Two Messiahs

Two Messiahs

Two Messiahs - Part I

Stay with us as we shall, Allah-Willing, explore the issue of the 'Two Messiahs', and its connection to Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his glorious Emergence)

In other writings of this site, kindfather.com, such as the articles: "Mohammad, the Promise of Torah - II", "What the Bible says about Muhammad - I" and "What the Bible says about Muhammad - II" we have mentioned that in some of the older and perhaps less distorted scriptures found in the twentieth century archeological discoveries, such as the "Dead Sea Scrolls", the Promise of two Messiahs were mentioned, let us re-read the statements of two prominent research books in regard to this issue:

In The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered, by Robert Eisenman and Michael Wise, we read that the early scrolls spoke of two messiahs, but that later on, the communities of the Jews began to combine them into one messiah As we have suggested, contrary to the well-known 'two-Messiah' theory of early Qumran scholarship, these references to the two Messiahs in the Damascus Document are singular not plural... and one possible explanation for it is that it is evoking a Messiah with both 'priestly' and 'kingly' implications, like the somewhat similar recitations of Hebrews (The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered, Robert Eisenman and Michael Wise, p. 162).

According to the dominant view in the sectarian texts from Qumran, two messiahs were to lead the congregation in the End of Days, one 'priestly', and the other 'lay' (Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls, Lawrence H. Schiffman, pp. 321-322).

But, the mention of two Messiahs is not limited to the old scriptures of "the Dead Sea Scrolls" discovered in 1947 A.D., rather this Prophecy can also be found in the current Jewish and Christian scriptures; M. P. L. Dunteman, in the 'Descent of Messiah' writes:

… "In the 'Talmud', a collection of traditions and commentaries from the Post-Biblical period (from about 300 B.C.E. until about 500 C.E.), there are two messiahs mentioned--one who suffers and is rejected by his people and another who reigns gloriously … ."

It is noteworthy to mention that in the older times the expectation of anticipated "Messiah" -as Savior bringing peace- among Jews was so great that the title Messiah was being used for kings, priests and Prophets hoping that they would be the real anticipated Savior; M. P. L. Dunteman continues:

… "Messiah comes from the Hebrew Mashiach, which means "anointed one". This expectation increased under Solomon, the king who built the First Temple. Every king of Israel was considered the Messiah for his generation, including even Saul (I Sam. 24:9-10, etc.). Also, the High Priest was called "the priest that is anointed" (Heb. Haccohen Hammashiach, Lev. 4:3,5,16). Sometimes, even a prophet was anointed to begin his ministry (I Kings 19:16) ... .

In spite all that anticipation, when Jesus (PBUH) came, the leaders of the Jews were so attached to their high worldly positions that they rejected Jesus and did not accept him as the anticipated Messiah; their acceptance would have meant giving up their worldly status which was so dear to them. … They said that since Jesus did not fulfill all the prophecies of the savior such as bringing peace to the world, and the prophesy of Genesis 49:10, -which states that the scepter passes from the tribe of Judah to another tribe, and Jesus was said to be a descendant of David via the tribe of Judah, and …- hence Jesus could not have been a recipient in the Last Days of the scepter, therefore based on this logic, Jesus could not have been the expected Messiah. (N. Kesar) So the Jews are still anticipating their Messiah; i.e. some Jews -because Jesus (PBUH) did not comply with the prophecies about the Savior of the Last Days (the second Messiah, as named in the scriptures) such as bringing the Ever-Promised Peace to the world (as confessed by Jesus himself, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Bible, gospel of Matthew 10:34-35), and due to the fact that acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah would have meant giving up worldly status, and …- have rejected Jesus (PBUH) as the first Messiah, and have forsaken the concept of 'two Messiahs', and are awaiting one Messiah (savior) in the future.

Qur'an clearly in many verses, verifies that Hazrat 'Eesa (Eisa) -Jesus- (PBUH), was Maseeh (Messiah) son of Maryam, such as in the following verse:

4:171 O followers of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Maryam is only a messenger of Allah and … .

In general, before the discovery of the "Dead Sea Scrolls" the issue of two Messiahs had, very conveniently, been almost abandoned by both Jews and Christians because for the most part, they both had hard times justifying it in a way to support their different claims, so most of the Biblical statements in regard to the issue were hardly ever mentioned, and also many scriptures have been distorted or forsaken and concealed; but after the discovery of the "Dead Sea Scrolls" in which two separate Messiahs were clearly mentioned, and following the public presentation of some pictures from the "Scrolls", and also considering that the Muslims have suggested that, the first "priestly" Messiah mentioned in the "Scrolls" (a "priest" from the descendants of the clergy progeny of Bani-Israel) was Jesus (PBUH) as verified by Qur'an too, and that, the appearance of the second "kingly" and "lay" Messiah (a "king" and ruler not a priest from the clergy progeny of Bani-Israel rather from the people, therefore mentioned as "lay" in the scriptures) could be an indication of the final kingdom of God based on the Ever-Propagated Religion of Allah by all Prophets (before being distorted by malevolent followers) - Islam-, through the Ever-Promised final Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) at the hand of his last Divinely Chosen Successor, Hazrat Mahdi (PBUH), both the Jews and Christians have each frantically re-started their old attempts to try to justify their own "dual Messiahs" cases.

Some Jewish rabbis, while disregarding Jesus as Messiah, have also attempted to justify the issue of two Messiahs and have said that the first earlier Messiah will die in the final future war between Israel and Gog and Magog; His death will then pave the way for the reign of the other Messiah in the Last Days when Israel will rule over the whole world. One Midrash explains by stating that in the future to come, "the anointed" (Messiah) of War will arise, and then the second Messiah will arise and be stronger than the first.

Others -although being adherents to the Bible themselves- such as Dr. Patai, in order to introduce Jesus as the only promised one, have also tried to completely dismiss the issue of the two Messiahs, by suggesting that the Jews , had invented the concept of dual Messiahs to solve the dilemma of many irreconcilable discrepancies and contradictions in the Bible, such as in the books of Genesis, Zechariah, Daniel and …, regarding the issue of Messiah, as well as other issues.

