What does Islam teach about the End Times?
Islamic end times teachings (aka “the day of judgment”) is one of their six articles of faith. Belief in Islamic last days teachings is mandatory. Their beliefs are based on:
- The Koran, which is viewed as the infallible word of Allah; and
- The hadith, which is a compilation of sayings and behaviors of Muhammad (the founder of Islam).
Mohammad was born about 600 years after Jesus Christ. Mohammad promoted a monotheistic faith (a belief in one God). Muslims believe that Muhammad was the prophet of Allah (the god of Islam). Islam claims to be the unaltered/original faith of Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe that they worship the God of Abraham.
10% to 15% of Muslims are “Shia” Muslims (aka Shiites). They reject the hadith and base their beliefs only on the Koran. Shia Muslims are the majority only in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan, but they represent sizable minorities in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen.
85% to 90% of the Muslims in the world are “Sunni” Muslims. They follow both the Koran and the hadith. Sunni Muslims are the overwhelming majority in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The members of the Islamic group “ISIS” are technically Sunni Muslims. Contrary to what some people say, ISIS and Islamic terrorists are not “perverting” the teachings of the Koran: their behaviors are actually based on a very literal application of the Koran and the hadith. ISIS and Islamic terrorists are following the example of Muhammad. In particular, they are following the final Koranic revelation of Muhammad (Surah 9, which replaced any former revelations that conflicted with it) and the examples of Muhammad behaviors as provided in the hadith.
All Muslims are required to know and accept the Islamic end times prophesies. It is a significant part of the Islamic belief system. There are several primary players in the Islamic end times teachings: the Mahdi, Isa, the Al-Dajjal, and the Jinn. There are also many signs that foretell the last days.
The Mahdi
According to Islam, the 1st sign of the final hours will be the appearance of the Mahdi (aka “the guided one”). “Mahdi” is Arabic for “messiah.” Most descriptions of this person come from the hadith.
When the Mahdi arrives, Muslims are expected to unite under his leadership. The Mahdi is expected to kill the Al-Dajjal (the Islamic version of the false prophet / antichrist) and all enemies of Muhammad (anyone who speaks out against Muhammad or refuses to convert to Islam). He is expected to establish Islamic law throughout the land and to make preparations for the 40 year reign of Isa (the Islamic Jesus). The duration of the Mahdi’s rule is disputed but the most popular belief is that he will rule for 7 years.
Islam teaches that the Mahdi will be a man: a descendant of Muhammad though his daughter Fatimah and cousin Ali. The hadith describes him as having an Arab complexion, average height, a large belly, large eyes, a pointed nose, and a mole on his cheek. It says that the Mahdi will be recognized by the caliphate (the ruler of an Islamic State). It says that the Mahdi’s name will be announced from the sky.
The Madhi is expected to bring the Ark of the Covenant to light. He is to conquer Istanbul and Mount Daylam. He will use the same banner as Muhammad (black, unstitched, with a halo).
Muslims are taught that the Madhi “will fill out the earth with peace and justice as it will have been full of injustice and tyranny.” The Muslim concept of “peace and justice” means that the whole world will follow Islamic law. The Mahdi will lead the people in fajr prayer.
Islam teaches that the Madhi will select Jerusalem and the Dome as his home. The Dome in Jerusalem is located on the Temple Mount (it is considered to be Islam’s third most sacred site). Bible prophesies say that in the end times, the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount. If the Dome and the Jewish Temple are both on the Temple Mount at the end times, it appears they will be side-by-side.
According to Islamic teaching, the Mahdi will be a powerful religious and political leader who will force the world to submit to Islam and kill the enemies of Islam. Biblical scriptures say that someone like this will be in power at the end times. The Holy Bible refers to him as the Antichrist.
The Muslim Jesus (Isa)
According to Islamic teachings, Jesus of Nazareth (“Isa” in Arabic) will arrive around the same time as the Mahdi. His return is considered to be the 3rd major sign of the Islamic last days.
Islam teaches that Jesus of Nazareth was a great prophet but denies that Jesus Christ was the Son of God (4:171). Literally written on the walls inside every Islamic mosque are the words: “God had no son.”
Islam also denies the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Islam teaches that Jesus did not die but was raised up to heaven by Allah like Enoch (“Idris” in Arabic). (4:157-159)
Islam teaches that Isa was taken up into the clouds and that when he returns, Isa is expected to descend from the heavens. He is to arrive after the Mahdi. According to Muhammad, “though Isa is said to descend upon the world once again, the Mahdi will already be present.” The Mahdi leads the people in prayer and then Isa and the Mahdi work together to defeat and kill the Masih Ad Dajjal (the Islamic version of the false prophet / antichrist).
