Within the Title of Almighty Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
All reward is because of Him who guides whom He wills and permits to go astray whom He wills. We invoke His biggest salutations and blessings upon His beloved and the chief of all creation, our grasp Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
I lengthen my honest gratitude to the organizers of this necessary occasion, going down in an amazing metropolis like Toronto, particularly throughout these complicated instances. Internet hosting a gathering to debate such a profound subject for the aim of teaching and enlightening the Muslim world is actually commendable.
Let me categorical my deep frustration and disappointment concerning the gradual tempo of our growth in each non secular and mental discourse. Whereas we collect to deliberate on an important topic associated to the reformation and revitalization of our faith, superior nations resembling Canada, the USA, the UK, China, and Russia are progressing with theoretical and sensible developments together with the feasibility of residing on one other planet within the close to future.
As Africa continues to grapple with primary infrastructure points such because the constant provide of electrical energy, usually because of the scourge of corruption, the Western world has embraced photo voltaic vitality, electrical automobiles, and nuclear energy for properties and industries.
For a very long time, I’ve dreamt of the day when the Muslim world will announce a groundbreaking analysis achievement or a technological innovation impressed by the Qur’an and Hadith. I proceed to aspire to that imaginative and prescient.
However, the subject of Imam Al-Mahdi or the Promised Messiah is a big one. Lately, people in nations resembling India, Pakistan, and Palestine have claimed to be the Mahdi. My analysis relies on the Qur’an, Hadith, and the works of righteous students, and I assert the next:
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stated:
“How will you fare when the son of Mary descends amongst you, and he can be your Imam from amongst you?”
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA) additionally narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) stated:
“If solely sooner or later of this world remained, Allah would delay that day till He raised up a person from my household whose identify is similar as mine and whose father’s identify is similar as my father’s. He’ll fill the earth with fairness and justice, simply because it had been crammed with oppression and tyranny.”
(Abu Dawud)
Umm Salamah (RA), the Mom of the Believers, additionally narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) stated:
“The Mahdi can be from my household, from the descendants of Fatimah.”
Among the many most trusted narrations about Imam Al-Mahdi is the one reported by Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (8438). He said:
Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya at-Tameemi reported the hadith via Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (RA), who stated:
“On the finish of time, my ummah will face a extreme calamity, the likes of which have by no means been seen earlier than, to the extent that the earth, huge as it’s, will really feel tight and constricted, crammed with oppression and injustice. Believers will discover no refuge from this injustice. Then Allah, might He be glorified and exalted, will ship a person from my household who will fill the earth with justice and equity, simply because it had been crammed with oppression and injustice.
The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth can be happy with him. The earth will yield its produce, and the sky will pour down plentiful rain. It will final for seven, eight, or 9 years, throughout which the residing will envy the lifeless because of the immense blessings Allah will bestow.”
Imam Al-Haakim remarked that “This hadith has a sound (sahih) chain of narration.”
I’m a follower of the Tijjaniyya Sufi path and try to emulate the righteous Sufi students and non secular coaches, whatever the Sufi order, whether or not Qadiriyya, Naqshbandiyya, Halwatiyya, or others. Nonetheless, I give precedence to the teachings of Sheikh Ahmad ibn Muhammad At-Tijani (RA), a verified and credible descendant of the Prophet (PBUH). Sheikh At-Tijani, who based the Tijjaniyya order in Morocco, initiated a motion that continues to develop and stays the biggest non-violent Islamic motion throughout West and North Africa.
Sheikh Ahmad At-Tijani was as soon as requested about Imam Al-Mahdi. Whereas lots of his companions anticipated him to say that title for himself, he stated: “I’m not the one, however certainly he’s coming, and he can be from my household,” affirming that Imam Al-Mahdi can be a descendant of the Prophet (PBUH).
Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RA), one of many biggest Islamic students of the twentieth century, additionally confirmed the approaching of Imam Al-Mahdi, stating that the time is close to and that he, Imam Al Mahadi, can be amongst his (Sheikh Ibrahim Niass’s) college students, in shā’ Allāh.
Based mostly on this, I declare, with conviction and humility,that Imam Al-Mahdi is coming, however he has not but come.
I make this assertion primarily based on the authority of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RA), who cited a hadith that some students take into account weak. Nonetheless, Sheikh Niass affirmed its authenticity. The hadith, narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari, states:
“A gaggle from my Ummah will proceed to struggle for the reality till Jesus, the son of Mary, descends. Their chief will ask him to steer the prayer, however Jesus will reply: ‘You’re extra worthy of main it.’ Then Jesus will pray behind their Imam.”
(Ibn al-Jawzi)
We’re all witnesses that Jesus (peace be upon him) has not but returned. Due to this fact, any declare in regards to the look of Imam Al-Mahdi earlier than this occasion is fake and unfounded.
I thanks all to your form consideration, and I’m deeply honored to have the chance to talk earlier than this esteemed gathering of students, Imams, and Sufi masters.
My particular gratitude to the premier nationwide media homes in Ghana (Graphics and Occasions) for championing an excellent course on a regular basis. Students, researchers and lecturers write however the focused viewers might by no means see it far more to profit from it with out the efforts and inputs of journalists and sometimes instances the media homes. I’m grateful as soon as extra.
This paper was introduced at a Workshop of Imams, Students, and Sufi Masters in Toronto, Canada, on thirty first Might 2025.
Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman
Eminent Member and Chairman, Finance and Fundraising Committee, Higher Accra Regional Peace Council (GARPC), Nationwide Peace Council of Ghana (NPC)
ADR, Human Rights, and Islamic Affairs Guide
