What you didn't know about Yagoog and Magoog

   

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Many thousands of years ago the barbarous tribes of Yagoog and Magoog were imprisoned behind an iron wall built by Zulqarnayn. Referred to in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Kahf. Zulqarnayn was a Muslim Arab who lived at the time of the Prophet Ibrahim and not Alexander the Great as it is commonly known.
From amongst one of the four that ruled the entire world (the other three being Prophet Soleiman,Nimrod & Buktnasr) he was a pious and just king, provide with all forms of strength through which he was able to carry his conquests and missions.

 Once he carried a mission in three directions, the far west, far east, and then in a northerly direction. Travelling first in the westerly direction, he conquered the lands he passed through establishing the laws of Allah therein until he reached the setting of the sun. There he met people  that didn't believe in Allah. Given a choice of punishing them for their kufr or being lenient by inviting them first to Islam; he chose the latter and addressed them, ''Those evil-doers who do injustice to themselves by rejecting Allah will be punished by death in this world and the hereafter, the fire of hell is their abode. As for those who accept  the invitation and believe in Allah they will be treated leniently and in the hereafter Jannah is their place of rest.''
 After the journey towards the west he made preparation for the journey towards the east. Conquering the lands he passed through, establishing he laws of Allah therein. He continued travelling in the easterly direction until he reached the rising of the sun. In this area of the east he saw a nation receiving the sunshine without any obstruction and they were dealt with like the previous people in the west.

 After the journey to the east he started his northern Journey, he kept on travelling until he reached the midst of two mountains, it was here he came across a tribe who complained to him about the tribes of Yagoog and Magoog. Yagoog and Magoog inhabited the land behind the mountains, plundered them, committed bloodshed, and then ran away. Observing Zulqarnain's power they asked to set a barrier in return for a wage for their protection from the disaster and bloodshed, which they often bore at the hands of Yagoog and Magoog. Refusing to accept any wealth he built an iron wall with their help which they could not cross or pierce. (Qurtubi/ Ibne-Kathir) 


The wall of Zulqarnain
 Many different opinions have been expressed as to the location of the iron wall of Zulqarnain. Having read many books, the best on the subject I came across was Sheikh Hifzur-Rahman's "Stories of the Qur'an" and thus have chosen to share a brief summary of what he has written.
He writes "The Yagoog and Magoog caused destruction and blood- shed in a vast area, and because of their oppression many barriers and walls were erected in different times and places by different kings. Four being the most famous:
1) The Great Wall of China which was built by the Chinese King Fagfor 3460 years after Prophet Adam was put on the Earth.
2) The wall in central Asia near Bukhara and Tirmidh in a place called Derbent.
3) The wall in Dagistan Russia also known as Derbent near the Caspian sea.
4) The wall which is in the westerly direction to the third in the region of the Caucasus.
Because these walls were built for one purpose and are all situated in the North, it has always been very difficult to determine exactly the wall built by Zulqarnain."
 
He further writes, "The biggest out of the four is the great wall of China and nobody is of the opinion that this is the wall built by Zulqarnain as it is in the easterly direction while the Qur'an indicates the wall of Zulqarnain is in the Northerly direction."
Thus leaving walls 2, 3, and 4.
He writes, "Historians like Masoodi, Istakhari and Hamawi are of the opinion that the wall of Zulqamain is wall number 3 or 4. Those that have said it is wall number two have confused the issue due to the location of Derbent which is near Bukhara and also in Degistan.''
 He finally writes, ''Out of two, the historians are of the opinion that it is wall 3 or 4, the master of hadith Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri in his book Aqeeda-tul-Islam holds the opinion that the wall of Zulqarnain is wall number 4, the one in the region of  Caucasus.'  (Stories of the Qu'ran)

After this short summary I find myself inclined to believe that noone knows the location of this wall and it would be almost impossible to determine it for sure anyway.

                                      Trying to break free

Abu Huraira  narrated that every day Yagoog and Magoog try to break free  through the wall of Zulqarnain until they reach the end of it to the extent that they could actually see the light on the other side. They then return home saying, ''We will break through tomorrow. '' However, Allah causes the wall to revert to its original thickness and the next day they start all over again. This process continues each day as long as Allah wills for them to remain imprisoned. When Allah wishes for them to be released, then at the end of that day they will say, ''If Allah wills, we will break through tomorrow.'' The next day they will find the wall as they left it the previous day and after breaking through the rest they will escape.   
 
Note: Some ulama have written that this hadith is weak and has been taken from the Jews as it contradicts with the verse from the Qur'an, ''They are not able to cross it or pierce it.''    ( Surah Al-Kahf)

However, if found that it is a Marfoo hadith, it still does not contradict the Qur'an as the Qur'an is referring to the time Zulqarnain built the wall and secondly the word ''naqb'' means a complete hole through which they are able to break free.
  The  great master of Hadith Ibne Hajr al-Askalani giving reference of Ibne Hibban and Abd- b-Humaid has mentioned this Hadith and not raised any doubt or indicated that this hadith is not Marfoo but positively mentioned that Ibne Arabi has said three miracles are evident from this Hadith and then mentioned the three miracles:
1) It never occurs to these tribes that they must continue work throughout the night. After all, they are in such large numbers that they can easily delegate the work amongst themselves and work in shifts. However, Allah does not allow this thought to occur to them.
2) It does not occur to them that they can merely cross the mountain or scale the wall, which they can do through the aid of equipment they possess in large numbers. According to a narration by Wahb-b-Munabbah it is known that these tribes are agriculturists and artisans possessing various types of equipment.
3) The thought of saying, "Insha-allah (if Allah wills)" never enters their minds and it will only occur to them when Allah wills that they be released.(Fathul-Bari)


Myths
 Many myths surround Yagoog and Magoog. One being that the common people believe that Yagoog and Magoog are not human beings but some kind of third being. How interesting it may be to believe that they are a third being, the reality is that they are human beings just like yourself and I, constitute nine-tenths of mankind and are from the progeny of Prophet Nuh.
 
