If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Society Religion & Philosophy
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I understand that the expected Imam Mahdi(pbuh) is supposed to come as an Arab from the family of Muhammad(pbuh).

What I would like to know is what if Allah in his wisdom decides that it was best that the Imam be sent to some other country not in the middle east?

What if Allah looks at today’s world and thinks that China is the biggest country with the most number of non-believers and that it would be best to have the Imam appear in China to reform the non-believers there?

So I have these hypothetical questions:

  1. Is it impossible that the Imam Mahdi comes as anyone other than an Arab?

  2. Are the currently accepted hadiths so strict/rigid that even Allah can not change His mind and send the Imam Mahdi for instance as a Chinese person?

  3. If Allah decides to send the Imam Mahdi as a non-Arab, will most Muslims, if not all of them reject him?

Please tell me your personal thoughts (hopefully without taking any offence).

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

As for rejecting Mehdi (AS), that is out of question, because his acceptance would be will of Allah, as it would be Allah that would give him strength, recognition, and acceptance. And whatever Allah wills happen.

Anyhow, as far as Mehdi (AS) getting born as person with no Arab connection, then, that is not possible though it is possible that he is born as non-Arab but with Arab connection, as descendant of Prophet (SAW).

We have to understand that, in Islamic belief, blood line does matter. Person’s soul was created before human reached this earthly world. Since time of Adam (AS), each human soul is getting transferred generation after generation, to person from whose line that soul is to be born.

For instance, soul of Prophet (SAW) was associated with Adam (AS), through whose linage got associated with Ibrahim (AS), and then amongst children of Ibrahim (AS), got associated with Ismael (AS), and kept getting associated until time Prophet (SAW) soul got associated to prophet (SAW)'s father Abdullah (AS) and from him Prophet (SAW) was born.

We also have to understand that a pious soul of descendant protects the person carrying the soul from major sin or shirk (in their beliefs). That means, all who was carrying the soul of Prophet (SAW) in their linage were free from major sins and shirk.

Same way, soul of Mehdi (AS) was there in the linage of Ali (RA), and through him descended to the children of Hz Fatima (AS) and carried forward until he would be born (or is already born). That means, Mehdi (AS) would be descendant of Prophet (SAW) regardless of where he would be born ... be from those who are considered Arab today, or from those who are considered non-Arab but have Arabic background (would be descendant of Prophet (SAW) who migrated out of land considered Arab today).

[Note: Descendants of prophet (SAW) faced persecution in Arab controlled world through out early days of Islam (Ummayads and early Abbasi period), and thus, many migrated to areas outside Arab controlled world, where they could live peacefully. Thus, one would find Syeds in huge number living in non Arab world, especially in India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, that was controlled by early Muslims but was away from direct Arab control. Today, descendant of Prophet (SAW) are also living in many western world.

That means, If Mehdi (AS) is not born yet, than his birth could be anywhere, as he would be descendant of Prophet (SAW), and presently, descendant of Prophet (SAW) are living at many places outside Arab world]

As for what Allah decides, that happens, and it is decision of Allah that Mehdi (AS) would be born as descendant of Prophet (SAW). So there could be no change and Mehdi (AS) would be born as descendant of Prophet (SAW). We learned about Allah’s decision through the words of Prophet (SAW).

Actually, control over world events and knowledge of Allah is so absolute, that changes never happen … and if anyone thinks that such change could happen due to any need, situation, or circumstances, regardless of what Allah has already decided, than that person with such beliefs shows doubt about Allah's control over worldly events and knowledge of Allah (and that is kufr).

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

I have not spoken to most muslims, by the definition of most being muslims from around the world.

The attributes of Mahdi are as stated by the brother above me. He will be a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). His name will be same as the Prophet, and father's name will be the same as the Prophet's father's name (Abdullah). People will give him bayah (Allegiance) in Makkah during Hajj (IIRC). For more, please refer to authenticated hadiths that speak about the subject in greater detail.

