The Signs of Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Second Coming 3

Signs of Jesus’ (pbuh) Second Coming

The Signs from the Islamic Resources 10

114. The Close Approach of the Markets

... The Day of Judgment will not come until the markets draw close by. (Mecmauz-zevaid, vol. 7, p. 327)

Current opportunities for shopping are now incomparably more advanced than they were in the past. Even villages and small towns have supermarkets and shopping centers in which people can shop at will. In addition, improved methods of transportation allow them to shop in previously inaccessible places.

The Internet has opened up even more opportunities for shopping. While sitting at home, people can buy whatever they want from anyplace in the world. Looked at in these terms, it is as if the markets were actually in peoples' homes.

115. Speaking by Means of the Whip

The Last Hour will not come before the end of a man's whip speaks to him. (Tirmidhi)

In ancient times, the whip was widely used while riding saddle beasts, especially camels and horses. In this hadith, the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) is making a comparison. Thus, "what speaking object can we compare to the shape of a whip?" The most likely answer would be a cell phone or similar communication devices. Such wireless communication devices as cell phones and satellite phones are very recent developments, and are more indications that the Judgment Day is drawing near.

116. The Speaking of One's Own Voice

There will be no Judgment... until a person's own voice speaks to him. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 471)

The message here is quite clear: a person's hearing his own voice is a characteristic of the End Times. For this to become a reality, one's voice first has to be recorded. Such recording and reproduction technology was developed during the twentieth century. This turning point in the advancement of science enabled the birth of the communications and media industries. Voice recording has now reached its apogee via the latest developments in computer and laser technology.

In short, such electronic devices as microphones and speakers have made it possible to record and listen to a person's voice, and thus have fulfilled the above hadith.

117. A Hand from the Firmament

The sign of that day: A hand will be extended from the sky, and people will look and see it. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Aalamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 53)

The sign of that day is a hand extended in the sky and people stopping to look at it. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 69)

In these hadiths, the Arabic word for "hand" is yad. This word also has other meanings, such as "power, force, strength, and means." These hadiths probably use yad in these senses.

The idea of a "power, force, strength, or means" extending from the sky and looked upon by people might not have made much sense in the past. However, in our own time, it sheds considerable light on the television, camera, and computer, which have become indispensable parts of modern life. In other words, the "hand" is used in the sense of "force," thereby clearly pointing to television broadcasting in the form of pictures coming down from the sky in waves.

Some other relevant hadiths are very interesting:

A voice will call him by name … and even people in the east and west will hear it. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, pp. 54-55)

This voice will spread over the entire world, and every tribe will hear it in their own language. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 51)

A voice from the sky that everyone will hear in his own language. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 37)

Evidently, this refers to radio, television, and other such methods of modern communication. This miracle, unimaginable 1,400 years ago, only became a reality a little over 100 years ago.

When Bediuzzaman Said Nursi interpreted these hadiths, he explained that they miraculously foretold the advent of radio, television, and other such communication devices.60

118. Increased Productivity

People will reap 700 measures of wheat for every one they sow… People will throw down a few handfuls of seeds and reap 700 handfuls… Although much rain will fall, none will be wasted. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 43)

The Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) provided many other details of the technological advances that will accompany the End Times, such as the move toward modern agricultural techniques, the development of new production methods, seed improvement research, and increasing production as a result of the better use of rainwater by building new dams and artificial lakes.

Today, technology is advancing rapidly, and the quality and quantity of products are constantly increasing. This rapid development, particularly in genetics, is creating a revolution in agricultural and other types of technology.

119. The Greening of the Deserts

The Day of Judgment will not come until there are rivers and gardens in Arabia. (Ibn Ahmad Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 17, p. 22, no. 8819)

The Day of Judgment will not come until there are rivers and streams in Arabia. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 471)

Another technological development pointing to the abundance available during the End Times is the greening of the deserts. If we consider that 43 percent of the Earth's land surface is comprised of deserts, then we can easier understand the importance of agricultural technology. Production now can be carried out even on the driest soil, as water is brought to infertile deserts. If this advanced technology is implemented in all deserts, then many countries on the brink of starvation will acquire productive lands. This, of course, requires considerable technology.

To green the deserts, sufficient amounts of water and land must be obtained. One relevant technology now being developed is computer-controlled irrigation. This enables water to be sent directly to the plant's roots so that not a single drop is wasted. Given that purified water is a crucial element of desert agriculture, flood and sea water forms the basis of agricultural technology. In this way, vast water resources will be obtained, a development that also will be a major support of countries' economies. Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) also indicated the very productive use of water:

Both the Ummah's good and wicked members will be blessed with a blessing, the like of which they have never seen before. Despite the abundance of rain, not a drop will go to waste. The land will grow fruitful and fertile, without demanding a single seed... (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 23)

120. Increased Life Expectancy

At that time... life spans will grow longer. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 43)

Fourteen centuries have passed since the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said these words. Records clearly show that the average life expectancy is now the highest in history. There was already a great difference between the beginning and the end of the twentieth century. For example, a person born in 1995 can expect to live more than 35 years longer than a person born in 1900.61 Another striking example is that in the past, people rarely lived for a 100 years; today, many people reach that age.

According to the United Nations Department of National Population, over the past few years the world's population has continued on its remarkable transition from high birth and death rates to one of low birth and death rates. As a result, we have seen an increased number and proportion of older people. Such a rapid, large, and pervasive increase is unique to our own time.62

One cause for this increase in life expectancy has been the development of health services due to the advance of medical technology. In addition, developments in genetics and the rapidly advancing Human Genome Project are on the verge of ushering in a totally new era in the field of health. No one living in the past could have imagined such profound advances. Based on all of these developments, we can say that people living in our time have reached the long and healthy life described in the above hadith. And, this standard apparently will rise even higher in the near future.

121. The Appearance of False Messiahs

The Hour will not be established until about thirty Dajjals [liars] appear, and each one of them will claim that he is God's Apostle… (Sahih Bukhari)

Those who are unwilling to prepare the coming of this worthy Messenger may be hoping to encourage believers towards slackness by seeking to portray such preparations as unnecessary. One of their ruses will involve the appearance of false messiahs. From time to time, those who were not of sound mind or who had various personal agendas have claimed to be Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Some groups have sought to use such people's ignorance for their own ends, such as by saying, in effect, "Declarations that Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come have led to the emergence of false messiahs." Such statements are designed to slow down or even end these necessary preparations. However, God will allow nobody to delay this sacred time, which He has promised. In fact, the appearance of false messiahs is a portent, the glad tidings, of the coming of Prophet Jesus (pbuh).