The Holy Prophet said, "Yagoog and Magoog are the children of Prophet Adam and not one will die until thousand are born to him.''
 
The Messenger of Allah said, "Allah divided mankind into ten parts. Nine tenths constitute Yagoog and Magoog while the remaining one tenth constitutes the rest of mankind." 
 
Hadrat Abu Saeed Khudri narrates that the Messenger of Allah said, "On the Day of Judgement, Allah will tell Adam to pick out the Jahanamis from his progeny. Adam will ask, "O Allah, who are they?" Allah will say,"999 out of 1000 are Jahanamis while the one is a Jannati." On hearing this the Sahaba over taken by fear asked, "Who will the ONE Jannati be?" The Prophet replied, "Do not grieve the 999 will be Yagoog and Magoog while you will be the one Jannati."  

 
Physical Appearance of Yagoog and Magoog
 There are many different narration's regarding their appearance. These different narration's suggest that Yagoog and Magoog are of three types.

1) Some are as tall as the tree Arz - that is 120 ft.
2) Some are four arm lengths tall and four arm lengths wide.
3) Some spread one ear to sleep on and cover themselves with the other. Some also state that they are two spans tall and the tallest amongst them are three spans.
It should be noted that all the narration's above are weak and should not be taken. The authentic Ahadith like the Hadith of Nawwas-b- Saman in Muslim suggests that they are very strong and powerful people whom nobody has the power to fight. It has also been narrated that they have wide faces, small eyes, grey hair and their faces are like shields covered with skin.                 
                                                                                                                                      

Emergence of Yagoog and Magoog before Qiyamah
A short period after killing the Dajjal, Prophet Aissa will be informed of the release of Yagoog and Magoog. Obeying Allah's command He will take the Muslims to Mount Tur for their protection as nobody will be able to kill the Yagoog and Magoog. They will come forth from every lofty place causing destruction and bloodshed wherever they go. Their first batch will come to lake Tiberias and drink all of its water. Their last batch will come to it and say, "There was once water in this lake."
Marching on, carrying out pillage and murder to their left and right they will come to mount of Khamr (a mountain in Jerusalem) and say, "We have killed the inhbitant of the Earth, let us now kill the inhabitants of heaven." Thus they will shoot their arrows towards the sky. Allah will return the arrows covered with blood and these fools will think they have killed those in the heaven. Mean while Aissa and his companions will remain confined until the head of an ox becomes more valuable than 100 gold coins. Aissa and his companions will pray for their destruction. Allah, answering their prayer will send insects upon the necks of Yagoog and Magoog and in the morning they will be found dead like one dead man. In the narration of Abu Saeed al- Khudri which can be found in Tadkhira of Imam Qurtubi, it has been mentioned; the believers not being able to hear their noise that morning will say "Will anybody sacrifice his life and see what the situation is." Volunteering, a believer will come down the mountain thinking that he will never return . However to his suprise he will find that they are all dead and he will shout, "Good news! Your  enemy has died,"

Aissa and his companions will come down but will find that the earth is full with their stinking corpses. Yet again, Aissa and his companions will turn to Allah and pray. Allah will send birds with necks like the necks of Bactarian camels which will carry the corpses and throw them where Allah wishes. Thereafter, Allah will send rain and the earth will be cleaned. 

How Aissa (Jesus) will kill Dajjal

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The Dajjal having failed to enter the holy city of Madinah will proceed to Syria gathering his forces on the way.
Imaam Mahdi will have arranged the Muslim army and will be on the verge of leading the Muslims in the morning prayer when  Aissa will descend to the white Minaret in the east of Damascus, wearing two garments died with saffron, placing his hands on the wings of two angels. He will not return as a Prophet but as a man. It is very important to note the differen ce. The last prophethood lied with Prophet Mohamed!

All those that are present will recognise him, as he will look exactly like the description made by the Prophet Mohamed. The colour of his skin will be reddish white, he will be well built and his hair will be soft and reach his ears. When he lowers his head, beads of perspiration will fall from it and when he raises his head, beads like pearls will scatter from it.  

Every Kaafir who smells his sweet breath will die and his breath will reach as far as he can see. On seeing Aissa, Imaam Mahdi will take a couple of steps backwards so Aissa can lead the  prayer. However Aissa will place his hands on the Imaam's shoulder and will say, ''Go forward and lead the prayer as the Iqamah was made for you'' thus Imaam Mahdi will lead the prayer.  

After the prayer Aissa will say, ''Open the gate''. The gate will be opened and the Dajjal will be waiting behind it accompanied by an army of 70,000 Jews, each armed with a sword and shield. The Dajjal on seeing Aissa among the Muslims will begin to dissolve like salt in water and will begin to flee. Prophet Jesus will say to him, ''You will remain alive until I strike you with my spear, ''He will catch up with him at the Eastern gate of Ludd (Ludd is a mountain in Syria. Some say that it is a village in Jerusalem, and some say that it is a village in Palestine) and then Aissa will kill him with a small spear. 

  The Muslims will thereafter defeat and wipe out Dajjal's army. The Jews will not be able to hide behind anything on that day. Every time they try to hide behind a stone, a wall, a tree (except a boxthorn tree), or animal. Allah will make these things speak and they will say, ''O servant of Allah there is a Jew hiding behind me. come kill him.''

