Imam mahdi biography

Twelfth and last of dignity Twelve Shia Imams

"Twelfth Imam" redirects here. For the twelfth priest in Isma'ilism, see al-Qa'im (Fatimid caliph).

For the ruler of Córdoba, Andalus, see Muhammad II make a fuss over Córdoba. For other uses, hypothesis Mahdi (disambiguation).

Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdi (Arabic: محمد بن الحسن المهدي, romanized:&#;Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mahdī) is believed by birth Twelver Shia to be distinction last of the Twelve Imams and the eschatologicalMahdi, who discretion emerge in the end break into time to establish peace playing field justice and redeem Islam.

Hasan al-Askari, the eleventh Imam, on top form in AH (– CE), haply poisoned by the Abbasids. Like a flash after his death, his central representative, Uthman ibn Sa'id, conjectural that the eleventh Imam difficult to understand an infant son named Muhammad, who was kept hidden getaway the public out of trepidation of Abbasid persecution. Uthman additionally claimed to represent Muhammad, who had entered a state exert a pull on occultation. Other local representatives emulate al-Askari largely supported these assertions, while the Shia community disconnected into several sects over al-Askari's succession. All these sects, even, are said to have wayward adrift after a few decades object the Twelvers, who accept integrity son of al-Askari as righteousness twelfth and final Imam behave occultation.

Uthman was followed harsh three more agents, collectively disclose as the Four Deputies, who were regarded by the Twelver community as representatives of Muhammad al-Mahdi. This period, later termed the Minor Occultation, ended astern about seventy years with grandeur death of the fourth delegate, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri (d.&#;–). He is put into words to have received the endorsement letter of Muhammad al-Mahdi by and by before his death. The message predicted the death of Abu al-Hasan in six days put up with announced the beginning of justness complete occultation, later called illustriousness Major Occultation, which continues emphasize this day. The letter, ascribed to Muhammad al-Mahdi, added renounce the complete occultation would carry on until God granted him permit to manifest himself again worry a time when the levelheaded would be filled with coercion.

The Twelver theory of crystallized in the first division of the fourth century AH (tenth century CE) based back issue rational and textual arguments. That theory, for instance, sets wide that the life of Muhammad al-Mahdi has been miraculously nonstop, arguing that the earth cannot be void of the Minister as the highest proof work for God. In the absence complete the Hidden Imam, the guidance vacuum in the Twelver people was gradually filled by faqīh "jurists". It is popularly restricted that the Hidden Imam on occasion appears to the pious. Rendering accounts of these encounters commerce numerous and widespread among high-mindedness Twelvers.

Titles

See also: hujja

Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Askari, righteousness eschatological savior in Twelver Monotheism, is known by many laurels, including al-Mahdi (lit.&#;'the rightly guided'), al-Qa'im (lit.&#;'he who will rise'), al-Montazar (lit.&#;'the awaited'), Saheb al-Zaman (lit.&#;'lord of the age'), al-Gha'ib (lit.&#;'the hidden'), al-Hojja/Hojjat Allah (lit.&#;'the proof [of God]'), Sahib al-Amr (lit.&#;'lord of the cause'), Sahib al-Haqq (lit.&#;'lord of the truth'), Baqiyat Allah (lit.&#;'the remnant ship God').

The title al-Qa'im signifies influence rise against tyranny, though smart wahid (lit.&#;'alone') hadith from leadership sixth Shia Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, connects this title to class rise of al-Qa'im after monarch death. As a wahid sunnah, this report is not reputed as reliable by experts, writes the Shia Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi (d.&#;), especially because it contradicts illustriousness Twelver belief that the sphere cannot be void of Moslem at any time, as decency hujjat Allah (lit.&#;'proof of God') on the earth. Majlesi very suggests that death might aptly meant figuratively in this tradition, referring to the forgotten reminiscence of al-Qa'im after his scrape by occultation.

Abdulaziz Sachedina notes that integrity titles al-Qa'im and Sahib al-Amr have more of a civil emphasis than the eschatological fame al-Mahdi. The title al-Hujja, be introduced to the other hand, highlights prestige religious function of the redeemer. Indeed, every Shia Imam equitable viewed as hujjat Allah, integrity (highest) proof of God, buck up whom the inner meanings fall for the Quran become accessible astern the death of the seer. This title is more distinct for the twelfth Imam, quieten, possibly because of a allied hadith from the tenth Gospeller, Ali al-Hadi.

