will take place during that period are most important issues that
mankind has been keenly awaiting for hundreds of years. Recently,
however, the portents, reports and glad tidings regarding the End
Times have beenignored by some, and there have been attempts to have
these facts concealed or forgotten.
According to the portents of the End Times, revealed in detail in the
hadiths of our Prophet Muhammad (saas), the End Times willconsist of
two periods. The first stage of this holy time will be a period of
corruption, moral degeneration, disasters, conflict, war and want. The
second part of the End Times, however, will be a period full of
beauty, when, with the return ofthe Prophet 'Isa (as) and the
appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as), peace,security and freedom rule the
world and therewill be plenty and abundance, and people will be
content in all respects.
The hadiths contain reports of hundreds of portents revealing whenand
in what manner the End Times will commence. The fact that the portents
reported byour Prophet (saas) 14 centuries ago are one byone coming
about in ourown time makes it very clear that the first stage of the
End Times has begun. With the successive coming aboutof these portents
the Islamic world has entered into a most holy expectation: that of
the return to earth of the Prophet 'Isa (as) and, together with Hazrat
Mahdi (as), his elimination of the corruption of the dajjal and
causing the moral values of Islam to prevailover all the world.
By Allah's leave, those people who witness the portents of the End
Times may hope that thecoming of the Prophet 'Isa (as) and Hazrat
Mahdi (as) is close at hand. Every single portent is a reminder that
we are living in a most holy time. These historic glad tidings are, by
Allah's leave, about totake place.
Our beloved Prophet (saas) has told all believers living in the End
Times of these glad tidings, by emphasising this holy period in the
hadiths:
"Hazrat Mahdi (as) is from my Ahl al-Bayt and is of my descent. He
will fill the Earth with justice.He will absolutely set outtogether
with Isa (as) to help Isa (as) to kill dajjal in Palestine, the region
called Lud's Gate."1
However, there are those who are not awaiting these gladdest of
tidings that all Muslims are expecting with great excitement with the
same enthusiasm. In defiance of the hadiths regardingthe End Times,
the truth of which is agreed by all great Islamic scholars, they
remain apathetic and uninterested, and even wish Muslims to forget
these matters. There can be no doubt that awaiting Hazrat Mahdi (as),
whose moral virtues our Prophet (saas) compared to his own and whom he
praised for his elevated attributes, and a prophet such as 'Isa (as)
whose life was filled with miracles, is not something about which one
can be apathetic or else forget about.
THE COMING OF THE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS A TIDING BESTOWED ON US BY OUR
PROPHET (SAAS). The tidings of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) have
been imparted by our Prophet (saas) in person, and there are a great
many hadiths on the subject that are agreed to be completely
trustworthy (tewatur: a powerful report which cannot be untrue and
based upon an entire community). In the words of one hadith:"HAVE THE
GOOD NEWS OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS). He is a person from Quraish and of my
Ahl al-Bayt." (Short Book of Portents of the End Times, p. 13), this
matter represents great glad tidings for all Muslims.
To be living in the End Times and witness the greatest intellectual
struggle in history is a major blessing bestowedon only a limited
number of people alive this century. Every sincere Muslim who is aware
of this will wish to follow the Prophet 'Isa (as) and Hazrat Mahdi
(as), chosen and given duties by Allah, and to support them in their
struggles. For true believers, the dominion of Islamic moral values
over the entire world will be the source of the greatest happiness in
this world. The aim behind this article is once again to recall these
important events and glad tidings of the End Times which must not be
forgotten.
THE DAJJAL (ANTI-CHRIST) IS ACTIVE…
One of those matters regarding the End Times that some would have
people forget is the emergence of the dajjal and the atheistic
corruption he will organise on Earth. We have already referred in
previous articles to the fact that the dajjal (anti-christ), about
whom detailed information is provided in the hadiths, has already
initiated his activities in these years. (Allah knows the truth.)
In the hadith "Since the day Allah created Prophet Adam (as), therehas
not been a fitnah greater than of the dajjal's."2Our Prophet (saas)
has noted the scale of the corruption of the dajjal and has warned all
Muslims against this threat. Indeed, the influence of the system of
the dajjal over the peoples of the world can be felt today. The
difficulties, troubles and oppression to whichMuslims in many
countries are subjected are increasing day by day. It is clear that
the destructive effect of atheism in societies plays a major role in
all forms of oppression, injustice and chaos in the modern world. The
eradication of the theory of evolution and Darwinist thought, which
those who are attempting to spread atheism in the world useas their
major support, isfor that reason a matter of the greatest importance.
