3. A prophet might have been sent to this nation but his teachings were not

adequate for fulfilling the needs of coming generations. Therefore, a dire need arose for sending more prophets to perfect the religion. 4. This nation might have received a prophet, but that prophet was in need of another messenger to substantiate him or support his cause. These four reasons have become null and refuted after the advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Therefore, the Muslim nation and all other nations become in no need offurther prophets after the advent of Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran maintains that Muhammad (PBUH) has been sent for the guidance ofall people.

Allah says: "Say, [0 Muhammad], '0 mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Also, the history ofcivilization affirms that the world, since the advent of Muhammad's Message until the present day, has been suitable to make the Islamic call reach everywhere on the globe and be accessible to every existing nation. There is, thus, no need for sending further prophets to any nation. In this sense, the first reason for sending other prophets after Muhammad (PBUH) becomes null. Similarly, the Quran and books tackling the hadiths and life of the Prophet affirm that the teachings of the Prophet still exist now without being subjected to distortion, corruption, forgery or alteration. The Book Muhammad (PBUH) sent with does not suffer any omission, deletion or addition. More importantly, it will never ever be a subject ofany form offorgery until the Last Day.

In addition, the guidance, which the Prophet (PBUH) disseminated through his deeds and dictums, is still preserved as if we still observe the integral character of the Prophet (PBUH). Thus, the second reason for sending further prophets is refuted. What refutes the third reason for sending other prophets is the fact that the Quran explicitly highlights that Allah's religion has become perfect by sending Muhammad, the Seal ofall prophets. Finally, ifthere had been any need for sending another prophet with Prophet Muhammad to support his message, then he would have been sent at his time. Thus, the refutation ofthese four reasons entails refuting any further reasons for sending prophets after Muhammad." Kar4matul-Awliytf (Supernatural Ads Produced by Allah's Allies) We have previously tackled the Prophets' miracles and the distinction between a miracle and inexplicable acts of sorcerers and fortunetellers on the one hand and the newly advanced inventions on the other hand. The coming section, therefore, is devoted to the inexplicable, supernatural acts of those whom Allah honors with His love and friendship.

These inexplicable acts are, however, closely related to the Prophets' miracles. In this same section, it seems pertinent to distinguish between these supernatural acts and the wonders done by sorcerers and jugglers. Allah's allies are, according to the Quran, the righteous pious believing people. Allah, Exalted be He, says: "Unquestionably, {for} the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grleve. Those who believed and were fearing Allah:' (Quran: YOnus: 62-63) Every pious and believing individual becomes, according to the degree of his piety and belief. an ally of Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He. Allah may support him with some supernatural acts, which are commonly called 'Kartimtit (supernatural acts).

Technically defined, AI-Karamah is an inexplicable act carried out by some of the righteous, who follow the path of the messengers. as a means of honoring them for following the messengers' path. Not all ofAllah's allies are supported with supernatural acts. An inexplicable marvelous act is always carried out to reinforce the faith or substantiate the argument of Allah's allies against the opponents of truth. Those of Allah's allies who are not substantiated with such acts are not usually deficient. This means those of Allah's allies who are supported with inexplicable acts are not held preferable to those who are not. The veracity of supernatural acts shown by Allah's righteous allies is proven by the consensus of Muslim scholars and the Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community.

The occurrence of these inexplicable acts are also approved by the Ever-Glorious Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Only heretics like the Mu'tazilah (Mutazilites) and the Jahmiyyah and their followers deny them. Such a denial is contradictory to what has been established by the Quran and the Sunnah. The Quran, for instance, mentions the story of the People of the Cave (the Sleepers of Ephesus) and the story of Mary. the Virgin. Moreover, according to the l!adiths, the angels used to descend in the shape of a canopy oflamps to listen to the Qur'anic recitation ofUsayd Ibn Hud,ayr (may Allah be pleased with him). They are also reported to have greeted 'Imran Ibn Hu~ayn (may Allah be pleased with him).

There are also other similar instances. For reviewing this issue, see Al-Furqtin bayn Awliyd' Ar-Rahmtin wa Awliyti' Ash-Shayttin (the Decisive Distinction between the Allies of the Merciful and the Allies of Satan) by Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him). Establishing the veracity and truth of supernatural acts carried out by Allah's allies. however. caused discord and great confusion among people. A group of them including the MU'tazilah, the Jahmiyyah and their followers completely deny the occurrence of supernatural acts by Allah's allies. Their denial contradicts explicit texts of the Quran and the Sunnah. and reality as well. Another group. however, extravagantly attributes unearthly supernatural acts to the supposedly allies of Allah.

This group of people includes laymen and deviating learned persons. They affirm the occurrence of extraordinary wonders by transgressors and wrongdoers and other allies of Satan. They, in doing so, mostly rely on fake stories, dreams and satanic practices. In attributing such wonders, they attribute them to sorcerers, jugglers and swindlers. Sufi saints and other retainers of erroneous beliefs. whom they adore while they are alive or by commemorating their tombs. They, moreover. have built tombs for them and alleged their elevated and hallowed status by telling fabricated stories about them.

Such tales include. for instance. the alleged beliefs that such persons have the power to affect matters in the world. fulfill the needs of people and relieve those who seek their help. In addition, they claim that such sorcerers and jugglers are poles and succors. Therefore, alleged supernatural acts have been taken as a pretext for adoring those allies of Satan. They may falsely allege that soothsaying, swindling and sorcery are manifestations of miracles. They, thus, do not differentiate between supernatural acts maintained by Allah's allies and satanic acts provided by the allies of Satan. Those who are explicitly proved as Allah's allies by means of the Quran or the Sunnah should never be adored even though they are supported with miraculous acts.

Similarly, blessings should never be sought by visiting their tombs. Allah Alone is the One worthy ofworship. There is a number of distinctions between the extraordinary acts carried out by Allah's allies and those acts carried out by swindlers and jugglers. The former, for instance, are mainly performed as consequences ofrighteousness and piety while the latter are mainly corollaries of disbelief, transgression and wrongdoing. Moreover, the supernatural acts of Allalis allies are chiefly carried out to invite people to do deeds of righteousness and piety while the inexplicable acts of jugglers and swindlers are usually carried out to lead people to abominable and prohibited acts such as polytheism, disbelief and killing. In addition, supernatural acts offered by Allalis allies are intensified by remembering Allah and retaining His Oneness while inexplicable acts ofjugglers and swindlers usually vanish upon mentioning the Name of Allah, reciting the Ever-Glorious Qur'lln or retaining Allalis Oneness.

There are, thus, clear distinctions between the acts carried out by Allalis allies and jests of swindlers and jugglers. As we have mentioned before, Allalis allies do not make use of the acts sustained by Allah for practicing swindle and fraud or even for acquiring glorification. They get, nonetheless, more modest and closer to Allah and are always dedicated to His service. Swindlers and jugglers, on the other hand, utilize the satanic acts offered by them to make people applause, glorify and even adore them. Thus each one of them has his own group or sect, which is named after him such as Ash­ Shadhiliyyah (being attributed to Ash-Shadhili), Ar-Rifa'iyyah (being attributed to Ar-Rifa'i), An-Naqshabandiyyah (being named after An-Naqshabandi) and other Sufi sects. To conclude, people disagree with regard to belief in the inexplicable acts produced by Allalis allies.

They are of three groups: The first group have excessively denied and renounced such acts which are proved in the Ever-Glorious Qur'lln and the Sunnah, although such acts are always provided by Allah in favor of His righteous allies for substantiating the truthful and straight path they follow. The second group have exceSSively approved of such acts to the extent that they believe that sorcery, jugglery and other deceptive acts are manifestations of Kardmah. Such a group of people have utilized such a conviction to be a means of practicing polytheism by adoring sorcerers and jugglers whether being alive or dead. Hence, major polytheism, represented in frequenting tombs and adoring persons, and excessively attributing fables and inexplicable acts to sorcerers, has emerged. The third group involves the Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community who have taken the middle path, which is free from any excessiveness or inadequacy. Such a group of people have proved what is enacted in the Qur'lln and the Sunnah of the Prophet and they never excessively adore Allalis allies.

