text: HOWEVER, THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANGELS THAT WILL BE ALONGSIDE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD ALONE, AND WILL THEREFORE BE VISIBLE ONLY TO THE ANGELS. Allah reveals in the Qur'an that some people from the tribe of our Prophet (saas) claimed that an Angel should come down as proof that the Prophet Muhammad (saas) was actually a Prophet. After that, He reveals that our Prophet (saas) was simply a human being sent as a warner, a messenger:
  'Why have gold bracelets not been put upon his arms and WHY IS THERE NOT A TRAIN OF ANGELS ACCOMPANYING HIM?' In that way he swayed his people and they succumbed to him. They were a people of deviators. (Surat az-Zukhruf, 53, 54) When the Messengers came to them from in front and from behind, saying, 'Do not worship anyone but Allah.'they said, 'IF OUR LORD HAD WILLED, HE COULD HAVE SENT ANGELS DOWN, SO WE REJECT THE MESSAGE YOU HAVE BEEN SENT WITH.' (Surah Fussilat, 14)
  ... Allah will send three thousand Angels to help him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. (Nuaim ibn Hammad, Kitab Al-Fitan) Allah will support him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] with three thousand Angels. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 41)
  Many scholars from various countries will set out, unknown to one another, in order to seek Hazrat Mahdi (as) and 310 people will accompany each scholar… When they ask one another, "Why have you come here?" they will all answer "We seek Hazrat Mahdi (as), who will prevent this corruption and spiritually capture Constantinople, because we have learned his name, those of his mother and father and of his army.' (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al- Muntadhar, p. 40)
  Abu Bashir says: I heard Imam Muhammad Bakr (as) say: "HE WHO POSSESSES THIS OCCULTATION [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE THE SUNNAH OF FOUR PROPHETS… I SAID, WHAT IS THE SUNNAH OF JOSEPH (AS)? AND HE SAID: IMPRISONMENT AND OCCULTATION. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 191)
  "The force and spiritual army this duty depends on is only some students in full possession of titles of purity, loyalty and solidarity. No matter how few they may be, they are as powerful and valuable as a literal army. That abundant and capable army is family of the Messenger of Allah (saas) and very pure army of Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Emirdag Addendum, p. 259) It is a great miracle for Hazrat Mahdi (as) to remain unknown despite all the portents of his coming having taken place and these signs being so clear and so explicit. However, a veil has come down over most people's eyes and they are unable to recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as) despite all these evident facts. This shows the severity of the End Times, and how much foresight and perspicacity have disappeared, and the kind of thought structure that people now possess.
  Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not appear in a way that will oblige people to believe. On the contrary, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have a very reasonable appearance in complete conformity with the law of Allah and again in conformity with that law, with a perfectly reasonable life. It is for that reason that it will not be easy for people to recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as), and his identity will only gradually be realized. As Bedizzaman Said Nursi has said, "even his close followers will only recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as) through the luminosity of his faith when they really focus on him." "But already have come some tokens thereof." (Surah Muhammad, 18), was written in order to protect the belief of the mass of believers and preserve it from doubt. Like mutashabih (having many meanings, ambigiuous, allegorical) verses of the Qur'an, some hadiths about the events of the End Times have profound meanings. They cannot be expounded in the same way as muhkam (incontestable, entirely clear) verses, and not everyone can understand them. Rather than being expounded, they are explained away (interpreted in a different meaning). In compliance with the secret, "But none except Allah and those who are deeply rooted in knowledge, knows its final meaning (ta'wil)" (Surah Al 'Imran, 7) their interpretation (real meanings) and what is intended by them is understood only after the event, so that those firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole [of the divine writ] is from our Sustainer," (Surah Al 'Imran, 7) and they disclose those hidden truths. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, The Rays / The Fifth Ray - p. 455)
  Some of the matters of the Unseen, outside the realm of man's perception, that were made known to the Prophet (saas) were made known in detail. These he could in no way alter or interfere with, like the muhkam verses of the Qur'an and 'Sacred' Hadiths. (Hadith Qudsi: A saying of the Prophet (saas) imparted to him by revelation or inspiration, the wording of which was his own. [Tr.]) Others, employing his eloquence, he would illustrate and explain in detail and is left to his opinion (since these are matters that are not commanded explicitly in the Qur'an they are left to the Prophet's (saas) decree by referring to the Qur'an and the hadith). Like the hadiths regarding the matters of the universe (matters that take place and are not related to faith) and of the events of the future. In this, our Prophet (saas) explain and depict in detail in allegorical form suitably to the wisdom of man's accountability. For example, one time when conversing with some people, a deep rumbling was heard. Our Prophet (saas) said: "That is the sound of a rock which has been rolling down hill for seventy years and has at this moment come to rest in the very pit of Hell." Five minutes after he made this strange announcement, someone came and said: "Such-and-such a dissembler has died. He was seventy years old, and has gone to Hell," (Muslim, Janna, 31, No: 2844; Musnad, iii, 341) showing the meaning of the Prophet's (saas) eloquent words. Third Point:
