The belief regarding the reappearance of Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) coupled with the descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) from the sky, is among the more commonly accepted beliefs of the Muslims. In fact, even the Christians acknowledge the decent and reappearance of Hazrat Isa (a.s.). Rather for them, Hazrat Isa (a.s.) himself is the promised deliverer from oppression and tyranny.
In the light of traditions, of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the rightly guided Imams (a.s.), and their companions (a.r.), it can be proved beyond doubt that Imam Mahdi?s (a.s.) reappearance, shall be closely followed with the descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) from the fourth heaven. The latter shall then recite namaz behind Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), and support him in his mission.
This being a widely acknowledged belief, the compilers of Sehaah-e-Sittah, Janabe Mohammad Ibn Ismail Bukhari (in his Sahih in Kitabul Ambiya) and Imam Muslim Ibn Hajaj (in his Sahih in Kitabul Imaan) have extensively quoted the companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) Abu Hurrairah, in this regard.
(1) The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) declared, ?What will happen to you when Isa ibn Maryam (a.s.) descends (from the heavens) and your Imam is in your midst.
(Sahihe Bukhari 13/57, Pg. 1272, Kitabul Ambiya; Sahih Muslim, 29/ 1, Pub. by Darul Furqan, 722, Jame Masjid, Delhi, Kitabul Iman)
(2) Imam Muslim has also reported a tradition from the famous companion, Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari, that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:sa ibn Maryam (a.s) will descend (on the earth) and the Amir of Muslims (Imam) will say to him come and lead the prayers. But Ibne Maryam (a.s.) with due regard for the respect and honor, which Allah has beneficently bestowed upon this nation (of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.a), will decline stating, Only among yourselves will some be leaders of others.
(Sahihe Muslim Ibid.)
(3) Other traditions have explained about Hazrat Isa (a.s.) in more detail. The narrator of this tradition is Anas ibne Samaan. While describing the characteristics of Dajjal, Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had stated:Allah, the Almighty will send the Messiah, Ibne Maryam (a.s.) who will appear on the white minaret in the eastern region of Damascus (Syria). This day the Messiah will be wearing two yellow dresses, resting both his hands on the wings of the angels, when he bends his head, beads will appear on his forehead and when he lifts it, they will fall like pearls on the earth. Any disbeliever who inhales the air of his breath will be annihilated and his breath will spread to the extremes of his vision. Then Isa (a.s.) will search for Dajjal and find him on Babe Ludd (name of a Syrian mountain) and then will slay him. Hereafter, the people whom Allah has saved from the corruption of Dajjal will flock towards Hazrat Isa (a.s.). He will wipe the dirt and grime off their faces, and give them the glad tidings of the stature, which they will acquire in heaven.
(Sahih Muslim, 2/243, Kitabul Fetan wa Ashraatus Sa’at)
The conclusion of these three traditions:
(i) The first tradition is about the appearance of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) and Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.)
(ii) The second tradition is about the reciting of namaz by Hazrat Isa (a.s.) under the leadership of Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.)
(iii) While the third tradition speaks about the descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.), the killing of Dajjal by him, annihilation of disbelievers, protection of believers and glad tidings to them of deliverance.
Innumerable traditions dealing with the above concepts are found in the Sehah Sittah, as also quoted in other books of traditions, which by itself is a proof of veracity. As an example, we quote some of these traditions:
Abu Saeed has quoted the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)
“The one behind whom Isa ibne Maryam (a.s.) will recite namaz is among us.”
(Eqdud Durar, Chp. 7, Tradition No. 223)
Abu Naeem Isfahani in Manaqib al-Mahdi, Shaikh Abdullah-e-Khanfi, Amr Teesi in Arjahul Matalib, pg. 378, Jalaluddin Suyuti in Arful Wardi fi Akhbaril Mahdi, Hafiz Abu Abdullah Naeem ibn Jamood in Kitabul Fitan has reproduced this tradition.