The appearance of 60 liars, each of whom claims that God, the One God, has sent them as a prophet. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi 'Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 36)

The above hadiths remind us of developments in our own day. By taking advantage of the hopes of Muslims and Christians, various deceivers have claimed prophethood and, at times, have caused great suffering.

Experts have noted that the number of so-called messiahs began to proliferate in the 1970s and continue to rise. According to these experts, there are two basic reasons for this increase: the collapse of communism and the possibilities afforded by Internet technology.63

The following excerpts will give us a better understanding of this phenomenon:

The tension that lasted for 51 days between the federal agents and the members of the sect ended in a tragedy. The fiery demise of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, that claimed the lives of David Koresh and at least 74 of his followers.64

... Last week at two sites in Switzerland and one in Canada, where 53 of Jouret's followers and their children died. Police in two countries are trying to find out whether the deaths were mass suicide, mass murder, or some bizarre combination of the two.65

Grim evidence of the worst cult slaughter… Up to 1,000 followers feared dead as more graves found in Uganda …66

It was an event that sent shock waves worldwide – the worst mass suicide in modern history. More than 900 people, members of a cult, were found clustered together in a South American forest. The dead were followers of Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples' Temple in San Francisco.67

The Qur'an also points to the advent of false prophets, as follows:

Who could do greater wrong than someone who invents lies against God or denies His Signs, or who says: "It has been revealed to me," when nothing has been revealed to him, or someone who says: "I will send down the same as God has sent down?" If you could only see the wrongdoers in the throes of death when the angels are stretching out their hands, saying: "Disgorge your own selves! Today you will be repaid with the punishment of humiliation for saying something other than the truth about God, and [for] being arrogant about His Signs." (Surat al-An`am, 6:93)

These people, who may have committed the sin described in the verse, will surely receive their recompense for their lies.

The days when the lies of all false prophets will be eradicated are close, for our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) announced that, after the liars have gone, Prophet Jesus (pbuh) would return.

True believers will recognize Prophet Jesus (pbuh) from the portents. Each of his deeds will be wise and inimitable, and these portents will set him apart from other people and make him immediately recognizable. No proof will be needed. The efforts of all false messiahs to prove themselves is the clearest indication of their falsity.

Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) actions will prove his identity. He will defeat all atheistic movements and other systems that attempt to spread the denial of God and immorality, use God's revelation to defeat with great ease the snares of the deniers, spread the religion's moral values among people, and negate the efforts of the ungodly. His miracles will prove that God's religion is the true way and that believers will inevitably prevail. In the Qur'an, our Lord gives these glad tidings to believers:

They desire to extinguish God's Light with their mouths, but God will perfect His Light, though the disbelievers hate it. It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, though the associators hate it. (Surat as-Saff, 61:8-9)

Portents of the Messiah’s Return in the Bible

The second coming of Prophet Jesus (pbuh), a fundamental Christian belief, is revealed in the Bible. Moreover, the Bible states that true Christian believers must prepare for it in the best possible manner. For example:

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight… "Men of Galilee," they [the angels] said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9,11)

While we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)

… This will happen when Jesus is revealed from heaven … He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)

… and he will appear a second time … to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him … (Revelation 1:7)

In addition to mentioning the portents of this event, Jesus (pbuh) is depicted as telling his disciples about these portents in the following terms:

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." (Matthew 24:3-5)

"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." (John 13:19)

The expectation of a savior Messiah is also a fundamental Jewish belief. This person will fill the world with justice, silence all wicked people, and follow behind all nations. He will be known as "Yahab" or "Shahab" (the "Bringer of New Order").

Some old Testament books, among them the Torah (the first five books), the Book of Psalms, and those that relate to the Israeli prophets, provide some information as well.

While examining what the Bible says about these portents, it becomes clear that the Messiah will come only after moral and social degeneration, great wars, terrible disasters, extraordinary events in the sky, the abandonment of religion's moral values, spreading injustice, the oppression of true believers, and the replacement of peace and security by chaos and anxiety.

In this chapter, we shall look at the Biblical portents of the Messiah's coming.

122. The Emergence of False Messiahs

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5)

At that time, if anyone says to you: "Look, here is the Christ!" or, "There he is!" do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear… (Matthew 24:23-24)

… and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (Matthew 24:11)

He [Jesus] replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. (Luke 21:8)

123. Some People Lose Hope in Messiah's Coming

First of all, you must understand that in the Last Days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will ask: "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:3-4)

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:44)

124. A Rise in the Number of Earthquakes

As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another… (Luke 21:6)

… But see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:6-8)

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from Heaven. (Luke 21:11)

125. Famine

… There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:7-8)

There will be great… famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from Heaven. (Luke 21:11)

126. Major Wars Break Out

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… (Matthew 24:6-7)

When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (Luke 21:9-10)

127. Love Is Diminished, and Anger and Hatred Increase

At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other… Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:10, 12)

People will be ...without love, unforgiving, slanderous; without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good; treacherous, rash, conceited; lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

128. People Move away from the Religion's Moral Values

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

The Spirit clearly says that in the latter times some will abandon the faith… (1 Timothy 4:1)

People will be … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

129. Disasters Inflict Terrible Suffering

Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world… (Luke 21:26)

… all nations of Earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

130. The Spread of Epidemics

There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from Heaven. (Luke 21:11)

131. People Who Exploit the Religion for Their Personal Interests

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

... having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:5)

132. The Appearance of Portents in the Sun and Moon

There will be signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars. On Earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26)

Immediately after the distress of those days, the Sun will be darkened, and the Moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (Matthew 24:29)

… For the day of the Lord is near… The Sun and Moon will be darkened, and the stars [will] no longer shine… (Joel 3:14-15)

The stars of Heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising Sun will be darkened, and the Moon will not give its light. (Isaiah 13:10)

133. Extraordinary Events Take Place in the Sky

There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from Heaven. (Luke 21:11)

At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of Earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

… The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and Earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:10)

134. Moral Degeneration

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy; without love, unforgiving, slanderous; without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good; treacherous, rash, conceited; lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

… In the latter times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

135. The Oppression of True Believers

… You will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name… You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death… By standing firm you will gain life. (Luke 21:12, 16, 19)

136. The Emergence of Corruption That True Believers Should Avoid

So when you see standing in the holy place "the abomination that causes desolation," spoken of through Prophet Daniel, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains… For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again. (Matthew 24:15-16, 21)

Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. (Luke 21:21)

On that day, no one who is on the roof of his house with his goods inside should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. (Luke 17:31)

137. Events That Inflict Pain and Suffering

At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of Earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)

How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. (Luke 21:23)

… Those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equaled again. (Mark 13:19)

… The great Day of the Lord is near – near and coming quickly… That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness … (Zephaniah 1:14-15)

138. The Coming of the Dajjal

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

The Time of Prophet Jesus’ (pbuh) Second Coming

Earlier, we examined the signs of Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming and saw that they appeared one after another, just as the hadiths and the Bible said they would. Their consecutive appearance led us to conclude that we are now living in the period when all people will witness God's good news. Apart from these signs, the explanations of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) and great Islamic scholars provide us with certain dates.

