“This (Prophet) is a warner from [i.e., like] the former warners. The inevitable Day draws near.” (Qur’an 56:56-57)
“What are the unbelievers waiting for, other than the Hour to come upon them suddenly? Its Signs have already come. But what good will it be to remind them once the Hour has actually arrived?” (Qur’an 47:18)
As regards the school of the Muslims, Ahl Haqq Wa Istiqamah (The people of the Truth and Straightness), commonly known as the Ibadi school, we are Muslims who are focused on the NOW.
We are not bound by the past. Nor do we have to suffer while waiting for some salvinc figure (Mahdi/Jesus) etc…
The Ibadi school is here to remind the Muslims that Islam is not about the past or even the future. It is about NOW.
Right here, Right NOW! Where do I stand with Allah (swt) right NOW!
Not yesterday, not tomorrow, right now, because death can come at any time.
Tomorrow is too late to be prepared for death. Death may come before tomorrow.
So best to be prepared to meet death, NOW!
The following is from our beloved teacher and Shaykh, Shaykh Hafidh Hamed Al Sawafi (hafidullah)
- Muhammed (saw) is the last messenger and he is the first big sign. Upon his arrival the sands of the hour glass have started to pour rapidly.
2. We Muslims believe that there will be haqq and batil until the very end.
3. Very importantly, Qiyyamat can come anytime. Unexpectedly, therefore every Muslim
must be prepared to die, to die upon haqq. Have your affairs in order.
4. Any liar is the dajjal, and here have been many dajjals and the biggest dajjal is the one who lies about the deen.
5. Any Taqiyi (Allah fearing) Muslim is Mahdi. All Allah fearing Muslims collectively =Mahdi, and those who opposed the truth and love for lies to flourish collectively =dajjal.
6. There is no coming of Mahdi, or Jesus (a.s) , or and certainly no coming of Dajjal, in the way Sunni and Shia say. None of that at all. Jesus (a.s) climbing down a ladder in Syria, some epic battle in which Dajjal is killed and than Jesus (a.s) gets married, and all the pigs are killed, crosses are broken and Jews get slaughtered and than everything goes south once more. None of that.
#3 is the most important and crucial point of all the points.
This is the nasiha (advise) given to us by our respected teacher, Shaykh Hilal Al Wardi (hafidhullah) concerning the so called “Dajjal”
Related by our honourable brother, Assad Al Muharrami from His Eminence Shaykh Ahmed Al Khalili (hafidullah) as he states concerning
the Masih Dajjal case:
“Seeking help of Allah (swt ) from the fitnah of Masih Dajjal is authentic about the Blessed Prophet (saw) as it is also in the Musnad of Imam Al Rabe and the two Two Shaykhs and others. But this does not mean it is a specific individual who is described by attributes that make it special. As what is said about Dajjal cannot be depending upon on identifying his state and description; even if some have talked about Tawattur narrations that describe him.”
“That which is being pushed by tawatur is conditioned on it being free of disturbance and contradictions (of which there are many). But the authenticity of seeking Allah (swt) help from the dajjal includes all dajjals coming with a fitnah, as dajjal is description that isn’t limited to one individual. It is fitting description for all who deprive people and confuse them on matters in relation to their deen. And how many are the dajjals whom are cautioned against and seeking help from Allah (swt) is required from their evil in our age.” Source: (Burhan Al Haqq 168/8)
The great scholar of Ahl Sunnah have tried to save the concept of Mahdi arriving and now what are our brothers and sisters from Ahl Sunnah going to do after 59 years have passed and now Mahdi?
Ibadiya’s Perspective of the Christ’s descent, Anti-Christ, Mahdi, the Scale and Path
Some legends and crises are depicted in a number of Hadiths by some Islamic schools of thought. These show that the Prophet knows the unknown and he tells about some events and phenomena that will take place right before the Hereafter. Some of these events are Christ’s descent and the Anti-Christ’s appearance.
The Ibadiya’s perspective is that, these contradict the Qur’an. The Qur’an and Hadiths are complementary, not contradictory.
