The appearance of the angels that will be alongside Hazrat Mahdi (as) is something that will take place in the spiritual world alone, and will therefore be visible only to the angels

To suggest that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be a mostextraordinary person
and that he will be recognized as soon as heappears is a claim that
conflicts totally with the hadith of our Prophet (saas) and with the
law of Allah. According to some people who insist on making such a
claim, tanks, shells and even atom bombs will have no effect on Hazrat
Mahdi (as). In addition, they say that when people look above Hazrat
Mahdi's (as) head they will see angels on a cloud, and these will
constantly point Hazrat Mahdi (as) out to people.The fact is, however,
that THE HADITH OF OUR PROPHET (SAAS) SAY THAT THE GREAT MAHDI OF THE
END TIMES WILL BE SUBJECTED TO PRESSURE, DURESS AND OPPRESSION FROM
THE SYSTEM OF THE DAJJAL, THAT HE WILL BE IMPRISONED AND LIVE WITH THE
THREAT OF DEATH, THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WILL BE CHAINED, THAT A
COPPER TABLET WILL BE HUNG AROUND HIS NECK, THAT HE WILL BE ABANDONED
TO SUFFERING AND TROUBLE AND THAT HE WILL BE ISOLATED.
It is also perfectly apparent from the hadith of our Prophet (saas)
that there will be angels alongside Hazrat Mahdi (as) and that these
angels will help him.
HAZRAT JIBRIL (AS) AND HAZRAT MIKHAIL (AS) AND FORTY-SIX THOUSAND
(46,000) ANGELS WILL BE IMAM MAHDI'S [HAZRAT MAHDI'S (AS)] HELPERS AND
COMPANIONS.1
____________________
1 Sheikh Sadooq'un(a.r.) Al-Amaali, Session 92, p. 504; No'mani,
Al-Ghaibahp. 56; Tafseer al-Ayyaashi, Vol. 1, p. 197; Bihar-ül Envar,
Vol. 19, p. 284; p. 52, p. 326 from Kaamil al-Ziyaaraat;Vol. 52, p.
356; Vol. 53, p.14, 87; Tafseer al-Burhaan, Vol. 1, p. 313; Al
-Burhaan Fi Alaamaat-e-Mahdi Aakher al-Zamaan (a.s.), p. 77; Mikyaal
al-Makaarem, Vol. 1, p. 29, 73-74
HOWEVER , THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANGELS THAT WILL BE ALONGSIDE HAZRAT
MAHDI(AS) IS SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD
ALONE, AND WILL THEREFORE BE VISIBLE ONLY TO THE ANGELS.
If, as some people maintain, Hazrat Mahdi (as) were an extraordinary
entity with angels visible around his head and immune to guns, tanks
and shells, then how canhe be imprisoned, tortured and persecuted,and
live in great difficulty? How can anyone imprison or mistreat someone
who isinvulnerable to guns andbombs? In addition, our Prophet (saas)
says therewill be a time when Hazrat Mahdi (as) disappears from sight.
If,as they maintain, Hazrat Mahdi (as) were an extraordinary person,
why would he feel the need to hide away and live out of sight?
The hadith of our Prophet (saas) compare Hazrat Mahdi (as) to the
Prophet Yusuf (as) with regard to the way that he will live hidden
from sight and be imprisoned,and to the Prophet Musa (as) with regard
to the way that he will face intense dangers and live with the threat
of death,plots, arrest, detention and exile.
Imam Zayn al-Abidin stated: "There are some similarities between our
Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] and Allah's messengers. He has similarities
to each one of prophet Nuh(as), Ibrahim (as), Musa (as), Isa (as),
Ayyub (as) and Muhammad (saas). He has similarity to NUH (as) in
having a long life;to IBRAHIM (as) in havinghis birth being hidden and
his staying away from the public; TO MUSA (AS) IN HIS STATE OF FEAR
(THE INTENSITY OF DANGERS DIRECTED TO HAZRAT MAHDI (AS); HIS BEING
FACE TO FACE TO ALLKINDS OF DANGER LIKE MURDER, PLOTTING, ARREST,
TAKING INTO CUSTODY AND EXILE) AND HIS CONSTANTLY SPENDING HIS LIFE
HIDING ; to ISA (as) in people being in conflict about him (some
people will say Hazrat Mahdi (as) will come while others will say he
will not); to AYYUB (as) in being delivered to salvation after trouble
(Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also suffer many difficulties, diseases and
trouble; however just like Prophet Ayyub (as) he will be saved by
Allah's mercy); to Muhammad (saas) in his standing up with his sword
[our Prophet's (saas) holy relics like his holy standard, sword and
cardigan will be with Hazrat Mahdi (as)].