  Because in the course of time ordinary people attached literal meanings to some hadiths, which had been narrated in the form of comparisons and allegories, such Hadiths are regarded to be not conformable with reality. Although they are pure truth, they appear not to be so since they are not consistent with the events taking place. The Second: Some hadiths refer to the majority of Muslims, or to the Islamic State (places where Islamic morality prevails), or to the centre of the governance but they were understood to refer to all the people in the world. Although being particular in some respect, they were supposed to be universal and general. Fourth Point:
  … It is because most hidden cosmic events are tied to such instances of wisdom that to give news of the Unseen or to foretell events has been prohibited. In order not to be disrespectful and disobedient in the face of the principle (in the Law of Allah) 'None knows the Unseen save Allah', those who with the leave of Allah, even give news of the Unseen other than matters concerning man's accountability and the truths of belief, have done so only allusively and indirectly. In fact, the good tidings about the Prophet Muhammad (saas) in the Torah, Gospels, and Psalms, even are veiled and obscure, in consequence of which some of the adherents of those scriptures (those who obeyed those scriptures) put various meanings on those passages and did not believe by explaining them away (by misinterpreting these truths according to themselves). However, since the wisdom in man's accountability necessitates that the questions included among the tenets of belief are communicated explicitly and repeatedly, the Qur'an of Miraculous Exposition and its Glorious Interpreter (saas) tell of the matters of the Hereafter in detail, and of future worldly events only in summary fashion. Fifth Point:
  And, for example, it is well-known that when the Islamic antichrist dies, the satan who serves him will shoutout the news to the whole world (Muslim, Kitab al-Fitan, 34) from 'Dikilitas,' the obelisk in Istanbul, and everyone will hear its voice saying he is dead. That is to say the news will be broadcast by radio, which is wonderful and leaves even satans in amazement. Also, since the strange circumstances and fearsome activities of the antichrist's regime, and the covert organization and government that he founds, have been narrated as referring to his person, their true meaning has remained obscure. For example, the hadith narrates "He will be so powerful and long-lived that only the Prophet Jesus (as) will be able to kill him; nothing else will be able to." (Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Fitan, 62; Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Malahim, 14; Musnad, iii, 420; iv, 226; al-Hakim, al-Mustadraq, iv, 529-30). That is, it will only be a revealed, elevated, pure religion (sent from the Sight of Allah that will be able to overturn his way and rapacious regime, and eliminate them. Such a religion will emerge among the true followers of the Prophet Jesus (as) (Christians), and it will follow the Qur'an and become united with it. On the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) (his second coming to Earth) and emergence of the true Christian religion, the antichrist's irreligious way will be wiped out and will cease. The antichrist's person could otherwise be killed by a mere germ or by influenza. Also, the explanations and statements of some narrators, made through their own exertions and interpretations, which are open to error, have been mixed up with the words of the hadith. Their words have been supposed to be part of the hadith, and the meaning (the real meaning of the hadith) has been obscured. It does not appear to be conformable with reality (therefore that the hadith are in conformith with the events that took place is not understood) and in a way has become mutashabih (it is assumed that these hadith require interpretation). Also, in early times the social collectivity and its collective personality had not developed as it has at the present (that the spiritual entity of the community had not come to open) and the idea of the isolated individual (attributing many features to one person only) was predominant, the extensive attributes and widescale actions of the community (the distinctive feature of the community and its great acts), therefore, were ascribed to the persons who led them. In order to be worthy and fitting for superhuman (out of the ordinary), universal attributes, those persons had to have gigantic bodies and be of vast stature and have colossal power and strength a hundred times surpassing their own, so that is how they were depicted. As this was not conformable with reality, and the narration became mutashabih. ... Also, the circumstances (features) of the Great Mahdi (as) do not fit the narrations alluding to the earlier Mahdis, and these have become mutashabih hadiths (they are considered as hadith that require interpretation)…
  2) Knowing the Qur'an and living by it becomes possible by sincerity. What matters is not knowing the Qur'an and the hadith by heart but to understand them and live by them sincerely. Allah relates in the Qur'an thus: "You will be repaid for what you did- except for Allah's sincere servants". (Surat as-Saffat, 40 and 74) 3) In these countries there are thousands of communists, irreligious or Darwinist people. If they wish, these people, who speak Arabic fluently, can read the Qur'an flawlessly. This is not a sign showing their devoutness and fear of Allah.
