In a world often fraught with division, the concept of a Divine Just State in the End Times is a rare point of convergence across major religious traditions.
The idea of a perfect, divinely ordained society appears in various forms across Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and other faiths. These prophecies share strikingly similar themes; the eradication of evil, the establishment of peace and justice, and the reign of a messianic or divine figure.
Christianity: The Kingdom of God
In Christianity, the Book of Revelation describes the return of Jesus Christ, who will establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. This kingdom is envisioned as a realm of righteousness where sin, suffering, and death are abolished.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away,”
states Revelation 21:4, encapsulating the Christian hope for divine justice and eternal peace.
The prophet Isaiah provides a poignant image of this future state:
“No one living in Zion will say, ‘I am ill’; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.” - (Isaiah 33:24)
This vision of a sinless, healthy society reflects the deep Christian hope for a world transformed by divine intervention.
Isaiah also speaks of a time when
“The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.” - (Isaiah 2:4)
This imagery of disarmament and peace underscores the Christian anticipation of an era devoid of conflict and war, where God’s justice prevails universally.
The Book of Daniel further describes the eternal nature of this divine kingdom:
“And to him there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed.” - (Daniel 7:14)
This everlasting rule signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a just and enduring kingdom.
Prophet Micah talks of a future that is not only marked by peace and prosperity but also by inclusivity and compassion:
“In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.” - (Micah 4:3-7)
The gathering of the marginalized and the establishment of a strong, inclusive community reflect the Christian belief in a kingdom where all are welcome and valued.
Islam: The Caliphate of the Mahdi
Islamic eschatology also foresees a transformative period. The Mahdi, a messianic figure, is prophesied to appear and lead Muslims toward an era of justice before the Day of Judgment. According to Islamic tradition, the Mahdi will unify the Muslim community, abolish tyranny, and establish a just rule. This vision is reinforced by the belief in the eventual return of Jesus (Isa), who will join the Mahdi in restoring justice and peace.
According to Islamic tradition, al-Mahdi, often referred to as al-Qa’im, will emerge to establish a global Caliphate marked by unparalleled justice and prosperity.
Bihar Al Anwar recounts,
"The Qaim shall rule for 309 years – he would fill up the earth with justice and equity just as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression. Then the Almighty Allah would conquer the whole earth for him." - (Bihar Al Anwar Volume 52, Ch 27, Hadith 212).
Just like in Christian tradition, in this Divine Just State the sick would be healed of their ailments. The Hadith collection Kitāb al-Ghayba records,
"When al-Qa’im appears, Allah will cure every sick believer and restore to him his power." - (Kitāb al-Ghayba Book 2, Chapter 21, Hadith 2)
Further elaborating on al-Mahdi's role, another narration from the same source states,
"When al-Qa’im of Ahlul Bayt rises, he will divide the wealth equally and rule justly over the people... He will fill the world with justice, equity and light after it has been filled with injustice, oppression and evil… He takes the Torah and the rest of the divine Books of Allah from the cave of Antakya (Antioch). He will judge among the people of the Torah with the Torah, among the people of the Bible with the Bible, among the people of Psalms (of Prophet David) with the Psalms and among the people of the Qur’an with the Qur’an. The wealth of the world is gathered to him from above the ground and from under the ground. He says to people: Come on to the wrong you have done to your kin! Come on to the bloods you have shed wrongfully! Come on to the sins you have committed! He will offer something that no one has ever offered before him." - (Kitāb al-Ghayba Book 2, Chapter 13, Hadith 25).
This narration foretells a society where wealth is equally distributed and governance is rooted in divine justice. It also underlines that the Divine Just State will be a state that values the right of freedom of religion. In another narration it states:
“Those who are liable to pay Zakat would search for eligible Shia to give their Zakat to; they would go to each of their houses and call out, but the people would come out and say that they are not in need of charity.” (Bihar Al Anwar Volume 52, Ch 27, Hadith 212)
Poverty is prophesied to be ended in the Divine Just State.
Another narration underscores the comprehensive nature of al-Mahdi’s governance, where divine guidance shapes every aspect of societal and environmental harmony. It is stated, that the Mahdi will complete the intellect of the people and provide them with twenty-seven letters of knowledge.
"When al-Qa’im, the guardian of our family, will appear from occultation, Allah will place His hand over the heads of His servants and, thus, He places their intelligence together and completes their understanding." (Al-Kafi - Volume 1, Book 1, Hadith 21)
“Knowledge is twenty-seven letters in total and everything which the Messengers brought forth are only two letters and the people to this very day know nothing but two letters. So if the Qaim emerges he will bring forth the twenty-five letters and spread them amongst the people and will add it to the previous two letters, until he spreads a total of twenty-seven letters.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 336)
The time of the return of the Qaim is also the time of the return of important angels, that will support him in his mission to build a Divine Just State.
Abi Jaffer said: "It is as if I am with the Qaim in Najaf, in Kufa, and he reached to it from Mecca with 5000 angels. Gabriel is on his right and Michael is on his left." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 337)
Likewise, we find a narration that mentions that even the physical environment of the world will change in the divine just state. The sixth Shia Imam, Ja'far Al-Sadiq is recorded to have said:
"Allah will bring forth in this Ummah, a man who belongs to me and I belong to him. Allah will send the blessings of the heavens and the earth through him. The heavens will rain down its drops; and the earth will grow out its seeds: and its beasts and brutes will live in harmony; will be full of equity and justice, as it had been replete with oppression and injustice.” (Ghaybat al Tusi, p. 119, Hadith 149)
Jafar Al-Sadiq said, “When the one of us who rises (Qa’im) rises, the earth will shine with the light of its lord. Men will not need the light of the sun and darkness will vanish. In his dominion a man will live so that he could have a thousand male sons born to him without a female. The earth will show its treasures so that the people will see them on its surface. ” - (Kitab al-Irshad)
Moreover, Islamic scriptures envision a world where all creatures coexist peacefully and natural animosities are reconciled, like in the following narration:
"I have absolutely decided to purify the earth…. At that time the quadrupeds shall be among the humans and they shall not harm each other. I shall take away the sting of every stinging creature and make their venom ineffective. And I will send the blessings from the heavens and the earth will become green with its vegetation and all types of fruits will grow and put forth different kinds of perfumes and I will put mercy and love among the people." (Saad Al-Saud - Al-Sayyid Ibn Tawoos).
This utopian vision reflects the culmination of divine will, where humanity lives in harmony with nature and each other.
Hinduism: The Kalki Avatar
In Hinduism, the future arrival of Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of Vishnu, is anticipated. Kalki is expected to end the current age of darkness and corruption (Kali Yuga), ushering in a new era of righteousness and virtue (Satya Yuga). The Puranas detail how Kalki will vanquish evil and restore dharma, the cosmic order.
“When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth: ... By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then reestablish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity.” (The Vishnu Purana: Book IV: Chapter XXIV)
The Maitreya in Buddhist Texts
Buddhist scriptures, particularly the Digha Nikaya 26, reference the future Buddha, Metteyya (Sanskrit: Maitreya, meaning "one full of love"). According to the texts, Metteyya will emerge as a fully awakened Buddha, possessing profound knowledge and conduct, and serving as a supreme guide for those seeking spiritual training.
“Homage to the Superior Maitreya! Out of pity for [all] the worlds, the very wise Śāriputra, universal commander of the doctrine, asked the teacher this: 'Within the earlier and later discourses, you have taught about Maitreya, the future Buddha who will serve as leader of the world. O best of men, please explain in detail everything about him, including his powers as well as his supernormal abilities. We indeed wish to hear about this leader.' Upon hearing that, the Fortunate One said, 'Listen as I explain to you the accomplishments of that excellent man, the Buddha Maitreya. In his day, the oceans will dry up, receding 100 yojanas along the shore, and that will become the highway of a world-ruling king (cakravartin). Jambudvīpa in those days will be a plain 10,000 yojanas square and will be an abode for all beings. Also at that time, the people of that country will indeed flourish, and their wealth will be without end. They will cause no harm and be virtuous. The earth will be free from thorns and level, with verdant plains. Rising and falling according to one’s needs, the ground will be soft like cotton. Sweet and fragrant rice will grow that requires no cultivation. Trees will grow that produce beautiful cloth of various colors. And the trees will be a league wide, loaded with leaves, flowers, and fruit, and in those days their lifespan will be 80,000 years. The beings there will be faultless, sinless, joyful, and full of life. They will be tall in stature with a beautiful complexion and have great strength. There will be [only] three discomforts: the need to relieve oneself, hunger, and old age. Girls will be married when they reach 500 years of age. At that time, the royal capital will be called Ketumati, and it will be a place where beings who act virtuously toward all creatures live. It will indeed be 12 yojanas long and 7 yojanas wide. It will be a pure and pleasant city, created through virtue.'” (The Prophecy of the Superior Maitreya, verses 1-12)