The Prophets also awaited Hazrat Mahdi (as) and told their peoples of his coming

1765

22 October, 2009

Examination of the Holy Qur’an and the corrupted forms of the Torah and the Gospels, and of the hadith handed down from our Prophet (saas) 1400 years ago, shows that the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is made crystal clear in them.

People felt the spiritual presence and spiritual influence of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) and in the times of the prophets Ibrahim (as), Musa (as) and Jesus (as). A joyous and fervent expectation that he would one day appear prevailed among Muslims. Although Hazrat Mahdi (as) would appear thousands of years after their own time, the fervor and enthusiasm bestowed by his spiritual presence were felt by the envoys Allah sent to warn and frighten their peoples and by believers whose hearts had true faith in Allah.

Allah has ordained the destiny of the Earth in line with the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). So much so that many events taking place in world history and that of the prophets turned into portents that would support the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the year 1400 (Islamic calendar) and make that coming necessary, and Muslims and sincere believers have always felt the spiritual presence of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in these events.

Allah Has Created the Destiny of the World in Such a Way as to Make the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) Inevitable

The wars and conquests in world history, the colonial system of the 19th century in particular, ideologies such as communism, materialism, socialism and capitalism becoming settled elements of countries’ politics, the degeneration in societies, the damage to the family, events that have gradually led to the loss of moral values, people starting to regard what Allah has made unlawful and actually lawful, the slaughter that has spread across the world, the economic crisis that have erupted in the past, anarchy, a rise in the murder rate, increases in poverty and want, events taking place on earth and in the skies, fundamental changes in the ways countries are governed, terrorist actions that have a profound impact on communities and even countries’ activities in the field of public works have all prepared the conditions for the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

The appearance of all philosophies and movements opposed to religious moral values, such as Darwinism, materialism, socialism and communism have all been the causes of disasters such as social destruction, the spread of atheism and people turning their backs on such feelings as love, affection, sympathy and compassion, and these are all necessary causes of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi in the year 1400 (Islamic calendar). Maybe the sole reason for the influence that anti-religious philosophies such as Darwinism, materialism and atheism have had on the world is that Allah will eliminate these irreligious philosophies of the Dajjal by the hand of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and replace them with the dominion of the moral values of the Qur’an. This is the destiny of both the world and of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

In his Emirdag Addendum, Said Nursi, the greatest mujaddid (renovator of the faith) of the last 1000 years, says that the first task of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be to lift the influence of Darwinism and materialism over people and to eradicate these movements of the Dajjal. The Master says that Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) absolute victory over Darwinism and materialism will be instrumental in people turning to faith:

The first IS TO SAVE THE FAITH, IN SUCH A WAY AS TO COMPLETELY SILENCE MATERIALIST PHILOSOPHY THAT SPREADS AMONG PEOPLE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

(Emirdag Addendum, p. 259)

The Portents of the End Times Are Taking Place in Such a Way as to Necessitate the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as)

- For example, the appearance of Halley’s comet, which last passed by the Earth in 1986 (1406 according to the Islamic calendar) needs to be evaluated in this light. This comet, which passes by the Earth only once every 76 years and which always herald important events whenever it does so, is revealed in the hadith of our Prophet (saas) to be one of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as):

BEFORE HE ARRIVES, A COMET WILL APPEAR IN THE EAST, GIVING OFF ILLUMINATION.

(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 53)

-    Just as described in the hadith of our Prophet (saas), Halley ’s Comet is bright and radiant.

-    The comet travels from east to west.

-    This happened after the lunar and solar eclipses of 1981 and 1982 (Hijri 1401-1402).

-    The comet last passed by the Earth in 1986, and the 1400s (Islamic calendar) are the time when Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear. In addition, important world events take place every time this comet passes by.

Significant events that have taken place during the passage of the comet:

-    The Prophet ‘Isa (as) was born.

-    Our Prophet (saas) began receiving the first revelation.

-    The Ottoman Empire made its appearance.

-    This comet was seen when Constantinople was captured by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror.

