Muslims, Christians, and Jews
Are Awaiting the Same Mahdi Who Will Never Shed Blood
In recent days, the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the following remarks while commenting on the attacks against Iran:
"Our real enemy is the Twelfth Imam.
We sanction Iran because they believe that the 12th Imam Mahdi must return. This war is not a war of politics, but a war of the end times.”
It should be noted that the remarks made here by the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, constitute a significant error. In this regard, the client Adnan Oktar wishes to draw attention to important matters and to correct a serious misunderstanding. The client’s views are respectfully submitted for your consideration below:
The Concept of the 12th Imam Is Being Misunderstood by Some Christians and Jews
The coming of the 12th Imam in the Shiite belief signifies the appearance of the Mahdi in the End Times. In Shiite belief, it is held that the 12th Imam is in occultation, that is, concealed by God. According to this belief, the 12th Imam will emerge in the End Times and will re-establish justice.
While bringing up the issue of the 12th Imam, the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, appears to assume that the 12th Imam awaited by Shiites represents something negative for them; accordingly, he characterized the 12th Imam in Shiite belief—namely the Mahdi who is expected to emerge—as an “enemy,” and based the conflict with Iran on this premise.
The 12 Imams depicted together with Hz. Ali, Hz. Hassan and Hz. Husain. Shiites—based on what is considered an erroneous interpretation—believe that the 12th Imam, namely the Mahdi, is in concealment and that he will emerge from the place where he has been hidden in the End Times.
HOWEVER, THE MAHDI AWAITED BY MUSLIMS IS THE SAME PERSON AS THE PARACLETE AWAITED BY CHRISTIANS AND THE MOSHIACH AWAITED BY JEWS. For Muslims, the MAHDI—who will appear in the End Times and RESTORE PEACE, JUSTICE, AND TRANQUILITY to a world engulfed in turmoil, disasters, and hardships—is the same individual who is endowed with the same mission in Christianity and Judaism. Accordingly, the person identified by Shiites as the 12th Imam, namely the MAHDI, IS NOT AN ENEMY WITH WHOM RUBIO OR THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE AT WAR; RATHER, HE IS THE VERY SAVIOR WHOM THEY ARE AWAITING.
The Paraclete Awaited by Christians is the Mahdi
In the Gospel, it is foretold that a savior will be sent to the earth in the End Times. The name of this savior is given as PARACLETE in the Gospel. The literal meaning of Paraclete is Helper, Spirit of Truth, Comforter. Jesus Messiah foretold in the Gospel that a savior, namely the PARACLETE, would COME in His name. The savior whom Jesus Messiah told the good news of, who will be sent to the earth in the End Times, is the MAHDI, who has also been foretold in other religions.
The passages of the Gospel that herald the Paraclete are as follows:
If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask God, and HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER “PARACLETE” TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER. (John, 14:15-16)
But the PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM GOD WILL SEND IN MY NAME, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John, 14:26)
WHEN THE PARACLETE COMES … HE WILL TESTIFY ABOUT ME. And you also must testify about me... (John 15:26-27)
But I tell you the truth: IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD THAT I AM GOING AWAY. UNLESS I GO AWAY, THE PARACLETE WILL NOT COME TO YOU; BUT IF I GO, I WILL SEND HIM TO YOU. (John, 16:7)
WHEN PARACLETE COMES, HE WILL PROVE THE WORLD TO BE IN THE WRONG ABOUT SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGMENT. About sin, because people do not believe in me. About righteousness, because I am going to God, where you can see me no longer and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL THE TRUTH. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John, 16:8-13)
According to Christianity, the savior who will appear in the End Times, namely the Mahdi, will NOT BE AN ADVOCATE OF WAR, unlike the actions of some current Christians; ON THE CONTRARY, HE WILL BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”… THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN, FOR THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY. (Revelation, 21:4)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven… for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart… BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew, 5:1-11)
The Moshiach Awaited by Jews is the Mahdi
Belief in the coming of the Moshiach, referred to by Muslims as the Mahdi, is one of the fundamental tenets of Judaism. Rabbi Maimonides (Ibn Maimun), regarded since the 12th century as one of the greatest Torah scholars of the Jewish tradition, defined the twelfth of the 13 principles of faith of Judaism as “BELIEF IN THE COMING OF THE MOSCHIAH.” According to these principles, the beliefs of Jews regarding the Moshiach are expressed in the following words and are repeated by Jews who await the Moshiach: “I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Moshiach, even though he may delay. Despite this, I await him every day that he will come.”
