Is the Mahdi Connected to the Antichrist

by Rev. Kevin L. Wilson

In Islam the Mahdi or "Guided One" is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on earth seven, nine, or nineteen years (depending on the interpretation) before the coming of the day, Yaum al-Qiyamah (literally "Day of the Resurrection" or "Day of the Standing"). Muslims believe the Mahdi will rid the world of error (non-muslim thinking), injustice and tyranny alongside Jesus.The concept of Mahdi is not explicitly mentioned in the Qu'ran, but there are many hadith (traditional sayings of Muhammad) on the Mahdi.

The idea of the Mahdi has been described as important to Sufi Muslims, and a "powerful and central religious idea" for Shia Muslims who believe the Mahdi is the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi who will return from his present state of "hiding". It has gained a strong hold on the imagination of many Muslims worldwide.

Common Sunni and Shia beliefs:

1. The Mahdi will be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad of the line of Fatima.
2. He will bear the name Muhammad.
3. He will rule for either seven, nine or nineteen years.
4. His coming will be accompanied by the raising of a Black Standard (black war flag) in Khurasan (modern day Iran).
5. His coming will be accompanied by the appearance of Dajjal (the anti-Christ) in the East.
6. He will return with Jesus as a lesser prophet.

Shia and Mahdi

Among Shi'a Muslims "the Mahdi symbol has developed into a powerful and central religious idea Shi'a Muslims believe that the Mahdi is the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the Twelfth and last Imam, who was born in 868 AD and was hidden by God at the age of five. He is still alive but has been in occultation (hiding) "awaiting the time that God has decreed for his return."

According to traditions the Mahdi be "a young man of medium stature with a handsome face" and black hair and beard. "He will not come in an odd year", will announce himself in Mecca between the corner of the Ka'ba and the station of Abraham and will call on the people to pay allegiance to him. He will then go to Kufa (a city in Iraq).

The Hidden Imam will return as the Mahdi with "a company of his chosen ones." Also part of the return (or Raj'a) will be his enemies led by the one-eyed Dajjal and the Sufyani. The two forces will fight "one final apocalyptic battle" where the Mahdi and his forces will prevail over these forces of evil. After ruling earth for a number of years, Isa Al-Maseeh (Jesus Christ), Imam Husayn and other Imams, prophets and saints will return to earth.

Signs of the Mahdi

Among the most commonly reported signs of the advent of the Madhdi in Shia hadith are:

1. Before his coming will come the red death and the white death. The red death is the sword and white death is the plague.
2. Several figures will appear: the one-eyed Dajjal, the Sufyani and the Yamani. Another figrue, the Pure Soul (an-Nafs az-Zakiyya), will be assassinated.
3. The sun will rise from the West and a star will appear in the East giving out as much light as the moon.
4. The Arabs will throw off the reins and take possession of their land, throwing out the authority of the foreigners.
5. A caller will call out from heaven.
6. There will be a great conflict in the land of Syria until it is destroyed.
7. Death and fear will afflict the people of Baghdad and Iraq. A fire will appear in the sky and a redness will cover them.

Jesus and Imam Mahdi returning together

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has suggested that "Jesus would return to the world along with the emergence of the descendant of the Islam's holy prophet, Imam Mahdi". It is well known that Ahmadinejad sees himself as the chosen one to bring forth the 12th Imam, to "pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi". The suggestion that Jesus and the 12th Imam would return to earth at the same time is something new and quite disturbing.

Ahmadinejad sees Jesus and Mahdi working together to "wipe away every tinge of oppression, pain and agony from the face of the world". The Mahdi "will reign on earth for seven years before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world". Sound familiar? In a speech (reported by WND and Ynet), Ahmadinejad offered New Year's greeting to Christians and asked WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)?

"What would Jesus do if he were present in the world today? What would he do before some of the oppressive powers of the world who are in fact residing in Christian countries? Which powers would he revive and which of them would he destroy?" asked the Iranian leader.

The Islamic Republic of Iran broadcasting website said in a program called "The World toward Illumination," that the Mahdi will form an army to defeat the enemies of Islam in a series of apocalyptic battles, in which the Mahdi will overcome his arch villain in Jerusalem.

