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Fatwa CenterThe authenticity of “the black flags” coming from the East
Question
Assalam-o-Aalaikum I got the following Hadith from various websites. I want to know if they are authentic/sahih. Abu Abdullah Nuaim Ibn Hammad on a chain of transmission on the authority of Al Zuhari who said " The black flags will come from the East, led by mighty men, with long hair and beards, their surnames are taken from the names of their home towns (i.e. Khosti or from Khost etc.) and their first names are from a "Kunya"(Asmal Masalik Lieyyam Mahdiyy Maliki Li Kull-id Dunya Biemrillah-il Malik, Qalda bin Zayd) Hadhrat Buraidah (R.A.) says that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "There will be many armies after me. You must join that army which will come from Khurasaan." (Ibn Adi) On the authority of Thawbaan (May Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah said: "If you see the Black Banners coming from Khurasan go to them immediately, even if you must crawl over ice, because indeed amongst them is the Caliph, Al Mahdi." [Narrated on authority of Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim, Ahmad] Thanks a lot
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
With regard to the narration by Az-Zuhri, it was reported from him by Nu'aym Ibn Hamaad in the book of Al-Fitan (The Tribulations), and this is the narration of a Taabi'i (the second generation after the Prophet ).
As regards the black flags coming from the East, there are many authentic narrations about it, among which is the narration of Thawbaan 
which you mentioned in your question. This is indeed one of the evidences of the coming of Al-Mahdi near the end of the time; this is the belief of Ahlus-Sunnah. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 88270 and 82108.
Concerning the narration by Buraydah we have not come across it, but it should be mentioned that many narrations which state the coming of Al-Mahdi from Khurasaan (Kherson) are weak.
Allaah Knows best.
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