Dajjal's Deception and Lies

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Two angels resembling two Prophets, one on either side will accompany him. This will be to test mankind. Hence Dajjal will ask, "Am I not your lord? Do I not give life and death?" One of the angels will reply, "You are a liar." However nobody will be able to hear this reply besides the other angel. The second angel addressing the first angel will say, "You are speaking the truth." Every body will hear what this second angel said and will think that an angel is testifying that the Dajjal is Allah though in reality this second angel was addressing the first and agreeing with his reply that you are speaking the truth that the Dajjal is certainly a liar.  


He will come to a Bedouin whose parents have passed away and will say to him, "Will you believe that I am your Lord if I bring your parents back to life." He will reply, "Yes." The devils that are accompanying him will take the form of his parents and after resembling his parents will say to him, "Oh child believe in him and follow him, he is your Lord.' The Bedouin will be deceived and forced into believing him.  
 
He will come to another Bedouin and say, "Will you believe in me as your Lord if I bring your camel back to life?" "Yes", he will reply. He will make a figure for him like his camel, which will have a beautiful odour and a big hump. 
 
He will have water and fire with him. As for that which the people will see as water, in reality will be fire, which will burn and as for that which people will see as fire, in reality will be cold, sweet water.


The Prophet's  advice is: "Whoever meets the Dajjal and sees the water and the fire, he should fall in the fire and not the water, as the fire in reality is water and the water in reality is fire.'' 
 



He will come to people and tell them he is Allah and they will believe him. The sky on his order will pour rain and the earth will grow crops for these people. Their animals will graze on his land and return to them in the evening with large udders and their flanks full. He will then proceed to some other people and call them but they will refuse to believe him. Without forcing them he will leave and carry on with his mission. However, when these true believers wake up in the morning they will find that they are penniless and all their properties have been destroyed.   
Passing by a place in ruins, he will order it to take out its hidden treasure. The earth will immediately take out its hidden treasure. The earth will immediately take out its treasure and the treasure will literally follow him wherever he goes  like bees following the queen bee.  

On hearing about the Dajjal a true believer will head towards him. However, on the way he will be stopped by Dajjal's soldiers and asked where he is intending to go. Replying that he is going to meet the person who claims that he is Allah, the soldiers doubting him will ask, ''Do you not believe in our Lord (Dajjal)?'' He will reply there is nothing hidden about our Lord Allah so how can I take Dajjal as my Lord. Angry at his reply they will decide to kill him. But all of a sudden one of them will say, ''Hasn't our Lord (Dajjal) prohibited us from killing anyone without his permission?" Thus they will take him to the Dajjal. On seeing the Dajjal he will shout, "O people this is the Dajjal the Prophet mentioned and warned the believers of". Dajjal will order to kill him. He will be placed on his belly and severely beaten. He will be asked, "Do you still not believe in him?" "No! You are the lying Dajjal" he will reply. The true believer will then be sawn into two pieces, the Dajjal will walk in between the two pieces and address him, "Stand up." The true believer will become alive and stand up in one piece. Yet again he will be asked, "Do you now believe in me?" He will reply, "It has only added to my insight concerning you that you are really the Dajjal." The believer will then proclaim, "O people he will not be able to do anything to any man after me." The Dajjal angry at his refusal will grab hold of him and place a knife between his neck and throat to slaughter him but he will be unsuccessful as Allah will place copper in that area and the knife will find no way to penetrate. The Dajjal will grab hold of his hands and legs and throw him into the fire. However, the fire will turn into a pleasant garden for him. This person will be the greatest martyr in the eyes of Allah and achieve the highest position due to his first death, which was caused by severance of the body in two pieces.

Doctors and surgeons are not able to restore the eyesight of those born blind or cure the leper. Dajjal will be able to cure those born blind, restore their eyesight and cure the leper. 

He will have a mountain of bread with him but he will only give bread to those that believe and follow him.  

The Dajjal will make a stop at a place called Markanat, near Taif. On hearing about his arrival the womenfolk will rush towards him, the men will be forced to tie their mothers, daughters, and sisters fearing they will believe in him and get caught up in fitna.  

The Dajjal will remain on earth for 40 days, the first of which will be a year long, second a month , the third a week, and the remaining 37 days like our normal days, moving from city to another causing fitna. Finally he will proceed towards Makkah and Madina but he will be unable to enter these holy cities, Masjid Tur and Masjid al-Aqsa³. Every time he tries to enter these holy places, angels guarding these holy cities with swords in their hand will encounter him and chase him away, leaving Dajjal stationed behind Uhud. Meanwhile, earthquakes will hit Madinah thrice and all the hypocrites will be forced to leave^.

Conquest of Contantinople and the Mahdii's rule

The great war between the Christians and Muslims will result in the Muslims conquering Constantinople (which is modern day Istanbul).

Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet said, ''Have you heard of a town of which a part is in the sea?'' ''Yes'' said they. He said: 'The last hour shall not occur till 70,000 of the children of Isaac shall attack it. When they come to it, they (Muslims) will not fight with arms, nor throw arrows. They will only say: There is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and then on of its sides will fall down. They will recite for the second time : there is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and then another of its side will fall down. After that they will say it for the third time: there is no god but Allah and Allah is the greatest, and then it will be opened for them and they will enter and acquire booty. While they will be dividing the booty, a proclaimer will come to them and proclaim: 'Verily Dajjal has come out. 'Then they will leave everything and return. ' 

The account of Istanbul being taken by the only mention of Allah's name might not need to be taken litterally, it is very likely a metaphore.
It could mean that the city will give itself up in sight of the sheer numbers of the Muslim army. Anyway, the point is that the city will be taken back.

It should be noted that the conquests will take place a very short period. Abdullah-b-Busr has reported that the Messenger of Allah has said: 'Between the Great War and the conquest of the city (Constantinople) there will be six years, and the Dajjal shall appear in the seventh year.' 

