Re: Reflections on Imam Mahdi (II)

He delivered a lecture on Imam Mahdi at a well attended event on 15th June, 2014, at the Gamji Gate Theatre, Kaduna. It was organised to mark the 15th day of the lunar month of Sha’baan, 1435 A.H. I covered the event and published my report in my column on August 14 and 21 2014.  […]

He delivered a lecture on Imam Mahdi at a well attended event on 15th June, 2014, at the Gamji Gate Theatre, Kaduna. It was organised to mark the 15th day of the lunar month of Sha’baan, 1435 A.H. I covered the event and published my report in my column on August 14 and 21 2014.  One Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa wrote a rejoinder on the lecture, which was published in Daily Trust newspaper on August 22, 2014. We are told that diversity of opinion among scholars is a sign of advancement of the Ummah. It is also an opportunity to learn for those of us who read what scholars write.
Sheikh Hamzah Muhammad Lawal said in this second part of his rejoinder to Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa ‘By the way, another verse in the Holy Qur’an that shares some similarity with this one is in the Chapter The Moon where Allah the Glorious and Exalted says : “Surely those who ward off ( evil ) shall be in gardens and rivers. In the seat of truth (Maq’adi Sidq ) with a Most Powerful King.” (The Moon, 54:54-5). Hajia Bilkisu

By Sheikh Hamza Muhammad Lawal

I have not heard him pronouncing his name, since I have never met him. However from the way he spells his name, and the way he was called during those BBC Hausa interviews I think one can safely make deductions. Someone who misspells and mispronounces his own name is not the type of person one can engage with for any meaningful or useful intellectual, academic or theological discussion.
The second proof of the ignorance displayed by ‘Qaddam Sidq’ is that he does not even know how to write the references cited in his writings. Note how he wrote Silsilatul-Al-ahadeeth-As-saheeha by Al-Albany instead of Silsilatul-ahaadeethis Saheehah or Silsilat-Al-ahaadeeth-Al-saheehah or Silsilat-Al-ahaadeeth-As-saheehah as the case may be.
The third proof of ‘Qaddam Sidq’’s ignorance is his rather outrageous claim that there is no explicit mention of Al-Mahdi in the Holy Qur’an. Maybe by ‘explicit’ he means that he has not seen the nickname. Then he goes on to make the equally preposterous claim that most of the hadith on Al-Mahdi are not authentic. Read him : ‘It is important to note that, though (the) holy Qur’an does not explicitly refer to Al-Mahdi, and despite the fact that most of the Hadith narrations about him are not authentic according to the relevant scientific criteria in the Science of Hadith, i.e. Mustalahul Hadith, there are yet a few authentic  Hadiths of the Prophet Mohammad, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, his pious progeny and noble companions, in which he prophesied that Al-Mahdi will indeed emerge towards the end of time.’
Well, ‘Qaddam Sidq’ is by no means a commentator of the Holy Qur’an. Furthermore, he is not even a student of the Holy Qur’an. That is why, even though Al-Mahdi and Mahdism have been talked about in the Holy Qur’an, he does not see them because they are not explicit. One is also astonished as to what yardstick he has used in concluding that ‘most’ of the narrations on Al-Mahdi are not authentic, and only ‘a few’ are.
It is imperative to correct this grave error by citing some verses from the Holy Qur’an that scholars and commentators, cite based on authentic narrations, that have been revealed on Al-Mahdi and Mahdism :  The first is  “They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah refuses but to perfect His light though the faithless are averse. It is He Who has sent His apostle with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make it prevail over the whole of religion, though the polytheists are averse.” (The Repentance, 9:32-3 ).
Anybody is free to check renowned commentaries and commentators like Ad-Durrul Manthoor, At-Tafseerul Kabeer, Tafseerut Tabary and Tafseerul Qurtuby to see very clearly that this verse refers to Al-Mahdi. For instance, Qurtuby says: “And Siddy has said: ‘That will be at the time of the emergence of Al-Mahdi…’” (Tafseerul Qurtuby, vol.8, pp 121).
The second is “Were you to see if they are stricken with fear” (and left) without an escape, and are seized from a close quarter.” (Saba, 34:51).
Tabary has narrated in his commentary from Hudhayfah bn Yamany that this verse refers to the army that will be sunk at the end of time – which has not yet occurred, even though it has been recorded in Hadith collections – and that this will be one of the sighs and preconditions for the Hour (Day of Judgement), that will invariably be happening at the time of the emergence of Al-Mahdi. Please also refer to Aqdud Durar of Al-Maqdasy ash-Shafi’iy; Al-Haawy Lil Fataawaa of As-Suyuuty and Al-Kashshaaf of Al-Zamakhshary.
The third is “And indeed he (Jesus) is a portent of the Hour; so do not doubt it, and follow me. That is the straight path.” (The Embellishment, 43: 61). Al-Bagwy asserts in his commentary that the verse refers to the descent of Jesus peace be upon him. That is also the opinion of Al-Zamakhshary, Ar-Raazy, Al-Qurtuby, An-Nisfy,Al-Khaazin, Taajudeen al-Hanafy, Abu Hayyaan,  Ibni Katheer,  Abus Sa’uud, and Al-Haythamy. There are many others also of the same opinion. On the other hand, Al-Kanjy ash-Shaafi’iy has mentioned in his book titled Al-Bayaan Fee Akhbaary Saahibiz Zamaan quoting Muqaatil ibn Suleiman and his followers among the commemtators that the one who is a portent of the Hour is Al-Mahdi. Some of the scholars with the same opinion include Ibn Hajar al-Haythamy, Ash-Shablanji ash-Shaafi’iy, As-Safaareeny al-Hambali and Al-Qandoozy al-Hanafy.
There is obviously no contradiction here, as Jesus (AS) and Al-Mahdi ( AS ) will both be around at the same time, as indicated in the commentary of Al-Tha’laby from Ibn Abbas, Abi Hurayrah, Qatadah, Maalik ibn Deenaar and Dhahhaak that Al-Mahdi will be present at the time of the descent of Jesus, and that he will pray behind Al-Mahdi.  There are also other verses like: “Certainly, We wrote in the Psalms, after the Reminder, that indeed the earth shall be inherited by My righteous servants. There is indeed in this a proclamation for a devout people.” (The Prophets, 21: 105).
Before the publication of this rejoinder, I had promised to share with readers what Sheikh Usman Danfodio said about the appearance of Imam Al Mahdi in his book Tambihul Ummati which my study group teacher gave me to read.