The holy appearance that will identify Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) to people (1st part)

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03 March, 2018

For hundreds of years now, the Islamic world has been awaiting for him…

… the blessed person, who will be instrumental in people attaining guidance, restore the moral values of Islam and unite Muslims by dispersing the darkness over the Muslim world…

Hazrat Mahdi (as)!

Our Prophet (saas) has personally imparted the glad tidings of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

He has described a great many highly significant phenomena that are portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

And just about all of these have come about, one after the other, over the last few decades.

The world is now preparing to welcome this holy person the Muslims have been awaiting for the last 1400 years.

All Muslims are awaiting Hazrat Mahdi (as) with great love, fervor and longing…

According to the hadiths, the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will take place in this century.

The whole Muslim world is experiencing the excitement of these great tidings, awaited for centuries, becoming a reality and of Hazrat Mahdi (as) appearing in our own day.

Hazrat Mahdi (as) is active now. However, people still do not recognize him by his title.

According to the hadiths, the Islamic world will have the honor of becoming personally acquainted with Hazrat Mahdi (as) within the next few decades.

The century we are living in is that of Hazrat Mahdi (as)…

All Muslims are enjoying the excitement of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) being so imminent.

The hadiths of our Prophet (saas) contain thorough and detailed descriptions of the physical features of Hazrat Mahdi (as), as well as of his moral virtues, life and activities.

And our Prophet (saas) does not provide such detailed information about anyone else or any other event that will take place in the centuries after him.

In the hadiths, our Prophet (saas) reveals separate details for each of Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) physical features, using separate descriptive terms for each.

He sometimes refers to a MOLE, or a MARK, a SIGN or a SEAL and likens these to a LEAF, PEARL or STAR.

In addition to all these, Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) complexion, hair and beard color, stature, build, the general outline of his face, the shape of his head and forehead and features such as his eyebrows, nose and teeth are all described in detail.

Putting all this information together, it is clear that these features have never been seen together in one person.

Our Lord has revealed through the Prophet (saas) such great detail in order to identify Hazrat Mahdi (as) to the entire world.

This reveals how important it is for Muslims to be able to accurately recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as).

When Hazrat Mahdi (as) is encountered, insha’Allah all Muslims will personally see the accuracy of these astonishingly detailed descriptions of his physical characteristics.

They will also be amazed to see how every stage of this holy individual’s life, everything he does, everything that happens to him and the moral values he displays in the face of them will all be in complete agreement with the information revealed by our Prophet (saas) fourteen centuries ago.

And as a result of all this, they will be able to identify Hazrat Mahdi (as) and realize that he is the one who has been awaited with great longing and love for so many years.

HOW WILL THE ISLAMIC WORLD RECOGNIZE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)?

There is no doubt that the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) are the most important guides to Muslims’ being able to identify Hazrat Mahdi (as).

As a blessing from Allah, the Messenger of Allah (saas) has made people acquainted with Hazrat Mahdi (as) through the most flawless descriptions, as if he had seen and known him and witnessed his life.

Our Prophet’s (saas) descriptions of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are so detailed and explicit that when Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears those who see him will, by Allah’s leave, immediately be able to recognize him.

Allah reveals in the Qur’an that the People of the Book recognize our Prophet (saas) sent to them as a messenger in the same way they “recognize their own sons:”

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan:

Those We have given the Book RECOGNIZE HIM [THE PROPHET] AS THEY RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN SONS. Yet a group of them knowingly conceal the truth. (Surat al-Baqara, 146)

In one respect, this verse also indicates how Hazrat Mahdi (as) can easily be recognized by these details revealed in the hadiths.

CHAPTER 1

BIRTH OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL APPEAR FROM TURKEY

In a hadith of our Prophet (saas) it is mentioned that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will emerge from Turkey and will never leave until the end of his intellectual struggle:

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL NEVER LEAVE RUM, THE TURKS [because Turkey used to be known as the region of Rum.] (Narrated from Is'afur Raghibin in Tilsimlar by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, p. 212)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BE BORN IN A LARGE CITY

In another hadith it is mentioned that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will emerge from a big city:

The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: “… a man of the people of MEDINA [A GREAT CITY] [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will come to Mecca. …” (Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar)

“Medina” means “big city.” Thus as our Prophet (saas) mentioned, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be born in medina, in other words, in a big city.

