DAJJAL'S UPRISING

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in chapter 5 narrates from Bukhari and Muslim and they in turn narrate from Ma'az-ibn-Jabal that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said:

'A tribe from my nation will battle for the truth and will gain victory over the enemies until he will face Dajjal for the last time.'

One tradition mentions Hazrat as saying: 'A group from my nation.'

In section 3, chapter 9 of the same book, the author narrates from the book 'Mustadlak' of Hakim Abu-Abdullah (who reckons the chain of transmission of this tradition to be correct provided it has been narrated by Muslim) who narrates from Jabil-ibn Samrah and that Nafeh-ibn-Uqbah said: I heard the Holy Prophet saying: 'You will battle with the people of Arabian Peninsula and will gain victory over them. Thereafter you will battle with the Persians and you will gain victory over them too. Then you will battle with Dajjal .....

In section 2 chapter 12 of the same book, the author narrates from Abul-Abbass Ahmad-ibn-Yahya-ibnTughlab as saying:

'The reason why Dajjal is called as Dajjal is because he displays everything in contrariety.

Again, in the same section and the same chapter of the afore-said book, the author narrates from Bukhari and he from Anas-ibn-Malik and he from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) as such:

'There is no Prophet but that whose nation terrifies the ominous and mendacious Dajjal....'

Ibn-Hajar in 'Sawa'eq' (page 99) has narrated from Abul-Hussein Abari as such:

'Abundant traditions related by successive hearsay have come down from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.)regarding Mahdi's emergence; concerning the fact that Hazrat is from the progeny of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.); that he will rule for seven years; that he will fill the earth with Justice; that he will emerge along with Isa and the latter would help him in killing Dajjal....

SUFYANI'S UPRISING

The author of 'Eqdud-Durar' in section 2, chapter 4, narrates from Abdullah-ibn-Safwan and he from Hafsah (wife of the Holy Prophet) as such:

'I heard the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.A.) saying: This house shall remain safe from an army which would attack it until the army takes position in a soft land. The centre row would sink in the ground while the first row would seek help from the last row. Then no one shall remain from them except the one who will inform about them.

A person addressed Abdullah-ibn-Safwan as such: I bear witness that you have not lied about Hafsah and she too has not lied about the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.).

This tradition has been narrated by Imam Muslim in his book 'Sahih'.

In the same chapter of the afore-said book, the author narrates from Imam Muslim (book of 'Sahih') who in turn narrates from Abdullah-ibn- Utbah who said:

I approached Umm-ul-Mumineen (i.e. Umm-Salma, the wife of the Holy Prophet) along with Harith-ibn-Abu Rabiyah and Abdullah-ibn Safnan.

Both inquired from Umm-Salme about the army which would sink in the ground and Umm-Salma replied:- The Messenger of Allah said: A person will seek shelter in the House (Ka'aba?) Allah shall appoint an army and when they reach the soft land they will sink in it.

I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah' How will be the state of the one who will be un-prosperous? He replied: He too shall sink with them but Allah will appoint him on the Day of Judgement as per his intention.

In one tradition, Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.)says: By 'soft land' it is meant Medina.

In section 3 chapter 4 of the same book, the author narrates from Hafiz Abu Abdullah Na'eem-ibnHemaad (book of Fatan) that Zuhri said:

'When Sufyani and Mahdi will encounter each other a cry will be heard from the heavens as such:

Be aware Allah's saints are the helpers of so and so a person i.e. Mahdi .... .

In section 2, chapter 4 of the same book, the author narrates from Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad and he from Khalil-ibn-Sufyan as saying:

Sufyani shall revolt and he will be having three pipes in his hand. He will not play on it for anyone but will die.

In section 2 chapter 4 of the same book, the author narrates from Hafiz Abu Abdullah Na'eem-ibn-Hemaad (book of Fatan) and Hafiz Abu Abdullah (book of Mustadrak) who reckon [the chain of transmission of this tradition to be authentic] and they from Ibn-Massoud that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said:

'Be on guard against seven calamities which would occur after me:

The sedition which would arise in Medina, the sedition which would arise in Mecca, the sedition which would arise in Yemen, the sedition which would appear in Syria, the sedition which would appear from the East, the sedition which would arise from the West and lastly the sedition which would arise from central Syria which would be the sedition of Sufyani.

