Jalees Ahmad, Al Hakam
Amid the ongoing Palistaine-Israel conflict, social media has become inundated with posts by Muslims expressing the urgent need, plead and call for the Mahdi, the guided one, who was to come to bring the Muslim ummah under one leadership, voice, and Jamaat.
Lo and behold! Let it be known the Holy Prophet Muahammadsa has provided signs to identify the Mahdi in his ahadith — weather through occurrences of the sun and moon eclipse (Sunan al-Daraqutni, Kitab al-‘eidain), or his facial features and complexion (Sahih al-Bukhari 3441, Kitab ahadithi l-anbiya, Hadith 3441), or even his designated tasks (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab ahadithi l-anbiya, Hadith 3448), just to list a few aspects. There are many more ahadith about the Mahdi that require detailed explanation and understanding, though this is not the ideal place to delve into them.
For now, however, I ask you to ponder sincerely: even if all these signs were to manifest before your very eyes, do you believe you would recognise him? Imagine if someone informed you today that the Imam Mahdi has arrived—would you be able to identify him? History reminds us that whenever a prophet is sent to his people, there is always a group that rejects both the prophet and the accompanying signs. One only needs to recall the case of Prophet Noahas, Prophet Salehas, Prophet Jesusas, and even the chief of them all, Prophet Muhammadsa.
Thus, before we recognise the Imam Mahdi, we must see to and cater to our spiritual lens and pray to Allah that He may grant us the ability to recognise the truth.
Let us remember the words of our beloved master, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, who said:
إِمَامُكُمْ مِنْكُمْ
“The Imam will be amongst you” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-iman, Hadith 155d)
These words were said by the Holy Prophetsa to explain to the Companionsra at that time that the coming Messiah would be among the Muslims and not from another faith, as the final law and shariah that was established by the Holy Prophetsa was to last till the Day of Judgement.
However, pondering over these prophetic words, we see that they can apply to the Muslims of today as a message from the Holy Prophetsa stating that the Messiah, the Imam Mahdi is among you.
When the Imam Mahdi arrives, as you deem, what do you desire to see?
Do you want him to establish a Jamaat? Do you want to see him establish Khilafat? Do you want him to explain to the world how to reconnect with God, explain the reality of revelation, the blessings of prayer, and the need for the Imam?
Or maybe you would like to hear the message of peace, see him demonstrate heavenly signs, or hear him explain how we can achieve the victory of Islam.
Most of all, I am sure, no, I’m certain, the Muslim ummah would like to see him bring forth points in favour of the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, and demonstrate the superiority of Islam over all other faiths with powerful and logical arguments.
Know, O fellow Muslims of today, the Imam you await has already appeared from among this ummah. Hearken the words of the Holy Prophet Muhamamdsa and observe how they echo in all ages and, even today, see how Muhammadsa, the Messenger of Allah speaks to you, through the ahadith, and tells – or reminds – the ummah, Imamukum Minkum.