As we will see in the following pages the fifteenth Islamic century is an extraordinary period when, by God's Will, great events will occur, such as the Mahdi's appearance, Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming, the appearance of the Dajjal and his defeat by Prophet Jesus (pbuh), and people entering God's religion in droves.

In the following pages we will explain the related information one by one.

1. God sends a “Mujaddid” (Renovator of the Religion) Every Century

The Arabic word mujaddid means someone who "revives and renovates the religion." In his hadiths, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) states that at the beginning of every century, God sends a blessed person from his lineage to explain the facts of the religion according to the necessities of the time.

God will raise for this community at the end of every hundred years the one who will renovate its religion for it. (Sunan Abu Dawud)

On this issue, the great Islamic scholar Imam Rabbani states the following:

At the head of each century, God sends a mujaddid among the ulama of this community who revives the Shariah. (Imam Rabbani)

About the same subject, Bediuzzaman said:

"In every century, God sends a mujaddid." (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Risale-i Nur Collection, Barla Letters, 119)

Bediuzzaman states that the mujaddid of the twelfth century was Mevlana Halid. (Barla Letters, 120)

In the fourteenth Islamic century, the Risale-i Nur (Bediuzzaman's collected works) served this purpose, as follows:

"Exactly after a century, the cures of the Risale-i Nur appear all around and serve to the very same purpose… With the meaning fortified by the clear expression of the hadith, it is our conviction that, in terms of reviving the religion, the Risale-i Nur is in the position of a mujaddid." (Barla Letters, 121)

Bediuzzaman gives the good news that the mujaddid of the fifteenth century will be the Mahdi:

"Now most of the situations among the Muslims that are opposed to the light of the Qur'an are the grave outcomes of those evil intents and the cruel covenants such as the Treaty of Sèvres. If the letter "mim" bearing the gemination mark is counted as one, like the letter "lam" bearing the gemination mark, it would be 1284 [Hijri]. The European unbelievers who aimed to extinguish the light of the State of Islam at that time provoked the Russians ten years later and curtained the bright light of the Islamic world with a temporary cloud by means of the Russia's gloomy War of 93 [1877-1878 The Ottoman-Russian War]. However, since these oppressions of cloud were dissolved by the disciples of Mevlana Halid-i Bagdadi and not by the disciples of Risale-i Nur, from this point of view this verse symbolically points to them. It now occurs to mind that if each of the letters "mim" and "lam" bearing the gemination mark are counted as two, the people who will dissolve the oppressions a century later may be the disciples of the Mahdi." (Bediuzzaman, Risale-i Nur Collection, First Ray, p. 85)

As this explanation reveals, Bediuzzaman states that the cruelty found within the Islamic world can be removed only "one century later" by the Mahdi. He explained that during the fifteenth Islamic century, the works of the Mahdi will save people from great trouble and make them attain deliverance.

2. The Mahdi and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come in 2000s

Imam Rabbani states that the Mahdi will come 1,000 years after our Prophet's (may God bless him and grant him peace) death, within 2000s:

"It is expected that, after 1,000 years, this secret administration will be renovated. It will be granted with superiority... This way, genuine virtue will emerge and cover the degradation… And it is expected that the Mahdi, the supporter, will come. May God be pleased with him." (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 569)

The confirmation of the religious law, the renovation of people takes place in this second thousand. The just witnesses of the truthfulness of this cause are the existence of Prophet Jesus [pbuh] and Mahdi in this period (the second thousand years). (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 611)

Those among the nation of Allah's Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) are highly perfected in faith. It does not matter whether they are few in number, even a thousand years passes after the death of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace). Their being perfected in faith serves to the following end: strenghtening the Islamic law in its true sense.

The coming of the Mahdi after 1,000 years serves this purpose. Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), the last Messenger, gave the glad tidings of his coming. Prophet Jesus (pbuh), on the other hand, will come down after 1,000 years. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 440)

A little more than 1,000 years pass over the passing of God's Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace) from this life, a time comes and the true Islam rises from its own ranks and unites with the truth of the Ka`bah. Then, on behalf of the true Islam, the name of truth of Ahmad emerges… From the two names comes a name into effect; and the place of true Islam is left unoccupied until the coming of Prophet Jesus [pbuh]. Ultimately, Prophet Jesus [pbuh] comes and performs his religious duties in conformity with the religious laws of Islam. Then, true Christianity rises from its own ranks and rules in the realms of true Islam. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 1, p. 470)

A thousand years after the death of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), people will enter the second millennium. According to Imam Rabbani, quoted above, the Mahdi and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come during that time.

Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti wrote that:

The life of this community will exceed 1,000 years, yet be limited to 1,500 years. (Muhammad ibn `Abd ar-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha`ah li Ashrat as-Sa`ah, p. 299)

Thus, as-Suyuti draws attention to Hijri 1000-1500, during which some glad tidings (e.g., the Mahdi's appearance, Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming, and the prevalence of Islam's morality) will come true. We are now in the fifteenth Islamic century. Thus Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) return is very near. (God knows best)

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi also confirms this glad tiding and calls attention to the events that will take place until Hijri 1506:

"The first statement, with reference to 1500, indicates the last times of those who struggle for religion in the End Times; the second statement, with reference to 1506 calls attention to the date of the victorious struggle. (…) until this date (1506), it hints that it will, evidently and clearly, continue in a victorious manner." (Sikke-i Tasdik-i Gayb, p. 46)

3. Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) Indicated That the Mahdi Will Come during the Fifteenth Islamic Century

In one of his hadiths, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) draws attention to the significance of a new century's beginning, as follows:

Since the world came into existence, at the beginning of every century an important event occurred. At the beginning of one century, the Dajjal will emerge and Jesus [pbuh], the son of Mary will ascend and kill him. (Ibn Abi Hatem)

As the above hadith states, Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will appear at the beginning of the century. This aside, giving the date 1400, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) made the date of this event clear. One of these hadiths is as follows:

People will gather around the Mahdi in 1400. (Risalat al-Khuruj al-Mahdi, p. 108)

In another hadith, the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said:

Count two or three decades after the decades of Hijri 1400. At that time, the Mahdi emerges… (Asmal Masalik Lieyyam Mahdiyy Maliki Li Kull-id Dunya Biemrillah-il Malik, Qalda bin Zayd, p. 216)

