No Compulsion…As Long As You Believe Like Me

As we are going into Thanksgiving and I am very busy during this time of the year; I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get at least 3 posts out this week. I won’t be putting up one on the topic I am currently working on however I found this on my friends blog.  We will get back to the other series the first of the week (hopefully).  But this post and the next one is just as informative and interesting as the series we are in, so I really want everyone to read it and the next one.

This article is written by Ahmed Mansour, and tells you some of the beliefs of these people who are being persecuted for not believing the same way as the powers that be.  I am printing it in it’s entirety here, but you can also find it here. Again, thank you Stefan for printing great stuff that I can share with others. I thought it was very interesting and worthwhile reading for all. Since I have 5 blogs, what better way to get this out there.  There is a part 2 to this which I will put up by Friday or Saturday.  Actually I think this post should be the second part, but I am putting it up first.

Again remember there is no compulsion in Islam… as long as you worship and/or believe the way your told. Anything else is subject to discrimination, jail, or death. Even if, or rather, especially if, you are a Muslim in a Muslim nation. In the early 1990’s, I was invited by the Egyptian association for religious brotherhood to lecture in a church in Cairo to Muslims and Christians about tolerance. I was warned that there was a suspicious bearded man waiting for me in front of the church.We talked. He told me that he had spent two months trying to meet me. He told me that he had been a member of secret fanatic organization and was assigned to rebut my discourse, but that my words had changed his and his family’s life. He asked me to join my weekly Friday prayer meeting at my home, and if possible bring his family.

After a month they became Quranists.

Who are the Quranists?

The Quranists are intellectual Muslims who believe in Islam as the religion of freedom, democracy, tolerance, justice, peace and human rights. They fight the terrorists’ culture from within Islam, using Quran as the only source of legislation.

Why they are persecuted?

The Quranic movement started in 1979 by sincere Muslim scholars who specialized in the contradiction between the true Islam and the Culture of Muslims. Therefore they were victimized by terrorists and fanatic scholars.
Being activists for human rights and democracy, and calling for peaceful reform from within Islam, the Quranists are also victimized by the Egyptian regime.

The Egyptian regime and Muslim Brothers are against each other but are usually united against Quranists.

Brief overview of the persecution of Quranists:

The Quranists have suffered three waves of arrest; in 1987, 2000-2001, and finally the third wave starting May 28th, 2007, when five of the Quranists were arrested, tortured for 37 days, interrogated, and suffered ridiculous accusations about their faith and prayers.

Their families were also persecuted in Egypt. Some moved to Upper Egypt and some stayed indoors. The Muslim Brothers used mosques, media and the education system, as well as their control of the streets to try to tarnish the Quranists as ardent enemies of Islam.

After the Egyptian regime officially accused the Quranists of insulting Islam, fanatics used the accusation to call for the Quranists’ death.

The five Quranists have been released in October 6, 2007, after more than four months in prison. Because of torture, my brother Abdellateef had to undergo surgery in his ear. Amr Tharwat needed surgery on his leg, while Ahmed Dahmash has damage in his backbone. The persecution continues. Every week, they must go to the same prison to be interrogated and humiliated by the security services. Any time they may be arrested and tortured again. They are ordered to pray the weekly Friday prayer in fanatic mosques, and are not allowed to contact me, or to write in our site.

In this way he Egyptian regime is seeking to make an example for the rest and keep the Quranists from continuing their reform movement.

Persecution in some detail:

As an assistant professor at Al-Azhar University, the oldest and most famous religious university in the Sunni Muslim world, I wrote five books in 1985 to reform Sunni religious life.. I was accused of being against Islam because I denied the intercession of the prophet Muhammad in the day of judgment, deny his infallibility, and deny that he is the best and the master of all the prophets. In March 1987, I was fired.In November 1987, I was arrested, along with 24 of my followers, and accused of being a denier of the Sunna, the sayings and the deeds of the prophet Muhammad. The government claimed that my writing were a call for Muslims to abandon Islam. After two months I was released.

To save my life, I escaped to the United States. When I returned to Egypt in October 1988 I was again arrested, and released after two days on the condition that I not defend myself whenever the fanatics of Al Azhar attacked me. In the period 1988-1995, I was attacked so severely, and received death threats so that I asked for court protection. From January 1996 until June 2000 I worked at the Ibn Khaldun Center as a Muslim scholar and moderator of the Center’s weekly forum. The Center is run by Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, the famous sociologist, and leader of the movement for human rights, civil society and liberal culture in the Arab world. As an American citizen and part-time counselor of President Mubarak, Dr. Ibrahim has had great influence in Egypt in the 1990s.

