[Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint that was published online on June 11, 2003; and The Final Call will continue to publish articles written by our beloved brother and friend, Minister Jabril Muhammad.]
Earlier today (Monday, May 19) I read in the Arab News, (which has on its mast head: The Middle East’s leading English language daily) in the question and answer section, the following question:
“Could you please explain the prophecy which speaks of the advent of the Mahdi and when will that take place? What are the signs associated with his arrival?”
Before giving part of the response of the editor, the question reminds me (somewhat) of the question posed to Jesus by his followers. They asked: “Tell us what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?”
Part of the answer given in Arab News was: “The Prophet alerted us to a number of future events, such as the warning against the Dajjal, or the Impostor, and the second coming of the Prophet Jesus Christ. One of these future events is the advent of the Mahdi, whom we know from his title to be rightly guided. He appears before the second coming of Jesus and when Jesus comes, he hands over the leadership of the believers to him. He is an ordinary human being to whom God grants guidance. Hence his title.
“When exactly are these events to take place is something God has chosen not to reveal to us.”
The rest of the editor’s inadequate answer and his opinion about the exact time was not given. However, the editor did not respond to the matter of the signs associated with the Mahdi’s arrival raised by the questioner.
The fact is that Prophet Muhammad spoke of the Mahdi’s coming to his followers. He said that the Mahdi would fill the earth with equity and justice. That alone shows the Mahdi to be far beyond the wisdom and power of an ordinary human being.
The expectation of the coming of the Messiah by the Jews, and the belief in the return of Jesus by the Christians, is directly connected to the expectation of the Mahdi by Muslims.
Jews reject the Christian claim that Jesus was the Messiah. Christians say he was here and is returning to finish his work. Muslims say that Jesus will return and join the Mahdi.
Suppose a call went out, inviting the leading Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars, or whoever, from throughout the earth, to gather in one place at one time in a conference to discuss whether or not the signs of these times tells humanity that the Mahdi and the Messiah are present.
Would they conclude that the signs their scriptures describe are today’s realities and are proofs that the Mahdi and the Messiah are present in the world? If they did, what then is their duty?
There are many who refuse to acknowledge the obvious fact that there must be One far superior to themselves, ultimately producing the events that are making the rapid changes occurring throughout the earth, just as there must have been an All Wise, All Powerful Being, who created, sustains and maintains the universe.
Naturally, such people will reject even the idea that such men, like the Mahdi and the Messiah, are now in the world doing what was written of them, until the facts overwhelms them.
False pride, arrogance and envy blinds.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has often reminded the religious leaders of the earth of their duty to step forth and effectively warn the politicians and the military leaders of the dangerous course they are on that leads to Armageddon, which will result in the end of this world.
Especially since his famous speech on February 22, 1981, when Minister Farrakhan announced to the world that his teacher, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was not dead, he has made many speeches in which he has brought out, in a most scholarly manner, but in terms anyone can understand, the reality and the relationship between: the Mahdi; the Messiah; the Christ; the end of the world; the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth; Armageddon; the roots of prophecies and history, and much more.
He has laid out massive amounts of materials that, although some criticize and dispute, none has overcome with truth.
Along the way, Minister Farrakhan announced the more than a vision experience he had in 1985, which, among other things, gave ample proof that his teacher is alive. Then there was his call for the Million Man March in America’s capital.
There have been many meetings, open and private, that he has had with very intelligent men and women in America, and throughout the earth, who came to see him as one whose presence and works were written of in the scriptures. Some knew this before they met him. Others came to this conclusion later.
You don’t necessarily read and hear all of the things that these wise men and women have said and are saying about him. Many see his relationship to the Mahdi and the Messiah. Just as his teacher told him, Minister Farrakhan is rising to the place where his teacher stated he would rise. And this is really for everyone’s benefit.
Like it or not, the presence of the Mahdi and the Messiah means that we’ve all entered a brand new paradigm. The usual and accepted way; the prevailing view of doing or thinking about everything; the generally accepted perspective reality is being thoroughly and completely changed.
Let’s return to more words from Minister Farrakhan on “As-Salaam-Alaikum.” [He continued his example from boxing.]
“But you got to practice. You’re shadow boxing. Jab, jab. This is practice. I’ve seen some look so good when they’re shadow boxing. But when they get in the ring, you don’t even know it’s the same person. He forgot the jab. Sometimes they get knocked out in the first round.
“You don’t see him in the gym for a while. And some people will say, the other boxer got lucky. He’ll be in the gym working harder next time, and he will go out and win.
“You got to practice. Every field requires practice.
“Then you must practice restraint. ‘No, I’m not going to do that today. I feel ugly about what I did yesterday, that was not right. So, I’ll get in front of the mirror and practice what I’m going to say to [another] when I see him. As-Salaam-Alaikum, Brother or Sister. How are you today? How is your family? May Allah Bless you and your family, Brother. I just want to talk to you a few minutes.
I have some things I want to share with you. Do you have a moment? Thank you so much for giving me some of your valuable and precious time.’” [Emphasis mine.]
Next issue, Allah willing, we’ll continue Minister Farrakhan’s words on the core of how to handle bad situations that we meet and/or produce every day, and turn it all into that which is good.
I thank those at The Final Call who corrected the mistake that was put in the ad concerning the book, “Is It Possible That The Honorable Elijah Muhammad Is Still Physically Alive???” Hopefully, if you wrote concerning the book, but your inquiries were returned to you, you will rewrite.
So more next issue, Allah willing.
