hroughout this book, we have examined what the hadiths of our Prophet Muhammed (saas) say about the portents of the Mahdi’s coming, a man who will appear in the End Times having particular characteristics that will enable him to be recognized.

In these hadiths, our Prophet (saas) provides much information about the Mahdi’s moral values and physical appearance. For example, the Mahdi’s moral values will resemble those of our Prophet’s (saas), who will proise him for his fear and respect of Allah and proper morals. He also states that the Mahdi is a most valuable individual who help people attain salvation in this world and in the Hereafter, and that when he appears people will “follow him, even by crawling over the snow”:

Ibn Abi Sayba and Naim ibn Hammad recount this in the Fitan, as do Ibn Majah and Abu Naim from Ibn Mas`ud. He said: “He (the Mahdi) will rule the world and fill Earth, which was previously filled with oppression and cruelty, with justice. Whoever is living at that time, let him/her come to the Mahdi and join him, even by crawling over the snow, because he is the Mahdi. (al-Suyuti, Portents of the Mahdi, p. 14)

The period in which we are now living is the time when this historical event, the glad tidings of which are imparted by our Prophet (saas), will soon take place. All Muslims who know this and want the honor of being alongside the Mahdi when he appears must read this information with great care, seek every means of properly recognizing this awaited individual, and use it as a guide to recognize him.

Muslims have a major responsibility for preparing the ground for and assisting this awaited individual, who will be a means whereby Islam returns to its true essence, the Qur’an’s moral values will prevail, and who will establish great unity among Muslims. Being close to the Mahdi in order to support and assist him in his auspicious activities directed toward all people is a great blessing and honor.