They are still convinced that there are degrees of preference among Allah's allies; however, they do not prefer one ally to another. This is due to the fact that one of Allah's allies, though not supported with supernatural acts, may be preferred to another supported with such miraculous acts. Such a moderate group has also renounced acts of sorcery, jugglery, swindle and fraud, which they held contradictory to the Qur'mt and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). They regard such acts as supernatural acts emanating from Satan not produced by Allah's allies. Thus, all praise and grace belong to Allah Who explicitly revealed the truth and unveiled falsehood. Allah, Exalted be He, says: ~ ..

That those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence; and indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing:' (Qur'mt: AI-Anfell: 42) Endnotes 1 AI-An' dm: The Grazing Livestock, specifically: camels, cattle, sheep and goats, as mentioned in verses 143-144 of this surah. The sixth surah of the Quran. 2 AI-Isrd' and AI-Mi 'rdj (the Prophet's Night Journey and Ascension): Prophet Muhammad's miraculous night journey from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Al-Aq~a Mosque in Jerusalem, then his miraculous ascension from Jerusalem to the heavens to meet his Lord. 3 Yunus: The Prophet Jonah. The tenth surah of the Quran. 4 Hud: The Prophet Hud The eleventh surah of the Quran. 5 At-Tur: The Mount, where Allah spoke to Moses. The fifty-second surah of the Quran. 6AI-Baqarah: The Cow. The name is taken from the story in verses 67-73. The second surah of the Quran. 7 Isrd': The Night Journey.

The surah is also known as Banu Isrd'il (The Children ofIsrael).The seventeenth surah of the Quran. 8 RAfidah: A Shiite group who refused the caliphates of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and 'Umar Ibnul-Khattab and waged accusations against them and against many of the Prophet's Companions as well. 9 ZiMr: the saying of a husband to his wife, when he wants to abstain from having sex with her, "(Sexually,) you are to me like the back of my mother," i.e. unlawful to approach sexually. That was a type of divorce practiced by Arabs in the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance (AI-Jdhiliyyah). 10 Li'an: Swearing allegation of adultery upon one's wife and divorcing her by public imprecation 11 AI-Burdq: It is the animal mounted by the Prophet (PBUH) during AI-Isrd'. 12 The jizyah: A tribute or a tax required from non-Muslims living in an Islamic state exempting them from military service and entitling them to the protection of the Islamic state. 13 AI-Hashr: The Gathering. The fifty-ninth surah of the Quran. 14 AI-Ab. ZIlb: The Companions or The Combined Forces, referring to the alliance of disbelieving Arab tribes against the Muslims in Medina for the battle called'"AI-Ab. ZIlb" or "AI-Khandaq" (the Trench). The thirty-third surah of the Quran. 15 AI-Patb.: The Conquest.

The forty-eight surah of the Quran. 16 Alu 'Imrtln: The family of 'Imran. The third surah of the Quran. 17 At-Tawabah: Repentance. This surah is also known as Bartl'ah, meaning disassociation, freedom, release or immunity. The ninth surah of the Quran. 18 An-Nistl: The Women. The fourth surah of the Quran. 19 AI-Mtl'dah: The Table, referring to the table spread with food requested by the disciples of Jesus (PBUH) in verse 112 of this surah. 20 The MuMjirun: The Emigrants; those Muslims who emigrated from Mecca to Medina as they were persecuted in Mecca because of embracing Islam. 21 The An~tlr: The Supporters; the inhabitants of Medina who had accepted Islam and supported the Prophet (PBUH) and all the Muslim Emigrants (the MuMjirin) upon their arrival there. 22 Ash-Sham: The Levant; the region covering Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. 23 Qadytlniyyah: A sect that claims to belong to Islam. It was founded by MirzA Ghulam; its adherents believe that Muhammad (PBUH) is not the last Prophet, divine revelation is still in effect and that Jihad is prohibited.

It includes the following aspects: First Aspect: Belief in the Signs of the Day of Judgment As the Last Day is necessarily preceded by a number of signs which preface its coming, commonly called Ashrt1;J. As-Sa 'ah (Signs of the Day of Judgment), it seems pertinent to mention the most eminent signs, since belief in the Last Day and its signs is an indispensable core of a Musli:nis faith. Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, says: "The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two}?' (Quran: Al-Qamar: 1) He further maintains: "Then do they await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly' But already there have come [some of} its indications?' (Qur'm: Muhammad: 18) Imam Al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him) has said, 'i\nd the coming of the Prophet (PBUH) is regarded as one of the portents which preface the Last Day." Almighty Allah says, t~ •• And what will make you perceivef Perhaps the Hour is near!' (Quran: Ash-Shura: 17) And says: t~re they waiting except for the Hour to come upon them suddenly while they perceive notf" (Quran: AzZukhruf: 66) To refer to the close occurrence of the Last Day, Allah calls it <tomorrow: Allah, Exalted be He, says: .~ •• And let every soul look to what it has putforth for tmnO"ow..." (Quran: AlHashr: 18) Almighty Allah further provides: "Indeed, they see it [as) distant, but We see it [as) near!' (Quran: AlMa 'arij: 6-7) Al-Tirmidhi related the following b.adtth, and deemed it ~ab.ib. (authentic) b.adith, from the marfo' (traceable) b.adith narrated by Anas; the Prophet (PBUH) said: "[ have been sent and the Hour (is at hand) as these two (fingers)." Allalis Messenger (PBUH) held up his index finger and the middle fmger together to illustrate how the Last Day is drawing nearer. It is also related in the Two S.abJb.s (the two authentic books ofAl-Bukhari and Muslim) that Ibn 'Umar narrated the Prophet (PBUH) as saying: "Your lifetime (i.e., the Muslims' lifetime) in comparison to the lifetime of the previous nations, is like the period between the 'A~ (Afternoon) Prayer and sunset:' The affairs of the Last Day are regarded so great, and therefore, great attention has been given to illustrate its earlier and preceding signs. Put differently, the Prophet (PBUH) has illustrated its main portents and foretold that dissension will occur before it, in the hope that his nation will be well prepared for that Day.

As for the defmite time of its occurrence, it is solely known by Allah. He has .not disclosed it to people, so that they may be well equipped and prepared for its coming. Similarly, He conceals the definite time of anyone's death to induce people to be more energetic in offering good deeds at all times. The prominent scholar, As-SaBrint, has said: "You should know that the portents of the Last Day are classified into three categories. The first category involves some signs that have already occurred and are now past. Those signs are referred to as the remote signs of the Last Day.

The second category involves some other signs that have already appeared, nonetheless. they are still present. The third category is called the major signs, which are immediately followed by the Last Day. They will successively and continuously occur like the uninterrupted fall ofloose beads. Included in the first category of the portents, which occurred and terminated, are the coming of the Prophet (PBUH) and his death, the conquest of Jerusalem, and the murder of 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), the third Caliph after the Prophet (PBUH). In this regard, Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) has said, 'The first dissension occurring in the Muslim community is the murder of 'Uthman: " In addition, he has made mention of the civil wars, which occurred among the Muslims and the ensuing appearance of deviating sects like the Kharijites' and the RafidaJl. Then, he added: <~nd also included among the portents of the Last Day are the emergence of imposters who allege prophethood, and the decline of the Arabs' sovereignty.

Such a saying has been related by At­ Tirmidhi. The abundance of fortunes is also mentioned by AI­ Bukhari and Muslim as one of the signs of the Last Day. Also the spread of earthquakes, landslides, deformation and downfall of stones from the heavens are included among the signs of the Last Day, which have occurred and expired. The second category is called the transitional signs, which have occurred and still exist and are increasing nowadays. They are so great in number. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: < The Hour will not occur until the pleasures of this worldly life are reaped by wicked and thick-witted people: This b.adith is related by Imam Ab.mad, Al-Tirmidhi andAd-Diytl' AI­ Maqdistfrom the b.adtth related on the authority ofHudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him).

