Who is the Real Imam Mahdi? Friday Sermon Separates Fact from Fiction

In his Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid in Bhatkal, Islamic scholar Abdul Aleem Khateeb Nadvi addressed the widely held belief in the coming of Imam Mahdi a guided leader who will establish global justice while warning the community against false claimants exploiting this belief.

The scholar began by acknowledging that the concept of Mahdi is a recognized belief within mainstream Sunni Islam, supported by numerous Hadiths. However, he noted that a lack of authentic knowledge has led to confusion, allowing individuals to falsely declare themselves as Mahdi, especially during times of increased injustice when people are desperate for a savior.

“When oppression increases, people begin waiting for Mahdi,” he stated. “On such occasions, those who wish to gain popularity suddenly emerge claiming the title, like frogs coming out after the rain, and the public is influenced by them.”

To provide clarity, the scholar outlined key characteristics of the true Mahdi based on prophetic traditions:

1. Lineage: He will be from the family of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), specifically from the lineage of Hasan ibn Ali, and will be named Muhammad ibn Abdullah.
2. Appearance: He will have a broad forehead, a long nose, and character resembling the Prophet’s, though his physical appearance will not be identical.
3. Emergence: He will appear in Mecca at a time of political conflict following the death of a caliph. He will not seek power but will be recognized and given allegiance (bay’ah) by people near the Kaaba.
4. Recognition: He will not publicly claim to be Mahdi. Rather, righteous scholars and leaders of the Muslim community will recognize and pledge allegiance to him openly, not in secret.
5. Rule: He will lead a legitimate Islamic army, establish justice across the earth, and rule for approximately seven years. His era will be marked by divine blessings, including prosperity and abundant rainfall.
6. Connection with Jesus: Imam Mahdi will be the leader when Jesus (peace be upon him) descends from heaven, and Jesus will pray behind him in congregation a sign of his high status.

Importantly, the scholar emphasized that the true Mahdi will emerge within the Arab world, not from regions like India, and his rise will be accompanied by clear, supernatural signs accepted by the Muslim ummah broadly.

He cautioned believers not to be misled by individuals making clandestine claims or operating in secrecy. “Those who work in hidden activities, unknown to anyone, cannot be Mahdi,” he asserted.

In closing, Abdul Aleem Khateeb Nadvi advised Muslims to focus on living according to Islamic teachings and to avoid speculative propaganda about Mahdi’s imminent arrival. He reminded the congregation that many classical signs—such as the existence of a caliphate and a powerful, united Muslim army—are not present today, indicating that his coming is not as immediate as some claim.

“We should neither make such claims nor be influenced by them until the true situation is clear,” he concluded.

Source: Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid, Bhatkal, by Abdul Aleem Khateeb Nadvi.