Clarity Concerning the Mahdawiyya Sect and a Description of Imaam Mahdi.

Q: Imaan-32: Listed below are a few of the beliefs of the Mahdawiyyah sect. Judging by these beliefs, can it be said whether they are on the truth or not and whether they belong to the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah or not?

1. The promised Hadhrat Mahdi has come and already left the world

2. The hands should not be raised when making du'aa

3. Six Rakaahs salaah should be performed for Fajr

4. Two Rakaahs salaah must be performed before every salaah

5. Two Rakaahs salaah are to be performed behind the Imaam at half-past- two on the night of the 26th of, Ramadhaan. On that night no Isha salaah is performed

6. There is no Jumu'ah Khutbah

7. There is no Eid salaah

Answer 1: The belief of the Mahdawiyyah sect that Imaam Mahdi was born in Jonpur on the 14th of Jumaadal Ula 847 A.H. and has since died is wrong and defies authentic Ahadeeth of Rasulullaah SAW. The Mahdi that the Ahadeeth speak about will appear just before Qiyaamah when Dajjaal will have arrived and he will lead the Muslims in a massive battle against the Christians. He will belong to the progeny of Hadhrat Hasan RADI. And during his reign as Khalifah, the earth will be filled with peace and justice. There shall be a solar and lunar eclipse during Ramadhaan of the year that he will make his appearance and he will meet Hadhrat Isa Alayhissalaam. as well. Details of Imaam Mahdi are recounted in the books of Ahadeeth and Allaama Abu Muhammad Abdul Haqq Haqqaani RAH. has mentioned some details about him in the light of these Ahadeeth in his famous book Aqaa'idul Islaam. This will be quoted later, Inshaa Allaah.

In fact, he makes mention of the Mahdawiyya sect and says, "In a like manner Sayyid Muhammad Jonpuri also claimed to be Mahdi during the reign of Akbar. Some of his followers are still to be found in Dakkan. He is not the true Mahdi because none of the descriptions of Mahdi can be found in Muhammad Jonpuri. Neither was Dajjaal there during his time, nor did he fight the Christians, nor was Deen spread, nor did a solar and lunar eclipse take place during the month, not did the people of Makkah pledge allegiance to him. Much to the contrary, the Ulema of Makkah issued a Fatwa that his followers be executed and made it Waajib for Muslim rulers to do so." (Aqaa'idul Islaam Pgs, 181 ,182)

This group not only regards Muhammad Jonpuri to be the Mahdi but they also believe that he is better than all the Ambiyaa Alayhissalaam.. and the four Khulafaa RADI. They say that his status is exactly on par with that of Rasulullaah SAW. They also that Hadhrat Ibraheem Alayhissalaam.Hadhrat Moosa Alayhissalaam. Hadhrat Nooh Alayhissalaam. and other Ambiyaa Alayhissalaam. did not have perfect Imaan and add that who ever does not accept Muhammad Jonpuri as the Mahdi is a Kaafir.

They also have many other corrupted beliefs that Allaama Abu Rajaa Muhammad has detailed in his book "Hadiyyatul Mahdawiyyah", where he quotes from their books. At the beginning of his book, he briefly compares the beliefs of the Mahdawiyyah to that of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, making it abundantly clear that their beliefs are opposing. We will presently quote the extract from Hadiyyatul Mahdawiyyah:

Fatawa Rahimiyyah Vol.1

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