Changes

*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  

==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 [[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 [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.

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 [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).