Islam teaches that when Isa returns, he will deny that he died on the cross, break all the crosses, kill all the Jews, and abolish jaziya (the tax on non-Muslims). Historically, the jaziya tax allowed for non-Muslim people to live in an Islamic-controlled area without having to convert to Islam – they paid an enormous tax instead. When the jaziah tax is abolished, it removes the option of not converting to Islam. Everyone will be required to convert to Islam – or be killed.
Islam teaches that Isa will then get married, live and reign for 40 years, die and be buried beside Muhammad in Medina (Saudi Arabia). They consider the Islamic Jesus (Isa) to be a just judge and ruler because he will rule by Islamic law (Sharia law).
Compare the Islamic Isa (the Muslim Jesus) with what the Holy Bible teaches:
Jesus of Nazareth was born within the Jewish lineage of King David. He lived by the laws that Almighty God gave the Jewish people. He came to fulfill the Jewish laws:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5: 17)
The covenant that Almighty God made with the Jews was an eternal promise and God is faithful in keeping His promises. According to the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ (the Jewish Messiah) loved the Jews and desired to gather them close to him:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Matthew 23: 37)
According to the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ is merciful and forgiving. Even after all he had endured (e.g. unjustly accused, beaten, mocked, and tortured), Jesus remained compassionate. While hanging on the cross and dying an agonizing death, Jesus Christ forgave those who were killing him:
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23: 33-34)
Islam adamantly proclaims that God did not have a Son and it strongly objects to referring to Almighty God as “Father.” The Holy Bible says:
“Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1 John 4: 1-3).
If someone knew for certain that Jesus Christ would be returning and wanted the world to accept a counterfeit Jesus before the real Jesus arrived, how might he do it? He would have the counterfeit Jesus appear to fulfill the prophesies so that the world could be led astray. He would fake the arrival of Jesus in the clouds and give him the power to work signs/wonders.
The Islamic Jesus (Isa) is expected to arrive in a manner somewhat similar to the way the Jesus Christ’s arrival is described in the Holy Bible, however, it will not be exactly the same. Do not be fooled when the Islamic Jesus arrives.
According to the Holy Bible, the return of Jesus Christ will be unmistakable because everyone on earth will know at the same time – similar to the way that lightning is visible from all viewpoints. This is to be a supernatural event. It will not require human technology in order for his arrival to be seen all over the world at once.
26 So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24: 26-27)
The Islamic Jesus (Isa) arrives after the Mahdi has prepared the way for him. He will declare himself to be Jesus Christ but he will deny that he was crucified or claimed to be the Son of God. He will encourage the people of the world to follow Islam.
Biblical scriptures say that someone like this will appear at the end times. The Holy Bible refers to him as the False Prophet.
Biblical Significance of the Mahdi & Isa
The Islamic prophesies about the Mahdi (the Islamic messiah) and Isa (the Islamic Jesus) parallel the Biblical prophesies of the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
The Holy Bible says that in the end times, a 7 year peace treaty will be negotiated between Israel and her enemies. The Antichrist will be involved in the negotiation of the 7 year peace treaty. The Antichrist will later stand in the Jewish Temple, put an end to animal sacrifice, and blaspheme God. The abomination that causes desolation will be set up. (read Daniel 9: 27).
Since Islamic teachings promote the genocide of all Jews, it is unlikely that the Islamic people would ever agree to peace with Israel unless it was required by a very powerful, persuasive, and unifying leader of Islam. Since the nations of Islam are expected to unite under the Mahdi (the Islamic messiah) and Isa (the Islamic Jesus), one of them is likely to represent the Islamic peoples when the peace treaty is negotiated.
The False Prophet will use signs and wonders in order to lead the world astray. He will encourage the people of the world to worship the beast. He will set up an image of the beast that will kill anyone who will not worship the beast.
The Masih Al-Dajjal
According to Islam, the 2nd sign of the final hours will be the appearance of the Al-Dajjal (what Islam considers to be the False Messiah or Antichrist). Most descriptions of this person come from the hadith.
He is described as looking gruesome and being blind in one eye to represent his single-minded goal of converting Muslims to his side. The temptation to convert is expected to be based on his ability to work miracles, his wealth, and his generosity. This is considered to be a test for true believers of Islam, who have been warned to resist his power and material temptations.
