The underlying theme behind the glad tidings of the emergence of the Mahdi is revenge against the Zālimūn (oppressors) who were responsible for the martyrdom of al-Imām al-Hussayn (‘alayhir-Ridwān), and usurping the rule or Wilāya over the Muslims which should have been with the Ahl-al-Bayt. Apart from certain Pan-Arab nationalists, the Muslim Umma appreciates the fact that for the vast majority of its history it has been under the rule of oppressors and tyrants since the Umayyad dynasty, the Abbasids, the Ottoman Turks and now the various modern, highly militarised states. Although Yazīd Palīd is long dead, and the actual killers acting under his authority were brought to justice by the sword of Ibrahīm b. Mālik al-Ashtar (rahimahullāh), the legacy of that horrendous crime continues to taint us. This is because the rule of those associated with the injustice that characterised that crime has continued until this day. The uprising of al-Imām al-Hussayn b. ‘Ali (‘alayhumas-Salām) was with the intention of establishing a just and pious Wilāya upon the Muslim Umma. The subsequent uprisings from the illustrious personalities of Ahl-al-Bayt such as al-Imām Zayd b. ‘Ali b. al-Hussayn, and al-Imām Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiya (ridwān Allāh ‘alayhim ajma’īn), though ultimately unable to culminate in the successful establishment of that vision of a just rule, nevertheless illustrate the vitality of this movement against the Zālimūn. The promised Mahdi represents the sealing of the attainment of the objectives of this movement. The Salaf of this Umma were in a state of apocalyptic expectation and interpreted the events of their lifetimes in light of the Prophetic Ahādīth. It is a fact that the Mahdi spoken of as a pious Imām who will distribute wealth freely among the Muslims without account has not yet appeared, though the time is ripe. The present conditions, especially as they have unravelled in the Arab world, ought to be deeply reflected upon and conceptualised in a way so as to relate them to the advent of the expected Mahdi. We know that he is to appear in Makka, and that he will be recognised and given the Bay’a under the shade of the Ka’ba. At present, our sacred Shrines and the holy cities of Makka and Madīnat al-Munawwara are under the custody of al-Sa’ūd so-called ‘royal’ family. After the collapse of the Ottomans during the First World War, it is safe to say that the Saudis have occupied a geopolitical position of leadership and strength in the Muslim world. So it is they who have the most to lose and constitute the greatest reaction to a coming Mahdi as things stand now. Will the Army that marches against the Mahdi with the intention of assaulting Makka a Saudi force or a Syrian one? The designated successor of the present Saudi king Salman, his son Muhammad, is undoubtedly an aggressive and ambitious personality. Likewise, the bloodthirsty ruler of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, may as well be the Sufyāni described in the Hadīth reported in the Mustadrak of al-Hākim as emerging from the depths of Damascus. At present, it is not difficult to imagine either of these two forces as being the primary antagonists who will come up to oppose al-Mahdi (‘alayhir-Ridwān). But the Mahdi will ultimately succeed and rule for several years. And perhaps Constantinople, or Istanbul, will be reconquered through his agency. The regime in Turkey is fiercely nationalist and highly militarised, aside from being a member state of NATO. It is unlikely that such a state will submit itself to a charismatic religious figure from the Ahl-al-Bayt appearing in Makka; therefore not hard to imagine the circumstances under which a battle for Constantinople will occur. Another Hadīth suggests that the city will be conquered, but not militarily, rather through the power of Dhikr and glorification of Allāh’s Name, in other words, a spiritual conquest at the hands of Edomite converts (pious Muslims of Anatolia and Syria). Although weak, a Hadīth in Sunan Ibn Māja suggests a role for the Mahdi in the conquest of Constantinople and likewise Daylam in modern Iran. Whether the Mahdi will rule over the entire Umma or only the Arabs is uncertain. What is certain is that he will be a great military hero and warrior type messiah who will rejuvenate the spirit of Islām, and be guided in all his actions by the Sunna as our Prophet ﷺ was guided by the Wahi.
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