(Qamal al-Din, p. 322, Section 31, Hadith number 3)
Sadr al-Sayrafi says: I heard Imam Abu Abdullah Jaffar al-Sadiq say:
He said: "THE OWNER OF THIS TASK [THE HAZRATMAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE A
RESEMBLENCE TO YUSUF (AS)]." AND I SAID: "IT IS AS IF YOU ARE TELLING
US OF A DISAPPEARANCE OR ASTONISHMENT."
(Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Nomani, al-Ghaybah al-Nomani p.189)
Abu Bashir says: I heard Imam Muhammad Baqr (as) say: "HE WHO
POSSESSES THIS OCCULTATION [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE THE SUNNA OF
FOUR PROPHETS. ONE SUNNA FROM THE PROPHET MUSA, ONE FROM THE PROPHET
'ISA (AS), ONE FROM THE PROPHET YUSUF (AS) AND ONE FROM THE PROPHET
MUHAMMAD (SAAS), may the peace of Allah be upon them all.
I SAID: WHAT IS THE SUNNA OF MUSA (AS)? HE SAID: TO WITHDRAW AND HIDE
AWAY . I SAID: WHAT IS THE SUNNA OF 'ISA (AS)? AND HE SAID: WHAT IS
SAID ABOUT 'ISA (AS) WILLALSO BE SAID ABOUT HIM . I SAID, WHAT IS THE
SUNNA OF YUSUF (AS)? AND HE SAID: IMPRISONMENT AND OCCULTATION . I
SAID, WHAT IS THE SUNNA OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAAS)? HE SAID: HE
WILL FOLLOW IN THE PATH OF THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH WHEN HE APPEARS .
ONLY HE WILL ELUCIDATE THE WORKS OF THE MESSENGEROF ALLAH... I said:
How will he know Allah's approval? And he said:"Allah will manifest
His mercy in his heart."
(Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Nomani, al-Ghaybah al-Nomani, p. 191)
Our Prophet (saas) even received a sword blow and one of his teeth
wasbroken. Many prophets were martyred on Allah'spath, many companions
and members of the Ahl al-Bayt were martyred on the field of battle or
else lost hands, or eyes or other parts of their bodies. SINCE NONE OF
THE PROPHETS HAVE BEEN SENT WITH SUCH EXTRAORDINARY ATTRIBUTES IT IS
IMPOSSIBLE TO CLAIM THAT HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL BE SENT WITH SUCH
WONDROUS ATTRIBUTES.
Allah reveals in the Qur'an that some people from the tribe of our
Prophet (saas) claimed that an angel should come down as proof that
the Prophet Muhammad (saas) was actually a prophet. After that, He
reveals that our Prophet (saas) was simply a human being sent as a
warner, a messenger:
Perhaps you are leaving aside part of what has been revealed to you
and your breast is constricted by this because they say, "Why has
treasure not been sent down to him OR AN ANGEL NOT ACCOMPANIED HIM?"
You are only a warner and Allah is Guardian over all things. (Surah
Hud, 12)
In another verse it is revealed that people who denied the prophets
generally demand to see angels as a condition of belief:
Why do you not BRING ANGELS TO US if you are telling the truth?' The
angels only descend with the truth and then they would be granted no
reprieve. (Surat al-Hijr, 7-8)
Allah also reveals in verses of the Qur'an that everyone will have
recording angels on either side of them. IN THE SAME WAY THAT NOBODY
IN THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD CAN SEE THE RECORDING ANGELS ON EITHER SIDE
OF PEOPLE, IF JIBRIL (AS) WHO FREQUENTLY BRINGS REVELATIONS COME
WITHOUT BEING SEEN TO PEOPLE, THEN JIBRIL (AS) AND MIKHAIL (AS) AND
THE46,000 OTHER ANGEL HELPERS ALONGSIDE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL NOT BE
VISIBLE, EITHER.
