Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Prior to Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) descending from the heavens, many battles will be fought between the army of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the kuffaar. After the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) defeats the enemies at every front, the final battle will take place between the army of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the army of Dajjaal.
It is reported in the narration of Haakim that Dajjaal’s army will surround Baytul Muqaddas, and the army of the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will be in the city of Baytul Muqaddas which will be the headquarters and army base of the Muslims at that time.
During the night, some of the leaders of the Muslim army will express their desire to commence battle with Dajjaal and his army the following day. On the following morning, at the time of Fajr, after the iqaamah is given, the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will go forward to lead the salaah. At that precise time, Allah Ta‘ala will send Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) to the world. (Mustadrak Haakim #8612)
In the narration of Sunan Tirmizi, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) described the manner in which Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will descend saying, “He will descend while placing his hands on the wings of two angels. When he lowers his head, it will drip (with perspiration), and when he raises his head, then beads (of perspiration) will roll down resembling small (radiant) pearls.” (Sunan Tirmizi #2240)
In the narration of Musnad-e-Ahmed, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) described Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) descending in the following words, “Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will definitely descend. Hence, when you see him, recognize him. He is a man of moderate height. His complexion is fair with a tinge of red. He will be clad in two yellow cloths and it will seem as if his head is dripping with water, even though it is not wet with water (rather, it will be his perspiration that will drip when he descends to the earth).” (Musnad-e-Ahmed #9270)
Though the angels will not be visible to people, but on witnessing the spectacle of descent, the Muslims will realize and know that his hands are placed upon the wings of two angels, as this was the description given by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in his Mubaarak Hadith regarding his descent.
The Manner in which Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will Kill Dajjaal
Once, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and explained the colossal havoc and mischief which Dajjaal will spread in the earth after his emergence. At that time, Hazrat Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was present and she enquired, “O Rasul of Allah! Where will the Arabs be at that time?”
Since the Arabs were famously known for their great courage and valour in battle, she wished to know where the Arabs would be at that time, and why will they not be able to combat the fitnah of Dajjaal.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “They will be few in number and the majority of them will be in Baytul Muqaddas. Their leader will be a pious man (the Mahdi [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]). It will be the time of Fajr, and their leader, the Mahdi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), will go forward to lead them in the Fajr Salaah. Nabi Isa bin Maryam (‘alaihis salaam) will then descend from the sky. The Imaam (i.e. the Mahdi [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]) will move back so that Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) can go forward and lead the Salaah, but Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will place his hand between his shoulders and will say to him, “You go forward and lead the Salaah, as the iqaamah was called out for you.” He will thus go forward and lead the Salaah. After the Salaah, Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will command, “Open the door (of the city of Baytul Muqaddas so that the battle will commence).”
The door will be opened and Dajjaal will be behind it with seventy thousand Jews (among other soldiers of his army), each of them bearing an adorned sword and wearing a green taylasaan (type of shawl). When Dajjaal will see Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam), he will begin to dissolve as salt dissolves in water and he will begin to flee.
Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will call out to him, “There is a strike that I will deliver to you. You cannot escape receiving this strike from me.” Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will then apprehend Dajjaal at the eastern door of Ludd and will kill him there. Allah Ta‘ala will then cause the Jews (as well the other kuffaar in the army of Dajjaal) to be defeated.
At that time (during the battle), there will be no creation of Allah Ta‘ala behind which a Jew will be hiding except that Allah Ta‘ala will grant it the ability to speak, whether a stone, a tree, a wall or even an animal, besides the tree of Gharqad, for it is from the trees of the Jews and will not speak. These things will call out, “O Muslim servant of Allah! Here is a Jew (behind me)! Come and kill him!”
In the narration of Saheeh Muslim, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “When the enemy of Allah Ta‘ala (i.e. Dajjaal) will see him (i.e. Nabi Isa [‘alaihis salaam]), he will begin to dissolve, just as salt dissolves in water. If Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) were to leave him, he would dissolve until he would be destroyed. However, Allah Ta‘ala will cause Dajjaal to be killed at the hand of Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam), after which Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) will show the Muslims the blood of Dajjaal on his spear.” (Saheeh Muslim #2897)