  4) The people who oppressed Muslims in the past and became instrumental in holding many Muslims under severe conditions of prisons in Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia also speak very good Arabic. There are also freemasons, communists and fascists who read the Surah Al-Fatiha of the Qur'an very well. Consequently it is a flawed rationale to say, "Those who know Arabic are good Muslims" and "Those who do not speak Arabic are not good Muslims." 5) Darwinists, materialists, atheists, communists around the world are not influenced by one's knowledge of Arabic or tawjeed (perfecting the recitation of the Qur'an) but his piousness. They are scared to death by the knocking off Darwinism through science and philosophy.
  7) Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not have time to make detailed research about many subjects, learn foreign languages or explore the origins of languages. However, this state will not influence the perfection of his service. Bediuzzaman stated that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will "NOT BE AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF TIME AND STATE, FOR THIS REASON HE WILL BENEFIT FROM READY WORKS." Since preserving believers from depravity (preventing believers straying from the true path) and that this duty necessitates leaving behind the world and everything, and being occupied with research and bringing forth the truth, all of which requires a great deal of time, HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL HAVE NO TIME OR MEANS TO PERFORM THAT TASK HIMSELF. Governance in the struggle of succeeding Muhammed [in other words, the great efforts made to spread Islam, bequeathed to Muslims by our Prophet (saas)] leaves no time for that. Someone before him will probably be engaged in that duty in one respect.
  Know that when Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears all Muslims, high and low, will rejoice. THERE WILL BE PEOPLE (students) WHO HAVE DIVINE OR SPIRITUAL SUPPORT. They will keep his (Hazrat Mahdi's (as)) call alive and HELP HIM (HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)) AND MAKE HIM VICTORIOUS. They will assume all the heavy burdens of the nation.
  9- HE KNOWS THE HIDDEN SCIENCES THAT ARE NEEDED ESPECIALLY IN HIS TIME, because he can resolve the issues only by them. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 189) 11) Hazrat Mahdi's (as) main attribute is that he is enormously wise, profoundly faithful and scrupulous. Indeed, for a reviver and a great scholar deducing judgment from the Qur'an and the hadith, what is important and needed is his deep faith and conscience.
  12) Besides in the End Times Allah will give the computer and internet technology to the service of Hazrat Mahdi (as). INSTEAD OF MEMORIZING AND HIS OWN MEMORY, HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL USE THE MEMORY OF INTERNET AND COMPUTER, AND THUS WILL REACH ENORMOUS KNOWLEDGE. Indeed no one in this world has information as much as Internet. Noone can keep the accumulated knowledge of thousands of people in his memory; this can only be accomplished by Internet. Consequently Hazrat Mahdi (as) will reach all sorts of information by means of Internet and use all the information achieves of the time. Whenever he wishes, all the information in the world will be brought to him in an outline form. Normally while a scholar only uses his own knowledge, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will employ a very wide commission of consultants and information storage through the Internet. He will get hold of the most right and most perfect information by benefitting the knowledge of best experts and scholars of his time. 13) BY MEANS OF THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON INTERNET HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL NOT NEED TO MEMORIZE THE QUR'AN, THE HADITH AND OTHER KIND OF INFORMATION. In the past the conditions of the time made it compulsory to learn Arabic and thus it was important to memorize the Qur'an in Arabic. However IN OUR DAY THE QUR'AN IS RENDERED INTO ALL LANGUAGES. Consequently the Internet eliminates this necessity because Internet provides all kinds of information. In order to be expert on the interpretation of the Qur'an and its recitation in compliance with its style, the Arabic roots of all the words and their use in other languages should be known. For this one needs to also know various languages such as Persian and Hebrew. However it is obvious that no one can know the content of all dictionaries by heart. For this end one needs computer and Internet. Various meanings of each Arabic word, the original Quran and its interpretation in various other languages, the Arabic versions of the hadith included in the Al-Kutub as-Sittah and the meaning of each word with their explanations are available on the Internet. Everyone having access to Internet can rapidly reach this information. HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) will also use this information on the Internet and will benefit from many researches in many languages such as Arabic, Persian and Hebrew and linguists and a wide cadre of scholars. THIS WAY HE WILL KNOW ARABIC DOWN TO ITS MOST ANCIENT ORIGINS. Besides all branches of science such as genetics, molecular biology, paleontology, bio-chemistry and information about every subject are available on the Internet. Such information that no one can know by heart are given to the service of humanity as a blessing of Allah. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also have access all this information.