One hadith narrated from our Prophet (saas) says that an angel that
will help Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be invisible even to him:
He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will follow in the footsteps of our Prophet
(saas). THERE WILL BE AN ANGEL WHO HELPS HIM WITHOUT BEING SEEN. He
will restore the weary and help the weak.
(Futuhat Al Makiyya of Ibn Arabi, Ch. 366)

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Fathwa, - Hadeeth about offering advice to the ruler

Question
you have mentioned this hadith and i want it reference and
authenticity . the hadith is "Sa'eed ibn Jubayr once asked Ibn 'Abbaas
both, whether or not he was obligated to enjoin the ruler to do what
is good, and forbid him from doing what is evil. Ibn 'Abbaas both,
answered that if he feared he would be killed, he was not obliged to
do so. Ibn Jubayr repeated the same question thrice andevery time Ibn
'Abbaas' answer was the same, but he added that if it was inevitable,
he shouldadvise him privately."
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
isHis slave and Messenger.
This Hadeeth was reported by Sa'eed ibn Mansoor in his Sunan andby
Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab Al-Eemaan , and by Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah in
his Musannaf but with the wording: "…..a man said to Ibn 'Abbaas
…...". We have not come across any scholar who either classified it as
Saheeh (sound) or as Dha'eef (weak).
However, many scholars tend to provide it as evidence and this
suggests that it is authentic according to them, or that the wording
that it contains is confirmed in other authentic Ahaadeeth, likethe
one reported by Ibn Abi 'Aasim in his book entitled "As-Sunnah" from
'Iyaadh ibn Ghanm that the Prophet said: ''Whoever wants to give
advice to the Sultan (leader/ruler), he should not do that in public
but he should take him by the hand and go into seclusion with him. If
the ruler accepts his advice, then that is good and thisis what is
required, and ifnot, he (the adviser) has fulfilled his obligation. "
[classified as Saheeh by Al-Albaani in Thilaal Al-Jannah]
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Fathwa, - Specifying an hour and fifteen minutes as a time gap between Maghrib and ‘Ishaa'

Question
We live in a Muslim-majority city in which there are five mosques.
Some of these mosques proclaim the Athaan (i.e. call to prayer),
especially the 'Ishaa' Athaan, according to Al-Aqsa prayer times while
the other mosques raise the Athaan an hour and fifteen minutes after
the Maghrib prayer. This means that there is a time gap between the
Athaans of the city's mosques of 20-25 minutes and this incurs
inconvenience and confusion among people.This is especially the case
in our old mosque wherethe Mu'ath-thin (i.e. callerto prayer) insists
on non-compliance with Al-Aqsa prayer times like the rest of the
mosques under the pretext that hehas been calling the Athaan at that
time throughout the years (and is not willing to change it). Please
note that we know that the accurate time of the 'Ishaa' prayer is when
theold mosque's Mu'ath-thincalls the Athaan (and not like the rest of
the mosques), but we only seek to maintain order and avoid any Fitnah
anddiscord among Muslims in the city's various mosques. Please advise
us in this regard and we will print your Fatwa anddistribute it in the
five mosques in our city, Tamra.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
isHis slave and Messenger.
The time of the 'Ishaa' prayer begins when the red twilight disappears
from the sky. 'Adullaah ibn 'Amr ibn Al-'Aas reported that the Prophet
, said: " The time for Maghrib lasts until the twilight has faded and
the time for 'Ishaa' lasts until midnight. " [Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet , said: " The time for Maghrib
starts with sunset and lasts until the twilight has faded. The time
for 'Ishaa' starts when the twilight has faded and lasts until
midnight. " [At-Tirmithi]
The time interval between Maghrib and 'Ishaa' differs according to
various seasons. It maybe long or short, approximately an hour and
fifteen minutes to anhour and thirty-five minutes.
The criterion here is the visual sighting. Whenever the red twilight
fades away, the time of Maghrib elapses and the 'Ishaa' prayer becomes
due. There is noharm in adopting specificprayer times as long as you
are sure of their accuracy.
