Lesson 6 Sects Splinters and Rise of the Mahdi

Understanding Islam: For Such A Time As This
Sects, Splinters, and Rise of the Mahdi 1
A Special Topic Course
Presented by:
www.IslamicStateOfAmerica.com
Understanding Islam:
For Such A Time As This
Lesson 6: Sects, Splinters, and Rise of the Mahdi

Sects, Splinters, and Rise of the Mahdi
Review: The Spread of Islam
The First “Rightly Guided” Caliphs
Abu Bakr – 632 -634 AD
Umar - 634 – 644 AD (died of sickness ??)
Uthman - 644 – 656 AD (murdered in his palace)
Ali bin Au Taleb - 656 – 661 AD (assassinated)
- Shi’a follow the descendants of Ali
Ali at the Battle of Badr, 624 AD
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3
Review: The Fruit of Jihad
• 661 – 1095 AD
– Internal strife subsided and
Islam gained larger focus:
Conquest
– Cyprus 647 AD
– Tunisia, northern Afghanistan
(Kabul) 670
– Rhodes 672
– Constantinople 677
– Dome of the Rock built in
Jerusalem 691
– North Africa 700, Spain 711
– Turkestan 715, Morocco 722
– Damascus, Syria was capital

Global Distribution of Muslims
4

Sunni Islam
• Base their religion on the Qur’an (the word of Allah) and the Sunnah
(the way of the prophet, Muhammad)
– Considered by many to be “orthodox Islam”
• After the assassination of 4th Caliph, they followed the “customs of
the prophet,” not the blood line of Muhammad (e.g., Ali)
– Sunni state that the Prophet chose his friend Abu Bakr to lead prayers
as he lay on his death bed. Abu Bakr was 1st Caliph, father of Aisha.
• Based on four schools of Islamic jurisprudence
– Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’I, Hanbali
– Not different sects of Sunni Islam… four unique schools of Sunni law.
5

Sunni Islam
• Sunnah… “The way of the Prophet” or “Traditions”
– Sunni = largest ‘denomination’ within Islam
• Agreed to elect Muhammad’s successors = Caliph (Kalifa)
• 87% of all Muslims aligned with Sunni sect
Shari’a law
systematized by
Sunnis in 819 AD
Shari’a = “The
way to the
watering hole”
Religious duty
= ibadat
Ethics
= m’Amalat
Jurisprudence
= fiqh
6

Sufi Islam
• Arose in response to perceived
legalism within Islam. Consider
themselves to be the pure
representation of Islam.
• Trace lineage through 4th
Caliph, Ali. Opposed by
Wahhabist and Salafist
adherents.
• Strong emphasis on mysticism.
Seek personal experience with
Allah through meditation.
• Emphasis on self-denial and
ascetism.
Whirling dervishes. Sufi dancers
meditate in a trance-like state during
the dance. The sufi practice ihsan, the
perfection of worship.
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Sects, Splinters, and Rise of the Mahdi 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxPwz8FqxYI
Video: Sufi Soul: The Mystic Music Of Islam

Ibadi Islam
• Distinct sect from Sunni, Sufi and Shi’a
– Dominant in Oman, Zanzibar. Also Algeria, Tunisia, East Africa
• Founded 60 years after death of Muhammad
– Arose out of Kharijite movement. Opposed the 3rd caliph, then 4th caliph
• Key beliefs
– Whoever enters hell will remain there forever. This is contrary to the
Sunni belief that Muslims who enter hellfire will live there for a fixed
amount of time to purify them of their sins, after which they will enter
Heaven.
– It is unnecessary to have one leader for the entire Muslim world, and if
no single leader is fit for the job then Muslim communities can rule
themselves. This is different from both the Sunni belief of Caliphate and
the Shi'ite belief of Imamah. The leader need not be descended from
Muhammad or his tribe.
9

Nation Of Islam (NOI)
• Only exists within the United States.
Founded in 1930, based on the teachings
of Noble Drew
• Tenet that African Americans were actually
of Arabic heritage and should be referred to
as Moors. Islam should be the correct faith
of all Africans in the United States.
• Initially led by Elijah Muhammad, who
established temples and a university. Later
led by Malcolm X.
• Louis Farrakhan reorganized NOI in 1977
based on founder’s model. Anti-Semitic
focus. No whites allowed to join.
NOI breaks with traditional
Sunni and Shi’a Muslims on
some prayer, Ramadan, and
messiah issues. NOI believes
that Wallace Fard, their
founder, was Allah
10
Louis Farrakhan