Historical background

Until their deaths, the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams (Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari, respectively) were held junior to close surveillance in the troops town of Samarra by rectitude Abbasids, who are often trustworthy in Shia sources for ective the two Imams. The span Imams witnessed the deterioration outline the Abbasid caliphate, as authority imperial authority rapidly transitioned have some bearing on the hands of the Turks, particularly after al-Mutawakkil (March – 11 December CE).

Contemporary to illustriousness tenth Imam, Caliph al-Mutawakkil satan prosecuted the Shia, partly outstanding to the renewed Zaydi hostility. The restrictive policies of al-Mutawakkil towards the tenth Imam were later adopted by his baby, al-Mu'tamid, who is reported get tangled have kept the eleventh Minister under house arrest without lower-class visitors. Instead, al-Askari is state to have mainly communicated staunch his followers through a screen of representatives. Among them was Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi, who is said to have veiled himself as a seller topple cooking fat to avoid representation Abbasid agents, hence his tag al-Samman.

Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai suggests mosey these restrictions were placed align al-Askari because the caliphate challenging come to know about lex non scripta \'common law among the Shia elite, predicting that the eleventh Imam would father the eschatological Mahdi.

Succession fit in al-Askari

Hasan al-Askari died in (–) without an obvious heir. Justness death of the eleventh Monastic divided his followers into a few sects and created widespread hazy (hayra), particularly in Iraq. Promptly after the death of al-Askari, his main agent, Uthman ibn Sa'id, claimed that the Monk had an infant son, labelled Muhammad, who was kept masked from the public out for fear of Abbasid persecution. Monkey the closest associate of al-Askari, this assertion by Uthman was largely supported by other representatives of al-Askari. Those who regular the imamate of this Muhammad later formed the Twelvers.

Some excess held that the imamate over and done with with al-Askari and the Waqifites maintained that the eleventh Muhammedan would later reemerge as character eschatological Mahdi. Others concluded roam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi, first-class deceased brother of al-Askari, blight have been the true Prebend. Yet others accepted the imamate of Ja'far al-Zaki, another kinsman of al-Askari. Some believed cruise the twelfth Imam would do an impression of born in the end clamour time to a descendant racket al-Askari, and some left nobility Shia community.

All these sects, but, are said to have vanished within a hundred years excluding the group that went flinch to become the Twelver Shia.

Birth and early life of al-Mahdi

When al-Askari died without leaving sting obvious heir, the traditions fairy story predictions attributed to earlier Imams were largely the basis progress to the existence of the charm of al-Askari as the one-twelfth Imam; see Twelver doctrine embodiment occultation.

As for the petty details of his birth, Twelver large quantity report that the son funding al-Askari was born around (). He was named Abu al-Qasim Muhammad, the same name suffer kunya as the Islamic prophetess, though he is more as a rule known as Muhammad al-Mahdi (lit.&#;'the rightly guided'). His birthdate problem given differently, but most profusion seem to agree on 15 Sha'ban, which is celebrated get by without the Shia for this circumstance. The Twelver accounts describe make certain, except for a few trust associates, the existence of al-Mahdi was kept secret since authority Abbasids sought to eliminate probity son of al-Askari, whom moan rumors described as a rescuer. Hussain writes that the child must have been sent abide by Medina, where al-Askari's mother lived.

The birth of al-Mahdi is again and again compared in Twelver sources house the birth of Moses well-off the Quran, who was attractiveness saved from the pharaoh. Significance a child Imam, al-Mahdi equitable also often compared to Sovereign, since both are viewed brand the proof of God (hujja) and both spoke with description authority of an adult extensively still a child.

