Section 7: Economic Prosperity and Fair Distribution of Wealth

30. عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم قال: يخرج في آخر أمتي المهدي يسقيه الله الغيث وتخرج الأرض نباتها ويعطى المال صحاحا وتكثر الماشية وتعظم الأمة يعيش سبعا أو ثمانيا.

“Abū Sa‘īd Khudrī (RA) has narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: Mahdī will be born during the last days of my Ummah. Allāh will pour down heavy rain during his caliphate and the earth will grow its produce in abundance, and he will distribute things equally among the people. During his reign there will be plenty of cattle and the Ummah will be held in great esteem. (After becoming the caliph) he will live for seven or eight years.”

31. عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: أبشركم بالمهدي يبعث في أمتي على اختلاف من الناس وزلازل، فيملأ الأرض قسطا وعدلا كما ملئت جورا وظلما، يرضى عنه ساكن السماء وساكن الأرض، يقسم المال صحاحا.
فقال له رجل: ما صحاحا؟ قال: بالسوية بين الناس، ويملأ الله قلوب أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم غنى ويسعهم عدله حتى يأمر مناديا فينادي، فيقول: من له في مال حاجة؟ فما يقوم من الناس إلا رجل واحد، فيقول: ائت السدان يعني الخازن. فقل له: إن المهدي يأمرك أن تعطيني مالا، فيقول له: أحث حتى إذا جعله في حجره وأبرزه ندم. فيقول: كنت أجشع أمة محمد نفسا أو عجز عني ما وسعهم، قال: فيرده فلا يقبل منه، فيقال له: إنا لا نأخذ شيا أعطيناه، فيكون كذلك سبع سنين أو ثمان سنين أو تسع سنين، ثم لا خير في العيش بعده، أو قال: ثم لا خير في الحياة بعده.

“Abū Sa‘īd Khudrī (RA) has narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: I am giving you the good news of the coming of Mahdī who will be sent down at a time when my Ummah will fall prey to disputes and chaos. He will fill the earth with justice and fairness just as it was filled (before him) with oppression and persecution. Those in the earth and heavens will be pleased with him. He will distribute things equally among the people (ie he will not discriminate against anyone). Allāh (during his caliphate) will fill the hearts of my Ummah with generosity. He will provide justice to all (without any discrimination or preference). He will ask his announcer to announce that if anyone required anything (they should come to Mahdī. On hearing this announcement) no one from among the Muslims except one person will stand up. Mahdī will ask him to go to the treasurer and tell him that Mahdī has ordered you to give me some goods. (The man will go to the treasurer), the treasure will say to him: take as much as you want. He will take (as much as he wishes) and will come out of the treasury. He will, at that moment, be ashamed (of his act) and (will say to himself), am I the greediest person in Muhammad’s Ummah, or he will say to himself that which is enough for others is not enough for me. (Feeling guilty of his act) he will want to return the goods but it will not be taken back. He will be told that, once we have given something we do not take it back. So Mahdī will live for seven, eight or nine years with this justice and fairness and distribution of wealth. Then after his (death) there will be no goodness (comfortable life) for the living to enjoy.”

32. عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: ذكر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآاله وسلم المهدي، فقال: إن قصر فسبع وإلا فثمان وإلا فتسع، وليملأن الأرض قسطا كما ملئت جورا وظلما.

“Abū Hurayrah (RA) has narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said while mentioning Mahdī: At minimum, the duration of the caliphate of Mahdī will be seven years. It can also be eight or nine years. He will fill the earth with justice and fairness just as it was filled with tyranny and oppression before it.”

33. عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم قال: يكون في أمتي خليفة يحثي المال حثيا لا يعده عدا.
ثم قال: والذي نفسي بيده! ليعودن.

“Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (رضي الله عنهما) that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: There will be a caliph in my Ummah who will generously distribute wealth without keeping a record of it. And I swear by the One who controls my life! Certainly, the dominance (of Islam) will return (that is, Islam will recapture its lost glory and retrieve its status during his reign).”

34. عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم قال: يكون في أمتي المهدي، إن قصر فسبع وإلا فثمان وإلا فتسع، ينعم أمتي فيه نعمة لم ينعموا مثلها، يرسل السماء عليهم مدرارا ولا تدخر الأرض شيئا من النبات، والمال كدوس، يقوم الرجل، فيقول: يا مهدي! أعطني. فيقول: خذه.

“Abū Hurayrah (RA) has related that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: there will be Mahdī in my Ummah. If (the duration of his caliphate is a) short (period) then it will be seven years, otherwise, it will be eight or nine years. The prosperity of my Ummah will be at such a high, the likes of which not experienced by it in the past. Rain will pour down from the sky (as needed), the earth will grow as much crop as possible and there will be no shortage of wealth. A person will stand and say: O Mahdī! Give me something. Mahdī will say him: take it yourself (from the treasury according to your desires).”

35. عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم قال: يكون في أمتي المهدي، إن قصر فسبع وإلا فتسع، فتنعم فيه أمتي نعمة لم ينعموا مثلها قط، تؤتى أكلها ولا تدخر منهم شيئا، والمال يومئذ كدوس، فيقوم الرجل، فيقول: يا مهدي! أعطني. فيقول: خذ.

“Abū Sa‘īd Khudrī (RA) has related that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: There will be Mahdī in my Ummah who will be the caliph for at least seven years, otherwise for nine years. My Ummah will be so prosperous in his period that it would not have experienced such prosperity before it. The earth will grow every form of crop and hold back nothing. During this period goods will be in such a high quantity as a heap of grain on the threshing floor. Someone will stand up and say: O Mahdī! Give me something. He will say: Take (as much you like).”

36. عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه، قال: خشينا أن يكون بعد نبينا حدث، فسألنا نبي الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم، فقال: إن في أمتي المهدي يخرج يعيش خمسا أو سبعا أو تسعا — زيد الشاك — قال: قلنا: وما ذاك؟ قال: سنين. قال: فيجيء إليه رجل، فيقول: يا مهدي! أعطني، أعطني. قال: فيحثي له في ثوبه ما استطاع أن يحمله.

“Abū Sa‘īd Khudrī (RA) narrates: We asked the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) about happenings after him. We asked him: What will happen after you? He said: There will be Mahdī in my Ummah who will rule for five, or seven or nine, (the narrator is doubtful about the correct period). I asked: what is meant by this figure? He said: (this figure means) years. He said: (his period will be a period of blessing and prosperity.) A person will come over to him and ask him: O Mahdī! Give me something, give me something. So Mahdī will give him as many goods as he will be able to carry.”

Section 8: Imām Mahdī (علیہ السلام) will be welcomed with Open Arms

37. عن مجاهد، قال: حدثني فلان رجل من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: أن المهدي لا يخرج حتى تقتل النفس الزكية، فإذا قتلت النفس الزكية غضب عليهم من في السماء ومن في الأرض، فأتى الناس المهدي، فزفوه كما تزف العروس إلى زوجها ليلة عرسها، وهو يملأ الأرض قسطا وعدلا وتخرج الأرض نباتها وتمطر السماء مطرها، وتنعم أمتي في ولايته نعمة لم تنعمها قط.

“(The famous tabi‘ī (Successor)) Mujāhid has narrated that a Companion said: (The caliph) Mahdī will appear after the murder of ‘Nafs Zakiyyah’. When ‘Nafs Zakiyyah’ is murdered, those in the heavens and the earth will be angry with the murderers. Later, the people will come to Mahdī and bring him (with great pomp and show) as the bride is carried to her groom on wedding night. He will fill the earth with equity and justice. (During his caliphate) the earth will grow its crops as the skies pour down plenty of rain. During his rule my Ummah will be blessed with so many favours that it has never been blessed before.”

Necessary Clarification: A man known as Nafs Zakiyyah was Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib who revolted against Abbasid caliph Mansūr in 145 AH and was martyred. The tradition does not refer to him. Here Nafs Zakiyyah stands for some other saint who will come before Imām Mahdī.

38. عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وأله وسلم قال: يكون في أمتى المهدي، إن قصر فسبع وإلا فثمان وإلا فتسع، ينعم أمتي فيه نعمة لم ينعموا مثلها، يرسل السماء عليهم مدرارا ولا تدخر الأرض شيئا من النبات، والمال كدوس، يقوم الرجل، فيقول: يا مهدي! اعطني. فيقول: خذه.

“Abū Hurayrah (RA) has narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: there will be Mahdī in my Ummah who will rule for seven years if the period is short, otherwise for eight or nine years. During Mahdī’s period, my Ummah will be so prosperous that it will not have experienced such prosperity before it. The sky will pour down torrential rain and the earth will yield its entire produce. Goods will be lying like a heap of grains on the threshing floor. One man will stand up and say: O Mahdī: give me something. So he will say: take (as much as you like).”

39. عن علي رضي الله عنه، قال: قلت: يا رسول الله! أمنا آل محمد المهدي أم من غيرنا؟ فقال: لا، بل منا، يختم الله به الدين كما فتح بنا، وبنا ينقذون من الفتنة كما أنقذوا من الشرك، وبنا يؤلف الله بين قلوبهم بعد عداوة الفتنة كما ألف بين قلوبهم بعد عداوة الشرك، وبنا يصبحون بعد عداوة الفتنة إخوانا كما أصبحوا بعد عداوة الشرك إخوانا في دينهم.

Narrated by ‘Alī (RA), he said: I said (to the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم)): O Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليك وسلم)! Will Mahdī be from us, the family of Muhammad or from others? He said: no, but he will be from among us, Allāh will re-establish Islam through him as he did so (in the beginning) through us. These people will be rescued from mischief through us (Mahdī) as they have been saved from polytheism. And through our means (Mahdī) Allāh will create love in their hearts after the hatred of mischief as He created love in their hearts after the hatred of polytheism. And through our means people will become brotherly amongst each other after the rivalry of turmoils as they have done so in Islam after the rivalry of polytheism."

