A discussion on whether Imam Mahdi will liberate Palestine or if the people of the region will do so.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
To begin with, before answering your question, we would like to point out that we cannot assert every detail regarding what will happen due to the differences in narrations. What is established for us regarding the appearance of our Imam is that there will be certain inevitable signs before his appearance, and even these inevitabilities have been said to be subject to change.
With that clarified, we say: It is clear to anyone who has read the history that our Imam and our leader will pray in the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. As for its liberation, it is also clear that it will happen, and this does not require proof if it is established that he will pray there; how can he pray there if it has not been liberated, or if someone else has liberated it? The liberation is sometimes meant to be from the current Jewish enemy and sometimes from the future enemy, the Sufyani, and it appears that there are narrations indicating both scenarios.
One who has addressed this is Sheikh Ali Kourani Al-Amili in his book 'The Era of Appearance', may Allah have mercy on him, stating:
Then Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) prepares his large army and marches towards Jerusalem, causing the Sufyani to retreat until the army of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) settles in 'Marj Adhra' near Damascus. Negotiations take place between him and the Sufyani, with the Sufyani's position being weak, especially since the general public is on the side of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him). The Sufyani is almost ready to surrender the matter to him, as mentioned in the narrations, but those behind him, including the Jews and Romans, reproach him and rally their forces to engage in the great battle with Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) and his army, which extends from Akka in Palestine to Antioch in Turkey along the coast, and from Tiberias to Damascus and Jerusalem internally. Divine wrath descends upon the forces of the Sufyani, the Jews, and the Romans, and the Muslims will kill them even if one of them hides behind a stone, the stone will say, 'O Muslim, there is a Jew behind me, kill him.' Divine victory will descend upon Imam Mahdi and the Muslims, and they will enter Jerusalem as conquerors.
The Christian West will be astonished by the defeat of the Jews and their supporting forces at the hands of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him), and they will become furious and declare war on him. However, they will be surprised by the descent of Christ (peace be upon him) from the heavens in Jerusalem, with his message directed to the world, especially to Christians, and his descent will be a sign for the world that will bring joy to Muslims and Christian peoples.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
And peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and his pure family.
Source: The Era of Appearance - Sheikh Ali Kourani Al-Amili - Page 23