But, most Christians in their part, have tried to justify the "two Messiahs" concept by some how combining all prophesies regarding the two Messiahs (as they confess themselves, with all the irreconcilable discrepancies and contradictions) in to one Messiah, so that Jesus (PBUH) could be both the "priestly" Messiah of earlier time and also the triumphant "kingly" Savior of the Last Days. In order to do that, Jesus had to be more than one entity!!!

Two Messiahs - Part II

This is how the Christians have tried to justify the prophesied concept of 'two Messiahs' through combining the two Promised Ones into one; according to M. P. L. Dunteman:

… "The expectation of the Messiah, Son of David, became a longing for the appearance of a future figure. The Israelites could see the descendant of David in each generation, but he was not anointed (Messiah for his generation) nor did he reign, because of the curse of Jehoiachin. How could this dilemma be resolved? How could one be born in the royal line of David and inherit the rights to the Throne of David without being a descendant of Jehoiachin and inheriting the curse also? ... The answer is found in the three origins of Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth. In Matthew, chapter 1, we find the genealogy of Yosef (Joseph), the legal, but not physical father of Yeshua. This genealogy is the royal line of Israel … . Thus, Jesus inherited the rights to the Throne of David through Joseph, as the firstborn in the family. Since he was not a physical descendant of Joseph, Jesus did not inherit the curse of Jehoiachin and really could sit upon the Throne of David … . The second part of the origin of Jesus is, the Holy Spirit … . God wanted to be the King of Israel again … . At the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God became a man and the Lord becomes the King of Israel again ... . Thus we see that the Messiah is not a son of Adam, but rather the Son of God … . The Suffering Messiah finished all of his priestly work with only one sacrifice … . The third line of the descendance of Jesus was from Mary, his mother. In Luke 3 we have Jesus' genealogy from David, but not the royal line of descent from Jehoiachin, which was cursed. The humanity of Jesus came from Mary, not Joseph. Human in the sense of weakness, rather than descent from Adam, which would include sin. In some groups, Mary is venerated for her part in the birth of Jesus, but we must remember that she was also a sinner, daughter of Adam … . Because she was a woman she did not pass her sin nature to her son. Neither does she merit the title "Godbearer," given to her by some, as Jesus was already going around as God before He was born of Mary … . One night, about 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, all three lines converged, and God became King of Israel again ... . The nation of Israel has been humiliated, hated, and rejected by the other nations for thousands of years now, but at the end Jesus will place the nation of Israel over all the other nations … ."

The aforementioned statements, clearly summarize the Christian beliefs. As we see, they confess that due to contradictions and discrepancies in the Bible, they had a dilemma to solve; in order for Jesus to meet the mostly distorted Bible prophecies of the two Messiahs, they needed a Jesus who was a descendant of David through Jehoiachin without being from Jehoiachin and therefore inheriting the curse of Jehoiachin!!! According to Bible, Jehoiachin was a descendant of David but based on book of Jeremiah, was cursed by God and on the one hand, his descendants could not have become the Messiah, but on the other hand the Messiah had to be his descendant!!! So by assigning three different identities to Jesus, i.e. one person with three entities, they thought that they have solved some of the inconsistency problems of the Bible, and therefore created a multi-personality Jesus!!!

In the first step of justification, they say that, the multi-personality Jesus (PBUH) who as the Messiah had to be the descendant of David, became the descendant of the royal blood of Jehoiachin through Joseph who according to them, married Mary while she was already carrying Jesus; How could Jesus be the descendant of the royal blood without being the physical son of Joseph, is very interesting, and the justification continues that Jesus while inheriting the royal blood through Joseph, did not inherit the curse because Joseph was not really his father!!! So very convenient, inheriting the royalty but not the curse, without any blood relationship whatsoever!!!

Then secondly, the multi-personality Jesus was also, both god and the son of god; notice they say, "At the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God became a man", and also they say, "not a son of Adam, but rather the Son of God", therefore Jesus was both god who became a man, and also son of god, in addition to being the descendant of Joseph's forefathers but not the son of Joseph!!! All this was because god had previously become so weak that he had lost his lordship of the world and wanted to some how get it back from his own creations!!! So god becomes the weak and suffering Messiah, and is so weak that he is killed by his own creations, by those from whom, he wanted to get his usurped lordship back!!! We have a question from the Christians, is such a weak, suffering and dying god whose lordship was taken away from him by his own creations and therefore needed to think of a scheme to get it back, is the Omnipotent Creator of the entire Existence?!!!

Thirdly, the multi-personality Jesus -whose real mother was Mary - was a human, but "The humanity of Jesus came from Mary, not Joseph. Human in the sense of weakness, rather than descent from Adam, which would include sin." So, god who was the son of god who was the descendant of Joseph's forefathers but not the son of Joseph, was also the son of Mary the descendant of Adam, but not the son of Adam!!! Here it is noteworthy to mention that, Jews and Christians believe that because of the 'Original Sin', all children of Adam and Eve are born sinners; i.e. all babies are born sinful and that is why for instance, they baptize babies at birth, to cleanse their inherited sins!!! The following is from the book of genesis of the Old Testament in the Bible, which is believed by both Jews and Christians (the first five books in the Old Testament of the Bible of the Christians, are the Torah of the Jews, which the book of genesis is one of those five books):

[genesis, 3:1-6] “Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden. And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: … she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

So according to the current Bible, Eve committed the 'Original Sin', and with her, Adam and all humanity fell, and therefore she was the reason for sinfulness of the entire human race, i.e. humankind inherited that original sin!!! This way of thinking that women are unclean (based on the distorted concept of the 'original sin'), is observed all over the Bible; ironically many today who are the adherents to this Bible are talking about women's rights and criticizing Islam, while in Islam this whole concept is fully rejected; firstly Hazrat Hawwa -Eve- (PBUH) is absolutely not considered as the source of human sins, secondly every one is born sin-free and then each person will be judged based on their actions as responsible adults who freely decide to either commit sins or not. Let us look at a few of the Bible statements which clearly state the very harmful distorted view in regard to women:

"Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble...Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one." [Job 14:1 & 4]

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." [Psalm 51:5]

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” [1 Timothy 2:14]

In addition, some Christians criticize Catholic Christians for considering Mary as "Mother of god" because, "she was also a sinner, daughter of Adam", and not because it is totally illogical to believe that the Unlimited Creator God was born of a limited creation!!! They continue, "Because she (Mary) was a woman, she did not pass her sin nature to her son (Jesus)"; i.e. here, they are saying that Mary as the mother did not pass the inherited sin to Jesus her son, while they consider the entire human race as born sinners because of the 'Original Sin' of Eve, their mother!!!