  It is for this reason that while describing Hazrat Mahdi (as) our Prophet (saas) said, "He will follow in my footsteps; he will not err." We understand from this explanation Hazrat Mahdi (as) is not the one who brings Sharia (sacred law of Islam), but the one who abides by it. (That is to say, he will not bring a new Book but comply with the Qur'an.) At the same time HE IS INNOCENT OF SINS, meaning HIS INNOCENCE IN JUDGMENT. That is because only our Prophet (saas) is virtuous in its real sense. However Hazrat Mahdi (as) is not a prophet but a wali (saint). Walis are protected from committing sins. They are not innocent. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 190) 16) Hazrat Mahdi (as) is from us, from the Ahl al-Bayt. ALLAH WILL PURIFY* HIM IN ONE NIGHT. (* i.e., will forgive him, or give him success and the inspiration of wisdom and guidance) (Sunan Ibn Majah, vol:10, Bab: 34, p. 348)
  "O Ahl al-Bayt! Hazrat Mahdi (as) is one of us. ALLAH, the Great and Glorious, WILL PURIFY HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] AND SHOW HIM THE TRUE PATH IN A SINGLE NIGHT." (Ash-Sharani, Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 437)
  Similar to those who fought in Badr, he will command the 313 people and challenge unbelievers. That is because these 313 people will have the attributes of worshippers by night and heros by day. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 169) He will defy those around by keeping control of these 313 people in his hand, like the warriors of the battle of Badr. THESE 313 ARE DEVOUT BELIEVERS BY NIGHT and heroes by day. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 169)
  Hazrat Mahdi (as) walks about WITH FLAMMY TORCH OF GUIDANCE IN THE UNIVERSE and lives as the genuine believers... (Al-Mahdiyy al-Maw'ud, volume. 1, p. 281-282 ve 266 and 300). Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his followers will communicate the religion of Allah by means of television, internet and satellite and thus become instrumental in people's guidance to the true path.
  The Mahdi is from us, from the Ahl al-Bayt. ALLAH WILL PURIFY* HIM IN A NIGHT (* i.e., will forgive him, or give him success and the inspiration of wisdom and guidance). (Sunan Ibn Majah, vol:10, Bab: 34, p. 348) Hazrat Mahdi (as) will Not be Known When He First Appears
  Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, like Imam Rabbani someone possessed of knowledge and foresight, stated in his Letters that the Prophet Jesus (as) will not be recognized by everyone when he returns, and that HE WILL ONLY BE RECOGNIZED BY STUDENTS OF DEEP FAITH AROUND HIM, BY THE LUMINOSITY OF HIS FAITH: ... WHEN JESUS (AS) COMES, it is not necessary that EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW HIM TO BE THE TRUE JESUS (AS). His elect and those close to him (his close followers with deep faith) will recognize him through the light of belief. It will not be self-evident so that EVERYONE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE HIM. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Letters, Fifteenth Letter) NEITHER IMAM RABBANI'S WORDS NOR THE DESCRIPTIONS GIVEN BY SAID NURSI MEAN THAT THE MORAL VALUES OF ISLAM WILL PREVAIL THE WORLD AS SOON AS HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) APPEARS OR THAT HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL IMMEDIATELY BE RECOGNIZED BY EVERYONE. If the moral values of Islam were to prevail across the world as soon as Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears, then everyone would immediately recognize and identify him. Hazrat Mahdi (as) would not then encounter any difficulties under such circumstances. The fact is that the hadith of our Prophet (saas) unequivocally state that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not be recognized by the public and that he will resemble the Prophet Joseph (as) in that regard, that he will face difficulties and pressure and that he will be exposed to all kinds of danger, such as murder, like the Prophet Moses (as), difficulties and pressure, conspiracies, imprisonment and exile, and that he will live in occultation: ... THEN HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) RESEMBLES THE PROPHET JOSEPH (AS), AND PEOPLE WILL SEE HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] BUT WILL NOT SEE THAT HE IS HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] AND IT IS CERTAIN, as Hazrat Ali has said, HE WILL NOT BE SEEN UNTIL THERE COMES A PROCLAMATION FROM THE SKY. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani p. 167)
  Abu Bashir says: I heard Imam Muhammad Baqr (as) say: "HE WHO POSSESSES THIS MYSTERY [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE THE SUNNAH OF FOUR PROPHETS… I SAID, WHAT IS THE SUNNAH OF JOSEPH (AS)? AND HE SAID: IMPRISONMENT AND OCCULTATION. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 191)
  In such a troublesome time a person FROM THE FAR END OF THE (WESTERN) COUNTRY and one of the sons of our Prophet's (saas) blessed daughter Fatima will appear. That individual is Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will engage in activities at the End Times. The appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the first of the portents of the Day of Judgment. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p.16) As is known, Turkey is located in the West end of Islamic countires. The information in the hadith reveal that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear from Turkey. When this hadith is considered, one may think that the information in the hadith revealing that the Sun will rise from the West signifies that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also appear from the West.