Section 9: Prophet ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام) and Imām Mahdī (علیہ السلام)

40. عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: كيف أنتم إذا نزل ابن مريم فيكم، وإمامكم منكم.

“Abū Hurayrah (RA) has narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: what will be the state (of your joy) at the time when ‘Īsā ibn Maryam will descend (from the heavens) and your Imām will be from among you.”

Explanation: It means that ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام), at the time of descent, will offer his prayers in congregation but he himself will not be the Imām but a member of the Ummah, that is, caliph Mahdī. Accordingly, Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalānī with reference to Abū al-Hassan Āburrī’s Manāqib ash-Shāfi‘ī writes: there are continuous traditions in its support and ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام) will offer one prayer behind caliph Mahdī.

41. عن ابن جريج، قال: أخبرني أبو الزبير؛ أنه سمع جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما يقول: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: لا تزال طائفة من أمتي يقاتلون على الحق ظاهرين إلى يوم القيامة، قال: فينزل عيسى بن مريم، فيقول أميرهم: تعال! صل لنا. فيقول: لا، إن بعضكم على بعض أمراء، تكرمة الله هذه الأمة.

“Narrated by Ibn Jurayh: Abū Zubayr reported to me: He heard Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (رضي الله عنهما) saying: I heard the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) saying: A section of my people will not cease fighting for the Truth successfully till the Day of Resurrection. He said: ‘Īsā ibn Maryam would then descend and the leader of the Muslims will say: come and lead us in prayer, but he will say: “No, some amongst you are leaders over others. This is the honour from Allāh for this nation” (ie prophet ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام) will decline the offer of leading the prayer due to the high status given by Allāh to this Ummah).”

42. عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: يخرج الدجال في خفقة من الدين — وذكر الدجال — ثم قال: ثم ينزل عيسى بن مريم فينادي من السحر، فيقول: يا أيها الناس! ما يمنعكم أن تخرجوا إلى الكذاب الخبيث؟ فيقولون: هذا رجل جني، فينطلقون، فإذا هم بعيسى بن مريم، فتقام الصلاة، فيقال له: تقدم، يا روح الله! فيقول: ليتقدم إمامكم، فليصل بكم، فإذا صلى صلاة الصبح خرجوا إليه، قال: فحين يرى الكذاب ينماث كما ينماث الملح في الماء.

“Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: when Islam (ie the state of the Ummah) becomes weak, Dajjāl will appear — and after giving details about Dajjāl — he said: After some time, ‘Īsā ibn Maryam will descend (from the heaven) and in the morning (that is, at pre-dawn) he will call out: O people! What is stopping you from fighting with this evil pretender (Dajjāl)? People will say: he appears to be a supernatural creation (jinn), but as they will move forward they will see ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام). Then it will be time for prayer, so their leader will say: O Allāh’s Spirit: come forward (and lead the prayer). He will say: “Your Imām should lead you” (and at that time the Imām will be Mahdī). When the people will finish their Dawn prayer, they will leave (under the leadership of ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام)) to fight Dajjāl. When ‘Īsā will see the Liar (Dajjāl), he (ie Dajjāl, out of fear) will start melting as salt melts in water.”

43. عن أبي أمامة الباهلي رضي الله عنه، مرفوعا، فقالت أم شريك بنت أبي العكر رضي الله عنها: يا رسول الله! فأين العرب يومئذ؟ قال: هم يومئذ قليل وجلهم ببيت المقدس وإمامهم رجل صالح، فبينما إمامهم قد تقدم يصلي بهم الصبح إذ نزل عليهم عيسى بن مريم الصبح، فرجع ذلك الإمام ينكص يمشي القهقري ليتقدم عيسى يصلي بالناس، فيضع عيسى يده بين كتفيه، ثم يقول له: تقدم! فصل، فإنها لك أقيمت، فيصلي بهم إمامهم.

“Abū Umāmah Bāhilī (RA) has related (a long tradition) from the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) in which a female Companion Umm Sharīk bint ‘Abī al-‘Akar (رضي الله عنها) said: O Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليك وآلك وسلم)! Where will the Arabs be at that time, (why will the Arabs not come out in support of the Ummah)? The Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: the Arabs will be in small number, and most of these will be in the Sacred House and their Imām will be a highly pious person (named Mahdī). When their Imām will come forward for Dawn prayer, at that time ‘Īsā will descend (from the heaven). The Imām will retreat and give way to him so that ‘Īsā can lead people in the prayer. ‘Īsā placing his hand between the Imām’s shoulders will say: step forward and lead the prayer because the iqāmah was said for you. Then their Imām (Mahdī) will lead the prayer.”

44. عن عثمان بن أبي العاص رضي الله عنه، مرفوعا: فينزل عيسى بن مريم عند صلاة الفجر، فيقول له إمام الناس: تقدم، يا روح الله! فصل بنا. فيقول: إنكم معشر هذه الأمة أمراء بعضكم على بعض، تقدم أنت فصل بنا. فيتقدم فيصلي بهم.