As seen earlier, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) has provided a lot information about the signs of the End Times, especially aboutwhat will happen before the Mahdi and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) come. The related hadiths transmitted from Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Hudhayfa, Ibn Ahmad Hanbal, and Muslim Abu Zayd ibn Amr ibn Ahtab al-Ansari are as follows:

"The Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace)… informed us about the events that will happen from then on, and he taught them to us and made us memorize them."(Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

On this subject, Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman said the following:

Hudhayfa reported: The Messenger of God took a stand among us in which he did not omit anything that will occur in that place of his up to the occurrence of the Hour without narrating it. Whose got it to memory remembered it, and whose did not remember it forgot it. These companions of mine learnt it, and there will occur something there from which I forgot. When it was shown to me I remembered it just as a man remembers the face of a man when he remains absent from him, and when afterwards he sees him, he remembers him. (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol.4, p.3)

Given that these eventstake place one after another and that they are currently continuing to occur means that we are living in the End Times. (God knows best.) Indeed, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) reconfirms this by giving us the year Hijri 1400 as the date of the Mahdi's advent. This being the case, Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming is, by God's Will, very close.

4. According to Bediuzzaman, the Mahdi Will Be on Duty during the Fifteenth Islamic Century

In his explanations, Bediuzzaman pointed to the beginning of the fifteenth Islamic century as the time of Mahdi's advent. In one of his explanations, Bediuzzaman relates that Mahdi will come 1,400 years after the Blessed Period.

"Why did the Companions of the Prophet with their vigilant hearts and keen sight, who had been taught all the details of the hereafter, suppose a fact that would occur one thousand four hundred years later to be close to their century, as though their ideas had deviated a thousand years from the truth?" (The Words, 'The Twenty-fourth Word: Third Branch)

As Bediuzzaman stated: "one thousand four hundred years later to be close to their century" is the beginning of the fifteenth century, that is, the years 1979-1980 (of the Gregorian calendar).

In his address to 10,000 people in a mosque in Damascus (Hijri 1327), Bediuzzaman explained the future of the Islamic world after Hijri 1371. In this address, he gave some dates about the End Times and called attention to the Mahdi's struggle. Bediuzzaman gives the following dates regarding Mahdi's taking up his task and defeating the disbelieving mentality ideologically:

The facts revealed in the address of Damascus that glance at the destiny of the Islamic world after the Hijri 1371… may be not now but 30-40 years later, in order to fully equip science and, knowledge acquired through arts, science and skills, the goodness of civilization and those three forces, and to overcome the nine obstacles, he sent inclination for investigating the truth, moderation and love for human beings to the fronts of those nine foes. By God's Will, he will demolish them after half a century. ("The Damascus Sermon," p. 25)

In this speech, Bediuzzaman draws attention to developments that will take place after Hijri 1371, and informs us that the Mahdi will launch his efforts 30-40 years after this date. This date is the period between Hijri 1401-11 (Gregorian calendar: 1980-90).

In the latter part of his speech, Bediuzzaman said that the Mahdi will silence the ideology of disbelief via the benefits of science and civilization. The date of this ideological superiority will be half a century later: Hijri 1421. (Gregorian calendar: 2001)

"Maybe not now (1371), but 30-40 years later…"

By God's Will, he will demolish them after half a century.

1371 + 50 = 1421 (Gregorian calendar: 2001)

Bediuzzaman calls attention to Hijri 1400 as the beginning of Mahdi's ideological struggle against disbelieving philosophies. He further points out that between the years 1401-11 (1981-91), he will unite the benefits of science, skills, and the goodness of civilization to be used in his struggle, and disclosesHijri 1421 (Gregorian calendar: 2001) as the date when the Mahdi will ideologically destroy the disbelieving philosophies.

Another of his explanations related to the End Times is as follows:

"In [13]71, the Sun began to rise or will rise. Even if this is only the initial redness in the horizon, in 30-40 years the second enlightenment will appear." ("The Damascus Sermon," p. 23)

1371 + 30 = 1401 = 1981

1371 + 40 = 1411 = 1991

Bediuzzaman likens the rise of the Sun to the prevalence of Islam's moral values in the world. Just as the Sun rises again after it sets, he indicates that Islam's moral values also will rise and shine again. The expressions of "initial redness" and "second enlightenment" indicate the beginning years of this time.

Accordingly, he points to 1981-91 as the time when the Mahdi begins to disperse atheism and materialist philosophy, as well as the unjust ideologies that oppose the true religion. He also calls attention to 2001 as the year when these ideologies will be totally silenced and dispersed. (God knows best.)

In this period there are such prevalent movements so that may the expected person who is due to come after a century emerge… (Kastamonu Letters, p. 57)

In this statement, the phrase "the expected person who is due to come after a century" means that the Mahdi had not come yet in his time, that he had been awaited by Muslims, and that he is due to come after a century – in the fifteenth Islamic century.

In his Risale-i Nur Collection, Bediuzzaman provided related evidence regarding the Mahdi's period of struggle and his dominance:

"They desire to extinguish God's Light with their mouths. But God refuses to do other than perfect His Light, even though the unbelievers detest it." (Surat at-Tawba, 9:32)

Writing about "But God refuses to do other than perfect His Light," Bediuzzaman makes the following comment:

"It now occurs to [my] mind that if each of the letters "mim" and "lam" bearing the gemination mark are counted as two, the people who will dissolve the oppressions a century later may be the disciples of the Mahdi." (First Ray, p. 85)

The abjad (numeration of the verse by alphabetical Arabic letters) is Hijri 1424 and 2004 (Gregorian calandar). Bediuzzaman points to the prevalence of Islamic morality in the Mahdi's leadership.

In the verse "But those who disbelieve have tagut as protectors" (Surat al-Baqara, 2:257), Bediuzzaman calls attention to the numeration of tagut (the ideology opposing the true religion) by alphabetical Arabic letters. This is 1417 (1997 Gregorian calendar), the date when tagut will experience a collapse within itself.

5. Other Information Related to the End Times from the Qur’an

The Qur'an, in which God's commands have been preserved intact, is a matchless Book sent by God to guide humanity in all aspects of life. One of its greatest miracles is that since its revelation, Muslims of all ages have witnessed that it addresses all of their needs and solves all of their problems, regardless of time and place.