It is interpreted that the Last Day will not occur until the thick-witted and wicked persons take authority. Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: ~ time will come to people when he who adheres to his religion will be like (i.e.• as difficUlt as) one who seizes live coals.' This b.adith is related by Al-Tirmidhi on the authority ofAnas Ibn Md.lik (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet is reported to have said: < The Hour (the Day of Resurrection) will not be established until people would boast each other in (building and excessive ornamenting of) mosques: It is related by Ahmad, Aba Dawad. Ibn Hibbd.n and Ibn Md.jah on the authority ofAnas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet is also reported to have said: ~t the end of time. there will appear ignorant worshippers and wrongdoing reciters (of the Quran).' It is related by Aba Nu 'aym and AI-Hakim on the authority ofAnas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him). In addition to the foregoing signs. the crescent may appear in an extraordinary large shape.

Such a sign is related in a narration which is not reported (word-by-word) by At-Tabard.ni on the authority ofIbn Mas 'ad (may Allah be please with him). The hadith literally reads: ~mong the portents of the Last Day is the swelling of the moon: Also included among the signs of the Last Day is the practice of taking mosques like roads. i.e. people will spend little time at mosques. Moreover, in the b.adith reported in S.ab.ib. AI-Bukhtlrl (AI-Bukhd.rls Authentic Book ofHadith). Anas has said: < Shall I narrate to you a narration which I heard from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and none other than I will narrate it to you? I heard the Messenger ofAllah (PBUH) saying, < From among the portents of the Hour are (the following): The religious knowledge will be taken away (by the death ofreligious scholars), and general ignorance (of religion) will increase. and the drinking of alcohol will be very common, and zina (adultery and fornication) will spread, and men will decrease in number while women will increase so much so that for fifty women there will only be only one man to look after them: -----~-------------------- It is also related in the Authentic Books ofAl-Bukhdrt and Muslim that Aba Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "While the Prophet (PBUH) was addressing people in a gathering, a Bedouin came and asked him, 'When would the Hour (the Day of Resurrection) take place?' The Messenger ofAllah (PBUH) continued his talk.

Some people said that the Prophet (PBUH) had heard the question while some of them said that he had not heard it. When the Prophet (PBUH) finished his speech, he said, 'Where is the questioner who inquired about the Hour?' The Bedouin said, 'Here I am, 0 Allahs MessengerI' The Prophet (PBUH) said (to the man), 'When honesty is lost, then waitfor the Hour.' The Bedouin said, 'How will it be lost?' The Prophet (PBUH) replied, 'When authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then wait for the Hour: " The third category of the portents of the Last Day is that of the major signs and indications, which are immediatelyfollowed by the Hereafter. They include the emergence ofAI-Mahdt, the Anti-Christ, the return of 'lsd (Jesus), son of Mary (PBUH), the emergence of Gog and Magog, the demolition of the Ka 'bah, people being afflicted with smoke, the evanescence of the Quran from the Quran books and from peoples memories and the suns rise from the west. Also included in this category are the Beast which will be broughtforth from the earth, thefire emerging from Aden, and the Horn being blown for resurrection. With the first blow of the Horn, the whole world will fall into terror and horror. With the second blow, all creatures will perish while, with the third blow, they will be resurrected." Although the affairs and incidents of the Last Day are so grave. we pay no heed to them.

A considerable number of these signs have taken place. so we ask Allah to keep us steadfast in maintaining the straight path. make us die as Muslims and be safeguarded against all dissensions. whether apparent or concealed thereof. The signs foretold by the Prophet (PBUH) are among the proofs which ascertain the veracity of his prophethood and the miracles. which substantiate his call. This is because the Prophet told about future events that came to his knowledge through revelation from Allah. The occurrence of these signs exactly as the Prophet told us about them reinforces a Muslim's faith. Similarly. the Prophet, in foretelling and mentioning the signs of the Last Day, admonishes us to be well prepared for the Last Day. May the blessings and peace ofAllah be upon him who has honestly and clearly conveyed the message and we, to that, are ofthose who testify.

The portents of the Last Day will appear successively. The first sign to appear is the emergence ofAl-Mahdi. being followed by the Anti-Christ and then by the descending of 'Isa (Jesus). son of Mary (PBUH). and then the rest will follow. 1. The Emergence of Al-Mahdi: An overview of the major signs preceding the Last Day was given in the last section; the following is an elaboration of those signs. 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'iJ.d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Days will not pass and time will not come to an end before the Arabs being ruled by a man from my own family whose name conforms to mine." (Related by Imam Ahmad. Abft Dawftd and Al-Tirmidhi with an authentic chain of transmitters) Al-Tirmidhi deemed it as hasan (good) and ~ahih (authentic) hadith. There are further hadiths reported on the authority of 'Ali.

Abft Sa'td Al-Khudri. Umm Salamah (the Prophet's wife) and AbiJ. Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them all). The prominent scholar, As-SafUini has said, "Reports traced back to the Prophet (PBUH) and the Companions are numerous, all affirm the emergence ofAl­ Mahdt." Shaykhul-IsIAm Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) has said. "Prophetic hadiths which prove the emergence of Al-Mahdr are all authentically related by Aba D~wad, Al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad and others:' The name of Al-Mahdi is Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullah. He is one of the descendants of Al-Hasan Ibn 'Ali Ibn Abft nub (may Allah be pleased with them).

He will emerge at the end of this life when the earth is dominated by oppression and injustice. Upon his emergence. justice and equity will prevail. The prominent scholar, As-Safhini, has said: "Views are in disagreementabout the emergence ofAI-Mahdito the extent that some people maintain that Jesus is the Expected Al-Mahdr. The proper view upon which the people of truth agree is that the emergence ofAl-Mahdr is different from the return ofJesus. The former will emerge before the latter. Reports substantiating this view are so numerous that AI-Mahdr's emergence may be regarded as undoubtedly established.

It is recognized by the scholars of the Sunnah and is certainly included among their established convictions." To conclude, concerning the emergence of Al-Mahdi, people adopt three different views. The fIrst group renounces the emergence of Al-Mahdi. They are some of the modern writers who lack expertise, deeply rooted knowledge of religious texts and transmitted reports of prominent Muslim scholars. They only rely on their rational deductions and ideas. The second group excessively believes in Al-Mahdi. They are mostly among the deviating sects, as each sect of such a group claims that its respective leader is the Expected Mahdi.

Ar-Rafidah, for example, claims that Al-Mahdi is their expected Imam who will emerge from the vault. They name him Muhammad Ibnul-Hasan Al- 'Askari, and claim that he entered the vault of Samurra' (Samarra) while he 3 was a child fIve hundred years ago • They have been waiting for his emergence until now! Similarly, whosoever would like to dominate people or gain control over them, would call himself the Expected Mahdi. Such is the case of SufIs who swindle and deceive people by alleging sovereignty and claiming that they belong to the household of the Prophet (PBUH). The Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community adopt the intermediate view. They agree on the emergence of Al-Mahdi according to what is maintained in the authentic texts regarding his name, the name of his father, his genealogy, his personal features and the time of his emergence.

They do not exceed the limits mentioned in b.adiths. Before his emergence, there will appear a number of portents and indications mentioned by scholars. The prominent scholar, As­ Safarini said: "Views have dramatically differed regarding the emergence ofAI-Mahdi to the extent that some people maintain that Jesus is the Expected AI­ Mahdi. The sound view, upon which the people of truth agree, is that AI-Mahdi is different from Jesus. AI-Mahdi will, according to their view, appear before the coming of Jesus (PBUH). Reports, which affirm the emergence of AI-Mahdi are so numerous that they are authentically proven.

Such a belief is well known among the scholars of the Sunnah and is certainly held among their established convictions." He went on saying: cl1 considerable number ofb.adiths have been reported on the authority of the Companions mentioned above, and the leading followers which all provide decisive proofs on the emergence of AI-Mahdi. Therefore, belief in his emergence is obligatory according to what is stipulated by the prominent scholars and the established doctrines of the Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community." In elaborating his biography, As-Sa.flrinI has further added: "Scholars have said that AI-Mahdi would act upon the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). He will be so peaceful that he will never awake a sleeper, and will fight according to the Prophets Sunnah. Moreover, he will enact every exemplary practice of the Prophet and eliminate all Bid'ahs (i.e., matters innovated in religion). He will further establish the religion ofIslam as established by the Prophet, and will demolish the Cross, kill pigs and restore Muslims' unity and prosperity. He will fill the earth with justice and equity." In describing his personal features, As-Sa.flrinI added: ~ man from the Prophet's offspring, rightly-guided and ofgood manners, will emerge to conquer the city ofCaesar.

