Questions on the Mahdi
Question:
salam
a brother said the following:
“There is some debate amongst the scholars regarding the authenticity of many of the ahadith of the Mahdi and the events of the end of time. Some were very strict, and declared most of them weak, and others were a bit more easy.
And it is a bit complicated too. For instance, there might be a certain hadith which is weak, however on closer examination one will find that it is backed up by other texts, which might raise its level of authenticity. Also, the reason for its weakness has to be looked in to, as there is a difference between weakness on account of a narrator’s memory, for example, and weakness on account of a narrator being accused of lying etc.
Also, many of the texts regarding the fitan [trials] and events of the end of time are mawquf, meaning that it is the saying of a Sahabi, or munqati’ meaning the saying of a Tabi’i. This generally makes the text weak, however other factors have to be taken into account too, such as the fact that these things are usually not said according ot personal opinion, as they are matters of the “ghayb” or unseen, therefore they must have go tit from the Prophet [sallallahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam], thus giving them the ruling of being marfu’.
HOWEVER some of the Sahabah were known to have taken from the Isra’iliyyat, and at times it is hard to know if that Sahabi has told his report from the Prophet [sallallahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam] or the books of the Ahl al-Kitab [al-Isra’iliyyat].
So as you can see, it is quite complicated…..”
***
[1]Is it a correct overview?
[2]To what extent were Israiliyyat used by the noble and blessed Sahabah and Taba’een radiullahu anhum and subsequent generations,
(i) to do with end of times,
(ii) on issuses of Aqida, and actions such as Salah and other aspects of Islam?
(iii) and in other matters in general?
(iv) was it quite often?
[3]Are we able to distinguish these narrations from them and know for sure, that which the Best of creation salAllahu alayhi wa ala alihi wa sahbihi wa salam, guided us to?
[4] Are the Ahadith al-Sharif with regard to the description of sayyiduna Imam al-Mahdi alayhi salam sahih, for eg.,
(i)narrations that mention his name and the fact that he will be from the family of sayyiduna Imam al-Hasan alayhisalam?
(ii)and in general?
(iii)Also to do with the fitan before and sayyiduna Imam al-Mahdi alayhisalam?
[5] How can we make sense of the time we are living in, and that which is to come? i mean, the end of times, as the descriptions comes to us about the end of times, are hard to place in these times, i mean,
recently i heard that china was going to build seventy more airports in its country and hence the technological advancement etc., the landscape and even individuals, it is difficult to contextualise what we have recieved of the narrations about the fitans in the present and future the way the world is going?
Could you explain, and add the missing knowledge to my understanding, so that i may be able to comprehend and be at ease?
Answer:
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.
Alhamdulillaahi was salaatu was salaamu `alaa Rasoolillaahi wa `alaa aalihi wa sahbihi wa man waalaahu, wa ba`d:
It is correct to a degree in much of what it says yes.
The majority of the Sahaabah Radhiallaahu `Anhum did not pay much attention to the narrations of the Ahlul Kitaab (Jews and Christians), however some Sahaabah Radhiallaahu `Anhum did narrate certain things from them, and it’s usually quite clear whether it’s taken from Rasoolullaah Sallallaahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam or from the Ahlul Kitaab.
These narrations were only ever mentioned when it does not conflict with the Sharee`ah, and when the Sharee`ah is silent on certain topics, such as the stories of the Anbiyaa `Alayhimus Salaam etc.