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL COME FROM “THE VILLAGE OF KARA”

In one of the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) it is mentioned that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be born in the village of “Kara”:

IT IS SAID THAT HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL COME FROM THE VILLAGE OF KARA. (Risalat al-Khuruj al-Mahdi, p. 69)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BE BORN AT HOME

In the hadiths it is also mentioned that the birth of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be hidden, in other words his birth will be at home:

Imam Zayn al-Abidin (as) stated: "Our Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will resemble the messengers of Allah in various ways. He will individually resemble Noah (as), Abraham (as), Moses (as), Jesus (as), Job (as) and Muhammad (saas) and the other prophets. HE WILL RESEMBLE Noah (as) in being long-lived, ABRAHAM (AS) IN HIS BIRTH BEING CONCEALED [AT HOME] and away from the public eye … (Qamal ud-din, p. 322, Chapter 31, Hadith no. 3)

Ali Ibn Hussain Zayn al-Abidin (as): "HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] BIRTH WILL BE HIDDEN FROM PEOPLE...” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51, p. 135)

HAZRAT MAHDI'S (AS) NAME

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) NAME WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH, BUT NOT IDENTICAL TO, THAT OF OUR PROPHET (SAAS)

It is stated in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) that Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) name will be compatible with that of our Prophet (saas) and that Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) father’s name will be compatible with that of the father of the Prophet (saas).

Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi report from Ibn Masud (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:

His name will be compatible with mine, and his father’s name with my father’s… (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, pp. 159-160)

In a hadith narrated from Abu Hurairah (ra), our Prophet (saas) said:

Even if only one day is left to the life of this world, Allah will certainly prolong that day until the coming of a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from the Ahl al-Bayt whose name is compatible with mine. (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad)

According to another account, the Prophet (saas) said:

Even if only one day remains from the life of this world, Allah will certainly prolong that day until He sends a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from my Ahl al-Bayt whose name is compatible with mine. He will fill the world that was previously filled with cruelty and oppression with truth and justice instead. (At-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, An-Nasai, Al-Bayhaqi and Abu 'Amr ad-Dani)

The hadiths emphasize that these names will be “compatible with one another.” In other words, one must not expect Hazrat Mahdi (as) to be directly called “Ahmad” or “Muhammad,” nor his father to go by the name of “Abdullah.” (Allah knows the truth.)

“Ahmad Muhammad Hazrat Mahdi (as)” is the name the Prophet (saas) gave to one who will come in the End Times. It is the Messenger of Allah (saas) who called him by that name. In other words, his birth name will not be “Ahmad Muhammad Mahdi.” This is a name given him by Allah. Our Prophet (saas) does not say “his name will be the same as mine” in the hadiths; he says “it will be compatible with mine.” In the same way, he says, “his father’s name will be compatible with my father’s name.” There is a sign and a secret in this.

Allah has selected the person He chooses in destiny and has given him the name “Ahmad Muhammad Mahdi.” Some being given or not being given that name at birth cannot change situation in the slightest.

OUR PROPHET (SAAS) KEPT THE NAME OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) SECRET

Jabir quotes from Abu Ja’far: “When Umar asked Hazrat Ali (ra) about Hazrat Mahdi (as), he [Umar] said: ‘O Ibn Abu Talib [Hazrat Ali], tell me about Hazrat Mahdi (as). What is his name?’ And Hazrat Ali (ra) said: ‘My dear, close friend, our Prophet (saas) said: “ALLAH HAD ME PROMISE NOT TO REVEAL HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] NAME TO ANYBODY UNTIL HE WOULD APPEAR. HIS NAME IS ONE OF THE KNOWLEDGE WHICH ALLAH ENTRUSTED UPON HIS MESSENGER.”’” (Iqmal ud Din) (Kitab al-Ghayba, [Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51], Ansariyan Publications, collected by: Muhammad Baqr al-Majlisi, Iran, 2007)

Hazrat Ali (ra) asked our Prophet (saas) to reveal the name of Hazrat Mahdi (as). But our Prophet (saas) stated that his name would be kept as a secret until Allah would have him emerged and this was confidential information that Allah had entrusted upon him. We therefore understand that Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) name will be kept as a secret, in other words will be unknown to people until its time to come. That is, Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) name will not be one of the names of our Prophet (saas) such as Ahmad, Mustafa or Muhammad, but it will be known by people only when he emerges.

