The Mahdi cometh!

The first ever person to be known as Mahdi was called Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah son of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph. After the tragic events of Karbala, there was no one the Muslim masses could see as their spiritual leader. Imam Hussain’s only surviving son was too young at that time. As is the case with all political intrigues, a gap needed to be filled by opportunists. Muhammad ibn Ali was proclaimed the rightful heir to the Prophet. He was called the Mahdi, the Promised Guided Leader as was foretold by the Holy Prophet himself.

This did not last for long. Muhammad ibn Ali vanished from Madina one day. A famous poet of his time wrote a eulogy, calling him to return and take his rightful place as the leader of Muslims. The story of a hidden Imam in a cave began from this Mahdi, the first one but not the most famous one.

Since then, the title of Mahdi has been used by many people in the hope to gain popular support. Revolutionaries used it to overthrow the incumbent Caliphs. Caliphs used it to cement their authority. Various religious sects used it to attract converts into their cults. But none of these so-called Mahdis ever fulfilled the propehcised purpose of his advent.

Then there was the boy-Mahdi who also vanished into a cave. Shia Muslims await for his triumphant reappearance even to this day.

The Boy Mahdi. Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdī

Shah Waliullah was a scholar and Sufi who witnessed the post-Aurangzeb decline of the Mughal empire.

He was known as the Muhaddath of Delhi. A great scholar of Quran and Hadith as well as a Saint. And in his case, he also claimed that God spoke to him.

He could not bear to see political and moral decline of his people. It is said that he received visions and revelations about the imminent arrival of the Mahdi. One of these revelations even said that if Waliullah was to affect a revolution, he may well be the Mahdi himself. But he was not very comfortable with this idea.

He knew that Mahdi is supposed to appear in Arabia, fulfilling many prophecies mentioned in Hadith. We don't know if it was the ernest desire of Shah Waliullah to find the rightful Mahdi or failing that, be that Mahdi himself: He left Delhi for Hejaz. He would remain in Makkah and Madina for almost a decade.

Shah Waliullah was certain of the coming of the Mahdi whose arrival would begin a new era of glory for Islam. His estimates placed the Mahdi during his time, as a famous Hadith had foretold that the signs for Mahdi would start appearing after one thousand years. But no Mahdi appeared in his life time. Shah Waliullah wrote that he received instructions in various visiions to go back to India and continue his religious leadership for the Indian Muslims. He died in 1762.

The beginning of 19th century saw a failed claimant of Mahdi in India. It was before the British had taken full control over the subcontinent. A man calling himself Ahmad and Rajah Nukluk sent a letter to the English governor or Surat to accept him as the Imam. The governor sent his army as the response, and he was killed along with a handful of his followers.

Syed Ahmad of Bareli, the famous freedom fighter and a follower of Shah Waliullah was also hailed as the Mahdi by some of his followers. But he also vanished mysteriously after the Battle of Balakot in 1831, never to be seen again.

Muhammad Ahmad of Sudan, a famous scholar of the Qadri order of Sufis arose as the next Mahdi. He claimed to have received revelations and visions confirming him to the status of the promised Imam. He rose against the Turkish as well as the British Colonial rulers. Inflicting defeat after defeat to his adversaries, he finally succumbed to the British onslaught. Muhammad Ahmad had all the hallmarks for a successful revolutionary. Like Shah Waliullah, he was educated and pious. He had a fanatical following and influence over a vast territory. Even the Sharif’s of Makkah feared him.

In order to fulfil the prophecies regarding the Mahdi to the letter, Muhammad Ahmad even planned to go to the Hajj in 1882 to claim his leadership over all Muslims. He either abstained from going through with his plan or was prevented from it due to his military campaigns.

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahamd of Qadian India, also claimed to be the Mahdi. He founded the Ahmadiyya Movement in 1889. He did not have a political agenda or a military solution for the Muslims. His defense of Islam against he onslaught of Christian and Arya missions stood the test of time. Even the sun and the moon eclipsed in his time in a particular order as foretold in a famous Hadith. If there was ever a Mahdi prophecised, and I believe there was, it was bound to be someone who fulfilled the prophetic words not only in his person, but also in deeds. Most importantly for an outside observer it is the outcome of his deeds which have started a revolution.

One of his followers and companions was Abdul Latif of Afghanistan. A high ranking official of the court of Kabul and a well known scholar of his time. He once told that before he had known about the claims of Hadhrat Ahmad, he had received so many revelations from God about the immediate appearance of Imam Madhi that he feared that it could even be him. Like Shah Waliullah, he also knew the significance of these revelations. So he also started his Journey to Arabia for Hajj, only to discover that a Mahdi has appeared in Qadian. Abdul Latif never went to Hajj, instead he pledged his life to the Mahdi. Soon after his return to Afghanistan, Abdul Latif was charged with apostasy and stoned to death in Kabul.