Ibn-Massoud says: Some of you will perceive the beginning of these seditions while some of you will perceive the last part of it.

Walid-ibn-Abbass says: The sedition of Medina was the very one which appeared from Thalha and Zubair, the seditiion of Mecca was the very one from Ibn-Zubair; the sedition of Yemen ascended from Najdah's side; the sedition of Syria appeared from Bani-Ummayah and sedition of central Syria is through this group.

In section 2, chapter 4 of 'Eqdud-Durar' its author narrates from Jabir-ibn-Yazid Ju'afi that Hazrat Imam Muhammad Baqir addressed Jabir as such: 'O Jabir! Sit firmly in your place until I describe for you the signs ..... Three flags will set out from Syria: Red and white flag, black and white flags and the flag of Sufyani ..... Sufyani shall dispatch 10000 men towards Kufa. They will plunder, kill and take as captives its inhabitants. When they will engage in these activities, men from Khorasan holding flags will march forward with swiftness. They are Mahdi's helpers.... Sufyani shall dispatch troops towards Medina and Mahdi shall escape from Medina to Mecca. The commander of the Sufyani's army shall be informed about Mahdi's flight towards Mecca.

Najdeh-ibn-Aamer Hanafi was one of the Khawarij who commands his army to persue Mahdi but they will not find him.... The commander of Sufyanis army shall descend over the land of 'Baidah' (soft land between Mecca and Medina) and a caller from the heavens shall cry out: 'O baidah! destroy this group'. Then the land of Baidah shall swallow them.

The author of 'Yanabi-ul-Muwadda' (page 414) has narrated from the book 'Durrul-Monzoom' as such: 'One of the signs of Mahdi's emergence will be the revolt of Sufyani. He will dispatch 30000 men towards Mecca where they will sink in the land of Baidah'....

Ibn Abil-Hadid in his 'commentary of Nahjul-Balagha (vol. 1, pg. 21 1) on the occasion when Ali (A.S.)delivered a sermon on the 'Ghaib' (unseen)says:- 'Abu Dawoud Thayalesi has narrated from Sulaiman Zarriq who has narrated from Abdul Aziz-ibn- Suhib who has narrated from Abul-A'alia that Mazrah (who was one of Ali's followers) said:

'An army shall advance until it reaches the land of Baidah. There, the army would sink in the ground.'

Abul-A'alia says: I asked Mazrah whether he would give me the news of the unseen and he replied: Keep guard of whatever I tell you since a reliable man like Ali-ibn-Abi Talib has informed me.

Ibn-Abid Hadid says: The tradition of 'Sinking in the ground' has been narrated by Bukhari and Muslim in their books of 'Sahih' from Umm-Salme (may Allah be satisfied with her) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: 'A group will seek shelter in the Ka'aba until they reach 'Baidah' and then the ground would swallow them.

I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Perhaps the discontented people are amongst them!

The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.A.) said: The land shall swallow them but they will be gathered. Or he said: They will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement according to their intentions.

Ibn-Abi Hadid says: Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.) was asked whether every land was called as 'Baidah' and Imam replied: Never. Rather 'Baidah' is in Medina.

Bukhari has narrated a part of this tradition while Muslim has narrated the rest.

The author of 'Esaaf-ul-Raghebeen' on page 153 says: It is mentioned in traditions that Sufyani will dispatch troops from Syria against Mahdi and they will sink in the ground at 'Baidah'. None will remain alive except the person who will spread news about them. Sufyani and Mahdi will approach that person along with their respective followers and victory will be on Mahdi's side and Sufyani will be killed....

The author says: I have not come across any authentic traditions which have revealed the matter of meeting of the two afore-said armys - Perhaps it is between Kufa and Medina - Allah Knows best.