How is Imam Mahdi(r.a) different from the prophets(peace be upon them)

[Gajibur]

Assalamu alaykum

This might sound like a stupid question to the knowledgable brothers and sisters, but i'd like to know what makes imam mahdi(r.a) different from the prophets(pbut)?. To me they seem very alike for the following reasons:

1) Imam mahdi will be sent by God and this is the same as the prophets because they were also sent by God.

2) Imam mahdi will be inspired over night by Allah to take on the role of the mahdi. The prophets were also inspired by God. Doesn't that mean imam mahdi will recieve revelation, or am i mixing up the concept of revelation with inspiration. I am confused, please help me.

I have given some thought as to what differentiates the mahdi(r.a) with the prophets(pbut) and have come to the following conclusion:

1) The prophets have to (it is obligatory for them) preach Allah's religion and that is why they have been sent. Where as the mahdi doesn't have to preach Allah's religion and has been sent for a different mission i.e. to lead the muslims out of oppression and help the muslims defeat the kuffar in battle.

Am i right about this difference, please enlighten me brothers and sisters.

The reason i ask is because muslims believe prophethood ended with Muhammad(s.a.w). So if Imam mahdi is identical to the prophets then that means he is a prophet, only he's not called a prophet but instead called the mahdi. But if they are the same then that makes a mockery of the islamic concept of "seal of the prophets". Please help me with your knowledge.

[slaveof Allaah]

Assalamu alaykum

This might sound like a stupid question to the knowledgable brothers and sisters, but i'd like to know what makes imam mahdi(r.a) different from the prophets(pbut)?. To me they seem very alike for the following reasons:

1) Imam mahdi will be sent by God and this is the same as the prophets because they were also sent by God.

2) Imam mahdi will be inspired over night by Allah to take on the role of the mahdi. The prophets were also inspired by God. Doesn't that mean imam mahdi will recieve revelation, or am i mixing up the concept of revelation with inspiration. I am confused, please help me.

I have given some thought as to what differentiates the mahdi(r.a) with the prophets(pbut) and have come to the following conclusion:

1) The prophets have to (it is obligatory for them) preach Allah's religion and that is why they have been sent. Where as the mahdi doesn't have to preach Allah's religion and has been sent for a different mission i.e. to lead the muslims out of oppression and help the muslims defeat the kuffar in battle.

Am i right about this difference, please enlighten me brothers and sisters.

The reason i ask is because muslims believe prophethood ended with Muhammad(s.a.w). So if Imam mahdi is identical to the prophets then that means he is a prophet, only he's not called a prophet but instead called the mahdi. But if they are the same then that makes a mockery of the islamic concept of "seal of the prophets". Please help me with your knowledge.

Short answer due to time.

1. Imam Mahdi (AS) will not recieve wahy, which was the mark and sign of a Prophet (AS).

Also in Islam we do not beleive that mojazaat (miracles) are the proof of prophethood, they are the actions of the Ambiyaa (AS) given as a gift from ALLAAH

2. Nabi-e-Karim was Khataman Nabiyeen, the seal of the prophets, he is last and most superior of all Prophets

[Gajibur]

Brother 'slave of Allah' thank you for your answer. Can you explain the difference between revelation and inspiration.

Is revelation something which is inspired by God and then conveyed to people. For example the qur'an was inspired to muhammad(s.a.w) and he conveyed it to the people, therefore it is revelation. While the inspiration that imam mahdi will recieve is something personal, it is only for his (imam mahdi) ears and no one else, therefore it is not revelation. Is that right?

You can answer later if you have no time, no hurry. Maybe someone else can answer

[Saad]

Inspiration = Ilham
Revelation = Wahi


"Kashf and Ilham are two separate entities. According to Imam Rabbani Alfe Sani r.h, Kashf is nearer to what is termed as sensation by logicians while Ilham is closer to what is called intuition. Probably Ilham is more accurate than kashf because the latter is lifting of the veil from something and the former is a direct inspiration into the heart." - Faizel - al- Bari Vol 1 p 19.

Ibne - e- Qayam, while discussing Kashf and Ilham writes :-

". This is not the knowledge of the Unseen but a knowledge which has been put by the Knower of the unseen into an enlighted heart, a heart free from wayward impulses, evil dispositions and superstitious tendencies. These are moral ailments which preclude a heart from perceiving realities". Kitab - ur Ruh p 29.

Whilst mentioning the differences between a "Nabi" and "Wali (saint)", Allamah Idris Kandelvi (A.R) states on P 118 "Aqaaidul Islaam " that "All the "Ilhaam" and "Dreams" of the Nabi are "Qat'y - categorical proof", and the "Kashf" and "Ilhaam" of a wali are zanni-(not finite proofs ), not on any one, let alone on the Wali per se, the Wali's Ilhaam is not a proof meaning is not compulsory to act upon."

[Gajibur]

Assalamu alaykum brother Khanbaba

so you are saying that imam mahdi will recieve ilham, which is a kind of inspiration that gives imam mahdi the intuition. I heard he will be inspired over night, so this inspiration is just ilham according to you, is that right?

If your answer is yes then this is like the inspiration that e.g. Allah might give a non-prophet like you and me if he desired to.

[Yahya]

Also in Islam we do not beleive that mojazaat (miracles) are the proof of prophethood, they are the actions of the Ambiyaa (AS) given as a gift from ALLAAH

The 'Ash'ari position is that miracles (mujizaat) ARE a proof of the Truthfulness of the Prophets (alayhimussalaam).

[Saad]

Assalamu alaykum brother Khanbaba

so you are saying that imam mahdi will recieve ilham, which is a kind of inspiration that gives imam mahdi the intuition. I heard he will be inspired over night, so this inspiration is just ilham according to you, is that right?

If your answer is yes then this is like the inspiration that e.g. Allah might give a non-prophet like you and me if he desired to.

Ilham is received by other Walis of Allah also, not just Hazrat Mahdi r.h.

[Gajibur]

Brother khanbaba

Common people can also recieve ilham can't they, just asking ?

[Saad]

Brother khanbaba

Common people can also recieve ilham can't they, just asking ?

Not sure about that. I have to ask or some other brother can answer it.

[Gajibur]

How is wahy different from ilham, i would just like to hear your opinion.