In the previous episode, we were able to discuss the reformer of the last hour, the person of Mahdi. We talked about his name and attribute, his appearance before Isa alayhi salaam and Dajjaal. We continue from these points.
His place of exit: certainly, there are different narrations regarding where Imam Mahdi will appear from.
According to the hadeeth in Sunan Ibn Maajah, Imam Mahdi was said to appear from the East.
Thawbaan radiya Allahu anhu narrated that the Prophet solla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Three will fight one another for your treasure, each one of them the son of a caliph, but none of them will gain it. Then the black banners will come from the east, and they will kill you in an unprecedented manner.” Then he mentioned something that I do not remember, then he said: “When you see him, then pledge your allegiance to him even if you have to crawl over the snow, for that is the caliph of Allah, the Mahdi.”
Narrated by Ibn Maajah in as-Sunan (no. 4084) and many other scholars of hadeeth.
Now the question arises, what is the treasure?
There was also a difference of opinion concerning the meaning of the treasure mentioned in this hadith. Some said that it is the treasure of the Ka‘bah, and some said that it is the treasure that will be uncovered when the water level of the Euphrates drops.
Our famous historian, Imam Ibn Kethir said the intended meaning of the treasure is the treasure of ka’bah, three among the children of the caliphs will be fighting around it so as to have it, until the end time draws nearer and Mahdi will appear, and his appearance will be from the East, not from the basement of Samarra in Iraq as the Shittes Raafidoh claim, for there is no evidence to back up their claim.
Also, we have not come across anyone who stated what is meant by the three men and the caliph in the hadith. The texts indicate that the Islamic caliphate will be restored before the onset of the Hour, as in the hadith in which the Prophet said: “O son of Hawaalah, if you see the caliphate appear in the holy land, then the time of earthquakes, calamities and momentous events has drawn nigh, and on that day the Hour will be closer to the people than these two hands of mine are to your head.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood from the hadith of ‘Abdullah ibn Hawaalah al-Azdi radiya Allahu anhu (no. 2535); Imam Ahmad in his Musnad (Vol5 pg 288); and others.
Perhaps Imam Mahdi will appear at the time of one of these caliphs.
Imam Ibn Kethir in his book “An Nihaaayah” also buttressed the fact that Mahdi will appear from the East and bay’ah(oath of allegiance) will be given to him in the Ka’bah in-between the ruknu yamaamah and maqaam Ibraheem. This, as authenticated in some ahadeeth.
To be continued….