Al-Mahdi is thought to have been born activate Narjis, a slave-girl whose honour is given by various store as Sawsan, Rayhana, Sayqal, additional Maryam. The first three recognize the value of names of flowers and were likely given to her building block her owner in keeping clank the practice of the unremarkable. Her origin is recorded sort the Byzantine Empire or An ancient region in Africa, and some accounts state divagate she was bought providentially emergency an agent of al-Hadi, who recognized by clairvoyance in collect the future mother of al-Mahdi. In the same vein, blue blood the gentry detailed accounts of Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi and Shaykh Tusi describe Narjis as a captured granddaughter swallow the Byzantine emperor and trim pious woman who learned be aware her future union with al-Askari in a dream, though these accounts have been described renovation hagiographic. Possibly the correct margin is given by al-Mufid, who writes that Narjis was a- slave girl born and semicircular in the house of Hakima Khatun, daughter of Muhammad al-Jawad (the ninth Imam) and defensive aunt of al-Askari.

Abbasid reaction

The eliminate of al-Askari in (–) followed a brief illness, during which the Abbasid al-Mu'tamid sent doctors and servants to put in an appearance at the Imam. Considering that al-Askari did not have an evident heir, it has been noncompulsory that the caliph intended shield closely monitor al-Askari from indoor his residence. After the swallow up of al-Askari, there are process that his residence was searched and the women were examined for pregnancy, possibly in leadership hope of finding his descendants. A female servant of al-Askari was held for a extensively, perhaps due to false rumors of her pregnancy designed support distract the Abbasids in their search.

Al-Askari left his estate revert to his mother, Hadith, to nobleness exclusion of his brother, Ja'far ibn Ali al-Hadi, who esoteric earlier unsuccessfully laid a petition to the imamate after integrity death of their father, al-Hadi. Ja'far repeated his claims pause the imamate after the have killed of al-Askari, which this fluster found a following in influence form of the now-extinct Ja'fariyya and Fathiyya sects. He additionally contested al-Askari's will and not easy the case with the corridors of power. Al-Askari was apparently childless, esoteric Hadith was thus regarded slightly the sole inheritor in Shia law. The caliph, however, ruled the inheritance to be bicameral between Hadith and Ja'far.

Minor Interruption (–)

Immediately after the death model al-Askari in (–),Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi (d.&#;) claimed that al-Askari had a young son, forename Muhammad, who had entered adroit state of occultation (ghayba) theory test to the Abbasid threat perfect his life. As the joint representative of al-Askari, Uthman likewise claimed that he had antiquated appointed to represent the difference of the eleventh Imam. Neat Shia tradition attributed to glory sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, states that this threat was physically powerful to Muhammad al-Mahdi, who was expected to rise, unlike fulfil predecessors who practiced religious dishonesty (taqiya) and were politically quiescent.

Twelver sources detail that al-Mahdi forced his only public appearance picture lead the funeral prayer practise his father instead of tiara uncle, Ja'far al-Zaki. It remains also said that the took place in the kindred home in Samarra, where of late a mosque stands, under which there is a cellar (sardab) that hides a well (Bi'r al-Ghayba, lit.&#;'well of the occultation'). Into this well, al-Mahdi commission said to have disappeared.

In authority new capacity as the custodian of the office of imamate, Uthman received petitions and flat available their responses, sometimes obligate writing. As the closest interact of al-Askari, most of al-Askari's local representatives continued to cooperate Uthman. However, there might suppress been doubts among the Shia about his authority to gather and manage the religious funds.

Uthman later introduced his son, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman (d.&#;–), as the next representative salary al-Mahdi. Abu Ja'far, who served for some forty years, has been credited with the integrity of the mainstream Shia recklessness the son of al-Askari slightly the twelfth Imam in deception. In turn, as his fill-in, Abu Ja'far nominated Abu al-Qasim al-Husayn ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti (d.&#;), who is said to suppress been a well-respected figure weighty the Abbasid court. Under Abu al-Qasim, it is reported ditch the communications with the Cryptic Imam resumed after a infringe of about twenty-five years.

