After propounding the Qur’an and traditional arguments there remains no doubt amongst the Muslims, irrespective of their religion either Sunni, Shiite, or Wahabi, regarding the belief in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) and it is proved beyond doubt that it is a genuine Islamic belief.
However, since the Wahabi sect is having a very narrow-minded belief about some of the concepts of Islam hence from its very inception, it has been a butt of rebuke from Muslim scholars, therefore we analyze in this brief study Wahabi’s point of view about Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH).
In fact, the following proofs will clarify that like other Muslim scholars, Wahabi scholars also believe in the existence of al-Mahdi (Mahdism) and they regard this belief as the climax of the Islamic creed.
1- The Wahabi sect is an offshoot of the Sunni sect, like other Muslims believing in Qur’an and traditions. They also have faith in the traditions of Sihah-e-Sittah (The Kutub al-Sittah) and other authentic books, since the traditions pertaining to Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) are quoted from the holy Prophet (PBUHH) and are found in abundance in the books of traditions then they are bound to believe in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH).
2- Ibn-Taimiyyah (exp.728 A.H.) was a Hanbali scholar in the 7th- 8th century and known as the ideological leader of the Wahabis, in his book ‘Minhaajus-Sunnah’ (that is a strong attack on Shiites), he considers the traditions regarding Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) as authentic and says about him as follows:
“Those traditions recorded by Abu Daawood, Tirmidhi, Ahmad Hanbal and other traditionalists that there was a dispute over them in regard to the advent of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) are all correct. For example, the tradition of the holy Prophet (PBUH) was related by Ibn-Mas’ud as follows:
“Even if a single day remains from the eve of doomsday, Allah the Almighty will prolong that day to such an extent till He raises a man from my household Ahlul-bait (PBUH).”
3- Shamsuddin Mohammad bin Abi-Bakr popularly known as ibn Qayoume al-Jauzi (exp.751 A.H.), a famous personality of the Hanbali sect, ardent follower and preacher of Ibn Taimiyah’s ideologies has compiled a complete book on the topic of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH), he has adorned his book with the title of ‘Al-Mahdi’.
The same scholar wrote another book named “Al-Manar al-Munif fis-Sahih waz zaeef” which is actually an explanation of Ibn-Jauzi’s book ‘Al-Mauzoo’aat’, he quoted some traditions about Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) and also the debate over their authenticity in chapter 15 of this book from pages 326 to 344, he concluded that all traditions that are in regard to Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) are genuine and completely part of the Islamic tradition, he also wrote in the same book while quoting from the book of ‘Abdul Hussein Aberi’ that: “The traditions regarding Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) are plenty (Mutawatir) and abundantly that proves he will be from the progeny of the Holy Prophet (PBUHH) .”
4- Allamah Mohammad bin Ali Shaukani (exp.1250 A.H.) was formerly a Zaidi who later after convertion to Wahabism became the Wahabis prolific preacher in Yemen, he was such a staunch believer in Mahdism (believing in the existence of Imam al-Mahdi) to the extent that he wrote a complete book on this subject titled “Al-Tauzeeh Fi-Tawator ma Ja’aa fil-Mahdi wad-Dajjal wal-Maseeh”.
The above-mentioned book serves as a major source of reference for most scholars, there is a need for attention to the following sentence from the mentioned book: “Those narrated traditions in regard to Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) are so numerous that can suffice that one that possesses little faith and justice.”
5- Shaikh Abdul Mohsin bin Ahmad Abbad, a learned professor of the Wahabi university of Medina wrote a book titled ‘Aqidato Ahle-Sunnat wal-Asar Fil Mahdi Al-Muntazar” in which he has debated that the belief in Mahdism is not confined only to Shia rather it is a pure Islamic ideology, the traditions in regard to Mahdism are continuous while believing in Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) is also fundamental.
Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH) is from the progeny of Holy Fatima Zahra (PBUH) and she is going to appear in the last era of the world moreover he has enlisted the names of one-hundred and twenty-six companions who have quoted the traditions regarding Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH), thirty-eight among them are notable scholars and traditionalists that related the traditions that four of them are the compilers of the Sihah Sittah (the six authentic traditional books of Ahlus-Sunnah), he also mentioned the names of the renowned Sunni scholars that wrote books on this subject.
Sheikh Abbad wrote another book to refute the book of his Kuwaiti contemporary scholar named Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid that made some objections harshly to the said belief, the above-mentioned book is titled: “Ar-Raddo Ala Man Kazeba bil Ahadith As Sahiha fil Mahdi.” In this study, firstly the vitriol objections of the Kuwaiti writer are quoted word to word then after being acquainted with them he gave the replies that matched the objections.
While keeping these facts in mind is there anyone among the Muslims that can doubt the truthfulness of this belief? Is it possible that someone should claim to be a Muslim without believing in this fundamental creed?
So, based on the afore-mentioned points on Mahdism or belief in a Man from the Holy Prophet progeny (PBUTH), who will raise and makes the world full of justice is one of the most important and common beliefs that all Muslims including Shia, Sunni and Wahhabi believe in.