The narrations regarding the Mahdi are authentic, to the extent that Imaam Abul Hasan Al-Aaburiyy Rahimahullaah says in Manaaqibush Shaafi`i: “The narrations regarding the Mahdi have reached the level of Mutawaatir (due to the amount of narrations from Rasoolullaah Sallallaahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam), that he is from the family of Nabi Sallallaahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam, and he will rule for seven years, and he will fill the earth with justice, and he will go out with `Eesaa Ibn Maryam `Alayhimas Salaam and aid him in killing the Dajjaal at the entrance of Ludd in Palestine, and he shall lead this Ummah in Salaah, and `Eesaa `Alayhis Salaam will perform Salaah behind him.” [i]
Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah Rahimahullaah says in Minhaajus Sunnah: “Indeed the Ahaadeeth which are used to prove the emergence of the Mahdi are authentic Ahaadeeth, it has been narrated by Abu Daawood, At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad and others, from the Hadeeth of (Hadhrat `Abdullaah) Ibn Mas`ood (Radhiallaahu `Anhu) and others.” [ii]
The Hadeeth of Hadhrat `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood Radhiallaahu `Anhu that Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah Rahimahullaah refers to is:
Rasoolullaah Sallallaahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “Even If only one day was left of the world, Allaah would lengthen that day until He sends therein a man from me – or my family -, his name will be like my name, and his father’s name will be my father’s name, he shall fill the earth with justice and fairness as it had been filled with oppression and tyranny.” – Sunan Abu Daawood. [iii]
The description of how exactly the signs will occur, Allaah knows best. But what we do know is that the signs will definitely take place, the advancement of technology will not change that.
Nothing is difficult for Allaah. How many nations came and went in the past and not a shred remains of their empires? The Roman and Persian Empire were the most advanced superpowers of the ancient world, but nothing remains of them today.
As Muslims we should not become arrogant as the perished nations of before and think that we are powerful and advanced, Allaah informs us in the Qur’aan about the perished nations and says in Surah Fussilat Aayah 15-16: “As for (the people of) `Aad, they were arrogant on earth without a right and they said: ‘Who has more power than us?’ Did they not see that Allaah who created them was more powerful than them? But they were rejecting Our signs.
So We sent upon them a cold screaming wind during days of misfortune so that We may make them taste a disgraceful punishment in the life of this world, and the punishment of the hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.” [iv]
So it’s nothing for Allaah to destroy America, Britain, China, Russia and all the other so called superpowers of the world, and to destroy all forms of technology and return the world to how it was a thousand years ago. Or to let the signs take place as mentioned in the Ahaadeeth while all the technological advancements remain untouched.
Therefore it is possible that when the Ahaadeeth speaks about people riding horses at the end of times that those “horses” refers simply to transport, but there is nothing to prevent it from literally meaning “horses”, and the same applies to all the other signs.
And Allaah knows best.
Answered by:
Ubaidullah Ibn Adam Aal-Ebrahim.
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Rashid Ahmed Moosagie.
Wednesday 23rd Dhul Qa`dah 1433 – 10th October 2012.
[i]قد تواترت الأخبار واستفاضت [بكثرة رواتها عن المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم -يعني] في المهدي- وأنه من أهل بيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم , وأنه يملك سبع سنين, ويملأ الأرض عدلاً وأنه يخرج مع عيسى بن مريم, ويساعده في قتل الدجال بباب لد بأرض فلسطين, وأنه يؤم هذه الأمة, وعيسى -صلى الله عليه- يصلي خلفه.
[ii]أَنَّ الْأَحَادِيثَ الَّتِي يُحْتَجُّ بِهَا عَلَى خُرُوجِ الْمَهْدِيِّ أَحَادِيثُ صَحِيحَةٌ، رَوَاهَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ، وَأَحْمَدُ، وَغَيْرُهُمْ، مِنْ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ وَغَيْرِهِ.
[iii]لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا يَوْمٌلَطَوَّلَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَحَتَّى يَبْعَثَ فِيهِ رَجُلًا مِنِّي – أَوْمِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي– يُوَاطِئُ اسْمُهُ اسْمِي، وَاسْمُ أَبِيهِ اسْمُ أَبِييَمْلَأُ الْأَرْضَ قِسْطًا، وَعَدْلًا كَمَا مُلِئَتْ ظُلْمًا وَجَوْرًا – .رواه الإمام أبو داود رحمه الله في سننه بسند صحيح.
[iv]فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ. فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِي أَيَّامٍ نَحِسَاتٍ لِنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَخْزَى وَهُمْ لَا يُنْصَرُونَ. – سورة فصلت آية ١٥-١٦.
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