The name given by Sunni Muslims to those who periodically revitalize the Muslim community. Sunnis look forward to a time before the Last Day when a Mahdi will appear and establish a reign of justice on Earth. Shiites identify the Mahdi with the expected reappearance of the hidden Imam. Many Muslim leaders have claimed the title, such as Mohammed Ahmed, who established a theocratic state in the Sudan in 1882. His great-grandson, Sadiq al-Mahdi, became prime minister of the Sudan in 1986.
For other uses, see Mahdi (disambiguation).The Mahdi (مهدي translit: Mahdī, also Mehdi;
The exact nature of the Mahdi differs according to Sunni and Shi'a Muslims.
Introduction
The idea of a man who would arise to right the injustices in the world of Islam has been widely held and collections of hadiths included ample references to the Mahdi.
For example, in a hadith widely regarded as authentic, the Islamic prophet Muhammad has stated:
Even if the entire duration of the world's existence has already been exhausted and only one day is left before the Day of Judgment, God (Arabic:Allah) will expand that day to such a length of time, as to accommodate the kingdom of a person out of my Ahl al-Bayt who will be called by my name.
The Mahdi, according to majority Sunni and Shi'ite tradition, will arise at some point before the day of judgement, institute a kingdom of justice, and will in the last days fight alongside the returned Islamic prophet Jesus against the Dajjal (Antichrist or false Messiah).
However, like most religious concepts, various Muslim traditions have ascribed different characteristics to the Mahdi. Also, as Mahdiism is closely related to the leadership of the whole Muslims (Ummah) and widely accepted by them, it has had the potential to be abused as some leaders of secularly focused politico-religious movements in the name of Islam who have claimed to be the Mahdi.
The following sections list a few of the characteristics of the Mahdi, according to various traditions of Islam:
- A shorter Replication : On the soon to come day of judgement where noone will be forgiven or forgotten and where all who have done nothing but wrong will face the consequences which will by the name of Mahdi The chosen one who will lead Islam into front and center stage to overrule the false and morally incorrect religions and vanish all unspeakable deceptions of god (worshipping objects) and create a muslim sanctuary where all Muslims are able to indulge in the perfect religion and not be subject to false sterotyping where Islam will rule supreme.
Characteristics of the Mahdi
Sunni and Shi'a sources
His name is generally accepted to be Muhammad, Mahdi is just a title.Signs indicating the emergence of the Mahdi
Shi'a sources
According to Shia sources no one can detemine the time of Imam Mahdi's emergence and whoever determines any specific time is a liar (Kamal ul-din, p 484, Hadith #4).Emergence of the Mahdi
Sunni and Shi'a sources
He emerges during the last days of the world from Makkah (Mecca) He and Isa (ie. He quotes Anas ibn Malik that the prophet said, "لا مهدي إلا عيسى بن مريم", literally meaning: No Mahdi but Jesus son of Mary. He precedes the second appearance of Jesus He establishes justice, peace and truth throughout the world (or land, the Arabic word "الأرض" pronounced al-ardh does not necessarily translates to whole world or Planet Earth only, it basically means 'land' and could thus address to some nation or part thereof.) Jesus defeats the Deceiving Messiah or Antichrist, known as al-Masih ad-Dajjal Once the Deceiving Messiah is defeated, Jesus and the Mahdi live on Earth to live out their natural life The Mahdi will correct the false or corrupted practices in Islam, and Jesus will likewise correct false practices done in his name (i.e. Jesus will destroy all the crucifixes and false churchesShi'a sources
Upon his emergence, the young among his followers, without any prior appointment, reach Mecca that very night Each of his soldiers has the power of forty strong men Sinful opposers call their own followers to fight A large number of non-believers will convert to Islam once they see that the signs in the reports have occurredClaims of being the Mahdi
There have been several personalities over time who have considered themselves the Mahdi prophesied in Islam.
The first historical recorded reference to a movement using the name of Mahdi is al-Mukhtar's rebellion against the Umayyid Caliphate in 686 CE (almost 50 years after the Islamic prophet).
Divergent views among Sunnis
The coming of the Mahdi is a disputed notion within Sunnis, with the claim being denied notably by both the Ahle Quran and notable Darul-uloom Nadwatul Ulama clerics.
The Mahdi in fiction
Several authors have used the concept of the Mahdi in fictional stories.
The Mahdi plays a central role in Wilbur Smith's book The Triumph of the Sun, a story of an English family during the Mahdi's siege of Khartoum in 1884.
Ahmadiyya view
Views of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement: "A Brief Sketch of the Ahmadiyya Movement", Views of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: " The Messiah and the Mahdi One and the Same Person",Sunni view
THE MUSLIM BANI-ISRAEL OF EAST HELPING IMAM MAHDI Coming of Imam Mehdi and the Return of Hadhrat `Isaa Jesus Christ the Son of Mary and His Most Blessed Mother The Mahdi and the End Times Imam Mahdi THE COMING OUT OF THE AWAITED DESCENDENT OF FATIMA, AL-MAHDIShia view
Al-Imam al-Mahdi: The Just Leader of Humanity by Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini The Awaited Saviour by Ayatullah Baqir al-Sadr and Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari A Discussion Concerning the Mahdi by Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr Helpers Of The Mahdi Information about the 12th ImamMouood (Arabic: موعود) The largest portal about Imam Mahdi and related articles and news, in Persian language.
Mouood Online
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