“Uthmān ibn Abī al-‘Ās (RA) directly narrates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: prophet ‘Īsā ibn Maryam will descend (from the heaven) at the time of Dawn prayer (fajr) and the leader of the people will request him: O Allāh’s Spirit! (Come forward and) lead us in prayer. ‘Īsā will say: “you are the people of Muhammad’s Ummah. Some amongst you are leaders over others. So move forward and lead us in prayer.” The leader of the Muslims will come forward and lead the prayer.”

45. عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضى الله عنه، قال: المهدي الذي ينزل عليه عيسى ابن مريم، ويصلي خلفه عيسى.

“‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (RA) says that ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام) will descend after Mahdī and will offer (one) prayer behind him.”

46. عن أبي سعيد رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: منا الذي يصلي عيسى ابن مريم خلفه.

“Abū Sa‘īd Khudrī (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: there will be a person from this Ummah and ‘Īsā ibn Maryam (عليهما السلام) will pray behind him.”

47. عن حذيفة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وآله وسلم: يلتفت المهدي وقد نزل عيسى ابن مريم كأنما يقطر من شعره الماء، فيقول المهدي: تقدم! صل بالناس. فيقول عيسى: إنما أقيمت الصلوة لك. فيصلي خلف رجل من ولدي.

“Hudhayfah (RA) relates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: When Mahdī will appear ‘Īsā ibn Maryam will descend and it will seem as though water is dropping from his hair. At that time Mahdī, addressing him, will say: please come forward and lead the people in prayer. Prophet ‘Īsā will say: the iqāmah was said for you; therefore, you will lead the prayer. Accordingly, ‘Īsā will offer this prayer behind a man from my family (Mahdī).”

48. عن ابن سيرين، قال: المهدي من هذه الأمة، وهو الذي يؤم عيسى ابن مريم.

“Ibn Sīrīn relates that (Imām) Mahdī will be from this Ummah and will lead ‘Īsā ibn Maryam (رضي الله عنهما) in prayer.”

Section 10: Obedience of Imām Mahdī (علیہ السلام) will be Compulsory

49. عن شهر بن حوشب، قال: بلغني أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم قال: في المحرم ينادي منادى من السماء: ألا! إن صفوة الله من خلفه فلان، فاسمعموا له وأطيعوا، في سنة الصوت والمعمعة.

“Shahr ibn Hawshab (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: In (the month of) Muharram, an announcer will call out from the heaven: beware! Surely, (be informed that) such a person has been chosen by Allāh, so listen to him and obey him during the year of uproar and turmoil.”

50. عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: من كذب بالدجال فقد كفر، ومن كذب بالمهدي فقد كفر.

“Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: whoever denies (the coming of) Dajjāl, has surely committed disbelief, and whoever denies (the coming of) Mahdī has (also) committed disbelief.”

51. عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: يخرج المهدي وعلى رأسه عمامة، فيها مناد ينادي: هذا المهدي خليفة الله، فاتبعوه.

“‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: Mahdī will come and there will be a turban on his head. There will be an announcer who will proclaim: this is Mahdī, Allāh’s caliph, so follow and obey him.”

Section 11: Circumstances Surrounding Imām Mahdī’s Arrival

52. عن سليمان بن عيسى قال: بلغني أنه على يدي المهدي يظهر تابوت السكينة من بحيرة الطبرية حتى يحمل، فيوضع بين يديه بيت المقدس فإذا نظرت إليه اليهود أسلمت إلا قليلا منهم.

“Related by Sulaymān ibn ‘Īsā (رضي الله عنهما): I was informed that the Ark of the Covenant will emerge from Tabariyyah Sea through the efforts of Imām Mahdī. It will be placed before him at the Sacred House. When the Jews will see this (Ark), all of them except a few will embrace Islam.”

53. عن كعب، قال: يطلع نجم من المشرق قبل خروج المهدي، له ذنب يضئ.

“Ka‘b (RA) has narrated: A comet with a bright tail will appear from the east before the appearance of Imām Mahdī.”

54. عن شريك، قال: بلغني أنه قبل خروج المهدي ينكسف القمر في شهر رمضان مرتين.

“Sharīk (RA) has related: I was informed that before the appearance of Mahdī there will be lunar eclipse twice in the month of Ramadān.”

55. عن علي رضى الله عنه، قال: إذا نادى مناد من السماء: إن الحق في آل محمد، فعند ذلك يظهر المهدي على أفواه الناس، ويشربون حبه ولا يكون لهم ذكر غيره.

“‘Alī (RA) said: when the announcer will announce that the truth is in the family of Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم), at that time everyone will be talking about Mahdī’s arrival and his love will be fed into them (in such a manner) that they will talk of nothing else but him.”