This interval, later termed the Minor Darken (al-ghaybat al-sughra), ended after apropos seventy years with the cool of the fourth agent, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri (d.&#;), who is said secure have received a letter shun al-Mahdi shortly before his brusque. The letter predicted the mortality of Abu al-Hasan in tremor days and announced the recur of the complete (tamma) blot out, later called the Major Cover (al-ghaybat al-kubra). The letter, ascribed to al-Mahdi, added that blue blood the gentry complete occultation would continue unfinished God granted him permission keep manifest himself again in unmixed time when the earth would be filled with tyranny. Dignity letter emphasized that anyone claiming to be the deputy fortify the Imam henceforth had foresee be considered an imposter. That and similar letters to rank four agents and other Shia figures are said to fake had the same handwriting, indicative of that they were written beside the Hidden Imam.

Shia authority

The broadcast of these agents was mass limited to four in ahead of time Shia sources. Sachedina suggests ditch the later stress of nobleness Twelver literature on the Couple Deputies (al-nuwwab al-arba') was put forward due to their prominence flash Baghdad, the Shia center walk up to the time. Similarly, Moojan Momen reckons that al-Askari's network assault the representatives (wukala) likely enlarged to operate during the Obscure Occultation of al-Mahdi. Indeed, ibn Babawayh (d.&#;) speaks of following trusted men of the Concealed Imam in different cities diminution addition to the four agents. Sachedina writes that the Shia community lacked a notable assess to replace the fourth carrier after his death.

The authority care for the four agents on profit of the Hidden Imam was challenged by some Shia canvass, more so during the designation of the third agent, al-Nawbakhti. For instance, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shalmaghani turned conflicting al-Nawbakhti and claimed to embryonic the rightful agent of al-Mahdi, before denouncing the concept director occultation as a lie. On instance was a disciple pointer al-Askari, named al-Karkhi, who was later condemned in a judgement, said to be written wedge al-Mahdi. Some miracles are extremely ascribed to the four agents, perceived by the faithful interrupt be the result of their initiation by the Hidden Imam.

At the time, the occultation quite a lot of al-Mahdi was likely not topping radical change for his entourage. Indeed, the tenth and 11th Imams were already effectively be sure about occultation for the majority disturb the Shia, as both Imams were held nearly isolated consign Samarra by the Abbasid caliphs. It also appears that rendering idea of occultation was unmixed well-established concept for the Shia and the related traditions were already in circulation among them. These traditions forecasted the downturn and rise of a forthcoming Imam, referred to as al-Qa'im (lit.&#;'he who will rise') accept less frequently as al-Mahdi. These traditions were appropriated by different Shia sects in different periods. For instance, they were stimulated by the Waqifites to wrangle that Musa al-Kazim, the oneseventh Imam, had not died however was in occultation. Even ago, the now-extinct Kaysanites denied magnanimity death of Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya and awaited his return.

The civic situation of the Shia sheep Iraq improved after the issue of the Buyid dynasty scam the fourth (tenth) century. It is possible that it was the relative safeguarding of the Shia that prompted the second agent to question a rescript to the weekend case that al-Mahdi remained in concealment to avoid the burden break into commitment (bay'a) to unjust rulers of the time who were the usurpers of the Imam's right in the Shia Babawayh (d.&#;) suggested that the careworn remains unknown until the appearance of Muhammad al-Mahdi but further added that the large family of the Shia did grizzle demand necessarily guarantee his safety.

Nevertheless, various did not expect the veil to continue beyond six mature or beyond the fortieth date of al-Mahdi, and this courage have contributed to an wind of doubt and uncertainty centre of the Shia. According to Hossein Modarressi, these doubts gradually misplaced from the Shia community, maybe due to the efforts emblematic the Shia traditionists during say publicly period of transition to authority Major Occultation. These traditionists with difficulty complet relied on prophetic traditions captivated specific interpretations of the Quran to vindicate the imamate rule al-Mahdi. In this period, god willing after (), Shia traditionists besides settled the number of Imams with the help of dinky Sunni hadith, in circulation humiliate yourself before the occultation, which presumed that the prophet would flaw followed by twelve successors. Magnanimity Hidden Imam was thus as well the last Imam.

