Exposing a Dangerous Cult Leader: The Man Who Claims to Be the Mahdi and Jesus
In recent years, the internet has become a powerful platform for voices across the religious spectrum—some sincere, some scholarly, and some dangerously deceptive. One such figure has emerged, boldly claiming to be the Imam Mahdi, the divinely appointed end-time guide awaited by many Muslims, and even more shockingly, to speak as if he were Jesus himself. This man, presenting himself as Abdullah Hashem, makes inflammatory and theologically deviant claims, which place him firmly in the category of a cult leader, not a prophetic figure.
Key Claims and Why They Are Dangerous
- Claims to Be the Mahdi and a Messenger
- He boldly states: “I am a messenger from him at this time” and “I am Abdullah… I invite you to the obedience of the will of the Prophet Muhammad.”
- Islamic orthodoxy, both Sunni and Shia, recognises no living claimant to the title of al-Mahdi unless he fulfils rigorous criteria rooted in Qur’anic and Hadith traditions—none of which apply here.
- His self-appointment without recognised scholarly consensus, divine signs, or miraculous proofs is a hallmark of messianic delusion and cult leadership.
- Rejects Mainstream Scholars and Institutions
- He declares that the religious scholars and imams of every religion—including Islam—are “the worst of God’s creation under the sky” and that all institutionalised religion is “controlled by the devil.”
- This kind of rhetoric is commonly used by cult leaders to isolate followers from traditional religious authority and foster total dependence on the cult figure himself.
- Dismisses Core Christian and Jewish Beliefs
- He accuses Jews of having “no Messiah, no prophet, no judge for 2,000 years,” and claims that “the only Messiah Israel follows is a false messiah: America.”
- He labels Paul, the apostle, as a false prophet, calling Christianity as it exists today a fabrication by Paul.
- Such views are not new—they are a blend of radical Islamic polemic and anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, repackaged in messianic language.
- Twists Christian Scripture and Islamic Hadith
- He uses out-of-context verses from the Gospels to assert that Jesus predicted Muhammad and denied Christian doctrine.
- He misquotes Hadith to imply that all Muslims are astray and must follow him as the true successor of Muhammad.
- This method of cherry-picking scriptures to validate personal authority is a well-known manipulative tactic in cult recruitment.
- Promotes Himself as a Unifier of Religions
- He offers a globalist vision: “Let the Jews be governed by the Torah, Christians by the Gospel, and Muslims by the Qur’an.”
- Though this appears tolerant on the surface, it’s a political tool of deception used to attract followers from diverse backgrounds while centralising power in his own hands.
- The call to abolish jizya and allow all faiths to coexist sounds peaceful, but only under his claimed theocratic rule—a classic sign of a cult attempting to usurp global religious authority.
- Appeals to the Disillusioned
- He criticises religious hypocrisy and corruption, which resonates with many who are disillusioned by institutional failure.
- However, instead of offering reform rooted in genuine faith and scripture, he redirects that energy into absolute loyalty to himself.
Why This Is Cultic and Dangerous
- Messianic Self-Identification: Anyone who claims to be both the Mahdi and a divinely sent messenger—without validation from God through undeniable signs or global recognition—is a false messiah.
- Cult of Personality: He positions himself above all religious figures today, urging followers to reject all religious leadership but accept him.
- Authoritarian Control: By discrediting every other source of truth, he removes the ability for followers to question or think independently.
- Apocalyptic Vision: Like many cults (e.g., Heaven’s Gate, Jim Jones), his worldview focuses on apocalyptic scenarios and secret revelations to promote fear and control.
- Manipulation of Scripture: He twists sacred texts to align with his personal narrative—an extremely dangerous practice that leads to spiritual and emotional abuse.