Article ID: 29

Article Date: 2015-05-30

Writer: Mostafa Amiri (http://rajanews.com/node/213239)

The Signs of the Reappearance(2)

ISIS, Sufyani, and the Cartoonish Simulation of Mahdism Signs in an Artificial End-Time

After the conquests and victories of ISIS in Syria and the rapid seizure of some provinces of Iraq by the ISIS group, and on the other hand, the horrific crimes of this group in Iraq and Syria, the possibility that ISIS is the Sufyani was strengthened. First, after a brief familiarity with the formation process of ISIS, various viewpoints are presented, and in the end, it will be proven that ISIS is not the Sufyani; rather, it may pave the way for the emergence of the Sufyani, and ISIS members in the future may be among the followers and soldiers of the Sufyani.
There are numerous similarities between ISIS and the Sufyani. This has led some Shiites and those awaiting the emergence to equate ISIS with the Sufyani. Such Shiite enthusiasm has, in the eyes of followers of other religions, taken on a particular manifestation, and the intervention of Iran and Hezbollah Lebanon in Syrian affairs has been interpreted as Iran’s and Hezbollah’s preparation for war against the Sufyani and Israel. In the Arab world and among Sunni Muslims, predictions and interpretations have become much more frequent than before, and ISIS’ behaviors have been linked to religious concepts and propositions.
However, on the side of the front of disbelief and hypocrisy, the enemies, by exploiting this enthusiasm, have attempted to equate ISIS with the Sufyani and exaggerate the differences between Shiites and Sunnis, artificially and prematurely suggesting a Shiite war against the enemies of Imam Mahdi under the title of end-time religious messages in Syria, even presenting ISIS as the army of Imam Mahdi. They seek to divert the Islamic community from the real enemy (Israel and the United States) and, unfortunately, have been somewhat successful. Moreover, supporters of the Torah-based and Armageddon-oriented Christian biblical thought have closely observed the attacks of Takfiri groups in Iraq in the Western end-time puzzle. Even Western religious scholars and experts have gone further, presenting ISIS as the symbol of “true Islam” in the Western world and claiming that the path of all Muslims leads to a single outcome, which is ISIS’ path.
Tragically, even the ISIS movement itself, aware of the signs of the emergence and end-time literature, has attempted, through deterministic actions, to instill fear and terror and exploit end-time narrations. For example, after the attack on Mosul, by issuing a statement containing end-time propositions, it sought to completely seize Shia-populated areas of Iraq and massacre Shias and Shia scholars. The group announced in its statement: “We know that the opposing front, i.e., the Shiites, have these situations in their narrations and hadiths and believe that we are the ‘army of the Sufyani.’ We declare to all Muslims that our way and method are the way of the ‘Banu Umayya.’” ISIS further declared in its new statement: “Shiites believe that a person from Banu Hashim will be killed in southern Iraq, and that person is ‘Nafas Zakiyyah.’(Pure soul) That person is [Ayatollah] Ali Sistani, and all should know that we will kill him and bury his body!”⁽¹⁾
However, this group is unaware that the Ahl al-Bayt have provided precise criteria for identifying the Sufyani. Among these criteria, the Sufyani must gain complete control over the Syrian region before attacking Iraq. ISIS does not fulfill this important condition. This is one of the benefits of knowing the hadiths and recognizing the signs of the emergence. Anyone who studies Mahdism narrations will immediately say: ISIS is lying that it is the army of the Sufyani, because the prerequisites of the definite emergence sign (Sufyani) have not yet been completed, let alone the actual definite emergence sign (Sufyani). Because:
1. When the Sufyani emerges, he must conquer all of Syria and then send two armies toward Medina and Iraq. So where are the Sufyani armies heading to Medina and Arabia?