Shi’a: The Great Split Begins
• Ali bin au Taleb, 4th Caliph, was Muhammad’s
son-in-law (married Fatima) and cousin.
– Succeeded the dreaded Uthman, 3rd Caliph.
Muslims in Medina pressed for his leadership.
– Some hadith report that Muhammad once took
Ali’s hand and said that anyone who followed
Muhammad should follow Ali.
• Aisha, Muhammad’s last wife, raised forces
against Ali. Defeated by Ali in 656 AD.
• Rival leader Muawiyah, governor of
Damascus, angry that Ali did not bring his
cousin Uthman’s killers to justice Investiture of Ali as Caliph
11

Driving a Wedge Into Islam
• Muawiyah held Egypt; marched on Iraq and
Ali’s forces in 657 AD at the Battle of Sifin
– Bribed Caliph Ali’s forces to turn against him.
Ali forced to make peace. Umayyad Caliphate
was subsequently established
• Kharijites later formed their own sect to
oppose all contenders for leadership of
caliphate
• Caliph Ali killed by Kharijites using a poison
coated sword while praying in the mosque at
Kufa, Iraq, capital of caliphate, Jan 27th 661.
• Ali requested he be buried in secret. Most
believe he is entombed in Iraq (An Najaf).
Battle of Sifin, 657 AD
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The Rise of Yazid and Death of Ali
• Kharijites later defeated in series of
uprisings. 500,000 descendants survive
today in Yemen, Oman, Zanzibar
• Muawiyah succeeded Ali as Caliph, moved
capital from Kufa to Damascus. Created
monarchy. Died 680, succeeded by son
Yazid.
• Followers of Caliph Ali stayed in Kufa.
Hussein, youngest son of Ali and Fatima
invited to become their leader. Left Medina
with family.
• Yazid sent forces to stop him. Battle at
Karbala, Iraq killed Hussein. Said to have
fought heroically, sacrificing his life for
survival of Shi’a
13

The Last Straw: Battle of Karbala
• Hussein refused to pay homage to
Yazid and the monarchy established by
his father in Damascus.
• Yazid’s forces of 6,000 men surrounded
Hussein’s caravan of family, 32
horsemen, and 40 infantry.
• Cut them off from water only 2 days
travel from Kufa. Hussein asked that
Yazid spare them a day so that they
could pray all night.
• The following day the Hussein forces
fought an overwhelming army.
• Voice from the sky reported to have said
“we are satisfied with your deeds and
your sacrifice.”
• Yazid beheaded Hussein and his men,
sending heads to all tribes of the region.
• Hadith report that Angel Jibreel
brought Muhammad a handful of soil
from the location where his
grandson Hussein would be slain.
• Muhammad’s wife Salamah said to
have seen grieving Muhammad in a
dream, who stated “I have just been
present at the slaying of al-Husayn.”
14

The Shi’a Identity
• Battle of Karbala one of most significant events in Shi’a history
– Basis for strong theme of martyrdom in Shi’a Islam
• Battle of Karbala is
celebrated annually
on the Day of
Ashura
• Millions of pilgrims
visit Imam Hussein
mosque and shrine
in Karbala, Iraq,
participating in
symbolic acts of
self-flagellation.
15

Other Muslim Views of Shi’a
• Shi’a give preference those hadith and sunnah credited to
Muhammad and close associates. All other writings require scrutiny.
• Sunni consider all hadith and sunnah, narrated by as many as
12,000 of Muhammad’s companions, to be valid.
• Hierarchy of Shi’a clergy exists, funded by religious taxes.
• No clergy hierarchy in Sunni Islam. Imams funded by the state or
through zakat gifts.
• Sufi provide bridge between Sunni and Shi’a theologies
• Some orthodox Sunni reject Shi’a concept of a messiah (Mahdi)
because no mention of it exists in Qur’an or sunnah.
• Wahhabi movement within Sunni Islam sees the Shi’a veneration of
Imams and shrines to battles as heretical
• Radical Sunnis disparage Shi’a as Rafidi (rejecter) and apostate
16

The Shi’a Mahdi
• Caliph Ali was followed by a series of Imams (spiritual guides) in
whom Shi’a Muslims placed their trust
• 7th Imam was Muhammad ibn Ismail => Ismaili Muslims
• 12th Imam (born 868 AD) was Muhammad Al’ Mahdi
– Hidden by Allah at age 5, is still alive but in an “occultation” awaiting
the time that Allah has decreed for him to return
– He will be a young man of medium build… he will not come in an odd
year… will announce himself in Mecca near the Kaaba. He will call
people to pay allegiance to him
– The Hidden Imam will return as the Mahdi with a company of “chosen
ones.” His enemies will be led by the one-eyed Dajjal (Anti-Christ),
fighting in an apocalyptic battle where the Mahdi prevails over evil near
Mecca.
• Note: Many Sunnis say that Shi’a Mahdi = Sunni Dajjal (antichrist)
17

Two Sides of the Tale
• Mahdi reported to have stated (by letter through his four agents):
– “The Shi’a believe that Imam al-Mahdi will reappear when the world has
fallen into chaos and civil war emerges between the human race for no
reason. At this time, it is believed, half of the true believers will ride from
Yemen carrying white flags to Mecca while the other half will ride from
Karbala, in Iraq, carrying black flags to Mecca. At this time, Imam al-Mahdi
will come wielding Ali’s Sword, Zulfiqar, the Double-Bladed Sword.”
• Momen, Moojan, An Introduction to Shi'i Islam, pp. 161–66
– The Eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari, was kept more or less a prisoner by
the Abbasids in the camp at Samarra, about 100 kilometers north of
Baghdad, and died there in 874 A.D at the age of twenty-eight. It appears
that none of the Shi’a notables knew of the existence of the son of
eleventh Imam. The only possible occasion the son of eleventh Imam is
said to made a public appearance was at the time of his death, then as a
child and the boy was seen no more.
18

Signs of the Mahdi’s Return
• Mahdi is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He will bear the name Muhammad. His
face shines like the moon. Long nose, beard, high forehead, rings around eyes, fair skin. He
will have a black mark on his cheek. A lunar and solar eclipse will occur during Ramadan. A
star with a luminous tail will rise from the East before him.
• Before his coming will be the red death (sword) and the white death (plague). One third
of the world will die from the red death, then a third from the white death.
• Death and fear will afflict the people of Baghdad and Iraq. A fire will appear in the sky and a
redness will cover them. His coming will be accompanied by the appearance of the one-eyed
Dajjal (the false messiah) in the East. Mahdi will conquer on a white horse, judging by the
Qur’an, “and with whom will be men with marks of prostration on their foreheads.” (see
Al Mahdi and the End of Time, Muhammad ibn Izzat and Muhammad Arif)
• He will sign four agreements with the Romans, conquer the world, and reestablish the
Caliphate. He will rule for seven years before the arrival of Isa (Jesus). Isa will return to
establish Islamic rule. Alongside Isa, the Mahdi will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice
and tyranny.
• http://www.al-islam.org/articles/signs-reappearance-twelfth-imam-ajtf
• http://www.inter-islam.org/faith/mahdi1.htm
19

The Sunni Mahdi
• Sunni do not believe that Mahdi has yet been born or revealed
• Many Sunnis (excepting the ultra-orthodox) view the Mahdi as the
successor of Muhammad. The Mahdi is expected to arrive to rule
the world and to reestablish righteousness. Mahdi = “guided one.”
– Qur’an 43:61 “And Isa shall be a sign for the coming of the Hour of
Judgment: therefore have no doubt about the Hour, but follow ye Me:
this is a Straight Way.”
– Sahih al-Bukhari, 3:43:656 “Allah's Apostle said, ‘The Hour will not be
established until the son of Maryam descends amongst you as a just
ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax.
Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it.’”
– Sahih Muslim, 41:7023. Isa (Jesus) will return to aid the Mahdi against
Masih ad-Dajjal, the false messiah, and his followers. Isa will descend at
the point of a white arcade, east of Damascus (Syria), dressed in yellow
robes with his head anointed. Isa will slay Dajjal and unite humanity.
20

