1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

82 Questions

I have heard Sunni Muslims say that, according to a Hadith, the name of Hazrat Mahdi's father will be Abdullah and that he will not know that he is the Mahdi until one night when Allah will transform him. Is this correct?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

This narration which you quoted (Hazrat Mahdi's father's name is Abdullah) is weak and not authentic even among Sunni scholars. The authentic Hadeeth stated : Al-Mahdi's name is like my name, and his Kunyah is like my Kuniyah). Liars added (His father's name is like my father's name.

Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) was born in Samarra in 266 Hijri. The birth of Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) has been mentioned by many Sunni leading scholars in their well known books.

Wassalam.
When will the sun rise from the West in reference to Imam al-Mahdi's reappearance? Will it be before or after his advent? Is it the case that no repentance or Dua will be accepted after this sign?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There are many narrations in Sunni books about the Sun rising from the
west as a sign of the Day of Judgment as it is narrated in Sahih
Bukhari  (vol. 5 pg. 195 and also vol. 7 pg. 191)  and in Shahih
Muslim (vol. 1 pg. 95). The narrations says that after that incident,
the repentance will not be accepted.

In our Shia books of Hadeeth, we also have many narrations that the
rising of the Sun from the west will take place but not as s sign of
the Day of Judgment. In Kitab al-Irshad by Shaikh Mufeed (pg. 358)
narrated from Abi Hamzah al-Thimali saying : “I asked Abu Ja’far
al-Baqir (AS) : “Is the coming of Sufyani definite?” He (AS) said
“Yes. And the huge sound from the sky and the rising of the Sun from
the west and the dispute between Bani Al Abbas and the killing of
al-Nafs al-Zakiyah and the coming back of Imam al-Mahdi (ATFS) are all
definite”.”

Wassalam.
How can one differentiate between the actual Imam Mahdi (as) and the false impersonators in this age of scientific and technological confusion?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

When  Imam Al-Mahdi (peace be upon him) appears, he will be accompanied by a set of cosmic signs known to the whole world, including the rising of the sun from the west, and the huge sound from the sky. If will be appeared to the public and he will say: I am the Mahdi from the family of Muhammad (peace be upon them), because with the emergence of these two great signs, it is impossible for the impersonators to look like his personality.  Mam Al-Mahdi (AS) is supported by the divine support from Allah, and he will have the ability to practically eliminate his  opponents in the East and West.

Wassalam.
How can one differentiate between the actual Imam Mahdi (as) and the false impersonators in this age of scientific and technological confusion?
Amina Inloes

It will be obvious when the Mahdi comes because he will be accompanied by cosmic signs that will make clear that it is him (for instance, a call from the heavens, the arrival of Jesus with him). His arrival will also be apparent for all people and not confined to one group or region. (You can read more about the signs on this website.)

This is apart from the signs that all the Imams bore, such as comprehensive knowledge, knowledge of all languages, knowledge of all aspects of the religion, the ability to perform karamat, etc. Failing one of these things (for instance, not being able to understand a certain language or answer a question accurately) means he is not the Mahdi. 

Anyone who does not have these signs is not the Mahdi. 

In my understanding of the texts, when the Mahdi arrives, the question will not be whether he is the Mahdi or is a fake. It will be obvious that he is someone different from everyone else with a global role. The question will be whether people choose to follow him or not, as some people will not like what he stands for.