2. By studying the Mahdism hadiths, we also learn that the Sufyani is from the lineage of Abu Sufyan and Muawiya and takes pride in his ancestry, whereas the leader of ISIS (Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi) falsely claims to be from the lineage of Imam Husayn.
3. Moreover, in the emergence of the Sufyani, a prominent individual is central, but today the atrocities committed by ISIS are movement-centered, not person-centered. Of course, it is possible that this movement may give rise to a specific central person who would be the Sufyani.
Thus, with a little study of Mahdism, we will not be deceived by ISIS. Yes, ISIS may be among the prerequisites of the emergence sign (Sufyani), not necessarily the Sufyani himself.
ISIS, however, in the chaotic situation, has claimed to pave the way for the emergence of a global Islamic government and has applied the prophetic glad tidings in Sunni books regarding the end-time to itself. This movement, which previously tried to use end-time narrations in its programs and media productions, rarely referred to Mahdism hadiths and, to legitimize itself, mostly utilized the prophecies of Ashrat al-Saa‘a and Malahim in Sunni books, which refer to end-time wars in Iraq and Syria. Recently, Dabiq magazine issue 5 has used symbols that steer the Muslim public opinion toward Mahdism.
On the last page of Dabiq magazine, a hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud from Sunni sources was cited, making ISIS’ use of Mahdism narrations more apparent. The text of this hadith is as follows:
“If there remained only one day of the world, Allah would prolong that day until a man from my family is raised whose name is like my name and whose father’s name is like my father’s name. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and tyranny.”⁽²⁾
As observed, this narration directly refers to the Mahdi . Although this particular narration was chosen to show the Sunni perspective on Mahdism distinct from the Shiite view (because in the Sunni perspective, unlike the Shiites, the father’s name of the Imam of the Age is like the father of the Prophet Muhammad – Abdullah).
It appears that behind the formation of ISIS, think tanks of the forces of falsehood, including Jewish and Christian Zionist networks and Western intelligence agencies, have extensively studied end-time literature to, in their naive imagination, control events near the emergence. Evidence of this includes, besides the formation of ISIS and the exploitation of black flags in prophetic glad tidings, the creation of the Khorasan terrorist group, now exploiting flags from Khorasan. They aim to simulate end-time signs in a cartoonish manner to manage developments and events near the emergence. The ridiculous efforts of the “Western–Hebrew–Arab axis” to exploit end-time narrations and create a cartoonish simulation of end-time events will continue until all becomes confusing. They plotted, but Allah also plotted, and Allah is the best of planners.⁽³⁾
The Mongol-like invasion of the wild Salafi ISIS army into the land of Iraq after Syria suddenly sounded the alarm for the inhabitants of the Islamic East. The extraordinary advance across the large geography of the two lands, Syria and Iraq, the ruthless and exemplary massacre of innocent Shiites and other sects, mutilation of bodies, slaughter of innocents, the slogan of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and finally the black flag of these criminals led many residents of Iran, Iraq, and beyond to believe that this event is on the path of the Sufyani’s emergence and its vanguards. This is exactly what, in the narrations of the Imams (peace be upon them), is mentioned as the first definite sign of the emergence of Imam Mahdi.
One of the signs of the Sufyani as a definite sign of the emergence is the killing of Shiites and being an enemy of the Ahl al-Bayt. In a reliable hadith from Imam al-Baqir it is stated:
"His intense anger and greed are directed only at our Shiites." ⁽⁴⁾
The terrorist group ISIS also resembles the Sufyani in this sign. But can one, based solely on a similarity, claim that this group is the Sufyani mentioned in the narrations and hadiths? It is clear that to prove such a claim, all narrations related to the Sufyani must be considered. This article seeks to answer this contemporary question.