Once again the Quran and Sunnah will govern the people, this time by the rightly guided Khalifh, Imam Mahdi. Islam will gain an upper hand and will be firmly established in the land. The oppression, tyranny, and darkness that prevailed all over the globe will be replaced with justice, peace and equity. The smile, which was long forgotten, will be restored on the Muslim faces and the inhabitants of the Heaven and Earth will be pleased with him.

Everybody will be happy to the extent that even birds an wild animals will rejoice in his rule. Heaven will end rain profusely, livestock will be in abundance, land will become fertile, the earth will become green and sprout with abundant fruit ad vegetation. 
Due to the booty gained from the various conquest everyone will have so much wealth that an eyebrow will not even be raised at somebody else's wealth. Callers will proclaim in the street, ''Is anybody in need of anything?'' Nobody will respond except one person. In the latter part of Abu-Saeed al-Khudri's hadith it is mentioned ''A caller will call 'Who is in need of wealth?' Only one person will stand (and response to the call and say I am in need of wealth) he will be told to go to the treasurer and tell him that the Mahdi orders you to give some wealth. 'Gather and take it', he will be told. (He will begin to put it in his lap, when he realized that nobody else has come and he was the only one) he will regret it and say 'I was the greediest from among the Ummah of Mohamed.


There are different narration's regarding his reign as a Khalifh. Some traditions indicate that is reign will be seven years like the hadith of Umme Salama in Abu-Daud, ''He will remain seven years, then die, and Muslims will pray over him. ''
Other traditions indicate that his reign will last seven, eight or nine years like the Hadith of Abu Saeed in Mustadrak.

  Due to different traditions the period of Imaam Mahdi's reign is disputed. Many Scholars have taken seven years to be the period of his reign due to the fact that the Ahadith which indicate seven years are the most authentic. Other Scholars like Shah Rafiud-din, after careful analysis have concluded that the first seven years if his reign will pass without worry, he will spend the eight preparing to fight the Dajjal and spend the ninth with Prophet Aissa (Jesus).  He will thereafter die, Prophet Aissa will read his funeral prayer and bury him.

People's allegiance to the Mahdi and the Great Battle

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Upon the death of the Kalif (leader of Mecca and supposidely Saudi Arabia), people will argue on who should be the lawful successor.  In order not to get sucked in the argument or asked to step up, Imam Mahdi will move to Mecca.

Once there, those who will see the signs of a true leader on Islam in him will drag him out of his house and pledge allegiance to him in the space between the Kabbah and the “Position of Ibrahim” (it is the stone on which the Prophet Ibrahim stood while building the Kabbah with his son Ishmael).

With reluctance the Mahdi will finally give in to the wishes of his people and will agree to become their leader.

Upon that news, the leader of Syria will send his army to destroy him and his followers. In a place called: Baidah (area between Medinah and Mecca), God will order the ground to swallow the infidels.

Many Muslims after that will recognize the Mahdi for who he is and will pledge loyalty to him, from all corners of the Muslim world.

Over the next years, the Imam Mahdi will have to fight many battles and face many opponents; however no battle will be more deadly than the Great War. On this instance, the Muslims will fight a large number of Christians. Many will die in a state of martyrdom for their faith. This is what was reported of this coming day, by Yusayr bin Jabir (a companion of the Prophet):

 “Yusayr bin Jabir said, "A red sandstorm erupted in the city of Kufah. Afterwards, a man came shouting and repeating the same words, 'O Abdullah bin Mas'ud! The hour has come.' He (Yusayr) then said that he sat up after he was leaning (on his side) and said, ''The hour will not arrive until no inheritance will be divided and no war possessions will bring about satisfaction. ''He pointed with his hands towards Ash-Sham saying, ''An enemy will gather its forces against the followers of Islam. ‘I said, ''Do you mean Ar-Rum? He said ''Yes. ‘Then, during this war, fierce fighting will occur. Muslim will ask for a volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates them. Both sides will return to their camps not yet victorious and the expedition will perish.

Muslims will then (in the third day) ask for volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates them. Both sides will return to their camp not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. In the fourth day, the rest of the Muslim forces will turn against them (the disbelieves) and Allah will defeat them (the disbelievers). They will suffer casualties never heard of before or he said, ''Never seen before, even birds flying near them will not pass without falling down dead.

   Afterwards, sons of the same fathers (from the Muslim side), who were near a hundred, will count the survivors and will find out only one of them survived. Therefore, what war possession will bring satisfaction and what inheritance will be divided? While they are doing this they will hear of an even bigger calamity; That is, a man will scream amongst them that the Dajjal has appeared among their families which they left behind. They will discard what they have in their hands and proceed. They will send ten horsemen as an expedition force. “
In other words, the fighting will be so fierce and the casualties so many that very few from the same family will actually survive the event. With such a level of grief amongst their brothers in faith what riches could make any of it better?
The Prophet Mohamed has spoken in more details of those 10 horsemen. He said that they will be the best riders the World had ever seen. He also said that talking about the great battle that an alliance would be made between some Christians and the Muslims in order to fight a third enemy. On winning, the Christians will claim the victory in the name of their faith. In anger, the Muslims will break the cross and fight them.  
One could assume that the reference made to the birds dying while over the battlefield, could very well mean the use of nuclear weapons.

