Muhammad al-Mahdi

Muḥammad al-Mahdī (born 868) () is the twelfth and final Shi'a Imam. He is the person believed by Shi'as to be the Mahdi; a figure considered by both Sunnis and Shias to be the ultimate saviour of humankind. Shi'as and Sunnis differ on the identity of the Mahdi, with Shi'as believing that he was born in 868 and has been hidden by God (referred to as occultation) to later emerge to fulfill his mission. Sunnis either believe that he is yet to be born, or that he was born recently and has yet to emerge. Whatever the case, both groups believe that he will bring absolute peace and justice throughout the world by establishing Islam as the global religion. As such, the personality and account of Muhammad al-Mahdi in this article is one that is believed only by Shi'as. For a general overview of the Mahdi as accepted by the various divisions in Islam, see Mahdi.

Birth and family life

Shi'as believe that the Mahdi was born in 868 as Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn Ali. His mother, Narjis (Melika), was a Byzantine princess who pretended to be a slave so that she might travel from her kingdom to Arabia. His father, Hasan al-Askari, is believed to have been the eleventh and penultimate Shi'a Imam. Shi'as believe that his birth was kept a secret due to the persecution that the Shi'a were facing during this time at the hands of Al-Mu'tamid, the Abbasid Caliph.

Early life

The eleventh Shi'a Imam died on 8th Rabbi al-Awwal, 874, and since that day, his son Muhammad is believed by Shi'as to be the Imam, appointed by God, to lead the believers of the era. The most popular account of Muhammad al-Mahdi, in Shi'a literature, is taken from his father's funeral. It is reported that as the funeral prayer was about to begin, Muhammad al-Mahdi's uncle, Jafar ibn Ali approached to lead the prayers. However, Muhammad al-Mahdi approached and commanded, "Move aside, uncle; only an Imam can lead the funeral prayer of an Imam." Jafar moved aside, and the five-year-old child led the funeral prayer for his father. It is reported that it was at this very moment that Muhammad al-Mahdi disappeared and went into ghaybat, or occultation.

The Occultation

Shi'as believe that, for various reasons, God concealed the twelfth and current Shi'a Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, from humankind.

Period

The period of occultation (ghaybat) is believed to consist of two parts:

Ghaybat al-Sughra or Minor Occultation, which took place between 873 and 939 and is the shorter of the two periods.
Ghaybat al-Kubra or Major Occultation, which began on 10th Shawwal 939 and is believed will continue until a time decided by God. At this point, the occultation will end and the Mahdi will reappear to bring absolute justice to the world.

Reasons

Shi'as cite references from the Qur'an and from various hadith (reports) in order to provide the following reasons behind the Mahdi's occultation.

1) Unknown

One of the reasons behind the Mahdi's occultation has been concealed by God from humankind.

2) Trial

The occultation, and in particular, its long duration, is a trial for believers. Shi'as believe that God examines the believers for the faith in their hearts and their beliefs in relation to the existence of the Mahdi. It is said that all believers will meet the Mahdi at least once in their lives, though they will not know that it is him.

3) Preparation

Before the Mahdi reappears to establish absolute justice throughout the world, humankind needs to make a certain amount of preparation. There will come a point when all ideologies and doctrines will fail and when every leader and government will rise to solve problems but will fail. It will then become clear that no one is capable of establishing justice in the world except God's viceregent, the Mahdi.

4) Lack of acceptance

Due to the persecution of believers and, in particular, of the other Shi'a Imams, as well as the prophets, it is clear that people are still refusing to accept God's vicegerents. As such, just as Shi'as believe that God concealed prophets Jesus and Joseph (Arab. Isa and Yusuf), God has also hidden the Mahdi from humankind until such a time when suitable circumstances have arisen for his reappearance.

5) Imam's non-allegiance

Shi'as believe that every other Shi'a Imam was persecuted to pay allegiance to unjust rulers. Since the Mahdi will reappear to end the rule of tyrants and the entire world will be brought under his government of justice, it is necessary that he is concealed from humankind so that he does not pay allegiance to anyone.

The Four Deputies

During the Minor Occultation (Ghaybat al-Sughra), it is believed that Muhammad al-Mahdi maintained contact with his followers via a succession of four appointed deputies (Arab. nuwwaab al-arba’a). They represented him and acted as agents between him and his followers.

Whenever the believers faced a problem, they would write their concerns and send them to his deputy. The deputy would ascertain his verdict, endorse it with his seal and signature and return it to the relevant parties. The deputies also collected zakat and khums on his behalf. For the Shia, the idea of consulting a hidden Imam was not something new because the two prior Shia Imams had, on occasion, met with their followers from behind a curtain.

The 4 deputies were:

Uthman ibn Sa’id al-Asadi
Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman
Abul Qasim Husayn ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti
Abul Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri

In 329 AH, Muhammad al-Mahdi issued an order, via his 4th deputy, that the deputy would soon die, the Minor Occultation and the deputyship would end and the period of the Major Occultation would begin.

The 4th deputy died six days later and the Shi'a Muslims continue to await the reappearance of the Mahdi. In the same year, many notable Shi'a scholars such as Ali ibn Babwayh Qummi and Muhammad ibn Yaqub Kulayni, the learned compiler of al-Kafi also died.

Although it is believed that he never died, there is a shrine for him in Samarra located next to those of his father and grandfather. The shrine is actually his house. It is common practice in some sects of Islam to preserve historical sites of religious figures as a mark of respect. (The Samarra mosque was bombed in February 2006, spurring a wave of violence which, in April 2006, appeared to have triggered a civil war.)

Reappearance

Shi'as cite various references from the Qur'an and reports, or Hadith, from the prophet Muhammad and the twelve Shi'a Imams with regards to the reappearance of Muhammad al-Mahdi who will, in accordance with God's command, bring justice and peace to the world by establishing Islam throughout the world.

The prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:

"During the last times, my people will be afflicted with terrible and unprecedented calamities and misfortunes from their rulers, so much so that this vast earth will appear small to them. Persecution and injustice will engulf the earth. The believers will find no shelter to seek refuge from these tortures and injustices. At such a time, God will raise from my progeny a man who will establish peace and justice on this earth in the same way as it had been filled with injustice and distress."

Shi'as believe that when Muhammad al-Mahdi will reappear, the prophet Isa (Jesus) will also reappear and that he will pray behind al-Mahdi.

Sayings

"As to the benefit of my existence in Occultation, it is like the benefit of the sun behind clouds where the eyes do not see. Indeed, my existence is an amnesty for the people of the earth."

With regards to advice for his followers during his absence, it is reported that he has said:

"Refer to the transmitters of our traditions, for they are my hujja (proof) unto you and I am God’s proof unto them."

Sunni view

Sunni Muslims do not consider Muhammad al-Mahdi to be the Mahdi; many scholars even doubt that he existed at all. They hold that the 11th Imam died at the age of 28 years without leaving any offspring. It should be noted that this is one of many areas where Sunni and Shi'i views differ.

Baha'i View

Baha'is believe that He has already come to this earth and fulfilled all the prophecies. The Bab is considered to be the Mahdi.

External links

868 births | Year of death missing | Shia Imams

مهدي | Muhammad al-Mahdi | Muhammad al-Mahdi | Mohammed al-Mahdi

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