Differences Between ISIS and the Sufyani

ISIS is not the Sufyani. The differences between ISIS and the Sufyani can be examined as follows:

1. Flag Color Difference:

The Sufyani’s flag is red, while ISIS’ flag is black.

2. Place of Emergence:

The Sufyani emerges from Wadi Yabis, while ISIS emerged in northern Syria and Iraq.

3. Person vs. Movement:

According to Islamic narrations, the Sufyani is a specific person, whereas ISIS is a movement. The Sufyani is person-centered, while ISIS is mostly movement-centered.

4. Lineage and Name:

The Sufyani’s lineage and name are given in the narrations; he is from the descendants of Abu Sufyan and Yazid ibn Muawiya. In contrast, the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, cannot be verified in this regard.

5. Military Power:

The Sufyani’s army is described as extremely formidable in the narrations, capable of swiftly conquering Syria and Iraq, whereas ISIS does not possess such power and has not yet gained control over all of Syria.

6. Duration of Rule:

The Sufyani will rule for no more than 15 months. ISIS, however, has existed for more than 15 months and has been at war in Syria for several years without achieving full control. In a reliable hadith, Imam al-Sadiq said:
"From the beginning of the Sufyani’s uprising to the end of his work is fifteen months. He will fight for six months, take five towns, and rule for nine months and one day no more." ⁽⁵⁾
In another narration, Imam al-Sadiq names the five regions in Syria:
"He (the Sufyani) will take control of five regions of Syria: Damascus, Homs, Palestine, Jordan, and Qinnasrin." ⁽⁶⁾
These five regions are currently located in four countries: Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan.
• Firstly, the Sufyani is someone who can seize four countries in six months, which clearly does not match ISIS.
• Secondly, the entire rebellion and rule of the Sufyani from emergence to decline will not exceed fifteen months, whereas ISIS has caused harm to Islamic countries for more than twice this duration without taking any country.
Moreover, Imam Ali (PBUH) stated:
"The Sufyani will rebel, and the people of Syria will follow him." ⁽⁷⁾
It is clear that the people of Syria did not fully support ISIS.
7. According to the narrations, after suppressing his opponents in Syria, the Sufyani has no target other than attacking Iraq. He will march with a large army toward Iraq but, midway, in a region called Qarqisiya (a city in Syria at the confluence of the Khabur and Euphrates rivers), a fierce battle occurs, and many are killed. Then, after victory in Qarqisiya, the Sufyani’s army simultaneously advances with two separate forces toward Medina and Iraq. ISIS did not engage in such a battle during its advance into Iraq.
8. If ISIS were the Sufyani, then the Khorasani and Yamani must also have emerged. This has not yet occurred. In a reliable hadith, Imam al-Sadiq said:
"Indeed, the matter of the Sufyani is one of the definite matters, and his emergence will be in the month of Rajab." ⁽⁸⁾
In another hadith, Imam al-Baqir said:
"The emergence of three – Khorasani, Sufyani, and Yamani – will be in one year, one month, and one day." ⁽⁹⁾
According to these two narrations, the Sufyani will rebel in Rajab alongside the Khorasani and Yamani, which clearly does not correspond to ISIS, as neither the Khorasani nor the Yamani have risen yet.
9. If ISIS were the Sufyani, he should have sent an army toward Arabia, Medina, and Mecca, in addition to attacking Iraq. Everyone knows this did not happen.
10. Moreover, at the time the Sufyani’s army is dispatched toward Arabia and Medina, Imam Mahdi moves from Medina toward Mecca. This is documented in the narration from Imam al-Baqir:
"…and the Sufyani sends an army to Medina. The Mahdi flees from there toward Mecca. The commander of the Sufyani’s army is informed that the Mahdi has gone toward Mecca. Then he sends an army after him, but they do not succeed in capturing him until he enters Mecca in fear and vigilance according to the tradition of Moses son of ʿImran… The Sufyani’s army camps at al-Bayda, and then a caller from the heaven calls: ‘O land of Bayda, swallow this army,’ and the people are swallowed by the earth." ⁽¹⁰⁾
This shows that the dispatch of the Sufyani’s army toward Arabia and Medina occurs at the time of the emergence of Imam Mahdi, whereas Imam Mahdi has not yet emerged.