He is the final emir emerging from the nation ofMuhammad (PBUH). During his lifetime, the Anti­ Christ will emerge and 'lstl (Jesus), son ofMary, will return." As-Sa.flrinI further maintained: "In his book Fawtl'id AI-Fikr (i.e., Fruits of Reflection) Abul-Hasan Muhammad Ibnul-Husayn provides that there are numerous hadtths tackling the matter of AI-Mahdi. All such reports agree that AI-Mahdi will descendfrom the offspring of the Prophet (PBUH) and he will reign for seven years. They also maintain that AI-Mahdi will fill the earth with equity and justice. In addition, he will support Jesus in killing the Anti-Christ at the gate ofLudd in Palestine. He will lead this nation in the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer and Jesus himselfwill perform prayer standing behind him." This is the story ofAl-Mahdl according to what is maintained by the Prophet regarding his distinct features. time of emergence and biography.

However, many deviating persons have claimed to be the Expected Mahdl. though it was so early for Al-Mahdl to appear in such times. Though they have been named after his name, most of his characteristics cannot be identified in them. They have mainly aimed at deceiving naives and utilizing their name which is similar to Al-Mahdl for attaining personal gains. Therefore, Allah exposed their falsehood and unveiled their lies. Do not be surprised at such a false claim, since a group of people who came before them, falsely alleged prophethood and fabricated lies against Allah. Allah, Exalted be He. says: '~nd who is more unjust than one who invents a lie aboutAllah or says, 'It has been inspired to me: while nothing has been inspired We ask Allah to show us the truth, support us to follow it and we ask Him to unveil for us falsehood and let us be averted from it.

We also ask Him to guard us against mischief of misguiding leaders, swindlers and frauds. 2. The Emergence of the Anti-Christ All the prophets (blessings and peace of Allah be upon them) warned their nations against the coming of the Anti-Christ; the Messiah of deviation and falsehood We ask Allah to pervert his harm. All prophets introduced a description ofhis personal features to their followers so that they might be warned against his evil. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has described him in detail and elaborated his personal characteristics to his nation so that they might easily recognize him. According to Al-Tirmidhi, the Anti-Christ will emerge from Khurasan. In S.ahih Muslim (Muslims Authentic Book ofHadith), Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (PBUH) as saying: "The Antichrist would be followed by seventy thousand Jews of A~bahtln wearing Persian shawls" He is called Al-Massih (i.e., the wiper or the wiped) because one of his eyes is wiped off or because he will spread swindle and confusion all over the earth.

He is further called Ad-Dajjtll (i.e. the imposter) because he will spread perplexity and confusion on earth. He will be contemporaneous to Al-Mahdi. A1-H~ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) has said: "Then the Anti-Christ will be permitted to emerge at the end of this life. He will first appear in the shape of an absolute ruler who will falsely allege prophethood. Then. he will falsely claim Lordship when beingfollowed by ignorant people, villians and laymen. He will be only opposed by the righteous and those who fear Allah.

He will conquer all countries, fortresses, provinces, and small towns and villages. He will not leave a country without treading it with his men and horses with the exception of the two holy cities; Mecca and Medina. He will stay for forty days on the earth, one day being as long as a full year, another day being as long as a month, a third day being as long as a week while the rest ofhis days will be ofnormal length. The duration is estimated as a year, two months and fifteen days. Allah will endow him with the ability to make supernatural acts, which he will carry out to deviate whom Allah wills. True believers will remain steadfast in following true guidance and righteousne$,~.

The appearance ofJesus (PBUH), son ofMary, will be contemporaneous to that of the Anti-Christ. True believers and pious persons will follow Jesus and gather around him. Jesus will lead them in going to the Anti­ Christ at Jerusalem where he will defeat him at the gate of Ludd. Jesus (PBUH) will further murder the Anti-Christ with a spear while trying to enter the gate. Jesus will say to him, '1 am destined to shoot you with a strike hitting its target.' When the Anti-Christ faces Jesus, he will be dissolved like salt in water. Then Jesus will hit him with the spear at the gate of Ludd.

He will be killed there, may Allah curse him. This is fully illustrated in many hadiths." The Anti-Christ will cause the sky to rain and the crops to grow for those who follow him. He will also cause their pasturing cattle return with their udders full of milk. As for those who do not follow his cause, they will be stricken with famines, drought and loss of cattle. They will also be tested with loss of wealth, lives and fruits. The treasures of the earth will follow him wherever he goes.

It is also reported that he will kill a young man then bring him back to life. All such acts are a means of trying people. Despite all such acts, he is regarded as deficient, wrongdoer and unjust in Allah's Sight. Moreover, despite introducing such inexplicable acts, between his eyes appears the word 'Kaftr' (i.e., a disbeliever). All the acts introduced by him are regarded as ways of trying people. It is really a highly serious and grave trial.

Only people of perfect faith and firm belief will survive. Due to the gravity of such a trial, all prophets, particularly our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), warned us against him. Abu 'Ubaydah Ibnul-Jarran (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard Allah's Messenger (PBUH) saying: "No prophet came after Nuh (Noah) but warned his people against Ad-Dajjal (the Anti-Christ), and 1 warn you against him." (Related by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawtld and Al-Tirmidhi) Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) has instructed his nation to seek refuge with Allah from the trial of the Anti-Christ at the conclusion of every prayer. Therefore, Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "When anyone of you utters the ftnal tashahhud 4, he should seek refuge with Allah from four (trials): the torture in the Hellfire, the torture in the grave, the trials oflife and death, and the evil of the trial ofAI-Masihud-Dajjal (Antichrist)." (Related by Imam Ahmad and Muslim) Prophetic hadtths. which prove the emergence of the Anti-Christ and the Prophet's invocations for seeking Allalis refuge from his trial, are numerous. The Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community unanimously agree to the fact that the Anti-Christ will emerge at the end of this world Beliefin his coming is, moreover, of the core basics of the MuslimS faith. Thus, whoever denies the emergence of the Anti-Christ should be regarded as contradicting authentic hadtths and opposing the view of the Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community.

Only innovators. including the Kharijites (the Seceders), Al-Jahmiyyah, some of the Mu'tazilah (Mutazilites), and modern writers, deny the appearance of the Anti-Christ They only rely on their rational thinking and whims in arguing for their views. The true believer must believe in what is stated by Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). He must not be among those intended in Allah's saying: "Rather, they have denied that which they encompass not in knowledge and whose interpretation has not yet come to them••:' (Qulin: Ylinus: 39) This is because one of the prerequisites of true faith is submitting to what is dictated by Allah and His Messenger. He is regarded as the follower ofhis whims the one who does not submit to Allah's will and law. We ask Allah to keep us safeguarded and secured from skepticism and polytheism, from disbelief, hypocrisy and bad manners. We also ask Him not to deviate our hearts after being guided and all praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 3.

The Descending of Jesus (PBUH), Son of Mary, from the Heavens: It is certainly proved that Jesus (PBUH), son of Mary, will descend from the heavens according to what is maintained in the Ever-Glorious Quran. It is also reported by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who never spoke out of his own inclination. Similarly, it is agreed on unanimously by the Muslim scholars, the earliest and latest among them, and they have regarded it as one of the basic convictions of Muslims. As-Safhint has maintained, "The descending ofJesus (PBUH) is proved by the Glorious Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the consensus of the Muslim scholars. As for the Glorious Quran, Almighty Allah says, ~d there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him [i.e., Jesus] before his death: (Quran: An-Nisll': 159) It means that all people of the Scripture (the Jews and the Christians) will believe in Jesus before his death after being descended from the heavens. At that time, religion will be established in conformity with the pure religion ofIbrtlhim (Abraham), i.e.

