Prophesied Imam Mahdi and a Promised Messiah

Prophesied Imam Mahdi and a Promised Messiah

All praise due to Allah, who’s Mercy encompasses the entire universe, and whose Justice is Infinite and whose treasures are boundless.
We confirm that Allah is all Merciful All-forgiving, and has no partners. We believe, in all Prophets and their previous revelations, and confirm that Mohammad (peace is upon him) is the last in the line of Prophets from the progeny of Abraham peace be upon them

The principals of Islam are based on two main parameters, one is Tawhid. (Oneness of the creator) and Risala’Prophethood of Mohammad bin Abdullah to be the termination in the line of Prophets from the progeny of Abraham peace be upon him
Islam basically now becomes an institution of a virtual version of a learning process not simply a library entering to a “learn it yourself” or attending and participating at a “Sunday school” and perceive that we are the complete scholars in religion
“Imam Ali a few years prior his assassination remarked “a virtuous man is recognised by the good that is said about him and the praises which Allah has destined him to receive from others.

Today there is the controversy regards the Akir- uz-zamman, The Messiah, The Mahdi and amongst the hoopla there is the involvement of Hollywood embarking on this subject with The Divinci code. What are the answers we have given our children or have we succumbed to the information provided to us by the media.
I have some information which can be provided without doubt to your families in a simple format.
Prophesied Imam Mahdi and a Promised Messiah
Islam—with more than one billion adherents to its various forms—has become increasingly visible in recent years. Practitioners of this belief system, which is based on the Qur’an, can be found in most nations of the world. The prophet Muhammad is a familiar personage to most outside of Islam and commands deep respect from those in it. He is said to have ascended into heaven from a rock on top of what Jews and Christians believe is Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, to receive special instructions from God.
The world is now becoming aware of the Islamic belief in a coming Messiah coupled with an apocalyptic aspect. The Iranian president’s petition to Allah offered a glimpse into one version of this belief, shared by millions within the Muslim religion.
The majority of Muslims are of the Sunni branch of Islam, while Shia makes up much of the minority belief. It must first be acknowledged that many in the Sunni majority do not subscribe to the belief in a Mahdi as viewed by the Iranian president and the Shiites.
Many Sunnis view the Messiah as exclusively “Jesus the son of Mary.” It should be pointed out that some noted Sunni authorities have rejected belief in the Mahdi altogether.
The portion of Sunni Muslims who do believe in this figure, they do not necessarily accept that he is the Twelfth Imam, as do the Shiites. Yet it is beneficial to understand what the Iranian president, the minority Shiites and some Sunnis in particular countries believe in regard to the Imam Mahdi. Who is this Imam Mahdi and what is his significance? Is he regarded as the same as the promised Messiah? Or are they considered two different figures?
The term Mahdi is interpreted to mean “the Guided One.” Though (according to some Muslims) not specifically mentioned in the Qur’an, the belief of a coming Mahdi is rooted in Islamic Hadith, or traditions, based on its teachings. According to these Hadith, the Mahdi is to be descended from the Prophet Muhammad’s family (from Ishmael, of the Old Testament). At age 40, he is expected to appear on the scene suddenly at the time of the end, a period when the world will be filled with injustice and tyranny, and believers (of Islam) will be under oppression.
Preceding his appearance will be various signs such as a great earthquake and green grass growing in desert lands. Receiving knowledge directly from Allah, the Mahdi will rule over the Muslim community for seven (some say nine) years, spreading brotherhood, equity and devotion among Muslims. It is also believed he will bring justice to the Earth, uniting Arabs and other peoples under Islam.
These events occur prior to a second physical coming of Hadrat Isa bin Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), who Islam believes was a prophet of God from the lineage of Abraham, and the prophesied Messiah. According to some Hadith, Jesus and the Mahdi will co-rule for a short time. At Jesus’ return, he will fight and overcome the Dijjal (the “antichrist”), will rule according to the laws of Islam, and cause the peoples of the world (Jews and Christians) to embrace Islam, heralding in a time of justice, peace and prosperity.
During his 40 years on Earth, he will be married for 19 years, have children, and then die and be buried in a grave next to the holy prophet. He will also be victorious in a battle against Gog and Magog (nations also mentioned in the Old Testament). These events are said to happen before all believers die prior to the Day of Judgment, during which a resurrection of the dead, involving judgment and punishment, occurs. It is after this that Allah establishes his kingdom on Earth, with Islam as the worldwide religion.