In creating the destiny of the world, Allah also created the years in which Halley’s comet would appear and the events that would take place in those years within that destiny. The latest passage of the comet in 1986 (in the 1400s according to the Islamic calendar) is also determined in the sight of Allah to coincide with the years of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as part of the destiny created by Him. It is significant how this portent, one of the signs of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) described 1430 years ago as “a comet shedding illumination from the east” was fulfilled as people watched the passage of this comet, a major celestial phenomenon.

- The waters of the River Euphrates were stopped with the construction of the Keban Dam. This project, a major source of energy and revenue for Turkey, is also highly significant as one of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), whose appearance has been excitedly anticipated by Muslims for hundreds of years.

"THE TIME WHEN THE EUPHRATES WILL DISCLOSE ITS GOLDEN TREASURE AS ITS WATERS WITHDRAW IS APPROACHING. Whoever is present at that time, let him take nothing from that treasure.”

(Narrated by Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim/ Riyadh us-Saleheen, 3:332, 3/332)

Our Prophet (saas) provided full and certain information about this in his own time, through the knowledge bestowed on him by Allah 1400 years ago, when no such construction work had been done and when there was no comprehensive information about the region available. With the construction of this dam, the waters of the Euphrates were indeed stopped, just as described by the Prophet (saas), in the 1400s, the century marking the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

In 1979, a massacre very like this one occurred during the raid on the Ka`bah, which took place during the pilgrimage month on the first day of the Islamic year 1400 (21 November 1979). In other words, it matched the date of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

"THE YEAR IN WHICH HE WILL EMERGE, people will perform hajj together and gather without an imam. The Hajjis will be looted, and there will be a battle at Mina in which many will be slain and blood will flow until it runs over the Jamra al-'Aqaba. [Jamra: a stone pillar representing Satan that is stoned during the pilgrimage.]

(Narrated by `Amr ibn Shu`ayb, al-Hakim and Nu`aym ibn Hammad)

"People make pilgrimage without an imam leading them. Big wars break out when they come down to Mina, and they are entwined just the way dogs entwine, and tribes attack each other. This strife is so widespread that legs are buried in lakes of blood.

(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi, p. 35)

The phrase "the year in which he will emerge" draws attention to a massacre that will occur on the date of the Mahdi's emergence. In 1979, a massacre very like this one occurred during the raid on the Ka`bah. The hadiths also mention bloodshed. The killing of 30 people during the clashes between Saudi soldiers and militants during the raid confirms the rest of this hadith. Seven years after this attack, an even bloodier event took place during the Hajj: 402 people were killed in attacks on pilgrims demonstrating in the streets, and much blood was spilled. Muslims committed terrible sins by killing each other (the Saudi troops and the Iranian pilgrims) beside al-Bayt-al Mu`azzamah (the Ka`bah). These bloody incidents bear a close resemblance to the climate described in the relevant hadiths:

There come the cries of war in [the month of] Shawwal with the outbreak of war, massacre, and carnage in [the month of] Dhu al-Hijjah. The pilgrims are plundered in this month, the streets cannot be crossed because of the [amount of] bloodshed, and religious prohibitions are violated. Big sins are committed near al-Bayt-al Mu`azzamah [the Ka`bah].

Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi, p. 37

The above hadith draws our attention to incidents that will occur by al-Bayt al-Mu`azzamah (the Ka`bah), not inside it. In contrast to the first, the events of Dhu al-Hijjah 1407 ah (during the hajj season) happened not inside the Ka`bah, but beside it. The first event described took place inside the Ka`bah on 1 Muharram 1400, in line with the indications given in both hadiths.

These incidents in the Kaaba are absolutely unacceptable to Islam and are highly important in terms of being an internal revolt, a clash and an act of terror that led many people to lose their lives. On the other hand, however, they are also a portent of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi, described 1400 years ago in perfect accuracy, right down to their timing and how and where they would take place. The fulfillment of this portent is an important indication to Muslims that we are living in the End Times and that Hazrat Mahdi (as), the greatest mujaddid and kutb-u azam of all times, will appear in the 1400s.

- One of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is a rise in the murder rate in the End Times and the killing of innocent people.