56. عن أبي الجلد، قال: تكون فتنة بعدها فتنة، الأولى في الآخرة كثمرة السوط يتبعها ذباب السيف، ثم تكون بعد ذلك فتنة تستحل فيها المحارم كلها، ثم تأتي الخلافة خير أهل الأرض وهو قاعد في بيته هنيا.

“Abū Jalad (RA) narrates: a disruption will arise which will be followed by another disruption. The first will be related to the second disruption as the lace is joined to its whip (meaning they will be closely related, either the second will immediately follow the first or their content will be similar). Then there will be the (disruption of) swords. It will be followed by another disruption in which all forbidden things will be declared permissible. Then the caliphate will come about, through the best person amongst the people. If will come about whilst he is sitting at home.”

57. عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضى الله عنهما، قال: يحج الناس معا ويعرفون معا على غير إمام، فبينماهم نزول بمنى إذ أخذهم كالكلب، فثارت القبائل بعضها إلى بعض، واقتتلوا حتى تسيل العقبة دما، فيفزعون إلى خيرهم فيأتونه وهو ملصق وجهه إلى الكعبة، يبكي كأني أنظر إلى دموعه، فيقولون: هلم فلنبايعك، فيقول: ويحكم كم عهد قد نقضتموه، وكم دم قد سفكتموه! فيبايع كرها، فإذا أدركتموه فبايعوه، فإنه المهدي فى الأرض والمهدي فى السماء.

“‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (RA) narrates: people will perform the pilgrimage together and will gather at ‘Arafāt without the Imām. So at Minā during their descent a revolt will pounce upon them like a dog (due to which) the tribes will pounce on one another. They will kill one another until the valley begins to flow within blood. (In this worried state) they will go to the best person amongst them to seek his refuge while he will be crying with his face touching the ka‘bah as (the narrator says) I am looking at his tears. So they will request him: please come! We want to take an oath of loyalty on your hand. He will say: it is very sad that you have broken so many promises and have shed so much blood. So, unwillingly, he will accept their oath. So when you find that person, you should take the oath on his hand because he will be Mahdī on earth as well as Mahdī in the heavens.”

Section 12: Imam Mahdī (علیہ السلام) as the Last Caliph

58. عن جابر بن سمرة رضي الله عنه، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: لا يزال هذا الدين قائما حتى يكون عليكم اثنا عشر خليفة، كلهم تجتمع عليه الأمة.
فسمعت كلاما من النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم لم أفهمه، فقلت لأبي: ما يقول؟ قال: كلهم من قريش.

“It is narrated by Jābir ibn Samurah (RA): I heard the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) say: Islam will remain established until twelve caliphs have ruled over you. The Ummah will be united on all of them.

“Then I heard the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) say (something) which I could not understand. I asked my father: what is he saying? He told me that he had said: all (the twelve caliphs) will be from the Quraysh.”

59. عن جابر بن سمرة رضي الله عنه، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: لا يزال هذا الدين عزيزا إلى اثني عشر خليفة. قال: فكبر الناس وضجوا، ثم قال كلمة خفية، قلت لأبي: يا أبة! ما قال؟ قال: كلهم من قريش.

“Jābir ibn Samurah (RA) has narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) say: Islam will remain dominant until twelve caliphs have passed.” Jābir (RA) said: (at this) people said (loudly:) “Allāh is the greatest” and it became noisy all around. Then the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said something quietly. I asked my father: O father! What did he say? (My father told me:) he said, “All those (twelve caliphs) will be from the Quraysh.”

Imam Suyūtī comments on Abū Dāwūd’s narration in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:85):

عقد أبو داؤد في سننه بابا في المهدي، وأورد في صدره حديث جابر بن سمرة رضي الله عنه، عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: لا يزال هذا الدين قائما حتى يكون اثنا عشر خليفة، كلهم تجتمع عليه الأمة. وفي رواية: لا يزال هذا الدين عزيزا إلى اثني عشر خليفة، كلهم من قريش.
فأشار بذلك إلى ما قاله العلماء: ان المهدي أحد الاثنى عشر.

“Abū Dāwūd has devoted a chapter to Imām Mahdī in his book as-Sunan (4:86). In the beginning of the chapter a narration of Jābir ibn Samurah (RA) is given. The Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: “until twelve caliphs have passed, on whom this Ummah will unite.” According to another tradition, “this dīn will remain dominant till the twelve caliphs have passed and all of them will be from the Quraysh.”

“In this chapter Abū Dāwūd has referred to the opinion of scholars who believe that Imām Mahdī is one of those twelve caliphs.”

The conclusion Suyūtī has drawn from this is that Imām Mahdī will be the twelfth and last Imām on this earth.

Abū Dāwūd, after introducing the chapter with these two traditions, has included the following narration:

عن أم سلمة رضي الله عنها، قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: المهدي من عترتي من ولد فاطمة.

“Narrated by Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) that she heard the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) saying: Mahdī will be from my family and from the children of Fātimah.”

Before it he has described the tradition which says that even if only one day remains in the arrival of the Day of Judgment, Allāh will send a person (named Mahdī) from the Prophet’s family who will fill the earth with justice and fairness just as it was formerly filled with tyranny and affection.

