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, Rasulullah (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 will 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.

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 taught by Rasulullah (SAW).

Throughtout the history of Islam, a few individuals - driven either by the desperate state of Muslims in their community or a selfish pursuit 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 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.

The End Of Time

The end of time, the final day, or Doomsday usually refer to eschatological writings in the three Abraham's religions : Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The end of time is often described as a period characterized by the distress that precedes the second coming of the Messiah that was prophesied. Messiah is the figure who will usher the coming of the Kingdom of God and end the suffering and evil. However, detailed descriptions of these events depends on the beliefs each of which is studied.

A number of religions and traditions have beliefs about the end times, which produces various belief systems, traditions, and behaviors.

Yaum al-Qiyamah (Arabic: يوم القيامة) is a day late for all God's creatures. Islam gives clear guidance to his followers about the end times. There are various signs (to 100) contained in the Quran and Sunnah concerning the coming of the End Times. These signs can be divided into two parts, a large (Kubra) and small (Sughra). Large signs include the arrival of the Antichrist, Imam Mahdi and then Prophet Jesus (which would unite all the forces of good against evil), he blew the trumpet and small signs that will precede it.

Islamic eschatology associated with the Qiyamah (Judgement), the end of the world, and the final judgments of mankind. Eschatology is one of the six pillars of Faith (Aqeedah) in Islam. Like the other Abraham's religions, Islam teaches the bodily resurrection of the dead, the fulfillment of a divine plan for creation, and the immortality of the human soul; the righteous will be rewarded with the pleasures of Jannah (paradise), while the wicked will be punished in Hell. Al-Quran discuss a lot of these beliefs, with many hadith which describes the themes and details. Islamic apocalyptic literature describing the Armageddon is often known as fitna (a test) and malahim (or ghayba in Shia tradition).

The scholars divide into two parts, namely Judgement:

Judgement Shugra (small), namely the death of every human being and can also be of natural disasters;

Judgement Kubra (total), which was destroyed and an end to all physical and legal world of mortals.