The Story of Tamim and the Dajjal

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The Prophet of Islam has always foretold the coming of Dajjal (the anti-christ) before the Day of Resurection. His coming is linked with the coming of the Mahdi and the return of Aissa (Jesus).
Now, many have wondered whether the Beast: the Dajjal would be born into the World or if he would merely appear one day.
The following story answer this question:


Fatimah-bint-Qais reported, "I heard the proclaimer of the Messenger of Allah  proclaiming for the prayer'. I went to the mosque and prayed with the Prophet. When he finished his prayer, he sat upon the pulpit smiling and said, 'Let every man remain in his seat.' He then asked, 'Do you know why I have called you together?' They replied, 'Allah and his Messenger know best.'
The Prophet  said, 'By Allah, I have not called you together for hope or for fear, I have called you together because Tamim ad- Dari who was a Christian, came and embraced Islam.

 He narrated a story to me, which agreed with the account I had given to you about the Dajjal. He informed me that he had embarked upon a sea-boat with thirty men of Lakhm and Jozam. Then the sea waves played with them for a month and threw them on to an island when the sun was about to set.
 They sat in a small side boat and landed on the Island. A beast with very coarse hair met them. They could not tell its front from its back due to its excessive hair. They asked, 'Woe to thee! Who art thou?" It replied, 'I am a spy. Go to this man in the monastery, as he is eager to receive the information you bring.

Tamim Dari said, 'When it named a man for us, we fled away from it lest it might be the devil. Then we hurriedly went on until we entered the monastery and found a big-bodied man whom we had never seen before. He was firmly tied up, his hands tied to his neck, the place between his knees, and joints tied up with iron chains.' We asked, 'Woe to thee! What are thou?' He replied, 'You have the power to get my information. Inform me about yourselves.
They replied, 'We are people from Arabia, we embarked upon a sea boat, but the sea waves played with us for a month and threw us onto this island. A beast of coarse hairs met us and said, 'I am a spy. Go to the man in the monastery.' So we approached you hurriedly.
 He asked, 'Tell me about the trees of Baisan (trees in Bahrain). Do they bear fruit?.' 'Yes' We replied. He said, 'Behold! Soon they will not yield fruit.' He asked, 'Inform me of the lake of Tiberias. (lake on the southwestern Syrian-Palestinian border) Is there water in it?' We replied, 'It is full of water.' He informed us, 'Soon its water will disappear.' He then asked, 'Inform me of the fountain of Zugara. Is there water in it and do its inhabitants irrigate with the water of the fountain?' 'Yes, it is full of water and it's inhabitants irrigate from its water. He asked, 'Inform me of the Prophet of the illiterates. What does he do?' We said, 'He has just come out of Makkah and gone to Yathrib.' He asked, 'Have the Arabs fought with him?' 'Yes' We replied. He asked, 'How did he treat them' We informed him that he had got the upper hand of those of the Arabs who opposed him and they obeyed him. He said, 'Behold! It is better for them if they obey him.
 As for myself I am certainly the Anti-Christ and it is near that an order will be passed for me to come out. I shall then come out and travel the world. I shall leave no village at which I shall not land within 40 nights except Makkah and Taibah, which will be forbidden to me.
Whenever I wish to enter one of the two, an angel with a sword in his hand will encounter me and prevent me therefrom. There will be angels on every side to guard it.
The apostle of Allah struck his pulpit with his staff and said, 'This is Taibah meaning Madinah. Behold! Did I not tell you?' 'Yes' they replied. 'Behold, he is in the Syrian sea or sea of Yemen; no, rather he is from the eastern direction. He then pointed out with his hand to wards the East.'  

The Signs of the Mahdi

He will be from the progeny of the Prophet and descendent of Fatma.

Umm Salama reported: I heard the Prophet of Allah  saying, "The Mahdi will appear from my progeny, from the descendants of Fatimah." 

  His name will be Mohamed or Ahmed and his father's name will be Abdallah.

Ibn Masood  reported that the Prophet  said, "If there remains in the world but a day, the mighty Allah will greatly prolong that day till he will send there in a man from me or from the members of my house. His name will be similar to my name and his father's name to my father's name." 

  He will resemble the Prophet  in character.

Hadrat Ali once looked at his son and remarked, "This son of mine is Saiyid who was named by the Prophet  and soon from his loins will come forth a man by the name of your Prophet  and who will resemble him in conduct but not in appearance."

 He will have a shiny forehead and a high bridge nose. Abu Saeed reported that the Prophet  said, "The Mahdi will appear from me, shining of forehead, long of nose."    

  Once Hadrat Ali  was asked regarding his description. He replied, "He is a well built youth of average height and a handsome face, his hair reaches his shoulders and the light of his face is contrasted by the darkness of his hair and beard." 

  He will be slow of speech (a slight stutter) and when he is delayed, he will strike his left thigh with his right hand." 
 He will appear from the east.

Thawban reported that the Prophet  said, "Three men will be killed at the place where your treasure is. Each of them will be the son of a Khalifah but none of them will get hold of the treasure. Then the black banners will come out of the east, and they will slaughter you in a way that has never been seen before. If you see him give him your allegiance, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalifah of Allah, the Mahdi."   

Only some of the signs that will precede Imaam Mahdi and of the Mahdi himself have been gathered in this book. The true Mahdi, the one referred to in the Ahadith of Prophet  as one of the signs of Qiyamah, is the one in whom the pre-mentioned signs are found.

Islam and Money Part 2

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Commercial or usury banks build therir economy on usury which is as old as the human history . It was practiced by certain rich persons who used to lend money at high interest . These persons are now substituted with whatever called Commercial banks , these banks don't differ at all from the old money-lenders .These banks trade in money taking from this at low interest and giving that at high interest creating so many economic ,social and moral crises .

It is because of these crises that all the revealed religions banned usury whish is considered a heinous sin Islam ; reading some holy texts from Quran and the Hadiths reveals how heinous sin usury is .

God says in the Holy Quran " Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch.