THE LINE OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BE DESCENDED FROM OUR PROPHET (SAAS)

All the prophets are related to one another.

According to the hadiths, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also be descended from that same line.

People descended from the Prophet (saas) are known as “sayyid.”

Our Prophet (saas) reveals in the hadiths that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be descended from him, in other words, a sayyid:

If there were only one day left for the world, that day would be lengthened until A MAN [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] FROM AMONG MY AHL AL-BAYT, will be sent… (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/92)

Days and nights will not end until ONE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] FROM MY AHL AL-BAYT rules the entire world. (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam wa al-Qamal)

Learn the glad tidings of Hazrat Mahdi (as). HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS FROM THE QURAYSH AND IS ONE OF MY HOUSE. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p.13)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS ONE OF MY CHILDREN. His face is like a star shining in the sky. (Ali Ibn Sultan Muhammad al-Qaari al-Harawi al-Hanafi, Risalat Mashrab al Vardi fi Mazhabi 'l Mahdi)

In the Qur’an it is revealed that all prophets are related to one another:

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed satan:

Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ‘Imran over all other beings – DESCENDANTS ONE OF THE OTHER. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surah Al 'Imran, 33-34)

ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT WILL ESTABLISH HAZRAT MAHDI'S (AS) IDENTITY IS HIS DESCENT FROM HAZRAT HASSAN (RA)

People descended from Hazrat Hassan (ra), grandson of the Prophet (saas) through his daughter Hazrat Fatima (ra) are known as “sayyid” in Islamic culture.

In the hadiths, our Prophet (saas) has revealed that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have “distinctive and distinguishing features” so that Muslims can recognize him. One of these is that “Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be descended from Hazrat Hassan (ra).”

We are told in detail in the hadiths and in the works of Islamic scholars who handed down the hadiths that Hazrat Mahdi (as) is a sayyid and a descendant of Hazrat Hassan (ra). Some of these hadiths read:

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS A CHILD OF FATIMA AND DESCENDED FROM HASSAN. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hazrat Mahdi (as), 1)

Abd al-Ghafir al-Farisi in his book Majma al-Gharaib and Ibn al-Jawzi in fi Garib al-Hadith and Ibn al-Athir in al-Nihayah have said this about the Hazrat Ali (ra) hadith:

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS DESCENDED FROM HAZRAT HASSAN. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 22)

Tammam in his Fawa'id and Ibn al-Athakir relate from Abd-Allah ibn Amr that he said: A CHILD OF HASSAN [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] will appear from the east … (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 22)

According to another hadith that has come down from Hazrat Ali, he looked at his son Hazrat Hassan one day and said: “As named by the Prophet (saas), this son of mine is a Sayyid. Someone [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] known by the name of the Prophet will come FROM HIS [HAZRAT HASSAN’S] LINE, and will resemble him [the Prophet (saas)] in moral virtues…” (Al-Taj V, 363)

CHAPTER II

THE AGE OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BEGIN WORK BETWEEN THE AGES OF 30 AND 40

In the hadiths, our Prophet (saas) refers to the years when Hazrat Mahdi (as) is still unknown to people but when he begins work to bring about the global dominion of Islamic morals.

Hazrat Mahdi (as), who is described as being in his 30s or 40s during this period, will attract people’s notice with his activities, and these will be the years when people follow what he does.

However, people will not know that he is Hazrat Mahdi (as) during this time, and they will only realize the truth very much later.