  In his [Hazrat Mahdi's (as)] time, the religion will be completely purged of all subsequent accretions and restored to its original form. HE WILL OPPOSE THE ULAMA OF THE SCHOOLS IN MANY OF HIS PRONOUNCEMENTS. FOR THAT REASON, THEY WILL KEEP AWAY FROM HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]. According to their presumptions, they will accept that Allah truly did not leave a renovator (mujaddid) after the imams… (Muhyiddin Al-Arabi, Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya, Chap. 66 Vol. 3, pp. 327- 328)
  • "Almighty Allah will not take back knowledge (from your memories) after having bestowed it on you. However, He will take scholars, together with their knowledge, from within their communities and take their souls. All that remains will be an ignorant body of people. The people will ask them about their religious needs, and they will issue fatwas (religious opinion on a matter) in the light of their own ideas and desires (ignoring the Qur'an and hadith) and will both deviate themselves and lead other into deviation." (Sahih Bukhari, Tajrid as-Sarih: 2174) • "Seventy thousand people from the Jews of Isfahan with turbans and gowns will follow the antichrist." (Muslim, At-Taj Ali Nasif al-Husayn, Vol. 5, p. 627) • "SEVENTY THOUSAND SCHOLARS WEARING TURBANS FROM MY COMMUNITY WILL FOLLOW THE ANTICHRIST."(Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, p. 796)
  • The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Such a time will befall my Community that rulers will be oppressive and scholars will be avaricious and without fear of Allah, those who worship will be hypocritical, traders will seek to earn interest and they will only hide their disgraces in business. Their women will be caught up in the baubles of this world. Evils will plague them at that time. The good will pray and they will not be heeded." (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 23, p. 22)
  • On the Day of Reckoning a religious scholar is cast into hell. People he knows say to him, "While in the world you communicated the commandments of the religion. Why has this torment befallen you?" And he will say; "I told people not to sin, but sinned myself. And I did not do those things I told them to do. I am being punished for that." (Bukhari) • Such a time will come that scholars will be an element of mischief. (Abu Nuaim)
  • Imam Rabbani said: Listening to the words or reading the books of religious scholars who follow their own worldly interests is as harmful as eating poison. The harm done by evil religious scholars is contagious. They damage communities and split nations asunder. Evil religious scholars were always responsible for the disasters that befell Islamic states. They caused the heads of the states to deviate from the true path. Our Prophet (saas) said that Muslims will be divided into 73 parties, of which 72 will go to hell and only one party will be saved from hell. The leaders of these 72 heretical parties are all evil religious scholars. The only party to be saved from hell in the People of the Sunna. (Imam Rabbani, The Letters of Rabbani, 47th letter) • "Seeking knowledge from spiritually little people with understanding of bid'ah (innovation) is one of the signs of the Last Day." (Al Jami as-Sagir, p. 2475) (Ömer Öngüt, Kıyamet ve Alametleri [The Last Day and Its Portents], p. 53) • "The Hour will not come until renunciation of this world no longer remains in people's vocabularies, and until fear of Allah also become artificial." (Jamiu's-sagir: 9856) (Ömer Öngüt, Kıyamet ve Alametleri [The Last Day and Its Portents], , p. 53)
  • Our Prophet (saas) described the End Times: Such a time will come to people that only the name of Islam and the image of the Qur'an will remain. Mosques will be prosperous on the outside, but will have no salvation in them. Their scholars will be the most evil under the sky. Corruption emerged from them and will return to them. (al-Bayhaqi) (Omer Ongut, Kiyamet ve Alametleri [The Last Day and Its Portents], p. 54) • In the hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) says: "Such a time will befall my Community that only the name of Islam, the image of faith and the letters and typeface in the Qur'an will remain. Their efforts will be directed toward their stomachs, the faith will be money and their Qibla [direction] their wives. They will be discontent with little and unsatisfied by much." (Omer Ongut, Kiyamet ve Alametleri [The Last Day and Its Portents], p. 50)