Some verses, especially those relating the biographies of the prophets, point to the End Times. Very important secrets might be found in these verses when one ponders upon them, especially since God encourages us to pay attention to them, as follows:

There is instruction in their stories for people of intelligence. This is not a narration that has been invented, but a confirmation of all that came before, a clarification of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for people who believe. (Surah Yusuf, 12:111)

Many verses of the Qur'an may have more than one meaning. They contain signs informing us of events that took place in our Prophet's (may God bless him and grant him peace) time, and indicate events that will take place in the End Times. The struggle carried out by the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) and his Companions, as well as their just practices and lives, also provide invaluable recommendations. Each verse abounds with multiple meanings for those who read with attention, for they contain all of the information that the people need.

In one verse, God draws attention to this feature: "We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear and as guidance and mercy and good news for the Muslims" (Surat an-Nahl, 16:89). In many other verses, God recommends that we ponder over the examples related in the Qur'an and learn from them, as follows:

We have given throughout this Qur'an all kinds of examples for people, but most people spurn anything but unbelief. (Surat al-Isra', 17:89)

We have given all kinds of examples to people in this Qur'an, so that hopefully they will pay heed. (Surat az-Zumar, 39:27)

The prevalence of Islamic morality is one of the most important signs of the End Times.

In the previous sections, we dwelled upon the evidence from the Qur'an related to Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming. Apart from this obvious evidence, many Qur'anic verses point to the End Times, the Mahdi, and the prevalence of the Qur'an's morality. For example:

God has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land, as He made those before them successors; and will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased; and give them, in place of their fear, security. "They worship Me, not associating anything with Me." Any who disbelieve after that, such people are deviators. (Surat an-Nur, 24:55)

Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) also reveals that some Qur'anic verses point to the End Times:

The Mahdi, just as Dhu'l-Qarnayn and Solomon, will rule the world. (Ibn Hajar Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Aalamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 29)

This hadith advises us to examine the stories of Dhu'l-Qarnayn and Prophet Solomon (pbuh) in relation to the Mahdi.

In the hadiths below, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) relates that the stories of the Companions of the Cave and Saul hold very important signs for the End Times. That our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) related his hadiths about the End Times and the Mahdi, especially by relating them to the stories of the Qur'an, is a strong evidence for this subject. Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said:

"The Companions of the Cave will be the Mahdi's helpers." (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 59)

"The number of the Mahdi's helpers will be as many as the number of those who crossed the river with Saul." (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 57)

When examined from this perspective, we find many verses indicating a period when Islam's morality will pervade worldwide. (For further information on this subject, please refer to Harun Yahya, The End Times and the Mahdi, Khatoons, 2003) Apart from the signs related in the verses, there are also signs related to their dates.

These dates are determined by various calculation methods, the foremost of which is the numeration of verses by alphabetical Arabic letters (abjad). This method is very ancient and predates the Qur'anic revelation. Since ancient times, all events have been recorded in letters with numerical values. These dates are the sum of each letter employed while recording that event.

Some Islamic scholars of the past estimated the date of many future events through this method. Today, when looking at some Qur'anic verses, we see that the meaning conveyed match with certain dates. When we see that those events actually occurred on the calculated dates, we understand that the verses in question may conceal a hidden meaning about that event. (God knows best.)

In the next pages, we will provide abjad of the related part of some verses. When we look at their meanings, we will recognize that they hold significant signs relating to certain dates.

There is not one of the People of the Book who will not believe in him before he dies; and on the Day of Rising, he will be a witness against them. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:159)

"There is not one of the People of the Book who will not believe in him before he dies"

Hijri: 1439 Gregorian: 2017

The above verse relates that before Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) death, all of the People of the Book will believe in him. At the beginning of the book, we discussed that this event will take place in the End Times, when Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will return to Earth. The abjad value of the particular part of the verse above gives the date 2017. It is possible that this numerical value gives the date of Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) return or the time when he will be present on Earth. (God knows best.) Similarly, the abjad values below probably give the dates when Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will be on Earth.

He [Jesus] is a Sign of the Hour. Have no doubt about it. But follow me. This is a straight path. (Surat az-Zukhruf, 43:61)

"He [Prophet Jesus (pbuh)] is a Sign of the Hour. Have no doubt about it."

Hijri: 1440 Gregorian: 2018

"Or are you astonished that a reminder should come to you from your Lord by way of a man among you, to warn you and make you guard against evil so that hopefully you will gain mercy?" (Surat al-A`raf, 7:63)

"a man among you, to warn you"

Hijri: 1433 Gregorian: 2011

These abjad-derived dates indicate almost the same period. As we have related throghout this book, these dates belong to the period in which all of these End Time signs proclaimed by our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) occurred one after another. Considering the facts revealed in these verses, we may well think that our Lord heralds some signs related to the events that will happen in the Hereafter.

God calls to the Abode of Peace, and He guides whom He wills to a straight path. (Surah Yunus, 10:25)

"He guides whom He wills to a straight path"

Hijri: 1422 Gregorian: 2001

Their Prophet said to them: "God has appointed Saul to be your king." They said: "How can he have kingship over us when we have much more right to kingship than he does? He has not even got much wealth!" He said: "God has chosen him over you and favored him greatly in knowledge and physical strength. God gives kingship to anyone He wills. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing." (Surat al-Baqara, 2:247)

"God has appointed Saul to be your king"

Hijri: 1420 Gregorian: 1999

God showed great kindness to the believers when He sent a Messenger to them from among themselves to recite His Signs to them, and purify them, and teach them the Book and Wisdom, even though before that they were clearly misguided. (Surah Al `Imran, 3:164)

"before that they were clearly misguided"

Hijri: 1434 Gregorian: 2012

It is He Who raised up among the unlettered people a Messenger from them to recite His Signs to them, and purify them and teach them the Book and Wisdom, even though before that they were clearly misguided. (Surat al-Jumu`a, 62:2)

"even though before that they were clearly misguided."

Hijri: 1434 Gregorian: 2012

It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, though the idolaters hate it. (Surat as-Saff, 61:9)

"to exalt it over every other religion"

Hijri: 1410 Gregorian: 1989

God is the Light of the Heavens and Earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. God guides to His Light whoever He wills, and God makes metaphors for mankind, and God has knowledge of all things. (Surat an-Nur, 24:35)

"Light upon Light. God guides to His Light whoever  He wills"

Hijri: 1410 Gregorian: 1989

God has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land, as He made those before them successors; will firmly establish for them their religion, with which He is pleased; and give them, in place of their fear, security. "They worship Me, not associating anything with Me." Any who disbelieve after that, such people are deviators. (Surat an-Nur, 24:55)

"those of you who… do right actions that He will make them successors in the land"

Hijri: 1434 Gregorian: 2013

As we related earlier, it is possible that this verse indicates a time when the Qur'an's morality will prevail worldwide in the End Times. That the abjad value of a related part of this same verse gives a similar date can be considered a good news that this promise of God is close.

