Question
Please explain the appearance of Imam Mahdi in light of the Quran and Hadith.
Answer
All praise is due to Allah! The appearance of Imam Mahdi is mentioned in the Hadiths, and it is one of the major signs of the Final Hour. The Quran does not directly mention Imam Mahdi, but the Prophet ﷺ explained in the Hadiths that the appearance of Imam Mahdi will occur before the Final Hour and that he will establish a system of justice and fairness in the world.
➊ Imam Mahdi in the Hadiths
Name and lineage: The Prophet ﷺ said that the name of Imam Mahdi will be “Muhammad” and the name of his father will be “Abdullah,” which will correspond to the name of the Prophet’s ﷺ father:
“The world will not end until a man from my Ahl al-Bayt becomes king of the Arabs, and his name will be like my name.”
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➋ The appearance of Imam Mahdi
Imam Mahdi will be from the family of the Prophet ﷺ and will be among the descendants of Hadrat Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her):
“The Mahdi will be from my family; he will be from the descendants of Fatimah.”
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➌ The caliphate of the Mahdi
The caliphate and leadership of Imam Mahdi will be established in Arabia before the Final Hour, and his rule will be filled with justice and fairness:
“The Mahdi will be from me; his forehead will be broad and his nose will be high. He will fill the earth with justice and fairness just as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years.”
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➍ The establishment of the caliphate
The caliphate and affairs of Imam Mahdi will be settled in just one night, and people will give their allegiance at his hand:
“The Mahdi will be from our Ahl al-Bayt, and Allah will arrange his caliphate in a single night.”
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➎ The allegiance in Al-Masjid al-Haram
The allegiance to Imam Mahdi will take place in Al-Masjid al-Haram between Hajr al-Aswad and Maqam Ibrahim. Some people will consider his caliphate a rebellion and will send an army to crush it, but that army will be swallowed up at the place called Bayda:
“After the death of a caliph there will be disagreement among the people. A man from Banu Hashim will come to Makkah, and people will give him the allegiance between Hajr al-Aswad and Maqam Ibrahim. An army will come from Syria, but it will be swallowed up at the place called Bayda.”
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➏ The descent of Isa (peace be upon him) and the leadership of Imam Mahdi in prayer
The rule of Imam Mahdi will be the period in which Hadrat Isa (peace be upon him) will descend from the heavens, and Imam Mahdi will offer the prayer under his leadership:
“A group from my ummah will continue to fight for the truth. Hadrat Isa ibn Maryam will descend from the heavens, and Imam Mahdi will lead the prayer for them.”
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➐ Summary
◄ Imam Mahdi will be from the family of the Prophet ﷺ, and his appearance will be close to the Final Hour.
◄ His name will be Muhammad ibn Abdullah, and he will be among the descendants of Hadrat Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her).
◄ The period of Imam Mahdi’s rule will be seven years, and justice and fairness will be established in the world during his time.
◄ His allegiance will take place in Al-Masjid al-Haram, and Hadrat Isa (peace be upon him) will pray under the leadership of Imam Mahdi.