THE MAHDI WILL NOT APPEAR UNTIL INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE SLAUGHTERED. HE WILL APPEAR WHEN THOSE ON EARTH AND IN THE SKIES CAN NO LONGER BEAR THE KILLING...

(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, p. 37)

"Doomsday will not take place... until murders increase."

(Death Doomsday and Resurrection, p. 468)

All the oppression, suffering, wars, slaughter and murder so widespread in the 20th and 21st centuries appear superficially to have taken place for such reason as political disagreements, grudges, hatred and a desire for more territory or other advantage. But whatever their superficial causes, they are in fact all portents heralding the fact that the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is close at hand. These are all things taking place to be instrumental in the moral values of the Qur’an ruling the world and in a world that believes in Allah emerging with the spread of love, peace, brotherhood, unity, union, compassion and friendship. Allah has created all these events in destiny as causes that will necessitate the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

- In 1990 following the Armenians’ laying claim to Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azeris’ beginning to demand independence, a massacre took place in Azerbaijan. Hundreds of Azeri Muslims were martyred on 20 January, 1990, as the result of a plot by masons and atheist Zionists.

... Abu Bashir says: Imam Abu Abdullah Jaffar Sadiq said: My father told me: A FIRE WILL CERTAINLY APPEAR FROM AZERBAIJAN. AND NOTHING WILL BE ABLE TO STAND IN ITS WAY. STAY IN YOUR HOMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. Do whatever we do. (In other words, when we stay at home, you stay at home, too). And when our Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] moves, run swiftly and without stopping towards him...

(Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Nomani, al-Ghaybah al-Nomani p. 311)

Although this occupation of Azeri territory appears on the surface to be a serious territorial dispute between two countries, it in fact represents the taking place of a portent, within the destiny of the world, of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). Our Prophet (saas) spoke of this incident to take place in Azerbaijan, which would come about some 1410 years after his time, in considerable detail. In that regard, the invasion of Azerbaijan is one of the portents showing that Hazrat Mahdi (as) has appeared. It is also reported in hadith handed down from our Prophet (saas) that in the time of Hazrat Mahdi (as), no blood will be spilled and all problems will be resolved through calm, peaceful and peaceable methods and with the moral values of the Qur’an. In one of these hadith our Prophet (saas) says:

No one will be woken up from their sleep or have a bleeding nose.

(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 44)

These problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia will also be resolved amicably in the time of Hazrat Mahdi (as) on the basis of peace, brotherhood, unity, union and the moral values of the Qur’an, and as our Prophet (saas) states in the hadith, nobody will be hurt, and by Allah’s leave this dispute will be resolved amicably, with love and honesty, without the use of force.

- It is reported in the hadith that "when a flame from the east is seen, then people must await the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).” This is a hadith narrated by Abu Ja`far b. Muhammad b. Ali (ra).

WHEN YOU SEE A FLAME RISE IN THE EAST FOR THREE OR SEVEN DAYS, THEN WAIT FOR THE EMERGENCE OF AL-I MUHAMMAD; Allah will proclaim from the sky uttering the name of the Mahdi and everybody, whether in the east or the west, will hear that voice."

(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 32)

On 15 November, 1979, the world’s fourth largest tanker, the 150,000 ton Romanian Independenta carrying 95,530 tons of crude oil struck a Greek steamer as it approached Istanbul, the final center of the Islamic world, causing a fire that blazed for several days in the sea in front of Haydarpaşa. According to the information provided in the hadith in the expression, “...PEOPLE MAY BEGIN TO EXPECT THE APPEARANCE OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WHEN A FIRE IS SEEN FROM THE EAST...” Hazrat Mahdi (as) will set foot in Istanbul in the wake of this explosion. Through this event, the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) to Istanbul was announced in such a way that everyone in the world could hear, both the human world and the world of the djinn. (Allah knows the truth) People were thus told by Allah that Hazrat Mahdi (as) had come to Istanbul, both by a noise as loud as thunder, a giant flame that blazed for several days, by light and smoke, and by further explosions that took place from time to time. This great explosion, which appears to be a huge accident, is in fact a portent heralding the arrival of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in Istanbul. Thus another of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as foretold by our Prophet (saas) came true. This incident ceased to be just another disaster and became an exceptionally significant hadith foretelling that the moral values of Islam would rule the world and the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will create great union, peace and justice among Muslims and everyone else.