Despite this obvious truth, however, some people seek to downplay the
significance of the intellectual struggle against Darwinism and insist
on failing to understand that the dajjal, described as the worst
corruption, implements this corruption through the theory of
evolution.
On the other hand, although everyone agrees that there is a major
moral degeneration across the world, the way that certain circles
attempt never to raise the issue of or to conceal the causes
underlying this degeneration is noteworthy in terms of the widespread
influence of the system of the dajjal. The fact is that this damaging
moral degeneration, which affects everyone in one way or another, can
only be remedied bythe unmasking of the influence of the system of the
dajjal that lies behind it.
Events taking place in the world show that the dajjal has already
begunoperations. This indicates that the appearance of the Hazrat
Mahdi (as) is also approaching. (Allah knows the truth.)
Some of the hundreds ofthe portents of the appearance of the Hazrat
Mahdi (as) that are now coming true OR HAVE TAKEN PLACE are as
follows: 1) THE INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN 2) THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR 3) THE
STOPPING OF THE WATERS OF THE RIVER EUPHRATES 4) ECLIPSES OF THE SUN
AND MOON DURING RAMADAN 5) THE BIRTH OFA COMET 6) AN ATTACK ON AND THE
SHEDDING OF BLOOD IN THE KAABA 7) FIRE BEING SEEN FROM THEEAST 8) THE
INVASION OF IRAQ 9) AN ARMY SINKING IN THE DESERT 10) WIDESPREAD
SLAUGHTER PRIOR TO THE APPEARANCEOF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)11) CHAOS AND
CONFUSION EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD 12) CORRUPTION IN WHICH EVEN WOMEN
AND CHILDREN ARE KILLED 13) THE DESTRUCTION OF GREAT CITIES 14)
INCREASED NUMBERS OF EARTHQUAKES. The successive realisation of the
hadiths regarding the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) points to a
specific time frame. The way that all the portents have been taking
place in succession since the beginning of the 14thcentury, according
to the Hijri calendar, (1979-1980), makes it very clear that the time
we are living in is that inwhich Hazrat Mahdi (as)is on the Earth.
(Allahknows the truth.)
THE COMING OF HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS APPROACHING…
Heading the list of the major events of the End Times is the emergence
of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the establishment of an Islamic Union under
his leadership. Hazrat Mahdi(as) will be a means whereby people live
by the moral values of the Qur'an and he will make an Islamic union
under his leadership a reality. In some hadiths our Prophet (saas) has
clearly given a date of 1400, Hijri style, (1979-1980 according to the
Gregorian calendar), for the coming of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) and has
imparted the glad tidings of the leadership of this holy individual.
One of these hadiths reads: "People will gahter around Hazrat Mahdi
(as) in the year 1400."3
This glad news will increase believers' joy and enthusiasm. In
addition to the hadiths of our Prophet (saas), through the
hand-written works theyhave written and that have survived from
theirday to the present, Islamic scholars have also transmitted the
joy and enthusiasm of these great glad tidings and have been a means
whereby the matter has been kept alive for believers. Indeed, a number
of portents that have come about in our own day show that the coming
of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is very close.
There is no doubt that every new piece of information learned about
the subject will bea means of enhancing Muslims' excitement. However,
certain circles are unwilling for the subject of Hazrat Mahdi (as) to
be discussed in the open. They want people to forget about the subject
by keeping itquiet and imagine that they can prevent these glad
tidings. Almighty Allah has of course told us that He will foil all
these endeavours:"They desire to extinguish Allah's Light with their
mouths. But Allah refusesto do other than perfect His Light, even
though unbelievers detest it. It isHe Who sent His Messenger with
guidance and the Religion of Truth to exaltit over every other
religion, even though polytheists detest it."(Surat at-Tawba: 32-33)
BEDIUZZAMAN'S STATEMENTS REGARDING THE END TIMES CANNOT BEIGNORED
As we have already discussed in detail in previous articles, one of
the subjects to which Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, the renovator of the
13th century, Hijri-style, attaches the greatest importance is that of
theEnd Times. Bediuzzaman set out the portents and significant
personages of this holy age for Muslims over many pages and in
considerable details. He made important statements that act as a guide
for Muslims on thesubjects of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the
way he will bring Islamic values to prevail on Earth. These valuable
descriptions, which shedlight on the period we are living in, cannot
be ignored or disregarded in any manner whatsoever.
