Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
After the emergence of the Mahdi becomes known among the people and the news of his emergence begins to spread in the world, an army with black flags will leave Khurasaan to come to Makkah Mukarramah and join the Mahdi. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had exhorted the ummah to join this army in coming to the Mahdi.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When you see the army with black flags coming from Khuraasaan (going to Makkah Mukarramah to join the Mahdi), then join this army. For indeed, in this army will be the Khaleefah of Allah Ta‘ala, the Mahdi (i.e. he will be in this army after they join him in Makkah Mukarramah).” (Musnad-e-Ahmed #22387)
In another narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that one should ensure that he joins the army of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), even if he has to drag himself on ground covered in snow in trying to reach the army. (Sunan Ibnu Maajah #4084 and Al-Fitan li-Nu’aim #853)
In certain narrations, mention is made of other armies that will carry black flags. However, they will not be the army of the Mahdi. Hence, it is imperative for the ummah to not be misguided in identifying the army of the Mahdi. The distinguishing feature of the army of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is that they will be rightly-guided, as they will be firmly upholding the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at all times.
When the army of Khurasaan joins the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in Makkah Mukarramah, the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will leave Makkah Mukarramah with the army to go to Madinah Munawwarah.
Upon arriving in Madinah Munawwarah, the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will come to the Rowdhah Mubaarak and present his salaam to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Qiyaamat kub Aaegi pg. 90) He will also rescue the people of Madinah Munawwarah and the Sayyids who were imprisoned and persecuted by the army of the Sufyaani. (Ishaa’ah pg. 206)
Upon leaving Madinah Munawwarah, the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), with the Muslim army, will fight many wars. Among the wars that he will fight will be the war against the army of the Sufyaani. In this battle, Allah Ta‘ala will bless the army of the Mahdi with victory.
After gaining victory, the Mahdi will distribute the booty among his army according to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and from this point, Islam will begin to spread in the earth.
Describing the war with the Sufyaani and the victory which Allah Ta‘ala will grant the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:
“A man from the Quraish, whose maternal family will be from the tribe of Kalb (i.e. the Sufyaani), will then come out and send an army against the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his followers. The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his followers will defeat this army. That army will be the army from the tribe of Kalb, and the one who is not present at the time when the booty taken from the tribe of Kalb will be distributed will be at a loss (i.e. the one who is not part of the army of the Mahdi, fighting against the army of the Sufyaani until the end will lose out). The Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will distribute wealth and will deal with people according to the sunnah of their Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Islam will then become strong and established in the earth.” (Abu Dawood #4286)
Muslims Entering into a Peace Treaty with the Christians
Prior to the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) coming, the Muslims will enter into an alliance with a group of Christians. Thereafter, the Muslims will support their Christian allies in fighting against the Christians’ enemy. In this battle, the Muslims and their Christian allies will be victorious. After defeating the enemy, the Muslims and their Christian allies will distribute the spoils of war among themselves.
At that time, a dispute will take place between the Muslims and their Christian allies. The dispute will commence when one of the Christians will claim that the victory they gained was through the blessing of the Christian cross. Hearing this, the Muslims will be angered and will insist that their victory was solely through the divine assistance of Allah Ta‘ala, not the cross.
A Muslim will then wake up and break the cross of the Christians. In retaliation, the Christians will kill him, and this will lead to a fight breaking out between the two groups. As a result of this fight, the alliance will be broken and a battle will break out between the Muslims and the Christians.
The Muslims will lose this battle and the Christians will gain victory.
In one Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) described this battle saying, “You (O Muslims) will enter into a peace treaty with the Christians until you wage war with them against their enemy. You will gain victory and booty, and while returning, when reaching an area with hills, one of the Christians will declare, ‘The cross has triumphed!’ One of the Muslims will reply, ‘No! Rather, Allah has triumphed!’ The Muslims will then rush towards the cross of the Christians, which will be nearby, and break it. The Christians will then rush to the Muslim who broke their cross and kill him. The Muslims will thus rush to their weapons and a battle will break out between the two groups. The Muslims will lose this battle and Allah Ta‘ala will bless that group of Muslims with martyrdom.” (Saheeh Ibnu Hibbaan #6708)
After this battle, Allah Ta‘ala will send the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the headquarters of the Muslims will be based in Ghootah near Damascus.
Hazrat Abu Dardaa (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Indeed the army base of the Muslims at the time of the great battle will be in Ghootah near a city named Damascus, which is from the best cities of Shaam.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #4298)