60. عن أبي سعيد رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: يكون عند إنقطاع من الزمان وظهور من الفتن رجل يقال له المهدي، يكون عطاؤه هنيئا.

“Abū Sa‘īd (RA) has narrated that the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: In the last days when so many disruptions will appear, at that time there will be a person called Mahdī. His contributions will be (very) pleasant.”

61. عن الزهري، قال: (إذا) التقى السفياني والمهدي للقتال يومئذ يسمع صوت من السماء: ألا! إن أولياء الله أصحاب فلان، يعني المهدي.
وقالت أسماء بنت عميس: إن أمارة ذلك اليوم أن كفا من السماء مدلاة ينظر إليها الناس.

“Zuhrī has narrated: when Sufyān’s (army) and Mahdī’s army will face each other for battle, on that day a voice will be heard from the sky: ‘beware! Surely, the friends of (Imām) Mahdī are the friends of Allāh.’

“And Asmā’ bint ‘Umays said: the sign of that day will be that a hand will be seen hanging from the sky which (all) the people will see.”

62. عن علي رضي الله عنه، قال: قلت: يا رسول الله! أمنا آل محمد المهدي أم من غيرنا؟ فقال: لا، بل منا، يختم الله به الدين كما فتح بنا، وبنا ينقذون من الفتنة كما أنقذوا من الشرك، وبنا يؤلف الله بين قلوبهم بعد عداوة الفتنة كما ألف بين قلوبهم بعد عداوة الشرك، وبنا يصبحون بعد عداوة الفتنة إخوانا كما أصبحوا بعد عداوة الشرك إخوانا في دينهم.

Narrated by ‘Alī (RA), he said: I said (to the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم)): O Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليك وسلم)! Will Mahdī be from us, the family of Muhammad or from others? He said: no, but he will be from among us, Allāh will re-establish Islam through him as he did so (in the beginning) through us, and these people will be rescued from mischief through us (Mahdī) as they have been saved from polytheism. And through our means (Mahdī) Allāh will create love in their hearts after the hatred of mischief as He created love in their hearts after the hatred of polytheism. And through our means people will become brotherly amongst each other after the rivalry of turmoils as they have done so in Islam after the rivalry of polytheism."

63. عن أرطاة، قال: يخرج رجل من أهل بيت النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم مهدي حسن السيرة، يغزو مدينة قيصر، وهو آخر أمير من أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم، ثم يخرج في زمانه الدجال وينزل في زمانه عيسى ابن مريم.

“Artāh has narrated that a person (Mahdī) will appear from the Prophet’s family who will fight in the city of Rome and he will be the last leader (Imām) of Muhammad’s Ummah. Dajjāl will appear in his time and in his time also ‘Īsā (علیہ السلام) will descend (from the heaven).”

“Imam Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:80) after listing the signs of the arrival of Imām Mahdī, comments:

هذه الآثار كلها لخصتها من "كتاب الفتن" لنعيم بن حماد، وهو أحد الأئمة الحفاظ، وأحد شيوخ البخاري.

“All these signs which I have summarised from the book “al-Fitan” by Nu‘aym ibn Hammād who was a hāfiz (of hadīth) and one of the teachers of Imām Bukhārī.”

64. عن جابر رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: سيكون في أمتي خليفة يحثو المال حيثا، لا يعده عدا.

“Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: In my Ummah, soon, there will be a caliph who will distribute goods generously without keeping a record of who has received what.”

65. عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم، قال: يكون في أمتي خليفة يحثي المال حثيا لا يعده عدا.
ثم قال: والذي نفسي بيده! ليعودن.

“Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (رضي الله عنهما) that the Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: There will be a caliph in my Ummah who will generously distribute wealth without keeping a record of it. And I swear by the One who controls my life! Certainly that the dominance (of Islam) will return (that is, Islam will recapture its lost glory and retrieve its status during his reign).”

66. عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: لو لم يبق من الدنيا إلا ليلة لطول الله تلك الليلة حتى يملك رجل من أهل بيتي، يواطي اسمه اسمي، واسم أبيه اسم أبي، يملأها قسطا وعدلا كما ملئت ظلما وجورا، و يقسم المال بالسوية، ويجعل الله الغني في قلوب هذه الأمة، فيمكث سبعا أو تسعا، ثم لا خير في عيش الحياة بعد المهدي.

“Narrated by ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (رضي الله عنهما) that Messenger of Allāh (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said: if there was only one night left for this world to stay in tact, Allāh will lengthen it until a member of my family becomes the ruler whose name will be the same as my name and the name of his father will be the same as the name of my father. He will fill the world with justice and fairness just as it was filled with tyranny and exploitation. He will distribute things equally among the people and Allāh will also fill their hearts with content. He will rule for seven or nine years. Then after the caliphate of Mahdī, there will be a total end to goodness (and virtue).”