The coming of the Moshiach is the greatest expectation for rabbis. In one of the campaigns regarding the arrival of the Moshiach carried out by Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Chief Rabbi of the Lubavitch community, it states: “The prophecy of King Moshiach. The time of your salvation has come.”
In the Torah and various Jewish sources, THE MAHDI WHO WILL APPEAR IN THE END TIMES IS DESCRIBED IN A MANNER FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE HADITHS. The Mahdi, referred to as the Moshiach, will COME AS A SAVIOR WHO WILL HEAL ALL HEARTS during a period in which the world is engulfed by disasters, famine, irreligion, deceit, degeneration, injustice, unhappiness, and lovelessness. All descriptions of the Moshiach in the Torah and Judaic sources are entirely consistent with the descriptions of the Mahdi in the hadiths.
THE COMING OF THE MOSHIACH WILL MARK A PERIOD OF SALVATION, JUSTICE, ABUNDANCE, LOVE, AND PEACE FOR HUMANITY. NO ONE WILL BE HARMED, NO ONE WILL SUFFER. Accordingly, the coming of the Moshiach is regarded as GLAD TIDINGS for all Jews. This is also GLAD TIDINGS for Muslims, who await the same savior, namely the MAHDI.
Some of the events that will occur with the coming of the Moshiach are described in the Torah and Judaic sources as follows:
He [your king, Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will PROCLAIM PEACE TO THE NATIONS. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River [Euphrates] to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah, 9:10)
I WILL TAKE AWAY THE CHARIOTS … AND THE WARHORSES … AND THE BATTLE BOW WILL BE BROKEN. He [your king, Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will PROCLAIM PEACE TO THE NATIONS… (Zechariah, 9:10)
In the days of the Messiah... BATTLES AND WARS WILL CEASE... THEY WILL NOT LIFT A NATION AGAINST NATION. (Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Sanhedrin 10:1)
… In the last days… He will settle disputes for many peoples… NATION WILL NOT TAKE UP SWORD AGAINST NATION, NOR WILL THEY TRAIN FOR WAR ANYMORE. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah, 4:1-3)
I WILL TAKE AWAY THE CHARIOTS from Ephraim and THE WAR-HORSES from Jerusalem, and the BATTLE BOW WILL BE BROKEN… (Zechariah 9:10)
And at that time, THERE WILL BE NO HUNGER OR WAR, NO JEALOUSY OR RIVALRY… (Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Laws of Kings, 12:5)
… BOW AND SWORD AND BATTLE I WILL ABOLISH FROM THE LAND, so that ALL MAY LIE DOWN IN SAFETY. (Hosea, 2:18)
... will GRANT PEACE IN THE LAND, and YOU WILL LIE DOWN AND NO ONE WILL MAKE YOU AFRAID… and the SWORD WILL NOT PASS THROUGH YOUR COUNTRY. (Leviticus, 26:5-6)
... “BURN THEM [THE WEAPONS] UP—THE SMALL AND LARGE SHIELDS, THE BOWS AND ARROWS, THE WAR CLUBS AND SPEARS... THEY WILL USE THEM FOR FUEL”... declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel, 39:9-10)
... They will BEAT THEIR SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES AND THEIR SPEARS INTO PRUNING HOOKS... (Isaiah, 2:4; Micah, 4:3)
THEY WILL NEITHER HARM NOR DESTROY... (Isaiah 11:9)
RIGHTEOUSNESS will be his [Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh)] belt, and FAITHFULNESS the sash around his waist. (Isaiah, 11:5)
A SCEPTER OF JUSTICE will be the scepter of your [Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh)] kingdom.... (Psalms, 45:6-7)
... One from the house of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)]... WHO IN JUDGING SEEKS JUSTICE... (Isaiah, 16:5)
... WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS HE [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] WILL JUDGE THE NEEDY. (Isaiah, 11:4)
See, your king [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] comes to you, RIGHTEOUS AND VICTORIOUS, LOWLY... (Zechariah, 9:9)
Muslims, Christians, and Jews are all Awaiting the Same Mahdi
In the passages from the Torah and the Gospel, some of which have been cited above, the characteristics of Hazrat Mahdi and the peaceful environment he will establish are described, all of which point to the End Times in which we are living.