Also, very interestingly, M. P. L. Dunteman has said, "Jesus was already going around as God before He was born of Mary"!!! We feel that, this statement deserves no comment!!!

At this point, we cordially invite you to read an interesting debate between Imam Reza (PBUH) and a Christian scholar of his time, in this site [kindfather.com]:

"A debate between a Christian scholar and Imam Reza (PBUH) - I"

"A debate between a Christian scholar and Imam Reza (PBUH) - II"

"A debate between a Christian scholar and Imam Reza (PBUH) - III"

The reason the Jews insist that the Savior of the Last Days must be of them, is because they consider the nation of Israel as superior and therefore all other races and nations must be subservient to them, and that is why they do not accept any one into Judaism and thus their number is only millions among the billions of humans on earth; similarly, the Christians insist on Jesus as also being the "kingly" Messiah and savior, in the Last Days because they too, consider the nation of Israel as superior, but they believe that the Israelites will repent as soon as Jesus returns, and will join Christians to rule the world, as Mr. Dunteman has mentioned: "but at the end Jesus will place the nation of Israel over all the other nations".

Two Messiahs - Part III

Many verses of Qur'an state the various favors which were bestowed upon the Bani-Israel, such as verses 47 and after in Surah Baqarah [2], for instance:

2:49 And when We delivered you from Pharaoh's (Fer'on) people, who subjected you to severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your women, and in this, there was a great trial from your Lord.

2:50 And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very sight.

2:51 And when We appointed a time of forty nights with Musa, then you took the calf (for a god) after him and you were unjust.

2:55 And when you said: O Moses! We will not believe in you till we see Allah manifestly; and even while you looked, the lightning seized you.

2:56 Then We raised you up after your death that you may give thanks.

2:57 And We gave you the shade of clouds and sent down to you Manna and quails, saying: "Eat of the good things We have provided for you:" (But they rebelled); to Us, they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.

The more favors Allah bestowed upon the Bani-Israel as tests and trials, instead of being grateful, they became more and more ungrateful, so as the result of their own actions and ungratefulness:

2:61 ... And abasement and humiliation were brought down upon them, and they became deserving of Allah's Wrath; this was so because they disbelieved in the communications and signs of Allah and killed the prophets unjustly; this was so because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits.

Similarly, in the current Bible, in the books of Deuteronomy and Isaiah and Jeremiah and …, there are many indications that the Bani-Israel's disobedience caused Allah's punishments such as exiles, deportations, captivities, … .

Here, let us narrate a statement from the New Testament:

[Bible, New Testament, gospel of Matthew 21:42] Jesus said unto them, ‘Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof … .

Some Christians say that the 'stone' was Jesus (PBUH) himself who was rejected by most of the Bani-Israel; but it is also possible that by the 'stone', Jesus meant his Divinely Chosen Successor - who according to Islamic documents, was his cousin Sham'oon Safa (Simon Peter), and was rejected by the people too-, because Peter (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Cephas and the Arabic Safa) means 'stone', and the nickname 'stone' was assigned to Sham'oon by Jesus (PBUT) himself:

[gospel of John 1:42] And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.

[gospel of Matthew 16:18] And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church … .

In any case the Bani-Israel rejected both the Prophet Jesus and his Divinely Appointed Successor (PBUT) who preached the same teachings, as it has been the Divine Tradition from the beginning that all Prophets and their Allah-Chosen Successors (PBUT) have propagated and upheld the Word of Allah. (For more information in this regard, please refer to the article: "Ghadir, from creation to eternity" in this site, kindfather.com) It is noteworthy to mention that after Jesus (PBUH), by attributing false accusations and usurping Peter's (PBUH) Allah-bestowed Right and making him look as secondary and subservient, Paul -for attaining evil purposes such as personal fame and …- took over and changed and distorted the teachings of the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) to what it has eventually become today; once again we are reminded the vitality of the role of Divinely Chosen Successors which its usurpation is tantamount to the distortion of the Religion of Allah.

And the builders are the Bani-Israel, which means the sons of Israel; as Mr. Dunteman confirms, the word son (ben) means "builder" in Hebrew, and similarly in Arabic (which in other writings, such as the article: "Mohammad, the Promise of Enjil (Gospel) - III:, we have discussed the many similarities between Arabic and Hebrew), both Ebn (son) and Banna (builder) are from the same root of Banaya which means, to build, and son is built by father (Qaamoos of Qur'an by Qorayshi).

So based on Bible, gospel of Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to the Bani-Israel, "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you"; hence contrary to what the Jews and Christians insist, the 'Kingdom of God' will not be established at the hand of the Bani-Israel and since Jesus himself is also of Bani-Israel, therefore, in the Last Days Jesus (PBUH) will not be the 'Kingly Messiah', and the nation of Israel will not be placed over all other nations.

Qur'an, 3:26 Say: O Allah, Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surely, Thou hast power over all things.

In general, according to Qur'an, the most honored and loved by Allah, is the most obedient and pious, and not a particular race or color or nation or …:

Qur'an 49:13 O you mankind! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and nations that you may know each other; verily the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful of his duty (Atqaakom); certainly Allah is Knowing, Aware.

… And true Muslims -those who have been following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) as upheld by his Divinely-Appointed Successors, the Ahlul Bait (PBUT)- have been adopting patience -as Hazrat Ali (PBUH) has said: "I adopted patience although there was pricking in my eye and suffocation in my throat" - until the Savior of the Last Days, Imam Mahdi (PBUH), shall return along with many previous Prophets (PBUT), and pious ones from different nations, ; then, the most pious and obedient -no matter from which race, nationality, color, … they may be- will govern the world under the command of the Chosen by Allah, based on the laws of Allah … .

Here is another interesting point which the Christians have indicated: --"When the 'Eagles are JOINED' (gospel of Matthew 24:28), as typified by the two messiahs, then comes full and complete Salvation." (N. Kesar)-- But then the Christians do not explain how the Eagles that according to them are the emblems of two Messiahs, will join, if -based on their own beliefs- both Messiahs are one person, i.e. Jesus (PBUH)?!!!