The following information about the age of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is provided in the hadiths:

HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] will be sent WHEN HE IS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 YEARS OLD... HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) is one of my children. HE IS AROUND 40. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 41)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) is one of my line. HE IS 40 YEARS OLD. His face is like a bright star… (Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar)

HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS A YOUNG MAN. (Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BE OF ADVANCED AGE WHEN HE IS RECOGNIZED BY THE PUBLIC, BUT WILL LOOK YOUNG

Hazrat Mahdi (as) will age as time passes just like all other people.

Yet Allah will preserve his youthful appearance, and he will look 40 even in advanced years.

Therefore, this will also be a distinguishing feature of Hazrat Mahdi (as).

People will recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as) by the way he still looks extraordinarily young, despite his advancing age, and maintains his physical beauty.

Our Prophet (saas) describes this characteristic of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as follows in the hadiths:

And ONE OF HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] SIGNS IS THAT HE WILL NOT AGE WITH THE PASSAGE OF DAYS AND NIGHTS. (Lutfullah Saafi Gulpaygani, Muntakhab al-Asar Fee Al Imam al-Saani al-Ashar, p. 285)

… THE PROMISED QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL ARISE ADVANCED IN AGE, BUT WILL HAVE A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 32; Al-Hurr al-Amili, Ithbat al-Hudat, Vol. 6, p. 19)

HE WILL BE LONG-LIVED AND HAVE A YOUTHFUL FACE. PEOPLE WHO SEE HIM WILL THINK HE IS A MAN AGED AROUND 40, AND HE WILL NOT AGE UNTIL ALLAH’S COMMAND ARRIVES. (Sheikh al-Saduq, Kamal al-Din, p. 625; al-Muntakhab al-Asar, Vol. 2, p. 284)

From Abu Said: Hassan ibn Ali (as) ... said: “... DURING HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] TIME OF OCCULTATION ALLAH WILL EXTEND HIS LIFE, AND HE WILL THEN MANIFEST HIM WITH HIS POWER LOOKING YOUNGER THAN FORTY and this will be so that people know of Allah’s Omnipotence.” (Sheikh al-Saduq, Kamal al-Din, Vol. 1, p. 315)

CHAPTER III

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) GENERAL APPEARANCE

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS OF MEDIUM STATURE, LIKE OUR PROPHET (SAAS)

Our Prophet (saas) is described as being of medium height in accounts:

Anas bin Malik stated that: "THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SAAS) WAS OF MIDDLING HEIGHT." (At-Tirmidhi, Imam Abu `Isa Muhammed ibn `Isa Tirmidhi, Shamail Sharif, p. 15)

Hazrat Mahdi (as), too, will be of average height, like our Prophet (saas):

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BE OF AVERAGE HEIGHT. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 41)

According to accounts by Abu Abdullah Nuaim Ibn Hammad from Abu Ja’far bin Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir, Hazrat Ali was asked about the attributes of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and he replied: “HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS OF MEDIUM HEIGHT AND A YOUNG MAN with a beautiful face…" (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam wa al-Qamal)

... HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS ONE OF THOSE OF MEDIUM STATURE... (Muhyiddin IbnArabi, al-Jawab al-Mustaqim amma Seele anhu al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi, Bayazid, no: 3750, leaf 242b)

… HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL BE OF MEDIUM HEIGHT with a beautiful face and hair... (Al-Qirmani al-Dimashqi, Akhbar al-Duwal, p. 117 - printed in 1382 AH)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS VERY MAJESTIC AND STURDILY BUILT

It is stated in the hadiths that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be majestic, sturdily built and have a striking appearance:

HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS A MAJESTIC INDIVIDUAL … with a broad brow. (Iqdud Durar)

Al-Harith ibn Mughirah al-Nasri says: When I asked Imam Jaffar Sadik, “HOW WILL THE IMAM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] BE RECOGNIZED?” he replied: “BY HIS GRANDEUR AND DIGNITY….” (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 283)