First: Such Hadiths contradict the Qur’an since they describe the Hereafter as if the Prophet knows exactly the period when the Day of Resurrection comes. The Qur’an tells us that this Day will come suddenly and neither the Prophet nor anyone else knows about when it comes. Allah says: “They ask you about the (final) Hour ‘When will be its appointed time?’ Say: ‘The knowledge thereof is with my Lord [Alone]. None but He can reveal when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heaven and earth. Only, all of a sudden will it come to you.’ They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof say: Say: ‘The knowledge thereof with Allah [Alone], but most men know not.’ (7: 187)
Second: These Hadiths give exact numbers of the dates of these crises. For example, the Prophet (pbuh) when asked, “How much will the anti-Christ stay on earth?” He answered, “forty days; each day is like a year, each day is like a month and each day is like a week. The rest of it is like your days” Sahih Muslim. The Qur’an, however, does not present these numbers with such events. Allah, when promised victory to Muslims, does not specify a period of time for such victory to happen. Allah says: “It is He Who hath sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth [Islam] to cause it to prevail over all religion, even though the pagans may detest (it)” (9: 33). The promise of victory in the Qur’an is not linked to a specific period. Allah says: “The Romans have been defeated. In a land close by: but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will be victorious. Within a few years, with Allah is the Command in the Past and in the Future: on that day, the believers will rejoice.” (30: 2-4)
Third: These Hadiths assume change of natural laws before the Hereafter. The Hadith mentioned above talks about altering the length of the day from 24 hours to a week or month or year. This length requires slowing down the rotation of earth which, in effect, would cause the earth to freeze, destabilize, and would cause scarcity of life on earth. The same goes for Hadiths by Abu Hurairah professing the sun to rise from the west as a sign of the Hereafter (Al- Boukhari # 4635). This entails that the earth will rotate in an opposite direction which also would cause slowing down the earth’s movement, then it might stop. It seems that those who innovated and created such stories did not know that the earth is round, and it rotates around itself. They thought that the sun rotates around the earth which led them to think that the sun could rise from the west. They did not realize that for the sun to rise from the west, it should stop rising from the east first. This is of course if we assumed that the atmosphere acts normally after all these tremendously notorious changes. Allah says: “(Such has been) the practice of Allah already in the past. No change wilt thou find in the practice of Allah.” (48: 23)
Fourth: These Hadiths are geographically restricted as they talk about places of the sons of Israel. They mention Damascus, Iraq, Jerusalem, Constantine and Ibn Sina’ as if events will only be restricted and connected to the geography of those who have changed the Bible and Torah.
Fifth: These Hadiths talk about primitive weapons such as swords and arrows. Such weapons relate to the second century of Hijra [the time when Hadiths were recorded]. They are so primitive compared to the most basic new weapons of this century. How about the coming centuries?! This contradicts the precision of the place, time and characteristics of legendries.
Sixth: These Hadiths profess the opening of Constantine when the anti-Christ appears, and the Christ descends. Ibn Al Hajaj specifies a chapter in his book, the title of which is “The Chapter of Constantine’s Opening, Appearance of anti-Christ and Descend of Christ”. Abu Hurairah reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: “The Last Hour would not come until the Romans would land at al- A‘maq or in Dabiq. An army consisting of the best (soldiers) of the people of the earth at that time will come from Madinah (to counteract them)…And as they would be busy in distributing the spoils of war (amongst themselves) after hanging their swords by the olive trees, the Satan would cry: The Dajjal has taken your place among your family. They would then come out. ….then Jesus (pbuh), the son of Mary, would descend and would lead them in prayer. When the enemy of Allah would see him, it would (disappear) just as the salt dissolves itself in water and if he (Jesus) were not to confront them at all, even then it would dissolve completely, but Allah would kill them by his hand and he would show them their blood on his lance (the lance of Jesus Christ)”. In reality, Constantine was opened in 1453 by Muslims and nothing of this sort happened at that time.
