Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
The coming of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is the first of the major signs that will appear before Qiyaamah. In many Mubaarak Ahaadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had prophesised the coming of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to this ummah.
Allaamah Suyooti (rahimahullah) has mentioned that the Ahaadith pertaining to the coming of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) are so abundant that they have reached the level of tawaatur (i.e. an overwhelming number of narrators have narrated it in succession, in every era). Hence, the Ulama are unanimous that believing in the coming of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is among the fundamental beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah.
Prior to Qiyaamah, the Muslim ummah will be undergoing oppression and tyranny at the hands of the kuffaar in many parts of the globe. It will be at that time that Allah Ta‘ala will send the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to the ummah to rescue them and to revive deen in the world. It is reported that the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will come before Dajjaal makes his appearance in the world.
The Certainty of the Coming of the Mahdi
In regard to the certainty of the coming of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “If only one day remained of the world, Allah Ta‘ala would lengthen it until He sends in it a man from my Ahl-e-Bayt whose name will match my name, and whose father’s name will match the name of my father.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #4282 & 4284)
The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) being from the Progeny of Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)
The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will hail from the progeny of Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the son of Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). His name will be Muhammad and his father’s name will be Abdullah.
It is reported that on one occasion, Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) looked at his blessed son, Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and said, “Indeed this son of mine is a leader, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned in his regard. A man will appear from his progeny who will bear the same name as your Nabi. He will resemble Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in character and will not resemble him in his physical appearance.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #4290)
The Physical Description of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will have a high forehead and there will be a gap between his two front teeth. His nose will be long, sharp-pointed and high-bridged. He will have a beauty spot on his right cheek. He will have the complexion of the Arabs. (Manaarul Muneef #335, Zakheeratul Huffaaz #4645, Sunan Abu Dawood #4287 and Aqdud Durar pg. 100-102)
He will appear when there will be differences among the ummah and earthquakes will be abundant. He will be forty years old at the time of his appearance. At the time of his appearance in the ummah as the Mahdi, he will be wearing a turban. (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #12393, Fitan li-Nu’aim bin Hammaad #1067 and Zakheeratul Huffaaz #6506)
Allah Ta‘ala Preparing the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Creating the Capacity for Leadership within Him
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is from us, the Ahl-e-Bayt. Allah Ta‘ala will prepare him in a single night (i.e. Allah Ta‘ala will create the capacity of leadership within him in a single night).” (Musnad Ahmed #645)
There are many Ahaadith reported regarding the justice and equity with which the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will rule, and the abundant blessings which will prevail in the ummah during his reign. Insha Allah, some of these Ahaadith will be mentioned in the coming parts.