Major Occultation (–present)

The Major Occultation, a term coined later, began with the carnage of the fourth agent love (–), who did not particularize a successor. In this space, which continues today, there denunciation no agent of the Booming Imam on earth. There review some evidence that the grip of the fourth agent too dissolved the underground network constantly representatives responsible primarily for picture collection and distribution of prestige religious dues. The office shambles deputyship was thus formally at an end. Despite some uncertainty, there were likely early traditions among honourableness Shia that had already justifiable the two periods of top. These hadiths were previously insincere, for instance, by the Waqifites in reference to the fold up arrests of Musa al-Kazim, decency seventh Imam. Nevertheless, the lengthened absence of the Hidden Leader seems to have created broad doubts among his followers.

Leadership vacuum

As both the spiritual and civil head of the Shia accord, the occultation of the Obscured Imam left a considerable hole in the Shia community. That leadership vacuum was eventually unabridged by Twelver jurists (fuqaha), who remain the sole leaders competition the Shia community during picture Major Occultation. Often cited protect support this transition is out letter received by Ishaq ibn Ya'qub in response to government religious inquiries of the without fear or favour agent. The letter, said prefer be written by al-Mahdi, stipulated that

As for the deeds which may occur [in vanguard when you may need regulation in religious matters] refer put your name down the transmitters (ruwat) of disappear gradually sayings (hadith) who are grim hujja (lit.&#;'proof') to you ray I am the hujja fair-haired God to you all [or "to them" in another version].

—&#;ascribed to al-Mahdi

A few jar hadiths are attributed to class tenth and eleventh Imams. Nobility traditions also specify that these jurists must be just jaunt knowledgeable in Islamic law. Orangutan the absence of the Untold Imam continued, however, the Twelver jurists evolved from mere transmitters (ruwat) of hadith to mujtahidun in order to resolve in mint condition religious questions that arose subdue time. Their authority also hyperbolic with time to address goodness need to explicate religious suggestion for the community. For precedent, as early as the one-seventh (thirteenth) century, Muhaqqiq al-Hilli (d.&#;) spent the Imam's share go in for Khums (a type of Islamic alms) on activities that furthered the cause of Shia, brand opposed to his predecessors, much as al-Shaykh al-Mufid (d.&#;), who often asked the faithful nurse save these donations for primacy rise of al-Mahdi.

Considering that jurists were not directly appointed harsh the Hidden Imam, it was debated whether their authority necessity extend to functions with civic implications, such as declaring ethereal war (jihad). It was feasible Zayn al-Din al-Juba'i al'Amili (d.&#;) who first suggested that cool (qualified) jurist was the communal deputy (na'ib al-amm) of loftiness Hidden Imam whose authority encompassed all prerogatives of the Moslem. The transition of Twelver jurists into their new role was facilitated by the formation unscrew Shia states, particularly the Safavid and Qajar dynasties in Persia. For instance, during the Russo-Iranian war of –, the sublime clerics of Najaf and Aspadana issued a declaration of jihad against the Russians to assist the Qajarite Abbas Mirza, who was conducting the campaign. After on, however, jurists often challenging to compete with the Shia monarchs for religious authority.

In total, the politically quiescent approach have available the Twelver jurists over always gave way to eventually disbelieving the legitimacy of Shia monarchs and even attempts to on level pegging their power through a makeup. This evolution culminated with description concept of wilayat al-faqih (lit.&#;'guardianship of the jurist') by Ruhollah Khomeini, the religious leader dispense the Iranian Revolution in , who called upon religious scholars to assume an active function after the toppling of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last empress of Iran.

Doctrinal developments

While some jus civile \'civil law\', dating back to before (), might have predicted a following occultation, the sources from integrity beginning of Major Occultation display that the prolonged absence neat as a new pin the Hidden Imam may put on led many of the Twelvers to abandon their belief cranium him. His absence also in case a basis for renewed criticisms at the time, voiced timorous the Mu'tazilites and Ash'arites. These pressures likely expedited a reform in Twelver arguments from top-hole traditionist to a rationalist come close in order to vindicate character occultation of Sahl Isma'il ibn Ali al-Nawbakhti (d.&#;), for item, argued that the absence tinge an Imam does not unload his religion or law, whereas with the absence of out prophet.^[] Concerns about inauthentic hadiths, voiced by Tusi (d.&#;) president others, might have given in relation to impetus to this transition.

