REPORTER: First of all, thank you very much for granting us this opportunity. You are a very famous personality.

ADNAN OKTAR: Thank you.

REPORTER: We therefore wanted to introduce you to Iran. Could you tell us briefly about yourself and your work?  

ADNAN OKTAR: I was born in Ankara on 2 February, 1956. I have had my primary, middle and high school education in Ankara. I then studied at the Interior Design Department of the Mimar Sinan University Fine Arts academy. From 1979 to 1983. Then, after 1983, I transferred to the Istanbul University Philosophy Department. Later on, I began my book activities. I have written over 300 books. We also have a large number of web sites. Let me give some brief details on that subject. We have more than 300 web sites in 32 different languages. These are visited by over 4 million people from 167 countries every month. Approximately 1 million documentary films and 50,000 audio presentations are downloaded from the sites every month. More than 35 million books were downloaded last year, in 2007. The number downloaded this year has exceeded 60 million. Books are downloaded free of charge from the HarunYahya.net and HarunYahya.org web sites. Completely free of charge. More than 150,000 people visit the sites every day. The number of conferences held in Turkey and abroad has exceeded 2500. There are a total of over 300 works on the sites, in a total of more than 60 languages. They are also on sale in book stores in 40 countries. Eight million books were sold in Turkey last year, and 2 million abroad. This year’s figures are twice those. The Harun Yahya Collection, which constitutes all of my books, consists of 45,000 pages. I have a 30-member group of colleagues. They do the preliminary research and bring me photographs and documents. I interpret these and make the connections between them.   

REPORTER: To categorize your books, what different categories do they come in?  

ADNAN OKTAR: Of course they are mainly about Islam, but there is philosophy, biology, paleontology, physics, chemistry and everything. The history of Islam.  

REPORTER: Are your activities mainly consist of publishing these books, or do you do have other activities as well?  

ADNAN OKTAR: Conferences, of course. But the books and CDs are the most important thing. The fact that they are free is of vital importance. Free distribution means that Muslims are able to make wide use of them. The internet is a great system created by Allah for the global dominion of Islam in the End Times. The internet has been specially created to make things easier for the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the Prophet Jesus(as). Let me state that separately. Insha’Allah.

REPORTER: Do you have representatives in other countries?

ADNAN OKTAR: No. We have no such professional activities. We are fully amateur people who strive for Allah, expecting no reward. We have colleagues in China, for instance. People who pray. Chinese people to whom we have preached the word and who perform prayers. And there are groups in Kazakhstan. But we have no detailed, technical links. They just send us reports over the internet, telling us what they are doing. Masha’Allah.  

REPORTER: Most of your books are about Hazrat Mahdi (as). What is your view of Hazrat Mahdi (as)?  

ADNAN OKTAR: The coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will definitely take place in this century. People are unaware of that. All the portents of Hazrat Mahdi (as) have come about. This is in fact a miracle. Our Prophet (saas) has described all the portents of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The occupation of Afghanistan, the invasion of Iraq, the destruction of Baghdad, the stopping of the waters of the Euphrates. The Euphrates was stopped by a dam. Then there is the appearance of a comet, which has also happened. Halley’s comet appeared. Our Prophet (saas) speaks of ‘a great sign in the Sun.’ That happened, too, with the greatest sunburst of the century. There are many other portents. Our Prophet (saas) even speaks of the Iran-Iraq War in the hadith. People will greet the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) with great amazement and astonishment. The environment for that is constantly forming. Indeed, Hazrat Mahdi (as) has already come and has begun work, though the public is not aware of this. But they will become completely aware of this when he appears. There is also a very little time for the coming of Prophet Jesus(as), Allah knows the fact. His coming is also imminent, and he will also work in secret. Then everything will be laid open. The first quality of Hazrat Mahdi (as) , as you know, is that he is concealed, hidden away, unknown. That appears in Sunni accounts and also in the Shia accounts. But both sets of accounts in total contain completely accurate descriptions of the End Times. All of them, though some hadith may have become mixed up with one another and some textual errors may have gone unnoticed. But the great majority of all the descriptions in the collections have come about exactly as related. This is a very great miracle, though people are not aware of that miracle. But they will be fully aware within the next 10-15 years.  

REPORTER: What, in your view, are the preconditions for Hazrat Mahdi (as)? And where do you think he will appear?   