Moses said to his people: "Seek help in God and be steadfast. Earth belongs to God. He bequeaths it to any of His servants He wills. The successful outcome is for those who guard against evil." (Surat al-A`raf, 7:128)

"Moses said to his people: 'Seek help in God and be steadfast.'"

Hijri: 1400 Gregorian: 1979

O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those in command among you. If you have a dispute about something, refer it back to God and the Messenger, if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is the best thing to do and gives the best result. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:59)

"O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those in command among you"

Hijri: 1405 Gregorian: 1985

[People of intelligence are] those who are steadfast in seeking the face of their Lord, and perform prayer, and give from the provision We have given them, secretly and openly, and stave off evil with good. It is they who will have the Ultimate Abode. (Surat ar-Ra`d, 13:22)

"perform prayer and give from the provision We have given them"

Hijri: 1429 Gregorian: 2008

Your Lord will soon give to you, and you will be satisfied. (Surat ad-Duha, 93:5)

"Your Lord will soon give to you, and you will be satisfied."

Hijri: 1427 Gregorian: 2007

Those who recite the Book of God and perform prayer and give of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a transaction that will not prove profitless. (Surah Fatir, 35:29)

"perform prayer and give of what We have 
provided for them"

Hijri: 1429 Gregorian: 2008

We placed between them and the cities We had blessed other clearly conspicuous cities, making them measured stages on the way: "Travel between them in safety by night and day." (Surat as-Saba', 34:18)

"making them measured stages on the way: 'Travel between them in safety by night and day."

Hijri: 1422 Gregorian: 2001

That is your reward. God always confounds the schemes of the disbelievers. (Surat al-Anfal, 8:18)

"That is your reward. God always confounds the schemes of the disbelievers.'"

Hijri: 1440 Gregorian: 2018

Know that the Messenger of God is among you. If he were to obey you in many things, you would suffer for it. However, God has given you love of faith and made it pleasing to your hearts, and has made disbelief, deviance, and disobedience hateful to you. People such as these are rightly guided. (Surat al-Hujurat, 49:7)

"However, God has given you love of faith and made it pleasing to your hearts, and has made disbelief, deviance, and disobedience hateful to you."

Hijri: 1408 Gregorian: 1988

"Accordingly your Lord will pick you out and teach you the true meaning of events and perfectly fulfill His blessing on you, as well as on the family of Jacob, as He fulfilled it perfectly before upon your forebears, Abraham and Isaac. Most certainly your Lord is Knowing, Wise." (Surah Yusuf, 12:6)

"Accordingly your Lord will pick you out"

Hijri: 1443, Gregorian: 2021 (without shadda)

It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, even though the idolaters detest it. (Surat at-Tawba, 9:33)

"It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance"

Hijri: 1426 Gregorian: 2005

And thus We established Joseph in the land so he could live in any place he pleased. We grant Our grace to anyone We will, and We do not allow to go to waste the wage of any people who do good. (Surah Yusuf, 12:56)

"We give established power to Joseph in the land"

Hijri: 1419 Gregorian: 1998 (without shadda)

Solomon's troops, made up of jinn and men and birds, were assembled for him, paraded in tight ranks. (Surat an-Naml, 27:17)

"Solomon's troops, made up of jinn and men and birds, were assembled for him"

Hijri: 1433 Gregorian: 2011 (with shadda)

We gave him [Dhu'l-Qarnayn] power and authority on Earth, and granted him a way to everything. (Surat al-Kahf, 18:84)

"We gave him power and authority on Earth"

Hijri: 1440 Gregorian: 2018 (with shadda)

[Abraham said:] “Our Lord, raise up among them a Messenger from them to recite Your Signs to them, and teach them the Book and Wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.” (Surat al-Baqara, 2:129)

"raise up among them a Messenger"

Hijri: 1400 Gregorian: 1979

So do not obey the disbelievers, but use this [the Qur'an] to battle against them with all your might. (Surat al-Furqan, 25:52)

"So do not obey the disbelievers, but use this to battle against them with all your might."

Hijri: 1400 Gregorian: 1979 (Tanwin signs are also counted)

And other things you love: support from God and imminent victory. Give good news to the believers! (Surat as-Saff, 61:13)

"And other things you love: support from God and
imminent victory."

Hijri: 1402 Gregorian: 1981 (Tanwin signs are also counted)

These verses indicate the importance of opposing all ideologies of unbelief and of our Lord's help to His true servants during this struggle. The dates revealed by the abjad calculations, on the other hand, may be a sign for the beginning of this ideological struggle. Indeed, that the beginning date of the events related so far as being among the signs of the Hereafter is Hijri 1400, strengthens the possibility of such a sign's existence. In the verse below, there may be a sign for a period when Muslims live in difficulty. Earlier, we discussed the suffering endured by countless people up to and during the 1980s and the world's chaotic situation. We also gave the good news that this painful period is the first stage of the End Times, Prophet Jesus's (pbuh) return will end this period, and that the Golden Age, a period of peace, happiness, bounty, and beauty will replace it.

Remember when We rescued you from the people of Pharaoh. They were inflicting an evil punishment on you – slaughtering your sons and letting your women live. In that was a terrible trial for you from your Lord. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:49)

"In that was a terrible trial for you from your Lord."

Hijri: 1406 Gregorian: 1985

Conclusion

The Blessed Period of Prophet Jesus (pbuh)

Throughout this book, we have related that Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come again and explained the closeness and signs of this event based on the Qur'anic verses, the hadiths of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), the explanations of Islamic scholars, and the explanations of various Biblical verses.

The Qur'an relates that Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was taken to God's sight and informs us about his second coming with various signs. As our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) relates in his hadith, "I swear by God that Jesus will most definitely return. And he will return as a just judge and as a fair ruler..." (Sahih Muslim) and many similar ones, Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) mission during his second coming and the characteristics of this period are related with many clear and detailed examples. Moreover, they leave no room for doubt and are in accord with the developments of our own time. Indeed, for centuries, Islamic scholars have made very important comments regarding this event and have conveyed the type of environment that will exist during the End Times. The Bible also contains very clear descriptions of his second coming. For example, the Messiah will prevail over Earth: ... the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people." (Daniel 2:44); "... This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1: 11)

It is striking that the revelations sent to the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims to guide the faithful concur on Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming. Although the Torah and the revelation given to Prophet Jesus (pbuh) were distorted, they include many explanations that agree with the Qur'an. It is possible that these explanations have been handed down to our time from the periods of their original revelation. (God knows best.)

If all of these signs and events are analyzed carefully, it becomes clear that only 15-20 years remain until Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) return. Maybe he has come already. This is a great news for humanity, and a source of great joy and zeal.