That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein. Al-Baqara :275

The state of the money –lender in this life is just like a man who is touched by devil , always in troubles , thinking , deviated and completely absorbed in his affairs and his state in the hereafter is greater .

God says in the Holy Quran what means " O ye who believe! Fear God, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers.” Quran Verse 2:278

Verses like such (”…if ye are indeed believers.”) further highlights the gravity of offence by exhorting people to obey if they indeed think themselves as Muslims.

The Quran not only put a stop on Usury but it also encourages leniency towards debt-ridden as way to social upliftment.

God says in the Holy Quran: "Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked." 2:276

Usury has penetrated the very structure of our economic systems and financial institutions. The hardship has become collective. Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) has spoken of the coming of such an age as a sign of the coming of the last day. Prophet Mohamed said “There will come an age where everybody eats usury and those who don’t will be touched by its dust.”

The Prophet (PBUH) has said, “If adultery and usury spread in a village, the people of that village are asking for the punishment of Allah.”

The Prophet (PBUH) cursed usury, those who take it, write its contract and those who witness such a contract.

The effects of usury is so wide and uncountable , it has so many consequences in the long run:

• Economic:                                                                    

Dependence on interest discourages people from working/trading to earn money and the value of work/trade is reduced. Such people won’t bother to take the trouble of running a business or risking money in trade/industry.

• Moral:

Acceptance of Usury discourages people from doing good to one another and lend out of good will. A society which encourages interest on lending will require needy people to pay back more than he borrowed, which quite often is a source of huge burden.

• Social:

If interest is allowed, the rich (who are most likely to be the lender) will exploit the poor (the borrower). As a result, the rich becomes richer and the poor becomes poorer. This generates envy and hatred among the poor toward the rich, resulting in social disorders, conflicts and at times breeds revolutions & movements.

Islamic banking renders the solution .The rules regarding Islamic finance are quite simple and can be summed up as follows:

1/ Any predetermined payment over and above the actual amount of principal is prohibited.

Islam allows only one kind of loan and that is qard-el-hassan (literally good loan) whereby the lender does not charge any interest or additional amount over the money lent. Traditional Muslim jurists have construed this principle so strictly that, according to one commentator "this prohibition applies to any advantage or benefits that the lender might secure out of the qard (loan) such as riding the borrower's mule, eating at his table, or even taking advantage of the shade of his wall." The principle derived from the quotation emphasises that associated or indirect benefits are prohibited.

 2/ The lender must share in the profits or losses arising out of the enterprise for which the money was lent.
Islam encourages Muslims to invest their money and to become partners in order to share profits and risks in the business instead of becoming creditors. As defined in the Shari'ah, or Islamic law, Islamic finance is based on the belief that the provider of capital and the user of capital should equally share the risk of business ventures, whether those are industries, farms, service companies or simple trade deals. Translated into banking terms, the depositor, the bank and the borrower should all share the risks and the rewards of financing business ventures. This is unlike the interest-based commercial banking system, where all the pressure is on the borrower: he must pay back his loan, with the agreed interest, regardless of the success or failure of his venture.

3/ The principle which thereby emerges is that Islam encourages investments in order that the community may benefit. However, it is not willing to allow a loophole to exist for those who do not wish to invest and take risks but rather content with hoarding money or depositing money in a bank in return for receiving an increase on these funds for no risk (other than the bank becoming insolvent). Accordingly, under Islam, either people invest with risk or suffer loss through devaluation by inflation by keeping their money idle. Islam encourages the notion of higher risks and higher returns and promotes it by leaving no other avenue available to investors. The objective is that high risk investments provide a stimulus to the economy and encourage entrepreneurs to maximise their efforts.

4/  Making money from money is not Islamically acceptable.

Money is only a medium of exchange, a way of defining the value of a thing; it has no value in itself, and therefore should not be allowed to give rise to more money, via fixed interest payments, simply by being put in a bank or lent to someone else. The human effort, initiative, and risk involved in a productive venture are more important than the money used to finance it. Muslim jurists consider money as potential capital rather than capital, meaning that money becomes capital only when it is invested in business. Accordingly, money advanced to a business as a loan is regarded as a debt of the business and not capital and, as such, it is not entitled to any return (i.e. interest). Muslims are encouraged to purchase and are discouraged from keeping money idle so that, for instance, hoarding money is regarded as being unacceptable. In Islam, money represents purchasing power which is considered to be the only proper use of money. This purchasing power (money) cannot be used to make more purchasing power (money) without undergoing the intermediate step of it being used for the purchase of goods and services.

5/ Gharar (Uncertainty, Risk or Speculation) is also prohibited. Under this prohibition any transaction entered into should be free from uncertainty, risk and speculation. Contracting parties should have perfect knowledge of the counter values intended to be exchanged as a result of their transactions. Also, parties cannot predetermine a guaranteed profit. This is based on the principle of 'uncertain gains' which, on a strict interpretation, does not even allow an undertaking from the customer to repay the borrowed principal plus an amount to take into account inflation. The rationale behind the prohibition is the wish to protect the weak from exploitation. Therefore, options and futures are considered as un-Islamic and so are forward foreign exchange transactions because rates are determined by interest differentials.

A number of Islamic scholars disapprove the indexation of indebtedness to inflation and explain this prohibition within the framework of qard-el-hassan. According to those scholars, the creditor advances the loan to win the blessings of Allah and expects to obtain the reward from Allah alone. A number of transactions are treated as exceptions to the principle of gharar : sales with advanced payment (bai' bithaman ajil); contract to manufacture (Istisna); and hire contract (Ijara). However, there are legal requirements for the conclusion of these contracts to be organised in a way which minimises risk.