My life was in real danger after I wrote a book as a project for the Center on reforming the Egyptian education system to make it more tolerant. I was severely attacked in the Egyptian parliament.

As a result of problems between Dr. Ibrahim and President Mubarak, Dr. Ibrahim was arrested in June 2000 and the Center shut down. Since I was in serious danger, and some of my relatives had been arrested, I contacted and explained the situation to officials in the US embassy.

The security service kept us constantly in a state of terror. They arrested more members of my family in my village. Finally they arrested some of my friends who used to attend my weekly prayer at home. One told me that he expected them to arrest both of us along with more of my relatives. He said they would as usual force my friends to make false accusations about me and so I fled to the US on October, 15, 2001. (This is reviewed in the U. S Department of State’s 2002 International Religious Freedom Report)

Since coming to the U.S, I have found the same Wahabi influence, and founded the International Quranic Center, with a website, to organize Quranists.

So, we suffer the third wave of arrest.

For more details:

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/English/show_article.php?main_id=126

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/show_article.php?main_id=2048 

How could the Quranists help the U.S in this war of ideas against the terrorists?

The war against terrorism is 90% war of ideas. This intellectual war has its unique aspects and rules. The Quranists are an Islamic group capable of defending the U.S in this ideological war against terrorism. Al Qaeda and all the terrorist organizations have real power in the war of ideas.

But they cannot debate us with logic and evidence, so they resort to brute force, with government accomplices. So we are jailed, tortured, driven from out homes and made refugees in other countries. They issue fatwas calling for our death; thus proving once more that the Wahabi ideology cannot stand on its own feet, but requires the power of authorities to force it on people.

The only way to confront and defeat Wahabis is by using our ways and methods. We are Muslims, sincere about our faith and very much attached to and adhered to the Quran, and for the past thirty years, we never wavered, never retreated, we stood alone and stood firm, and despite the persecution and the lack of means, we managed to succeed in producing a genuine change in the Islamic interpretation and practices among many Muslims.

In conclusion, despite many successes, we are still victims of the Wahabi ideology and persecution of a tyrannical regime in Egypt on one hand, and a total neglect and disregard from the American institutions on the other hand.

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/English/show_article.php?main_id=2614

See :

Egyptian Human Rights Activist Saad Eddin Ibrahim Defies Threats, Arrests to Challenge U.S.-Backed Mubarak Government

And my next post, if you just can’t wait.  Or rather my copy/paste of Stefan’s post lol.  Oh well, it is a holiday after all. 

The Mahdi Hadiths 2

 

Remember I said that not everyone gives the same credit for every Hadith, below are ones that their authenticity is in question. That according to at least one Muslim. The same applies here, as in yesterdays post, after each Hadith is where they can be found and who said it. Remember that they are saying that Muhammad said these things.
 

The world will not come to an end until a man from my family (ahl al-bayt), who will be called al-Mahdi, emerges to rule upon my community. (Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 75; Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 1, P. 9)(Mahdi will be among my progeny, among the children of Fatima. (Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 75) Umme Salmah

The world will not come to an end until a man from the descendants of Hussain takes charge of the affairs of the world and fills it with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. (Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 66)

The earth will be filled with injustice and corruption. At that time, a man from among my progeny will rise and will rule for seven or nine years and will fill the earth with justice and equity. (Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, Vol. 3, P. 27) Abu Sa’id al-Khudari

Listen to the good news about the Mahdi! He will rise at the time when people will be faced with severe conflict and the earth will be hit by a violent quake. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He will fill the hearts of his followers with devotion and will spread justice everywhere. (Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 74) Abu al-Hujaf

“Is Mahdi going to be among our own family or from some other?” He replied: “He will be among us. God will conclude His religion through him, just as He began it with us. It will be through us that people will find refuge from sedition, just as it was through us that they were saved from polytheism. Moreover, it will be through us that God will bring their hearts together in brotherhood following the animosity sown by the sedition, just as they were brought together in brotherhood in their religion after the animosity sown by polytheism.” (Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 84; Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 7, P. 191; Majma` al-zawa’id by `Ali b. Abi Bakr Haythami (Cairo edition), Vol. 7, P. 317) Ali b. Abi Talib