... Abu’l Jarud says: When I asked Imam Muhammad Baqir (as), “... HOW WILL THE IMAM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] BE KNOWN?” he replied: “BY HIS SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE AND GRANDEUR AND BY THE GREAT MUHAMMAD’S REPETITION OF HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] VIRTUES.” (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 284)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) RESEMBLES THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN APPEARANCE

Our Prophet (saas) has revealed in the hadiths that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will resemble the Children of Israel in appearance. The reference in the hadiths to the “B’nai Israel” means that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be physically “powerful and majestic:”

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS LIKE ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. [His demeanor resembles theirs, it is majestic and wise.] (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, pp. 23, 30)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) is one of my grandchildren. ... HIS BODY RESEMBLES THOSE OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL... (Abu Abdillah Muhammad bin Yusuf Ganji Shafei, Al-Bayan Fi Akhbar Sahib az-Zaman)

HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL RESEMBLE ONE OF THE ISRAELITES [IN HIS EXTERNAL APPEARANCE]. (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam wa al-Qamal)

HAZRAT MAHDI'S (AS) STATURE AND POSTURE RESEMBLE THOSE OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 36)

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) BODY IS BROAD

One of the features of Hazrat Mahdi (as) revealed by our Prophet (saas) is that, just like the Prophet (saas), his whole body will be very broad, or in other works majestic:

He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] is LARGE OF BODY. (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam wa al-Qamal)

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) STOMACH IS WIDE

Hazrat Mahdi (as) is described as having a body that is entirely majestic and broad, and his stomach will be wide in proportion to the rest of his body:

HE HAS A WIDE STOMACH, his eyebrows are close, HIS LEGS ARE VERY ENERGETIC, HIS SHOULDERS ARE WIDE… (Bihar al-Anwar, pp. 86-91)

HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] STOMACH IS LARGE, and the space between his thighs is open ... (Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar, p. 13)

In another hadith, Hazrat Ali (as) again mentions about IMAM MAHDI (AS) in the following words: “HE SHALL HAVE … A CLEAR AND WIDE BELLY, broad thighs …” (Yanabee’-al-Mawadda, p. 423)

His Eminence, Abu Ja’far, Imam Muhammad Baqr (as) through his forefathers has narrated from the chief of Ahl al-Bayt, His Eminence, Commander of the Believers (as) that His Eminence proclaimed from the pulpit, “IN THE LAST AGE A MAN FROM MY PROGENY [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WOULD RISE ... HAVING A CLEAR AND WIDE BELLY...” (Allama Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, The Life of Imam al-Mahdi (as), p. 47)

It is related from Humran bin A'ayan that Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) was told: "... HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL HAVE A WIDE STOMACH …" (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 253)

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) SHOULDERS ARE WIDE

Another hadith notes that Hazrat Mahdi (as), whose whole body is broad and majestic, will also have broad shoulders in proportion to the rest of his body:

From Yahya bin Nufal, indeed Musa ibn Ja’far (as) raises his hands and supplicates after afternoon prayer, I inquire from him saying, “For whom did you offer prayer?” He said: “For Al-Mahdi (as) among the family of Muhammad (saas)” and continued: “… HIS SHOULDERS ARE WIDE …” (Bihar al-Anwar, 86-91)

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) THIGHS ARE BROAD AND WITH A GAP BETWEEN THEM

Since Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have a wide stomach, his thighs will naturally be broad, as well.

In another hadith, Hazrat Ali (as) again mentions about Imam Mahdi (as) in the following words: “HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] shall have a wide forehead… and a clear and wide belly, BROAD THIGHS …” (Yanabee’-al-Mawadda, p. 423)

… THE SPACE BETWEEN HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS)] THIGHS IS OPEN. ... (Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar, p. 13)

His Eminence, Abu Ja’far, Imam Muhammad Baqr (as) through his forefathers has narrated from the chief of Ahl al-Bayt, His Eminence, Commander of the Believers (as) that His Eminence proclaimed from the pulpit, “In the last age a man from my progeny [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WOULD RISE, ... having a clear and wide belly and HIS THIGHS WOULD BE BROAD AND HIS BONES SHALL BE LONG (BIG) AND PROMINENT ...” (Allama Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, The Life of Imam al-Mahdi (as), p. 47)

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) GAIT IS ALSO EXTRAORDINARILY MAJESTIC

Because of the breadth of his thighs and the space between them, Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) gait will also be exceedingly majestic, and his feet will point outward.