We as, Muslims following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and his Ahlul Bait (PBUT), believe in Hazrat 'Eesa Maseeh (PBUH) and his 'Second Coming' which will occur after the Emergence of Imam Mahdi (PBUH); and then Mahdi and 'Eesa (PBUT) shall JOIN one another (When the 'Eagles are JOINED') in fulfillment of the ever-promised Salvation of humankind, through propagation and full establishment of the undistorted Religion of Allah as originally preached by Jesus and Mohammad and all Prophets (PBUT) -Islam- (before human distortions), based on the final and perfect Shari'at (religious precepts) of Muhammad(PBUH&HP) the Last Divine Prophet of Allah:

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) has said:

'Eesa (Jesus) will descend to the Moqaddas land, upon a passage way called 'Afiq'; then he ('Eesa) shall enter the Bait-Ol-Maqdas (Jerusalem) while people will be in (preparation of ) the Morning Salaat (Prayer); and the Imam (Mahdi) will step back, but 'Eesa shall give him (Mahdi) the lead, and ('Eesa) will perform the Salaat behind him (Mahdi) based on the Shari'at of Mohammad, and ('Eesa) will say: YOU ARE THE AHLUL BAIT THAT NO ONE SHOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER.

(Shi'ah documents: Montakhab-Ol-Athar, p. 316; Yawm-Ol-Khalaas, p. 552; …; Sunni documents: Sawaa'eq-Ol-Mohraqah, p. 162; …)

Two Messiahs - Part IV

Let us explore another interesting aspect of the issue of 'Two Messiahs'.

According to David Brown of AMF International:

"… however, that prophecies about Messiah are of two seemingly mutually-exclusive types, as though they were talking about two different Messiahs. Jewish scholarship refers to Messiah ben-David and Messiah ben-Yosef. One is the positive, victorious Messiah who ushers in a kingdom of peace, the other is a suffering servant. The popular tendency is to think only of ben-David and ignore ben-Yosef … . … Joseph (Yosef) is introduced to us with dreams of grandeur, but he was lost to Israel – actually considered dead – before his dreams came true. Eventually however, he had a “second coming” when he came back into the lives of his brothers who once rejected him. Then they bowed down to him and he became the savior of his people by providing for them in a time of famine. … Both of these historic figures (David and Joseph), Jewish tradition has recognized as being prototypes of Messiahs …"

Also, Mr. Dunteman writes:

" … After a bitter life of slavery and jail, Joseph at last reigned in Egypt and his brothers had to come and bow down to him. He ruled over his brothers. ..."

(The story of Hazrat Yosef (PBUH) is narrated in Bible, the Old Testament, the book of genesis; and in Qur'an, the story is mentioned in Surah Yosef (PBUH), Surah No. 12)

In addition, as stated in the 'Talmud' (the collection of Jewish law and tradition), another rabbinic tradition states the roles of the two Messiahs, exactly the opposite of what Jews and Christians have usually insisted, i.e. they have always emphasized Messiah ben David (Jesus, in case of Christians) to be the ruler of the Last Days, and as confessed by David Brown (mentioned above) , have ignored the Savior of the Last Days whose prototype is Hazrat Yosef (PBUH): "The popular tendency is to think only of ben-David and ignore ben-Yosef". According to this 'Talmudic' tradition, "the Messiah ben David is spoken of as being cut off. The ben Joseph (Yosef) is depicted as the reigning monarch".

Let us examine the aforementioned statements carefully; many adherents to biblical scriptures claim that David and Joseph are the prototypes of the two Anticipated Ones; and according to some 'Talmudic' traditions, the Final Anticipated One who shall be the reigning monarch of the Last Days, will have similarities to Hazrat Yosef (PBUH).

In 'Behaar-Ol-Anwaar' of Allaamah Majlesi, and 'Kamaal-O-Ddeen' of Sheikh Sadooq, and …, many Ahaadith have been narrated in which similarities of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) with Had(z)rat Yusof -Yosef, Joseph- (PBUH) have been indicated; we are going to, Allah-Willing, review a few of those Hadithes as narrated by Imam Baaqer and Imam Saadeq (PBUT). Based on these Ahaadith, some of the special characteristics which are shared by Hadrat Yusof and Imam Mahdi (PBUT) are as follows:

1- The fact that Hadrat Yusof (PBUH) while being the Chosen Proof of Allah, was away and hidden from his people, friends and brothers, compared to the Disappearance of Imam Mahdi(PBUH) as the Chosen Proof of Allah;

2- Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) imprisonment, compared to Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) confinement and limitations during Occultation;

3- Hadrat Yusof (PBUH) was seen by his brothers and people traveling with them, but was not recognized, while Yusof recognized them, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is also seen by people but is not recognized, while the Imam (PBUH) knows and recognizes people;

4- Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) brothers traded with him without recognizing him, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) walks among people, goes to their markets, steps on their carpets, …;

5- Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) mother was a slave lady, Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) mother was a Roman Princess captured in war as a slave; (for her delightful story, please refer to: "Melica's heart story" in this site, kindfather.com)

6- Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) matter was set right in one night, so will, Allah-Willing, be Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) matter of Appearance;

7- Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) brothers (although not from the same mother) were the sons of the Prophet of Allah (Prophet Ya'qoob [Jacob] -PBUH-), Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) brothers (even the Bani-Israel who are the sons of the Prophet Ibrahim through Prophet Is_haaq (PBUT) who was from a different mother, and not from the mother of the Prophet Ismael (PBUH) whom Imam Mahdi is a descendant of) are the sons of the Prophet of Allah;

8- Hadrat Yusof (PBUH) was only a short distance away from his father and brothers, and if Allah had Willed, He certainly could have made his location known, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is not far, and if Allah Wills to make his location known, He certainly can;

9- Hadrat Yusof (PBUH) made himself known after Allah permitted him to do so, and He let his brothers know how ignorant they had been:

Qur'an 12:89 He said: Do you know how you treated Yusuf and his brother* when you were ignorant?

* Yusuf and his brother Benyaamin, were from the same mother, but the other brothers were from a different mother.