The Mahdi from among my descendants, from my family, will rise at the End of Time, while the heavens will pour rain and the earth will bring forth green grass for him. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it is filled with tyranny and injustice. (Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, P. 74; Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 7, P. 9)

Severe calamity from the direction of their ruler will befall my people during the Last Days. It will be a calamity which, in severity, shall be unprecedented. It will be so violent that the earth with injustice and corruption will shrivel for its inhabitants. The believers will not find refuge from oppression. At that time God will send a man from my family to fill the earth with justice and equity just as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. The dwellers of the heavens and the earth will be pleased with him. The earth will bring forth all that grows for him, and the heavens will pour down rains in abundance. He will live among the people for seven or nine years. From all the good that God will bestow on the inhabitants of the earth, the dead will wish to come to life again. (Ibn Hajar, al-Sawa’iq al-muharriqa, P. 161; Yanabi’ al-mawadda, Vol. 2, P. 177) Abu Sa’id al-Khudari

People will pay allegiance to the Mahdi between rukn and maqam (in Mekkah). (Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, P. 64.)  Abu Hurayra

The following is sayings not attributed to Muhammad but are 2nd hand accounts attributed to companions of Muhammad. I thought that is what the other stuff we have covered is.  Basically it is one person saying that he heard Muhammad say this or that, or a person heard a companion of Muhammad say this or that.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that basically what the Hadiths are??  Anyway, if not all of these are given the same amount of weight…the question is why.  At least where I found these, they were called, ‘unreliable’.  That is a pretty strong word, why would you believe in it, if you consider it unreliable?

At the time when Nafs al-Zakiyya is killed a caller from the heaven will say: ‘Your commander is so-and-so.’ (announce Mahdi) Following it the Mahdi will emerge and fill the earth with justice and equity. (Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, P. 179) Ammar Yasir 

Abd Allah b. Umar mentioned the name of Mahdi in the presence of an Arab who said: Mahdi is Mu’awiya b. Abu Sufyan. Abd Allah said:
It is not as you say. Mahdi is a person behind whom Jesus will offer his prayers. (Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, P. 179) 

One of the Prophet’s companions told me that the Mahdi will not appear until that time when Nafs al-Zakiyya will be killed. At that time he will take the command and will fill the earth with justice and equity. (Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, P. 171)  Mujahid

Nufayl’s daughter Umayra narrates that she heard Hasan b. Ali’s daughter saying:  This affair about which you are waiting will not occur until among you some seek to distance themselves from the others and curse each other.  (Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 52, P. 211)  ((Well in my limited view of what I have seen in different Muslim forums and on different blogs, that is happening.))

Salma b. Zafar reports that one day people were talking about the appearance of the Mahdi in the presence of Hudhayfa. Hudhayfa said: If Mahdi has indeed appeared while you are living close to the Prophet’s period and while his companions are living among you, then you are truly fortunate. However, that is not the case. Mahdi will not appear until people are devoured by oppression and tyranny and there is no one absent more beloved and more needed than him. (Kitab al-hawi li al-fatawa, Vol. 2, P. 159)

What is next is some stuff that is considered false and rejected by Muslim scholars evidently for centuries.  It is said that none of it is attributed to Muhammad.

Amr son of Shamer quoted Jabir, who quoted Mohammed bin Ali to have said: For our Mahdi, there are two signs. Since the birth of Universe, these events have never taken place. Those two signs are that there will be Lunar Eclipse on the first night of Ramadhan and Solar Eclipse in the middle of Ramadhan. (Dar-e-Qatni, Vol. 1, P.188)

That last one, could have fooled me, every Shiite site I have been to, talks about this as if it were fact.  That is why every Ramadan we hear from Ahmadnutjob.  Seeing that saying and what was said about it, leads me to believe that maybe the person who listed all these Hadiths was a Sunni, but I don’t know for sure.  Also, I have written a whole lot of stuff that the Shiites say will happen, how many of those things are listed in todays or yesterdays post??  Why are they missing??  Is it merely because the person writing this is not Shia??  I have no clue, I am merely telling you what is being said and reported as prophecy within Islam in regards to the Mahdi.

