Are Afghans the Army of Imam Mahdi? Khurasan, Black Flags, and Imam Mahdi — A Prophecy Misunderstood

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam 18 October 2025 The Mahdi’s mission is moral, not military-first — awaiting the Mahdi is not about banners, but about building a just character and society. The prophecy of Khurasan is symbolic of a revival of justice — not a license for chaos. The real preparation for Mahdi begins within conscience, not conflict. Main Points: 1. Khurasan in Hadith is a historical region, not just modern Afghanistan — it included parts of Iran, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. 2. Hadith about “Black Flags from Khurasan” exist in Sunni and Shia texts, such as Musnad Ahmad (7918), Sunan Ibn Majah (4084), and Bihar al-Anwar (vol. 52) — but scholars differ on authenticity and interpretation. 3. Sunni and Shia perspectives agree that a righteous group from the East will support Imam Mahdi — not entire nations or ethnic groups. 4. Modern extremist groups (like ISIS or militant factions) misuse these hadith to legitimize violence — but this is rejected by mainstream scholars. Major Islamic scholarly institutions, such as Dar al-Ifta of Egypt, scholars like Ibn Baz, Albani, and Sistani, clearly condemn using Mahdist prophecies for political militancy. 5. The end-time hadiths are eschatological, not revolutionary instructions. They cannot be applied to any present-day group without certainty. True followers of Mahdi are defined by ethics, not flags or geography — they must embody justice, mercy, and righteousness, not terror or oppression. --- The figure of Imam al-Mahdi—the awaited saviour and leader who is believed to restore justice and equity before the end of times—is a central element of Islamic eschatology across both Sunni and Shia traditions. Among the many narrations surrounding his emergence, one set of traditions has attracted significant attention and controversy: the prophecy of “black flags from Khurasan.” In recent decades, insurgent and extremist groups have selectively invoked these narrations to claim divine legitimacy, particularly in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the broader Middle East. Yet, a historical and scholarly investigation reveals that these traditions are deeply ethical in nature and cannot be exploited to justify modern-day violence. Belief regarding Imam Mahdi differs across Islamic traditions, but many classical hadith scholars — especially in Sunni traditions — mention a group from the region of Khurasan who will rise in support of him. Historically, Khurasan referred not to just modern-day Afghanistan, but a much larger region that included parts of Afghanistan, Northern Iran, Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan) and Parts of Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan). Thus, some hadith scholars interpret these narrations literally, expecting believers from those lands to actively support Imam Mahdi. Others interpret it symbolically, saying "Khurasan" represents a revival of faith emerging from the East. There is no definitive statement that all Afghans or all people of Khurasan will join him — but rather a righteous group from among them. Most importantly, these narrations do not endorse extremist groups who misuse such prophecies for political agendas. Support for Imam Mahdi, according to authentic teachings, is based on justice, piety, and truth, not oppression or extremism. According to traditional narrations, a group from the historical land of Khurasan — which includes parts of Afghanistan — will likely rise in support of Imam Mahdi. However, it is understood to refer to righteous believers, not entire nations or modern political factions. Key Ahadith About Khurasan & Imam Mahdi From Sunni Sources: a) Sunan Ibn Mājah (Hadith 4084) عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: "يَقْتَتِلُ عِنْدَ كَنْزِكُمْ ثَلاَثَةٌ كُلُّهُمُ ابْنُ خَلِيفَةٍ، ثُمَّ لاَ يَصِيرُ إِلَى وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ، ثُمَّ تَطْلُعُ الرَّايَاتُ السُّودُ مِنْ قِبَلِ المَشْرِقِ، فَيَقْتُلُونَكُمْ قَتْلًا لَمْ يُقْتَلْهُ قَوْمٌ." Translation: “Three sons of caliphs will fight for your treasure… then black flags will appear from the East…” b) Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 7918) إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الرَّايَاتِ السُّودَ خَرَجَتْ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ فَأْتُوهَا، فَإِنَّ فِيهَا خَلِيفَةَ اللَّهِ المَهْدِيَّ Translation: “When you see the black flags coming from Khurasan, go to them, for among them is the Caliph of Allah — Al-Mahdi.” From Shia Sources: Bihār al-Anwār (Vol. 52) تَخْرُجُ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ رَايَاتٌ سُودٌ لَا يَرُدُّهَا شَيْءٌ حَتَّى تُنْصَبَ بِإِيلياء Translation: “Black banners will rise from Khurasan, and nothing will stop them until they are raised in Jerusalem.” What is Khurasan? Who are the People of Khurasan Historically? To understand the prophecy correctly, one must first redefine Khurasan—not through the prism of modern nation-states, but within its classical Islamic geographical sense. Under the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, Khurasan was a vast region, not just modern Afghanistan. It was a vast region under early Islamic empires, covering Herat, Balkh and Kabul in Afghanistan, and Nishapur and Mashhad in Iran as well as Merv, Balkh, Bukhara and Samarkand in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan) and Quetta and Peshawar in Pakistan. Thus, “People of Khurasan” is a broader eastern Muslim population, not one specific nationality. Thus, when the hadith literature speaks of “Khurasan,” it refers not to a single ethnic group or present-day nation, but to a civilizational zone of the Eastern Islamic world—a multi-ethnic melting pot of Persians, Turks, Arabs, as well as Indians. Among both Sunni and Shia traditions, there exist narrations that speak of a righteous group rising from "Khurasan"—the historical region which will support Imam Mahdi, the awaited leader of justice. However, classical scholars caution that these narrations refer not to entire modern nations, nor to any group waving a black flag, but specifically to a noble and pious movement aligned with Mahdi’s mission of justice and mercy. Thus, "Khurasan" or "Khurasani" is not a mere geographical identifier—it is symbolic of an ethical rebirth emerging from the East. Extremist Misuse of “Black Flags” Narrations Several narrations appear in Sunni and Shia compilations on hadith which state: “When you see the black flags coming from Khurasan, then go to them, for among them is the Caliph of Allah, the Mahdi.” (Musnad Ahmad, 7918) Another version states: “Black flags will emerge from the East, and nothing will stop them until they are planted in Jerusalem.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4084) Shia narrations convey similar expectations. In Bihar al-Anwar (vol. 52, p.243), it is narrated: “Black banners will rise from Khurasan, and they will not be stopped until they are raised in Iliya (Jerusalem).” However, scholars caution against literalism or instant application of these narrations to any modern movement. Today's militant and extremist groups misuse these Ahadith to claim divine legitimacy — while this is completely rejected by the established Sunni & Shia scholars. These hadiths do not praise every black flag — only those connected to Imam Mahdi and justice, not oppression. Classical hadith scholars like Imam al-Nawawi and Ibn Kathir, and modern experts and hadith specialists like Shaykh al-Albani all have warned against applying Ahadith of end-times to specific modern groups without certainty — "this leads to misguidance", they maintain. Thus, any group that uses these narrations to justify violence or terrorism is violating the very spirit of the prophecy. Extremist factions who brandish black banners today in an attempt to claim prophetic legitimacy stand in direct contradiction to the very message of Mahdi. As Egypt’s Al-Azhar declared, “The Mahdi does not kill the innocent. Those who shed blood in his name are his enemies, not his helpers.” Whether in Sunni hadith or Shia eschatology—where Al-Khurasani and Al-Yamani are foretold as allies of the Mahdi—the recurring principle is clear: True supporters of the Mahdi are identified not by their banner, but by their ethics. The Mahdi’s army is not built upon flags — it is built upon justice, mercy, and truth. Scholarly Refutations Imam al-Ghazali warned in Ihyā’ Ulūmiddīn: “Satan decorates false banners to mislead people — truth is known by character, not by flags.” Sunni Hadith authority Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani declared many “black banner” narrations weak or applicable only at the time of Imam Mahdi, not to random militant groups claiming it today. Even Salafist theologian Shaykh Ibn Baz (former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia) stated: “Do not associate end-time prophecies with modern groups — the Mahdi will only be supported by people of justice, not terrorism.” Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah, the Egyptian Fatwa Authority also issued a fatwa stating: “ISIS and similar groups misappropriate prophetic symbols. The Mahdi is a figure of mercy and justice, not chaos.” Ayatollah Sistani’s Office (Shia Marja in Iraq) “Anyone who kills innocents under the slogan of the Mahdi is not his follower but his enemy.” The modern-day hijacking of prophecy from ISIS to fringe Afghani and Pakistan-based militant movements is a significant development. The trouble began when militant groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and certain factions of the Taliban began citing these narrations to frame themselves as the “Army of the Mahdi.” They wielded black flags, declared false messianic missions, and positioned themselves as agents of divine revolution. This gross misappropriation has been categorically rejected by both Sunni and Shia scholars as cited above. They warned that applying Mahdist prophecies to specific modern groups without certainty is deviation. The Mahdi shall never commit injustice. Sunni Islam's largest seminary in Egypt Jamia Al-Azhar and its Fatwa authority Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah issued a statement declaring: “Extremists who kill under the banner of prophecy are impostors. The true Mahdi restores mercy, not massacre.” This was seconded and endorsed by the Shia authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s office who affirmed: “Those who murder innocents while claiming to await the Mahdi are preparing for his enmity, not his companionship.” Scholarly Evaluation of the Hadith: Authenticity and Application The hadith concerning the black flags have mixed classifications: Imam Al-Ghazali warns against “false banners used to deceive the masses”. Ibn Kathir considers narrations collectively acceptable due to multiple chains. Imam al-Albani, the Hadith critic classifies individual hadith as weak, but supportive in concept. Thus, while scholars do not dismiss these narrations entirely, they caution against their premature or political use. The prophecy is eschatological (end-times), not revolutionary rhetoric. The Ethical Core: Mahdi’s Army is Built on Justice, Not Symbolism The greatest tragedy of modern misapplications is that form has overtaken essence. Many become obsessed with flags, geography, or military mobilization, while Islamic tradition defines the Mahdi’s supporters by moral character, not attire or slogans. The Qur’an states clearly: “Indeed, the party of Allah — they are the successful.” (Qur’an 58:22) In another narration found in Sunan Abu Dawud, the Prophet ﷺ describes the Mahdi’s followers as: “Men whose hearts are like iron, firm as mountains, unfaltering in righteousness.” This description cannot apply to groups who bomb markets or target civilians. Cruelty cannot be a prelude to divine justice. Conclusion The true message of the "Khurasan prophecy" is not a geopolitical forecast, but a spiritual directive: when tyranny dominates, a revival of justice will rise from unexpected quarters. Whether that revival emerges from Afghanistan, Yemen, Africa, or the digital space, only its ethics — not its flags — will confirm its authenticity. Imam al-Mahdi will not be recognized by banners, but by balance. His supporters will not be known by location, but by liberation. As scholars unanimously affirm: any group that violates the Qur’anic principles of justice, compassion, and restraint cannot be of Mahdi’s army, regardless of their slogans. Thus, the prophetic wisdom and the divine message remains timeless: The path to Mahdi begins not in Khurasan — but in conscience. ----- Regular Columnist with Newageislam.com, Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is an Indo-Islamic scholar, Sufi poet and English-Arabic-Urdu-Hindi writer with a background in a leading Sufi Islamic seminary in India. He is currently serving as Head of International Affairs at Voice for Peace & Justice, Jammu & Kashmir. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/afghans-imam-mahdi-khurasan-black-flags-prophecy/d/137295 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism