Imam Mahdi: His Identity, Mission, and Signs of His Coming

Authentic prophetic traditions (hadith) identify the appearance of Imam Mahdi as the first major sign of the Day of Judgment. Specifically, these prophecies state he will arrive in the End Times to lead the Muslim Ummah (community). His mission, therefore, will be to restore the purity of Islam and rule according to Islamic law (Shari’ah). As a result, he will fill the world with justice and equity, ending the tyranny that came before him.

Indeed, during his rule, the Muslim community will experience immense blessings and prosperity. Ibn Kathir explained that during his era, there will be great abundance in fruits and harvests, prosperity will spread, Islam will be strengthened, its adversaries will be overcome, and virtue will dominate society.”

Who is Imam Mahdi? His Identity and Lineage

The Mahdi’s name will be Muhammad ibn Abdullah, the same as the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him). In addition, he will be a direct descendant of the Prophet (PBUH) through his grandson, Hasan ibn Ali (RA).

Ibn Kathir specifies his lineage as “Muhammad ibn Abdullah, al-Fatimi al-Hasani.” This name, therefore, signifies his descent from the Prophet’s daughter Fatimah and his grandson Hasan.

The Prophesied Location of His Appearance

Prophetic traditions also specify the location of his appearance. Imam Mahdi will emerge from the East, a region east of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provided details on this, saying:

“Three will contend for your treasure, each 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 a way that has never been seen before… If you see him, pledge your allegiance to him, even if you have to crawl over snow, for he is the Caliph of Allah, the Mahdi.”

Ibn Kathir explains this “treasure” is the treasure of the Kaaba in Makkah. Following this conflict, the Mahdi will appear from the East. There, people carrying black banners will support him and help establish his rule. Ultimately, people will swear allegiance to him next to the Kaaba.

It is important to note that this authentic account differs from the Shia belief about a hidden imam emerging from a cave in Samarra. For this reason, Sunni Islamic scholars consider that view unfounded.

Prophetic Evidence for the Coming of the Imam Mahdi

Numerous authentic hadiths confirm the arrival of Imam Mahdi. For example, some mention his name, while others describe his attributes. Together, these traditions collectively establish his coming as a certainty.

1. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The Mahdi will emerge in the last days of my Ummah. Allah will grant him rain, the earth will bring forth its vegetation, and he will distribute wealth justly… He will live for seven or eight years.”
2. In another narration, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “I give you glad tidings of the Mahdi… He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and tyranny. The inhabitants of heaven and earth will be pleased with him.”
3. The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “The Mahdi will be from my lineage, with a broad forehead and a high, prominent nose. He will fill the earth with justice and equity… He will rule for seven years.”
4. Umm Salamah (RA) reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: ‘The Mahdi will be from my family, from the descendants of Fatimah.'”
5. Jabir (RA) reported the Prophet (PBUH) saying that when Isa (AS) descends, the Muslim leader will invite him to lead the prayer. Isa (AS) will say, “No, your leader is from among you,” as an honor to the Ummah. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, who confirmed this hadith’s strong chain of transmission, identified that leader as Imam Mahdi.
6. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (RA) reported the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The one behind whom Isa (AS) , the son of Mary, will pray is from among us.”
7. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The world will not end until a man from my household… rules over the Arabs.”
8. Umm Salamah (RA) reported the Prophet (PBUH) described how the earth will swallow an army sent against a man seeking refuge at the Kaaba. When asked about those forced to join, the Prophet (PBUH) replied they would be resurrected according to their intentions.
9. Hafsa (RA) narrated a similar hadith, saying an army will attack the Kaaba but the earth will swallow them in the desert of ‘Bayda.’
10. Aishah (RA) also narrated this event, adding that the Prophet (PBUH) said everyone in the army would be destroyed together but resurrected based on their personal intentions.

Thus, these last three hadiths confirm the man at the Kaaba will be from the Quraysh Community. Allah will protect him and miraculously destroy his enemies.

The Consensus of Islamic Scholars

Sunni Islam holds the belief in Imam Mahdi as a mainstream concept. Indeed, leading scholars throughout history have confirmed this fact.

• Hafiz Abul Hasan al-Abiri said the narrations about the Mahdi are mutawatir (so widely reported they are undeniable). He affirmed the Mahdi will rule with justice and that Isa (AS) will pray behind him.
• Imam al-Shawkani stated: “The hadiths concerning the awaited Mahdi are mutawatir without a doubt.”
• Sheikh Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz said: “The matter of the Mahdi is well-known, and the hadiths about him are mutawatir… His arrival is a certainty.”

Further supporting this, Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad noted that twenty-six different companions narrated hadiths about the Mahdi. These appear in thirty-six different hadith collections.

A Summary of Imam Mahdi Mission

In conclusion, belief in Imam Mahdi’s arrival is an essential part of Islamic creed (aqeedah). This is because overwhelming evidence from authentic hadiths supports it.

His story will unfold as follows:

• First, he will appear as a righteous man from the Prophet’s lineage.
• Next, Muslims will pledge their allegiance to him at the Kaaba.
• Then, the earth will swallow an army sent from Syria to kill him.
• Afterward, he will rule as the Caliph, bringing an era of peace and justice.
• Also during his reign, Isa (AS), son of Mary (peace be upon him), will descend from the heavens.
• The Mahdi will offer to let Isa (AS) lead the prayer, but Isa (AS) will decline, choosing instead to pray behind the Mahdi as an honor to this Ummah.
• Finally, together, Imam Mahdi and Isa (AS) will defeat the Dajjal (the Antichrist) and his followers, freeing the world from his great tribulation.
• After ruling for seven or nine years, Imam Mahdi will pass away, and the Muslims will perform his funeral prayer.

Read related article: Masih ad Dajjal and the End Times