Success is the best proof of Divine support. Where all the other claimants of Mahdi failed, Hadhrat Ahmad's success despite intense persecution and opposition around the world shows that he was true in his claims. All those prophecies about the guided one were true all along.

In the Shadow of the Sword III; History, Myths and Prophecies

 Dhul-Qarnayn with the help of jinn, building  the Iron Wall to keep the barbarian Gog and Magog from civilized peoples.Courtesy: Wikimedia

Tom Holland mentions in his book the stories and legends popular among the Christians and Jews living in and around the Fertile Crescent. These are the tales of the seven sleepers, of the two-horned king and of Gog and Magog which also are mentioned in the Quran. A valid question can be raised perhaps, that why such stories of a victorious King, of mystical time-travelling Christians and of demonic hordes locked away behind a metallic wall were reproduced in the Quran? What kind of plagiarism is this! Was this an attempt by the “authors” of Quran to entice their Israelite cousins into the new-found Ishmaelite Empire? Or was it an effort to impress the Quraish with the knowledge of fantastic happenings which could only have come from God?

Let us examine the Islamic source material while ignoring the classical Muslim scholarship on this issue. I ignore it because classical Islamic scholars like Tabari, Ibn Ishaq etc. have borrowed heavily from Jewish and Christian sources to fill the gaps in their own understanding of history. Their commentaries on Quran often cite tales and fables of the Israelites. So Islamic understanding of Quran isn’t necessarily “Quranic” on many matters. For example, Book of Genesis becomes the guide for Muslim understanding of creation myths. Similarly whatever Quran mentions with references to Torah and Gospels, gets superimposed by the popular Judaeo-Christian opinion. Muslims start believing in ascension of Jesus and his return in latter days. Although they take care that rather than dying and rising up again, he is replaced on the cross with a look-alike (a story which existed in one of the lesser known gospels). Ibn Kathir went so far as to state that the earth rested on the horns of a bull. None of these stories can be verified by the Quranic text.

As the main thrust of Tom Holland’s argument is that Quran is a book manufactured, borrowed and edited to support an empire for the Arabs, I would like to compare these stories and legends with Quranic source material to see if there is any evidence of Divine knowledge in it.

A few points of clarification before I proceed further:

1. If Quran records an event or the past, regardless of its existence in Torah or folklore, the Quranic account will always be free of error. i.e., there will be no supernatural happenings, demons; time-travel etc. and it will be consistent with the scientific findings.

2. The story of Moses and “Khidr” is actually a vision of Moses which foretells of the future interactions between Israelites and the Muslims.

3. The story of Dhul-Qarnayn is significant because of its prophetic nature. i.e., Yajooj and Majooj making reappearance in the latter days.

For centuries Muslims have believed that Dhul-Qarnayn, the two horned king was Alexander the great. Some have asserted that the story has been copied from the “Romance of Alexander” which conveniently converts a pagan warrior into a soldier of God. But a closer look at the Quranic text and verified historic evidence shows that it was Cyrus the great who was the pious king. Also, Jewish records interpret Daniel’s vision about the two horned ram as Cyrus, their liberator. This understanding is consistent with other verses of Quran which also counts Sabians (Zoroastrians) as those who will be judged as monotheists along with Muslims and “people of the Book”. Quran also informs us of the geographical limits of Cyrus’s empire and location where the wall was built to keep Gog and Magog out.

The identity of this prophet-king matches the prophecy of Daniel in Torah, and not the myths prevalent among the masses. Thus Quran presents the correct history without error and also predicts the future. Exactly what a Divinely revealed scripture should do. When I say that the correct history was recorded, please note that the alleged supernatural beings helping the King build the wall and any myths regarding Gog and Magog are absent from Surah Kahf.

Now let’s see what Quran says about the future. Although it mentions Gog and Magog only twice, it does not elaborate on their origins or identity. Contemporary Jews put the title of Gog and Magog to everyone who came to harm them, including the Saracens. To them, Gog and Magog would inevitably be followed by the Messiah. Cyrus has been called a “Messiah” by Torah, so it was understandable that a future Messiah should also battle against the menace that is Yajooj and Majooj.

Quran says that in future Gog and Magog will cross all barriers and will spread on the earth causing mischief. If Biblical genealogy is to be believed, Japhethites (Gog and Magog) now inhabit Europe, Russia and North America.

This brings us finally to the story of the seven sleepers as was popular among the Syriac speaking Christians. Quran calls them Ashab-e-Kahf (Kahf=KHF=Cave) and does not give a number. Also, if we only read the text, it can be understood that these people of the cave may have belonged to various times and locations across the Roman Empire during the 3oo years of persecution. It also becomes clear that Quran does not mention a set number of the cave dwellers, which means that they were many in number who lived in the catacombs and caves around the Roman empire, virtually cut off from the daily business of life.

