Published on: Tuesday, 15 Shaba´an 1423 (22 October 2002)

Imam Mahdi (AS) - The Twelfth Imam Dua e Ma'arfat e Imam Zamana (as) And we desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams (Leaders of mankind), and to make them the heirs. (Al Quran, 28:5) Name - Muhammad Title - Al-Mahdi, Sahib-ul-Asr, Al-Hujjat, Al-Qa'im Kuneyat - Abul Qasim Born - Friday 15th of Shaban 255 A.H., at Samarra Father's Name - Imam Hasan-al-Askari (AS) Mother's Name - Nargis Khatoon (AS) Imam Mahdi (AS) was born at Samarrah in the year 255 A.H. He is the last Imam (a.s.) and he is alive and in occultation. Sunni References: Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi's Tadhkirat al-Khawas Al-Shaykh Muhammad bin Talha Shafi'i's Matalib al-Su'ul. Ibn Khallikan's Wafayat al-A'yan. Introduction At dawn, on the 15th Sha’ban 255 A.H., the rays of the illuminating world shone with a powerful shaft of light into a human form, which became the source of existence for the universe. Yes, finally, the Divine promise was fulfilled and Imam al- Mahdi (A.S) was born in spite of the efforts of those who denied him: Al-Mahdi is one of the children of Fatimah (the Prophet's daughter). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) - Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition 4086 There existed a good deal of harmony and uniformity between the aspects pertaining to the births of Prophet Muhammad, the last Apostle of Allah and Imam Mehdi, the last Apostolical Imam. Just as the coming of the Holy Prophet was prophesised well in advance by the preceeding Prophets similarly the impending news of the gracious birth of Imam al-Mehdi was foretold by the Holy Prophet. Innumerable traditions in this context, quoted right from The Holy Prophet from the glowing contents of many books of Masanid, Sehan, and Akhbar and of Shia Scholars existed. Many Sunni scholars have accumulated these traditions in complete volumes also. Birth We the children of Abd Al-Mutalib are the Masters of the inhabitants of Heaven: Myself, Hamza (RA), Ali (AS), Jafar (RA), Hasan (AS), Hussain (AS), and Al-Mahdi (AS) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) - Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition 4087 Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (AS) was born on the 15th Shaban 255 A.H. in the city of Samarra. The momentous and miraculous aspects of his birth greatly resembled those under which the Prophet Musa (Moses) was born. The birth of Hazart Musa had signalled the downfall and extinction of the empire of Pharoah, who had ordered the slaying of all the newly born children of Bani-Israel. The Abbaside kings were similarly apprehnesive of the continuous traditions of the Holy Prophet about the birth of Imam Mehdi, who was to bring about a curse to their (Abbaside) very empire. They were, therfore, laying in ambush to discover the birth of the Imam and to put an end to his life. But the event of the Imam's birth was enveloped and shielded by the same Divine protection and miraculous phenomena which had makred the historical birth of Prophet Musa. (Al Quran 28:7-13)His birth remained strictly confidential and his nursery shrouded in secrecy except to a few devotees. The Imam's birth had coincided with the reign of al-Mutamad, the well-known Abbaside king. He, being aware of the prophecy of the twelfth Imam's birth occuring in his reign, was extremely worried and anxious to trace him out. But on the death of Imam Hasan Askari, when he was informed about the Imam's funeral prayer having been conducted by his four year old son, his perplexity knew no bounds. It struck his mind that this very boy must be the Imam, but he managed to hide his inner concern at the news of the existence of the young Imam. In order to get confirmation that the young Imam did in fact exist, he ordered the arrest of the Imam's mother, Janab-e-Nargis Khatoon (AS). The Arrest of Janab Nargis Khatoon Allah will bring out from concealment Mahdi from my Family and Progeny before the Day of Judgement, 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 eradicate tyranny and opression. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) - Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, p99 When Janab Nargis Khatoon was brought before Al-Mutamad and inquiries made about the birth of the twelfth Holy Imam, she, in order to safeguard her own life as well as to protect her son, replied that she had never felt the symptoms of maternity and labour pain; so, for the moment, he did not harass her, but did put her under the most strict surveillance of Qazi Abu Shorab, entrusting him with the task of killing any child born to her. Soon after this incident, the Abbasid kingdom passed through a revolutionary phase which greatly bewildered al-Mutamad. He was forced to face the invasion of Sahib-al-Zanj, who raided Hejaz and Yemen and let loose the hounds of loot and arson thoroughout the Abbasid