The Mahdi is Not the Antichrist

Islamic teachings clearly illustrate the Mahdi as a virtuous leader destined to appear before the Day of Judgment to fill the world with justice, countering the widespread injustice and oppression. In Sunni narrations, the prophet Muhammad specifically refers to the Mahdi as his descendant, a person who will bring back moral and spiritual order. According to Shia traditions, he is also known as the Twelfth Imam, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, the prophetic leader who is presently in occultation, waiting for the right time to establish divine justice and righteousness throughout the world (Kitab al-Ghaybah by Sheikh al-Tusi; Bihar al-Anwar by Allama Majlisi).

On the other hand, Islamic narrations portray the Antichrist (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal) as a one-eyed deceiver who manipulates the masses by pretending to be divine and using deception and illusions to lead them astray (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2933). The Mahdi's mandate is to defend justice, monotheism, and faith, directly opposing the falsehood and treachery of the Antichrist.

Furthermore, comparing the Mahdi to the Antichrist is refuted by Christian scripture. The Antichrist is specifically defined in the Bible as someone who rejects Jesus Christ and deceives people (John 2:22; Thessalonians 2:3-4). However, Islamic teachings clearly portray Jesus and the Mahdi as allies, opposing the Antichrist together and reestablishing divine justice (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 36, Hadith 4077; Bihar al-Anwar by Allama Majlisi).

Yet, despite these clear historical and scriptural distinctions, contemporary theologians like evangelical pastor John MacArthur, author Joel Richardson ("The Islamic Antichrist"), perpetuate the notion that the Mahdi is synonymous with the Antichrist. Often driven by geopolitical narratives and religious rivalry rather than thorough theological scholarship, their rhetoric reinforces group identity and galvanizes support around specific political or religious agendas.

Ultimately, such conflation breeds misunderstanding, fear, and division rather than genuine spiritual enlightenment. Historically respected Christian theologians such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas vividly characterize the Antichrist as one who promotes idolatry, self-worship, and rebellion against the teachings of Jesus, qualities diametrically opposed to the Mahdi’s devotion to monotheism and divine justice. That said, any man who calls towards Jesus and elevates him, cannot rationally be called an Antichrist. Otherwise, Christian narrations and scriptures would have to be called into question. This would then open a metaphorical can of worms with regards to the fundamentals of Christian theology.

Therefore, there can be no doubt about the character of the Mahdi, and it can be definitely established that he is not the Antichrist. What if the Antichrist was not even an individual?

This notion is not at all irrational when one considers the very nature of the Antichrist is predicated on deception. If the Antichrist is clear and obvious then he has no power to deceive. Where can the Antichrist best exist without detection except in plain sight, in the form of a system rather than an individual which everyone already expects?

This interpretation was not uncommon amongst medieval Christians. It associated the Antichrist’s rise with the demise of the Roman Empire. St. Jerome makes a connection between the Antichrist and the fourth beast in Daniel's prophecy, which early and medieval scholars connected to and associated with Rome. Jerome prophesied that a new, resurgent empire, represented symbolically by the Antichrist, would emerge following the breakup and fall of Rome and strive for worldwide dominance prior to the second coming of Christ (Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 7).

Protestant reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin perceived the papal system as a continuation or revival of the corrupt Roman Empire, they were significantly influenced by this interpretation, which persisted into later Protestant theology. Luther emphasized that the Papacy usurped the authority of Jesus and promoted teachings he deemed were contrary to scripture. This usurper represented a revived Roman Empire in spiritual form, in opposition to true Christian doctrine (Table Talk, Luther's Works, Vol. 54).

So, the concept that the Antichrist is a system rather than an individual is not alien, and is rooted in medieval beliefs. If the masses are very clearly and effortlessly able to ascertain falsehood and deception from truth, and identify the Antichrist, then that in itself eliminates the very strength and key characteristic of the Antichrist, deception. It in turn renders the role of the Antichrist obsolete. Why does mankind need a saviour if they themsleves can distinguish truth from falsehood? If man can recognize the Antichrist alone, then surely there would be no rhyme or reason for a Mahdi or Jesus to ever return.

The Anitchrist will misguide and mislead almost everyone, including those who see themselves as believers or “the elect” (Matthew 24:24). This is why his coming has been foretold, and all prophets and messengers from time gone by have warned us of his coming. So, it stands to reason that people claiming to have identified the Antichrist, and are making such claims without clear definition, reasoning, and evidence are only themselves deceived and have already been ensnared by the Antichrist.

If the Antichrist is a system or an ideology rather than a man, then who is it? Where is this resurrected Roman Empire today? Only a man from God can identify who or what the Antichrist is, and guide you through this great tribulation. You cannot do it for yourself.

That man is here. The Mahdi has appeared, and is calling you out of your slumber. He is pointing towards the Antichrist for you, and is calling you back to the true teachings of Jesus and Muhammad. Before you mistakenly call him the Antichrist, remember, you must do so with a rational and well articulated evidence-based argument. Otherwise, you are no different to the multitude who asked for Barabbas in order to destroy Jesus (Matthew 27:20).

The Mahdi has appeared, and he is Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq.

Watch Aba Al-Sadiq's explanation of who the Antichrist really is here: