In the hadith, our Prophet (saas) imparts the glad tidings that Allah will send a mujaddid (a great scholar charged with imparting the truth of religion according to the requirements of the age) at the beginning of every century:
Certainly, the All-Mighty and Glorious Allah will send AN INDIVIDUAL (one of knowledge) at the beginning of every century who will sort out the superstitions interpolated into the religion of my community and revive it. (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/100)
Another piece of information provided by Bediuzzaman about the future is related to the “collapse of communism” which would happen some 80 years after his day. Said Nursi announced this event, which nobody could have imagined at the time, to a Russian soldier. (The Unknown Aspects of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, p. 144, Istanbul: Nesil Publishing.) Bediuzzaman also foretold the establishment of a European Union (The Emirdag Addendum p. 499, Disputations p. 107)
Bediuzzaman also foresaw the date of his own death, and how his grave would be desecrated, as well as the date this would take place, in a poem he wrote in his work Lamaad (Glimmerings) in 1921. (Letters, p. 89) As indicated by Said Nursi in that poem, he died in the year Hijri 1379. As he had also stated in the poem, his grave was destroyed shortly after his death, in Hijri 1380, and his holy body was transferred elsewhere.
As in these examples, all the information and predictions regarding the future provided by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi in his works came true. There is no doubt that these are miraculous phenomena made possible by the mercy of Allah. Therefore, other information imparted by such a holy, foresighted and knowledgeable individual supported by the sublime knowledge of Allah must also be carefully examined and studied. In particular, it is important that the predictions and information he provides about Hazrat Mahdi (as), who will come in the End Times as a mercy for all Muslims, that will be described in the pages that follow, must be studied with great excitement and enthusiasm.
How Did Bediuzzaman Impart the Glad Tidings of the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as)?
As with the events and dates above, Bediuzzaman referred to major events that would happen in the future in many parts of the Treatise. Among these were portents of the End Times and the Hazrat Mahdi (as). Bediuzzaman related that the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), to whom he referred as “the individual who is awaited and who will come a century later” (Kastamonu Addendum, p. 57), is a promise of Allah and that it would certainly come to pass as follows:
“During the worst period of strife in the End Times, Allah will, no doubt, send AN INDIVIDUAL OF LIGHT as the greatest MUJDAHID (an Islamic scholar and leader who can bring in a verdict from verses of the Qur’an and hadith when needed), and a MUJADDID (a reviver and a great scholar who expounds the religion), and a JUDGE, and a MAHDI (the one who, by Allah’s will, leads to faith), and a MURSHID (a guide to the truth) and a KUTB AL-ADHAM (the greatest guide to the true path); and THAT INDIVIDUAL will be one of the line of the Prophet (saas) ... With HAZRAT MAHDI (as), the Great Lord of Glory CAN DISPERSE THE DARKNESS OVER THE ISLAMIC WORLD. Because He promised, He will surely fulfill His promise.” (Letters, p. 411-412)
Bediuzzaman refers to the Hazrat Mahdi (as) very clearly and in great detail in his works, for Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the mujaddid (reviver of the religion) who was to appear in the century following his own and also because he was a blessed individual Muslims have been awaiting with great excitement and enthusiasm for 1400 years. The Treatise of Light refers to portents of the End Times, the Prophet Jesus’ (as) descent to Earth, the community of the Hazrat Mahdi (as), his duties, and the fact that he will act together with the Prophet Jesus (as). In addition, he provides important information regarding the timing of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), the prevailing climate, the location where he will begin his activities, the duties that distinguish him from previous mujaddid and the people who will assist him in his work.
Bediuzzaman reported that he was a vanguard to Hazrat Mahdi (as) who would pave the way for him.
Bediuzzaman described the Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his helpers as “sacred flowers who will come in spring,” and himself as “one of the vanguards of this blessed individual,” and stated that he was paving the ground for Hazrat Mahdi (as) with his own services:
“I think of myself as a servant of that AWE-INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL who will come in the future and as one of the soldiers of THAT GREAT COMMANDER.” (Barla Addendum, p. 162)
“Long ago I heard from one of the learned that; THAT INDIVIDUAL drew a meaning from the hidden signs of the elders and concluded that: “A light will appear from the East and will disperse all the superstitions that would subsequently interpolate into the religion.” I have much observed and observe the appearance of such a light. But flowers appear in Spring. The ground needs to be prepared for such sacred blooms. And we understood that with our service we are paving the ground for those ONES HAVING LIGHT.” (The Seal of the Unseen Universe, 189; Letters, 34)
| In the Kastamonu Addendum, Said Nursi described Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his community as “LORDS OF THE END TIMES” and made it clear that, by Allah’s leave, Hazrat Mahdi (as) would definitely appear. He also reported that Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his helpers would increasingly expand their spheres of influence and accomplish splendid results through their efforts seeking solely Allah’s consent. |
In the End Times, the true lords of the broad sphere of life, in other words the Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his FOLLOWERS, will come with Allah’s leave, will broaden that sphere, and those seeds will flourish. We, on the other hand, shall watch from our tombs and give thanks to Allah. (The Seal of the Unseen Universe, 138; Kastamonu Addendum, p. 72)
1) In this extract, Bediuzzaman refers to the coming of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) so clearly as to leave no room for any doubt.
2) It can also be seen from this quotation that Bediuzzaman refers to Hazrat Mahdi (as) as an individual who will come IN HIS OWN PERSON and with his DISCIPLES, not as a spiritual entity.
How Does Bediuzzaman Distinguish Hazrat Mahdi (as) from other Mujaddid?
Bediuzzaman stated that certain Muslim individuals had also come in previous centuries with the purpose of bringing Qur’anic moral values to prevail on Earth, but that none of these had discharged the three important tasks that Hazrat Mahdi (as) would perform in the End Times. (Emirdağ Addendum, p. 260)
In addition, Said Nursi stated that these people who came before Hazrat Mahdi (as) did not conform to the attributes our Prophet (saas) described in the hadith:
1. Although the names and states of the two dajjals are different, they are confused in reliable accounts, and one is thought to be the other. The states of THE GREAT MAHDI (as) are incompatible with accounts referring to previous mahdis and they can be counted as the hadith that can have various meanings. (Rays, p. 582)
THE GREAT MAHDI (AS) AND PREVIOUS MAHDIS
1) Here, Bediuzzaman says that there are two different kinds of mahdi. The first are the PREVIOUS MAHDIS, and the other is the GREAT MAHDI (AS) who will come in the End Times.
2) The attributes of the previous mahdi do not conform to those of the “great Mahdi (as)” described in the hadith.
3) Said Nursi states that no mujaddid apart from the Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be able to discharge the three tasks performed by the Hazrat Mahdi (as) at one and the same time:
“I have many times indicated in my letters that THE SPIRITUAL ENTITY OF THE HOLY COMMUNITY THE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) REPRESENTS has three duties. If Doomsday does not come to pass very soon and people do not totally turn away from the (true) path, then we hope from the mercy of Allah that his community and sayyids (those descended from the line of the Prophet Muhammad (saas)) will perform those duties. AND HE WILL HAVE THREE GREAT DUTIES. (Emirdağ Addendum, p. 259)
A) THE HOLY COMMUNITY REPRESENTED BY THE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)
1) In this extract, Bediuzzaman refers to the Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his blessed community. Here, it is clear that these are two distinct concepts;
- Who represents the blessed community? The Hazrat Mahdi (as).
- What does the Hazrat Mahdi (as) represent? His blessed community.
2) There will be a community LED AND REPRESENTED BY THE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS). This blessed community will constitute the spiritual entity of the Hazrat Mahdi (as).
B) … HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) … HAS THREE DUTIES
- Here, Bediuzzaman refers to the Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will appear in the End Times having not one or two duties, but THREE DUTIES, and that he will discharge these duties together with the community he represents.
- He reports that these three duties are some of the most important signs distinguishing him from earlier mahdis and his being the GREAT MAHDI (AS).
- In this extract Bediuzzaman makes no distinction between the political Mahdi (as), the Mahdi of Authority or the Religious Mahdi (as), and states that the Hazrat Mahdi (as) he describes as the GREAT MAHDI (AS) will possess these three attributes together.
C) … we expect from the Divine Mercy that HIS community and the sayyids (those descended from the line of the Prophet Muhammad (saas)) will discharge these duties…
- In saying this, Bediuzzaman is making it clear that the community led and represented by the Hazrat Mahdi (as) will discharge these duties.
D) ... and HE will have THREE GREAT DUTIES…
- It is once again made clear that it is the HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) who will discharge these three great duties.