All of these descriptions were also made by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), 1,400 years ago.
The hadiths describe all the characteristics of the End Times we are currently living in, and strategic as well as individual events are unfolding exactly as described in these hadiths. The fact that many of the events mentioned in the hadiths HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED indicates that THE ARRIVAL OF MAHDI IS VERY NEAR.
The Mahdi described in the hadiths is THE SAME as the savior mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel who will appear in the End Times. According to the Hadiths, the Mahdi will eliminate all hardship, hatred, and anger, and during his era NO BLOOD WILL EVER BE SHED. Some of the relevant hadiths are as follows:
People will seek refuge in Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) as honey bees cluster around their sovereign. HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (PBUH)] WILL FILL THE WORLD THAT WAS ONCE FULL OF CRUELTY, WITH JUSTICE. His justice will be as such that HE WILL NOT WAKE A SLEEPING PERSON OR EVEN SHED ONE DROP OF BLOOD. THE EARTH WILL RETURN TO THE AGE OF HAPPINESS. (Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi 'Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p.29 and 48)
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will follow the way of the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace). HE WILL NOT WAKE UP A SLEEPING PERSON OR SHED BLOOD. (Al-Barzanji, Portents of Doomsday, p. 163)
NO ONE WILL BE WOKEN UP FROM THEIR SLEEP, OR HAVE A BLEEDING NOSE. (Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi 'Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 44)
Those who swear allegiance to him [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will swear allegiance between the Corner and the Maqam [near the Kaaba]. THEY WILL NOT WAKEN THE SLEEPER, AND THEY WILL NEVER SHED BLOOD. (Al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi 'Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 24)
This (Amr) (Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)) WILL FILL EARTH WITH JUSTICE, just as people previously filled it with cruelty. (Sunan Ibn-Majah, , 10/348)
THE WORLD filled with oppression and tyranny WILL OVERFLOW WITH JUSTICE after he (Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)) comes. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, p. 20.)
THERE WILL BE SUCH AN ABUNDANCE OF JUSTICE in the Hazrat Mahdi’s (pbuh) time that just as ALL THE GOODS TAKEN AWAY BY FORCE WILL BE RETURNED TO THEIR OWNERS. (Al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, p. 23)
EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH PEACE JUST LIKE WATER FILLS THE POT. NO HOSTILITY WILL REMAIN AND ALL HOSTILITIES, QUARRELS, ENVY WILL ABSOLUTELY VANISH. (Sahih Muslim, 1/136)
When Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears, HE WILL ROOT OUT ALL THE CAUSES OF ENMITY AND DISPUTE IN PEOPLE’S HEARTS. The result will be general security and public order. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 52, p. 336)
THE PEOPLE OF WAR WILL ABANDON THEIR BURDENS, THEIR ARMS AND THEIR TOOLS in the time of the Mahdi (as). (Sunan Ibn Majah, 10/334)
ENMITY AND GRUDGE AMONG PEOPLE WILL DISAPPEAR. Scorpions and snakes will be without poison; even a child will play with a snake with bare hands without getting a snakebite. A girl will try to drive a lion but that lion will not touch her. A wolf will remain among sheep as if it were a shepherd dog. (Ibn Majah reported a similar one from Umama; Great Hadith Collection, al-Rudani, Vol. 5, p. 370-371-372)
As can be understood from the hadiths, the Gospel, the Torah, and Judaic sources, Mahdi will appear NOT TO SHED BLOOD, BUT TO PREVENT BLOODSHED. Mahdi will completely end wars, and A SPIRIT OF UNPRECEDENTED LOVE AND PROSPERITY, encompassing the entire world, will prevail on earth.