30. Hākim graded it sahīh (sound) in al-Mustadrak (4:558 # 8673), while Dhahabī confirmed it.
    Hindī transmitted it in Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (14:273 # 38700); and Albānī in Silsilat-ul-ahādīth-is-sahīhah (2:336 # 711).
    
31. Ahmad bin Hambal related it in al-Musnad (3:37, 52); and Suyūtī in ad-Durr-ul-manthūr fit-tafsīr bil-ma’thūr (6:57).
    Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:313,314) that Tirmidhī had narrated it briefly, while Ahmad copied it through his chain of transmission, and Abū Ya‘lā also narrated it briefly and the men of Ahmad and Abū Ya‘lā are trustworthy.
    
32. Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:316) that Bazzār had narrated it, and his men are trustworthy.
    
33. Hākim graded it sahīh (sound) according to the conditions of Muslim in al-Mustadrak (4:454 # 8400), while Dhahabī kept quiet about it.
    Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:316) that Bazzār had related it, and its men are those of (sahīh) sound hadīth.
    Ibn Hammād narrated it in al-Fitan (1:362 # 1055); Suyūtī, ad-Durr-ul-manthūr fit-tafsīr bil-ma’thūr (6:56); and Bayhaqī in Dalā’il-un-nubuwwah (6:330,331).
    Muslim related it with different words in as-Sahīh, b. of fitan wa ashrāt-us-sā‘ah (turmoils and conditions of the Last Hour) 4:2234 (#67/2913); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (3:317); Hindī, Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (14:263 # 38659); and Ibn Kathīr in al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (4:599; 10:44).
    
34. Tabarānī related it in al-Mu‘jam-ul-awsat (6:193 # 5402).
    Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:317) that Tabarānī narrated it in al-Awsat and his men are trustworthy.
    
35. Ibn Mājah narrated this Hassan (fair) hadīth in as-Sunan, b. of fitan (turmoils) 4:453 (#4083); Ibn Abī Shaybah, al-Musannaf (7:512, 513 # 37638); Hākim, al-Mustadrak (4:558 # 8675); Dānī, as-Sunan-ul-wāridah fil-fitan (5:1035, 1036 # 550); and Ibn Kathīr in al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (10:37).
    
36. Tirmidhī related this Hassan (fair) hadīth in al-Jāmi‘-us-sahīh, chapters of fitan (turmoils) 4:86 (#2232); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (3:21, 22); Hindī, Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (14:262 # 38654); and Ibn Kathīr in al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (10:37).
    
37. Related by Ibn Abī Shaybah in al-Musannaf (7:514 # 37653).
    
38. Tabarānī related it in al-Mu‘jam-ul-awsat (6:193 # 5402).
    Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:317) that Tabarānī narrated it in al-Awsat and his men are trustworthy.
    
39. Suyūtī narrated it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:61); Tabarānī, al-Mu‘jam-ul-awsat (1:136 # 157); Ibn Hammād, al-Fitan (1:370, 371 # 1089, 1090); and Haythamī in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:316, 317).
    
40. Bukhārī related it in as-Sahīh, b. of ambiyā’ (prophets) 3:1272 (#3265); Muslim, as-Sahīh, b. of īmān (faith) 1:136 (#155); Ibn Hibbān, as-Sahīh (15:213#6802); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (2:336); Abd-ur-Razzāq, al-Musannaf (11:400#20841); Ibn Mundah, al-Īmān (1:516 # 415, 416); Abū ‘Awānah, al-Musnad (1:99#315); Baghawī, Sharh-us-sunnah (15:82#4277); ‘Asqalānī, Fath-ul-bārī (6:491), al-Isābah fī tamyīz-is-sahābah (4:766), Taghlīq-ut-ta‘līq (4:40); Qurtubī, al-Jāmi‘ li-ahkām-il-Qur’ān (4:101; 16:106); Ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr-ul-Qur’ān al-‘azīm (1:578); and Suyūtī in ad-Durr-ul-manthūr fit-tafsīr bil-ma’ thūr (2:242).
    ‘Asqalānī, Fath-ul-bārī (6:493, 494).
    
41. Muslim narrated it in as-Sahīh, b. of īmān (faith) 1:137 (#156); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (3:345,384); Ibn Hibbān, as-Sahīh (15:231,232#6819); Abū Ya‘lā, al-Musnad (4:59#2078); Ibn Mundah, al-Īmān (1:517#418); Ibn Jārūd, al-Muntaqā (1:257 #1031); Abū ‘Awānah, al-Musnad (1:99 # 317); and Bayhaqī in as-Sunan-al-kubrā (9:180).
    
42. Ahmad bin Hambal related it in al-Musnad (3:367,368); Haythamī, Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:343,344); Hindī, Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (14:325, 326#38819); and Suyūtī in ad-Durr-ul-manthūr fit-tafsīr bil-ma’thūr (2:242,243).
    Hākim gradid it sahīh (sound) according to the conditions of Muslim in al-Mustadrak (4:530#8613).
    