kingdom, subjecting the administration of Baghdad, the capital, to utter chaos. Al-Mutamad was, therefore, naturally too occupied by warfare to pay any attention towards Janab Nargis Khatoon, who was consequently released after six months and questioned no further about the birth of the twelfth Holy Imam. Childhood The Holy Imam was brought up by his father Imam Hasan Askari(A.S.), the eleventh Imam who resorted to the same underground and secret measures in rearing his child as Hazrat Abu Talib had adopted in connection with safe-guarding the Holy Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.). He used to take care of his child in one portion of the house for a few days and then shift him to another with a view not to let the exact whereabouts be known. While Imam Hasan Askari(A.S.) kept the birth of the young Imam-to-be and the affairs of his infancy a well-guarded secret, he did put him within the access of some exclusive devotees and sincere friends in order to familiarise them with their would-be Imam to whom they would pledge their allegiance. Below mentioned are the few names of people who had the honour of having personally seen the Holy Imam Mehdi. It is mentioned by Abi Ghanim that when Imam Hasan Askari's son was born he named him after Muhammad and on the third day after his birth, bringing forth the child to show him to some of his followers, declared thus: "Here is my successor and your would-be Imam! He is that very Qaim to whose reverence your heads will bow down. He will re-appear to fill the earth with blessings and justice after it will have been abounding with sins and vices". Muawiyah Ibn Hakeem, Muah Muhammad Ibn Ayyub and Muhammad Ibn Usman mentioned that they called upon Imam Hasan Askari(A.S.) with a deputation of forty persons. The Holy Imam showed them his newly-born child and said, "This is your Imam after me! All of you should unanimously submit your allegiance to him and should not allow any controversy on the subject which will lead you in peril! Mind that he will no more be visible to you." A Prayer for Imam Mahdi (AS) O Allah! Protect Your vicegerent Hujjat (the Proof) b. al-Hasan and send salutations upon him, and his ancestors, now as well as at all the times, (as our) Imam, Guardian, Supporter, and Guide until such time when you bestow upon him the honor of heading the (Divine) Government. And let the people be delighted in his reign, by bestowing success, and by extending his reign. Imamat Cellar (Sardab) of 12th Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) in Samarra, Iraq where he was last seen. Also called Maqam Ghaybat (i.e. the place of occultation) Imam Hasan Askari (A.S.) was martyred on the 8th Rabi-ul-Awwal 260 A.H. and the day marked the inception of his son's Imamat and his elevation to the Apostolic office being the source of spiritual guidance for the whole universe. After the martyrdom of his father, Imam Mahdi (AS) went into Ghaybat e Sughra (Minor Occultation) by Divine Command. As, according to God's will, all the affairs pertaining to the Holy Imam were to remain strictly behind the curtain, he commissioned some of his deputies and ambassadors, who had been looking after the religious affairs from the time of his father to act as mediators between the people and the concealed Imam. They conveyed the problems and religious queries of the people to the Holy Imam and brought back the verdicts and the answers of the Holy Imam to the people. Outer view of the Cellar "Maqam e Ghaybat" in Samarra, Iraq It was by the Will of God that he disappeared and will again reappear by the Will of God. This will be a prelude to the Day of Judgment. Among the companions of Imam-e-Zaman , four became his most famous and confidential deputies who are known as the as-Nawab-e-Arba’a (the four deputies). His deputies (Naibeen) Uthman Ibin Sa'id Umari was one of the confidant and trusted companions of Imam Mahdi (AS)'s father and grandfather. Abu Jaffer Muhammad Ibin Uthman Umari was the son of the first deputy Abul Qasim Hussain Ibin Ruh Nawbakht Abul Hasan Ali Ibin Muhammad Simmari A few days before the death of Ali Ibin Muhammad Simmari (the fourth deputy) in 329/939 an order was issued by the Imam (AS) in which he announced the death of Simmari and the end of the deputation. The last letter of Imam Al Mahdi (AS) to Simmari In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. You are going to die in six days, may Allah grant patience to your brother’s in faith on your departure. So, be prepared, but appoint no one in your place, because from the day of your death the period of my major occultation (al ghaybatul kubra) will begin. Hence forth, no one will see me, unless and until Allah makes me appear. My reappearance will take place after a very long time when people will have grown tired of waiting and those who are weak in there faith will say: What! Is he still alive? When men will become cruel and inconsiderate, and the