Obviously not all Christians believe in the rapture and I even saw at least one book dedicated to shooting down that part of Christianity that many Christians believe, including myself.  When it comes to the in’s and out’s of the different beliefs of different Muslim sects, I will have to rely on Muslims to answer my questions… so come on guys, I know for fact I have several Muslim friends, which encompass Sunni, Shiite, Sufi, and Quran alone.  So far, only my Sunni friend and my Quran alone friend has commented on these posts.  Am I shamming you into commenting yet??    

WOW, I managed to write a post under 2500 words even under 1500, wonders never cease   let’s call it a night.  Till next time  .
 

The Mahdi in Sunni Hadiths 1

We have talked a lot about many beliefs of Shia Muslims, with at least some Sunni beliefs mixed in. In this post I want to write what some have said are the Sunni hadiths in regards to the Mahdi. I say, “what some have said”, for a reason, since I found numerous beliefs in regards to Shiites, I didn’t want to say that “this is for sure”, in Sunni beliefs. It should be also noted that it appears that it was a Shia Muslims who wrote the article, as you can see from the first sentence.

In spite of the most unfavorable conditions under the Umayyads and the `Abbasids, whose politics and oppressive governments did not allow the discussion or the spread of hadith about wilayat and imamat and the ahl al-bayt or their being recorded in the books of the hadith, they are not completely void of any traditions on the subject of the Mahdi.For example, the following:

‘Abd Allah reports from the Prophet, who said:

“The world will not come to pass until a man from among my family, whose name will be my name, rules over the Arabs.”

Tirmidhi has recorded this hadith in his Sahih and comments:

“This hadith on the Mahdi is reliable, and has been related by ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, Abu Sa’id, Umm Salma and Abu Hurayra”:

‘Ali b. Abi Talib has narrated from the Prophet, who said:

“Even if there remains only a day on earth, God will bring forth a man from my progeny so that he will fill the earth with justice and equity as it is filled with tyranny.”

In another hadith Umm Salma narrates that she heard the Prophet say:

“The promised Mahdi will be among my progeny, among the descendants of Fatima.”

Abu Sa’id al-Khudari says:

The Prophet said: “Our Mahdi will have a broad forehead and a pointed nose. He will fill the earth with justice as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He will rule for seven years.”((don’t jump the gun here, we will get to it))

‘Ali b. Abi Talib has related a tradition from the Prophet who informed him:

The promised Mahdi will be among my family. God will make the provisions for his emergence within a single night.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudari has related a tradition from the Prophet who declared:

The earth will be filled with injustice and corruption. At that time, a man from among my progeny will rise and will rule for seven or nine years and will fill the earth with justice and equity. ((there’s that 7 year thing again, which we will get too))

Greater detail is provided in another hadith reported by Abu Sa’id al-Khudari. In this tradition the Prophet said:

Severe calamity from the direction of their ruler will befall my people during the Last Days. It will be a calamity which, in severity, shall be unprecedented. It will be so violent that the earth with injustice and corruption will shrivel for its inhabitants. The believers will not find refuge from oppression. At that time God will send a man from my family to fill the earth with justice and equity just as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. The dwellers of the heavens and the earth will be pleased with him. The earth will bring forth all that grows for him, and the heavens will pour down rains in abundance. He will live among the people for seven or nine years. From all the good that God will bestow on the inhabitants of the earth, the dead will wish to come to life again.

There are numerous traditions that convey these meanings.

Sahihs Of Moslem and bukhari

To be sure, the Sahihs of Muslim and Bukhari, whose authority is accepted by all the Sunnis, are not completely devoid of traditions about the Mahdi, although the term mahdi has not been used to express this belief among Muslims. Following is one such hadith:

It is reported from Abu Hurayra that the Prophet said: “What will be your reaction when the son of Mary descends and your Imam is among yourselves?”

There are a number of other traditions on a similar theme in these two compilations. It is also important to bear in mind that Ibn Khaldun has neither totally falsified all the traditions about the Mahdi, nor has he claimed that he does not accept them. The context of Ibn Khaldun’s remark about these traditions is provided by his opening statement in this section when he says:

It has been well known (and generally accepted) by all Muslims in every epoch, that at the end of time a man from the family (of the Prophet) will without fail make his appearance, who will strengthen Islam and make justice triumph. Muslims will follow him, and he will gain domination over the Muslim realm. He will be called the Mahdi.