According to the relevant hadiths, the Shia belief in the return of the 12th Imam actually does NOT align with the descriptions of the expected Mahdi. In Shia belief, it is held that the 12th Imam is in concealment and will appear when the time comes. This way of thinking not only challenges reason, but it also DOES NOT CORRESPOND with the hadiths, which describe the Mahdi in detail, including his entire lineage, manner of birth, and physical characteristics.
HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH THE INTERPRETATION DIFFERS, IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE EXPECTATION OF SHIA MUSLIMS IS ALSO FOR THE SAVIOR MAHDI. In this respect, they share the same expectation as the Christians and Jews who are awaiting the Mahdi.
It should also be noted that, according to the hadiths, Mahdi will strive greatly in the End Times to instill faith in people’s hearts and establish love, but he will constantly face difficulties. His recognition as the Mahdi by people will come only after enduring these great challenges.
Jesus Messiah is Currently on Earth
In the End Times, the struggle to establish peace and love will be carried out through the COMBINED EFFORTS OF MAHDI AND JESUS MESSIAH. According to Islamic belief, Jesus Messiah, who was not crucified or killed but was raised up to the Sight of God, WILL BE SENT BACK TO EARTH IN THE END TIMES.
In the Qur’an, it is stated that Jesus Messiah was raised up to the Sight of God as follows:
And [on account of] their saying: "We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, messenger of God." THEY DID NOT KILL HIM AND THEY DID NOT CRUCIFY HIM, BUT IT WAS MADE TO SEEM SO TO THEM. Those who argue about him are in doubt about it. They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture. BUT THEY CERTAINLY DID NOT KILL HIM.
GOD RAISED HIM UP TO HIMSELF. God is Almighty, All-Wise. (Surat an-Nisa’, 157-158)
Immediately after these verses, God states to Jesus Messiah that before his death there will REMAIN NO ONE among the People of the Book—namely the Jews and the Christians—WHO WILL NOT BELIEVE.
And THERE IS NO ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK WHO WILL NOT BELIEVE IN HIM BEFORE HE DIES; and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them. (Surat An-Nisa', 159)
Considering that 2,000 years ago, during the period when Jesus Messiah came as a prophet, only a very small number of Jews believed in him and only a small community accepted Christianity, the period BEFORE HE DIES, WHEN ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK WILL BELIEVE IN JESUS MESSIAH, WILL BE THE PERIOD WHEN HE RETURNS. Moreover, since the Qur’an has already declared that Jesus Messiah WAS NOT KILLED, the expression “before he dies” points to the actual death that will occur after his second appearance.
Another proof of the second coming of Jesus Messiah is verse 55 of Surah Al 'Imran. In this verse, God states that those who follow Jesus will be made superior to those who fall into disbelief until the Day of Resurre,ction:
When God said, "JESUS, I WILL TAKE YOU BACK AND RAISE YOU UP TO ME AND PURIFY YOU OF THOSE WHO ARE UNBELIEVERS. AND I WILL PLACE THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW YOU ABOVE THOSE WHO ARE DISBELIEVERS UNTIL THE DAY OF RESURRECTION. Then you will all return to Me, and I will judge between you regarding the things about which you differed. (Surah Al 'Imran, 55)
As is known, during the period when Jesus Messiah first came, there were only a very small number of people who followed him. Therefore, the purification of Jesus Messiah from the unbelievers and the placing of those who follow him above those who fall into disbelief until the Day of Resurrection will ONLY AND ONLY BE POSSIBLE WITH THE RETURN OF JESUS MESSIAH TO THE EARTH. It is at that time that, in the true sense, THERE WILL REMAIN NO ONE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE IN HIM.