…THE GREAT MAHDI (AS) HAS MANY DUTIES. HE IS ACTIVE IN MANY SPHERES, SUCH AS THE POLITICAL SPHERE, THE SPHERE OF RELIGION, THE SPHERE OF AUTHORITY, AND THE SPHERE OF STRUGGLE, and since at times of despair in every century there is a need for the likelihood that a Mahdi or kind of Mahdi will come to their assistance to reinforce spiritual power; by Allah’s mercy, a kind of Mahdi (descended from the line of the Prophet (saas)) has come in every age, and maybe every century, and protected the path described and revealed by the Holy Qur’an and revived it... (Rays, p. 590)
In this extract, Bediuzzaman again refers to the three great duties to be discharged by the Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will come in the End Times. It can once again be seen that it is the GREAT MAHDI (as) who will have all these attributes, rather than being merely a POLITICAL MAHDI, merely a RELIGIOUS MAHDI, or merely a MAHDI OF AUTHORITY.
Bediuzzaman has also provided information about the climate in which Hazrat Mahdi (as) will work
…Such a grand community (of great sayyids descended from the Prophet (saas)) will revive the blessed power within itself and great events will take place. Surely THAT GREAT URGE TO PROTECT WITHIN THAT GREAT POWER WILL REJOICE and THE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL TAKE CONTROL AND LEAD TO THE TRUE PATH AND THE TRUTH… (Letters, p. 473)
... THAT GREAT URGE TO PROTECT ISLAM WILL REJOICE and TAKING THE CONTROL, THE HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL LEAD TO THE TRUE PATH AND THE TRUTH...
By the statement, “That great urge to protect Islam will rejoice”, Bediuzzaman says that great events will take place that will cause Muslims to rejoice and increase their urge to protect Islam. This climate comes into existence today, in other words, in the End Times.
The difficult climates being established against Islam and Muslims in various parts of the world create in Muslims a desire to protect Islam, which in turn urge Muslims to look for solutions.
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi has reported that as a result of these endeavors to protect Islam, and with the Hazrat Mahdi (as) assuming the leadership, this holy individual will lead people to the righteous path and the truth.
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi has also informed about the dates the Hazrat Mahdi (as) will discharge these duties
In Hijri 1327, Bediuzzaman preached to a congregation of 10,000 people in the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus. In this sermon called the Damascus Sermon, he made explanations regarding the future of the Islamic world after Hijri 1371 and drew attention to the Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) struggle and victory, providing various dates from the End Times:
Even if it does not happen now, 30-40 YEARS LATER, together with science and genuine skills (knowledge gained by skills, art, wisdom and science) and equipping the beneficial aspects of civilization with those three forces, (he) will send the urge to search the truth, conscience and human love to the front of those nine hostile classes in order to meet the needs and defeat and disperse those nine obstacles. Insha’Allah, HALF A CENTURY LATER, he will eradicate them all. (Damascus Sermon, p. 25)
Bediuzzaman’s Damascus Sermon is of great importance in terms of the dates he provided regarding the time when the Hazrat Mahdi (as) would be serving :
1981-1991 – The Hazrat Mahdi (as) begins his activities
1) … even if it does not happen now, 30-40 YEARS LATER…
By this date he provides, Bediuzzaman is referring to the Hijri years 1401-1411, 30-40 years after the preaching of the sermon. This is the equivalent of 1981-1991 according to the Western calendar.
2001- Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) victory over materialist philosophy.
2) … Insha’Allah, HALF A CENTURY LATER, he will eradicate them all…
In this final part of the above extract Said Nursi says that the Hazrat Mahdi (as) will complete this task within 50 years. In other words, he is indicating that the influence of materialist, Darwinist and atheist philosophies over people will come to an end in as short a time as a decade. This date equates to Hijri 1421, or 2001.
2004 – People move towards Qur‘anic moral values under the leadership of the Hazrat Mahdi (as)
Another date, given by Bediuzzaman in the Treatise of Light collection, regarding the struggle and dominion of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) refers to 2004. Bediuzzaman provided the following information about the verse; “They desire to extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths. But Allah refuses to do other than perfect His Light, even though the unbelievers detest it.”( Surat at-Tawba: 32) It has now come to memory that if the letters “lam” and “mim” bearing gemination marks in the part of the verse, “Allah refuses to do other than perfect His Light” are counted double, then the individuals who will put an end to oppression a century later may be the students of Hazrat Mahdi (as).” (Rays, p. 605)
Bediuzzaman reports that the numerological value of this verse equates to Hijri 1424, in other words to 2004, and that this date points to one of the stages in the world dominance of Qur‘anic moral values under the leadership of the Hazrat Mahdi (as).
