From the 11th century onward, the biographies of the mystics often show interesting migrations of legendary motifs from one culture to another. For the Persian-speaking countries the 'Tazkerat ol-Owliya' (“Memoirs of the Saints”) of Farid od-Din 'Attar (died c. 1220) has become the storehouse of legendary material about the early Sufi mystics. 'Attar's Persian epics (especially his Manteq ot-thyr, the “Birds' Conversation”) also contain much material that was used by almost every writer after him. The Masnavi (a sort of poetic encyclopaedia of mystical thought in 26,000 couplets) of Jalal od-Din Rumi (died 1273) is another important source for legends of saints and prophets. For the Iranian world view, Ferdowsi's (died c. 1020) Shah-nameh (“Book of Kings”) gave a poetical account of the mythology of old Iran, and its heroes became models for many poets and writers. The whole mythological and legendary heritage is condensed in allusions found in lyrical and panegyrical poetry. The Persian poet Ebrahim ebn 'Ali Khaqani's (c. 1121–c. 1199) works, qasidahs (“Odes”), are typical. The close connection of the Sufi orders with the artisans' lodges and guilds was instrumental in the dissemination of legendary material, especially about the alleged founder, or patron, of the guild (such as Hallaj as patron of cottoncarders and Idris as patron of the tailors).
Muslim historians interested in world history often began their works with mythological tales; central Asian traditions were added in Iran during the Il-Khanid period (AD 1256–1335). Folk poetry, in the different languages spoken by Muslims, provides a popular representation of traditional material, be it in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, the Indian and Pakistani languages (Urdu, Bengali, Sindhi, Panjabi, Baluchi, etc.), or the African languages; in all of them allusions to myth and legend are found down to the level of riddles and lullabies. Typical of the legendary tradition of the Shi'ah are the ta'ziyas (“passion-plays”) in Iran, commemorating the death of Husayn ibn 'Ali in Karbala' (680) and the marsiyehs (threnodies or elegies for the dead), which form an important branch of the Urdu poetry of India and Pakistan. A proper study of the distribution of most aspects of mythology in the various Muslim areas has not been undertaken, since much of the popular material is rarely available in print or is written in less-known languages—a good example is the extremely rich collections of legends and popular pious works in the Pakistani language, Sindhi.
The world was created by God's word kun (“Be”) out of nothing; after the creation of the angelic beings from light, Adam was formed from clay and destined to be God's vicegerent, khalifah. All of the angels obeyed God's order to prostrate themselves before Adam, except Iblis (Satan), who refused and was cursed; due to Iblis' instigation Adam ate the forbidden fruit (or grain) and was driven out of paradise. Questions of original sin or of Eve's role do not arise in the Muslim version of creation. Satan's disobedience has been explained by the mystics as actually an expression of his obedience to the divine will that does not allow worship of any but the Lord and that conflicted with the order that Satan prostrate himself before Adam.
Before the creation, God addressed the posterity of Adam: “Am I not your Lord,” alastu birabbikum, and they answered “Yes” (Qur'an, surah 7:172). This pre-eternal covenant is the favourite topic of mystical poetry, especially in the Persian-speaking areas for expressing pre-eternal love between God and man, or the unchangeable fate that was accepted that very day, the Yesterday as contrasted to the Tomorrow of resurrection. Angels and jinns (genies) are living powers that become visible in human life; they are accepted as fully real.
Every destiny is written on the “well-preserved tablet,” and now “the pen has dried up”—a change in destiny is not possible. Later mystics have relied on an extra-Qur'anic revelation in which God attests: “I was a hidden treasure” and have seen the reason for creation in God's yearning to be known and loved. For them, creation is the projection of divine names and qualities onto the world of matter.
The central event of Islam is death and resurrection. The dead will be questioned by two terrible angels (that is why the profession of faith is recited to the dying); only the souls of martyrs go straight to heaven where they remain in the crops of green birds around the divine throne (green is always connected with heavenly bliss). The end of the world will be announced by the coming of the mahdi (literally, “the directed or guided one”)—a messianic figure who will appear in the last days and is not found in the Qur'an but developed out of Shi'ah speculations and sometimes identified with Jesus. The mahdi will slay the Dajjal, the one-eyed evil spirit, and combat the dangerous enemies, Yajuj and Majuj, who will come from the north of the earth. The trumpet of Israfil, one of the four archangels, will awaken the dead for the day of resurrection, which is many thousands of years long and the name of which has come to designate a state of complete confusion and turmoil.
The eschatological inventory as described in the Qur'an was elaborated by the commentators: the scales on which the books or deeds are weighed (an old Egyptian idea), the book in which the two recording angels have noted down man's deeds, and the narrow bridge that is said to be sharper than a sword and thinner than a hair (Pool-Sirat) and leads over hell (an Iranian idea). The dreadful angels of hell and the horrors of that place are as thoroughly described by theologians as the pleasures of paradise, with its waters and gardens and the houris who are permanent virgins. Pious tradition promises space in heavenly mansions, filled with everything beautiful, to those who repeat certain prayer formulas a certain number of times, or for similar rewarding deeds, whereas the mystic longs not “for houris some thousand years old” but for the vision of God, who will be visible like the full moon. In the concept of the sidrah tree as the noblest place in paradise a remnant may be found of the old tree of life. God's throne is on the waters (Qur'an, surah 11:9) in the highest world, surrounded by worshipping angels. The created world, the earth, is surrounded by the mountain Qaf and enclosed by two oceans that are separated by a barrier. Mecca is the navel of the earth, created 2,000 years before everything else, and the deluge did not reach to proto-Ka'bah. Often the world is conceived as a succession of seven heavens and seven earths, and a popular tradition says that the earth is on water, on a rock, on the back of a bull, on a kamkam (meaning unknown), on a fish, on water, on wind, on the veil of darkness—hence the Persian expression az mah ta mahi, from the moon to the fish; i.e., throughout the whole world.
[The above piece was taken from Encyclopedia Britannica On-Line 1998 version]
khola_mon's comments are in green letters
Major Signs of Qiyamah
A. The occurences before the Major Signs:
GENOCIDE
A man from Abu Sufyaan’s progeny massacres descendents of Nabi (S.A.W) and rules over Syria and Egypt.
[ khola_mon: genocide is as old as ancient history. So, what is the big deal here. ]
WAR
A major war between Muslims and Christians: Half the Christian army will sign a peace treaty with the Muslim army, while the second half of the Christian army remains the common enemy.
[ khola-Mon: It sounds like a crusade to me. ]
ISTANBUL CONQUERED BY CHRISTIANS
The enemy half of the Christian army conquers Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey.
[ khola_mon: This story or folk lore was developed with a medieval mindset. ]
ISTANBUL RECONQUERED JOINTLY BY MUSLIM AND CHRISTIANS
The Muslims and the good half of the Christian army conquer Constantinople together, against the enemy Christians. Thereafter, a Christian will say the victory was due to the cross, and the Muslim will say it was due to Islam. A battle between both sides will ensue, and the Muslim Ruler will be martyred.
[ khola_mon: Again, it sounds like a Crusade. A Muslim vs Christian War. No mention of America! ]
SYRIA CONQUERED BY CHRISTIANS
The two Christian armies reunite, conquering Syria.
[ The author of this folktale has medieval mindset. Therefore, no mention of America or other European countries at all. ]
CHRISTIAN DOMINATION
Christians dominate the world up to Khaiber (near Madinah), and they will pursue Muslims with 80 flags, with 12,000 men under each flag.
[ According to this calculation, there will be only 960,000 soldiers on Muslims side. War in the future will be fought from the air. The author of this folktale has no imagination! ]
MUSLIMS AWAIT IMAM MAHDI
TOTAL ECLIPSE
A total eclipse of
the sun and moon will occur in Ramadhan, prior to Imam Mahdi’s emergence.
[Note: the hadith
stating the above has been said to be weak by certain scholars]
[ A total eclipse of
the sun and monn? Very poetic indeed! ]
IMAM
MAHDI EMERGES
At age 40, Imam Mahdi appears in Makkah, then flees to Madinah.
[ All these stories revolve around Mecca and Medina as if that place is the center of the earth. Why Imam Mahdi will flee to Medina? ]
B. The Major Signs (i.e. events after the emergence of Imam Mahdi)
MUSLIM ARMY MARCHES
The army of Mansoor from Khurasaan will head towards Makkah to aid Imam Mahdi. They will win many battles on the way. No force will be able to stop them. They will carry black flags.
[ The entire episode sounds like a bad script written by someone with a medieval mindset. Be imaginative, men? ]
SUFYAANI ARMY SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH.
The Sufyaani army (an Anti-Muslim force) from Syria singles out Imam Mahdi for execution. On the way to Makkah, they get swallowed into the ground. A second Sufyaani army is created with 960,000 men (of 80 nations).
[ Now this story is turning out to be a world war. Eighty nations participating in this war. No kidding! ]
CONFRONTATION IN SYRIA
Imam Mahdi and the Muslim army go to Syria to confront the Christians. The Christians, before the battle, will ask Muslims for the return of their prisoners-of-war. The Muslims will refuse. The battle will begin. One-third of Imam Mahdi’s army will flee (their repentance will not be accepted), one-third will be martyred, and one-third will gain victory over the Christians.
[ Again, a medieval
story. It sounds too much like a Crusade re-run in which Muslims
will be victorious. ]
MUSLIM ARMY UNDER IMAM MAHDI CONQUERS PALESTINE
JIHAAD ON INDIA
A jamaat of Muslims wages Jihaad on India and be successful.
[ Indians better watch out! Tell this story to a Hindu Fundamentalist and he will start a one-man riot in Gujarat. By the way, the Hindu Gods and Godesses are more experianced fighting wars as told in Mahabharata. If those Gods and Godesses show up to fight the Muslims, then, Muslims' Jihad will never win. ]
SYRIA UNDER MUSLIM RULE
Imam Mahdi returns to Syria and establishes Muslim rule over the lands he passes.
[ The author of this folktale is assuming then that Syria will become a non-Muslim nation. This is quite revealing! ]
ANIMOSTIY RIFE AMONGST THE PEOPLE
At this time, Muslims will be weak and there will be very few pious people.
[ When will it happen? ]
3 RUMORS OF EMERGENCE OF DAJJAL ("Anti-Christ")... 3 YEARS OF DROUGHT
Before the emergence of Dajjal there will be three years of drought. The first year, the skies will retain 1/3 of its water, the second year 2/3, and all of its water the third year.
[ The folktaler assumes the world will become cooler and therefore less evaporation will happen from the ocean. But the scientists are telling us quite the opposite. Who is correct? ]
DAJJAL APPEARS
Dajjal appears. His followers, the Yahudis, will number 70,000 and will wear expensive silk attire and carry double edged swords.
[ So, Ad-Dajjal will be the leader of Jews. Is America then is the Ad-Dajjal? They sure wear the best clothes. ]
HADHRAT ISA (A.S.) (JESUS) APPEARS
Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) (Jesus) descends during the lifetime of Imam Mahdi.
[ Bringing a dead person from heaven and making him alive will be a feat next to impossible. Why Allah does not do it now? ]
DAJJAL KILLED AT THE GATE OF HUDD
Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) kills Dajjal at the Gate of Hudd, near an Israeli airport, in the valley of “Ifiq.” The final war between the Yahudi's will ensue, and the Muslims be victorious.
[ This is the first time I heard the name of a modern structure The israeli Airport. So, this fight is going to be Muslims vs. Jews. We know who were victorious when the Muslims fought the Jews. ]
TOTAL PEACE
With the death of Dajjal, all wars will end. Jihad will be stopped; peace, harmony, and tranquility will be on earth. The earth will produce abundant crops and fruit. The people will follow Islam.
[ This sounds like
a Goldilock story. Everything is going to be fine and dandy after
the Muslim victory. Whatever happened to change the world climate
all of a sudden? The Muslim victory, I suppose? ]
HADHRAT ISA RECEIVES
REVELATION
The revelation tells
that the Yajooj and Majooj
will soon be released and the believers should be taken to Mt. Toor (Sinai).
[ A real bad script. Why Allah has to release the terrible Yajuj-Majuj now? I thought peace had returned to the land. ]
YAJOOJ AND MAJOOJ ("Gog and Magog") RELEASED
The Yajooj and Majooj surge forth in large numbers. They destroy everything in their path in their effort to conquer the world. They will be released in two groups.
[ Muslim eschatologist have mania regarding Yajuj-Majuj. How come this vile gang will come to America or Chia? All the story only happens in the Middle East. Sounds funny! ]
YAJOOJ AND MAJOOJ REACH JERUSALEM
When they reach Mount Khamrin in Jerusalem, they will proclaim to have conquered the world. Then the will shoot arrows into the sky to conquer the heavens. The arrows will return blood stained.
[ The story of yajuj-Majuj sounds like the story of Nimrod or Nimrud who also threw his arrow towards the sky. The storyteller here just copied the story from an ancient tale. That is all. ]
HARDHSHIPS ON MOUNT
TOOR
Scarcity of provisions
and hardships will afflict the Muslims. Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) and the
Muslims will pray for the removal of the calamity.
[ It sounds like an ancient story. With technological innovations no one should starve in this world ]
YAJOOJ AND MAJOOJ KILLED
BY INFECTIONS
Their prayers were
answered and the Yajooj and Majooj develop boil infections, causing them
to burst simultaneously as a result.
