Are there authentic hadiths regarding the expected Mahdi?
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The Shaykh : But this does not mean that there are no authentic hadiths regarding the Mahdi, for there are hadiths that it is not permissible for a Muslim to deny. Among these hadiths is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): This is one of many hadiths that are authentic regarding the Mahdi (peace be upon him). However, in contrast to this, some hadiths are not authentic, and what was asked of us just now is among those that are not authentic. But here is a necessary point of caution:
That the faith of Muslims in the coming of the Mahdi one day, a time not specified by our Lord (Mighty and Majestic), does not mean that Muslims should become complacent and wait for the emergence of the Mahdi so that they will be victorious over their enemies. Rather, they must take the means of victory, whether these are moral or material, for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) supports His servants who take the means of victory, as is in the well-known verse:[Muhammad 47:7]. Therefore, it is not permissible to wait for the Mahdi or for Jesus (peace be upon him) to descend. The descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) is a Salafi belief stronger than the belief in the Mahdi. It is not permissible for Muslims to wait for the descent of this one or the emergence of that one. Rather, they must take the means of victory. If they do so, then when the Mahdi comes or Jesus descends, they will find the ground prepared for the rain to fall upon them, and Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) will support them against their enemy. This is what can be said in comment on that hadith which is not authentic, and on some of the authentic hadiths regarding the emergence of the Mahdi and the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him).
The world will not end until Allah sends a man whose name matches my name, and whose father's name matches my father's name. He will fill the earth with justice and equity, just as it was filled with tyranny and oppression.
لا تنقضي الدنيا حتى يبعث الله رجلاً يوافق اسمه اسمي، واسم أبيه اسم أبي، يملأ الأرض قسطاً وعدلاً كما مُلِئت جوراً وظلماًThat the faith of Muslims in the coming of the Mahdi one day, a time not specified by our Lord (Mighty and Majestic), does not mean that Muslims should become complacent and wait for the emergence of the Mahdi so that they will be victorious over their enemies. Rather, they must take the means of victory, whether these are moral or material, for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) supports His servants who take the means of victory, as is in the well-known verse: