Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

Arabic mahdī, [[literally]], one rightly guided

Arabic mahdī, [[literally]], one rightly guided

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1626]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1626]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: the expected [[messiah]] of [[Muslim]] [[tradition]]

*1: the expected [[messiah]] of [[Muslim]] [[tradition]]

*2: a Muslim [[leader]] who assumes a messianic role  

*2: a Muslim [[leader]] who assumes a messianic role  

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Mahdi''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Mahdi '''''this link'''''].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Mahdi''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Mahdi '''''this link'''''].</center>

==Description==

==Description==

The '''Mahdi''', meaning "the guided one," is the honorary title of the expected deliverer or [[messianic]] figure in [[Islam]]. Although the term and [[concept]] is not found in the [[Koran|Qur˒an]], both [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni Sunni] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia Shi˓a] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith hadith] collections mention it among the [[prophetic]] [[traditions]] concerning [[crises]] (fitan). These traditions often contain [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology eschatological] material, and frequently speak of a figure who will come at the end of time to combat the forces of [[evil]] led by the one-eyed Dajjal. This [[righteous]] [[individual]] is said to be one who "will fill the earth with [[justice]] after it has been filled with injustice and [[tyranny]]." The Mahdi's coming will lead the forces of [[good]] in a final [[apocalyptic]] battle, where the [[good]] will triumph. [[Jesus]] will also return to earth at this time, according to some reports, and fight alongside the Mahdi or rule after him. All of these [[events]] are predicted to take place shortly before Judgment Day.

The '''Mahdi''', meaning "the guided one," is the honorary title of the expected deliverer or [[messianic]] figure in [[Islam]]. Although the term and [[concept]] is not found in the [[Koran|Qur˒an]], both [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni Sunni] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia Shi˓a] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith hadith] collections mention it among the [[prophetic]] [[traditions]] concerning [[crises]] (fitan). These traditions often contain [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology eschatological] material, and frequently speak of a figure who will come at the end of time to combat the forces of [[evil]] led by the one-eyed Dajjal. This [[righteous]] [[individual]] is said to be one who "will fill the earth with [[justice]] after it has been filled with injustice and [[tyranny]]." The Mahdi's coming will lead the forces of [[good]] in a final [[apocalyptic]] battle, where the [[good]] will triumph. [[Jesus]] will also return to earth at this time, according to some reports, and fight alongside the Mahdi or rule after him. All of these [[events]] are predicted to take place shortly before Judgment Day.

In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelvers Twelver Shi˓ite Islam], due to the [[community]]'s minority [[status]] and continuing sense of [[persecution]] and injustice, the Mahdi [[symbol]] developed into a powerful and central religious [[idea]] and became combined with the figure of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Imams last of the twelve Imams, Muhammad al-Mahdi], who is believed to have disappeared around 874. He was born in Samarra, son of Hasan al-Askari and the lady Nargis. He is also known as the ruler of the time (sahib al-zaman), the one who will restore [[justice]] (qa˒im), and the awaited one (al-muntazar).

In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelvers Twelver Shi˓ite Islam], due to the [[community]]'s minority [[status]] and continuing sense of [[persecution]] and injustice, the Mahdi [[symbol]] developed into a powerful and central religious [[idea]] and became combined with the figure of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Imams last of the twelve Imams, Muhammad al-Mahdi], who is believed to have disappeared around 874. He was born in Samarra, son of Hasan al-Askari and the lady Nargis. He is also known as the ruler of the time (sahib al-zaman), the one who will restore [[justice]] (qa˒im), and the awaited one (al-muntazar).

