Examination of Ahmadi Claims on Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem's Role

The "Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light" (ARPL) presents Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem as the awaited Mahdi, attributing to him a significant eschatological role. In traditional Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi is expected to emerge as a divinely appointed leader who will restore justice, bring unity to the Muslim Ummah, and prepare the world for the return of Prophet Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him). However, ARPL�s claims concerning Hashem�s role and identity lack alignment with foundational Islamic teachings and characteristics associated with the Mahdi. This section critically examines the ARPL�s assertions about Hashem�s role, drawing on the Quran, Hadith, and the scholarly consensus in Islam to identify the points of divergence.

A. The Mahdi's Traditional Role in Islam vs. ARPL's Interpretation

Role of the Mahdi as a Divinely Appointed Leader of Justice

In traditional Islam, the Mahdi is described in Hadith as a righteous descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who will fill the world with justice and equity. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said:

This Hadith highlights the Mahdi's mission to address global injustices and bring about an era of peace. ARPL�s claim that Hashem is the Mahdi, however, lacks evidence of such a mission or qualities, which is a foundational requirement for Mahdism.

The Requirement of Lineage and Spiritual Characteristics

According to Hadith, the Mahdi must be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through his daughter Fatimah. In Sunan Ibn Majah, the Prophet Muhammad said:

ARPL does not provide evidence that Hashem fulfills this lineage requirement, a foundational criterion for Mahdism.

B. Self-Appointment vs. Consensus in Identifying the Mahdi

The Importance of Ijma (Consensus) in Islam

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the value of Ijma (consensus) as a safeguard against misguidance. He said:

Without communal acceptance, ARPL�s claim appears self-imposed, conflicting with the Islamic expectation of communal affirmation for the Mahdi.

Warnings Against Self-Appointed Claimants

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned about individuals falsely claiming to be divinely appointed leaders. In Sahih Muslim, he said:

This Hadith, though about prophets, applies caution to self-appointed leaders, including those claiming Mahdism without the community's consensus.

C. Comparative Analysis of Divine Appointment in Other Abrahamic Faiths

Lineage and Divine Legitimacy in the Bible and Torah

The Bible also emphasizes lineage for messianic figures, such as the Messiah coming from David�s line:

Warnings Against False Messianic Figures

In Matthew, Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) warns of impostors:

This warning reflects a principle shared across Abrahamic faiths about verifying divine claims.

D. ARPL's Interpretation vs. Traditional Islamic Scholarship

Traditional Islamic scholars emphasize that the Mahdi's identification requires Ijma and must align with Hadith descriptions. By bypassing scholarly verification, ARPL risks undermining the integrity of Islamic eschatology.

Conclusion: Examining the Validity of ARPL's Claims

The claims made by the "Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light" regarding Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem as the Mahdi do not meet the requirements of Islamic teachings. Traditional Islam expects the Mahdi to be from the Prophet�s family, fulfill a divinely guided mission, and be accepted by the Muslim Ummah. ARPL�s assertions lack both the verifiable lineage and the communal consensus essential for validating the Mahdi�s identity.