  • "... WHEN THE IMAM MAHDI (AS) APPEARS RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS WILL BE HIS PARTICULAR ENEMIES. HIS SWORD IS HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI'S (AS)] BROTHERS. Had he no sword in his hand -HAD HE NO BROTHERS-, THE RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS WOULD ISSUE A FATWA [RELIGIOUS OPINION] FOR HIS DEATH. Because Almighty Allah will cleanse him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] with benevolence and the sword (HIS BROTHERS) and they will place credence in him [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]. THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE HIS PRONOUCEMENTS WILL BE FORCED TO BELIEVE, OR ELSE HIDE THEMSELVES AWAY. (Ahmad Diya ad-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Hadith, pp. 56, 73)
  • In his [Hazrat Mahdi's (as)] time the religion will assume its previous form by being purged of all conflicting opinions. HE WILL OPPOSE THE MEMBERS OF THE ULAMA (RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS) IN MANY OF HIS JUDGMENTS. FOR THAT REASON, THEY farILL AVOID HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]. Because they will imagine that that Allah will leave no Mujtahid (a scholar who derives legal rulings) of the faith after the imams... (Muhyiddin Arabi, Futuhat Al-Makkiya, chapter 66, Vol. 3, pp. 327- 328)
  Since the hadith that speak of the signs of the end of times, the events at the end of times, and the merits and rewards of certain actions have not been well understood, SOME SCHOLARS WHOSE BELIEF IS WEAK AND WHO ARE ARROGANT relying on their reason have MOVED ON TO DENY SOME OF THEM. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Words, Twenty-Fourth Word - Third Branch, p. 351) Bediuzzaman Said Nursi says that some religious scholars whose "belief is weak" and who are "arrogant" will deny or explain away the return of the Prophet Jesus (as) and the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). These people's attitude stems in fact from their having socialist, Darwinst and materialist inclinations. These are people who deny the existence of any rank superior to themselves, who have deified themselves (surely Allah is beyond that) and who regard themselves as highly learned and far superior to anyone else. For that reason they will refuse to join any sect or to follow Hazrat Mahdi (as). That is the reason why they deny the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as), like the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as).
  ● They do not evaluate religious matters in the light of the Qur'an, the hadiths or good conscience. They strive to produce their own evaluations in the light of their own sullied logic and poor intelligence.
  • But in Imam Rabbani's time, none of the portents indicating the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) had taken place, even though 18 years had passed since the start of the century.
  • No great fire1 illuminating the night was seen in Imam Rabbani's time.
  • The Iran-Iraq War2 had not yet broken out in Imam Rabbani's time. The war between Iran and Iraq began in October 1980. This war is a portent of the End Times revealed by our Prophet (saas) 1430 years ago.
  • No fire3 from the East had been seen in Imam Rabbani's time. In 1991, Iraqi troops set fire to the Kuwaiti oil wells at Saddam's command. As a result of that attack, a huge fire enfolded Kuwait and the Persian Gulf. With this, yet another of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) revealed by our Prophet (saas) took place in the Hijri 1400s.
  • There was no great war between The Tigris and the Euphrates in the time of Imam Rabbani.6 The war between two Muslim countries, the Iran-Iraq War that broke out in 1980 and lasted for 8 years, is one in complete agreement with the hadith and that took place in 1400 (Islamic calendar).
  • No attack on the Kaaba took place in the time of Imam Rabbani and no blood was shed there.7 But on the first day of 1400 (Islamic calendar), or 21 November, 1979, a bloody assault on the Kaaba did take place, resulting in terrible slaughter. Seven years later, in 1407, an even more bloody incident took place at the Kaaba and a great many pilgrims were martyred. The circumambulation of the Kaaba was halted because of this attack on it, unique in its history.
  * In line with these calculations, there was a lunar eclipse in 1981 (Hijri 1401) on day 15 of Ramadan 15 and a solar eclipse on day 29 of Ramadan. * There was a "second" lunar eclipse in 1982 (Hijri 1402) on day 14 of Ramadan and a solar eclipse on day 28 of Ramadan. • Afghanistan was not invaded in Imam Rabbani's time. Whereas in one hadith our Prophet (saas) says, "Pity poor Taliqan (Afghanistan),"9 noting that the country would be invaded at the time of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). And Afghanistan was invaded by Soviet Units in Hijri 1400 (1979 AD).
