لطفا منتظر باشید ...
CLAIMANT OF MAHDAVIYAT
Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri
The
belief in Mahdaviyat creates a transcendent, warmth in the hearts of Muslims.
As a result whenever the Islamic world is facing calamities, and Muslims become
aware of their helplessness, they turn towards that great protector whose
advent has been prophesized clearly in the Holy Quran and the tradition of
the Holy Prophet (S.A.). History is a witness that whenever the Islamic society
has been torn with strife and discord there has risen a person who claimed
to he a Mahdi, whom we believe to be the last deputy of Allah and that he
would cause Islam to roign over the rest of the religions of the world.
The list of such claimants is an extremely long one. For the benefits of the
readers we present a short list of claimants of Mahdaviyat :- Mohammad
Bin Ismail, Mahdi Sudani, Gulam Ahmed Qadiani, Mirza Ali Mohammad Shirazi
Alias Sayed Bab, Mohammad Ibne Abdullah toomart and Sayed Mohammad Bin Sayed
Khan Alias Mahdi Jaunpuri.
But in this article we shall only discuss about Saved Mohammad Jaunpuri and
see if the claim of Mahdaviyat of the son of the Sayed Khan is authentic and
commensurate with the criterion of truth.
Our discussion would be divided in two sections. The first section shall deal
with the books on the life of Sayed Mohammad Bin Khan and in the Second section
we shall ascertain if his life is in consonance with the Mahdi of Quran and
the Hadith.
The life of Mahdi Jaunpuri.:
According to the Mahdavi belief Sayed Mohammad Jaunpuri is a descendent of
the 7th Imam of the Shias, Imam Musa-al-Kazim (AS.) in Matla-e-Vilayat of'
Miya Sayed Yusuf(page 7, printed: Hyderabad 1374) and Shawahid e Wilayat (pg.29,30,
Hyderabad 1379) his lineage is presented in the following way:-
Sayed Mohammad bin Sayed Abdullah bin Sayed Yusuf bin Sayed Yahya bin Sayed
Jalaluddin bin Sayed Ismail bin Sayed Nematullah bin Sayed Musa Al Kazim.
Sayed Mohammad was born on Tuesday 14th Jamadi I 1847 A.H in Jaunpur, ruled
at that time by
Sultan Mohammad Shirazi bin Sultan Ibrahim Shirazi.
According to the Mahdvi Ulama, Sayed Mohammad was a disciple of the famous
Sufi Sheikh Daaniyaal-e-Chisti. He memorized the Holy Quran at the age of
seven years. At. the age of 40 years Sayed Mohammad bid farewell to Jaunpur.
Mahdavis believed that during his journey at Danapur it was revealed to his
wife Bibi Allahdi, his son Sayed Mahmud and one of his companions Miyashah
Dilawar that they should declare that Sayed Mohammad is the promised Mahdi
of the Quran.
When Sayed Mohammad was informed of this, he admitted it to be correct but
refused to declare his Mahdaviyat and said that the time was not yet ripe
for such a declaration. He promised to declare his Mahdaviyat at an appropriate
time.
(Life promised Imam Mahdi pg.37 Matla -al-wilayat pg 19-20 Shawhid al vilayat
52-53 ).
When Sayed Mohammad reached Gujarat, the ruler Sultan Mahmud Begda who was
himself a scholar (of Hadith) learned and just met Saved Mohammad personally
. After the meeting he refused to grant permission to Sayed Mohammad to halt
in Gujarat and acting upon the Fatwa (decree) of religious scholars .sent
him to Mecca thereby exiling him from the country
In
the year 901 AH Sayed Mohammad fled to Mecca, accompanied by 360 followers.
The same year he performed the circumbulation of the sacred House and between
Rukn and Makaam, announced that he was Mahdi. At this time two of his companions,
Shah Nizam and Kazi Alauddin and an Arab pledged allegiance
This declaration is known as his first declaration of Mahadaviyat. He did
not stay in Mecca for more than a few months, and without going for the Ziyarat
of the Holy Prophet (S.A.) at Madina, he returned to India. He resided in
the Tajkhan bin Salaar mosque of Ahmedabad. (Ref : Mirat-e-Sikandari by Sikandar
bin Mohammad alias Manju binAkbarpg 136 Published from Bombay 1308A.H.
In the year 903 A.H. in Ahmedabad he again raised his claim for Mahdaviyat
(Shawahid al Wilayatpg 113). After this declaration, with the order of the
Sultan, and the decree of'Ulama, he was externed from the city of Ahmedabad
along with his followers.