Moreover, there is no harm in adopting Al-Aqsaprayer timings if they
areproven to be accurate and as long as your city and Al-Aqsa share
the same sunset time. You should not calculate the 'Ishaa' prayer's
time by simply performing the prayer after the passage of an hour and
fifteen minutes after the Maghrib prayer all year long. The time gap
between the Maghrib and 'Ishaa' times differs for various seasons, as
stated above.
At the same time, Muslimsshould be keen to foster unity, brotherly
love exchange sincere advice and denounce blindly following the
habits if they contradict the Islamic Sharee'ah and incur nurturing
discord and disunity among Muslims.
It is unbecoming of Muslims, especially if theylive in one country, to
raise the Athaan for the same prayer in the city's mosques with such a
long time interval (i.e. 20-25 minutes)!
This incurs confusion andinconvenience, especiallyfor women and those
who are exempted from performing the congregational prayer at the
mosque (due to a valid Sharee`ah-acceptable excuse).
Instead, they should all agree on one time to proclaim the 'Ishaa'
Athaan in all the mosquesof the city; let it be at the beginning time
of 'Ishaa' so as to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet so as to avail of
the most primary function of the Athaan (i.e. reminding people that
the prayer is due).
Ibn Qudaamah said in Al-Mughni, " It is recommended to proclaim the
Athaan at the prayer's beginning time in order to remind people of its
due time so that they can get ready to perform the prayer. Jaabir ibn
Samurah said that Bilaal never delayed the Athaan (fromthe prayers'
beginning times ). "
Hence, competent scholars and experts should be consulted to verify
that Al-Aqsa prayer times are accurate. If they were found accurate
and corresponded with your city's prayer times (and the sunset time in
Al-Aqsais identical to that of your city), they should beset as
standard and be adopted by all the mosques in the city. If not, then
each Mu'ath-thin should strive to make the visual sighting of the red
twilight as it fades away or adopt approximate prayer times.
Allaah Knows best. - - ▓███▓ Translator:->
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Fathwa, - Supplication after Athaanand Iqaamah

Question
Should the reported supplication of Al-Waseelah (i.e. the highest rank
in Paradise) and Al-Fadheelah (i.e. Superiority) for the Prophet , be
recited after the Athaan, Iqaamah or both? What isthe ruling on this
matter according to the four schools of Fiqh?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
isHis slave and Messenger.
Asking Allaah The Exalted to Grant the Prophet , Al-Waseelah and
Al-Fadheelah after the Athaan is required and recommended. Jaabir
ibn'Abdullaah reported that the Prophet , said:" Whoever says (after)
hearing the Athaan, 'Allahumma Rabba hathihi Ad-Da'wati At-Taammah wa
As-Salaati Al-Qaa'imah, aati Muhammadan Al-Waseelata wa Al-Fadheelah,
wab'ath-huMaqaaman Mahmoodan Al-lathi Wa'adtah.' (O Allaah, Lord of
this perfect call (i.e. Monotheism) and of the current prayer (which
is about to start) Grant Muhammad Al-Waseelah and superior status over
all creatures and raise him to the station of praise and glory (i.e.
the highest degree in Paradise) that You Promised him)', then
intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of
Resurrection. " [Al-Bukhaari and others]
' Abdullaah ibn 'Amr reported that the Prophet , said: " When you hear
the Athaan, repeat what the Mu'ath-thin says. Then ask Allaah The
Exalted to Exalt my mention because everyone who does so will receive
in return ten rewards from Allaah. Then beseech Allaah to Grant me
Al-Waseelah, which is a high rank in Paradise. " [Muslim and others]
These narrations underline the permissibility of asking Allaah The
Exalted to Grant the Prophet , Al-Waseelah and superiorstatus over all
creatures after the Athaan and the Iqaamah as well; as both of them
are considered a call to prayer.
As for the different opinions in the four schools of Fiqh, they did
not differ about the permissibility of making this supplication after
theAthaan; due to the many clear narrations that were reported in this
regard.
As for making this supplication after the Iqaamah, what is apparently
deduced fromthe statements of the Hanafi, Shaafi'i and Hanbali schools
of Fiqh is that what is required of one who listens to the Athaan is
no different than what is required of one who listens to the Iqaamah.
Concerning the Maaliki school of Fiqh, wecould not find a stated
opinion for it with regards to the Iqaamah.
Allaah Knows best.

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