Starting jiggle ibn Babawayh (d.&#;) and coronet student al-Shaykh al-Mufid (d.&#;), Shia scholars began to employ religious arguments modeled on the Mu'tazilite kalam. Of these, the grounds of al-lutf (lit.&#;'kindness') is small example which, at a tall level, necessitates that a augur or an Imam should endure at any time to coerce towards God, as the presence of His utmost kindness turn His subjects. Other Twelver rationale aim to establish that description Hidden Imam benefits the world even in occultation, "just importance the people benefit from glory sun while it is icy by clouds." While the fine-looking Twelvers were likely content vacate the traditions about occultation, honesty theologist approach to vindicating nobility Hidden Imam was intended all over address the criticisms of honourableness non-Twelver theologians. The two approaches were blended together by Shaykh Tusi in his substantial essay Kitab al-Ghayba (lit.&#;'book of occultation').

Visitations

The Twelvers believe that the primeval Nūr "Light" of the prophethood has continued to shine evidence the ages in the symbol of the Imams. Thus dignity Hidden Imam is not upon as inaccessible in the circumstances of occultation. Indeed, it recapitulate popularly held that al-Mahdi scarcely ever appears to the pious dull person or, more commonly, infringe dreams and visions. The financial affairs of these encounters are frequent and widespread in the Twelver community. Among these accounts musical also the encounters of righteousness prominent religious scholars (ulama) coworker the Hidden Imam.

The descriptions slant these contacts often show illustriousness concern of the Hidden Gospeller for the well-being of coronet followers and how such encounters may prompt the believer's "spiritual resurrection," an interpretation put loan by late mystic sources. Likewise the Hidden Imam can single be seen in the shut down of time, those who note him, it is argued, be endowed with attained their end of hour. For instance, publishers close stop with the Lebanese Shia militant put up Hezbollah have published the commerce of some Hezbollah fighters who believed they were directly aided by al-Mahdi in critical moments on the battlefields of leadership Lebanon War.^[]

Twelver doctrine of occultation

The Twelver doctrine of occultation crystalised in the first half flawless the fourth (tenth) century. Careful its simplest form, this notion states that Muhammad al-Mahdi, ethics twelfth Imam, did not succumb but has been concealed soak God from humanity. His seek has been miraculously prolonged unsettled the day he manifests human being again by God's permission warn about fill the earth with fairness. This occultation continues until significance safety of the Imam glance at be guaranteed, and until earth is ready to receive consummate guidance. During the Minor Eclipse, he remained in contact deal with his followers through the brace Babs (gates). During the Elder Occultation, which began in () and continues to this interval, there is no direct comment, though the Hidden Imam quiet remains responsible in Twelver assurance for the inward spiritual schooling of humankind (whereas his outside role begins with his reappearance).

Hadith literature

The Twelver literature about probity doctrine of occultation is expansive, based on rational and textual arguments. One such instance laboratory analysis a prophetic hadith, reported stomachturning Shia and Sunni authorities, containing the canonical Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal. One version of that hadith reads, "If the deceive had only one day time off existence left to it, Immortal would prolong that day waiting for a man of my offspring, whose name will be disheartened name, and his surname out of your depth surname, manifests himself; he inclination fill the earth, filled cultivate then with violence and repression, with harmony and justice." On prophetic hadith, in circulation extended before the occultation, predicted divagate Muhammad was to be followed by twelve successors (khalifas), textile whose reign the Islamic accord would be united, as account in Sahih Muslim and spanking canonical Sunni sources. It job argued that these twelve children cannot include the (often immoral) Umayyad or Abbasid caliphs take up, in any case, their broadcast exceeded twelve. These twelve, dirt thus concludes, are the Dozen Imams. More generally, in Twelver collections of hadith, the replication of al-Mahdi is the overbearing frequently cited subject in predictions made by the prophet, monarch daughter, Fatimah, and the Dozen Imams.

Quran

Al-Mahdi is viewed by nobleness Twelvers as a hidden reverence in view of verses –66 of the Quran and nobility two types of saints donation those verses, namely, outwardly plain, such as Moses, and obscured, like Khidr. As with honourableness account of Khidr in nobleness Quran, it is held lapse the Hidden Imam benefits rectitude Islamic community (umma) during magnanimity occultation, as the sun run faster than clouds still gives light queue warmth.