Islam." As-SafArini has added: ~s for the authentic hadiths, the Prophet has been reported, according to what is related in the 1Wo S.ahihs ofAI-Bukhart and Muslim on the authority of Abll Hurayrah, as saying, 'By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son ofMary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pigs and abolish the jizyahs.. : According to the narration related by Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said, 'By Allah, the son ofMary (Jesus) will surely descend as a just ruler and will break the Cross.. .' Furthermore, Muslim relates on the authority of jabir Ibn 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said, 1\ group of my people will not cease fighting for the Truth and will prevail until the Day ofResurrection. 'lsa Ibn Maryam (i.e., jesus, son ofMary) would then descend and their (Muslims') commander would invite him to come and lead them in prayer, but he would say, 'Your commanders are only from amongst you. This is the honor from Allah for this nation.' " Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed on the descending of jesus, son of Mary. No one has breached the Muslim consensus held on this view. Only philosophers and atheists renounce this conviction. Muslims unanimously agree that jesus will descendfrom the heavens to reign according to the Shari 'ah (Islamic Law) ofMuhammad (PBUH).

He will not act upon a new independent legislation although he will return as a prophet. He will take over the matter from AI-Mahdi, who will become one ofhisfollowers." Shaykhul-Islim Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "jesus (PBUH) is still alive in the heavens; he is not dead. When he descends from the heavens, he will judge according to the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) without any violation of their principles:' Shaykhul-Islim further added: jesus (PBUH) is still alive according to the authentic hadtth in which the Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Son of Mary (Jesus) will descend amongst you (Muslims) as a just judge and ruler, and will break the Cross, kill the pigs and abolish the jizyah:Moreover, it is stated in the S.ahih Muslim (Muslim's Authentic Book ofHadtth) that the Prophet (PBUH) has said, : ..He (Jesus) will descend on AI-Manarah AI-Bayda' (i.e., the White Minaret) in the east ofDamascus, and he will kill AI-Masthud-Dajjal (Antichrist)." As for Allah' saying, ~ ••Indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify [i.e•• free1 you from those who disbelieve••.' (Quran: Alu 'Imran: 55), it does not mean that Allah caused him to die. Had Jesus died, he would have been like the other believers, since all the souls of people would normally ascend to the heavens after death. Therefore, Almighty Allah says, ~ •. and purify [i.e•• free1 you from those who disbelieve. •.' (Quran: Alu 'Imran: 55) Had his soul been taken, his body would have remained on the earth like other prophets' bodies. Allah, Exalted be He, says: ~..

And they did not kill him. nor did they crucify him; but [another1 was made to resemble him to them. And indeed. those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge ofit except the following ofassumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself: (Quran: An-NisA': 157-158) was ascended to the heavens in soul and body. According to what is maintained in the Two Sab.ih.s (the two authentic books of AI-Bukhart and Muslim), he will be descended in soul and body.

Had Jesus died, Allah would have said, 11nd they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but he died: Some scholars have explained the meaning of the Qur'anic phrase, ~ •. Indeed I will take you' (Quran: Alu 'Imran: 55) to mean that Allah took his body and soul. It may, thus, be said that the verb 'take' in the verse may be interpreted as 'to settle or pay in full.' in addition, that verb may be used in referring to the Arabic verb 'sleep' as maintained elsewhere in the Quran. In this regard, Allah says, ~llah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes1 during their sleep.' (Quran: Az-Zumar: 42) and says, ~nd it is He Who takes your souls by night and knows what you have committed by day••.' (Quran: AI-An 'lIn: 60)" Judge'tyAg has maintained, "The descending ofJesus (PBUH) from the heavens and his killing of the Anti-Christ is stated as of the creed of the Adherents of the Sunnah and Muslim Community and is substantiated by a number of~ab.ih hadiths. According to the dictates ofShari' ah and reason, there is no reason to reject it. Some of the Mu'tazilah (Mutazilites), Jahmiyyah and their followers have alleged that all hadiths which mention the descending of Jesus should be rejected since they contradict the Qurcmic verse which provides, '...

Seal [i.e., the last] o/the prophets: (Qur'.m: Al­ Ahz~b: 40) and the hadith in which the Prophet (PBUH) says, 'There will be no prophet coming after me.' According to their allegation, belief in the return ofJesus also runs contrary to the consensus of the Muslim scholars who agree that no prophet will come after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and that his legislation is the final and eternal message which will remain valid until the Last Day. This argument is void since Jesus (PBUH) will not, according to the hadiths, descend with an independent and abrogating legislation. He will descend to reign according to the Muslims' legislation and revive the religious ordinances abandoned by people by then." In our modern age, there are some ignorant writers and half-educated men who negate the descending of Jesus (PBUH), relying on their reason and personal thoughts. They may even doubt the authenticity of well-established and ~ab.il:! (authentic) hadiths and may even misinterpret their meanings. A Muslim, should, first and foremost, believe in what is maintained by the Prophet (PBUH) since this is held as one of the indispensable prerequisites of Muslim's belief in the unseen.

The prominent scholar, As-Safirinl (may Allah have mercy on him) has said: "Jesus (PBUH) will descend to reaffirm and reestablish the Shariah of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), not as a Messenger to the Muslim nation. He should have, thus, been taught the principles ofthis Shariah by Allah's command before descendingfrom the heavens." As-SafArini has added: "Somepeople wrongly thought that by the descendingofJesus, all obligatory religious ordinances will be taken away. Such a view should be rejected since all reports affirm that he will be descended to substantiate, revive and reestablish Muhammad's Shariah, for it is the final and concluding Shariah. ProphetMul:!ammad (PBUH) is thelastprophet and no life would survive without the existence of religious ordinances. This will continue until the word ~llah' will not be heard anymore. This is mentioned by AI­ Qurtubi in his book entitled ~tTadhkirah (The Reminder).''' As-SafArini has further maintained: ~ for the duration he will spend on the earth and the time of his death, it is related by AI-Tabardn; and Ibn 'Asakir on the authority ofAbu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) says, 'Jesus (PBUH), son of Mary, will descend (from the heavens) and remain for forty years: According to another hadith related by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Abu Shaybah and Abu Dawud, Ibn Jarir and Ibn Hibban on the authority ofAbu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said, 'He (Jesus) will remain (on the earth) for forty years, then he will die and the Muslims will offer Funeral Prayer over him.

He will be buried near the Prophets tomb: " 4. The Emergence of Gog and Magog: The emergence of Gog and Magog is proved by the Qur':in, Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) and the consensus of the Muslim nation. Therefore, believing in their emergence is obligatory on every Muslim. The following is an elaboration on the issue oftheir emergence in the light of what is maintained in the Glorious Qur':in and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). In this regard, As-Safhini has provided the following proofs: As for the Ever-Glorious Qur':in, Almighty Allah says: "Until when [the dam of} Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend and [when} the true promise [i.e., the resurrection} has approached; then suddenly the eyes of those who disbelieved are staring [in horror, and they say}, '0 woe to us; we had been unmindful of this; rather, we were wrongdoers.''' (Qur':in: Al-Anbiyf: 96-97) He further maintains: "Then he followed a way until, when he reached [a pass} between two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand [his} speech. They said, '0 Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are [great} corrupters in the land.

So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?' He said, 'That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer}, but assist me with strength [i.e., manpower}; I will make between you and them a dam. Bring me sheets ofiron' - until, when he had leveled [them} between the two mountain-walls, he said, 'Blow [with bellows}; until when he had made it [like} fire, he said, 'Bring me, that I maypour over it molten copper.' So they [i.e., Gog and Magog] were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect} in it anypenetration. [Dhul-Qarnayn} said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes [i.e., approaches}, He will make it level, and ever is the promise ofmy Lord true.' And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then} the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly and We will present Hell that Day to the disbelievers. on display:' (Quran: Al-Kahf: 93-100) The erected iron barrier was constructed between two mountains by Dhul-Qarnayn. It became one construction to prevent such corrupters from harming the rest of people. When Allah wills, the barrier will collapse and it will be leveled down to the ground. It is a certain promise of Allah; when the barrier demolishes, Gog and Magog will come out. Allah shall leave them to surge like waves, and shortly after the Horn will be blown.