Seventh: These Hadiths talk about legends as if they are signs of the Hereafter. Whosoever recites the Qur’an finds that the signs of the Hereafter have already taken place. Allah says: “Do they then only wait for the Hour that it should come on them of a sudden? But already come some tokens thereof, and when it comes to them, how shall they have their reminder?” (47: 18). The most important portents are sending the Prophets and Messengers. Allah says about Moses: “And [Jesus] shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour (of judgment): therefore, have no doubt about the (Hour). And follow ye Me” (43; 61). Allah also says about sending Muhammad as a Messenger:
“This is a Warner of the series of the Warners of old. The (hour) ever approaches draws nigh” (53: 56-57). He also says: “Or some created thing that is yet greater in your breasts. Then they will say: “Who shall bring us back [to life]?” Say: “He Who created you first!” Then they will shake their heads at you and say: “When will that be?” Say: “Maybe it will be quite soon” (17: 51).
The Prophet says: “I and the Last Hour have been sent like this and (he while saying it) joined the forefinger with the middle finger.” (Al- Boukhari# 5301)
Eight: These Hadiths describe the Hereafter in exact words and give a lot of numbers and details about that period. A person who lives until that time will not find it hard to realize its arrival. This of course contradicts “sudden” on which the Qur’an insists. Allah says: “Do they then wait for the Hour that it should come on them of a sudden?” (47: 18).
Ninth: The Ummah does not agree on the validity of these narrations. There is, thus, no doubt that this news has spread from the People of the Book.
Sheikh Abdullah As Salmi (an Ibadi scholar) says: “Let it be known that the Prophet has no Prophet after him. What people narrate that Christ will descend has not been heard before.”
Sheikh Nasser bin Abi Nabhan (an Ibadi scholar) says: “Some people narrate that Allah sends the Mahdi and Anti-Christ appears. They also believe that Christ descends. All of this is far a cry from the Truth. What we know is that Jesus is dead.”
Abu Al Hassan asks about whosoever claim that there is a Day of Resurrection before the actual Hereafter in which those who were dead will be killed and those who were killed will die. He is answered, “lie!” Allah says: “Say: “It is Who Allah gives you life, then gives you death, then He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment about which there is no doubt” (45: 26). He also says: “And if ye die or are slain, lo, it is unto Allah that ye are brought together” (3: 158). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) says: “Me and the Hour are sent together. It is about to be faster than me”. Therefore, it is not acceptable to have such claims about the Hereafter.
Jesus (pbuh) descends
Ibadhiya believe that Jesus (pbuh) has died just like any other human being. Their evidence for this belief is:
1. “Behold! Allah said: “O [Jesus]! I will take you23 and rise you to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme, and I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith, to the Day of Resurrection, then shall you return unto Me and I will judge between you in the matters wherein you dispute.” (3: 55). This proves that Jesus has died. It also proves that those who believed in what Jesus preached will gain victory over the Jews till the Day of Resurrection. This is what happened when Constantine accepted Christianity as a formal religion of the Roman Emperor. Then, Islam came and instilled Monotheism which Jesus and all the other Prophets have been sent with. Jesus, as mentioned in the Qur’an, proved his death “Never did I say to them aught except what You [Allah] did command me to say: “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” And I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them, when you didst take me up24 you was the Watcher over them” (5: 117). Until today, the Jews are living in scattered areas.
2. The idea of Jesus descending contradicts the concept of mortality stressed in the Quran. Allah says: “And we granted not to any man before you permanent life (here): if then you should die, would they live permanently?” (21: 43). It also contradicts the verse “Before you, also, the Messengers We sent were but men, to whom we granted inspiration: if you know this not, ask of those who possess the Message. Nor did We give them bodies that ate no food, no were they immortals.” (21: 7-8) which proves the death of all the Prophets including Jesus (pbuh). Allah’s way on earth that humans die after a while. Jesus’ immortality refutes Allah’s way, and this can not be believable. Allah says: “(Such was) the practice (approved) of Allah among those who lived Aforetime: no change will you find in the practice of Allah.” (48: 23). Noah, however, lived for such a long time as mentioned in the Qur’an.
3. It contradicts the verse “Get you down, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling – place and your means of livelihood- for a time. Allah said: “Therein shall you live, and therein shall you die, but from it shall you be taken out” (7: 24-25). This idea testifies that Jesus is living in Heaven above us!!