Lists of the qualities of the expected one were drawn up, including his name being [[Muhammad]], his descent from the Prophet, his appearance (zuhur) or rising, his rule (for either seven, nine, or nineteen years), and his [[mission]] to restore [[justice]] on earth. After the last imam disappeared as a child, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia Shi ite] sources identified a lesser occultation (disappearance) of some seventy years, during which a series of four deputies was said to have consulted with him. After that time, the Mahdi, or Hidden Imam, entered the greater occultation that is still in force, remaining alive but not meeting with [[representatives]]. The [[fact]] that Shi˓ite religious [[scholars]] are believed to continue to receive his [[blessings]] and [[guidance]] gives them a greater [[charisma]] and [[authority]] than their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni Sunni] counterparts. Shi˓ite political [[theory]] traditionally declared all [[temporal]] power illegitimate in the [[absence]] of the imam, only recently allowing the [[concept]] of a caretaker government of religious authorities (wilayat al-faqih) that underlies today's Islamic republic in Iran.

Lists of the qualities of the expected one were drawn up, including his name being [[Muhammad]], his descent from the Prophet, his appearance (zuhur) or rising, his rule (for either seven, nine, or nineteen years), and his [[mission]] to restore [[justice]] on earth. After the last imam disappeared as a child, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia Shi ite] sources identified a lesser occultation (disappearance) of some seventy years, during which a series of four deputies was said to have consulted with him. After that time, the Mahdi, or Hidden Imam, entered the greater occultation that is still in force, remaining alive but not meeting with [[representatives]]. The [[fact]] that Shi˓ite religious [[scholars]] are believed to continue to receive his [[blessings]] and [[guidance]] gives them a greater [[charisma]] and [[authority]] than their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni Sunni] counterparts. Shi˓ite political [[theory]] traditionally declared all [[temporal]] power illegitimate in the [[absence]] of the imam, only recently allowing the [[concept]] of a caretaker government of religious authorities (wilayat al-faqih) that underlies today's Islamic republic in Iran.

Claimants to the role of the Mahdi have not been absent from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam Islamic history]. The first was Muhammad al-Hanifiyya (d. 700), son of ˓Ali from a wife other than [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatima Fatima], whose role as the Mahdi was promoted by al-Mukhtar (d. 687). Although al-Mukhtar was killed and his movement crushed, ideas that Muhammad al-Hanafiyya did not die and would one day return continued to circulate and later attached themselves to subsequent imams. More recent claimants have arisen in both Shi˓a and Sunni contexts, including Muhammad Mahdi of Jaunpur in India (d. 1504), whose followers continue as a separate Muslim [[sect]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdavis Mahdavis], and the Sudanese Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad (d. 1885), who rose against the British occupiers and was killed at the battle of Omdurman. Contemporary Islamist or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism Sufi movements] may occasionally evoke the anticipated return of the Mahdi as a means of [[encouraging]] millenarian [[expectations]] among their followers. In Shi˓a Islam, expectation and eager [[anticipation]] of the Mahdi's return is a central theme of [[piety]] and [[discourse]].[http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CCX3403500283&v=2.1&u=tel_a_uots&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w]

Claimants to the role of the Mahdi have not been absent from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam Islamic history]. The first was Muhammad al-Hanifiyya (d. 700), son of ˓Ali from a wife other than [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatima Fatima], whose role as the Mahdi was promoted by al-Mukhtar (d. 687). Although al-Mukhtar was killed and his movement crushed, ideas that Muhammad al-Hanafiyya did not die and would one day return continued to circulate and later attached themselves to subsequent imams. More recent claimants have arisen in both Shi˓a and Sunni contexts, including Muhammad Mahdi of Jaunpur in India (d. 1504), whose followers continue as a separate Muslim [[sect]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdavis Mahdavis], and the Sudanese Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad (d. 1885), who rose against the British occupiers and was killed at the battle of Omdurman. Contemporary Islamist or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism Sufi movements] may occasionally evoke the anticipated return of the Mahdi as a means of [[encouraging]] millenarian [[expectations]] among their followers. In Shi˓a Islam, expectation and eager [[anticipation]] of the Mahdi's return is a central theme of [[piety]] and [[discourse]].[https://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CCX3403500283&v=2.1&u=tel_a_uots&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Messiah]]'''''

*'''''[[Messiah]]'''''

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Political Science]]

[[Category: Political Science]]