43. Related by Ibn Mājah in as-Sunan, b. of fitan (turmoils) 4:446,447 (#4077).
    
44. Hākim narrated it in al-Mustadrak (4:478#8473); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (4:217); and Tabarānī in al-Mu‘jam-ul-kabīr (9:60#8392).
    Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:342,343) that Ahmad and Tabarānī had related it and the men of Ahmad were those of sound hadīth.
    
45. Ibn Hammād narrated it in al-Fitan (1:373#1103); and Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:78).
    
46. Ibn Qayyim transmitted it in al-Manār-ul-munīf (1:147 # 337); and Suyūtī copied it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:64).
    
47. Related by Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:81).
    
48. Ibn Abī Shaybah narrated it in al-Musannaf (7:513#37649); and Ibn Hammād in al-Fitan (1:373#1107).
    
49. Ibn Hammād related it in al-Fitan (1:226,338#630,980); and Suyūtī copied it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:76).
    
50. Related by Suyutī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:83).
    
51. Suyūtī transmitted it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:61); Tabarānī, Musnad ash-shāmiyyīn (2:71#937); and Daylamī in al-Firdaws (5:510#8920).
    
52. Ibn Hammad transmitted it in al-Fitan (1:360#1050); and Suyūtī copied it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:83).
    
53. Suyūtī transmitted it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:82); and Ibn Hammād in al-Fitan (1:229#642).
    
54. Suyūtī transmitted it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:82); and Ibn Hammād in al-Fitan (1:229#642).
    
55. Suyūtī transmitted it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:68); and Ibn Hammād in al-Fitan (1:334#965).
    
56. Ibn Abī Shaybah narrated it in al-Musannaf (7:531#37754); and Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:65).
    
57. Hākim narrated it in al-Mustadrak (4:503,504#8537); Ibn Hammād, al-Fitan (1:227, 341, 342 # 632, 987); Dānī, as-Sunan-ul-wāridah fil-fitan (5:1044, 1045 # 560); and Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:76).
    
58. Abū Dāwūd narrated it in as-Sunan, b. of Mahdī, 4:86 (#4279); ‘Asqalānī, Fath-ul-bārī (13:212); and Bayhaqī in Dalā’il-un-nubuwwah (6:520).
    Ahmad bin Hambal transmitted it with different words in al-Musnad (5:93, 92, 98).
    
59. Abū Dāwūd narrated it in as-Sunan, b. of Mahdī, 4:86 (#4280, 4281); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (5:93, 97, 98, 101); and ‘Asqalānī in Fath-ul-bārī (13:211).
    Muslim related it with some different words in as-Sahīh, b. of imārah (emritage) 3:1453 (#7/1821).
    Suyūtī, al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:85).
    Related by Abū Dāwūd in as-Sunan, b. of Mahdī, 4:88 (#4284).
    Ibn Hammād transmitted it in as-Sunan-ul-wāridah fil-fitan (5:1057, 1061 # 575, 581).
    Dhahabī graded it marfū‘ (traceable) in Mīzān-ul-i‘tidāl fi naqd-ir-rijāl (3:126).
    
60. Related by Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:63).
    
61. Related by Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:76).
    
62. Suyūtī narrated it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:61); Tabarānī, al-Mu‘jam-ul-awsat (1:136 # 157); Ibn Hammād, al-Fitan (1:370, 371 # 1089, 1090); and Haythamī in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:316, 317).
    
63. Ibn Hammād narrated it in al-Fitan (1:402,408#1214,1234); and Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:80).
    
64. Related by Suyūtī in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:60, 61).
    
65. Hākim graded it sahīh (sound) according to the conditions of Muslim in al-Mustadrak (4:454 # 8400), while Dhahabī kept quiet about it.
    Haythamī said in Majma‘-uz-zawā’id (7:316) that Bazzār had related it, and its men are those of (sahīh) sound hadīth.
    Ibn Hammād narrated it in al-Fitan (1:362 # 1055); Suyūtī, ad-Durr-ul-manthūr fit-tafsīr bil-ma’thūr (6:56); and Bayhaqī in Dalā’il-un-nubuwwah (6:330,331).
    Muslim related it with different words in as-Sahīh, b. of fitan wa ashrāt-us-sā‘ah (turmoils and conditions of the Last Hour) 4:2234 (#67/2913); Ahmad bin Hambal, al-Musnad (3:317); Hindī, Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (14:263 # 38659); and Ibn Kathīr in al-Bidāyah wan-nihāyah (4:599; 10:44).
    
66. Suyūtī narrated it in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:64); Tabarānī, al-Mu‘jam-ul-kabīr (10:133, 135 # 10216, 10224); Dānī, as-Sunan-ul-wāridah fil-fitan (5:1055 # 572); Haythamī, Mawārid-uz-zam’ān (6:129 # 1877); and Hindī in Kanz-ul-‘ummāl (14:269 # 38683).
    Haythamī also narrated it through Abū Hurayarah (rta) in Mawārid-uz-zam’ān (6:128 # 1876).
    Suyūtī narrated it with a difference of words at another place in al-Hāwī lil-fatāwā (2:58).