The Descent of the Messiah — Page 30
THE DESCENT OF THE MESSIAH O ignorant ones! Since this Hadith is present in the books of both the Sunni and Shiite sects and God has demonstrated its authenticity by bringing about the events it describes, it becomes more authentic than any other Hadith. Not only has it been safe- guarded by the two sects, but God Himself has attested to its truth by fulfilling its contents. Furthermore, earlier scriptures, too, have described the lunar and solar eclipses as signs of the Promised Messiah. This Hadith is also found in Ad-Dāraquțnī and Ikmālud-Din and no one has contested its authenticity. As to why the lunar and solar eclipses have been specified as signs for the Promised Mahdi, this is to indicate the fact that his denial on earth is the cause of Divine wrath. Hence, the appear- ance of the plague that followed. However, as a reminder and warning, Allah the Almighty also desired to display a compa- rable sign in heaven. For this purpose, He chose both the solar and lunar eclipses because the sun's dominion is over the day while the moon's is over the night, and thus the Promised Imam is shown to have dominion over both kingdoms. To put it another way, this Promised One has come to rule over both Islam, which is comparable to the day, and other religions, which are comparable to the night. Therefore, at a time when there are hindrances and veils with regard to the kingdom of the day as well as the kingdom of the night, God, in His wisdom, desired to demonstrate a sign of warning through the lunar and solar eclipses, as well as to show that just as the eclipses are over after a short time and the luminous bodies regain their dominion, the same will occur in my case. Both the Sunnis and the Shiites had been waiting for the solar and lunar eclipses for thirteen hun- dred years, but when they did occur, they rejected them. What else could it mean to be Jew-like in spirit, if not this? Furthermore, observe that both the Quran and Hadith have foretold that camels will become redundant during the time of 30