Beliefs

A definite answer to this question depends not only on the knowledge of the timing and the stage at which Al-Mahdi (as) will reappear but also on the possibility of imaginating what particular circumstances will be prevailing at that time. It is only...

A definite answer to this question depends not onl...

I would like first to quote Baruch de Spinoza who said something which may help to shed some light in resolving the problems of this question: Peace is not a status of non-war, but rather a virtue, a faculty, a disposition for welfare, trust and just...

I would like first to quote Baruch de Spinoza who ...

If one argues that the reasons for this belief are not political and ideological in nature, then why it is that once we have seen the establishment of the wilayat-e-faqih in Iran, this faith in Al-Mahdi (as) has become continuously weaker? 201 The be...

If one argues that the reasons for this belief are...

Assuming the theoretical possibility of Al-Mahdi's (as) miraculous existence, this still does not establish that he does, in fact, exist. A few sayings of the Prophet (saws) are not sufficient proof for this. How do we know that this idea has not bee...

Assuming the theoretical possibility of Al-Mahdi's...

If the Awaited Savior is Al-Mahdi (as), who was born in 256 AH, then he was at the time of his father's death a child of no more than five years of age, Clearly he could not have been sufficiently trained to become an Imam at this age, so how could h...

If the Awaited Savior is Al-Mahdi (as), who was bo...

How can we distinguish between individuals like the heretical Mirza Ghulam Ahmed of India, who led the Qadiyani movement, reformists like Hassan Al-Banna of Egypt who led the famous al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun, and leaders like Ayatullah S. M. Baqir as-Sad...

How can we distinguish between individuals like th...

There are numerous Qur'anic references substantiating the need for imams: Verily your guardian is God then His Prophet and all believers; they are Allah's contingents, they are those who will remain triumphant (against infidels and non-believers). 46...

There are numerous Qur'anic references substantiat...

Why have natural laws been suspended for the sake of this particular person? Is it not possible that the role of filling the world with justice and equity could be left to a leader who might be born on the eve of the appointed day and grow like other...

Why have natural laws been suspended for the sake ...

It is not correct to assert that the sacred texts do not refer to Al-Mahdi (as). Under the answers to questions 30 & 31, we have explained that almost all religions, factions, ideologies and sects have anticipated the appearance of a Just Leader who ...

It is not correct to assert that the sacred texts ...

When Imam Mahdi (as) was asked how the ummah could benefit from his presence whilst in occultation, he answered that just like the sun when it is covered by clouds. We would not be able to directly see such a sun, but we believe there is one and we b...

When Imam Mahdi (as) was asked how the ummah could...

This question inquires about two main aspects of Islamic ideology with regards to the prophets and imams. There is a difference between the task assigned to a messenger and the duty entrusted upon an imam. The messengers acquire awareness, education ...

This question inquires about two main aspects of I...

Mahdi means, literally, "the one who is Rightly Guided." Al-Mahdi (as) is a figure of profound eschatological significance in Islam. It is a title, and it is one that has been falsely claimed by diverse leaders thoroughout Islamic history. The just r...

Mahdi means, literally, "the one who is Rightly Gu...

Both Shi'ah and Sunni scholars generally agree that there is an Imam for every period in Islam. Without following an Imam it is not possible at any time to comply with Godly commands or to be obedient to Almighty God (swt). This hadith is evidence of...

Both Shi'ah and Sunni scholars generally agree tha...

For our respected Sunni brothers, there are six authentic collections of Ahadeeth based on Sunni standards for verifying the authenticity of a narration. These six books are: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Abu ...

For our respected Sunni brothers, there are six au...

The answer to this question can be understood through consideration of the following two points: * It has been confirmed in the Qur'an that Jesus (as) is the only last pre-Islamic prophet not to have been killed and who is still alive. Being still al...

The answer to this question can be understood thro...

WIth reference to the authentic narrations on the characteristics of Al-Mahdi (as), we see that: * He is a descendant of the Household of the Prophet (saws) from the lineage of Imam Husayn (as). * He is the Twelfth Imam (religious and political leade...

WIth reference to the authentic narrations on the ...

Hadjar, Prophet Abraham's (as) wife, was a slave woman. She gave birth to Ishmael (Isma'il), of whom the Prophet Muhammad (saws) is a direct descendants. If it is acceptable for the Prophet Muhammad (saws), the Seal of prophethood, to be a descendant...

Hadjar, Prophet Abraham's (as) wife, was a slave w...

People who have studied the socio-political conditions as the time of the birth of Al-Mahdi (as) have no confusion about this secret. As we have already explained above, Al-Mahdi (as) was born in circum-stances similar to this birth, the rulers at th...

People who have studied the socio-political condit...

The birth of Al-Mahdi (as) had many similarities to those of the Prophet Moses. Prophet Moses's (as) birth had signaled the downfall and extinction of the empire of Pharaoh who had ordered the slaying of all the newly born children of Bani-Israel. Th...

The birth of Al-Mahdi (as) had many similarities t...

The basis for the Shi'ah faith in Al-Mahdi (as) has reached us through successive narrations of the Holy Prophet (saws). Islam is the last true and Divine religion of Allah (swt), and we do not await any other religion to come and reform mankind. Opp...

The basis for the Shi'ah faith in Al-Mahdi (as) ha...

The Shi'ah, along with some Sunni scholars, believe that his father was Imam Al-'Askari (as) (d. 2260/874). There are approximately 31 Sunni scholars who confirm this reference, and the overwhelming majority of prophetic traditions about Al-Mahdi (as...

The Shi'ah, along with some Sunni scholars, believ...