The Help of Allah is near - Part 5

 

We are all in need of motivational reminders, and the ongoing events in Palestine highlight our greater responsibilities as Muslims, as well as the signs of the end times. The prophecy of end times is universally accepted in Islam. There is mention of end times in Jewish and Christian scriptures. There are differences between the Islamic viewpoint and those of the other two religions. The reference here to end times will focus on Bilad-ash-Shaam which includes Palestine. We will confine ourselves to the Islamic viewpoint and examine, briefly, the fact that Muslims will be uppermost and the caliphate will be established from Jerusalem. Furthermore, Eesa bin Maryam (peace be upon him) will descend to affirm his prophethood and resolve the dispute regarding his divinity.

Proof, not only of the return of the caliphate, but indeed that caliphate will be in Jerusalem is found in a mawquf* hadith reported by Ibn Asakir, where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“This matter (the Caliphate) will be after me in Madinah, then in Al-Sham, then in the Peninsula, then in Iraq, then in the City, then in Bait ul-Maqdis. If it is in Bait ul-Maqdis, its home country is there, and no people will be able to remove it, so it will return to them forever.” Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Dimashiq 368

This hadith, although mawquf, is considered hasan with a sound chain of narrators.

Reference to “The City” in the hadith refers to Constantinople. The last caliphate was in Istanbul (Constantinople). There has not been a caliph/ate since 1924CE. The hadith points to a caliphate in Bait ul Maqdis. Bait ul Maqdis is Jerusalem. Therefore, that is the understanding that the future caliphate will be in Jerusalem because it has not been there before. This is the understanding based on hadith interpretations by scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah. For that to happen, Muslims must be in control of Jerusalem again. Therein lies the hope that victory will be soon. However, “soon” is relative as this is part of knowledge of the unseen – meaning knowledge which is with Allah and which He has not given to us. Thus no one can rightly pinpoint the exact time. Scholars have considered that we are nearing the time for the major signs which will happen after the appearance of Imam Mahdi. Furthermore, the Mahdi, who will be a caliph, will not be the first one in the new caliphate. It is already testing times, and should the Mahdi appear, then it means Ad-dajjal (antichrist) is close. Therein lies a loose reference to the current reality that the Jews are preparing for his arrival.

The current genocide in Gaza and the general oppression of the people of Palestine is a heart-wrenching matter. There is some comfort of the quality of people of Palestine as related in an authentic hadith reported in Musnad Ahmad, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“A group among my Ummah will continue to uphold the truth and will prevail, and those who oppose them will not harm them until the decree of Allah comes. They will be in Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) and its surroundings.”

. Victory is near because the people of Palestine will stand strong. Muslims should hold firm onto their faith. We are not freed of our obligation to assist as much as we can. Each will be judged according to his/her ability and how you have carried out your duty in this regard. While martyrdom is something magnanimous, it does not absolve us from assisting the Palestinians and saving lives for saving lives is a great deed. Allah decides who dies a martyr or not but imagine the martyr takes from your deeds because of your indifference in standing for justice or, worse still, your aiding and abetting a genocide.

Once the Mahdi has appeared, then soon Eesa bin Maryam will appear. The hadith describing the appearance of Eesa bin Maryam is lengthy, and beyond the scope of this piece. We may discuss it in detail another time.". Suffice for now, that this is the viewpoint of Ahlus-sunnah wa-l-Jama’ah.

In conclusion, the hadith indicates that the Caliphate will eventually be restored, with its seat in Jerusalem. The people of Palestine will continue to endure immense trials — including oppression and starvation — with unwavering resilience. They are indeed a special people, honoured for their steadfastness. We support them not to deny them the honour of martyrdom, but because our test lies in preserving life, and in establishing peace and justice where we can. Theirs and our reward is with Allah.

see next: The Cape Muslim Dialogue: The Help of Allah is near - Part 6

See previous: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-help-of-allah-is-near-part-4.html