Anyone else without those attributes is a liar in my view. There have been liars claiming to be prophets, and Mahdis before. There will be more until the real one emerges.

It's very peculiar that whenever the subject of Mahdi (a.s.) is brought to light, the subject of Isa (a.s.) is not too far behind. Both of these noble persons come at a time of extreme injustice. Both come to invalidate their imposters. :) Just an observation on my part.

May Allah guide us to the right path, make it easy for us to distinguish right from wrong and protect me and others from the fitnah of Dajjal. Ameen.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Thank you very much for the great, detailed explanation. The reason for my question was that I do not believe that the middle east is the center of the world or even of that great importance. The middle east is not even the center of the world's Muslim population any more, this is more in Pakistan/India/Bangladesh/Indonesia. Hence I really don't see any reason for the Imam Mahdi(pbuh) to be born as an Arab in the middle east (I don't believe he will be born Chinese either - that was just an outlandish example). I am glad to know that being a full Arab is not necessary, just being a descendant is enough. I am sure there are Syeds even in the USA., so the Imam could appear almost anywhere in the world.

As for his acceptance by people - I am sure he will be successful ultimately, but not without some struggle amongst people (especially with the Dajjal coming too). Also if he is born in India, there will be difficult of his acceptance in Pakistan and vice versa.

I did not mean to imply that Allah does not have complete control over events, but we also do not know exactly how his wisdom works. We can not question what he will decide to do at any time.

BTW. though I am a Hindu, I think Islamic prophesies regarding these matters are the most accurate because they are the latest (in historical terms) - you can see the future clearer when you get closer to it.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Well, Imam Mahdi will appear during the mass killings and oppression of Arabs in Mid-east. What would be the point of him appearing and leading a war in a powerful country like China?

Although, when he appears, there will be a group from India/Pakistan that will give bayah to Imam Mahdi and fight alongside him according to some traditions.

According to a great Sufi shaykh, Imam Mahdi is already here but he himself doesn not know yet that he's the Mahdi.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

There is an on-going struggle and killings in Syria, but I am not sure there are mass killings.

As for oppression, it is everywhere. There is oppression in China, there is oppression in India, there is also oppression in Pakistan. The oppression is mainly of the poor and dispossessed, but it may also be sectarian.

But you maybe referring to a specific hadith that says he will appear in the middle east - I am not very knowledgeable about that.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

First of all, I'm quite surprised (in a good way) that you are as a Hindu interested in this topic.

Now, let me quote some ahadith that I find quite interesting in the context of current happenings around the world.

"A man will emerge from the depths of Damascus. He will be called Sufyani. Most of those who follow him will be from the tribe of Kalb. He will kill by ripping the stomachs of women and even kill the children. A man from my family will appear in the Haram, the news of his advent will reach the Sufyani and he will send to him one of his armies. He (referring to Imam Mahdi) will defeat them. They will then travel with whoever remains until they come to a desert and they will be swallowed. None will be saved except the one who had informed the others about them."*(Mustadrak).

**Some people think Sufyani is Bashar al-Assad as most of his army is from Bani Kalb tribe. But no one is sure...may be Sufyani would be someone even more tyrant than Bashar Assad and only Imam Mahdi will be able to defeat him.

Haram refers to the masjid of Kaaba...there are more authentic ahadith that state that people will find Imam Mahdi in Haram, holding onto the cover of Kaaba.

Also this hadith indicate that he will end the injustice...so might be that he will have more wars to end the oppression in other places.**

**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)

****Imam Mahdi might not be arab but Middle East is the place where people would find him. Also, middle east is the place of significance to all the muslims due to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and also Masjid al-aqsa in Palestine.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Personally I believe he would be fluent in Arabic and English as these two languages are mostly spoken and understood today.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Peace mdroshan

The tradition of the Mahdi is connected to the middle-east region, because of the Dajjal ... And Isa (AS) ... The return of Jesus (AS) ...

It is implied that in addition to being from the family line of the holy prophet ... He will be among the most noblest in that lineage. He will be unlike him (SAW) in appearance, but will resemble him (SAW) in character.

