Types of Hadith Regarding Imam Mahdi and Their Reality
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❖ The Question
Are the Ahadith regarding the coming of Imam Mahdi authentic or not?
❖ The Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
When we examine the narrations about Imam Mahdi with research, they can be classified into four main categories:
① Fabricated (Mawdu‘) Ahadith
◈ These are entirely invented and false narrations.
◈ They hold no credibility or Shar‘i value.
② Weak (Da‘if) Ahadith
◈ These narrations have weak narrators in their chains of transmission.
◈ They cannot serve as the basis for creed, although in some contexts they may be cited in matters of virtues.
③ Hasan Ahadith
◈ These narrations are not fully Sahih in themselves but, due to their multiple chains of transmission, they reach the level of Sahih li ghayrihi.
◈ Their overall meaning is acceptable and reliable.
④ Sahih li Dhatih Ahadith
◈ These are narrations with fully sound chains, reliable narrators, and connected isnads.
◈ They are considered highly authentic and authoritative.
Reality of Mahdi: Between Authentic Ahadith and Baseless Claims
The Mahdi mentioned in the Ahadith is not the imaginary Mahdi some groups claim to be hiding in a cave in Iraq.
◈ Such a belief is baseless, rooted in superstition, and has no link with reality.
◈ This concept contradicts both reason and Shari‘ah.
◈ Such a Mahdi represents misguidance and false belief.
The “True Mahdi” Mentioned in Authentic Ahadith
◈ The Prophet (ﷺ) gave glad tidings of a real Mahdi, and such narrations are numerous.
◈ This Mahdi will be a normal human being,
- born at his appointed time,
- and will appear at the destined period.
◈ His existence is a Shar‘i reality, and believing in his coming is a sound and rightful creed.
Balanced Belief
◈ Absolute denial of Imam Mahdi’s existence is incorrect.
◈ Equally, the claim that he is already alive and hidden in a cave is also false.
◈ The truth is that, based on authentic Ahadith, the appearance of Imam Mahdi is a reality, but the belief in his current concealment and hidden life is invalid.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
