Mahdi
The Mahdí, or Qá’im, (Arabic: القائم), is a prophesized figure in Islám who will establish righteousness in the world. In the Bahá’í Faith the Báb is considered to be the Mahdí and Qá’im.[1]
Background[edit]
In the late 8th century the Abbasid Caliphate became increasingly hostile towards the Shí’i Imams and in the Islamic calendar year 260 the Eleventh Imam was martyred. He reportedly had a son, Mahdí, who died at the same time but was said to have gone into hiding in a mystical place to return no less than 1,000 years later. This corresponds to the Islamic year 1260 which is the Gregorian year of 1844.[2]
The term Qá’im is part of the phrase Qá’im-i Al-i Muhammad which means He who arises from the family of Muhammad. The phrase was used to describe an Imam during their ministry signifying their spiritual authority and is associated with the figure of the Mahdí.[2]
The Mahdí is considered a prophesized figure in both Sunni and Shí’i Islam. In Sunni Islam there are some characteristics associated with the prophecy, such as that the Mahdí will be a descendant of the Prophet Muhmmad, whereas in Shí’i Islam it is prophesized that the Mahdí will be the literal return of the Imam Mahdí coming out of mystical hiding.[2]
Other Mahdi claimants[edit]
It may be of some interest to review brief coverage of another Mahdi claimant. See Los Angeles Herald, 12 April 1896, p. 22.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ Wendi Momen, A Basic Bahá’í Dictionary, George Ronald: Oxford, 1989, p 190
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Collins, William P. (1998). "Millennialism, the Millerites, and Historicism". World Order. 30 (1): 18–21. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ↑ The Laws of Muhammad, Los Angeles Herald, 12 April 1896, p. 22, first three columns.