4. The idea also contradicts the Qur’anic verses by saying that tax (Jizyah) is exempted from the people of the Book. In a narration, “Jesus (the son of Mary) will descend amongst you as a Just Ruler, he will break the Cross and kill the pigs and there will be no tax [Jizyah] and put money until no one accepts it” (Al- Boukhari #3448). As known, tax is an obligatory payment by the people of the Book as mentioned in the verse “Fight those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of truth from among the People of the Book until they pay Jizyah with willing submission.” (9: 29)
So, these narrations establish the idea that Jesus will descend with a new law that exempts Jizyah. As known, the Islamic law is eternal and will not be altered because Muhammad (pbuh) is the last Messenger. Allah says: “Mohammed (pbuh) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets. And Allah has full knowledge of all things.” (33: 40). These narrations, however, propose that Jesus is the seal of the Prophets since he will come at the end of the world.
Anti-Christ and the Awaited Mahdi
Many Muslims believe that there is a man with an uncanny ability who will appear at the end of life. This man, the awaited Mahdi, spreads justice after injustice has pervasively spread. Because this belief contradicts the Qur’anic verses which promise Muslims victory if they follow Allah’s orders, Ibadiya do not believe in it. Moreover, such beliefs might discourage hard work and the concept of striving to succeed. The concept of Mahdi has Torah roots as it in reality promises the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
As for the Anti-Christ Which such hadiths ascribe to, does not appear in the Ibadi sect because miracles are attributed to Prophets and Messengers. Assigning these miracles to imposters negates the Messages of Prophets. That was exactly what happened with Jews who created and supported imposters to deny their Prophet’s warnings. Allah says: “Allah has heard the taunt of those who say: “Truly, Allah is indigent, and we are rich!” We shall certainly record their word and the act of their slaying the prophets in defiance of right” (3: 181). Ibadiya consider any person who fights Allah with bad deeds to be an imposter. Currently, the number of imposters has increased. Imam Abu Al Hassan Al Basiwi (ref. Aljami’. Ministry of Heritage and Culture, Oman) is asked: “What do you think about the imposter? Do they have a specific feature?” He says: “All wrong doers are imposters. I do not know the ‘particular’ imposter to whom you are referring.
Source: (http://bintibadh.blogspot.com/2020/04/ibadiya-history-methodology-principles.html?m=1)
May Allah (swt) bless our sister Bint Ibadh for this!
In summary these ideas about waiting for some future salvic figure to “save” the Ummah is a trap. It is a trap that will not bring us any good. One 12er Shi’i cleric has been led to tell the truth about their “Mahdi” whom is presumably hiding some where:
Here is an interesting extract:
“It is nothing but bigotry and small-mindedness, if not political, Indeed, in Morocco, when Al-Mahdi b.Toumart returned from his travels seeking knowledge in the East, meeting many great Ash’ari scholars like Al-Kiya Al-Harrasi, he proceeded to disseminate the school throughout Morocco, When he claimed to disseminate the school throughout Morocco. When he claimed to be the Mahdi, and established the Almohad state, he obliged the population to adhere to the school, and fought against the school of the early Muslims, dismissing the previous Almoravid state as “anthropomorphists”, when they actually were upon the way of the early Muslims in their beliefs. He called his own dynasty Muwahhidun (“Monotheist”). He also opposed the Maliki school and the scholars of Morocco and Andalusia who adhered to it. In this way, enmity developed between the two groups; and the inherent cause was political.”
Source: -The Hadith Scholar, Professor ‘Abdullah Guenon Al-Hasani, President of the Morrocan League of Scholars and Member of the Islamic World League, Mecca’ taken from page 326 (Notions that Must Be Corrected by Shaykh Muhammad b ‘Alawi Al-Maliki Al Hasani)
So none of these Mahdi types ever brought anything good for this ummah. We have the Qur’an and the Sunnah and that is what we are to base our lives upon. No doubt many think tanks who wish the Muslim Ummah ill would prefer us to not have ambitions about setting up Islamic governance. They prefer us to keep our eyes to the sky seeking and waiting salvation, rather than having greater economic, military, political, cultural cooperation among our Ummah. Allah (swt) knows best!
Prima Quran 