Qur'an 12:90 They said: Are you indeed Yusuf? He said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother; Allah has indeed been gracious to us; surely he who guards (against evil) and is patient (is rewarded) for surely Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.

Imam Mahdi (PBUH) will also make himself known to others after Allah will grant him Permission to do so;

10- After Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) whereabouts became known, his father and brothers traveled the distance very quickly, faster than normal, to reach Yusof (PBUH), when Imam Mahdi (PBUH) will Emerge, the distance will be traveled very quickly by Anticipators;

11- Hadrat Yusof (PBUH) achieved ruling position at the end, Imam Mahdi (PBUH) will become the Ruler after his Emergence;

12- All through Hadrat Yusof's disappearance, Hadrat Ya'qoob -Jacob- (PBUT) was anticipating Hadrat Yusof's (PBUH) return based on the knowledge which was given to him, and all along he was being considered a dotard, while he was only being patiently steadfast and hopeful based upon the Promise for Yusof's return, but at the end they who called him a dotard, found out:

Qur'an 12:96… He said: Did I not say to you that I know from Allah what you do not know?!

In the same manner, Imam Mahdi's (PBUH) anticipators -who are directed by the Prophet Muhammad and his Ahl-Ol-Bait (PBUT) to anticipate- may be taunted by some ignorant people for their Anticipation, but at the end they will find out too … .

Let us have another careful look at the story of Hadrat Yusof (PBUH) as recorded in Qur'an and similarly in Bible, when the brothers realized the greatness of Yusof (PBUH), they confessed:

Qur'an 12:91 They said: "By Allah! indeed has Allah preferred you above us, and we certainly have been guilty of sin!"

And when the brothers admitted their mistakes, Yusof (PBUH) generously forgave them:

Qur'an 12:92 He said: (There shall be) no reproof against you this day; Allah may forgive you, and He is the most Merciful of the merciful.

The brothers who were very ashamed, also confessed their sins and mistakes to their father, the Prophet of Allah, and asked him to implore Allah in their behalf to forgive their sins:

Qur'an 12:97 They said: O our father! ask forgiveness of our faults for us, surely we were sinners.

Qur'an 12:98 He said: I will soon ask for you, forgiveness from my Lord; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

And then the brothers submitted to the Will of Allah, i.e. to the Chosen One of Allah:

Qur'an 12:100 And he (Yusuf) raised his parents upon the throne, and they (the brothers) fell down in prostration before him, and he (Yusuf) said: O my father! this is the fulfillment of my vision of old; my Lord has indeed made it to be true; and He was indeed kind to me when He brought me forth from the prison and brought you from the desert after the Shaitaan had sown dissensions between me and my brothers, surely my Lord is benignant to whom He pleases; surely He is the Knowing, the Wise.

Then, Hadrat Yusof (PBUH), being one of Allah's Chosen Ones, humbly declared his ultimate Tawheed (Monotheism) and submission to Islam, as the Ever-Propagated Religion of Allah by all Prophets before being distorted by malevolent followers, (Qur'an 3:19 Surely the Religion with Allah is Islam, and those to whom the Book had been given (such as Jews and Christians) did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves; and whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning. Qur'an 3:85 And whoever seeks and desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he shall be one of the losers.):

Qur'an 12:101 (Yusof said) My Lord! Thou hast given me of the kingdom and taught me of the interpretation of sayings: (O') Originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Wali in this world and the hereafter; make me die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.

Yes, when Imam Mahdi (PBUH) will be given Permission to Emerge and make himself known, his brothers, the Bani-Israel and all adherents to Moses and Jesus (PBUT), along with Muslims, and humankind in general, will realize and accept the truth and confess , and they will submit to Allah's Will; and surely Imam Mahdi (PBUH) as the most humble servant of Allah on earth, will be most grateful to Lord Allah that the Shaitaan-Guided dissensions among humankind will be eliminated.

Qur'an 12:7 Certainly in Yusuf and his brothers there are signs for the inquirers.

O' Allah! In the name of Muhammad and his Ahl-Ol-Bait (PBUT), Your most obedient and humblest servants, we implore You to hasten the Glorious Appearance of the Yusof of Zahra (PBUT).

Hadrat Ya'qoob's eyes turned white from sorrow in Anticipation of the beloved Yusof (PBUT):

Qur'an 12:84 And he (Ya'qoob) turned away from them and said: Alas, my grief for Yusof! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow that he was suppressing.

In your way, worried, I wait, with longing eyes;

every moment, have the desire of seeing you, my eyes.

O' Yusof of Zahra! White are, like Ya'qoob's eyes;

from the longing for your heart-warming visit, my eyes.

Two Messiahs – part v

Another thought-provoking point is the role of Paul in Christianity; Paul was originally a Jew:

The New Testament, Book of Acts 22:3 "I (Paul) am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus …"

Paul himself had confessed to the killing of many who had embraced the teachings of Jesus (PBUH):

Acts 22:4 "And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women."

Shortly after the departure of Jesus (PBUH), suddenly Paul, who had never met Jesus, said that he had a 'vision' of Jesus and had become an apostle:

Acts 22:6 "And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me."

… To make a very long story short, Paul relying upon that very convenient so-called 'vision', usurped the Divinely bestowed Right of the Successor of Jesus, Sham'oon Safa (Simon Peter) who was chosen and introduced by Jesus (PBUT):

The New Testament, gospel of Matthew 16:18&19 "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

And as a dark result of that satanic usurpation which was a direct disobedience of Allah and the Prophet of Allah, the teachings of Jesus (PBUH) were distorted; concepts such as 'Trinity' and 'Crucifixion' and 'simplification of religion' and … were Paul's ideas which he had imported from ancient myths, philosophy and …, all so that he could gain fame and worldly position and …!!! For such a low price, he sold the Word of Allah and the teachings of the Prophet of Allah!!!

Qur'an 2:79 Woe, then, to those who write the book with their hands and then say: This is from Allah, so that they may take for it a small price; therefore woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.

Qur'an 3:77 (As for) those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenant and their oaths, they have no portion in the Hereafter. Allah will neither speak to them nor look upon them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful chastisement.

Qur'an 3:177 Surely those who have bought unbelief at the price of faith shall do no harm at all to Allah, and they shall have a painful chastisement.

