Comparison with Biblical and Torah Perspectives on Messianic Justice

Justice is a fundamental theme across the Abrahamic religions, particularly when it comes to the concept of a divinely appointed leader who will restore righteousness and eliminate oppression. In Christianity and Judaism, messianic figures are portrayed as agents of divine justice, working to rectify corruption and establish peace. Islam shares this expectation, with the Mahdi serving a similar role as a just ruler who will unify the community and reestablish moral order. This section explores the alignment of Islamic teachings about the Mahdi�s mission of justice with Biblical and Torah perspectives on messianic justice, and then evaluates ARPL�s claims regarding Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem in light of these shared expectations.

A. Messianic Justice in the Bible and Torah

Justice as a Central Attribute of the Messiah in Judaism

In Judaism, the messianic figure is seen as a righteous descendant of King David who will establish peace and restore justice. The Torah and Tanakh outline the Messiah�s role as a just ruler who brings unity and fairness, fulfilling the prophecies of a redeemed and just world. One key passage from the Book of Jeremiah states:

This prophecy underscores the Jewish expectation that the Messiah will be a ruler defined by justice and wisdom, tasked with bringing fairness to a world plagued by oppression. The qualities associated with the Messiah are not only centered on moral uprightness but also on a divinely ordained capacity to create systemic change, mirroring the Mahdi�s role in Islamic eschatology. This anticipation of messianic justice serves as a point of comparison for evaluating the Mahdi�s mission.

Justice and Peace as Key Attributes of the Christian Messiah

In Christianity, the Messiah is similarly portrayed as a figure who will bring about divine justice and restore moral order. Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) is viewed as fulfilling many aspects of messianic prophecies, and the New Testament emphasizes his role in establishing peace and guiding humanity toward righteousness. The Book of Isaiah presents this image of the Messiah:

Here, the Christian Messiah is depicted as a leader who will bring lasting justice, upholding peace through divine authority. Similar to the Mahdi in Islamic thought, the Messiah�s mission is to restore justice by embodying qualities such as wisdom, compassion, and fairness. His rule will mark a transition to a new era of justice, aligning closely with the Mahdi�s anticipated impact.

B. Justice in Islamic Eschatology and Its Alignment with Abrahamic Traditions

The Mahdi as a Restorer of Justice

Islamic teachings describe the Mahdi as a figure whose role closely parallels the messianic ideals of justice found in Judaism and Christianity. The Mahdi�s primary mission is to eradicate corruption and uphold righteousness, in alignment with Allah�s command for justice. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said of the Mahdi:

This Hadith establishes justice as the defining feature of the Mahdi�s rule, underscoring his mission as one of moral and societal reform. The Mahdi�s justice will be universal, providing relief to those oppressed and correcting the widespread imbalance that characterizes the pre-Mahdi world. This expectation resonates with messianic ideals in other Abrahamic traditions, highlighting the shared values of justice, fairness, and divine guidance.

Divine Support in Establishing Justice

A distinguishing feature of the Mahdi�s mission is the expectation of divine support, enabling him to achieve justice on a global scale. Just as the messianic figures in Judaism and Christianity are believed to be empowered by God to implement their mission, the Mahdi�s ability to establish justice is derived from Allah�s guidance. This divine assistance is essential, as it legitimizes the Mahdi�s mission and assures the Ummah that his rule is in line with Allah�s will.

C. Evaluating ARPL�s Claims Against Messianic Justice Standards

Absence of Transformative Impact on Justice

In both the Quran and the Bible, justice is a verifiable sign of a divinely appointed leader. The Mahdi, like the messianic figures in Judaism and Christianity, is expected to enact broad reforms and eliminate oppression. By contrast, ARPL�s claims concerning Hashem�s mission do not demonstrate this transformative level of justice. Traditional Islamic teachings on the Mahdi emphasize visible, society-wide impact, which is echoed in the messianic expectations of other Abrahamic religions.

Limited Influence and Lack of Recognition in the Muslim Community

Another expectation of a messianic figure in both Islam and other Abrahamic faiths is broad acceptance and recognition within the community. Traditional Islamic teachings describe the Mahdi as a unifying figure who will be widely accepted by the Ummah, a concept paralleled in the Jewish and Christian expectations of universal recognition for the Messiah. However, Hashem�s claims have not achieved such acknowledgment or influence across the Muslim world. This absence of recognition highlights the disconnect between ARPL�s claims and the broader criteria for a divinely appointed leader, who should unite rather than divide the community.

D. Implications of Divergence from Traditional Messianic Justice

Risk of Division and Misrepresentation

The Quran and Hadith, along with the Bible and Torah, provide clear criteria for recognizing legitimate religious leaders who are tasked with restoring justice. The expectations for the Mahdi in Islam�and messianic figures in Judaism and Christianity�serve as safeguards, protecting followers from deceptive claimants. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) cautioned against false claimants who would mislead the Ummah:

ARPL�s promotion of Hashem as the Mahdi without fulfilling the established requirements of justice risks misguiding followers and creating unnecessary division. The traditional Islamic expectation for the Mahdi�s mission, similar to messianic teachings in other Abrahamic faiths, is designed to provide clarity and assurance for the faithful.

Divergence from Core Qualities of a Divine Leader

Messianic leaders in all three Abrahamic faiths are expected to embody attributes of compassion, humility, and integrity, with a commitment to uplifting the oppressed. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) outlined these qualities for the Mahdi, emphasizing that his mission would be a continuation of prophetic values. Any deviation from these attributes is seen as inconsistent with the role of a divinely appointed leader. ARPL�s leader, however, lacks the extensive influence, communal recognition, and impact on justice that are hallmarks of a true messianic figure, as per Islamic, Jewish, and Christian criteria.

Conclusion: Upholding the Standards of Justice for Messianic Leadership

The concept of messianic justice in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity reflects shared values and divine expectations of a leader tasked with restoring fairness and equity. Both the Bible and the Quran highlight justice as a critical sign of divine legitimacy, establishing that a true messianic figure must demonstrate a profound, positive impact on society. The "Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light" claims regarding Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem�s role as the Mahdi lack alignment with these standards, as his leadership does not meet the traditional criteria of justice found in the Abrahamic scriptures.

By maintaining these criteria, Muslims safeguard their beliefs against unverified claims, ensuring that the Mahdi fulfills the expectations set forth in both Islamic and Abrahamic teachings. Justice remains the central criterion in identifying a legitimate messianic figure, making it essential for evaluating any claimant to such a role. ARPL�s claims, without evidence of the justice and divine support expected of a messianic leader, fall short of the cross-religious standards for this sacred mission.