- The comet Lulin that came close to the Earth on 24 February, 2009 and that was unlike any other comets in terms of its unique structure and course attracted everyone’s attention. Experts regarded the passage of this comet as something happening only once every thousand years. The phenomenon was certainly no ordinary occurrence. But the fact that this comet, next expected in another 1000 years’ time, came in the year 1430 (Islamic calendar) foretells the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The comet Lulin is the portent of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) that Imam Rabbani described as “a double-toothed, light shedding star” in his Letters.

As reported by his Companions, the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:

"When Abbasi Malik arrives at Khorasan, one of the signs of the coming of the promised Mahdi, A DOUBLE-TOOTHED (1) LIGHT SHEDDING (2) HORN (3) WILL APPEAR IN THE EAST."

"A TAILED STAR (COMET) WILL BE BORN IN THE EAST AND SHED ITS LIGHT."

That comet has been born. But is it that one, or another similar one?

-That this star is called a comet is probably based on the following:

-The course of the constant IS FROM WEST TO EAST (4)...

The situation of this star follows this course. In other words, its head faces east and its tail faces west. The long white part is in its rear. Therefore:

-It is appropriate for it to be described as having a tail.

ITS DAILY PASSAGE, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS FROM EAST TO WEST. (5)

Allah best knows the truth.

(Imam Rabbani, The Letters, Letter 381, p. 1184)

(1) ... double-toothed...:
The fact that the tail of the comet Lulin is forked completely matches the term double-toothed in the hadith.

(2) ... light-shedding...:
The term light-shedding in the hadith refers to the brightness of the comet Lulin, which exceeded that of six stars as it approached the Earth.

(3) ... a horn...:
The main distinguishing feature between Lulin and other comets is that as well as the comet having a tail in the rear of its body, it also has a tail in the front. Examination of photographs of Lulin and its two tails immediately put one in mind of a horn.

(4) The course of the constant is from west to east...:
The hadith goes on to say that “The course of the constant is from west to east...“ This refers to the movement of heavenly bodies, which information is in full agreement with the astronomical findings of the 20th century. Indeed, all heavenly bodies travel from WEST to EAST.

(5) Its daily passage, on the other hand, is from east to west. ...:
Here the expression “Its daily passage, on the other hand, ...” indicates that the comet Lulin, as opposed to all other heavenly bodies, travel from east to west.

- The war between Iran and Iraq that began in 1980 is also a portent of the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as). In the hadith, our Prophet (saas) gives the timing of the preparation for and commencement of this war as months, and the climate of war and outbreak of hostilities between Iran and Iraq really did take place in the months specified. In the general sense, the war appears to have broken out because of sectarian differences between Shiites and Sunnis, political disagreements and territorial disputes between the two countries. The fact is, however, that Allah determined the dispute between Iran and Iraq, the conditions that led to the war, as the destiny that shaped its outbreak, and ordained the war as a portent of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). This destiny is one that is determined in every detail in the sight of Allah long before He created the world. Allah revealed this war to the Prophet Muhammad (as) 1400 years ago as a sign of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in 1400 (Islamic calendar).

THERE WILL BE TUMULT IN SHAWWAL, TALK OF WAR IN DHU AL-QA`DAH, AND THE OUTBREAK OF WAR IN DHU AL-HIJJAH."

(Portents of Doomsday, p. 166)

The months of Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa’dah and Dhu al-Hijjah mentioned in the hadith correspond to the stages of the development of the Iran-Iraq War. The first uprising against the shah of Iran took place on 5 Shawwal, 1398 (8 September, 1976), as stated in the hadith. The Iran-Iraq War began in earnest in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1400 (October, 1980).

