The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 72
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI another section. The appearance of Messiah in East was also predicted. (Math. 24:27). Since the turn of the century, many Christian denominations and their preachers have been expecting the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ and will keep on doing so till they are consumed with despair or understand the fulfillment of prophecy in the person of. Hadhrat Ahmad -- the Promised Messiah. . Before we discuss the various signs given in Islamic books. for the appearance of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, a few of the sayings (Hadith) of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, peace be on him, are given below which foretold the coming of such a person. 1. "What will be your condition when Son of Mary will appear among you and he will be your Imam from among yourselves. " (Bukhari, Kitabul Anbiya). This saying and the metaphorical use of the name 'Jesus, son of Mary' for the Promised Messiah has been discussed. This saying makes it clear that the promised one will be a person from among. Muslims. 2. "And I swear by the Lord Who holds my life in His hands that Son Of Mary shall surely appear among you as just arbitrator and shall break the cross, kill the swine and abolish poll tax, (Jizyah)" (Bukhari, Kitab Badul Khalq, Bab Nazool-a-Isa Bin. Maryam). In this saying (Hadith) the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, laid great emphasis on certain appearance of the Promised Messiah. . Breaking of the cross by the Promised Messiah means demolishing the myth of Jesus' death on the cross and thus remove a great historical misunderstanding which is the basis of church Christianity. . Killing of swine means killing of swinish qualities and establish righteousness. As there will be no religious wars and it will be a time of peace, Jizyah, which is a tax to grant freedom to non-Muslims in conquered territories, will be abolished. . Zaman) 3. "There is no Mahdi except Isa. " (Ibn Maja, Bab Shiddatuz. 72