The Mahdi's farsightedness and firmness in the face of mischievous elements will strike awe. After his uprising from Mecca all of Arabia will be submit to him and then other parts of the world as he marches upon Iraq and established his seat of global government in the city of Kufa.

Then the Imam will send 10 thousand of his forces to the east and west to uproot the oppressors. At this time God will facilitate things for him and lands will come under his control one after the other.

After his appearance the Imam would remain in Mecca for some time, and then go to Medina. ... a descendant of the Prophet's archenemy Abu Sofyan will seize Syria and attack Iraq and the Hejaz with the ferocity of a beast ... finally Imam Mahdi sends troops who kill the Sofyani in Beit ol-Moqaddas (Jerusalem), the Islamic holy city in Palestine that is currently under occupation of the Zionists.

The Iranian series also claims the Mahdi will reappear on Earth with Jesus: "We read in the book Tazkarat ol-Olia, 'the Mahdi will come with Jesus son of Mary accompanying him.' ... Imam Mahdi will be the leader while Prophet Jesus will act as his lieutenant in the struggle against oppression and establishment of justice in the world. Jesus had himself given the tidings of the coming of God's last messenger and will see Mohammad's ideals materialize in the time of the Mahdi."

What are the Imam's plans for you:

When the Imam emerges he will enlighten people by discussing religion and when people become totally aware of the nature of religion, their conscience would not permit them to reject what is right. Those who obstinately refuse to accept religion will have the sword of the Imam decisively come down on their neck. (beheaded!)

What the Bible says about the Antichrist	What Islam and the Koran say about Mahdi 12th Imam
The Antichrist will be an unparalleled leader in ability to speak and lead.	The Imam Al Madhi will be an unparalleled leader in ability to speak and lead.
The False Prophet will support the Antichrist in deceiving the world into accepting and following the Antichrist.	A "Muslim Jesus" will "return" and support the Imam Al Madhi in getting the world to accept the Imam Al Madhi and follow him.
The Antichrist and the False Prophet will have a powerful army that will do great damage to the Earth in order to subdue it and follow them.	The Imam Al Madhi and the Muslim "Jesus" will have a powerful army that will do great damage to the Earth in order to subdue it and cause everyone to follow them.
The False Prophet is described as a Dragon in Lamb's clothing.	The Muslim "Jesus" will come bearing the name that the world knows as the Lamb of God and yet teach Islam.
The Antichrist and the False Prophet establish a New World Order.	The Imam Al Madhi and the Muslim "Jesus" establish a New World Order.
The Antichrist is said to "change the times".	The Imam Al Madhi almost certainly will adopt use of the Islamic calendar for use worldwide, hence changing the times. It is a 12 month calendar of 30 days each with Muslims names.
The Antichrist and False Prophet will adopt a universal and mandatory religion.	The Imam Al Madhi and the Muslim "Jesus" will institute Islam as the only acceptable religion.
The Antichrist and False prophet will execute by beheading anyone who does not accept their religion.	The Imam Al Madhi and the Muslim "Jesus" will execute by beheading anyone who does not accept Islam. Beheading has been the official method of execution for Islam since the days of Mohammed and still is to this very day.
The Antichrist will have a specific agenda to kill as many Jews as possible.	The Imam Al Madhi and the Muslim "Jesus" will have an order from God to root out and kill all Jews.
The Antichrist and False Prophet will attack and conquer Jerusalem. Interestingly enough all of the nations the Bible mentions as coming to attack Israel and Jerusalem (In Ezekiel) are currently Muslim nations.	The Imam Al Madhi and Muslim "Jesus" will attack and conquer Jerusalem in the name of Islam.
The Antichrist will set himself up in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as his seat of authority.	The Imam Al Madhi will establish the Islamic Caliphate from Jerusalem. The Caliphate is a religious and political leader of all Islam and all Muslims. With the whole world having to accept Islam he will in effect be a world ruler from Jerusalem.
The Antichrist will perform many miracles in order to deceive many into following him.	The Imam Al Madhi will also be able to perform many miracles.
The Antichrist will make a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years.	The Imam Al Madhi will make a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years.