The second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) is both a great miracle and also very happy tidings. As revealed in a verse, “Allah showed great kindness to the believers when He sent a messenger to them from among themselves...” (Surah Al ‘Imran, 164), the sending of messengers and prophets is a blessing from our Lord. Therefore, believers await the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) with enthusiasm and excitement. However, the hadiths tell us that false messiahs will appear before the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as). The emergence of such people may cause the Prophet Jesus (as) to be met with suspicion and doubt when he returns to Earth. Yet these doubts are unfounded because;
First; the emergence of false messiahs is one of the portents of the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as). This is indicated in many hadiths. In one hadith it is revealed that:
The Last Hour will not come before there come forth thirty antichrists (imposters), each presenting himself as an apostle of Allah. (Abu Hurairah (ra); Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Kitab Al-Fitan, 43; Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab Al-Malahim, 16)
That being the case, the appearance of false messiahs is not something that should instill doubt or concern in people. On the contrary, it is a sign calling for them to feel excitement and enthusiasm since it indicates that the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) is approaching.
Second; it is totally impossible for true believers to be deceived by false messiahs. That is because, by Allah’s leave, when the Prophet Jesus (as) returns his superior moral virtues, the majesty unique to prophets, his radiance, his deep faith and wise behavior will enable sincere believers to recognize him. There will be no need for any proof in order for true believers to be able to identify the Prophet Jesus (as). The way that false messiahs seek to prove themselves is one of the clearest signs of their false nature.
One of the proofs of the Prophet Jesus (as) will be his auspicious deeds. By Allah’s leave he will inflict great intellectual defeats on irreligious movements and the ideologies of those seeking to spread disbelief and immorality.
It must not be forgotten that some false messiahs have already appeared, and that others will appear in the future (Allah knows the truth). However, our Prophet (saas) has told us the glad tidings of the return of the Prophet Jesus (as) after the liars.
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