Q: My question pertains to Muhammad al Faatih. Most of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'a believe that he was the blessed conqueror prophecised in the Hadith. However, some from the Salafiyyah at my Uni believe that he was not and the Hadith is referring to the Mahdi. In turn, they say some horrendous things against Muhamad al Faatih and incriminate him with incest, drinking and other Kaba'ir. These Salafi's are doing a lot of damage to the Muslims at my campus. A Shaikh once told me that there is Ijma' of the scholars that Muhammad al Faatih was the conqueror of Constantinople that was referred to in the Hadith. Can I please request as many references to scholars and citations of consensus that Muhammad al Faatih was in fact the one Prophecised in the Hadith? This will help me alleviate the confusion and doubts that the Salafis are imbuing in the minds of the Muslims.
A: From the time of the leadership of Hadhrat Mu`aawiyah (radhiyallahu anhu), each ruler attempted to conquer Constantinople with the desire of earning the glad-tiding of the hadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Eventually, the conquest took place under the leadership of Muhammad al-Faatih. Hence, it was understood by all that the hadeeth does not refer to Mahdi.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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