The Fitna of Syria and the Continuation Until the Emergence

Fitna of Syria in Islamic Narrations

Many sources refer to the events in Syria in the years preceding the emergence of Imam al-Mahdi. The most important of these is the narration of Jabir in the book al-Ghayba of al-Nuʿmani, which he narrates from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir , who said:
"O Jabir! The Qa’im will not emerge until a fitna encompasses Syria, and the people of Syria seek deliverance from it; yet they will find no way out." ⁽¹¹⁾
Also, in the book Malahim wa Fitan by Ibn Tawus, citing ʿAqd al-Durar from Sunni sources, it is stated:
"There will be a fitna in Syria whose beginning is like the play of children. Whenever this fitna seems calm and silent from one side, it arises from another and does not end until a caller from the sky proclaims: ‘Be aware that only so-and-so (Imam Mahdi) is the leader…’" ⁽¹²⁾
The Western scenario in dealing with Salafi Takfiri groups and ISIS is to gather these groups as an effective force but ultimately maintain them as a disruptive element in the region. That is, these groups, like the Taliban in Afghanistan, are limited but not eradicated and constantly pose a threat to Islamic governments, especially Iraq and Syria. In other words, these areas will always be prone to unexpected and sudden events, and countries will be enveloped in insecurity.
Caricature Simulation of the Signs of the Emergence and Reviving the Illusion of Armageddon
The awareness of Western and Jewish religious research centers regarding the Mahdavi and eschatological perceptions of Muslims, and the possibility of simulating these signs mentioned in the narrations through the Salafi Takfiri currents over the past few years, has created the opportunity for a large population of Muslims to be misled. They may believe that the Salafi Takfiri movement from Syria, and subsequently the attack on Iraq, represents the prophesied event mentioned in Islamic eschatological narrations.
The religious belief in the promised savior and the expectation of witnessing this noble event in this era, in hope of deliverance from all forms of oppression and injustice, has enabled the people of this sensitive region of the Islamic East to suddenly enter the arena upon seeing signs of this momentous event. It is precisely under these conditions that the alliance of the Cross and Zion can, with a single decisive step, exhaust all potential energy among the inhabitants in ethnic, tribal, and religious conflicts, operationalize the Armageddon project, and complete its global dominance in the form of a world government with a core in occupied Palestine.
Despite many similarities between ISIS and the Sufyani, there are also significant differences. Although that cursed last Umayyad Sufyani will also be a product of Judaism and supported by Jews, if Muslims, especially the Shiites of the family of Muhammad, enter the fray with this assumption, before they have a chance to strike this group seriously, and before our Master and Lord is permitted to rise, these oppressed people may suffer significant damage in the sacrificial arena designed by the bloody alliance of the Cross and Zion. Shiite jihadists are the only group capable of confronting the totalitarian movements of the Crusaders and Zionists and are the greatest obstacle to the final phase of the global Jewish governance project.
The implementation of the simulation and caricature of the event of the emergence of the Promised Mahdi by the alliance of the Cross and Zion (Israel and the United States) is an old and longstanding aspiration of the forces of falsehood, which has been made possible for years by the field presence of Salafi, Wahhabi, and Sunni Takfiri movements.

Conclusion

The claim that ISIS is the Sufyani has not been proven. Rather, ISIS may be a precursor, facilitator, and preparation for the emergence of the Sufyani. The ISIS members may join the ranks of the Sufyani’s followers and army upon his emergence.
In other words, ISIS is not the Sufyani, but ISIS represents one of the signs of the Sufyani’s emergence. The simulation of ISIS and other Salafi movements in Syria and northern Africa (such as Jabhat al-Nusra and others) alongside the predicted events in eschatological narrations in the years prior to the emergence should not deceive us or create doubt. This assumption carries extremely dangerous consequences. At a minimum, this doubt leads to the despair of the oppressed and Shiites regarding the emergence of Imam Mahdi. According to certain narrations, some people, unknowingly and in despair, may deny the existence and emergence of Imam Mahdi.
An important point in Mahdavi studies is that the narrations of Mahdism are pieces of a single puzzle and should not be examined separately. Especially if the signs of the emergence are studied independently of one another, one will not reach accurate or desirable conclusions.

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