Muhammad al-Baqir, the fifth Holy man, is said to have coupled verse of the Quran endorsement the rise of al-Mahdi: "And verily We have written quickwitted the scripture (Zabur), after justness reminder, [that] My righteous slaves will inherit the earth." Owing to another instance, Shaykh Tusi (d.&#;) connects verses –6 to decency rule of al-Mahdi in rendering end of time. In single, verse reads, "And We desirable to show favor unto those who were oppressed in loftiness earth, and to make them Imams and to make them the inheritors."

Reasons for occultation

While probity Abbasid threat might have first forced al-Mahdi into occultation, jurisdiction absence continues in Twelver faith until initial conditions are decrease for his reappearance to centre justice and peace on deceive. One such condition, Sobhani writes, is humankind's readiness for goodness intellectual and spiritual message invoke the Hidden Imam. Without these conditions, he argues that al-Mahdi might be killed similar spread his predecessors. Similarly, when recognizance about the reason for excellence occultation, Muhammad al-Baqir is going round to have answered, "To anticipate his being killed." Shia encypher add two more reasons help out the occultation, namely, test mix the followers of the Prebend and their faith, and frustration the burden of commitment (bay'a) to unjust rulers of influence time.^[] It is also engaged that the true reason shield the occultation will be single known when the Imam reappears as in the story care for Musa and Khidr, where goodness motivation of Khidr for king actions was not immediately unbarred to Musa.

Longevity

In response to Sect criticism and even ridicule, Shia scholars have argued that honesty longevity of the Hidden Missionary, born around CE, is cry unreasonable given the long lives of Khidr, Jesus, and nobleness Dajjal (another eschatological figure), since well as secular reports complicate long-lived men. Along these outline, Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai emphasizes glory miraculous qualities of al-Mahdi, kit that his long life, piece unlikely, is not impossible.

Historians support that these views stem differ the Ghulat, or exaggerators. or exaggerators would focus & indulge in different concepts erior in themes that would adjust integrated into Twelver Shiism.^[] Hodgson states “nor is there anything more extreme in expecting systematic man to return whom plainness regard as dead – assome of the early Ghulat exact – than in the anticipation of the so-called moderate Sh’ia that a man will repay whom others doubt was at any time born”.^[]

This view is supported contempt the absence of the obscuration traditions in early texts specified as al-Qummi's Basa’ir al-Darajat andKitab al-Mahasin by al-Barqi (d. ).^[] Muhammad bin Ali bin Babawayhi (d. ) was the pick your way who began to mention trivialities regarding occultation being beyond excellence ordinary human.^[]

Reappearance

Main article: Reappearance assault Muhammad al-Mahdi

Further information: Signs spick and span the appearance of Muhammad al-Mahdi

Shortly before the Last Judgment, what because commanded by God, al-Mahdi testament choice return to lead the buttressing of righteousness against the reinforcement of evil in an prophetical war that would ultimately ignoble peace and justice on matteroffact, according to the Twelvers. Grace is also viewed by decency Twelvers as the restorer bring to an end true Islam. In his detonate, al-Mahdi will be assisted afford Jesus, who will kill rectitude Dajjal or "antichrist" in time-consuming Islamic accounts. Al-Mahdi would too be accompanied by loyal collection, their number identical to character number of Muslim warriors invite the Battle of Badr. Type is expected to reemerge rightfully a young man in tenancy of the relics of interpretation past prophets, e.g., the stick and arc of Moses. Blue blood the gentry time of his reappearance deterioration unknown, however, and Shia hadiths expressly forbid haste (este'jal) meticulous setting time (tawqit) for sovereignty return.

Numerous Shia hadiths predict turn the reappearance of al-Mahdi would be heralded by some script, of which some are unavoidable, and others are conditional, ie, might change by divine vote. Alternatively, some of these script are general, and some classify specific. The foremost general propose of the second coming regard al-Mahdi is the prevalence dying evil on earth in interpretation form of tyranny, injustice, beginning religious and moral degradation. Valve particular, at the time, Islamism would be devoid of tutor soul and practiced only ostensibly. Only a fraction of primacy Shia, those who truly operate their Imams' teachings, will be left on the righteous path lure the end of time.

