The Final Call

Mahdi, Messiah and Christ, a reality in the world?

By Starla Muhammad -Assistant Editor- | Last updated: Mar 4, 2014 - 9:30:35 PM

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DETROIT (FinalCall.com) - God is not to come, he is already present in the world, and is working through his anointed servants to bring about the complete resurrection and liberation of a chosen people, the Black man and woman in America and oppressed peoples of the world, explained a well-versed and studied panel of Nation of Islam student ministers during the opening plenary session of Saviours’ Day 2014.

Extracting details from both Bible and Holy Qur’an presenters delved into the theological subject of the reality of God through the work and mission of divine servants who serve under a variety of titles, including Mahdi, Messiah, Christ and Son of Man. All three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are awaiting the return of that “Great One,” but they are all looking for a man, not a spirit or spook.

“We must advance our understanding not only of the reality of God but of ‘The Man and His Mission,’ ” the title of the Feb. 21 session, moderator and student minister Jason Karriem told the audience.

These titles represent the work and evolution of these men raised by God. But these titles which are descriptive terms must also be defined and understood, he said.

The session explored Nation of Islam founder Master Fard Muhammad, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan as the fulfillment of the long-awaited men spoken of in scripture.

“Whenever the human family strays from the straight path and favor of God, he always intervenes reflecting his love and mercy by raising up a servant and prophet from among those same people,” said Ishmael R. Muhammad, student national assistant to Minister Farrakhan.

“We in the Nation of Islam, believe Point Number 12 which is the foundation of the followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. We believe that
Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July 1930, the long-awaited Messiah of the Christians and the Mahdi of the Muslims,” student minister Ishmael Muhammad said, reading from What the Muslims Believe, found on the inside back page of The Final Call newspaper. Both Old and New Testament scriptures speak of the coming of God, he explained.

Panelists also included Dr. Ava Muhammad, student National Spokesperson of the Nation of Islam and Min. Farrakhan, Robert Muhammad, southwest regional student minister and Imam Sultan R. Muhammad of Mosque Maryam in Chicago.

“Son of Man” as a general term means a human being but this son also has a spiritual function, said student minister Robert Muhammad referencing the book of Ezekiel in the Bible. “The Son of Man now is God’s servant, messenger, warner and executioner. And he wanted to give warning to the Children of Israel,” he explained. Other aspects are prophesied including a Son of Man coming from the East to the West, one foretold to be among the people, meaning Jesus, and finally, one that is to return, student minister Robert Muhammad continued.

“We see this evolution that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, raised by the Son of Man, became a Son of Man and he becomes what? He became Honorable, Minister, Messenger, Messiah and now he’s Christ.”

Min. Farrakhan is evolving along the same path, student minister Robert Muhammad pointed out. “So now we have a follower, minister and I’m not sorry to say, I’m just going to say, messenger. Now he, too, in our midst is a messiah and he is now becoming an executioner of God’s will on earth.”

Dr. Ava Muhammad expounded on the messiah as a liberator of a people. “Every people is entitled to know God through their own reality,” she told the audience. There is an evolution of not only the men of God but also the people exposed to them as they begin to comprehend and develop an understanding of who is in their presence, she said.

For Black people, who have been indoctrinated through the lens of self-hatred imposed by White Supremacy, it is hard to accept a Black liberator.

“It is extremely difficult for the mind of a former slave to accept the term Messiah in reference to a Black man. However, if we step away from being spooky for a moment and allow our rational self to come up, we will recognize that Messiah means liberator, to set free,” said Dr. Ava Muhammad.

Imam Sultan R. Muhammad, a great-grandson of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, explained the role of the coming of the Great Mahdi in the various schools of thought, perspectives and histories throughout the broader Muslim world.

The Mahdi is the title of the prophesied powerful Muslim leader, not an actual name, and in the Islamic tradition there are signs pointing to His Coming. The Mahdi works with Jesus to rid the world of evil, explained Imam Muhammad.