Mahdi (Islamic eschatology)
The Mahdi is a significant messianic figure in Islamic eschatology, prophesied to emerge near the end of the world to combat injustice and establish a global Islamic kingdom. The Mahdi, which means "Guided One," is expected to appear during a period of great turmoil, leading a revolution against an evil entity known as al-Dajjāl, who is often likened to the antichrist in Christian belief. Beliefs surrounding the Mahdi vary notably between Sunni and Shia Muslims; Sunnis anticipate a wise leader from the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad, while Shia Muslims await the return of the twelfth imam, a historical figure believed to have been in hiding since the 9th century.
In many traditions, the Mahdi's appearance will coincide with the return of Jesus, referred to as Isa in Islam, who will play a critical role in defeating al-Dajjāl and affirming the supremacy of Islam. The Mahdi's reign is thought to last between seven to nine years, during which he will unite Muslims and non-Muslims alike under Islam. After this period, a final judgment by Allah is expected to culminate in the end of the universe. The Mahdi's role and significance within Islamic eschatology reflect deep theological insights and varying interpretations within the broader Islamic faith.
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Mahdi (Islamic eschatology)
The Mahdi is an Islamic messianic figure who is prophesized to return near the end of the world to defeat injustice and establish a global Islamic kingdom. The coming of the Mahdi, or Guided One, is a central principle in Islamic eschatology, the theological study of the final divine judgment of humankind. In some Muslim religious traditions, the Mahdi will appear at a time of great unrest to battle an evil figure comparable to the antichrist in Christian belief. Other traditions hold the Mahdi will unite all Muslims and establish Islam as a worldwide religion. His triumph will pave the way for the Muslim incarnation of Jesus to return and defeat the antichrist in preparation for final judgment.
The concept of the Mahdi differs in the two major branches of the Islamic faith. Sunni Muslims hold the Mahdi will be a wise ruler born from the bloodline of the Prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims believe the Mahdi is a historical ninth-century religious leader who will one day return after spending centuries in hiding.
Background
While Muslims believe their faith to be several thousand years old, historical Islam originated in the Middle East in the early seventh century. It began with the Prophet Muhammad, who claimed he received the word of God (Allah) through visions from the Archangel Gabriel. Muhammad compiled these revelations in a holy book called the Qur'an and began preaching Allah's word throughout the Middle East. Islam was influenced by the other major faiths of the region—Christianity and Judaism—and incorporated elements of both. Old Testament figures such as Abraham and Moses were believed to be great prophets in Islam. To Muslims, Jesus Christ—the central figure in Christianity—was not the divine messiah but was a messenger sent by Allah.
Muhammad died in 632 without naming a successor as leader of the fast-growing religion. Some of his followers believed the role should be filled by a vote and chose Muhammad's trusted adviser Abu Bakr as leader. Others felt the title should only go to a member of Muhammad's family and wanted his cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib to lead them. The dispute split Islam into two factions. The followers of Abu Bakr believed the focus of Islam should be on the Sunnah, the words and traditions of Muhammad. This branch became known as Sunni Muslims. The Shiat Ali, or followers of Ali, are known as Shiites or Shia Muslims. Shia Muslims believe Muhammad's legacy was passed down through religious leaders called imams and that Ali was the first imam.
Overview
As in Christianity and Judaism, Islam also developed a body of prophetic beliefs foretelling the end of days and Allah's triumph over evil. Variations of the story are common and differ depending on the region and branch of Islam. The concept of the Mahdi was not mentioned in the Quran but appeared later in other teachings attributed to Muhammad.
In many Muslim apocalyptic accounts, it is said the world will begin to descend into immorality and corruption, where the teachings of Islam will be ignored. Into this world will arrive the al-Dajjāl, or deceiver, who will falsely claim to be the Messiah and plunge the world into chaos. Some Islamic traditions believe that as the al-Dajjāl attempts to take control of the world, the Mahdi will appear to oppose him. The Mahdi will lead a global revolution, uniting both Muslims and non-Muslims under the banner of Islam to form a great caliphate, or Muslim religious kingdom. In some traditions, the Mahdi will ride at the head of an army and defeat al-Dajjāl, beginning a rule that will last from seven to nine years.
In other versions of the story, as the Mahdi unites the world under Islam, the prophet Jesus—referred to as Isa in Islam—returns to earth in Damascus. He arrives borne on the wings of angels and carrying a great spear. Some stories say upon Jesus's return, al-Dajjāl will crumble like salt in water; in others, Jesus will battle al-Dajjāl and kill him. Afterward, Jesus travels to Jerusalem to meet the Mahdi, who humbly offers him the right to lead the congregation in prayer. Jesus refuses and defers to the Mahdi, a symbolic submission to the superiority of the Islamic faith.
The roles of Jesus and the Mahdi are combined in some variations and separated in others. In some, Jesus abolishes Christianity and converts the world to Islam. He serves as its ruler for forty-five years before dying. According to Muslim belief, neither Jesus nor the Mahdi is a spiritual being. They are human messengers of Allah who will live a normal life span and eventually die. After a varying period of Islamic rule, Allah will commence his final judgment and destroy the universe.
The figure of the Mahdi is not present in some Sunni eschatological beliefs, and in others, it takes a secondary role to Jesus. Most Sunni theologies believe the Mahdi is the primary Messiah of the Muslim faith and will be descended from Muhammad and bear his name. The Sunni Mahdi will be a beloved and wise leader destined to rule an Islamic world kingdom as a descendant of Muhammad.
In Shia Muslim tradition, the Mahdi has a more prominent place, and the role of Jesus is lessened or nonexistent. The largest Shia sect believes the Mahdi is the last in a line of twelve holy imams descended from the first imam, Ali. This historical imam was born in 869 and ascended to the role of imam at age five. He is said to have been taken away by Allah and hidden. The Shia believe this twelfth imam has been alive since the ninth century and will make his appearance as the Mahdi at the appointed time.
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