  Halley's comet passed by the Earth in 1986. This appearance takes place once every 76 years, its last appearance coinciding with the year 1400 (Islamic calendar).11 The expression "a double-toothed, light-shedding horn will appear," described by our Prophet (saas) in the hadith as a portent of the coming of the awaited Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the End Times and described in detail by Imam Rabbani refers to the comet Lulin, which came closest to the Earth on 24 February, 2009.12 Scientists say that it will be another 1000 years before this comet comes by the Earth again.
  • Nothing resembling the Egyptians being taken prisoner took place in the time of Imam Rabbani. 14 In 26 October, 1956, Israel attacked Egypt and occupied the Sinai Peninsula. The Six-Day War between Egypt and Israel followed. The West Bank, Golan Heights and Jerusalem are still under Israeli occupation. A great many Egyptian troops were either taken prisoner or martyred during these conflicts.
  • Muslims and Jews did not go to war in the time of Imam Rabbani. 17 But the disputes between Muslims and Jews have persisted in the present day in the form of war and conflict.
  • There was no question of open denial of Allah in the time of Imam Rabbani. 18 Atheism, the perversity of denial of Allah (Allah is surely beyond that), although around for a long time, started to spread on a heretofore unknown scale by the end of the nineteenth century. The number of people deluded by the spread of materialism and Darwinism, atheism's philosophical and so-called "scientific" bases, increased markedly in the twentieth century. Heretical belief systems such as atheism, materialism, Darwinism and communism will be intellectually destroyed in the time of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The moral values of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas) will previal the people of the world. But no such system of denial dominated the world in the time of Imam Rabbani, and neither was there any question of such systems being intellectually eliminated or the moral values of the Qur'an prevailing the world in his time.
  • There was no question of "an army being lost in the desert" in the time of Imam Rabbani. 21
  • Nobody's own voice had yet spoken to him, in other words sound recording devices had not yet been invented, in the time of Imam Rabbani. 27 Remarkable progress in this field of technology began taking place in the 20th century in particular.
  3 - I swear that a flame will engulf you. That flame is presently in an extinguished form at the valley called Barahut. That flame swallows up people with terrible pain inside it, burns down and destroys people and property, and spreads all over the world by flying like a cloud with the assistance of winds. Its heat at night is much higher than its daytime temperature. By going as deep as the center of Earth from the heads of people, that flame becomes a terrible noise just like the lightning between the earth and sky, he narrated. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah Qurtubi, p. 461) 4 - Soon the river Euphrates will disclose the treasure [the mountain] of gold. So, whoever will be present at that time should not take anything of it. (Sahih Bukhari)
  6 - There will be a city called Zawra [Baghdad] between the Tigris and the Euphrates. There will be a great battle there. Women will be taken prisoner, and men will have their throats cut like sheep. (Al Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 5, p. 38) 7 - There come the cries of war in [the month of] Shawwal with the outbreak of war, massacre, and carnage in [the month of] Dhu al-Hijja. The pilgrims are plundered in this month, the streets cannot be crossed because of the blood shed, and religious prohibitions are violated. Big sins are committed near the Magnificent House [the Kaaba].
  There will be two solar eclipses in Ramadan before the Mahdi's advent. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 440) 9 - Pity poor Taliqan [a region in Afghanistan]. At that place are treasures of Allah, but these are not of gold and silver. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p.59)
  27 - There will be no Judgment Day... until a person's own voice speaks to him. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 471) 28 - Great cities will be ruined, and it will be as if they had not existed the day before. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 38)
  Here, Imam Rabbani is speaking very clearly and distinctly OF THE TIME AFTER THE DEATH OF OUR PROPHET (SAAS), NOT AFTER HIS OWN DEATH. This statement is significant, because some people MISINTERPRET Imam Rabbani's statement, "IN OTHER WORDS AFTER THE DEATH OF OUR PROPHET (SAAS)," which is too clear to bear any other interpretation, as actually meaning "after the death of Imam Rabbani". These people, uncomfortable with the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), are trying, at least in their own eyes, to put back the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as far as possible and thus to supposedly win themselves 500-600 years.