We need to keep in mind that Prophet Jesus (pbuh), a holy Messenger of God who was blessed with a miraculous birth, infancy, and life, also was honored with propethood. With the verse "... high esteem in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near" (Surah Al `Imran, 3:45), God gives the good news of Paradise to this blessed Prophet (pbuh). For this reason, humanity must do its best to greet him upon his second coming. Even a person of limited means prepares for an ordinary guest several days before he comes by cleaning his house, thinking of ways to make his guest as comfortable as possible, and anticipating all of his needs. But given that Prophet Jesus (pbuh) cannot be compared to any other guest, humanity must welcome this all-glorious Prophet (pbuh) who will very soon honor the Earth with his presence in the best way possible.

The second coming of Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is a great blessing for humanity and a favor of our Lord. When he comes, he will immediately attract attention with his innocent, very clean and shining face, and very purposeful, wise, and pertinent speeches. For the first time in their lives, people will meet a blessed Prophet (pbuh)of the highest human characteristics. Just as his birth, life, his being taken unto God's sight, his second coming and the life he will lead after that will, by God's Will, abound in miracles. All of humanity will adore his moral excellence and his unprecedented wisdom. Every word he utters, each movement he makes, and every decision he takes will be for a purpose and pertinent, and by God's inspiration.

All people, especially believing Christians and believing Muslims, have to prepare for this event with great zeal, excitement, and enthusiasm. Those who do not prepare are making a great mistake, for this indicates their lack of true belief. No one, who has faith in God's verses, and is aware of world developments and the signs of the Hereafter, can decide not to prepare for this blessed visitor. Or, after saying "I have faith in Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming," one cannot decide to make preparations later, for when that blessed period comes, no one of conscience will be able to offer an acceptable excuse for his or her lack of preparation. Saying that 15-20 years is a long time, is a very flawed way of thinking. They will see those years pass as quickly as 15-20 days, and thus regret their lack of preparation. Every one needs to keep in mind that for those living in the 1970s, the 1980s and 1990s seemed very far in the future. But time passed very quickly, and the 2000s came in a blink of an eye.

We can understand how to prepare ourselves from the Qur'an, the sayings of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace), and the interpretations of such great Islamic scholars as Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. The most important stage of this preparation is the ideological struggle against all anti-religious systems.

As Bediuzzaman indicates, all believers have to unite in an ideological struggle against such atheist ideologies as Darwinism and materialism, which distance people from religion's morality, and make a common effort to eliminate them. To achieve this goal, a worldwide preparation has to be made before Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) return. Indeed, as the hadiths reveal, Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will fight against all ideologies of unbelief. Bediuzzaman also said that since Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will act with God's revelation, all of his decisions will be pertinent and he will eliminate all irreligious systems. (The Letters, p. 6)

We need to remember that Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) second coming is a metaphysical and miraculous event that will affect the entire world. There will be worldwide radical changes in the social and political spheres, and the world will unite around him. Thus, all Christians and Muslims must prepare to host him in the best way possible. The best common action will be the one undertaken by those Christians and Muslims who are wholeheartedly devoted to God; who believe in Him, seek only His approval, submit themselves to Him, and glorify Him; and who essentially have the same values.

Obviously, this means that Muslims and Christians need to treat one another with tolerance, love, understanding, and peace. People need to end conflict, prejudice, and misunderstanding, for there is no time to lose.

How Can We Recognize Prophet Jesus (pbuh)?

Sincere believers will find it very easy to identify Prophet Jesus (pbuh). As we mentioned earlier, his characteristics and superior wisdom will set him apart from all other people. In brief, he will introduce himself through his actions; defeat all systems of unbelief, as well as those that distance people from religion's morality, through an ideological struggle; and ruin their adherents' plots and games.

By God's Will, he also will perform many miracles, show that God's religion is just, and prove that the followers of God always will be superior. As a result, he will be a means to manifestate the verse:

"As for those who make God their friend, and His Messenger and those who believe: it is the party of God who are victorious!" (Surat al-Ma'ida, 5:56).

Another indication of his identity will be the absence of any relatives or any one who knows him. This is an important characteristic that will distinguish him from all other self-proclaimed messiahs, for as we explained earlier, Prophet Jesus (pbuh) came into existence without a father, by the command of God:

"Be." God likens his situation to the creation of Prophet Adam (pbuh):

The likeness of Jesus in God's sight is the same as Adam. He created him from earth and then He said to him, "Be!" and he was. (Surah Al `Imran, 3:59)

As God mentions in the verse above, neither Prophet Adam (pbuh) nor Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was born in the normal manner: Prophet Adam (pbuh) had no parents, and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) only had Mary (pbuh), his mother. But when he comes again, everyone who knew him, including his mother, will have been dead for many centuries. For this reason, it will be quite easy to distinguish him from all fake messiahs, for it is very unreasonable for a person who has been known to others for a long period of time to make such a claim.

The Good News of the Golden Age

In many of his sayings, our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) draws attention to a period when Islam's morality will prevail, when Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and the Mahdi will be on Earth, and the Qur'an's moral values will prevail: The Golden Age. This period will be very similar to the time of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) and, since he used the characteristics of Paradise to depict this period, it is called the Golden Age.

In the previous sections, we dealt with the suffering and hardship that people will experience during the first phase of the End Times. Just after these events, which are also the signs of Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) coming, the Golden Age will come. This is great news for everyone, for this period will be characterized by the abundance of every type of goods and crops; the establishment of security, justice, peace, and happiness; and the use of advanced technology for humanity's comfort, ease, joy, and peace. No one will be in need, for all goods and services will be available to meet their needs. Many hadiths say that "weapons will be silenced," and thus herald a world filled with peace. In the Golden Age, enemy nations will become brothers and sisters and re-establish peace, friendship, and love among their leaders and peoples.

Technology will reach its peak, and people will receive its fullest benefits. Medicine, agriculture, communication, transportation, and industry will undergo remarkable development, and people will continuously witness new discoveries leading to further advances. Overall, the pace of discovery will accelerate.

The arts will flourish, and the broad horizons and deep thinking granted by faith in God will advance all branches of art. Such a spirit will enable people to produce glamorous works of music, theater, and painting. According to one hadith, people will be so content that they will spend their days with no idea as to how time passes and how one day turns into the next. They will pray to God to prolong their lives in order to receive more benefits from these graces.

