2) Yes, part of the mission of the Mahdi before Isa (AS) is to align the Muslims, the belief is that the Muslims will be united by the arrival of Isa (AS), so whether we are right or wrong is pointless to discuss if Isa (AS) comes in our life times we will recognise him and accept him, by what happens in accordance with the hadith. i.e. he will literally descend on the shoulders of two angels, this corresponds to the Biblical account of him being taken up by two angels and then it states in the manner as he left he will return, which implies 'descension' as he had 'ascended' in body and soul.
Peace Psyah sir,
Nothing happens in a blink of an eye. I do not agree that there will be no division in Muslims upon Jesus(AS)'s arrival. Allah says in Quran " And there has never come a prophet , but people mock at them ". Jesus (AS)'s case will not and CANNOT be different from the rest of the prophets , especially seeing the circumstances our prophet MuhammadPBUH went through in His time of prophethood, and knowing the opposition He (SAW) had to face, I cannot believe ( if taken hadith literally ), that everything will be fine , and Muslims will be united. Keep in mind, that even in the hadith that you refer, there is no mention of any time period of when everything will be fine and exactly when Muslims will all be together.. everything takes time.. If you think about it, you are looking at a person who will not be given a new prophethood, but yet will be so successful in His mission ( in just 40 years ), that people will just believe in him as the prophet sees them. Prophets have been humiliated by people, but will be regarded the highest station/rank by Allah the almighty.
Prophet's missions are to spread the word of Allah in its purest form and this duty or mission does not require any prophet to convert people , they are not given the authority by Allah to change people's heart. Its only to convey the message, rest is upto Allah whomsoever he grants hidayat. If Allah wished, He would have made everyone Muslim just when Muhammad PBUH was around, yet we see people around the world mocking Prophet Muhammad PBUH, making cartoons of Him etc.. a person whom Muslims believe was the reason of the creation of world. No human being , whether normal people like us or prophets can be equal to Him(SAW), but even then, Muslims today are trying to show the real face of Islam by writing books after books to tell the world what the meaning of jihaad really is and other issues like those. My point is, its the sign of someone's truthfulness, if we see the opposition, because thats the signs of people from Allah. It has never happened that Allah sends someone and everyone who He sees accepts him. Its just hasnt happened, and will never happen.
when you say He (AS) will literally be accompanied by two angels.. if you think about it in its true literal sense, you will have such a picture in your mind which your ownself will not be able to accept. Allah has never done such a thing before with anyone. Jesus (AS) is no exception. His status is merely of a prophet sent to bani israel. Accompanied by angels only means He(AS) will be guided by Allah, through revelation which will reveal on him through angels.
Allah has always 'descended' prophets, but all prophets are to undergo the sunnah of Allah.. Allah says
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[48:24] Such is the law of Allah that has been *in operation *before; and thou shalt not find any change in the law of Allah.
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[30:55] * It is *Allah Who created you in *a state of *weakness, and after weakness gave strength; then, after strength, caused weakness and old age. He creates what He pleases. He is the All-knowing, the All-Powerful
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that is the sunnah of Allah, it applies to everyone, including prophets. Now, they are obviously 'descended' by Alllah. Please think outside the box and for once try to understand ahadith from another point of view other than what your forefathers have told you.