Passing through Solah Sateej, he reached Bareily, where he repeated his claim
for Mahadaviyat. This occurred in the year 905 A H. This time he said even
though the divine revelation had time and again ordered him to declare his
Mahdaviyat, he was reluctant, to do so. It was to such an extent, that Almighty
God began accusing him to be more fearful of the people than God Himself
(Seeraf. Imam Wahdi Waoodpg. 85, 86, Watla-e-wilayat pg. 60, Skawahid al-
wilayat pg. l66)
In order to prove the authenticity of his claim he repeated it in Gujarati
language
(Seerat Imam Wakdi Wlaoodpg. 86, Watia e- wilayat pg. 60,
Along with the declaration he also announced that those who have denied his
Mahdaviyat were'kafirs' (disbelievers). Those who deny his Mahdaviyat, have
denied all the prophets, the heavenly books, the Quran and ultimately deny
in the belief of Almighty Allah. (Seerat Imam Wlahdi Waood pg 86.87 Watla-e-Wilayat,
pg. 6l, 63, Shawahid-e-Wilayat pg. 163, l6^)
After this passing through Jaisalmer and Nasrpur, Sayed Mohammad reached Sind.
He stayed there for 18 months. The religious scholars of Sind learned of the
claim of Sayed Mohammad, appealed to the ruler of Sind, Jaam Nanda and had
a decree issued for the capital punishment, of Sayed Mohammad. Ultimately
on Monday, the 19th Zilqaad, 915 AH, Sayed Mohammad bin Sayed Khan Jaunpuri
died in the city of Mizah.
Mahdi of the Quran and Mahdi Jaunpuri A comparision.
Now, let us begin the second part of our discussion in which we shall compare
the Mahdi of the Quran and hadith with Mahdi of Jaunpuri.
It shall be upon the readers to decide for themselves, whether Sayed Mohammad
was the true Mahdi or just, a false claimant.
(1) LINEAGE:- The name of the father of Sayed Mohammad was
Sayed Khan or Sayed Budh. Some Mahdavis quote the following interpolated tradition
of the Holy Prophet (S.A.):- His name would be my
name and his father's name would be my fathers name." (Although this
part of the tradition is itself fabricated. Because the original version does
not contain these words) and say that, the name of the father of Sayed Mohammad
was Sayed Abdullah. Even if it is considered to the authentic, according to
various writers the name of the father of Sayed Mohammad was Sayed Khan or
Sayed Budh.
(nijaturRishad of mulla abdul qadarbadayuni;Aine Akhbari of abul fazl, vol.
3 pg. 174)
When the scholars of Gujarat questioned Sayed Mohammad, "The name of
the promised Mahdi is Mohammad ibn Abdullah and your name is Sayed Mohammad
bin Sayed Khan, how is it, so?" He replied, "You should put this
question to the Creator of the Universe as to why He has appointed the son
of Sayed Khan as Mahdi. He has absolute power and does as he wishes. Actually,
the Holy Prophet's (S.A.) father was a Kafir (we seek refuge in Allah). So,
how is it possible that his name was Abdullah. It is just a textual error.
In fact, the name of the Holy Prophet, (S.A) was not Mohammad ibn Abdullah
but, it was Sayed Abdullah."
(Ylaqaliyat 1/Tliya fibdul 'Rashidpg.JinsaafYlama Wliya Wall pg.2?)
But, is the name of the father of Hazrat Mahdi really Abdullah or it is Hasan
ibn Ah? As we have mentioned before, this part. of the tradition is interpolated:
"The name of his father shall be the name of my father". According
to famous Ulama, Hazrat Mahdi is the son of Imam Hasan al-Askari. For example,
the famous Sunni scholar Sheikh Abdul Wahab Shaarani, who was a Sufi like
Sayed Mohammad, writes in his well-known book, "AI-Yawaqeet -wal-Jawahir:-"
"Then one should wait for the reappearance
of Hazrat Mahdi. He is the son of Imam Hasan al-Askari. He was born in the
year 255 A.H. and he is still alive...." (chapter 65).
The respected personality of Sunnis and the father of Sufism,
Sheikh Mohiuddin Arabi writes in his book, Al-Futoohat-el-Makkia,:- "You
should know that the reappearance of Mahdi is imminent. But he will not, appear
till the world would be completely filled with injustice and oppression. After
that he shall come and fill the earth with justice and peace... He is from
the progeny of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.) and Janabe Zahra (SA). His respected
great grandfather is Husain ibn Ah and his father is Imam Hasan al-Askari.
The lineage of Sayed Mohammad Jaunpuri has neither been authenticated by any
Sunni scholar, nor is it confirmed by any Shia leader.
ii) Education and training:
According to the Mahdavis, Sayed Mohammad Jaunpuri, received education at
a young age from Sheikh Daaniyaal Chishti. Although it is an established fact
that Hazrat Mahdi has already been given the divine knowledge. Neither would
he become the student of anyone, nor would he study in any school or Madresa.