Another Prophetic hadith states:

… the younger ones wish they were grown-ups, while the adults wish they were younger… The good become even more good, and the wicked ones are treated well. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 17)

Our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) also gives the following good news:

Unprecedented Abundance in the Golden Age

There will be at the end of my people a khalifa who will apportion out wealth, and he will not count it. (Olum-Kiyamet-Ahiret ve Ahirzaman Alametleri [Death-Doomsday-Hereafter and the Signs of the End Times], p. 433)

In the End Times there will be a khalifa [successor] who will distribute wealth without even counting it. (Sahih Muslim)

The land will reveal the treasures within. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 45)

The land will turn like the silver tray growing vegetation... (Sunan Ibn Majah)

The son of Mary [Jesus (pbuh)] will return and kill the Antichrist. Then you will live for 40 years in prosperity. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 90)

Everywhere food will cook in pots, unseen prosperity will dominate, and material wealth will be disregarded. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 66)

The reason for Jesus [pbuh] to abandon charity is: There are no needy poor people in want of charity left. (Sunan Ibn Majah, vol. 10, p. 339)

Even without the plough, the produce of wheat would multiply seven hundred times, one mudd [a measure of wheat] becoming 700 mudd. (Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti)

Then the land will be told to bring forth its fruit and restore its blessing and, as a result thereof, there will grow [such a big] pomegranate that a group of people [between 10 and 40 people] will be able to eat it and seek shelter under its skin. Milk cows will give so much milk that a whole party will be able to drink. And the milk given by camels will be such [a large quantity] milk that the whole tribe will be able to drink of it. And the sheep will give so much milk that the whole family will be able to drink of that… (Sahih Muslim)

The High Cost of Living and Poverty Will End

... And wealth will be so abundant that no one will accept it. (Sahih Bukhari)

The Hour will not be established until wealth will be in abudance – so abundant that a wealthy person will worry lest nobody accept his Zakat, and whenever he will present it to someone, that person will say, "I am not in need of it." (Sahih Bukhari)

Then will my Ummah be blessed, the number of animals will increase, and the land will bear its fruits. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, p. 26)

Definitely possessions will be in abundance then, flowing like water. Yet no one will [condescend] to take any (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 464.)

Earth will Fill with Peace, and Chaos and Trouble Will End

Like the cup fills with water, so will Earth fill with peace. There will be no enmity left between any people. All hostility, fighting, and envy will disappear. (Sahih Muslim)

The warriors will abandon their weight [weapons and kits]. (Sunan Ibn Majah, vol. 10, p. 334)

The soldiers put down their weighs [their weapons, etc.]. (Olum-Kiyamet-Ahiret ve Ahirzaman Alametleri [Death-Doomsday-Hereafter and The Signs of the End Times], p. 496)

Spite, mutual hatred, and jealousy against one another will certainly disappear. (Sunan Abu Dawud)

No other [religion] will be accepted…, religion will be united. Nothing and nobody but God will be worshipped. Since there will be no one left to accept charity, it will be abandoned. Treasures and discoveries will be discovered. People, knowing the proximity of Judgment Day, will no longer crave material wealth. And since there will be no reasons for enmity and crossness, they will be no more...

Poisonous creatures will do away with their poison, and children will play with scorpions and snakes. They will not harm the children. The wolf will graze with the sheep and not harm them. The world will fill with peace and contentment, and combat and fighting, warfare and attacks, will disappear. The world's vegetation will be returned to its state at Adam's [pbuh] time. One branch of grapes will satiate a group of people, horses will be freed, and there will be no need for oxen, because the fields will plant themselves... (Muhammad ibn `Abd ar-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha`ah li Ashrat as-Sa`ah, pp. 242-43)

Jesus [pbuh] will live as a just judge, a fair imam, and leader among my people. He will destroy the cross [of the Christians], kill the pig, lift the jizyah tax, and abandon charity when no one desires more sheep or camels. All enmity and hostility will cease, Earth's face will be like a silver plate, and vegetation will be plentiful again, just like at Adam's [pbuh] time. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah al-Qurtubi, p. 496)

After that, he will rule with justice, break the cross, kill swine, abolish the jizya, and abandon charity. No tax collector will be after sheep or camels. Enmity and hatred between people will cease. Scorpions and snakes will not be poisonous, and even children will play snakes without being bitten. The girl will try to chase away the lion, but it will not harm the child. Wolves will be among sheep like sheepdogs. The world will fill with religious unity like the cup fills with water. Nobody but God will be worshipped. Nothing will be left of warfare and conflict. The rule of the Quraysh tribe will end, and Earth's face will be like a silver plate. Vegetation will be plentiful again like at Adam's [pbuh] time. One branch of grapes will satiate a group of people. A pomegranate will satiate a group of people, the price of an ox will be small, and a few coins will buy a horse. Someone asked: "Oh God's Messenger (may God bless him and grant him peace), why will horses be cheap?" [He replied:] "As there will be no war, there will be no demand." [It was asked:] "Why will oxen be so expensive?" [He replied:] "Because all of the land will be arable and oxen will be needed." (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Then he will live for 40 years. No one will die during his time. People will say [go and graze] to their sheep and animals, and they will go. Even though they will pass through crops, they will not feed off one ear of grain. Snakes and scorpions will not harm anyone, and predators will stand by the doors and not hurt people... (Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti)

Jesus [pbuh] will kill the Dajjal. Then the Earth will become safe so that lions may graze with camels; tigers with cows, wolves with sheep; and so that children may play with snakes without being harmed. (Ibn Ahmad Hanbal)

Prophet Jesus (pbuh) Will Not Bring a New Religion

He will lead as you for 40 years according to the Book of your Lord and the sunnah of your Apostle, and then die. (Sahih Muslim)

Jesus [pbuh] will not come to the people of Mohammed as a Prophet, but to practice the religion of Mohammed… (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, p. 68)

Jesus (pbuh) will descend and will practice our Prophet's (may God bless him and grant him peace) law. (Imam Rabbani, Letters of Rabbani, vol. 2, p. 1309)

He will judge by the law of Mohammed, will adhere to a Prophet even though he is one himself, and will belong to the people of Mohammed… He will be the people of the Prophet, and he will be the most devoted among them… (Muhammad ibn `Abd ar-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha`ah li- -Ashrat as-Sa`ah, p. 243)

No Prophet shall come during the period between me [Mohammed] and Jesus (pbuh). And Jesus [pbuh] shall descend. Recognize him when you see him: A man of medium height and of a ruddy, fair complexion. He will be dressed in two pieces of a yellow garment. The hair of his head will appear as if water is trickling out of it, although his hair will not be wet. He will fight for the cause of Islam... And Jesus (pbuh) will kill the Antichrist [Dajjal]. He will live on this Earth for a period of 40 years and, at the end of this period, will pass away. The Muslims will offer the funeral prayers of Jesus [pbuh]. (Ibn Ahmad Hanbal, Musnad)