Divinely bestowed Successorship has been an Allah-Commanded Prophetic Tradition which had started with the very first Prophet of Allah so that the earth would never be without a Hojjat and Proof of Allah, and the Religion of Allah may be guarded and protected, …; as Seth (Sheith) was Adam's Successor, and Shem (Saam), Noah's, and … . (For more information in this regard, please refer to the article: "Ghadir, from creation to eternity", in this site, kindfather.com)

According to Islamic Ahaadith from the Infallible Ones (PBUT), Sham'oon Safa -Simon Peter- (Simon being the transliteration of Sham'oon; and Safa being the Arabic for Rock, the nickname of Sham'oon assigned by Jesus (gospel of John 1:42); and Peter being from the Greek Petra meaning Rock) who was Jesus' cousin, was the Divinely Chosen Successor of the Prophet Jesus (PBUT); the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), in this regard, has said:

… When Allah wished to lift 'Eesa, He revealed to 'Eesa to entrust and bestow the Light of Allah and His Hekmat (Wisdom, …) and the Knowledge of His Book upon Sham'oon son of Hammoon, Safa, his Khalifa (Successor) upon Mo'meneen (Believers); so he ('Eesa -Jesus-) did so. And Sham'oon, while living, upheld the Amr and Command of Allah, and guided to the teachings of 'Eesa in his people from Bani-Israel, and fought and stood against disbelievers; whoever believed in him (Sham'oon) and in that which was given to him, was a Believer, and whoever rejected him and disobeyed him, was a disbeliever … .

(Kamaal-O-Ddeen; Behaar-Ol-Anwaar, vol. 14, p. 516; …)

Hadrat Ali (PBUH) in response to some one who had asked him about the Successors, and the enemies of previous Prophets (PBUT), and that of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), has said:

… Swear by Allah, with me there is a Covenant from the Rasool of Allah (PBUH&HP) about what they become and what they do; how could the affairs of his (the Prophet's) nation be concealed from me while I am to him (Mohammad -PBUH&HP-) as Haaroon (Aaron) was to Moosa (Moses) and as Sham'oon was to 'Eesa? Do you not know that surely the Successor of 'Eesa was Sham'oon son of Hammoon, Safa, (Simon, Peter), his cousin? The Ummah (nation) of 'Eesa (PBUH) differed in regard to him and divided into four denominations, and the four, divided into seventy two sects, all of them facing perdition except one sect; and the same was the nation of Moosa, they (too) divided into seventy two sects, all of which facing perdition but one. Surely Muhammad (PBUH&HP) made a Covenant with me, indeed his Ummah (nation) would divide into seventy three sects, thirteen (of which) claiming our (AhlulBayt's) love and affection, all of them facing perdition, except one group; and surely I (Ali -PBUH-) am certainly upon Bayyenah (Clear Proof) from my Lord.

(Behaar-Ol-Anwaar, vol. 30, p. 76; …)

Also, as we indicated before, some old scriptures were found in the twentieth century archeological discoveries called the 'Dead Sea Scrolls'; these Scrolls have made mention of many quite amazing and illuminating prophesies, such as the reference to the "seekers of smooth things" (simplifying the law of the religion) which sounds amazingly similar to the description of Paul and his followers who "simplified" the religion of Jesus after his departure and removed all obligations from it, all the while claiming that Paul's authority came directly from the so-called 'vision' of Jesus (PBUH). Paul is even quoted, while preaching this removal of obligation, as saying:

2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ"

Col. 2:8-10, 16 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him which is the head of all principality and power . . . . . Let no man judge you therefore in meat or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days”

Paul’s gospel stated that man was no longer under the Law or its penalty; He preached that Jesus had paid the price for man’s sin, because according to Paul, Jesus was the Son of God, thus of the essence of God; I.e. Jesus -a finite creation- was of the essence of the infinite Creator!!! Hence, based on Paul's teachings, while human is always sinful due to the 'original sin of Eve' which human has inherited, but if human believes that Jesus who was God, was killed to pay the price of all sins, human will obtain redemption!!! I.e. in accordance to Paul's teachings and not the Prophet Jesus' teachings, human can conveniently commit any sin he desires, such as drinking, adultery, … without worry, because God died to pay the price of human's sins!!! And in this manner, Paul has become famous and found many lazy followers who simply have wanted to do what they wish, not what Allah has Wished!

If that is the case, i.e. if according to Paul, Jesus (PBUH) directed him to tell people that obedience of Allah was no longer necessary and the price of all sins had already been paid, and therefore believers in "God Jesus" can freely commit any sin, then what do the following statements of Bible, mean?!!!

gospel of Matthew 5:29 & 30 "And if thy right eye offend thee pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

Matthew 18:7-9 "Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thine hand or feet offend thee, cut them off. It is better to enter into life halt or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire!"

Matthew 24:37-39 "But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Yes, humankind have never been given Permission by any Prophet of Allah or their True Successors (PBUT), to disregard and disobey any of the Laws or commands or Glad Tidings … of Allah -which are for human prosperity and their disobedience and negligence tantamount to Perdition-; if the teachings of Prophets such as Moses and Jesus (PBUT) have not been distorted by usurpers and liars, the Glad Tidings about Mohammad and his AhlulBayt (PBUT) -as the lords and masters of all creations of Allah- would not have been so scarcely found. (For the traces of such Glad Tidings, please refer to all parts of the articles: "Mohammad, the Promise of Torah" and "Mohammad, the Promise of Enjil (Gospel)" in the site kindfather.com)

In the Tafsir Noor-O-Ththaqalain, Tafsir Ali-Ebne-Ibrahim, Tafsir Jaame' of Sayyed Ibrahim Boroojerdi, Khesaal of Shaikh Sadooq, Thawaab-Ol-A'maal and … there are Hadithes from Imam Saadeq, Imam Kaazem, Imam Reda and … (PBUT) in which they (PBUT) have introduced a very unimaginably dreadful place in Hell called 'Falaq' in 'Saqar' which the rest of the inhabitants of Hell seek refuge from; the infallible ones (PBUT) have said that in there abide, Qaabil son of Adam who killed his brother, Namrood who threw Hadrat Ibrahim (PBUH) in fire, Fer'on (Pharaoh) of the time of Hadrat Moosa (PBUH), Saameri who crafted the golden calf, Yahuda who deviated Bani-Israel from the teachings of Moosa (PBUH), B(P)ulus (Paul) who deviated the followers of Hadrat 'Eesa (PBUH) from his teachings, AbuBakr, 'Umar ('Omar), 'Othmaan, Mo'aawiyah, Dho-Ththadaiyan the leader of Khawaarej (who fought against Hadrat Ali -PBUH-) and Ebne-Moljam (the killer of Hadrat Ali -PBUH-). It seems that in the most dreadful place of Hell, abide those who started the disobedience of Allah, those whom Yazeed and … have been following … .