It is evident that he has briefly accepted the fact that the belief in the awaited Mahdi is common among Muslims. Moreover, after his critical evaluation of the traditions and their transmitters he concludes the discussion with the following observation:

This is the situation of the traditions about the awaited Mahdi. It has been seen in the books that, with the exception of very few, most of these traditions are regarded as unreliable.

Hence, even at this point he has not rejected all the traditions on the subject. Rather, as he confesses, some of them are authentic.

Furthermore, it is relevant to point out that the traditions on the subject of the Mahdi are not confined only to those mentioned and critically evaluated by Ibn Khaldun. Quite to the contrary, most of the books on hadith, both by the Sunnis and the Shi`ites, narrate traditions in an unbroken chain of transmission which actually comes close to their verification as being credible. Had Ibn Khaldun known about the existence of all these traditions, he would have probably regarded the belief in the Mahdi as deeply rooted in the Islamic revelation.

To conclude this discussion, we can say that it is incorrect to maintain, as some scholars do, that Ibn Khaldun rejected the tradition about the Mahdi. On the contrary, it is these authors who have read into Ibn Khaldun such an opinion.

Since even writing using code, is not showing the right quotes and unquotes, here is where the quotes end, they will begin again after the next sentence.

I stole this comment from somebody elses blog. It does a good job of breaking down the differences of opinion.

A minor point of clarification is warranted here concerning Shi’ite Islam. Shi’a is Arabic for “party”, and here it refers to the party of followers of ‘Ali. ‘Ali was the 4th Caliph after Muhammad ruled 656-661 AD, and he was related to the Prophet both as a cousin and then as the son-in-law of the Prophet. He was assassinated in 661. ‘Ali is regarded by the Shi’a as the rightful successor to the Prophet (meaning the three intervening caliphs were not regarded as true leaders of the community).

The Shi’a are distinguished from the majority of Muslims (i.e. 90% of the world of Islam is Sunni; about 8% are Shi’a) over the question of succession re ‘Ali, and on quesions of law and authority. Where Suni and Shi’a differ in law covers matters about marriage and inheritance rights; in matters of ritual the Shi’a have a slight difference in their Call to Prayer. In authority they have a political view of the Imam as head or leader that differs from Sunni views of the Caliphate.

Now Shi’a Islam is not uniform but consists of three main branches.

1. The Ithna ‘Asharis or Twelver Shi’ites (you have referred to above).
2. The Isma’ilis (acknowledge seven early Imams).
3. The Zaydis (Zaydiyya).

The Ithna ‘Asharis – those committed to the Twelve Imams – are those found primarily in Iran and 50% of the population of Iraq.

The Zaydis are largely found in the Yemen. The Isma’ilis are present in many places but especially in East Africa, and throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims have an eschatology related to the Mahdi (“one who is rightly guided”). However the Shi’a position is connected with their understanding of the hidden twelfth Imam who is to return.

It should also be noted (separate to the Shi’a view of the Mahdi) that Jesus (known as ‘Isa) is viewed in early eschatological hadiths as the one who will return at the end of time to oppose the antiChrist figure al-Dajjal (Father of Lies). There are a few suras that also imply a 2nd coming at the end (Surah 4:159; 19:33)

Again, quotes end here.

As I have said, most Sunni’s and Shia’s disagree on who is correct. Some are violent about their disagreement, as we have seen. Below is a collection of Hadith’s, which talk about, or prophesied of, the Mahdi. If I repeat myself, I’m sorry, I’m just trying to get it all in.

I would suggest that if you don’t understand a word you can go to Wikipedia, or you can try here. In addition to that, you can go here and here to get a list of different translations of different verses of the Quran.

One of the things I have seen, which drives me nuts, is fifteen different names for the same person or thing. I don’t understand why, when talking about a certain person or subject they can’t all get on the same page and use the most common name for the subject or person at hand.

I will leave it to the Muslim readers to determine if these are in line with Sunni beliefs, Shiite beliefs or both. Unless other wise noted, each Hadith/statement, is listed as the person giving the Hadith, that prophet Mohammad said it. Did that make any sense??

The world will not come to pass until a man from among my family, whose name will be my name, rules over the Arabs. (Tirmidhi Sahih, Vol. 9, P. 74; Abu Dawud, Sahih, Vol. 5, P. 207; also narrated by Ali b. Abi Talib, Abu Sa’id, Umm Salma, Abu Hurayra) Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood reports from the Prophet.