[ No Antibiotics to cure the infection? Shame on American Biotechnology Companies! ]
EARTH FULL OF STENCH OF CORPSES
Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) and his companions pray again and huge birds are sent to pick up the Yajooj and Majooj corpses and dispose of them in Nahbal (according to Tirmidhi), the ocean or elsewhere.
[ Another ancient folk lore. Allah will send birds to take the carcass of Yajooj and Majooj. How big were they to create such a stench from their dead bodies? ]
PEACE ON EARTH
It will rain for forty days and the earth will be cleansed. Muslims will burn the bows and arrow of Yajooj and Majooj for 7 years. Life will be peaceful while Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) is alive. The earth will be bountiful. Hadhrat Isa will live 19 years after marriage.
[ Some folk lore here! If it rains for 40 days non-stop, then water will fill up the entire world. All the oceans of the world cannot supply that kind of moisture for producing rains for 40 days. Jesus will live for 19 years after a happy marriage! Some story here. Who will be the lucky bride? ]
HADHRAT ISA PASSES AWAY AND BURIED NEXT TO MUHAMMED (S.A.W.)
[ Muhammad was burried in Medina. Where will Jesus live when alive? ]
OTHER LEADERS FOLLOW AFTER HADHRAT ISA (A.S.)
Jahjaan from Qahtaan, from a tribe in Yemen, will rule as the next Khalifa. Muquad, from a tribe of Banu Tamim will also be a deputy. SOCIETY SLOWLY DECAYS AND KUFR SETS IN
[ These are all spelled out nicely. ]
The Final Signs of Qiyaamah:
1. THE CAVING IN OF THE GROUND
The ground will cave in: one in the east, one in the west, and one in Hejaz, Saudi Arabia.
[ It seems as if Saudi Arabia is the center of this earth. Every cataclysmic events only happen in Arabia. ]
2. THE FORTY DAY SMOKE/FOG
Fog or smoke will cover the skies for forty days. The non-believers will fall unconscious, while Muslims will be ill (develop colds). The skies will then clear up.
[ Again, the forty-days come to remind us the intensity of the event. Pure folk tale! ]
3. THE NIGHT OF THREE NIGHTS
A night three nights long will follow the fog. It will occur in the month of Zil-Hajj after Eidul-Adha, and cause much restlessness among the people.
[ Laws of planetary science will be broken. Who they fooling! ]
4. THE RISING OF THE SUN IN THE WEST
After the night of three nights, the following morning the sun will rise in the west. People’s repentance will not be accepted after this incident.
[ Another planetary law will be broken. The sun will rise from the west. These stuffs are for only gullibles, I suppose. ]
5. THE BEAST FROM THE EARTH APPEARS
One day later, the Beast from the earth will miraculously emerge from Mount Safaa in Makkah, causing a split in the ground. The beast will be able to talk to people and mark the faces of people, making the believers’ faces glitter, and the non-believers’ faces darkened.
[ The beast will develop a complex linguistic skill to communicate with the human beings. This is quite extraordinary! Prof. Noam Chomsky should hear this one! ]
6. THE BREEZE FROM THE SOUTH
A breeze from the south causes sores in the armpits of Muslims, which they will die of as a result.
[ Again a infection calamity. This sound like an ancient dread. No wonder these stuffs were concocted by ancient folks. ]
7. DESTRUCTION OF THE KA’ABA
The Ka’aba will be destroyed by non-Muslim African group. Kufr will be rampant. Haj will be discontinued. The Qur’an will be lifted from the heart of the people, 30 years after the ruler Muquad’s death.
[ The way Muslim Jihadists are working in the twenty-first century, Ka'aba will be destroyed not by African heathens, but by the Americans. ]
8. FINAL SIGN OF QIYAAMAH: FIRE IN YEMEN
The fire will follow people to Syria, after which it will stop.
[ Of all places, why should the fire start in Yemen. Everything should happen in Arabian Peninsula. ]
COMMENCEMENT OF QIYAAMAH
Some years after the fire, Qiyaamah begins with the Soor (trumpet) being blown. The year is not known to any person. Qiyaamah will come upon the worst of creation.
[ The author agrees with Allah that Archangel Israfil will blow his horn to bring down everything. This is funny that the author will not divulge the exact date. ]
Excerpts from... "Signs
of Qiyamah"
by Mohammed Ali Ibn
Zubair Ali
and "MAJOR SIGNS OF
QIYAMAT"
by Mufti Afzal Hoosen
Elias
Comments in green letters are by khola_mon