A test for the authenticity of Quran would be to prove that any of the historic accounts mentioned in it are erroneous in the light of the modern research. History at the time of late antiquity appears to be re-written and in many cases fabricated to validate a dynasty or religious order. Alexander or his historian sought to replace the memory of Cyrus with that of the invading conqueror. Umayyids and Abbasids were known to make use of fabricated hadith to help their popularity in the masses. Jews and Christians were also waiting for the Messiah or his second coming and their narratives were driven by this expectation. If Tom Holland’s theory is correct, Quran should be full of historic errors considering it narrates many stories from the past. In his book he does mentions such errors, but always through the agency of early Islamic commentators, who in turn were taking the best guess from many versions of history available to them.

If Quran is to be a collection of stories from syriac Christian and Jewish literature, it should also have the errors that they contain. An idea for another book for Mr. Holland perhaps?

In response to "Some Terminology Changes" by Farhan

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن ارحیم

Farhan, from the cultist group has posted an interesting entry. Half –baked as usual, this article on the use of terminology in Jamaa’t Ahmadiyya is a good specimen of anti-ahmadiyya bigotry. Some of his points are utter fallacies, and some are the “mullah twist” well known to all Ahmadis.

Term 1: Ahmad- According to Farhan, the name Ahmad refers to the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), yet Ahmadis use this name only to identify, Hazrat Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام.)…

According to Quran, Ahmad is the “Jamali” name of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام), in his commentary of verse 7 of Surah al-Saff writes;

“Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) is also given the name “Ahmad”, so Jesus (علیہ السلام) prophecised about him with this name. (He said) That after me another Prophet will come whose advent I prophecise, and his name will be Ahmad. This was a hint that he will Praise Allah very intensly”. (Al-Hakam, vol 5, No. 2, 17 Jan 1901, Page 4)

Because Promised Messiah علیہ السلام is also referred to as Hadhrat Ahmad, Sayyidna Ahmad علیہ السلام, does not mean that the name Ahmad is now not valid for all previous people known as Ahmad. We know that Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi, Syed Ahmad of Bareli, All the Ahmads of Usmani (Ottomon) empire and many million others are still known by their given name, i.e., Ahmad.

It was God’s Will to name his Messiah and Mahdi with the same name as the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). So, he caused the name of Promised Messiah علیہ السلام to be Ghulam Ahmad, a humble servant of the greatest Prophet of God. Promised Messiah علیہ السلام named his community as Jamaa’t Ahmadiyya, because in his person, Allah manifested the qualities of the name Ahmad to the world again. But to all Ahmadis, the name Ahmad is the name of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). Our Imam Mahdi علیہ السلام was only a servant of Ahmad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.).

According to an oft-repeated hadith by mullahs, Mahdi will be called Muhammad ibn Abdullah. So when this fabled Mahdi appears, will our cultist friends stop referring to the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) as Muhammad?

Term 2: Sahaba- According to Farhan, Sahaba are “Those followers of Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) who met him while they were Muslims and died upon that state”
So the assumption is that the term “Sahaba” can only be used for the companions of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم).

The word “Sahabi” means companion and friend. Shah Waliullah of Delhi, a person respected by both Deoband and Barelvi sects used the words “Ashaabuna” for his own companions.

Similarly, the Sahaba of Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام) are his companions.
Yes, we use the same prayer of reverence for them as we do for the Sahaba of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), i.e., Radhi Allahu Anhu”. This is because it is the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) that he prayed for the companions of his Messiah and Mahdi in the same words. It’s the same Hadith where he called Promised Messiah علیہ السلام as Nabiullah. (Sahih Muslim, Book 41, Number 7015)

Who can take back the honour bestowed upon the companions of Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام) by his Master, Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم)?

Term 3: First Five Khalifahs: Here he is assuming that Ahmadis have substituted the first four caliphs of Islam (r.a.) with their own caliphs.
It’s a manufactured term. If he meant rightly guided Caliphs then its only the first four we count as the Khulafa-e-Rashideen.Why count first 5? Why not all of them until 1919? There were umayyid and Fatimid and Ottoman Caliphs. Did these subsequent worldly caliphs erase the memory of the first four caliphs?

The khulafa of Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام) are called Khalifatul Masih. We believe this to be the continuation of same khilafat which ceased among the Muslim ummah after Hadhrat Ali (r.a). According to Allah’s Promise in Surah Al-Nur, the same khilafat was re-established among Muslims after the advent of Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام.


Term 4: The two Holy Cities: Another manufactured allegation. He is clutching at straws here.