Our Prophet (saas) speaks of this characteristic of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as follows:

ONE FEATURE OF HIS IS THAT AS HE WALKS THERE IS A SPACE BETWEEN HIS THIGHS, AND THEY ARE AT A DISTANCE FROM ONE ANOTHER. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 32)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) USES HIS HAND TO EMPHASIZE WHAT HE IS SAYING

Hazrat Mahdi (as) will use his hands when he talks; he will move his hand as he wishes to emphasize what he is saying and people will see those motions:

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL STRIKE HIS LEFT KNEE WITH HIS RIGHT HAND WHEN HE SPEAKS SLOWLY AND STEADILY. (Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, Kıyamet alametleri, Olum ve Dirilis [Portents of the Judgment Day, Death and Resurrection], p. 174)

HAZRAT MAHDI’S (AS) COMPLEXION IS “ARABIC,” LIKE THAT OF OUR PROPHET (SAAS), IN OTHER WORDS, “A WHITE TENDING TO RED”

Our Prophet (saas) had a reddish-white complexion, which is the Arab complexion.

However, the visible parts of his skin were nearer to dark because of the Sun and the wind.

We understand from the traditions that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be the same color as the Prophet (saas).

The complexion of the Messenger of Allah (saas) is described as follows in Islamic reference sources:

Anas ibn Malik said this about the Prophet’s (saas) complexion: HE WAS WHITE, BUT A DARKISH WHITE. (Ibn Kathir, Shamail ar-Rasul, p. 28)

IT WAS A LUMINOUS REDDISH-WHITE. (Ibn Kathir, Shamail ar-Rasul, p. 28)

Hazrat Hassan (ra) narrates: "OUR PROPHET’S (SAAS) COMPLEXION WAS WHITE AND BRIGHT, A LUMINOUS WHITE. ...” (At-Tirmidhi, Imam Abu `Isa Muhammed ibn `Isa Tirmidhi, Shamail Sharif, Vol. 1, Hilal Press, Ankara, 1976, pp. 18-22-23)

Anas ibn Malik (ra) narrates: "HIS [THE PROPHET’S (SAAS)] COMPLEXION WAS NEITHER PURE WHITE, NOR TOO DARK.... “ (Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Vol. 4, p. 201)

OUR MASTER (SAAS) WAS A WHITISH PINK IN COLOR. ... (Hazrat Ali (ra), Ahmad Diya ad-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Ahadith, Vol. 2, p. 519/4)

The accounts show that Hazrat Mahdi (as) has the same complexion as that of our Prophet (saas).

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS ARAB IN COLORING… (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, pp. 15-75)

HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] IS ARAB IN COLORING. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 24)

His Eminence, Abu Ja’far, Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) through his forefathers has narrated from the chief of Ahl al-Bayt, His Eminence, Commander of the Believers (as) that His Eminence proclaimed from the pulpit, “IN THE LAST AGE A MAN FROM MY PROGENY [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WOULD RISE, HAVING A FAIR COMPLEXION THAT HAS SOME REDNESS (HUE) ...” (Allama Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, The Life of Imam al-Mahdi (as), p. 47)

HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) is one of my grandchildren. ... HIS COMPLEXION RESEMBLES THAT OF THE ARABS [REDDISH-WHITE] and his body resembles those of the people of Israel... [Abu Abdillah Muhammad bin Yusuf Ganji Shafei, Al-Bayan Fi Akhbar Sahib az-Zaman)

"In this film, we have seen details regarding Hazrat Mahdi's (as) birth, name, line of descent, age and general appearance. In the second part, we shall be looking at features on Hazrat Mahdi's (as) face and body that allow him to be recognized and have been given in astonishing detail."

Muhammad Mahdi Muntadhar

Name

Islamic Moral

Guidance to the true path

Dark

Union of Islam, Islamic Union

Physical Features

Birth