world will be full of injustice and violence. Very soon some men will claim to have seen me. Beware! Anyone who makes such a claim before the coming out of Sufyani and the sound from heaven announcing my reappearance, is a liar and impostor. There is no might nor strength except in Allah. The four deputies who were at the highest level of faith and confidence for many years were the blessed mediators between the Imam and the people till in the year 329 A.H. when the deputation was closed, and on the basis of the Divine Will the major occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), commenced. Further Information on Imam Mehdi (AS) In a tradition upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree, the Holy Prophet has said: "Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has already been exhausted and only one day is left before Doomsday (Day of judgment), Allah will expand that day to such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom of a person out of my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by my name. He will then fill out the earth with peace and justice as it will have been full of injustice and tyranny before then." Sunni Reference: Sahih Tirmidhi, V2, P86, V9, P74-75 (There are many more.) The context of the above precious tradition informs the golden divine promises will take place, sooner or later, one way or another, as mentioned in most of the Shi'ite and Sunnit sources. In a tradition the Holy Prophet said to the Commander of believers, Ali, that: "There will be twelve Guides (Imams) after me, the first of whom is you, O' Ali, and the last one will be the 'Support' (al-Qa'im), who with the grace of Allah, will gain victory over the whole east and west of the world." The occultation of the twelfth Imam is divided into two parts: the first, the minor occultation (ghaybat al-Sughra) which began in 259/873 and ended in 329/939, lasting about seventy year. On that period, people were in contact with him through four special deputies. That period served as preparing people for the absence of Imam. The second, the major occultation which commenced in 329/939 and will continue as long as God wills it. There is no special deputy in direct contact with him in this period, and Muslim scholars are considered regular deputies of him at this time without having ability to see him. Imam Mahdi (AS) said: "Rest assured that no one has a special relationship with Allah. Whoever denies me is not from my (community). The appearance of the Relief (al- Faraj) depends solely upon Allah. Therefore those who propose a certain time for it are liars. As to the benefit of my existence in occultation, it is like the benefit of the sun behind the clouds where the eyes do not see it. Indeed, my existence is an amnesty for inhabitants of the earth. Pray much to Allah to hasten the Relief, for therein also lies the release from your sufferings." Traditions of Ahle Sunnah (Sunni Muslims) regarding Imam Mehdi (AS) For our respected Sunni brothers, there are six authentic collections of traditions based on the Sunni standards for verifying the authenticity of a tradition. These six books are: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Abu Dawud, and Sahih al-Nisa'i. we just quote few traditions from these six books to prove that a knowledgeable Sunni brother/sister can NOT deny that: Mahdi is going to come in the last days to make a universal Government, Mahdi is from the Ahlul-Bayt of Prophet, Mahdi is from the children of Fatimah (AS), the daughter of Prophet, Mahdi is different than Jesus (the messiah), Jesus will be one of the followers of Imam Mahdi and prays behind him. At least 35 prominent Sunni scholars have written 46 books exclusively about Imam al-Mahdi (AS), the leader of our time. Here are some of the name of some of these books: "Kitab al-Mahdi," by Abu Dawud. "Alamat al-Mahdi," by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti. "Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar," by Ibn Hajar. "Al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman," by Allamah Abu Abdillah Ibn Muhammad Yusuf al-Ganji al-Shafi'i. "Iqd al-Durar fi Akbar al-Imam al-Muntadhar," by Shaikh Jamaluddin Yusuf al-Damishqi. "Mahdi Aale Rasool," by Ali Ibn Sultan Muhammad al-Harawi al-Hanafi. "Manaqib al-Mahdi," by al-Hafidh Abu Nu'aym al-Isbahani. "Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman," by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi. "Arba'in Hadith fi al-Mahdi," by Abdul Ala al-Hamadani. "Akhbar al-Mahdi," by Al-Hafidh Abu Nu'aym. The following are only some of the traditions out of many, about Imam Mahdi, and are all traditions that the Sunnis admit to their authenticity and existence: In a tradition upon whose authenticity all Muslims agree, the Holy Prophet has said: "Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has already been exhausted and only one day is left before Doomsday (Day of