A very important and vital point is that, the usurpers after the Prophets of Allah, have invited their followers to Perdition, while the Allah-Chosen Successors of the Prophets (PBUT), have guided the Believers to Everlasting Salvation. I.e. in the same manner that the difference between the following of Paul in place of Peter has been the difference between Perdition and Salvation, similarly is the difference between the following of AbuBakr and 'Umar and … in place of Hadrat Ali and the AhlulBayt (PBUT), and even worse, because Mohammad and his progeny (PBUT) from the beginning of creation have been whom Allah has created creation for, and all Prophets and their Successors (PBUT) had given Glad Tidings about them and had commanded people to Anticipate them and obey them when they would meet them, and therefore the Ever-Commanded obedience of Muhammad and his AhlulBayt (PBUT) -as the last and most perfect Chosen-Ones of Allah to appear in this world- is the last opportunity to attain Everlasting Salvation.

 And at the Last Days when the Ever-Promised Savior -Imam Mahdi (PBUH)- shall Emerge, all Shaitaan-directed misguidance as propagated by usurpers and liars will be disclosed. It has been exactly such Shaitaan-directed misguidance and distortions of the usurpers throughout history -such as …, Paul, AbuBakr, 'Umar, …- which have caused the concealment of the Truth, i.e. the Divinely Bestowed Position and Rightfulness of Mohammad and his AhlulBayt (PBUT) -the Allah Appointed lords and masters of all creations- from many; and that has exactly been the goal and promise of Shaitaan as the clear enemy of humankind, i.e. to deviate human from the 'Straight Path' leading to Everlasting Salvation: Qur'an 7:16 … Verily I (Shaitaan) shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy 'Straight Path'.; the 'walaayat' (Wilayat) -Divinely Ordained lordship and mastership- of Muhammad and his AhlulBayt (PBUT) over all other creations, has always been the only 'Straight and Right Path' to Everlasting Salvation.

As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) has repeatedly clarified and interpreted, including in the Everlasting 'Sermon of Ghadir':

"… O' people! I (Mohammad) am the 'Straight Path' of Allah whom He has commanded you to follow (Qur'an 6:153, …), and such after me also is Ali, and then my offspring from his loins, the Imams who guide with Truth and turn (people) to it. (Qur'an 7:181) …"

Many such declarations by the Prophet (PBUH&HP) have been narrated by even the Sunni narrators such as Zayd son of Thaabet who has said that the Prophet had mentioned that he was leaving two precious things for his Ummah, Qur'an and Ali son of Abi-Taaleb, and that the Prophet continued that Ali was the superior of the two, because Ali was the interpreter of Qur'an; in spite all such clear indications, yet the usurpers and their followers -being the best students of Shaitaan- misguided many using means such as force, money and … . Ah! Considering all the pains the usurpers have caused for humankind, even the worst punishments are not enough for them.

It is so beautiful and heart-warming that in spite all distortions, the most Compassionate Allah has never allowed His Light to be put out: Qur'an 9:32 They have desired to put out the Light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His Light, though the unbelievers are averse. And therefore still the traces of Light are found in the midst of the darkness of distortions.

As mentioned previously, in gospel of Matthew 24:37-39, and in many other statements from the current Bible, the return of the 'son of man' has been mentioned; for more information regarding Jesus (PBUH) who will descend at the Last Days, and the conquering crowned King, riding the white horse, i.e. the return of the 'son of man', please refer to the [kindfather comments] of the article: "What the Bible says about Muhammad - II" and the article: "Second coming of Jesus (PBUH)" in the site kindfather.com; yes Allah shall finally perfect His Light, i.e. His final Chosen One will Appear … .

Bible, gospel of Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning COMETH OUT OF THE EAST, AND SHINETH EVEN UNTO THE WEST; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

At the end, it is noteworthy to mention that the word "messiah" itself, has not been our main emphasis in these articles; rather our focuses have been: (a) the Promised Ones after Moses (PBUT) -who are mentioned in the old scriptures, which we have, to some extent, discussed and explored in various writings in this site, kindfather.com-, and (b) the establishment of worldwide Divine Kingdom at the hand of the Ever-Promised Final Savior at the Last Days; nevertheless, in addition to non-Islamic documents, in Islamic Ahadith and documents, there are also some thought-provoking points in this regard which we wish to briefly cover in this article too, mainly as a possible gateway for further research, and another opportunity for sincere imploration to Mahdi(PBUH) for continuous guidance and help, and to Allah for the hastening of the Appearance … .

In the Tafsir Manhaj-O-Ssaadeqeen -as narrated from Tafsir Tebyaan-, in regard to Verse 6 of Surah Saf [61], it has been said that "Maseeha" is one of the names of Hadrat Muhammad (PBUH&HP) in Syriac.

And in the gospel of Barnabas it is mentioned so many times that Jesus (PBUH) said that The Messiah whom every one had been waiting for was Mohammad (PBUH&HP) who would come after him; let us read together one of those indications:

"Chapter 96 When the prayer was ended, the priest said with a loud voice: "Stay, Jesus, for we need to know who you are, for the quieting of our nation." Jesus answered: "I am Jesus, son of Mary, of the seed of David, a man that is mortal and fears God, and I seek that to God be given honour and glory." The priest answered: "In the Book of Moses it is written that our God must send us the Messiah, who shall come to announce to us that which God wills, and shall bring to the world the mercy of God. Therefore I pray you tell us the truth, are you the Messiah of God whom we expect?" Jesus answered: "It is true that God has so promised, but indeed I am not he, for he is made before me, and shall come after me." The priest answered: "By your words and signs at any rate we believe you to be a prophet and a holy one of God, wherefore I pray you in the name of all Judea and Israel that you for love of God should tell us in what wise the Messiah will come.