According to the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), it is related in S.ahih Muslim on the authority of AnNawas Ibn Sam' an (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: ': ..After 'lscHbnMaryam (Jesus, son ofMary) kills AI-Masihud-Dajjtll (Antichrist), Allah, Exalted be He, will reveal to him, 'I have made servants ofMine to emerge; none has the power to fight them, so take my servants to At-Tur Mount (Mount Sinai). After that, Allah sends Gog and Magog who descend from every elevation. Their foremost part will pass by Lake Tiberias and drink all what is in it, so when the rear passes by it, they will say, 'Once, there was water in this (lake): Gog and Magog will besiege 'lstl and his followers until (they suffer starvation and) the head ofan ox would be better for the one of them than hundred dinars (because of the hunger they would suffer)"." And according to the hadith related by At-Iabararu on the authority of Hudhayfah Ibnul-Yaman, the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: ~llah will prevent them (Gog and Magog) from reaching Mecca, Medina and Baytul-Maqdis (Jerusalem)." Imam Al-Nawawi said, "They are from the descendents ofAdam according to the view of the majority ofscholars." Ibn 'Abdul-Barr maintained, "Consensus of Muslim scholars is held that they are among the descendants of ytlfith, the son of Nuh (Noah) (PBUH)". The prominent scholar, As-Saf8.rini maintained, "Ibn Kathir mentions that Gog and Magog are two groups of the Turks among the descendants of Adam. They are among the descendants of ytlfith, the son ofNoah and the father of the Turks." The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have referred to their emergence and he, further, warned us against them. According to what is related in the Two S.ahihs (the two authentic books of Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Aba Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: 'i\n opening has been made in the wall of Gog and Magog like this;' making a circle with his thumb and index finger." Also, it is related by Al-BukhArl and Muslim that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was sleeping in the house of Zaynab Bint Jabsh (the Prophet's wife, may Allah be pleased with her), then he woke up with his face red and said: "There is no deity but Allah.

Woe unto the Arabsfrom a danger that has come near. An opening has been made in the dam of Gog and Magog like this; making a circle with his thumb and index finger:' As for the physical features and characteristics of Gog and Magog, Imint Ibn Kathlr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "They resemble their species among the Mongol Turks whose eyes are like dried bread, their noses are snub, and their hair is reddish-brown. They take their shape and color. Whoeverfalsely alleges that some of the people ofGog and Magog are as tall as palm trees and others are as short as minimal trivial things or that some ofthem have two huge ears, one being used as a cover and the other being used to sleep on, is regarded as airing wrong views which lack convincing, substantiatingproofs:' As for the mischiefand corruption they will spread in the earth, Imint Ahmad has related on the authority of Abu Sa' id Al-Khudrl (may Allah be pleased with him) who heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying: "When (the barrier of) Gog and Magog is demolished, they will go they, from every elevation, descend.' (Quran: Al-Anbiya: 96) They will attack people, who will seek refuge in cities and fortresses taking their cattle along with them. Then. they will drink waters of the earth to the extent that some ofthem, upon passing by a running river, may drink all ofits water and leave it dry. Those who will follow them may pass by the river and say, 'There used to be water in this river.' No man will remain alive except those who sought protection in a fortress or a city.

One of the people ofGog and Magog will say, 'We have completely devoured the people of the earth but the people of the heavens still remain.' Then, one of them will shake his spear and shoot it at the sky and it will return imbued with blood, as a means of trial. Allah will then afflict them with worms like those that inflict the necks and noses ofcamels and sheep, and destroy them. They will then die and no voice will be heard of them. Thereafter, the Muslims will say, 'Why should not a man sell himself (seeking divine reward) by (taking the risk of) seeing what the enemy has done?' A man will take the risk to go out while making sure that he will definitely die. He will find them dead. Then, he will call (people) saying, '0 Muslims be delighted for Allah relieved you of the harms caused by your enemy: They will then go out of their cities and fortresses and let their cattle gaze freely.

The cattle will find nothing to feed on but their (Gog~ and Magog~) flesh. They will fatten as much as they are with the best amongfoods." Imlm Ibn Kathir said: "This hadith is related by Ibn MO.jah on the authority ofYunus Ibn Bakir from Muhammad Ibn Ish4q with a good chain oftransmission." Some of the modern writers denounce the existence of Gog and Magog and their barrier. Others interpret Gog and Magog as the atheistic developed countries, which are greatly advanced in industry. Undoubtedly, it is a renunciation or misrepresentation of what is maintained in the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of Allah's Messenger (PBUH). It is undisputed that any renunciation of what is provided in the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) is an act of disbelief. Such is the case ofthose who excessively misinterpret texts; such people are regarded as deviators and most endangered to be disbelievers.

The only argument of those who renounce the existence of Gog and Magog is that all the earth has been discovered without detecting their residence or the barrier. To this, one may say that although new discoveries have not detected the place of Gog and Magog, it does not necessarily rule out the possibility of their existence. It, instead, signifies man's inability and limited knowledge to encompass the unlimited kingdom of Allah. Allah might have averted man from detecting the places of Gog and Magog or He might have prevented them to obtain access to their places. Almighty Allah says: ''But your people have denied it while it is the truth. Say.

'I am not over you a manager [i.e., authority}: For every news [i.e., happening] is a finality; and you aTe going to 1aww:' (Quran: Al-An' am: 66-67) In support of this view, Allah averted earlier nations from discovering the treasures of the earth, such as oil. It is only to make such treasures accessible at the definite prescribed time assigned by Allah. 5. The Emergence of the Beast: A further sign of the Last Day which Allah mentions in the Quran is the emergence of the Beast. He says: '~nd when the word [i.e., decree} befalls them, We will bringforth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying} that the people were, ofOur verses, not certain [in faith}.n (Quran: An-Naml: 82) In his book entitled 'An-Nihdyah (The End); Imim Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "In commenting on the aforementioned Qur'anic verse, Ibn 'Abbds, Al­ Hasan and Qatadah have maintained that the Beast will speak unto them (i.e., people). Ibn Jarir preferred to say that the Beast would speak to them saying, ~ •• The people were, ofOur verses, not certain [in faith1: (Quran: AnNaml: 82) This view has been reported by 'AlA':' Ibn Kathlr commented, "The last view is controversial." He further said: "Ibn 'Abbds is further reported to have said, 'The meaning of the verse is that the Beast will injure them by inscribing the word 'Kdfir (disbeliever), on the forehead of the disbeliever and the word 'Mu'min (believer)' on every believing man's forehead.' He is further reported to have interpreted the words 'speaking to them' as 'to injure them.' This view is the preponderant view. Ibn Kathir further maintained in his exegesis: "This Beast will emerge at the end of the world when people become completely corrupt, negligent of Allah's ordinances and undutiful to the true religion of Islam.

At that very time, Allah will make apparent to them the Beast, which will be brought forth from the earth. Some people say that it will emerge from Mecca and others maintain that it will emergefrom other places." In his commentary on the Glorious Quran, Al-Qurtubi has maintained: "Scholars differed with regard to the meaning ofAllah's saying, ~nd when the word [i.e., decree1 befalls them •• .' (Quran: An-Naml: 82) as well as the description of the Beast. Concerning the meaning ofthis Qur'i:mic phrase, some scholars have maintained that &the 'Word [i.e., decree1 befalls them' refers to Allah's wrath. It may be interpreted that when the wrath ofAllah occurs, Allah will bringforth the Beast, which will speak to them. This view was expressed by Qatddah. Mujdhid has interpreted the phrase that reads, &the 'Word [i.e., decree1 befalls them' as the Divine Decree consisted in Allah's predestined word that they will never accept belief.