judgment), Allah will expand that day to such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom of a person out of my Ahlul-Bayt who will be called by my name. He will then fill out the earth with peace and justice as it will have been full of injustice and tyranny (by then)." Sunni Reference: Sahih Tirmidhi, V2, P86, V9, PP 74-75 Sanan Abi Dawud, V2, P7 Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, V1, P376 & V3, P63 Mustadrak al-Sahihain, by al-Hakim, V4, P557 Al-Majma', by Tabarani, P217 Tahdhib al-Thabit, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V9, P144 al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, P249/li] Kanz al-Ummal, v7 P186 Iqd al-Durar Fi Akhbar al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, v12, Ch. 1, al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman, By Ganji al-Shafi'i, Ch. 12 al-Fusool al-Muhimmah, by Ibn Sabbagh al-Maliki, Ch. 12 Fathul Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V7, P305 al-Tathkirah, by al-Qurtubi, P617 al-Hawi, by al-Suyuti, V2, pp165-166 Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, by al-Zurqani, V5, P348 Fathul Mughith, by al-Sakhawi, V3, P41 Arjahul Matalib, by Ubaidallah Hindi al-Hanafi, p380 Muqaddimah, by Ibn Khaldoon, p266 Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Suyuti, pp 2,160 al-Urful Wardi, by al-Suyuti, p2 al-Shafi'i (d. 363/974). (who said the above hadith is related by numerous authorities and were spread far and wide by many narrators). and also in the works of Ibn Habban, Abu Nua'ym, Ibn Asakir, etc. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Al-Mahdi is one of us, the members of the household (Ahlul-Bayt)." Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4085 Allah-Muhammad-Ali-Fatima-Hasan-Hussain As we see Imam Mahdi is from the Ahlul Bayt of Prophet Muhammad, so he can not be Jesus (the Messiah; al-Maseeh). Mahdi and Messiah are two different personalities but they come at the same time, Mahdi as Imam and Jesus as his follower. The following tradition clearly mentions that Imam Mahdi is one of the children of the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF): The Messenger of Allah said: "Al-Mahdi is one of the children of Fatimah (the Prophet's daughter)." Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4086 al-Nisa'i and al-Bayhaqi, and others as quoted in: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p249 The Prophet (PBUH) said: "We the children of Abd Al-Mutalib are the Masters of the inhabitants of Heaven: Myself, Hamza (RA), Ali (AS), Jafar (RA), Hasan (AS), Hussain (AS), and Al-Mahdi (AS)." Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4087 al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik al-Daylami al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p245 The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The Mahdi will appear in my Ummah. He will appear for a minimum of 7 or a maximum of 9 years; in that time, my Ummah will experience a bountiful favor like never before. It shall have a great abundance of food, of which it need not save anything, and the wealth at that time is in great quantities, such that if a man asks the Mahdi to give him some, and the Mahdi (AS) will say: Here! Take!" Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #5083 Note:According to Shi'i sources, the Government of Peace and equality that Imam Mahdi will establish will last hundreds of years with no rival, and then the day of Judgment will be set. What is mentioned in the above tradition as 7 or 9 years is related to the length of time that Imam Mahdi will fight to conquer the world when he starts his mission. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "We (I and my family) are members of a household that Allah (SWT) has chosen for them the life of the Hereafter over the life of this world; and the members of my household (Ahlul-Bayt) shall suffer a great affliction and they shall be forcefully expelled from their homes after my death; then there will come people from the East carrying black flags, and they will ask for some good to be given to them, but they shall be refused service; as such, they will wage war and emerge victorious, and will be offered that which they desired in the first place, but they will refuse to accept it, until a man from my family (Ahlul-Bayt) appears to fill the Earth with justice as it has been filled with corruption. So whoever reachs that (time) aught to come to them even if crowling on the ice/snow." Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, Tradition #4082, The History Tabari (Tareekh Tabari) al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, pp 250-251 In Sahih Muslim, in the Chapter of al-Fitan, there are some interesting traditions on what will happen in the last days of the world. Two of them are quoted below: Abu Nadra reported: We were with the company of Jabir Ibn Abdillah... Jabir Ibn Abdillah kept quite for a while and then reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: "There would be a Caliph in the last (period) of my Ummah who would freely give handfuls of wealth to the people without counting it." I said to Abu Nadra and Abu al-Ala: Do you mean Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz? They said: NO, (he would be Imam Mahdi). Note:What are inside the parentheses in the above tradition are the words of the translator of Sahih Muslim (Abdul Hamid Siddiqui) and are not our comments. Sunni References: Sahih Muslim, English version, v4, chapter MCCV, p1508, Tradition #6961 Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, Kitab al-Fitan, v4, p2234, Tradition #67 It is also narrated that the Prophet said: "In the end of the time, my Ummah will undergo very hard affliction like never before, so that man can not find any way out. Then Allah will appear a person from my progeny, that is my Ahlul-Bayt, who will fill the earth with justice as it was filled with injustice. The inhabitants of the earth and the inhabitants of the heaven love him. The sky will bring down its water everywhere and the earth will bring all what it can offer and will become green all over." Sunni references: al-Sahih fi al-Hadith, by al-Hakim, as quoted in: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p250 The Messenger of Allah said: "The world will not perish until a man among the Arabs appears whose name matches my name." Sunni reference: Sahih Tirmidhi, V9, P74 The Messenger of Allah said: "Mahdi from my family will bring about a revolution and will fill the world with justice and equity before which it was filled up with injustuce and inequity." Sunni references: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, V1, P84 Jami'us Sagheer, by al-Suyuti, PP 2,160 al-Urful Vardi, by al-Suyuti, P2 Kanzul Ummal, V7 P186 Aqd al-Durar Fi Akhbaar al-Mahdi al-Muntazir, V12, Chapter 1, al-Bayan fi Akhbar Sahib al-Zaman, By Ganji Shafi'i, Chapter 12 al-Fusool al-Muhimmah, by Ibn Sabbagh Maliki, Chapter 12 Arjahul Matalib, by Ubaidallah Hindi hanafi, P380 Muqaddimah, by Ibn Khaldoon, P266 One of the four Imams of Ahle Sunnah, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Allah will bring out from concealment Mahdi from my Family and Progeny before the Day of Judgement, 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 eradicate tyranny and opression." Sunni reference: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, p99 A close version has also been narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud, English version, Ch. 36, Tradition #4270 narrated from Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS). Ibn Majah in his Sunan quotes Mohammad Ibn Hanafiyyah and Imam Ali saying that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "Mahdi is from our Ahlul-Bayt, no doubt Allah will enforce his appearance within a night (i.e., his coming is very unpredictable and is very sudden)." Sunni reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, V2, P269 Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p250 It is narrated that Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) said: "When the 'Support' of the family of Muhammad (al-Qa'im Aale Muhammad) rises Allah will unite the people of east and the people of west." Sunni references: Ibn Asakir, as quoted in: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p252 Ibn Hajar wrote that: Muqatil Ibn Sulayman and those who followed him among the (Sunni) commentators of Quran said that the verse: "And he shall be a Sign for (the coming of) the Hour" (Quran 43:61) was revealed about al-Mahdi. Sunni reference:al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, p247 It is narrated in Sahih Muslim that: Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, "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." Sunni reference: Sahih Muslim, Arabic, part 2, p193 Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 45,384 al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p251 Nuzool Isa Ibn Maryam Akhir al-Zaman, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p57 Musnad, by Abu Ya'ala which provides another version of the tradition with more clear words on the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of Allah said: "A group among my Ummah will continue to fight for the truth until Jesus, the son of Marry, will descend, and the Imam of them will ask him to lead the prayer, but Jesus replies: "You have more right to it, and verily Allah has honored some of you over others in this Ummah." Sahih Ibn Habban, whose tradition reads: "their leader al-Mahdi" and the rest of tradition is the same. Ibn Abu Shaybah, another Sunni traditionist, and the mentor of al-Bukhari and Muslim, has reported several traditions about Imam al-Mahdi (AS). He has also reported that the Imam of the Muslims who will lead Prophet Jesus in prayer is Imam al-Mahdi himself. Jalaluddin al-Suyuti mentioned that: "I