Allah will bring out from concealment al-Mahdi from my family and just before the day of Judgment; even if only one day were to remain in the life of the world, and he will spread on this earth justice and equity and will eradicate tyranny and oppression. (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 1, P. 99) Said Muhammad

Even if only a day remains for Qiyamah to come, yet Allah will surely send a man from my family who will fill this world with such justice and fairness, just as it initially was filled with oppression. (Abu Dawood) Hadhrat Ali

The promised Mahdi will be among my family. God will make the provisions for his emergence within a single night. (Ibn Majah, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 519) Ali b. Abi Talib

The promised Mahdi will be among my progeny, among the descendants of Fatima. (Abu Dawud, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 207; Ibn Majah, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 519) Hazrat Umme Salmah wife of Muhammad

The Mahdi will be of my family, of the descendants of Fatima (the Prophet’s daughter). (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Tradition No. 4086) Muhammad

Al-Mahdi is one of us, the members of the household (Ahlul-Bayt). (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Tradition No. 4085)

Our Mahdi will have a broad forehead and a pointed (prominent) nose. He will fill the earth with justice as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He will rule for seven years. (Abu Dawud, Sahih, Vol. 2, p. 208; Fusul al-muhimma, p. 275) Abu Sa’id al-Khudari ((I found this one interesting, since Christians have their own 7 year period, which we will get into.))

Al Mahdi will be from my progeny. His forehead will be broad and his nose will be high. He will fill the world with justice and fairness at a time when the world will be filled with oppression. He will rule for seven years. Hadhrat Abu Saeed KhudriAfter the death of a Ruler there will be some dispute between the people. At that time a citizen of Madina will flee (from Madina) and go to Makkah. While in Makkah, certain people will approach him between Hajrul Aswad and Maqaame Ibraheem, and forcefully pledge their allegiance to him.

Thereafter a huge army will proceed from Syria to attack him but when they will be at Baida, which is between Makkah and Madina, they will be swallowed into the ground.

On seeing this, the Abdaals of Shaam as well as large numbers of people from Iraq will come to him and pledge their allegiance to him. Then a person from the Quraish, whose uncle will be from the Bani Kalb tribe will send an army to attack him, only to be overpowered, by the will of Allah. This (defeated) army will be that of the Bani Kalb. Unfortunate indeed is he who does not receive a share from the booty of the Kalb. This person (Imam Mahdi) will distribute the spoils of war after the battle. He will lead the people according to the Sunnat and during his reign Islam will spread throughout the world. He will remain till seven years (since his emergence). He will pass away and the Muslims will perform his Janazah salaat. (Abu Dawood) Hadhrat Umme Salmah

A group of my Ummah will fight for the truth until near the day of judgment when Jesus, the son of Marry, will descend, and the leader of them will ask him to lead the prayer, but Jesus declines, saying: “No, Verily, among you Allah has made leaders for others and He has bestowed his bounty upon them. (Sahih Muslim)

What will be your reaction when the son of Mary (Jesus) descends and your Imam is from among yourselves? (Sahih Muslim, bab nuzul ‘isa, Vol. 2; Sahih Bukhari, kitab bad’ al-khalq wa nuzul ‘isa, Vol. 4) Abu Hurayra

What would be your situation if the Son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends upon you and your Imam is from among you? (Bukhari, kitabul-Anbiya, Chapter Nuzul Isa bin Maryam)

I read that these were widely accepted amongst Muslims, I won’t go that far, because I don’t know if all sects believe these, remember Shia have different Hadiths than Sunni. Again I would ask my Muslim readers to answer that for us. Actually you guys are falling down on the job, I have asked numerous questions and with the exception of a couple on my other blog, I’m not getting much. And I know that at I have Muslim readers on at least one of my blogs, you know who you are, can you help me out here please .

Since this post is getting long, tomorrow (or the day after) I will put up the Hadiths that are in question. I will also put up the ones that say in effect, I heard it from a guy who was a friend of a companion of the prophet Muhammad, or something to that effect. As I said, not everything is given the same weight.  And, as you have noticed there are repeats here, the same as there are repeats within the Gospels.

Oh, and I want to apologize for those of you who are attempting to pluck out your eyes at the sight of the above photo but it is halloween after all  .

http://www.irib.com/Special/Azar/Mahdi/html/en/hadith-1.htm

http://nouslife.blogspot.com/2006/08/shia-islam-mahdi-and-twelvers.html