ADNAN OKTAR: The first precondition for the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the spread of atheism. The weakening or even complete disappearance of belief in Allah. It is the appearance of corruption. There are very detailed accounts stating that the number of the tall buildings would be rising up in those times, of increased adultery, and of men resembling women, and women resembling men.  And these have happened to the letter. He even speaks of ‘people speaking with the whips in their hands.’ Mobile phones and their antennae resemble whips, and people use them to speak with. He even speaks of ‘people speaking with the heels of their shoes.’ Intelligence agencies hide transmitters in the heels of shoes, and there are various pictures of such available on the internet. These are for sale as well. People genuinely do speak with the heels of their shoes. Look at the extend of the details our Prophet (saas) supplies. For instance, he says that fields will be sown with no oxen or plow in the End Times. That has also happened as said. Hundreds of miracles have taken place one after the other, in strict succession. Even just a few of these would cause a sensation if the public heard about them. But people have been unable to concentrate fully on them and have failed to realize all this. In fact, even in the coming of the Hazrat Mahdi(as) they will not be that much surprised to say the truth. You will see. People will take the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as something quite normal. I mean people imagine it will be regarded as really wondrous, I mean okay they will also be somewhat astonished but not that much. They will regard the coming of the Mahdi(as) as normal. They will just be a bit surprised in the coming of the Prophet Jesus(as), but even that would be regarded as conceivable.  That is because people get used to miracles very quickly, they get used to wonders very easily. They will get used to both of them very quickly.

The blessed Said Nursi says that when Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears he will not at first know that he is Hazrat Mahdi (as). His close followers will recognize him through the light of faith, he says. The same goes for the Prophet Jesus(as). He says the same will happen for him as well. Said Nursi says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will combat materialism. He says his first job will be to deal with the illness of materialism, that is to say he will combat with Darwinism, materialism and atheistic thinking and he says he will be completely successful.  Moreover Said Nursi had provided such a great deal of detail. He says, “time and conditions will not permit him to prepare that works himself.” He says he will prepare works. He will receive the works prepared by the long inquiries of a whole team as a ready-made program. Then he will analyze, publish and disseminate it and put it into practice, Said Nursi says. His second duty is in the world of politics, he says. Then he will begin work in that second world of politics. In other words, he says he will commence social political activity.  But he says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not be recognized until the final phase of all these stages. The place of appearance of the Hazrat Mahdi (as) is Istanbul. That is entirely trustworthy. There are a lot of hadith and accounts on that. It appears in both Sunni and Shiite sources. It had been clearly stated as Constantiniyye. Moreover Said Nursi says that the reason why they have imagined him to be in such places as Basra, Qufe and Damascus is that Basra was the capital of the Islamic world at the time, and that the people relating the hadith referred to Basra relying on that knowledge with that concept in mind. Whereas, he says, the capital of the Islamic world had changed from time to time, finally ending up in Istanbul. For that reason, I am summarizing here, to this effect he says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear in Istanbul. And Istanbul will be the place where the phenomena of the End of Times are experienced most intensely, he says. He says the personages of the End of Times will appear in Istanbul. He says he will be active in Turkey. And when we look, that is how it seems from the accounts, from the course of history and in sociological terms. But everything in the accounts has come true, one by one. That is highly significant. One thing might happen, or 2 or 3, but how can one account for 100 or 150 all coming true simultaneously, at the same time. That is a miracle. That is clear. It is something that makes the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) absolutely certain. It is so trustworthy, and these developments are so explicit that it is a miracle that people still fail to see. It is a miracle that people are unaware of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The way that people fail to see how the portents of the End of Times have come about is a miracle. I am giving these glad tidings to my Iranian brothers. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will absolutely certainly appear. Let them be prepared for that.

REPORTER: How will believers make contact with Hazrat Mahdi (as)?

ADNAN OKTAR: One account, a Shiite account, says that he will move through the people, on the streets, without being recognized. Said Nursi also says that only his close followers will recognize him through the radiance of faith. It is described in great detail how he will move among the people. Said Nursi also describes it, and says he will not be recognized. And it is a good thing for him not to be recognized, moreover we may almost say a precondition for his activities, insha’Allah. Because who knows, only Allah knows, what might happen if the unbelievers recognized him.  Allah has concealed him, the Mahdi, as a precaution. He is concealed by a cover and cannot be perceived. As you know, this concealment of Hazrat Mahdi (as) is defined as the ‘Great Absence’ (Ghaybat Kubra) and the ‘Minor Absence’(Ghaybat Sughra). There is his total vanishing from the public eye, I mean his not being seen among the public. And from what I can see, Allah knows the fact, that will be in the form of imprisonment or some other form of his isolation, it will be realized by his connection to the public being cut. This is how it will happen. And it will happen twice. One after the other. We are told that only his close followers will be able to make contact with him during that time of concealment(ghaybat). That may only be in the time of his imprisonment or isolation. There is complete agreement on that in Shiite and Sunni sources, more or less, apart from perhaps some very minor discrepancies. However, I do see that this issue of his absence(ghaybat) is sometimes rather misunderstood. The reference to absence does not mean that Hazrat Mahdi (as) is here and we just cannot see him. People will see him but fail to recognize him. They will be unable to say, that is Hazrat Mahdi (as). Because Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be very modest and humble, not someone full of self-confidence. In fact, the accounts say that leadership will be imposed on Hazrat Mahdi (as). It is said that he will decline. He will say, “What am I? I am just an ordinary person.” Threats will be made to make him assume the leadership. It will be forced on him.  The fact that Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) followers will be few in number also suggests that. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear to be very ordinary, like anyone else. He will even appear to be a bit abnormal, on the wrong path. Moreover as it is stated in one account, that the work of the Hazrat Mahdi(as) will be very difficult, and that some people will fight him with the Qur’an. They will oppose him with the Qur’an, in a hypocritical method. They will oppose him, saying he does not abide by the Qur’an, that he does not abide by Islam, that he is abnormal. Muhittin Arabi even says that religious scholars will be his worst enemies, and that they will be skeptical of him but also have expectations of him, and will hope to be able to make gains out of him in some way. In my view, Hazrat Mahdi (as) has already appeared. Said Nursi says his followers are very few in number. But he says that no matter how few in number they may be, they will be as strong and valuable as a spiritual army. He says as they will be some disciples who possess attributes like purity, fidelity and solidarity in the full sense. He says they will be as being powerful and valuable as a spiritual army, no matter how low their numbers are.  Said Nursi described things as if he had actually seen them. As far as I presume, as far as I understand, Said Nursi describes events as if he had received a direct knowledge about them. That is because what he said has happened exactly. The events in 1971 happened just as he said, and 1981. He described 1997, 2001, 2011, 2021 and all of them, in great detail, and whatever he said, happened. Masha’Allah. He even said his tomb would be torn down, and that came true, as well. He said his body would be lost, and that happened. He described it all in a poem.  He was a very holy guide, filled with love, who strove for Islamic unity. He says that Islamic countries and the republics will unite, and things are heading in just that direction.

REPORTER: What are your views regarding the ahl al-bayt? In what role do you see it?

ADNAN OKTAR: As you know, the ahl al-bayt are the lions of Allah. It began with Hazrat Ali and has come down from him. My own surname is Arslanoğlu, and I am a sayyid as well. I am descended from our Prophet (saas), and my surname comes from there, from the word ‘aslan,’ or lion insha’Allah. The love of the ahl al-bayt is a very fierce one that every Muslim must feel the fervor of in his heart. A Muslim must be filled with a deep love for the ahl al-bayt, for Hazrat Hasan, Hussein, Ali, Imam Jaferi Sadık and all of them. A muslim must feel an enormous excitement and fervor even when their names are mentioned. All of the ahl al-bayt suffered greatly. Our prophet (saas) says that the ahl al-bayt will also suffer hardships in the End of Times. He says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will suffer in the same way. He says he will also undergo hardships, that is what the accounts also suggest. So Hazrat Mahdi (as) will go through difficult tests. The ahl al-bayt have gone through difficult tests, because Heaven is not an easy place to enter. Of course there will be hardships, and we love them because of those hardships. Why do we love Hazrat Hussein and Hasan this much, why do we love Hazrat Ali? That is okay, All the ahl al-bayt are all the grandchildren of the Prophet (saas), descendants of the Prophet (saas). But they have also suffered hardships for Allah, and that is why we love them deeply.  

REPORTER: You have launched the Turkish-Islamic Union thesis. Where does that stem from?

ADNAN OKTAR: I see that the Turkish nation has a historic mission and has always been the standard bearer of the Islamic world. They are a nation with genuine takwa, scrupulous when it comes to Islam and the Qur’an. By nature they are a nation ideally suited to leadership. Accounts make it crystal clear that the Turkish nation will lead the way, that the Turkish nation will assume the leadership role at the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). There are even Sunni accounts to the effect that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear from among the Turks.  Accounts say he will strive alongside the Turks, and the area around Horasan is even noted. Horasan is the homeland of the Turks. That is how I believe that the Turkish nation will play the leading role in this sacred task, in this important work. I understand it will be the leader from those accounts. But not in the sense of any racial superiority. Not in the sense of any physical superiority of superiority of blood. I think they will discharge this duty very well because of their takwa and the fact they are  people of suffering. I mean I think that their leadership characteristics are very good. I see that this is also what the hadith indicate, and that a great structure in the form of the Turkish-Islamic Union will arise under the leadership of the Turkish nation. 