have heard some of the deniers of (truth) deny what has been conveyed about Jesus that when he descends will pray the Fajr prayer behind al-Mahdi. They say, Jesus has higher status than to pray behind a non-Prophet. This is a bizarre opinion since the issue of prayer of Jesus behind al-Mahdi has been proven strongly via numerous authentic traditions from the Messenger of Allah, who is the most truthful." And then al-Suyuti goes on narrating some of the traditions in this regard. Sunni Reference: Nuzool Isa Ibn Maryam Akhir al-Zaman, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p56 Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani mentioned that: "The Mahdi is of this Ummah, and that Jesus will come down and pray behind him." Sunni Reference: Fat'h al-Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v5, p362 This is also mentioned by another Sunni scholar, Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, who wrote: "The Ahlul-Bayt are like the stars through whom we are guided in the right direction, and if the starts are taken away (or hidden) we would come face to face with the signs of the Almighty as promised (i.e., the Day of Resurrection). This will happen when the Mahdi will come, as mentioned in the traditions, and the Prophet Jesus will say his prayers behind him, the Dajjal will be slain, and then the signs of the Almighty will appear one after another." Sunni Reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, p234 Ibn Hajar quoted Abu al-Husain al-Ajiri saying: The traditions of al-Mustafa (PBUH&HF) on the rising of al-Mahdi has been transmitted via numerous authorities and is more than the level of (being sufficient for) Mutawatir, describing that he is of his Ahlul-Bayt, and will fill the earth with justice, and that Jesus (AS) will come at the same time and he will assist Jesus for killing al-Dajjal in the land of Palestine, and that he will lead this nation and Jesus will pray behind him. Sunni Reference: Abu al-Husain al-Ajiri as quoted in al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, p254 Al-Hafidh Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Shawkani (d. 1250/1834) wrote in a book called "al-Tawdhih fi twawatur ma jaa'a fil muntadar wad-djjal wal masih" the explanation about the frequent reports concerning the Awaited one, the Dajjal, and the messiah) in which he wrote about Imam al-Mahdi (AS) that: The traditions about al-Mahdi have been related by numerous authorities and are therefor reliable beyond doubt or confusion, because in jurisprudence the qualification of Mutawatir is valid even for (traditions) with less than this number of narrations. There are also many sayings of the companions (of the Prophet) which explicitly mention the Mahdi, which have the status of narrations from the Prophet since there is no question of establishing such saying through Ijtihad (one's opinion and research)". The author gives the same opinion in his other book "al-Fat'h al-Rabbani". (In this connection see also Mawsu'atil Imam al-Mahdi, v1, pp 391-392,413-414,434, and also Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, v6, p485). The author of the book, "Ghayah al-Ma'amool," mentioned that: "It is a famous narration among the Scholars of the past and the present that there has to appear a man from the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) named al-Mahdi. In addition, the traditions about the Mahdi have been narrated by the most renowned companions of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), as well as by the most renowned scholars such as Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Tabarani, Abu Ya'ala, al-Bazzar, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, and al-Hakim (May Allah be pleased with them all); furthermore, those who claim that the traditions narrated with regard to the appearance of the Mahdi are weak, are themselves in error." Al-Saban in his book, "Is'af al-Raghibeen," mentioned that: "The news about the appearance of the Mahdi are traceable back to the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and that he is one of the members of the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF); and that he will fill the Earth with justice." Al-Suwaydi in his book, "Saba'iq al-Dhahab," reported that: "The scholars have a consensus that the Mahdi (AS) will appear at the end of time and fill the Earth with justice; and the traditions supporting his appearance are indeed numerous." Al-Hafidh Abul-Hasan Muhammad Ibn al-Husain al-Sijistani al-Aburi al-Shafi'i (d. 363/974) said: "The traditions were related by numerous authorities and were spread far and wide by many narrators, from al-Mustafa (PBUH&HF) concerning al-Mahdi who is from the household (of the Prophet) and who will fill the world with justice.." This statement was accepted by the subsequent scholars as testified by: Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani - Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, v9, p144; Fat'h al-Bari, v7, p305 Al-Qurtubi - Al-Tathkirah, p617 Al-Suyuti - Al-Hawi, v2, pp 165-166 Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi - Al Burhan fi Alamat Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, pp 175-176 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami - Al Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, Ch. 11, section 1, p249 Al-Zurqani (Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, v5, p348 Al-Sakhawi (Fat'h al-Mugheeth, v3, p41, etc The best formulation of the belief of all Muslims about Imam Mahdi (AS) has been given by a person who himself did not believe in his coming and who denied the validity of the traditions concerning this matter. He was Ibn Khaldoon (d. 808/1406), a famous historian, who in whose book, "al-Muqaddamah," wrote: "Let it be known that it is a narrated event by ALL Muslims in EVERY era, that at the end of time a man from the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) will, without fail, make his appearance and will strengthen Islam and spread justice; Muslims will follow him and he will gain domination over the Muslim realm. He will be called al-Mahdi." (An Introduction to History, by Ibn Khaldoon, English version, London, 1967 Edition, pp 257-258) The above quote proves that even Ibn Khaldoon was in the opinion that the belief in Imam al-Mahdi was not a characteristics of a special sect of Islam, but was a common belief to ALL Muslims. Sunni scholars openly criticized those elements (like Ibn Khaldoon) who tried to cast doubt the traditions about al-Mahdi (AS), and have strongly asserted that the belief in Mahdi is well-established for ALL Muslims. Reference: "Awnul Ma'bud" (which is the commentary of Sunan Abu Dawud), by Al-Azimabadi, v11, pp 361-362, Tuhfatul Ahwadhi (which is the commentary of Sahih al-Tirmidhi), by al-Mubarakfuri, v6, p484, Al-Tajul Jami' lil Usul, by Shaikh Mansoor Ali Nasif, v5, p341. Shaikh Ahmad Muhammad Shakir (d. 1377/1958), one of the greatest contemporary scholar of Hadith and Tafsir, whose major work was his commentary on Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal wrote in his commentary: "Belief in al-Mahdi is not particular to the Shia because it is from the narration of many companions of the Prophet in such way that NO one can cast doubt the truth (of this belief)." After this, he proceeds to a strong refutation of Ibn Khaldoon's weakening the traditions regarding al-Mahdi. Reference: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal with commentary of Ahmad Muhammad Shakir, Pub. by Dar al-Ma'arif, Egypt, v5, pp 196-198, v14, p288). For a biography of Ahmad Shakir, see al-Aalam, v1, p253; Mu'jam al-Mu'allifeen, v13, p368 Al-Sayid Sabiq, the Mufti for the "Muslim Brotherhood", in his book, "al- 'Aqa'id al-Islamiyyah," that: "The idea about the Mahdi is indeed valid, and is one of the Islamic tenets that one must believe in." Mr. Sabiq also narrated a variety of traditions relating to the appearance of al-Mahdi (AS) in the above book. Two Shafi'i scholars, Ganji in his book "al-Bayan", and Shablanji in his book "Noor al-Absar", on the verse 48:28 of Quran: "He is the One who sent his Messenger (Muhammad) with the guidance and the true religion that in order to prevail over all the religions" narrated from Sa'id Ibn Jubair that "this promise to Prophet Muhammad will be fulfilled by al-Mahdi who is in the progeny of Fatimah (AS)." Even Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728/1328), who is acclaimed by the Wahhabis, wrote in his book "Minhaj al-Sunnah" (v4, pp 211-212) that the traditions concerning the Mahdi are certainly reliable, and his student, al-Dhahabi, conformed with him in his summary of his teacher's book. Reference: Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Sunnah, pp 533-534. The more recent fatwa in this issue is given in Mecca by the Muslim World League (Rabitatul `Alamul Islami) on Oct. 11, 1976 (23 Shawwal 1396). This fatwa states that more than twenty companions narrated traditions concerning al-Mahdi, and gives a list of those scholars of Hadith who have transmitted these narrations, and those who have written books on al-Mahdi. The fatwa states: "The memorizers (Huffadh) and scholars of Hadith have verified that there are authentic (Sahih) and acceptable (Hasan) reports among the traditions related to al-Mahdi. The majority of these traditions are related through numerous authorities (Mutawatir). There is no doubt that the status of those reports are Sahih and Mutawatir. (They have also verified) that the belief in Mahdi is obligatory, and that it is one of the beliefs of Ahlussunnah wal Jama'a. Only those ignorant of the Sunnah and innovators in doctrine deny it. Reference:For the transcription and reproduction of this Fatwa, see, among others, the Introduction of al-Ganji al-Shafi'i, in the book named "al-Bayan," Beirut, 1399/1979, pp 76-79.