Imam Mahdi (Rahmatullahi Alayh)

Literally, Mahdi means someone who is on the right path. In this sense, this can apply to every good Muslim. But the Mahdi that was announced by Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the Hadith is a very particular person who will make his appearance in Makkah.

The appearance of this person is the first sign among the great signs of Qiyamah.

According to the Hadith, his name will be Muhammad, the name of his father will be Abdullah and the name of his mother will be Amina. He will be among the descendants of Hazrat Fatimah (Radiyallahu Anha). He will be a resident of Madinah. He will resemble Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) a lot in appearance and conduct.

The Auliya-Allah (pious people) and the Abdaal (a title for a certain category of pious people) of Shaam and Iraq will take bai-ah (take a pledge of allegiance) at his hand. That is, they will make a commitment to accept him as their Ameer and their leader. He will dig up the treasure that was buried under the Ka'bah and will distribute it to the Muslims. He will rule the whole world. During his reign, he will fight injustice in all its forms in order to establish a society filled with peace, harmony and justice.

Dajjaal will appear during his time. And Hazrat Is'a (Alaihis Salaam) will come down from the sky in Damascus during his time.

Imam Mahdi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) will wage Jihad against the Christians and he will conquer Constantinople. Note that believing in the advent of Hazrat Mahdi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) is one of the fundamental beliefs of the Ahl-us-Sunnah Wal-Jama'ah because the advent of Hazrat Mahdi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) is supported and proven by Hadith Mutawaatir and it is approved by the consensus of the Ummah.

[English version of "Imam Mahdi (r)" – Al Jamiat – Vol.3 No.15]