Hazrat Mahdi (as):
And when ‘Isa son of Maryam said, “Tribe of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming the Torah which came before me and giving you the good news of a messenger after me whose name is Ahmad.” When he brought them the clear signs, they said, “This is downright magic.” (Surat as-Saff, 6)
Prophet ‘Isa (as) imparts the tidings that this messenger who will come after him will be called “Ahmad.” Examination of the Qur’an as a whole shows that those verses referring to the Prophet Muhammad (saas) either use the name “Muhammad” or else just the term “prophet.” Nowhere in the Qur’an is the name “Ahmad” used for the Prophet (saas). The name appears only once in the Qur’an, in a verse revealing the glad tidings of a messenger. This supports the idea that the name “Ahmad” refers to Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will come in the End Times, as well as our Prophet (saas). And Allah knows the truth. In addition, as in the previous verse, the fact that it is Prophet ‘Isa (as) who imparts the name of the messenger is another piece of evidence reinforcing this interpretation.
In his hadiths our Prophet (saas) also provides the following information about the name of Hazrat Mahdi (as):
... He has made the Hazrat Mahdi (as) whose name is AHMAD, and whose father’s name is Abdullah, a ruler over you. Follow him. (al-Qawl al-mukhtass fi alamat al-mahdi al-muntazar, p. 31)
... Follow him, He is the Hazrat Mahdi (as). And his name is AHMAD bin Abdullah... (Alamat al-Qiyama, Madina Allama Muhammad bin Rasul al-Hussain al-Barzanci, Pamuk Publishing, 8th ed., p. 165)
Ibne Masood (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said, "His name will be similar tomy name and his father's name to my father's name." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
Some VersesIndicating the Coming ofthe Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the Global Dominion of Islamic Moral Values
And other things you love: support from Allah and imminent victory. Give good news to the believers! (Surat as-Saff, 13)
We wrote down in the Zabur, after the Reminder came: “It is My servants who are righteous who will inherit the earth.” (Surat al-Anbiya’, 105)
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security.... (Surat an-Nur, 55)
Our Word was given before to Our servants, the messengers, that they would certainly be helped. It is Our army which will be victorious. (Surat as-Saffat, 171-173)
Allah has written, “I will be victorious, I and My messengers.” Allah is Most Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Mujadala, 21)
Do not imagine that Allah will break His promise to His messengers. Allah is Almighty, Exactor of Revenge. (Surah Ibrahim, 47)
It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, though the idolaters hate it. (Surat as-Saff, 9)
It is He Who sent His Messenger with the Guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion and Allah suffices as a witness. (Surat al-Fath, 28)
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. (Surat at-Tawba, 33)
“We will leave you the land to live in after them. That is the reward of those who fear My station and fear My threat.” They asked for Allah’s victory, and every obdurate tyrant failed. (Surah Ibrahim, 14-15)
When Allah’s help and victory have arrived and you have seen people entering Allah’s religion in droves, then glorify your Lord’s praise and ask His forgiveness. He is the Ever-Returning. (Surat an-Nasr, 1-3)
Truly We have granted you a clear victory, so that Allah may forgive you your earlier errors and any later ones and complete His blessing upon you, and guide you on a Straight Path and so that Allah may help you with a mighty help. (Surat al-Fath, 1-3)
… He knew what you did not know and ordained, in place of this, an imminent victory. (Surat al-Fath, 27)
… the unbelievers will soon know who has the Ultimate Abode. (Surat ar-Ra‘d, 42)
… except those who believe and do right actions and remember Allah repeatedly and defend themselves after they have been wronged? Those who do wrong will soon know the kind of reversal they will receive! (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’, 227)
Then We will rescue Our messengers and those who believe as well. It is incumbent upon Us to rescue the believers. (Surah Yunus, 103)
Say: “Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is always bound to vanish.” (Surat al-Isra’, 81)
... Then We appointed you after them to be successors on the earth... (Surah Yunus, 13-14)
And We bequeathed to the people who had been oppressed the easternmost part of the land We had blessed, and its westernmost part as well... (Surat al-A‘raf, 137)
They desire to extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths. But Allah refuses to do other than perfect His Light, even though the unbelievers detest it. (Surat at-Tawba, 32)
They desire to extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths but Allah will perfect His Light, though the unbelievers hate it. (Surat as-Saff, 8)
He bequeathed their land, their houses and their wealth to you, and another land you had not yet trodden on. Allah has power over all things. (Surat al-Ahzab, 27)
Say: “Everyone is waiting expectantly so wait expectantly. You will soon know who are the Companions of the Right Path and who is guided.” (Surah Ta Ha, 135)
Allah will give security those who had piety in their victorious Safe Haven. No evil will touch them and they will know no sorrow. (Surat az-Zumar, 61)
Rather We hurl the truth against falsehood and it cuts right through it and it vanishes clean away! Woe without end for you for what you portray! (Surat al-Anbiya’, 18)
Allah confirms the Truth by His words, even though the evildoers hate it. (Surah Yunus, 82)
Those who, if We establish them firmly on the earth, will perform the prayer and give the alms, and command what is right and forbid what is wrong. The end result of all affairs is with Allah. (Surat al Hajj, 41)