Sunni Summary of the Mahdi Reign
• The Caliphate will be reestablished during a terrible period of worldwide injustice and evil. The
whole Muslim world will unite and the Caliphate will reemerge overnight.
• Chaos will arise during the Hajj season and the Mahdi will be forced to reveal himself in Medina.
Three princes will march on Mecca to take the treasures from the Kaaba but the Mahdi will turn
them back.
• An army will then rise in Syria to destroy the Mahdi, marching on Mecca, but the Syrians will all be
swallowed up in the ground before they arrive.
• Eastern Muslims will arise under a Black Flag of war in Khorasan (Afghanistan) and march to
Mecca to support the Mahdi. Established as the Caliph, he will distribute loads of wealth so that
money is no longer needed. He will reign over a period of great abundance. Many Europeans will
convert to Islam, and later, the Muslims will defeat Rome.
• A third army will arise, and a major battle will break out on the plains of Megiddo (Armageddon)
where a third of the Muslims defect and are never forgiven, one third are slaughtered, and a third
survive to win, defeating the third army and Rome. The Mahdi will reign over an abundant and
green Arabian peninsula and even those averse to Islam will convert.
• The Dajjal (false messiah) will arise and spread tribulation for three years, drying up crops and
laying waste to the global abundance. Jesus will return, descending on the wings of two angels
and kill the Dajjal, establishing a new kingdom to bring justice, and Islam to the whole world.
Shortly after Jesus returns, the Mahdi will die and be mourned by many.
• http://www.discoveringislam.org/sunni_mahdi.htm
21

ISIS End Times Prophecy
22
• ISIS believes that
there will be only
12 legitimate
caliphs, and that
Abu Bakr al
Baghdadi is 8th.
• The armies of
Rome will mass to
meet the armies of
Islam at Dabiq.
• Islam’s final
showdown with an
anti-Messiah will
occur in Jerusalem
after a period of
renewed Islamic
conquest.
Dabiq
Russian and Syrian forces are
battling rebels for control of
Aleppo, close to Dabiq. Tens of
thousands of refugees are
flowing into Turkey and Europe.

23
http://www1.cbn.com/content/exclusive-iranian-video-says-mahdi-near
Video: Exclusive: Iranian Video Says Mahdi is 'Near'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czQRTgTZhJ4
Video: Glenn Beck and Joel Rosenberg discuss Iran and the 12th Imam

The Father of It All…
• “The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.
He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him…He (The
Dragon) pursued the woman who had given birth to the male
child… The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle,
so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the
desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times
and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. Then the dragon
was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against
the rest of her offspring--those who obey God's
commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
– Revelation 12:1-6,9,13,14,17
24

Does Revelation Predict the Mahdi?
• Revelation 6:1-2 (The White Horse of the Mahdi?)
– “I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I
heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder,
“Come!” I looked and there before me was a white horse! Its rider
held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a
conqueror bent on conquest.”
– Three interpretations for this rider:
• Jesus (per Rev 19:11), the Antichrist, or a Spirit of conquest per God’s
judgment
• Revelation 6:3-5 (The Red Death [sword] before the Mahdi arrives?)
– “When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living
creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one.
Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make
people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.”
25

• Revelation 13:16 (Marks of prostration of Mahdi’s followers?)
– “He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and
slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no
one could buy or sell unless he had the mark.”
Sujood = prostration in the act of prayer
26

• Daniel 9:27 (Seven Years of the Mahdi Reign?)
– “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of
the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the
temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until
the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
• Revelation 11:2 (Desecration and destruction during Dajjal’s rule?)
– “They will trample on the Holy city for 42 months.”
• Revelation 17 (Mecca is surrounded by [built on] seven hills)
– 17:3 “I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with
blasphemous names, and had seven heads and ten horns.”
– 17:9 “The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.”
– 17:18 “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of
the earth.”
• Is Mecca the “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and the
Abominations of the Earth” described in John’s Revelation?
27

28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDq8SypJEpM
Video: 7 Signs of Army of Imam Al-Mahdi

In the Next Lesson
• Lesson 7
– Saudi Arabia and Iran – The
Divided House of Islam
– The Islamic “superpowers,” oil,
nuclear weapons, allies,
treaties, proxy wars, and
subterfuge
– Progenitors of proxy wars
around the Middle East
– The world’s two leading
sources of terror funding
• Pray!
29

Lesson 6 Sects Splinters and Rise of the Mahdi

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