The Al-Dajjal is expected to appear before the Day of Judgment. He is to be involved in an epic battle during which he is killed by either Isa (according to Sunni tradition) or the Mahdi (according to Shia tradition).
The description of this person and his actions does not accurately fit anyone described in the Holy Bible. The Bible does, however mention an epic battle – with a very different outcome than what the Islamic prophesies proclaim.
According to Biblical scriptures, Armageddon is the epic battle in which the False Prophet and the Antichrist fight against Jesus Christ. According to Revelation 19, Jesus Christ arrives just before the nations are able to destroy the remnant of Israel at the battle at Armageddon. Jesus saves Israel and throws both the Antichrist and the False Prophet into the lake of fire.
Based on the epic battle between good and evil, there is reason to conclude that the Islamic Al-Dajjal refers to the real Jesus Christ. However, the Holy Bible has a very different perspective as to who is good and who is evil.
The Jinn
The Koran describes three sapient creations of God: humans, angels, and the Jinn. According to Islamic teachings, the Jinn are supernatural creatures that inhabit an unseen world and are made of smokeless scorching fire.
According to the Koran, the Jinn are able to interact with people and objects in a tactile manner. They are usually invisible to humans, but humans do appear clearly to jinn. They are able to take possession of humans. Islam teaches that the Jinn have free will and can be good, evil, or neutrally benevolent – and they will be judged.
Islam teaches that the Mahdi and the Jinn will work together to make Islam the religion of the world and cause the people to worship Allah. The Holy Bible says that in the end times, Satan will give his power to the Antichrist and the False Prophet and that they will cause people to worship the beast, accept the mark of the beast, and worship Satan (Revelation 13).
Islam teaches that in the end times, the Jinn and mankind will live together. The Holy Bible says that at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, Satan and his followers (fallen angels / demons) will be cast out of heaven and onto the earth (Revelation 12: 7-12). The Bible also says that at the end of the Great Tribulation, the great city of Babylon will be destroyed and it will become a place inhabited by demons, impure spirits, and unclean animals (Revelation 18: 2-3).
The Jinn appears to be what the Holy Bible calls “demons.”
The Image of the Beast
Islam teaches Muslims to believe that in the Last Days, Allah will raise up the black stone (which they currently worship as an idol for Allah) and it will have two eyes and a tongue with which it talks, and it will give witness to everyone who touches it. The black stone is currently displayed on the massive temple called the “Kaaba” which is located in Mecca, Arabia.
The Holy Bible describes that during the end times Great Tribulation the False Prophet will set up an image of the beast. It will be able to speak and it will kill anyone who refuses to fall down and worship the image of the beast. (read Revelation 13: 15)
Although it is not certain, it appears that the image of the beast could be the Black Stone of the Kaaba.
The Mark of the Beast
Islam teaches Muslims to believe that taking the mark of the beast is a badge of submission to Allah and the sign of a true believer. Islam teaches that in the Last Days the Madhi (the Islamic messiah) will mark the true believers and that taking the mark is good.
In preparation for that time, Muslims often wear an Islamic badge on their arms and/or foreheads. The badge has crossed swords and the Bismillah (in Arabic): “in the name of Allah.” The Arabic images resemble the Greek letters: chi, xi, sigma (χξϛ) which totals 666.
The Holy Bible says that during the Great Tribulation, people will be forced to take the mark of the beast in/on their right hand or forehead ( read Revelation 13: 16-17). The number of the beast is 666 (read Revelation 13: 18). In those days, anyone who doesn’t take the mark will not be able to buy or sell and they will be severely persecuted. However, anyone who takes the mark of the beast will be forever damned: they will spend eternity in torment. (read Revelation 14: 9-11)
Islam & Christianity are Polar Opposites
Written on the walls inside every Islamic mosque are the words: “God had no Son.”
The Holy Bible says:
Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. (1 John 4: 1-3)
Islam and Christianity worship a very different God and because of what they believe, they are likely to spend eternity in very different places.
Pray for the Muslim People
Most Muslims are devout and genuinely believe that they are following the God of Abraham. But they have been deceived by the great deceiver.
If you are a Jew or Christian: please pray for the Muslim people. Ask Jehovah God to help them know the truth about who He really is and how very much He loves them. Pray that they turn to the true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Pray that they learn the truth before it is too late.
If you are a Muslim: please earnestly ask “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” to show you the truth.
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