  "As for the treatises, we have called such treatises confidential … we have forbidden them to be broadcast." (Bediuzzaman and His Students' Trial Defense, p. 187)
  My brothers' second error: they ascribe a mortal identity that is prone to decay to that helpless brother who represents the spiritual entity of the Disciples of Light (Nur) and who forms the vanguard in the first duty in certain respects. Such as these two errors harm ,the true purity of the Risale-i Nur, the Treatise of Light, even in one respect to its being used for spiritual and heavenly rank, they cause political circles to fall into an unfounded error and the publication of the Treatise of Light is harmed. Since this time is one of a spiritual entity, such great and eternal truths cannot be built on mortal, helpless identities that are liable to error. In consequence, it is wrong to give the name of that personage who will come and perform three tasks. Both the purity in the Treatise that cannot be misused will be harmed, and the truths will become deficient in the eyes of common believers (with little knowledge of spiritual things); even indisputable arguments will turn into an opinion that is only partly the truth, and the victory over stubborn proof and arrogant atheism will begin to not be seen among the confused people of faith. Political circles will begin to feel doubts and some religious teachers will begin to protest... Therefore, it does not seem appropriate to give that name to the followers of Light. A reviver, a precursor may be said." (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, The Ratifying Stamp of the Unseen, p. 10) The facts stated by Bediuzzaman in this extract are distorted, and it is suggested that "he said it would be extremely damaging for the subject of the Mahdi (as) to be spoken about publicly." Yet this idea is totally based on a misinterpretation; what Bediuzzaman is saying here refers to his own time. He says that his disciples harbour a misconception about him with regard to the Mahdi (as), but that "this is an error that stems from confusion." For that reason, he tells them not to "speak in this way or make any claims with regard to the Mahdi." On close inspection, however, Bediuzzaman is saying that it is not speaking of the Mahdi (as) that is objectionable and damaging, but directing claims regarding the rank of the Mahdi (as) towards himself, since these are founded on an erroneous opinion. He reminds them that at that time, bringing up such a mistaken idea regarding himself will damage the purity and may cause certain politicians unease, harm the publication of the Risale-i Nur, the Treatise of Nur and mean that theTreatise enjoys only half a victory over the deniers. Bediuzzaman says that holding such an erroneous view will lead to an erroneous supposition and thus to the misdirection of the people of faith; as a result of this uncertainty, this will prevent Muslims from being able to recognise the true Mahdi (as).
  With the terms he also employs here, Bediuzzaman has many times reiterated that he is not the Mahdi. For example, he does not say, "I have performed the Mahdi's (as) three tasks at the same time." Note that he says that he has only led the way for the Mahdi (as) in the first of the Mahdi's duties, that of regarding the truths of faith, and that he has only performed this in one way. By saying "it will be wrong … to give the name of that personage who will come in the future," he is stating that it will be wrong for him to be given the name of the Mahdi (as) although he is not the Mahdi and that this will damage the truth, for which reason the name of Mahdi should be given, not to him, but to that individual who will come in the future. Regarding himself, he says that he may be referred to as a "reviver and the precursor of the Mahdi.
  ... The Treatise of Light proves this duty, at the most severe, essential and sensitive time, in a manner everyone can understand, the deepest and most secret truths of the Qur'an and of faith, with the most powerful evidence. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Rays, p. 748) ... The Treatise of Light can be read and understood by all levels of society, such as a woman, a man, a civil servant and a tradesman, a scholar and a philosopher… (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Rays, p. 549)
  ... All my brothers will bear witness that I have never accepted the imputation of being the Mahdi (as). Indeed, in response to what learned people in Denizli said about whether Said claims to be the Mahdi (as), contrary to what all his disciples believe, Said stated in his objection, "I am not a sayyid, the Mahdi will be a sayyid," and refuted them. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Rays, p. 365) I know that I am not a sayyid (descended from the line of our Prophet (saas)). Generations are not known at this time. Yet, that great figure of the end times will be descended from our Prophet (saas). (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Emirdag Addendum, pp. 247-250)
  Those people who are not sayyids, but who say they are, and those who are sayyids, but who say they are not, are both sinners, and in the same way that such claims and denials are forbidden … so adding anything to or removing anything from the hadiths and Qur'an is forbidden. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Reasonings, p. 52)
  … On this subject, may I submit that, in sometimes reading to a disciple from the Treatise of Light, our teacher Bediuzzaman would not explain it, saying: "The Treastise of Light explains matters of faith sufficiently and deeply. The teacher of the Treatise of Light is the Treatise of light itself. The Treatise of Light leaves no need to study with anyone else." (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Words, p. 772)