2008 – The Victory of Moral Values of the Qur’an under the Leadership of the Hazrat Mahdi (as)
Another account provided by Bediuzzaman regarding the future victory and dominion of Qur‘anic moral values reads:
The hidden meaning of this verse confirms the verse “As for those who make Allah their friend, and His Messenger and those who have faith: it is the party of Allah who are victorious!.” ( Surat al-Ma’ida: 56)
Because there is no doubt that if the letter ‘nun‘ with the gemination mark in the verse “… it is the party of Allah who are victorious!.” ( Surat Al-Ma’ida: 56) is counted singly, then in agreement with the preceding verse, this indicates that it coincides with two differences to the date 1302, the time when someone, who became the means to the activities of the supporters of the Qur’an, began reading the Qur’an, and if counted as double, then this indicates 1350; and this is a secret sign indicating a time when the people of the Qur’an who serve It with all their might and who gather around the Treatise of Light, prepared with the information obtained from the Qur’an, will enjoy a spiritual victory over perversion and atheism and a total victory in the future. (8th Glance, Qaramat al-Ghaswiya)
In these words Bediuzzaman Said Nursi says that the numerological value of the verse “… it is the party of Allah who are victorious!.” (Surat Al-Ma’ida: 56) equates to Hijri 1350 and that Qur’anic moral values will be victorious on this date. However, he also reminds us that it contains a secret sign regarding another period, like the former, in which Qur‘anic moral values will prevail. In fact, when the initial Arabic letter “fe” at the beginning of the Arabic script is included in the calculation, the numerological value rises to 80; 1350 plus 80 gives Hijri 1430, or 2008 in the Western calendar. By Allah’s leave, as Bediuzzaman says, the verse indicates that Qur’anic moral values will enjoy a complete victory over Darwinist, materialist and atheist philosophies. (Allah knows the truth.)
Bediuzzaman has described the three important duties distinguishing the Hazrat Mahdi (as) from previous mahdis thus:
The first duty of the Hazrat Mahdi (as): The intellectual struggle against materialist, Darwinist and atheist philosophies
An irreligious movement born out of Darwinist, atheist and materialist philosophy will increasingly spread through materialist philosophy in the End Times and gather strength and reach to a point of denying the existence of Allah. (Emirdag Addendum, p. 259)
Bediuzzaman states that atheist philosophies will pose a threat in the End Times, and that Darwinist and materialist philosophies in particular will draw strength from atheism and reach a dangerous point of denying the existence of Allah. Therefore, he states, the first duty of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is to make an intellectual struggle against materialist thinking, in other words the materialist, Darwinist and atheist philosophies based on denial of Allah, and to entirely eliminate the influence of these philosophies on people:
First; under the influence of science and philosophy, and the spread of materialism, Darwinism and atheism epidemic spreading into humanity, the first duty of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is first of all to SAVE FAITH SO AS TO ENTIRELY SILENCE PHILOSOHPY AND MATERIALIST THINKING. To protect the faithful from perversion…(Emirdag Addendum, p. 259)
Bediuzzaman emphasizes that this is the first and most precious duty of the Hazrat Mahdi (as); the most important, precious and greatest duty among the three duties of THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL COME IN THE END TIMES, and awaited by the community, is to propagate faith based on proof and protect the faithful from perversion. (The Seal of the Unseen Universe, p. 9)
The Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) second duty:
Establishing the Islamic Union
Bediuzzaman states that the Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) second duty is that of establishing the Islamic Union. The Hazrat Mahdi (as) will unite Muslims who are fragmented in various groups. He will revive Islamic morality and virtues with the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas).