This short article does not posses the scope to reproduce all the traditions, rather a voluminous book is required. Hence, for sake of brevity, we list only the names of the books. The researchers may refer to them.
(i) Janab Kaamil Sulaiman in his book Yawmul Khalaas, Persian Ruzgaar Rehahi, Vol. 1 pg. 300 quoted 13 traditions from both Shia and Sunni books.
(ii) Shaikh Najmuddin Jafar Ibne Mohammad Al-Askari in his book Al Mahdi al Maud Al Muntazar.. Vol 2, Pg. 215 – 246 has brought 44 traditions entirely from Sunni sources. Some of these books are worth mentioning: Eqdud Durar, Al- Arbaen, Sehah-e-Sitta, Noorul Absaar, Yanabiul Muwaddah, Isaaful Raagebeen, Al-Qaulul Mukhtasar fi alaamate Al Mahdi al Muntazar, Faraidus Simmtain, arjahul Mataalib, Al Haowi Lil Fataewi.
Regarding the descent of Hazrat Isa (a.s.) the above mention traditions are more than sufficient and amply prove that there is absolutely no dispute among Muslim scholars in this regard. But, as in numerous cases, where weak and fabricated traditions are presented to misguide the people, so is the case with the belief of,Descent of Isa (a.s.) and reappearance of Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.), where a tradition is put forth to weaken this belief.
This tradition is:
“Mahdi is none (but) Isa”.
Impossibility
We have already explained the details of this tradition in the special Shabaan edition of Al-Muntazar year 1412AH. Respected readers may please refer to the same. Under the circumstances it is proved that Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) and Hazrat Isa (a.s.) can never be one personality due to the simple reason that at one time both the leader and the follower cannot be the same person. (The Imam leading the prayers is also the person reciting the prayers behind him). And this exactly what the tradition implies.
Ibne Abbas quotes from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as saying:
?Verily, my caliphs, my leaders, my inheritors and Allah’s proofs after me will be twelve. The first of them is Ali (a.s.) and the last of them is Mahdi (a.s.), then Ruhullah, Isa Ibne Maryam, will descend, and recite namaz behind Mahdi, and the earth will overflow with the light of its Lord and His Kingdom will extend from east to west.
(Yanabiul Mawaddah, Pg. 447)
Reminder
This tradition is not in need of any explanation for its meaning rather even a simple-minded person will easily be able to understand it, wherein it is clearly directed that Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) is from the progeny of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while Hazrat Isa (a.s.) is a separate individual with a lineage distinct from Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).
Other traditions have shown the two personalities interacting with each other. For instance:
Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari has quoted the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):
Isa ibne Maryam will descend (on the earth) and the Amir of Muslims (Imam) will ask him come and lead us in prayer. Ibne Maryam having due regard for the respect and honor which Allah has beneficently bestowed upon this nation (of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.a), will decline stating,Only among ourselves will some be leaders of others and will have supremacy on one and others.
(Sahih Muslim, Urdu translation, Published by Darul Furqan, Delhi, Kitabul Imaan, Pg. 29)
The fact is clarified further in this translation where both the personalities converse with each other and the decision prevails that Hazrat Mahdi (a.s.) is Imam, while Hazrat Isa (a.s.) is the follower.Hence, no possibility remains that the tradition,Mahdi is none (but) Isa.be regarded as true and correct.
Astonishing
The author of Al-Hawi lil Fatawi in vol. 2, pg. 167 of his book writes that when people will decline to recite prayer behind Hazrat Isa, it will be among one of the most stupefying things because the reciting of prayer by Hazrat Isa behind Haazrat Mahdi {(a.s.) is proved by authentic traditions from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the fountainhead of truth. The traditions therefore simply cannot be ignored or denied.
These traditions have been reproduced by Ahmad ibne Hanbal in his Musnad and by Hakim in Mustadarak and other Sehah Sittah have quoted from Abu Hurairah thus:
“What will happen to you when Isa ibn Maryam descends and your Imam is among you”.
