Identification of the prophesied Imam Mahdi

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has prophesied about several events that
will occur just before the advent of the day of judgment. Among these,
Rasullullah (SAW) has foretold the advent of one of his descendants, Al
Mahdi ( the guided one ), which will materialize when the believers are
severely oppressed in every corner of the world. He fight the oppressors,
unite the Muslims, bring peace and justice to the world, rule over the Arabs,
and lead a prayer in Mekkah at which Isa ( PBUH ) ( Jesus ) will be present.

Throughtout the history of Islam, a few individuals_ driven either by the

desperat state of Muslims in their community or a selfish pursit of power
and prestige_ laid claim to being Mahdi and found a following among the
uninformed masses who were looking for salvation from the heavens. For
some of these individuals ( like Bob of Iran or Mirza Ghulam of India ) the claim
to being Mahdi was just a stepping stone to the development of heretic sects
which broke away from the fold of Islam. Thus, it is at least prudent to visit
the facts of this prophecy and avoid falling pray to false claimants that will
appear from time to time .

As Muslims, we should remember that the prophecy about Mahdi is one that
will come to pass. This prophecy, however, does not absolve the Muslim
ummah from its duty to strive in the cause of Allah (swt), oppose injustice, and
seek peace and betterment of human condition. Centuries have passes from
the time of the holy Prophet ( saw ) and there is a good possibility that many
more will expire before the advent of Al Mahdi. Muslims who are negligent
in their duty hoping for a savior are committing a grave mistake and are not
following the divine decrees ordained in Quran or laught by Rasulullah
( saw ).

The following are the collection of Sahih ( authentic ) regarding Mahdi.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood ( RA ) reports from the Prophey (saw), who said:

The world will not come to pass until a man from among my family
 Whose name will be my name, rules over the Arabs.( Tirmidhi Sahih, Vol.9,
P.74; also narrated by Ali b. Abi Talib, Abu sa’id, Umm Salma, Abu Hurayra )

The Prophet ( saw ) said:

Allah will bring out from concealment al-Mahdi from

My family and just before the day of judgment; even if only one day were to
Remain in the life of the world, and he will spread on this earth justice
And equity and will eradicate tyranny and
Oppression.
( Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 1, P. 99 )

Hadhrat Ali ( RA ) said :

Even if only a day remain for Qiyamah to come, yet Allah will surely send
A man from my family who will fill this world with such justice and fair
Ness, just as it initially was filled with oppression.
( Abu Dawood )

Ali b. Abi Talib ( RA ) has related a tradition from the Prophet (SAW) who informed him :

The promised Mahdi will be among my family. God will make the
provisions for his emergence within a single night.

Hazrat Umme Salmah ( RA ), prophet’s wife, narrates that she heard the prophet ( SAW )
say :

The promised Mahdi will be among my progeny, among the descendants

Fatima.
( Abu Dawud, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 207; Ibn Majah, sahih, Vol. 2 P. 519 )

Hadhrat Umme Salmah ( RA ) narrates that Rasulullah ( SAW ) said :

After the death of a Ruler there will be some dispute between the people.
At that time a citizen of Madina will flee ( from Madina ) and go to Makkah.
 While in Makkah, certain people will approach him between Hajrul Aswad
and Maqaame Ibrahim, and forcefully pledge their allegiance to him.

Thereafter a huge army will proceed from Syria to attack him but when they
will be at Baida, which is between Makkah and Madina, they will be swallowed
into the ground.

On seeing this,the Abdaals of Shaam as well as large numbers of people from

Iraq will come to him the pledge their allegiance to him. Then a person from the
Quraish, whose uncle will be from the Bani Kalb tribe will send an army to
attack him, only to be overpowered, by the will of Allah. This ( defeated ) army
will be that of the Bani Kalb. Unfortunate indeed is he who does not receive a
share from the booty of the Kalb. This person (Imam Mahdi ) will distribute the
spoils of war after the battle. He will lead the people according to the sunat and
during his reign Islam will spread throughout the world. He will remain till
seven years ( since his emergence ).He will pass away and the Muslims will
perform his Janazah salaat. ( Abu Dawood )

The holy Prophet ( SAW ) said :

A group of my Ummah will fight for the truth until near the day of judgment
when jesus, the son of Marry, will descend, and the leader of them will ask him
to lead the prayer, but Jusus declines, saying: “ No, Verily, among you Allah has
made leaders for others and He has bestowed his bounty upon them.
( Sahih Muslim )

According to these reliable, authentic, and universally accepted narrations, Mahdi will :

1. Be from among the family of prophet ( SAW ), among the descendants of

Fatima ( RA );
2. Have a broad forehead and pointed noise;
3. Appear in one night;
4. Appear just before the day of judgment;
5. Have same name as hazrat Muhammad ( SAW );
6. Escape from Madina to Makkah where people will pledge allegiance
to him;
7. Receive pledge and help of Iraqi people;
8. Fight in battles;
9. Rule over the Arabs for seven years according to Sunnah;
10.Spread justice and equity on earth;
 11.Eradicate tyranny and oppression;
12. Lead a prayer in Mekkah which Jesus(pbuh) will follow in;
13.Not be the same individual as the Promised Messiah ( jesus ).

The following narrations have been taken from books on which there is no consensus
among Muslim scholars. Their authenticity is in question:

The holy Prophet ( saw ) said :

The world will not come to an end until a man from my family ( ahl
Al-bayt ), who will be called al-Mahdi, emerges to rule upon my community.
( Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 75; Ithbat, Vol. 1, P. 9 )

Rasullullah ( saw ) said :

The world will not come out to an end until a man from the descendants of
Hussain takes charge of the affairs of the world and fills it with justice and
Equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny.
( Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 66 )

Abu Hurayra ( RA ) narrated on behalf of the prophet ( SAW ):

People will pay allegiance to the Mahdi between rukn and maqam
( in Mekkah ). ( Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, P. 64.)

According to these hadith, Mahdi will:

1. Be from family of prophet (SAW ) and descend from Hussain ( RA );

2. Appear at the end of time;
3. Appear when earth is filled with injustice and tyranny and believers
are severely oppressed;
4. Appear when a severe earthquaker will occur and green grass will
grow ( presumably in Arabia );
5. fill the earth with justice and equity;
6. Spread brotherhood, equity, and devotion among Muslims;
7. Rule over Muslim community, according to Hadith, for seven or nine
years;
8. Live and act with the qualities of the holy Prophet ( SAW ).
The following are narration not attribute to the holy Prophet (SAW ) and only represent
second hand narrations attributed to companions of the holy Prophet ( saw ). Thus, they
are included only for completeness and are unreliable.