6/ Investments should only support practices or products that are not forbidden -or even discouraged- by Islam. Trade in alcohol, for example would not be financed by an Islamic bank; a real-estate loan could not be made for the construction of a casino; and the bank could not lend money to other banks at interest.

Story of Moses and Al Khadir

   

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Narrated by Ubai bin Ka'b:

The Prophet of Islam said: “Once the Prophet Moses stood up and addressed Bani Israel. He was asked, “Who is the most learned man amongst the people. He said: “I am the most learned.” Allah admonished Moses as he did not attribute absolute knowledge to Him (Allah).
So Allah inspired to him “At the junction of the two seas there is a slave amongst my slaves who is more learned than you.” Moses said, “O my Lord! How can I meet him?”
Allah said: Take a fish in a large basket (and proceed) and you will find him at the place where you will lose the fish. So Moses set out along with his (servant) boy, Yusha' bin Nuin and carried a fish in a large basket till they reached a rock, where they laid their heads and slept.
 The fish came out of the basket and it took its way into the sea as in a tunnel. So it was an amazing thing for both Moses and his servant boy. They proceeded for the rest of that night and the following day.
When the day broke, Moses said to his servant boy: “Bring us our early meal. No doubt, we have suffered much fatigue in this journey.” Moses did not get tired till he passed the place about which he was told. There, the boy told Moses, “Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the rock, I indeed forgot the fish.”
Moses remarked, “That is what we have been seeking. So they went back retracing their foot-steps, till they reached the rock. There they saw a man covered with a garment.

Moses greeted him. Al-Khadir replied saying, “How do people greet each other in your land?” Moses said, “I am Moses.” He asked, “The Moses of Bani Israel?” Moses replied in the affirmative and added, “May I follow you so that you teach me of that knowledge which you have been taught.”

Al-Khadir replied, “Verily! You will not be able to remain patient with me, O Moses! I have some of the knowledge of Allah which He has taught me and which you do not know, while you have some knowledge which Allah has taught you which I do not know.”
Moses said, “Allah willing, you will find me patient and I will not disobey you.”

So both of them set out walking along the sea-shore, as they did not have a boat. In the meantime a boat passed by them and they requested the crew of the boat to take them on board.
The crew recognized Al-Khadir and took them on board without fare. Then a sparrow came and stood on the edge of the boat and dipped its beak once or twice in the sea.
Al-Khadir said: “O Moses! My knowledge and your knowledge have not decreased Allah's knowledge except as much as this sparrow has decreased the water of the sea with its beak.”

Al-Khadir went to one of the planks of the boat and plucked it out. Moses said, “These people gave us a free lift but you have broken their boat and scuttled it so as to drown its people.”

Al-Khadir replied, “Didn't I tell you that you will not be able to remain patient with me.” Moses said, “Call me not to account for what I forgot.” The first (excuse) of Moses was that he had forgotten.

Then they proceeded further and found a boy playing with other boys. Al-Khadir took hold of the boy's head from the top and plucked it out with his hands (i.e. killed him).
Moses said, “Have you killed an innocent soul who has killed none.” Al-Kha,dir replied, “Did I not tell you that you cannot remain patient with me?”

Then they both proceeded till when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found there a wall on the point of collapsing. Al-Khadir repaired it with his own hands. Moses said, “If you had wished, surely you could have taken wages for it.” Al-Khadir replied, “This is the parting between you and me.”

The Prophet added, “May Allah be Merciful to Moses! Would that he could have been more patient to learn more about his story with Al-Khadir.”

The story of Zayd, the once adoptive son of the Prophet

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Zayd ibn Harithah and his adoption by the Prophet of God:

Zayd’s father, Harithah ibn Shuraheel had learned that his son had been captured in a tribal dispute, and was now in Mecca, in the home of Mohamed ibn Abdallah. He hurried to Mecca taking his brother with him.

Harithah loved his son dearly and he was quite anxious to get him back, no matter the cost of the ransom.

When he entered the house of Mohamed, he addressed him in this manner:

“O Son of Abdul Muttalib, O son of the leader of his people! You are the inhabitants of Allah’s sacred city. You give relief to the sufferer and you feed the captive. We come to you because of our son who is your slave. Grant us a favor and show kindness to us in his ransom.”

The Prophet answered: “Is there anything besides that? Call him and let him choose. If he chooses to go with you, that is better for you, and I will not take any ransom from you. And if he chooses to stay with me, by Allah, I am not going to prefer taking ransom above someone who chooses to stay with me.”

They said: “You are being more than fair with us.”

Then the Prophet asked Zayd to choose between staying with him and going back to his father and uncle.

Zayd replied that he will never choose anyone above the Prophet, even his father or his uncle as the Prophet was to him dearer than anyone in the World.

The Messenger then took Zayd with him to the place near the Black Stone and said: “I take all as witnesses that Zayd is my son.  He can inherit from me and I can inherit from him.”

Harithah returned to his home reassured that his son was in the best of hands.

At that moment in time, adoption was extremely common amongst the Arab tribes.

However, soon after this event, Allah revealed to the Prophet those verses of the Quran:

“Nor he made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths. But Allah says the truth and He guides to the right Way. Call them by their fathers (name): that is more just with Allah. But if you do not know their father’s your brother in faith and your wards. And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your heart deliberately intend. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Quran 33:4-5

From then on the adoption system was abrogated. Zayd was given back his true lineage and after having been called Zayd ibn Mohamed, he was once more and rightly so Zayd ibn Harithah. Thus, only the link of religion and faith remained between him and the Prophet.

Mohamed (PBUH) gave him in marriage: Zaynab bint Jash Al Asadiyah. She was from the Quraishi tribe and from a noble lineage. This union symbolized the equality of all men and women in the faith of Islam, where noble decent equaled modest decent. We are all one and the same in the Eye of the All Mighty.