Because if anybody is competent enough to impart knowledge and learning to
the promised Mahdi, it would mean that he himself is more worthy of being
the Mahdi as he is more knowledgeable and learned. Reason dictates that the
most learned one should be the leader. The foundation of leadership in Islam
rests upon the matter of superiority.
iii) End of injustice and tyranny:
It is clearly recorded in the six Sihahs (the six collection of the hadith
of Sunnis) that the Holy Prophet (S.A.) said:
-
If only a day remains for the world to end, Allah the Almighty shall prolong
that day to such an extent till a man from my progeny, whose name is my name
and whose agnomen is my agnomen shall appear. He shall fill the earth with
justice and peace like it would be replete with injustice and tyranny.
Note, what the last part of the tradition says,. The Holy Prophet (S.A) has
clearly mentioned that Hazrat Mahdi will reappear before the end of this world
and he shall fill the world with justice and peace, like it had been filled
with injustice and tyranny. In other words it would be the foremost duty of
Hazrat Mahdi after his reappearance to eradicate all the strife and tyranny
from the face of the earth. Everywhere Islam would reign supreme. The standards
of pride, conceit, falsehood, immorality, backbiting and slander shall be
made to kiss the dust.
A poet has aptly said/'When the Promised one will come, all the fake pomp
and show will be rendered useless."
But, did the coming of Mahdi Jaunpuri cause the earth to be filled with justice
and peace? Did all the tyranny and injustice vanished from the face of the
earth? If these queries are put to any intelligent person, he will agree that
the situation has further deteriorated. Every where there is nothing but discord.
Justice and peace are conspicuous by their absence. The believers, the people
of Islam, and followers of Quran get nothing but injustice and disgrace. In
every corner of the world, massacre of the Muslims is a common phenomenon.
In this situation we have only two alternatives either to accept the authenticity
of the tradition ofSihah Sitta and reject the Mahdaviyat of Sayed Mohammad
Jaunpuri or to accept the Mahdviyat of Sayed Mohammad Jaunpuri and deny the
truthfulness of the saying of the Holy Prophet (S.A.)
iv) Signs of reappearance:
Numerous verses of the Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S.A)
(S.A) mentioned the happenings before the advent of Imam Mahdi (A.S.). For
example ,"the rising smoke from the sky, the sinking of the ground, Gog
and Maggog, the rising of the sun from the west, the advent of Dajjal, all
by the Shias and the Sunni scholars in their books. They include Sheikh Tabarani,
the author of 'Mojamul Kabir' and Ahmad bin Hanbal the author of' Musnad'.
Not a single believer could dare to refute the clear verses of the Quran and
the opinion of the learned scholars.
v) Reappearance of Mahdi or the claim of Sayed Mohammed.
The writings of the Mahdavis mention that Sayed Mohammad Jaunpuri claimed
Mahdaviyat thrice. The first instance was in the year 901 A.H. when his wife
told him that it had been revealed to her that he was the promised Mahdi.
Therefore he should convey this massage to the people -but Sayed Mohammad
declined to make such an announcement. The second declaration was in the year
903 A.H. in Ahmedabad when the religious scholars issued the decree for his
expulsion from the city. To this, the reply of Sayed Mohammad was, "I."
I make the divine truth manifest upon you, you shall all be reduced to dust.
(Seerat-e- Imam Mahdi Maood pg. 70-73) The third time was when in the year
905 AH. he declared his Mahdaviyat even though he had been reluctant to do
so. But he was afraid that God Almighty may blame him to be more fearful of
the people than God Himself. Then, in order to prove the truthfulness of his
claim he repeated it in the Gujarati language (seerat-e-Imam Mahdi Maood,
pg. 75-76. Matia al-Wilayat, pg. 60, Shawahid al Wilayat at pg. 166) Now the
question that arises is, is there such statement from the Holly Prophet (S.A.)
wherein it is mentioned that the promised Mahdi will make his declaration
thrice? And repeat it in Gujarati':'0r. why is it when Saved Mohammad was
sent revelation for I lie first time to declare Mahdaviyat he kept silent
and refrained from obeying such an important order?
vi) The abundance of wealth upon the earth:
The famous Sunni scholar. Allama Hakim Nishapuri writes in his book 'Mustadrakus
Sahihain':- "In the last period when the reappearance of Mahdi will occur,
(he world shall be filled with wealth. Poverty will be non existent. After
narrating this tradition he says : The tradition is a authentic so far as
the reliability of the narrator is concerned.
(Mustadrakus Shaeein pg. 557)
This tradition has also been recorded by Ibn Maiah in his Sunan' (chapter
on Advent of Mahdi), Halfiz Abu Noaim Isfahan! and Shal)lanji in his book
'Nurul Absar.
The readers are requested lo judge: Is there no poverty remaining on the earth?
Could anyone make such claim''' No! Because the one who denies reality is
either called blind or is a fool. Or shall we declare we refuse to believe
in the sayings of the learned, in the traditions in the clear proofs? After
presenting all these proofs and after this brief essay we leave the judgment
upon you. but while passing let us see what the Holy Quran says regarding
(the search for truth '; (0 Messenger) Therefore give good news to (My) servants.
Those who listen to the words, then follow the best of it...