REPORTER: How far do you regard the Turkish nation as the heir to the Islamic caliphate?

ADNAN OKTAR: I can say that by Allah’s leave the Turkish nation is destined to serve as the leader of the Turkish-Islamic world, of the whole Islamic world. That is its destiny, insha’Allah. But we are certainly not saying that our blood is noble blood, that we are of noble descent, that all other countries are ordinary and nothing special and that we are a highly developed race. That is not our claim. I will not say that. The Turkish nation is a decent nation, well-adapted and disposed to hardships. Nothing can distract it from the path of Allah. It will strive and put up with hardships. I regard it as ideally suited, superior and excellent in terms of takwa. That is all. 

REPORTER: What do you think of Wahhabism?

ADNAN OKTAR: Wahabbists are people with takwa. They are very scrupulous regarding the deen. We need to look at the deen in general terms. If you look at it in narrow terms then of course flaws may appear. That is why we look at other people in general terms rather than under a microscope, right down to the pores in his skin. Of course flaws will appear if you look in close detail. Of course aspects capable of criticism may appear in people from all schools or beliefs. We need to look in those terms. But generally speaking they are people with takwa, who fear Allah, who pray, fast, give alms and go on the hajj. We believe in the same Allah, the same Book and the same kiblah. That means we are brothers. What need is there to go into any more detail than that?  

REPORTER: They want us to turn to political matters. What do you think of Iran’s global position and attitude?

ADNAN OKTAR: Iran is the home of lions, a source of pride for us. I love the Republic of Iran, all the components within it, the nation and the people. I trust them very much, insha’Allah. They all love Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the ahl al-bayt. They are a very takwa, very valuable and an amazingly good nation, a very noble one. Thanks be to Allah, they will fulfill important tasks in the End of Times. They will be Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) helpers. They will embrace him with love and affection when he appears.  They are awaiting him with joy and fervor. Let me say they are the people who will best express love of Hazrat Mahdi (as). There is an account that says the people of Basra will best appreciate the worth of Hazrat Mahdi (as). They will express a joyous love for him when he appears. You will see. A great anticipation has arisen in Iran because of the love of Hazrat Mahdi (as), a great love. This love will manifest itself as a great explosion and will have very great consequences. Iranian President Ahmadinejad, for example, is a very modest, humble and humane person who appreciates the value of things. Look at the excellent statements he has made of late. There is no obstinacy in him. There is no pride or arrogance in him. When he sees something good, something auspicious, he immediately puts it into practice. The Jews embrace him. He has a photo like that somewhere. Of course that is the case, that is because he is someone who has submitted to Allah and feels a profound love for Hazrat Moses(as). He has not abandoned the law of the Prophet Moses. We feel pride in him for that. He loves Allah and all the prophets. So how can we be against such a person? We kiss such a person on the forehead. What we are opposed to is atheist Zionism, and President Ahmadinejad heroically stood up and explained this very beautifully. Masha’Allah. I congratulate him. His statements in recent days have been flawless, coming one after the other. May his heart be at ease. Look, I am here. We can meet up again in 10 years’ time. These things will happen. I am 100% certain. Insha’allah, I mean, let me say, I do have something that I know about that, insha’Allah.  

REPORTER: A personal question to end with. Harun was the vizier of the Prophet Musa, and Yahya prepared the way for the Prophet Jesus. Why did you choose these two names?   

ADNAN OKTAR: To reflect assistance for the Ummah. For instance, I am the helper of Hazrat Mahdi (as), of the Prophet Jesus and of the Ummah of Islam. I chose the names in the sense of helping the Ummah of Islam.  

REPORTER: My colleagues are wondering when you estimate that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will come. I am not saying you know, but when do you estimate this happening?  

ADNAN OKTAR: My opinion is as what Said Nursi says, what appears from the accounts, and I can give you all the hadith. When we analyze all the hadith and all the portents, in Said Nursi’s clear statements, because he says “ they imagined a fact that will appear 1400 years later, as imminent.” He says this for the companions. He says they thought he will appear in those years, whereas he will appear 1400 years later. My opinion is that Hazrat Mahdi (as) had appeared long before and is already at work, but I think it will take another 10 years for people to realize he has come. I think that will be fully appreciated in 10 years’ time.