According to Peacetv, if Jesus (as) has passed away, then what do we make of the prophecies regarding his second coming? How do they affect our interpretation of the prophecies of the Imam Mahdi? And what is the Qur’anic basis for this entire concept?

We will first establish the Qur’anic basis for the belief in the appearance of a divine reformer in the Latter Days. It appears most vividly in the 62nd chapter of the Holy Qur’an.

“He it is Who has raised among the Unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest misguidance.

And among others from among them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise. That is Allah’s grace; He bestows it on whom He pleases; and Allah is the Master of immense grace.”

— Holy Qur’an, 62: 3-5

These verses paint a graphic picture of the spiritual revolution the Holy Prophet Muhammadsabrought to the deserts of Arabia. But they then go on to foretell of his ‘raising’ amongothers from them who have not yet joined them.The obvious question is how will the Holy Prophetsabe ‘raised again?’ Secondarily, who will be these ‘others’ who have not yet joined them?

The companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) themselves were confused. The following is reported in Sahih Bukhari, the most authentic book of traditions:

Abū Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “We were in the company of the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) when Sūrah Jumu’ah was revealed. [When he recited the verse] ‘Wa Ākharīna Minhum Lammā Yalḥaqū Bihim,’ that is, ‘And (among) others of them who have not yet joined them,’ one of those present asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allāh?” The Holy Prophet did not reply until the third time. At that time, Salman the Persian was also among us. The Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) placed his hand on him and said, ‘Even if faith ascended to the Pleiades, a person or persons from among them will restore it [back to earth].”

We can learn many things from this remarkable tradition.

First, the importance of the subject matter, signified by the Holy Prophetsawaiting for the question to be asked three times before answering it. Next, the Holy Prophetsadid not answer the question that Abu Hurairahra asked. Rather, he answered the question he thought he should have asked. Instead of answering the question ofwhothese later people would be, he answered the question ofhowthe Holy Prophetsawill appear in the world again among a different people. His answer was that when faith would disappear to the heavens, a man/men from among the Persians would restore faith to the Earth.

Then the verse and the hadith also confer the status of companionson these latter people.

Moreover, by referring to a plurality of reformers, it indicates that this re-manifestation of the Prophet would be followed by others, his Khulafa. Finally, the verse and hadith establish that this Reformer and his successors will be successful in returning faith to the Earth.

As every sound narration must find basis in the Qur’an, we must use this pronouncement as the foundation for understanding other traditions which refer to future reformers.

In the authentic books of traditions, there are multiple references to the Second Coming of the Son of Mary. There are also scattered references of the advent of the Imam Mahdi.