[Response to Prof Is'haaq Akintola's Farce]
Evidence from the Sunnah:
The explanations of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) concerning the Coming Down of ‘Eesaa (alayhi as-salam) before the Last Hour are widely and authentically documented in the Books of hadeeth. Imam Anwaar al-Kashmeeree cited over 60 authentic narrations from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) reported by over 20 different companions – radiya Allahu anhum – expressly stating the fact of the Coming Down of ‘Eesaa (alayhi as-salam) during the End times. Today while writing this treatise, I checked my own printed copies of the references as follow:
1. Abu Hurayrah – [al-Bukhaaree (2222), (2476), Muslim (389) and others]
2. Jabir bin Abdillah – [Muslim (395)]
3. Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘Aas – [Muslim (7381)]
4. Abu Umaamah al-Baahilee – [Abu Daawood (4322) and Ibn Maajah (4077)]
5. Nawwaas bin Sam’aan – [Muslim (7373), at-Tirmidhee (2240) and Ibn Maajah (4075)]
6. Hudhayfah bin Aseed – [Ibn Maajah (4055)]
7. ‘Imraan bin Husayn – [Abu Daawood (2484) and Ahmad (4/430)]
8. Abdullah bin Mas’ood – [Ahmad (3556) – Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir’s Checking and Editing]
9. ‘Aa’isha – [Ahmad (Fath ar-Rabbaanee 24/87)]
10. Mujamma’u bin Jaariyah al-Ansaaree [Ahmad (3/420) and at-Tirmidhee (2244)]
After citing the report of Mujamma’u al-Ansaaree mentioned above, Imam at-Tirmidhee said: “Similar reports have been reported from” and he named 15 companions – radiya Allahu anhum - including seven others apart from those mentioned above. Abdur-Rahman Mubaarkpooree in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhee (6/133) gave the references for the report of the 15 companions cited by at-Tirmidhee.
In his compilation of such reports, Imam ash-Shawkaanee referenced the Ahaadeeth on the coming down of ‘Eesaa (alayhi as-salam) to 29 companions. [Hadiyyat al-Haadiyyah liman Ankara Nuzool ‘Eesaa pg. 18]. The point here is that the Ahaadeeth are widely and authentically reported from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that ‘Eesaa (alayhi as-salam) will descend before the Last Hour.
Therefore, Imam at-Tabaree, Ibn Katheer, Ibn Hajar, ash-Shawkaanee, al-Kattaanee, as-Safareenee, al-Kashmeeree, Siddeeq Hasan Khaan, Shams al-Haqq al-‘Azee al-Aabaadee, Ahmad Muhammad Shaakir, al-Ameen ash-Shinqeetee, Muhammad Naasirudden al-Albaanee and many others all assert that the Ahaadeeth about ‘Eesaa’s Descent have been reported by large number of narrators in every stage of the report (Mutawaatirah). [Refer to: Ashrat as-Saa’a by Yoosuf al-Waabil pg 350-352, at-Tasreeh bimaa Tawaatara fee Nuzool ‘Eesaa by Imam Anwar al-Kashmeeree pg. 62-65, Adwaa al-Bayaan pg. 1535-1539 – Daar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah print].
Shockingly, Prof. Lakin Akintola only sparingly and scantily – and perhaps, indolently - cited FEW of these narrations and then concluded that: “These ahadith are uncommon ones technically known as ‘ahadithun ahad’”!
Frankly, the Prof. was either displaying utter ignorance or sheer arrogance! How could any individual with any tinge of Islamic knowledge declare narrations authentically transmitted from over 20 companions and as popular as its message as “uncommon”? Lakin Akintola would have copied that idea from an equally unreliable source without verifying what he was copying!
I couldn’t agree more with Imam Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee who said regarding the Ahadeeth on ‘Eesa’s Coming down:
“Do not be deceived by those who claim that they are ahad narrations; they are very ignorant of this science. None of them followed up its chains; if he had done so, he would have found it Mutawaatir as the leading authorities in this science like Ibn Hajar and others have affirmed. It is really surprising that some people would venture to speak about something beyond their specialty especially when the matter is regarding the religion and creed!” [Sharh ‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah – Checking and Editing of Imam al-Albaanee pg. 501].
Allah Alone grants Tawfeeq!
NB: Even if the Ahaadeeth are ahad they still form suitable evidence in the religion whether regarding the matters of creed or worship or dealings and so on. This point will be discussed in the next post – Allah willing.
