The Concept of The Mahdi Priest by Shiah

Abstract

The concept of Imam Mahdi is a concept of a character who will appear at the end of time and is awaited by his people. In the discussion of Imam Mahdi in the Shia Imamiyah, it is explained that what is meant as Imam Mahdi is Imam Hasan al-Askari, namely the last Imam of the Shia Imamiyah who in his childhood disappeared and is believed to appear as Imam Mahdi at the end of time. The concept of Imam Mahdi has similarities and differences with the concept of Imam Mahdi in Ahlussunnah, Messiah in Judaism, and Jesus in Christianity. The similarity is that all will emerge at the end of time to strengthen each other's religions, while the difference is the character that each concept means is different. The Shia Imamiyah teachings explain that Imam Mahdi will act as 1) Heir and World Leader as described in Surah al-Qashash verses 5-6. 2) Reinforcement of Religion at the End of Time is found in Surah al-Nur verse 55 and Surah al-Taubah verse 33.3) Witnesses for its people are found in Surah al-Nisa verse 41, Surah al-Nahl verses 84 and 89, and Surah al- Qashash verse 75.

The concept of Messiah in abrahamic religions: A focused study of the eschatology of Sunni islam

“…This concept had a negative impact on Jewish philosophy for the following reasons: Waiting for Messiah with a vengeful tyrant who triumphs over his followers and exacts revenge on their enemies undoubtedly has an effect on the personality of the people awaiting such a Messiah, the most notable of which is intolerance toward other groups, and it is from this that we learn that some sects offer human sacrifices until the Messiah arrives ( Hamza, 1980 ). In this context Haqqy maintains that this waiting for the Messiah had a profound influence on the religious and political aspects of the Jewish nation ( Haqqy, 2020 , p. 87). The search for a Messiah took many forms and groupings among Jews.…”

“…The concept of Messiah is one of the most divisive components of all three Abrahamic religions, and it is one of the most disputed among them. The three divine faiths all believe in the existence of a figure who will appear at the end of time and serve as a reinforcer of their various religious beliefs ( Haqqy, 2020 , p. 87). Every time and place throughout history when and where mankind has been subjected to political, social, and religious persecution, the hope for a messiah or redeemer to rescue people from their position has become bigger and more pervasive.…”