“A tribe will come from the Farsi direction, saying: "You Arabs! You have been too zealous! If you don't give them their due rights, nobody will have an alliance with you... It must be given to them one day and to you the following day, and mutual promises must be kept..." They will be going up Mutekh; Muslims will be coming down to the plain ... Mushrikun [idolaters] will be standing over there on the bank of a black river [Rakabeh] on the other side. There will be a war between them. Allah will deprive both armies of a victory...

(Portents of Doomsday, al-Barzanji, p. 179)

This second hadith notes that there will be a dispute stemming from racism between the two peoples in question. Because of that dispute, they will descend to Yazi (Yazi: The Iraq Plain) and the war will begin. In addition, as the hadith suggests, the Iran-Iraq War lasted 8 years and despite vast casualties, was inconclusive. Neither side was able to establish a definitive advantage.

The Sacred Relics of the Prophets Are Also Portents of the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as)

The portents of the End Times revealed by our Prophet (saas) 1430 years ago are taking place one after the other like the beads of a necklace. In fact, the spiritual shadow and spiritual presence of Hazrat Mahdi were felt in the days of other prophets, not just in that of the Prophet Muhammad (saas). The prophets and their communities always lived in the knowledge that Hazrat Mahdi (as) would appear in the future. Although Hazrat Mahdi (as) had not yet appeared in those time, his spiritual identity was felt by all those communities that believed in Allah.

For example, the Ark of the Covenant that accounts reveal will be discovered by Hazrat Mahdi (as) may have been hidden with great care by the Prophet Musa (as) in order to be found by him. The Ark, containing anointing oil, the tablets of the Torah, his own and his brother the Prophet Harun’s staffs and the turban of the Prophet Harun, may have been carefully preserved until our day. Allah may have protected and preserved this golden chest in destiny with the greatest care through the Prophet Sulayman (as) following the Prophet Musa (as) and had it concealed as a portent of Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Allah knows the truth.) One hadith handed down from our Prophet (saas) reveals that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have the staff of the Prophet Musa (as) and the ring of the Prophet Sulayman (as).

... HE WILL HAVE THE STAFF OF MUSA AND THE RING OF SULAYMAN. ...Allah will keep him hidden from sight until He wills. Then he will appear and fill the Earth with justice, in the same way it was formerly filled with oppression.

(Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 32; Ithbat Al-Hudat, Vol. 6, p. 19)

The above details concerning these relics will, insha’Allah, be some of the most important portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). According to both Holy Scriptures and also historical texts, the Ark of the Covenant is in Antakya (Antioch). The hadith of our Prophet (saas) say that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will find the Ark in Antakya:

“The reason he is called Hazrat Mahdi (as) is that he shows the way to a hidden thing. HE WILL BRING FORTH THE ARK (HOLY RELICS CHEST) IN A PLACE KNOWN AS ANTIOCH."

(Suyuti, Al-Hawi li al-Fatawa, II. 82)

"He is called Hazrat Mahdi (as) because he is the key to something nobody knows. HE WILL BRING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT FORTH FROM THE CAVE OF ANTIOCH. "

(Naim Ibn Hammad, Kitab Al-Fitan)

“HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL BRING FORTH THE ARK OF THE COVENANT FROM THE CAVE OF ANTIOCH."

(Naim Ibn Hammad, Kitab Al-Fitan)

"HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BRING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OUT OF THE CAVE OF ANTIOCH."

(Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, 54)

Just like the Prophet Musa (as), the Prophet Jesus (as) may have assisted Hazrat Mahdi (as) by concealing the original of the Bible revealed to him by Allah. Our Prophet (saas) reveals in the hadith that the Prophet Jesus (as) will pray behind Hazrat Mahdi (as) following his appearance. This is a most significant event that will make it certain that Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the Messiah waited in the End Times.

Naim Ibn Hammad relates from Abdullah Ibn Amr. He said: HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS HE WHO WILL DESCEND UPON ‘ISA (AS) SON OF MARYAM AND BEHIND WHOM HE WILL PERFORM THE PRAYER (SALAT).