The region is of great importance because Al-Aqsa is the third holiest place for Muslims. It is also desired by the Zionist community in order for them to forcefully establish their Kingdom and reinstate the Temple of Solomon ... Meanwhile the heretical Christian order of the Masons are equally interested in that region.

Strategically the communist and socialistic ex-communist states are interested in making allies from this region, it is also still heavily laden with the worlds most valuable resources ... Oil and Gas ... China are already investing in Iraq and Iran ... Russia are bolstering the Syrian regime.

NATO are already involved in many Arab countries ... So it looks like our attention from the region is unlikely to be going elsewhere for the time being.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Impossible because1. Prophet saw already told us... Allah is not going to amke his nabi a liar 2. Allah knows the future so he always know what the world situation was going to be like. Its not like allah jus found out. Somethings has to chsnge plans. Prophet saw told about imam mehdi and that's exactly how its going to happen ..allah doesnt get hit with curve balls. 1. Truthfullness of our nabi alaihsalaam 2. Allah knows future

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

No, since that is what has already been foretold.

[quote]

  1. Are the currently accepted hadiths so strict/rigid that even Allah can not change His mind and send the Imam Mahdi for instance as a Chinese person?

[/quote]

The accepted ahadith don't place any restrictions on Allah Himself. However, whatever has been foretold by the prophet (SAW) will not change either. So Allah doesn't "change his mind" on such things. So the facts that are only coming to be known to us now were always known to Him anyway. It's not like He'll realize something now or later on that He didn't already know.

[quote]

  1. If Allah decides to send the Imam Mahdi as a non-Arab, will most Muslims, if not all of them reject him?

Please tell me your personal thoughts (hopefully without taking any offence).
[/QUOTE]

So as I already mentioned, in the context of what we know this is impossible. What has been foretold about the Mahdi will be considered in identifying him. Anything against that and most Muslims will reject him.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

In a dream a brother saw our beloved prophet :saw2: alongside a strongly build person with face covered. he :saw2: said, meet him he is you imam.

Scholar made taabeer that this means mehdi is alive and thats why he is covering his face and inshallah will soon lead us.

No need for hypothetical scenarios as we already have hadith of our beloved:saw2: .

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Thanks everyone for your response.

It looks like everyone agrees that the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) will be an Arab, although there seems to be a minor disagreement whether being a just a distant descendant (I would not call a Syed from India or Indonesia an Arab) would also fulfill the hadiths.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Plenty of scholars have hailed plenty of people as the mahdi before and it’s proven to be wrong every time, and has often led to a lot of Muslim dying. I’ll only believe the mahdi is here when I see the actual specific signs described in the Hadith being fulfilled.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

You are right. I was just sharing a dream and there are many which may indicate that the time is near. Inshallah when he comes which may be this year or may take 100 years he will be recognised based on parameters set in ahadith.

Scholars have misread the time before but i am not aware of some group of ahl e haq who have hailed some one else as mehdi wrongly.

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Re: If the Imam Mahdi (pbuh) came as a non-Arab, will most Muslims reject him?

Peace mAd_ScIeNtIsT

I think since the signs of the Mahdi all are described when he is an adult, the ones that talk about how he is first recognised/discovered talk about how the existing scholars start to agree amongst themselves who shows the signs of this great leader.

At which point he is still "hidden" to the public (not hidden in the sense of not being in physical reality - but hidden in the sense that he may be just an ordinary person) and even the ulema will be hesitant to state a name at this stage. When he is identified according to hadith, he will already be an adult.

It means that up until the point that he is openly made public news - there will be a period of time from his birth onwards to that point that where:

1) The other signs that need to happen will happen
2) The ulema will start to get reasons to silently nominate among themselves candidates for Mahdi

It is hence quite credible that Mahdi is alive - and at least no one knows who he is or that some people may have a strong feeling due to dreams, visions or signs of great character to nominally indicate who he is from among the people alive today ... only when there reaches some consensus will certain things that we have read about Mahdi will start to happen.