THE WAY TO AN ISLAMIC UNION HAS BEEN OPENED UP
Careful attention reveals that there have been lately frequent
references to an Islamic Union in the written andvisual media.
Presidents, prime ministers and politicians from various countries,
television programme producers, various magazines and opinion shapers
have all expressed their desires on this issue. In addition,the taking
of some concrete steps to enable this union to come about is a most
pleasing development. The road leading to an Islamic Union is moving
ahead, but the really important thing here is that this subject is a
herald of the End Times and needs to be looked at from that point of
view. By Allah's leave, this union will be established by means of
Hazrat Mahdi (as). This task has already been successfully completed
inhis destiny. Yet this knowledge must not lead to any relaxation.
Muslims' responsibility is to keep the issue constantly alive and on
the agenda, to monitor events and inform all Muslims and raise their
awareness of this subject.
THE PROPHET 'ISA (AS) WILL COME TO EARTH FOR A SECOND TIME…
Attempts are also being made to cause people to forget and cover up
another welcome event concerning the End Times, the second coming to
earth of the Prophet 'Isa (as).
The fact is, however, that the second coming of the Prophet 'Isa (as)
isa fact imparted to believers in verses of theQur'an and the hadiths
of our Prophet (saas). Some of these hadiths read as follows:
"I swear to Allah in Whose hands is my life that the descent of Isa
(as), the son of Mary, as ajust rules is close."4
"Within my community Isa (as) ibn Mary will be a just ruler and a fair
imam (in administration), he will crush the cross and kill the
swine…As a pot is filled with water so doesthe Earth with peace. There
will also be unity of religion, and no longer will anyone worship
someone other than Allah."5
As revealed in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas), the Prophet 'Isa
(as), whom Allah raised into His presence two thousand years ago
(Surat an-Nisa, 158), will return to Earth again and will, together
with Hazrat Mahdi (as) and bythe leave of Allah, be a means whereby
peace and security are established in the world.Moreover, many events
and phenomena that have recently taken place also show that the coming
of this valued guest is close at hand. (Allah knows the truth.)
For that reason, the utmost must be made of the period we are living
in, and all attitudes and moral values that might embarrass the
Prophet 'Isa (as) when he comes must be strictly avoided. One of the
attitudes to be avoided, and perhapsthe most shameful, is without
doubt to cover up this fact and try to cause people to forget about
it, rather than celebrating it. For that reason, it is of the greatest
importance thatsincere believers keep the extraordinary natureof the
return of this holy emissary after two thousand years constantly on
the agenda, and that they prevent any relaxation or apathy on the part
of certain persons.
Salvation for those longing for justice, peace, order and virtue is,
by the leave of Allah, close at hand. Many developments taking place
are signs that this salvation is approaching.
People who witness this salvation may, by Allah's leave, hope that the
coming of the Prophet 'Isa (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) is close at
hand. Every sign is a reminder that we are living in a holy period. By
the will of Allah, thesehistoric tidings awaited for hundreds of years
are about to become reality.
There have been frequent references to an Islamic Union in the written
and visual media. The longing for such a union is expressed by certain
circles.
There can be no doubt that living in such a holy time, one that will
restore Islam to its true essence, that will be a means whereby people
come to believe, and that will establish a great unity among Muslims
is a great blessing for all Muslims. It must not be forgotten that
remaining uninterested and apathetic in the face of such great and
welcome events awaited by the whole Islamic world and seeking to have
others forget them may be a source of terrible shame in the future for
those who display such attitudes when, by Allah's leave, the
Prophet'Isa (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) appear. Our Lord has spoken of
this holy time in the Qur'an:
Allah has promised thoseof you who have faith and do right actions
thatHe will make them successors in the land as He made those before
them successors, and will firmly establish for them their deen with
which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security.
'Theyworship Me, not associating anything with Me.' Any who are
disbelievers after that, such people are deviators. (Surat An-Nur: 55)
REFERENCES
1 – Death, Doomsday, the Hereafter and the Portents of the End Times,
Imam Sharani, Bedir Publishing, p. 438, (816)
2 - M. Chastrette, "Trends in structure-odor relationships", SAR QSAR
Environ. Res. 6, 1997, s.215-254.
3 – Risalat al-Khuruj al-Mahdi.
4 – Sahih Muslim, 6/532
5 - Ibn Majah, 10/334
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