(Hadith from Jalaladdin as-Suyuti, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 79, Translated by: Müşerref Gözcü - Kahraman Neşriyat)

Ibn Majah, Ravyani, Ibn Huzayma, Abu Avana, Haqim and Abu Naim relate from Abu Imama. He said the Messenger of Allah (saas) addressed us. Referring to the Dajjal, he said:...When the imam has taken his place in the front row to lead the Morning Prayer (salat), he will see that ‘Isa (as) son of Maryam has descended that morning. This imam [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will then withdraw to the back so the Prophet ‘Isa (as) can pass to the front. THE PROPHET ‘ISA (AS) WILL PLACE HIS HANDS ON HIS SHOULDERS AND SAY: “GO TO THE FRONT AND LEAD THE PRAYER (SALAT). BECAUSE THE CALL TO PRAYER HAS BEEN MADE FOR YOU.” AT THIS, THE IMAM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL LEAD THEM IN PRAYER.

(Hadith from Jalaladdin as-Suyuti, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 79, Translated by: Müşerref Gözcü - Kahraman Publications)

Our Prophet (saas) may have given Hazrat Mahdi (as) spiritual assistance both by handing down the hadith regarding the portents of the End Times, just a very few of which are cited here, and also by specially concealing sacred relics including his robe, sword and standard so that they would survive down to the present and come into the hands of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

These sacred relics of Rasulullah (saas) are today in the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. The banner referred to in the hadith, which has never been unfurled, is also in Topkapı Palace. On page 23 of his Kitab-al Burhan Fi Alamet al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, Ali Ibn Husamaddin al Muttaqi reveals that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear with the banner of the Prophet (saas), in other words, that he will appear from Istanbul, where the banner is kept.

He will appear with the camel hair banner of our Prophet (saas). That banner has four corners, is unstitched and black in color. There is a halo on it. It has not been unfurled since the death of our Prophet (saas), but it will be opened when the Mahdi appears.

(Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 23)

(For other portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) see:
http://www.awaitedmahdi.com/signs/signs_index.html)

According to the museum’s Sacred Relics Department, the Topkapı Palace Museum holds two holy banners belonging to the Prophet (saas). One of these was stitched subsequently and contains parts taken from an old banner. The other is not on public display. This may well be the banner referred to in the hadith, which will be unfurled by Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Allah knows the truth.)

All the prophets, all true and pure Muslims, saints, holy men and mujaddid have wished to see Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his time, one that will be filled with peace, calm, justice, brotherhood and abundance. They have all lived in great hope and expectation, asking one another, their teachers and guides whether or not they would see Hazrat Mahdi (as). An examination of Ottoman history shows that the subject of the Mahdi was of enormous importance in the 600 years of the Ottoman Empire. One of the Ottoman rulers who felt a profound respect for Hazrat Mahdi (as) was Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. The sultan attached great importance to the subject of the Mahdi and only agreed to capture Istanbul after being convinced that Hazrat Mahdi (as) would effect its spiritual capture. These words spoken by the sultan’s teacher, Akshamsaddin, to those who criticized the capture of Istanbul are significant in terms of showing how influential the spiritual identity of Hazrat Mahdi (as) was in those days.

"Mahmad will first capture Istanbul, and then Istanbul will fall into the hands of the Crusaders, and HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL LATER PERFORM THE SPIRITUAL CAPTURE OF ISTANBUL."

(Risalat al-Nuriyah, Akshammsaddin, A. İhsan Yurd, Istanbul, 1972)

THE PROPHETS JESUS (AS) AND MUSA (AS) ALSO GAVE SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE TO THE COMING OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)

Thousands of years before the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), Allah told the Prophet Musa (as) and the Prophet Jesus (as) and their followers of his appearance. The signs of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) mentioned in both the Torah and the Gospels are completely in agreement with the portents of his coming handed down from our Prophet (saas).

1. Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are described in Judaic scriptures as follows:

. . . [the Mahdi] is destined to arise and restore the kingdom of David to its glory of old, to its original glory of old, to its original sovereignty.
(Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Laws of Kings 11:4)

Whoever does not believe in him, or does not await his coming, denies not only [the statements of] the other prophets, but also [those of] the Torah and of Moshe, our teacher. . . .
(Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Laws of Kings 11:1)

The generation in which [the Mahdi] will come. . . all the governments will be turned over to Minuth (will embrace the religion of the Minim [atheism]), and no preaching will avail. . . .
(Talmud, Sanhedrin 11:97a)

In the generation in which the [Mahdi] will come. . . truth will be missing.
(Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

The [Mahdi] will not come until the whole world is converted to the belief of the heretics. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 11:97a)

... In the footsteps of the [Mahdi]. . . Fearers of sin will be despised, and truth will be lacking. (Talmud, Sotah 49b)

... In the generation in which [the Mahdi] will come . . . an evil man will be honored. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

In the footsteps of the [Mahdi] . . . The government will turn to heresy, and there will be none [to offer them] reproof. (Talmud, Sotah 49:2)

The [Mahdi] will not come until all judges and officers are gone. . . . (Talmud, Sanhedrin, 98a)

[The Mahdi] will not come . . . until the pockets will be empty... (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

. . in the seven-year cycle at the end of which the [Mahdi] will come. . . the arrows of hunger will be sent forth; . . . a great famine, in the course of which men, women, and children, pious men and saints will die. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

. . in the generation when the [Mahdi] will come, . . . evil decrees will be promulgated anew, each new evil coming with haste before the other has ended. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

[The Mahdi] will not come . . . unless they will renounce their hope to be redeemed. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

In the generation in which the [Mahdi] will come, the houses of assembly will be converted into houses of prostitution. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

. . . in the generation when [Mahdi] comes . . . a son will not be abashed in his father's presence. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

The [Mahdi] will come only in a generation that is . . . altogether wicked. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 98a)

In the footsteps of the [Mahdi] . . . a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. . . . (Talmud, Sotah 49b)

[Mahdi] will not come until denunciators are in abundance. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

. . . in the generation when the [Mahdi] will come, scholars will be few in number. . . . (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

In the footsteps of the [Mahdi] . . . The wisdom of the learned will degenerate. . . . (Talmud, Sotah 49:2)

... And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (Joel 2:30)

In the footsteps of the [Mahdi]. . . Galilee* will be destroyed, Gablan** desolated. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a; Sotah 49:2)

*Galilee: the region to the west of the River Jordan, consisting of the modern Israel and former Palestinian territory.

** Gablan: the region including part of the modern-day Golan Heights, northwest Jordan and southwest Syria.

The generation in which the [Mahdi] will come, young men will make pale the faces of the old, old men will rise before youth. . . . (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

Surely the joy of mankind is withered away. (Joel 1:12)

The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. (Isaiah, 13:10)

The foundations of the earth shake. The earth is split asunder, the earth is throughly shaken. The earth reels…it sways like a hut... (Isaiah, 24:18-20)

. . . in the seven-year cycle at the end of which the [Mahdi] will come–in the first year, this verse will be fulfilled: And I will cause it to rain upon one city and cause it not to rain upon another city. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a)

The [Mahdi] will only come when all the souls destined to [inhabit earthly] bodies will be exhausted. . . . (Talmud, ‘Abodah Zarah 5a)

WHOEVER is captured will be thrust through;
All who are caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes... (Isaiah, 13:15-16)

... Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians' pride, will be overthrown by God. (Isaiah, 13:19)

(For detailed information:
http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/descendent/descendent_01.php

2. Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is described in the Bible as follows:

[That day will not come] until . . . the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

“In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. (Jude 1:18)

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word, the heavens existed and the Earth was formed out of water and by water. (2 Peter 3:5)

. . .in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)

These dreamers . . . slander celestial beings. (Jude 1:8)

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. . . . They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

. . people will be . . . having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:5)

... As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another. (Luke, 21:6)

Such things must happen, but the end is still to come…There will be …earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew, 24:6-8)

... There will be… great signs from heaven.. (Luke, 21:11)

The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red. (Revelation, 6:12)

Immediately after the distress of those days " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (Matthew, 24:29; Markos, 13:24-25)

All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (Matthew, 24:8-9)

(For detailed information:
http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/descendent/descendent_01.php

Glad Tidings

The appearance of Hazrat Mahdi

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The Prophets also awaited Hazrat Mahdi (as) and told their peoples of his coming