Predictions of the Messenger of God Part Two

Tidings of the Last Day

A considerable part of the Quran is about the events of the Last Day. The Quran describes how the world will be destroyed and re-built again and how the dead will be raised, assembled in the Place of Mustering, and, after being judged, will go to either Paradise or Hell. The Quran also gives a vivid description of Paradise and Hell and the life in them.

Examples of the Prophet’s predictions which exist in books of Tradition

‘Umar reports in a narration recorded in Sahih al-Muslim:

"Before the Battle of Badr started, God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, walked around the battlefield and pointed to some locations, saying, Abu Jahl will be killed here, ‘Utba here, Shayba here, Walid here, and so on. By God, we found, after the battle, the dead bodies of all those men in the exact places that God’s Messenger had pointed out."

While in Makka under great tortures, the Prophet predicted the future victories of Islam.

Bukhari and Abu Dawud quote Habbab ibn Arat, who said:

Once, during the days of trouble and torture in Makka, I went to God’s Messenger, who was sitting in the shade of the Ka‘ba. I was still a slave in the hands of the Makkans then. They inflicted on me severe tortures. Unable to endure those tortures any more, I requested God’s Messenger to pray to God for help and salvation. But he turned towards me and said: “By God, previous communities had to endure more pitiless tortures. Some of them were made to lie in ditches and cut in two with saws but this did not make them forsake their faith. They were skinned alive but they never became weak against the enemy. Surely God will perfect this religion, but you display undue haste. A day will come when a woman will travel alone by herself from San’a to Hadramawt fearing nothing but wild beasts. However, you show impatience.”

Habbab concluded:

By God, what God’s Messenger predicted that day, have all come true. I have personally witnessed it all.

The Messenger predicted ‘Ammar’s martyrdom in a civil war
Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad ibn Hanbal record:
During the construction of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina, God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, told ‘Ammar: “What a pity O ‘Ammar, a rebellious group will kill you.
Ammar was killed in the Battle of Siffin by the supporters of Mu‘awiya, who rebelled against Caliph ‘Ali.

The Prophet foretold that Fatima would join him first of all after his death

Before his death, the Messenger called his daughter Fatima to his bedside and informed her that she would be the first among his family to join him after his death. Fatima joined her father, the pride of mankind, six months later.

The Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, predicted the Mongol invasion, saying:

The Hour will not come before you fight against a people with red faces, small, slant eyes and flat noses. They wear hairy leather boots.

The Messenger predicted the caliphate of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar

As related by Hakim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Hanbal and Ibn Maja, by repeatedly declaring, You should, after my death, follow the way of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar,8 the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, meant that Abu Bakr and ‘Umar would succeed him as caliphs. He also predicted that Abu Bakr’s reign would be short, whereas ‘Umar would remain longer to be able to make many conquests.

The Prophet predicted the conquest of many important cities.

According to authentic narrations, the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, gave his community the glad tidings that they would conquer Damascus, Jerusalem, Iraq, Persia, Istanbul (Constantinople) and Cyprus, and that the religion of Islam would reach as far as the remotest corners of the world in the east and west.

The Prophet predicted the forms of government after him
The Prophet declared:
This affair began with Prophethood and as a mercy; then it will be mercy and Caliphate; afterwards it will change into a cruel monarchy, and finally into an iniquity and tyranny. He also prophesied: Surely, the Caliphate after me will last thirty years; afterwards it will a cruel monarchy.
Whatever the noble Prophet predicted came true.

The Prophet predicted the caliphate and martyrdom of ‘Uthman
According to an authentic narration, the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, declared:
‘Uthman will be killed while reading the Quran. God will dress him in a shirt but they will desire to remove it from him.
By this saying, he meant that ‘Uthman would become Caliph but his deposition would be sought, and finally he would be martyred while reading the Quran. This happened exactly as he predicted.

The Prophet foretold the future victories of Sa‘d

As narrated in a authentic Tradition, the noble Prophet of God, upon him be peace and blessings, said to Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas when the latter was gravely ill:It is hoped that you will be spared so that some people may benefit through you and some others be harmed through you.

By this, he suggested that Sa‘d would be a great commander and make many conquests, and while many peoples would benefit from him by converting to Islam, many others would be harmed through him as a result of the collapse of their states.
Sa‘d, just as predicted by the holy Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, took the command of the Muslim armies and destroyed the Persian Sassanid Empire, bringing many peoples within the guidance of Islam.

The Prophet predicted the conquest of Cyprus

Once, when the Prophet woke up in the house of Umm Haram, the aunt of Anas ibn Malik, who served the Messenger for ten years in Madina, he smilingly said:“I dreamt that my community would be waging war in the sea sitting on thrones like kings.” Umm Haram asked: ‘Pray that I too may be with them’. He said firmly: “You shall be.”
All this came true forty years later when Umm Haram accompanied her husband ‘Ubada ibn Samit, on the conquest of Cyprus. She died there, and her tomb has since been a visited place.

The Prophet predicted the appearance of Mukhtar and Hajjaj

According to an authentic narration, the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, declared:"From the tribe of Thaqif will appear a liar who claims Prophethood and a blood-thirsty tyrant.^"By this, he gave tidings of the notorious Mukhtar, who claimed Prophethood, and the criminal Hajjaj, who killed tens of thousands of people.

The Prophet predicted the conquest of Istanbul

Again, according to an authentic narration, the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, declared:
"Surely, Constantinople (Istanbul) will be conquered (by my community); how blessed the commander who will conquer it, and how blessed his army.^"He thus foretold the conquest of Istanbul by Muslims, and indicated the high spiritual rank of Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror, and the virtuousness of his army. What he foretold took place centuries later.