Ibn 'Umar and Abu Sa'id AI-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with them) have maintained that if people come not to enjoin the good and forbid evil, Allah's wrath will be necessarily inflicted upon them. 'Abdulldh Ibn Mas 'ud further maintains that 'the 'Word [i.e., decree] befalls them' will occur when scholars die, knowledge fades away and the Qur~n is uplifted. It is reported that 'Abdullah Ibn Mas' ud has said, 'Recite the Quran as much as you can before it is uplifted: People questioned, 'The Books of the Quran may be uplifted, but what about the Quran being memorized in people's hearts?' He said, 'Within one night, people will become completely devoid of the Quran. They will, moreover, forget 'La Ilaha illah Allah (there is no god but Allah), and indulge in the practices of the Jahiliyyah (the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance). It will occur when the word ofAllah's wrath is pronounced.:» Ibn Kathtr further mentioned other views concerning the meaning of Allah's saying, ~nd when the word {i.e., decree} befalls them..:' (Quran: An-Naml: 82) and then concluded: "All views, upon contemplation, may be referred to only one meaning which is substantiated by the end of the Qurtmic verse which reads, ~ •• The people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith}: (Quran: An-Naml: 82) It is related in S.ahib. Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported the Prophet (PBUH) as saying, 'When three things appear, no one will benefit from his faith as long as he has not believed before or has derived no good from hisfaith: the rising of the sun in its place ofsetting, Al-Masib.ud­ Dajjal (Antichrist), and the Beast of the earth: Scholars have differed regarding the description of the Beast and the place of its emergence, which are all addressed in Ibn Kathir's book entitled }ttTadhkirah (The Reminder), in detail." Hudhayfah Ibn Usayd Al-Gbifan (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (PBUH) once came to us while we were reminding each other of the affairs of the Hereafter) and he (PBUH) asked, 'What are you discussing?' We answered, 'We are discussing (the matters of) the Hereafter: Thereupon, he (PBUH) said, 'The (Last) Hour will not come until ten signs preface its occurrence.. .' » He mentioned the emergence of the Beast among these signs.

This b.adith has been related by Imam Ahmad. Abu Dawtid At-l'ayaIisi, Muslim, and the compilers of Sunan. At-Tirmidht said, "This h.adith is b.asan and 5.ab.ib.:' Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the rising of the sun from the west, the smoke, AI-Mastb.ud-Dajjal (Antichrist), the Beast..." (Related by Imam Musim) Abu Hurayrah also narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Hasten to do good deeds before six (things) happen: AI-Masihud­ Dajjal (Antichrist), the smoke, the Beast of the earth ..." (Related by Imam Muslim) 'Abdulllli Ibn 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, "I have memorized a b.adith from the Prophet (PBUH) which I have not forgotten yet. I heard the Messenger ofAllah (PBUH) as saying: "The first sign to emerge will be the rise of the sun from the west and the emergence of the Beast before the people in the forenoon; and which of the two happens first, the second one would follow immediately after that.' " (Related by Imam Muslim) Ibn Kathir said: "The earliest unfamiliar signs to preface the LastDay is the emergence of the Beast. The appearance of the Anti-Christ, the descending of Jesus (PBUH) from the heavens and the emergence ofGogandMagog will all be familiar signs for people, as they will appear in human forms. The emergence of the Beast in an unfamiliar shape and its speaking to people and sorting them into believers and unbelievers by inscribing words on their foreheads are all unfamiliar incidents.

The emergence of the Beast is held as the earliest terrestrial sign of the Last Day. On the other hand, the sun:S rise from the west is held among the earliest heavenly signs of the Last Day." The Beast, according to what is maintained in hadiths, will inscribe a sign on people's foreheads. A believer's face will seem like a brilliant star with the word 'Mu'min (believer), being inscribed between his eyes. The Disbeliever, on the other hand, will be marked with a black dot between his eyes. The word 'Ktlfir (disbeliever)' will also be inscribed between his two eyes. According to another variant report, the Beast will meet the believer and mark him with a white dot.

His face will consequently turn white. It will also mark the disbeliever with a black dot and his face will consequently turn black. Properties will become common wealth among people. They will wander on the earth and each man will discern whether the other is a believer or a disbeliever to the extent that the believer will, then, call the disbeliever saying, "0, disbeliever! Fulfill my need:' As for the description of the Beast, in his exegesis of the Glorious Quran, Shaykh 'Abdur-Rah,min Ibn Ni§ir Ibn Sa' eli said: "The Beast will emerge at the end of this world and it is one of the portents of the Hour according to the numerous hadiths. Neither Allah nor His Messenger (PBUH) provided a description of this Beast.

They only specify the main objective ofits emergence and state that it is one of the miracles provided by Allah. It will speak to people when the Divine Decree ofAllah occurs and when they become skeptical about the clear signs of Allah. It will be held as an established proof and a counter argument for the believers against the obstinate disbelievers.'" Some modem writers deny the emergence of the Beast and misinterpret the texts which prove its emergence. They do not have any proofs apart from the baseless argument that reason does not confirm it. A believer is obliged to submit and surrender to what is stated by Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) since such convictions are among the unseen matters that must be believed in, which Allah praises the believers for. 6. The Sun's Rise from the West Almighty Allah says: "Do they [then] wait for anything except that the angels should come to them or your Lord should come or that there come some of the signs ofyour Lordf The Day that some of the signs ofyour Lord will come no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had not earned through its faith some good.

Say, 'Wait. Indeed, we [also] are waiting.'" (Quran: AlAn 'am: 158) In his book ~n-Nihayah (i.e., The End); Al-H~ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Commenting on the aforementioned Quranic verse, AI-Bukhari related on the authority of Aba Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) saying, 'The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'The Hour will not be established until the sun risesfrom the west; and when it rises (from the west) and the people see it, they all will believe. And that is (the time) when no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had not earned through its faith some good: '" 6 (Related by the Group ofCompilers of Hadith except At-Tirmidhl) As-Safarini said, "Scholars (may Allah have mercy upon them) have maintained that the sun's rise from the west at the end of this world is confirmed by the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), in reliable reports and the Qurtin revealed upon the Prophet (PBUH)." Allah, Exalted be He, says, ~ ••The Day that some of the signs ofyour Lord will come no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had not earned through its faith some good?' (Quran: Al-An' fun: 158) Qur'anic exegetes or the majority of them have unanimously agreed that the signs mentioned in the foregoing Qur'anic verse refer to the sun's rise from the west. The Qur'anic verse means that those of unstable and weak faith, at the time of the sun's rise from the west, will have no chance to revive their faith or to offer righteousness since they lack the fundamental bases of faith. Therefore, all righteous deeds such as doing charity, keeping good relations with kith and kin, freeing captives, being generous to guests and other moral virtues will not be rewarded, since they all lack the fundamental base which is needed for them to be accepted Allah, Exalted be He, says: "The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord is [that] their (Quran: Ibrahim: 18) Thereupon, faith occurring in such a time will not be accepted. AlBukhAri and Muslim have related on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the west; and when it rises (from the west) and the people see it, they all will believe.

And that is (the time) when no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before or had not earned through its faith some good." :IJnim Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "This is mentioned in the badith related by Imam Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Al-Nasa'i, who deems it ~ahih, on the authority of 'A~im Ibn Abun-Najud from Zarr Ibn Hubaysh from S.afwan Ibn 'Assai who heard Allah's Messenger (PBUH) saying, ~llah has opened a gate at the side of west, as wide as the distance of seventy years (or he said forty years), which is dedicated to receive (people's) repentance. It will not be closed until the sun rises from west: All these l1adiths along with the aforementioned Quranic verse prove that whosoever believes or repents after the sun rises from west, his belief and repentance will not be accepted. That is because the suns rise from the west is an indication of the Last Day. Thus, such a time is regarded as a part of the Last Day. Almighty Allah says: "Do they [then] wait for anything except that the angels should come to them or your Lord should come or that there come some of the signs ofyour Lord? The Day that some of the signs ofyour Lord will come no soul wiN benefit from its faith .•." (Qur'm: AlAn' am: 158) And says: '~d when they saw Our punishment, they said, 'We believe in Allah Alone and disbelieve in that which we used to associate with Him: But never did their faith benefit them once they saw Our punishment. [It is] the established way ofAllah which has preceded among His servants.

And the disbelievers thereupon lost [all]." (Quran: Ghafir: 84-85) He further says: "Then do they await except that the Hour should come upon them unexpectedly? Butalready there have come [some of] its indications. Then how {i.e., what good] to them, when it has come, will be their remembrance?'." (Quran: Muhammad: 18)" In explaining the meaning of the Qur'anie verse, which provides, '~ .. No soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before..:' (Quran: Al­ An 'am: 158), Ibn Kathir has stated that: if a disbeliever believes on that day. his belief will not be accepted. As for the believer, if his deeds are righteous, this will be good for him, but if they are not, his repentance is not accepted. This is according to what is illustrated in numerous l1adiths.