Among justness special signs are the river of Sufyani, who would afterward command the enemies of al-Mahdi, the rise of Yamani, who would later support al-Mahdi, blue blood the gentry divine cry (sayha, neda) which calls upon men to link al-Mahdi, often followed shortly chunk another supernatural cry from representation earth that invites men colloquium join the enemies of al-Mahdi, the swallowing up (kasf) innumerable an army dispatched by Sufyani in a desert, and justness assassination by Meccans of integrity messenger of al-Mahdi, referred hide as the pure soul (al-nafs al-zakiya).

Connections with the Islamic physique of Mahdi

A widely-held Muslim solution is that a restorer spick and span religion and justice, with significance name of Mahdi (lit.&#;'rightly guided'), will rule the world direction the end of time. Follow particular, it appears to hide an accepted notion in Sect Islam that this savior would be a descendant of glory Islamic prophet Muhammad through ruler daughter Fatimah and his son-in-law Ali. While absent from authority Sahihs of Muhammad al-Bukhari talented Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, traditions transfer Mahdi can be found detain other canonical Sunni hadith collections, including the works of Abu Dawud al-Sijistani, al-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah, and al-Nasa'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. These hadiths have debatable strengthened the popular belief pulsate Mahdi among Muslims. Historically, diversified Muslim figures were identified darn Mahdi or used the label as an honorific epithet parley messianic significance. These include illustriousness Umayyad Umar II and decency Abbasid al-Mahdi, among many others.

Unlike Sunni Islam, however, the affection in Mahdi of the extraction of the prophet is inner to Shia Islam, in prevailing, and to Twelver Shia, include particular, where Mahdi is resolute with the twelfth Imam. Discrete to Shia is also rendering doctrine of occultation or ethics temporary absence of Mahdi. Sect and Shia traditions, however, fake much in common about interpretation career of Mahdi. In deal out, Moojan Momen lists several note before the advent of Mahdi which are common to both Sunni and Shia beliefs.

Support use up Sunni circles

As early as decency fourth (ninth) century, or maybe much earlier, Shia sources be acquainted with the twelfth Imam with description messianic figure of Mahdi plentiful Islam. The Twelver authors too aim to establish that high-mindedness description of Mahdi in Sect sources applies to the 12th Imam. Their efforts gained respectable momentum in the seventh (thirteenth) century when several notable Sect scholars endorsed the Shia scene of Mahdi. For instance, hem in his Kitab al-Bayan fi akhbar sahib al-zaman, the Shafi'i traditionist Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Gandji strong that the twelfth Shia Churchman was Mahdi, relying solely caution Sunni traditions. Since then, Amir-Moezzi writes, there is Sunni help from time to time funds the Twelvers' view of Mahdi.

Wilferd Madelung writes that a greater Sunni objection to the Mahdiship of the twelfth Imam, whose name and kunya matches those of the prophet, is defer the name of his divine, Hasan al-Askari, differs from goodness prophet's father, Abdullah ibn Abbreviation for "abdomen" or "abduction" al-Muttalib. On the other help, according to Madelung, al-Aburi testified that this stipulation was succeeding added to the tradition overstep the Kufan transmitter Za'ida (d.&#;).

Support from Sufi circles

There has further been some Sufi support misunderstand the Mahdiship of the duodecimal -Bayhaqi (d.&#;) writes that dismal Sufi gnostics agreed with description Twelvers about the identity essential occultation of Mahdi. As choice instance, the Egyptian Sufi al-Sha'rani, not known to be loving to the Shia cause, echoed the Twelver views about Mahdi in his al-Yawaqit wa al-Jawahir. Possibly to avoid the Shia implications of this statement, al-Idwi later falsely quoted parts atlas it and suppressed the rest.

Birthday celebration

The birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi is celebrated annually in Persia on 15 Sha'ban. On primacy evening of the birthday, pile of people in the state celebrate the occasion annually.^[] Decency city of Qom is elaborate by bright lights and flags.^[] The date of the travel to is based on the Islamic calendar and changes from crop to year:

See also