Many Ahmadis perform Hajj and Umrah every year and they go and visit the two Holy cities considered Holy by all Muslims. Qadian and Rabwah also hold a special place in our hearts because Allah chose these towns to send His Messiah and establish His khilafat here. I also honor a small English village called Islamabad, where one of our beloved khulafa is buried. These towns are signs of God, and forever witness to the truth of Promised Messiah علیہ السلام, but we follow Promised Messiah (a.s) and he wrote;

“And Doctor sahib knows that Harmain sharifain (May Allah increase their honour, blessings and status) are the seat of authority for many learned scholars of this age. And in Islam these very Arab cities, especially Makkah and Madinah are considered the home of faith. And learned sons and esteemed scholars of these cities have also started to join this humble one”. (Volume: 6, Page: 75, Book: Suchhai-ka-Izhar)

He also referred to the Sulaha-e-Arab and Divines of Makkah to be better equipped to accept his claims, because unlike the India maulvis, these people were born and raised in the land of knowledge and freedom. (Nur-ul-Haq page 19). He also prophecised that people of Makkah will join Ahmadiyyat in their droves (Nur-ul-Haq page 197). In Minnanur Rahman, Promised Messiah (as) goes to great lengths to prove that Arabic is the mother of all tongues and he also mentions Makkah as the first built town/city of the world.

So, in Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam, Makkah and Madinah are our Holy Cities. Promised Messiah (علیہ السلام) gave great value to these cities when it came to acceptance of his claims. We turn to Makkah to pray and we bury our deceased facing it. We love Madinah Munawwara because it is where our Master, our beloved Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) is buried.

Term 5: Messiah- That Messiah is a term only reserved for Jesus son of Mary علیہ السلام, and Ahmadis have “hijacked” it.

Messiah is a title, which means “the anointed one”. So, all prophets were Messiahs. Jesus (علیہ السلام) is called the “Messiah” because Jews were specifically waiting for a Messiah. It has been mentioned in old testament more than 30 times.
And besides all famous physicians were entitled Messiahs by their admirers. What about them?

Term 6: Holy Graveyard- Ahmadis believe that Bahishti Maqbara in Qadian is Holy (or Holier) than Jannatul Baqi.

Jannatul Baqi is a special place where many companions of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) are buried. These lucky souls were given the good news of Jannah during their life-times. To be in the company of Khaataman Nabiyyeen (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), to have heard and seen him and to have experienced God’s Mercy in those blessed day is paradise in this life.

Bahishti Maqbarah requires the person to strive to follow the footsteps of Sahaba. There is no comparison.


I think this blog post was just meant to keep the website active. I thank Farhan and other culties for giving me the opportunity to read some more portions of Quran, Hadith and writings of Promised Messiah (a.s.). Please carry on..

WARNING FROM DIVINE WARNER

"Remember, God has informed me of many earth-quakes. Rest assured, therefore, that as earth-quakes have shaken America and Europe, so will they shake Asia. Some of them will resemble the Day of Doom. So many people shall die that rivulets of blood shall flow. Even the birds and the beasts will not he immune against this death. Havoc shall sweep the surface of the earth which shall be the greatest since the birth of man. Habitations shall be demolished as if no one had ever lived in them. This will he accompanied by many other terrible calamities which the earth and the heavens will send forth, till their extraordinary nature will become evident to every reasonable man. All the literature of science and philosophy shall fail to show their like.

Then mankind shall be sore distressed and wonder what is going to happen. Many shall escape and many shall perish. The days are near, in fact. I can see them close at hand, when the world shall witness a terrible sight: not only earthquakes but also many fearsome calamities shall overtake man, some from the skies and some from the earth. This will happen because mankind have stopped worshipping their true God and have become lost in the affairs of the world with all their heart and their effort and in-tent. If I had not come, these afflictions would perhaps have been delayed a little. But with my coming the secret purposes of an affronted God which were hidden so far, became manifest. Says God: 'We never punish unlessWe send a Messenger.' Those who repent shall find security and those who fear before calamity overtakes them shall be shown mercy. Do you think you will be immune from these calamities? Or can you save yourselves through artifice or design? Indeed not. That day all human schemes shall fail. Think not that earthquakes visited America and other continents but that your own country shall remain secure. Indeed, you may experience a greater hardship. O Europe, you are not safe and O Asia, you too, are not immune. And O dwellers of Islands, no false gods shall come to your rescue. I see cities fall and settlements laid waste. The One and the Only God kept silent for long. Heinous deeds were done before His eyes and He said nothing. But now He shall reveal His face in majesty and awe. Let him who has ears hear that the time is not far. I have done my best to bring all under the protection of God, but it was destined that what was written should come to pass. Truly do I say that the turn of this land, too is approaching fast. The times of Noah shall reappear before your eyes, and your own eyes will be witnesses to the calamity that overtook the cities of Lot. But God is slow in His wrath. Repent that you may be shown mercy! He who does not fear Him is dead, not alive."

(Haqiqatul Wahy, pp.256-57).