“The Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) Second Duty is to REVIVE THE ESSENCE OF ISLAM with the title of the Caliph of Muhammad (saas). TAKING THE UNION OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD as his foundation, it is to save people from spiritual and physical dangers, and from the wrath of Allah. For this duty, there needs to be a foundation, its servants, and an ARMY WITH MILLIONS OF MEMBERS.” (Emirdag Addendum, p. 259)
Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) second duty is to REVIVE THE ESSENCE OF ISLAM under his title of Caliph of Muhammad. (Emirdag Addendum, p. 259)
1) ...with the title of the Caliph of Muhammad…
-Bediuzzaman Said Nursi said that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be the leader of the Islamic world. In addition, by describing his rank as a title, he indicates that all Muslims will recognize Hazrat Mahdi (as) as being worthy of that rank.
2) ...union of the Islamic world…
- Bediuzzaman said that Islamic countries, that were not united in his day, would come together to establish the Islamic Union. He stated that the Hazrat Mahdi (as) will protect Muslims from various threats by making this union a basis.
3)… an army with millions of members ...
- Bediuzzaman reported that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have helpers as he performs this task.
The Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) third duty: Reviving moral values of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will perform his third duty with the help and support of the devoted sayyids (believers from the line of our Prophet (saas)) and all other Muslims. He will be a means whereby moral values of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of our Prophet (saas), which have been—particularly under the influence of a materialist world view—ignored since the time of our Prophet (saas), are revived and implemented.
His third duty: with the weakening of Qur’anic stipulation as times change … THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL SEEK TO FULFILL THAT THIRD OBLIGATION with the spiritual assistance of all the faithful, and the cooperation of the Islamic union, and the solidarity among Muslims, the ulama and, in particular, the contribution of millions of devoted sayyids (those descended from the line of the Prophet (saas)) who are mighty and many in every century. (Emirdag Addendum, p. 260)
Bediuzzaman reports that the Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) third duty is to revive and implement several stipulations of the Qur’an which have altered over time with the dominance of disbelief, with the help of a community consisting of all Muslims and sayyids descended from our Prophet (saas).
Elsewhere, Bediuzzaman states that the third duty of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is to unite Islamic community and to forge an alliance with the Christian world. All the people around the world will acknowledge these tasks, which the Hazrat Mahdi (as) will carry out in a broad sphere:
THAT INDIVIDUAL’S third duty is, by establishing the caliphate of Islam upon the Islamic unity, to SERVE ISLAM IN ALLIANCE WITH CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS. This duty can be fulfilled with great authority and power and millions of devoted followers. The first duty is three or four times more precious than those other two duties, yet since the second and third tasks are in a very bright and broad sphere and of a very glittering kind, they appear more important in the public eye. (The Seal of the Unseen Universe, p. 9)
As for those who make Allah their friend, and His Messenger and those who have faith: it is the party of Allah who are victorious! (Surat Al-Ma’ida: 56)
CONCLUSION
What has been explained so far constitutes only a very small part of Bediuzzaman’s account regarding the coming of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the End Times. However, even the very few extracts provided here are sufficient to see that his account of the subject is too clear and unequivocal to leave any room for doubt. Bediuzzaman has provided Muslims with highly detailed information about matters such as the date of Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) appearance, the location of his activities, the subject of his activities and his community. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi made the most accurate, foresighted and wise evaluations about every subject he included in his works. By the will of Allah, the information and glad tidings he provided about many subjects about the future will also come true. No doubt, the glad tidings of our Prophet (saas) regarding Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) appearance, which are explained in very clear and definite terms in the hadith is equally of the greatest importance. It would be a grave error to ignore, underestimate or misinterpret the statements on such an important subject as the coming of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) made by such a blessed figure, who is accepted to be the mujaddid (reviver) of the 13th century. Despite Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s very definite proofs regarding Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) coming, it would be a serious error to seek to cover up this important fact by suggesting that the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is merely a spiritual entity.
All the other information provided by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi in the past have come true; by the will of Allah, all the portents to show that he was not mistaken regarding the dates and information he gave are also coming about.
There is no doubt that it is gladdest tidings for Muslims to live in the time of such a blessed individual who will restore Islam to its original essence, be a vehicle whereby people turn to faith and establish a great union among Muslims. Every Muslim must show his sensitivity on this subject. They must make great efforts to ensure that such an important matter is fully revealed, and must reflect on and investigate all the details provided by Bediuzzaman in the light of this understanding. They must keep in mind that, due to some erroneous beliefs, remaining aloof in the face of such good tidings, which the entire Islamic world awaits, may be a cause of great embarrassment in the future.