Chapter 97 Jesus answered: "As God lives, in whose presence my soul stands, I am not the Messiah whom all the tribes of the earth expect, even as God promised to our father Abraham, saying: "In your seed will I bless all the tribes of the earth." But when God shall take me away from the world, Satan will raise again this accursed sedition, by making the impious believe that I am God and son of God, whence my words and my doctrine shall be contaminated, insomuch that scarcely shall there remain thirty faithful ones: whereupon God will have mercy upon the world, and will send his Messenger for whom he has made all things who shall come from the south with power, and shall destroy the idols with the idolaters who shall take away the dominion from Satan which he has over men. He shall bring with him the mercy of God for salvation of them that shall believe in him, and blessed is he who shall believe his words. "Unworthy though I am to untie his hosen, I have received grace and mercy from God to see him. …

Then said the priest: "How shall the Messiah be called, and what sign shall reveal his coming?" Jesus answered: "The name of the Messiah is 'Admirable, the Praised One', for God himself gave him the name when he had created his soul, and placed it in a celestial splendour. God said: "Wait Muhammad; for your sake I will to create paradise, the world, and a great multitude of creatures, whereof I make you a present, insomuch that whoever shall bless you shall be blessed, and whoever shall curse you shall be accursed. When I shall send you into the world I shall send you as my Messenger of salvation, and your word shall be true, insomuch that heaven and earth shall fail, but your faith shall never fail." Muhammad is his blessed name."

(For more information in regard to the gospel of Barnabas, please refer to the article: "How did the gospel of Barnabas survive?" in this site, kindfather.com)

And as mentioned in both Shi'ah and Sunni documents, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) has repeatedly said that:

“If there remains only one day for the end of this world, Allah will prolong that day till He does raise a person from my progeny whose name will be my name and whose Koniyah (an Arabic title starting with either Ab or Om) will be my Koniyah. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it would be fraught with injustice and tyranny.”

(Shi'ah documents: Kamaal-O-Ddeen; Behaar-Ol-Anwaar; …)

(Sunni documents: Sonan Abi Daawood, Ketaab al-Mahdi; Sonan Termedhi, Baab-o-Ma Jaa'a fel Mahdi; …)

And Allah in three similar Verses of Qur'an, 9:33, 48:28 and 61:9, has promised that:

He (Allah) is Who has sent His Rasool (Messenger, Mohammad -PBUH&HP-) with guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He would cause It to prevail over all religions, … .

Of course the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) has already come to this earth and gone, and the prevailing of the Religion of Truth over all ways of life -as confirmed by all Islamic documents- will only happen at the loving and powerful hand of the Ever-Promised Mohammad's final Allah-Chosen Successor -Imam Mahdi- (PBUT), whose name is the same as the Prophet's, and his most famous title is Mahdi … .

In addition, in the renowned Arabic lexicon glossary, the "Lesaan-Ol-Arab", among other such lexical books, it is stated that the Arabic verb "Yaseeho یسیح" means he who travels on earth and worships, and then it gives the example of Hadrat 'Eesa "Maseeh مسیح" (Messiah); i.e. from one particular lexical aspect the word "Maseeh مسیح" (Messiah) is from the root "Sayaha سیح" and therefore according to the "Lesaan-Ol-Arab" the word "Maseeh" (Messiah), if considered from the root of "Sayaha" rather than from the root of "Masaha", then it refers to he who travels on earth and worships.

In other words, from one lexical aspect, Hadrat Eisa -'Eesa- (PBUH) was called "Maseeh (Messiah)" because he used to travel a lot on earth and worship at all places; Islamic Ahaadith narrate many travels of Hadrat Maseeh son of Maryam (PBUT), and in the Bible, there are also such indications. In the gospel of Matthew 8:20, it is stated that Jesus (PBUH) has said that the foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests; but he had not where to lay his head.

Then, in the collection of Islamic Ahaadith, such as in the books "Elzaam-O-Naaseb" and "Yawm-Ol-Khalaas" and …, certain traditions and Sonan of previous Prophets (PBUT) which also exist in Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his Emergence), are mentioned by Imam Saadeq (PBUH); according to these Ahadith, one tradition and manner which Imam Mahdi and Hadrat 'Eesa -Jesus- (PBUT) have in common, is "Siyaahah", which according to the "Lesaan-Ol-Arab" is from the root of "Sayaha", and means, traveling and worshipping.

Hadrat Mahdi (PBUH) has been advised by his father Imam Hasan Askari (PBUH), not to reside at cities during his Occultation, and Imam Mahdi (PBUH) himself in a letter to Sheikh Mofeed has said:

"… While we (the Imam -PBUH- and …) are residing in our location on top of a mountain at an unknown place, which recently because of some disbelievers, we have unavoidably moved to, from a treeful location; and we shall soon move from this place to a flat plain, not too far from inhabited locations … ."

(Behaar-Ol-Anwaar, vol. 53; Kalemat-Ol-Imam-El-Mahdi, p. 197; …)

Of course, it must be reminded that while the place of residence of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) is not known, but the Imam (PBUH) is within and close to people; as it is narrated, he is among people, walks in markets, steps on carpets, …; i.e. while he travels and resides at locations not known by all, but he comes and goes within people.

In other words, according to such Ahaadith, both Imam Mahdi -during his Occultation- and Hadrat 'Eesa (PBUT), in regard to traveling on earth and worshipping Allah (Siyaahah) are considered to have similarities; i.e. from this aspect, the ascription of being "Maseeh (Messiah)" -meaning he who travels and worships- may be attributed to both Imam Mahdi and Hadrat Eisa -'Eesa- (PBUT)! ALLAH KNOWS BEST! TWO MESSIAHS?!!!

Let us implore Allah from the bottom of our broken and anticipating hearts , sincerely and humbly, to hasten the glorious and wonderful Ever-Promised Appearance of the Final Remaining Treasure of all Divine Prophets (PBUT) -our beloved Mahdi (PBUH)-, so that all questions may be answered, human problems solved and hearts healed, specially the loving heart of Mahdi (PBUH) himself, which, benevolently and compassionately, beats for obedience of Allah and Salvation of humankind … .

Source: kindfather.com