Therefore, the meaning of the second part of the verse may be fully understood referring to the above statement. The second part states, ~ •. Or had not earned through its faith some good: (Quran: AI-An'am: 158) It means that a righteous deed will only be accepted if it was offered before that Day. Al-Baghawi said: "The Quranic verse that reads, 'The Day that some of the signs ofyour Lord will come no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before.. : (Quran: Al-An 'am: 158) may be interpreted that such belief will avail nothing upon the appearance of the signs which will compel people to inevitably believe. Allah's saying, ~ ..Had not earned through its faith some good: (Qur'rut: Al-An'lim: 158) means that neither the beliefoffered by a disbeliever nor the repentance initiated by a defiantly disobedient person will be accepted." In explaining the meaning of the aforementioned Qur'anic verse, Al-Qur:tuhi (may Allah have mercy on him) says: "Scholars have maintained that belief when the sun rises from its west will avail nothing because when the terror resultingfrom the appearance ofthis sign occurs, every desire for perpetrating sins will be extinguished and every energy will be enfeebled. Thus, all people, because of their certainty about the closeness of the Last Day, will be like those at the verge of death.

They will, therefore, lack any incentive for perpetrating sins. Hence, their repentance will not be accepted like the case of those offering repentance at deathbed. The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Allah accepts a servant's repentance as long as he is not on his deathbed' (that is, before the soul of the dying person reaches the throat). This is the time when the dying person envisages his resting abode whether in the Paradise or in the Hellfire. The same applies to the one who sees the sun's risingfrom the west." This great incident is regarded as a great means of turmoil, which refers to a whole change of the universe and the coming of the Last Day. It also refers to Allah's Omnipotence.

The sun is regarded as one of the creatures ofAllah, which is solely managed by Him. We ask. Almighty Allah to sustain us with true faith and beneficial certitude in Him, so that we may be well equipped with good and righteous deeds for the Day of Resurrection, before it is too late. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. 7. Assembling All People in the Land of Ash-Sham 7: In his book entitled 'An-Nihdyah: ImAm Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "This sign is proved according to the Two S.ahihs (the two authentic books ofAI-Bukhdri and Muslim) regarding the hadith narrated by Aba Hurayrah saying, 'The Prophet's (PBUH) said, 'The people will be gathered in three ways: (The first group will be) those who will have a hope (for Paradise) and will have a fear (ofpunishment); (the second group will be those who will gather) riding two on a camel or three on a camel or ten on a camel (successively) and the rest of the people (i.e., the third group) will be urged to be gathered by the Fire which will accompany them at the time oftheir afternoon nap and be with them in the morning wherever they may be, and stay with them where they spend the night.. :" Ibn Kathir mentioned numerous badiths to substantiate this meaning. Then he added: "The contexts of all these texts maintain that the gathering referred to is the gathering of living people at the end of this world in the area of Ash­ Sham.

People will be classified into three groups. A group of them will be assembled while being dressed, having an appetite completely satisfied, and mounted. Another group will gather riding in turns, two on a camel or three on a camel or ten on a camel as expressed in the badiths." Ibn Kathir further added: "Ten will ride a camel in turns because of the lack of riding camels. The third group (the rest ofpeople) will be urged to be gathered by the Fire. This Fire will emerge from Aden and it will surround people and drive them from every possible side toward the Place of Gathering. Whoever lags behind will be devoured by the Fire.

All these incidents will occur before the end ofthis world. This is indicated by implying that people will be alive; eating, drinking and riding. Also, those who lag behind will be devoured by the Fire. Had it been after blowing the Horn, no life, death, food or drink would have been mentioned." In addition, a number of badiths have been mentioned to substantiate the view that the Fire, which will drive people toward the Gathering Place, will emerge from Aden. One of these badiths is the one related by Imam Ahmad, Muslim and the Compilers of Sunan, in which the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: A fire will emerge from the farthest place in Aden which will drive (or 'gather; the narrator doubted) people. It will accompany them where they spend the night and stay with them at the time oftheir afternoon nap..." Included among those badiths is the badith reported by 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Prophet (PBUH) said: '11 fire will emerge from Hadramaut (or he said from the side of the sea of Hadramaut) before the Day ofJudgment.

That Fire will gather the people in one place. They said, '0 Messenger ofAllah! What do you command us to do?' He said, 'Keep going to Ash-Sham: " This badith has been related by Imam Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban in his S.abib. At-Tirmidhl deemed it as a basan (good), ~abtb (authentic), gharib 8 (unfamiliar) badith. As-SaBrini said: "Muslim scholars differ on whether the gatheringofpeoplefrom east to west will occur before or on the Day ofJudgment. AI-Qurtubi, AI-Khattabi, and Judge 'Iya4 maintained that it would occur before the Day ofJudgment.

As for the resurrection after death, it is mentioned in the hadith narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), as a marfU' hadith, and related in the Two S,ahil!s (the two authentic books of AI-Bukhari and Muslim). It reads as follows, < You will be resurrected (on the Day of Resurrection), barefooted, naked and uncircumcised: " As-Safirini added: judge 'Iyld has supported the view of Al-KhattAbi and Al-Qurtubi by maintaining that the hadtth reported by AbU Hurayarah that reads, : .. the Fire will accompany them at the time of their afternoon nap, stay with them where they spend the night, and be with them in the morning and the evening wherever they may be..:, supports the view that all such gatherings will occur in the worldly life. Therefore, gathering people to Ash-Sham will occur before the Last Day:' As-Safirini also said: <1n his book entitled itt-Tadhkirah (The Reminder)," AI-Qurt.ubi has mentioned that there are four gatherings: two in this life and two in the Hereafter. The two gatherings which occur in this life are mentioned in the surah ofAI-Hashr. This was when the Jews were driven to Ash-Sham. The Prophet (PBUH) commanded them to evacuate Medina.

They said, 'To where?' He said, 'To the land of AI-Mahshar (gathering): 'Umar Ibnul­ Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) evacuated the rest ofthem from the Arab Peninsula. The second gathering is reckoned among the major signs of the Hour. It is represented by the fire, which will drive people to the west as maintained in the hadith reported by Anas and 'Abdullah Ibn Saltlm. In a marfU' hadith, moreover, 'Abdulltlh Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated the Prophet (PBUH) as saying, 1\ fire will be sent on the people of the east which will drive them to the west. It will remain in mornings and afternoons and will devour who falls and lags behind. It will drive them as the camel is driven: " Al-~ Ibn Hajar said, "Emerging from the bottom of the land ofAden does not contradict the view that it will drive people from east to west, since it will initiate from Aden and then pervade throughout the land.

It will generally gather all people startingfrom the east." Al-Qurtubi said: ~ for the two final gatherings in the hereafter, the first will be the gathering of the dead after being resurrectedfrom their graves. Almighty Allah says, ~ •• and We will gather them and not leave behind from them anyone: (Quran: Al-Kahf: 47) The second is when people are resurrected to enter either Paradise or the Hellfire. Therefore, the last major sign which will occur immediately before the Last Day is the people's gathering from east to west and from Yemen to Ash-SMm as explicitly maintained in decisive texts and authentic reports." Then, Al-Qurtubi mentioned the hadiths pointing out that the emergence of the fire would be from Yemen, and other hadiths substantiating the view that such a fire would drive people from east to west to the Place of Gathering at Ash-Sham. He further reconciled these narrations saying, "'There will be two types offire: One which will drive peoplefrom east to west and the other which will emergefrom Yemen and drive people to the Place ofGathering, namely, Ash-Sham." Al-Qurtubi further said: "'If it were only one fire, reconciliation would be held necessary between the seemingly two contradicting hadiths. The first hadith states, < The fire will emerge immediately before the Day ofResurrection from Hadramaut which will drive people: and in another narration, < The fire will emerge from the farthest place in Aden and will drive people to the Place of Gathering.' The second hadithprovides, < It will gatherpeoplefrom east and drive them to the west.' To make reconciliation between the two foregoing hadtths, we may say that Ash-SMm which will be the Gathering Place is held as the west while the farthest place ofAden is the east. Therefore, it will emerge from Yemen and end at As-SMm."