Another highly significant piece of evidence from the Qur’an on this matter is that JESUS MESSIAH will be A SIGN OF THE HOUR FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT:
HE IS A SIGN OF THE HOUR. Have no doubt about it. But follow Me. This is a straight path. (Surat az-Zukhruf, 61)
With this verse, God states that Jesus Messiah is directly a sign of the Hour (the Day of Judgment). The meaning indicated by the verse is that JESUS MESSIAH WILL RETURN TO THE EARTH IN THE END TIMES, AND THAT THIS WILL BE A SIGN OF THE DAY OF RESURRECTION.
Jesus Messiah is also a Prophet of Muslims
In the Qur’an, God teaches Muslims that they should not differentiate between any of the prophets:
Say, “We have faith in God and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Ibrahim and Isma‘il and Ishaq and Ya‘qub and the Tribes, and what Musa and ‘Isa were given, and what all the Prophets were given by their Lord. WE DO NOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ANY OF THEM. We are Muslims submitted to Him.” (Surat al-Baqara, 136)
Every prophet sent by God has been sent to all of humanity. Accordingly, each one is ALSO A PROPHET OF THE MUSLIMS.
For this reason, AS MUSLIMS, WE LOVE JESUS MESSIAH DEEPLY AND AWAIT HIS COMING IN THE END TIMES WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT. In fact, we believe that HE IS CURRENTLY ON EARTH AND AMONG A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. We have faith that HIS COMING WILL BRING GREAT BEAUTY TO THE EARTH. We believe that Jesus Messiah will bring peace and tranquility to the whole world together with Hazrat Mahdi, and that they will act in unison. WE WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO BE INFORMED OF THIS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT GOOD NEWS, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Therefore, for Muslims who truly understand the Qur’an, the return of Jesus Messiah is great good news. The perspective of a true Muslim must always align with the Qur’an, and every Muslim should eagerly await the arrival of Jesus Messiah. While true Islam is PLANNING FOR PEACE AND ALLIANCES FOR A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE, seeing Muslims and their expectations as "enemies" is the greatest mistake one can make during this period.
Conclusion
In summary, Muslims, Christians, and Jews are all awaiting the same savior. This savior is called the Mahdi by Muslims, Paraclete by Christians, and Moshiach by Jews. The difference in names does not change anything; all point to the SAME BLESSED PERSON.
All three religions describe this coming savior as one who will establish peace and justice, bring people tranquility, abundance, and happiness, and end the turmoil on Earth, establishing harmony. With his arrival, wars on Earth will cease, and people of different faiths will live together in peace.
Therefore, in all three religions, the appearance of the Mahdi will be THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE AND SALVATION.
The evidence for this in all three religions, as explained above, IS VERY CLEAR.
In this context, starting a world war for the arrival of the Mahdi, or responding with violence to try to halt anyone’s expectation of him, is an enormous lapse of reason. Shedding blood on Earth while awaiting the Mahdi, who is meant to bring peace, is COMPLETELY CONTRARY BOTH TO THE PURPOSE OF THE MAHDI’S COMING AND TO THE MISSION OF AWAITING HIM.
This is why U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio’s comment about waging war against the 12th Imam is a serious error.
Dear Mr. Trump,
Your views regarding the opinions of our client, Adnan Oktar, as outlined above, are of great importance to us. We will be awaiting your response on these matters with attention and interest.
We respectfully submit our client’s opinions for your consideration.
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