MAHDISM AMONG THE SHIA SECTS

[Taqavi]

Is there a denial of Mahdism among the Shia sects?

Initially, it should be said that ‘Shia’ refers to the followers of Imam Ali (AS) and the household of the Prophet (SAW), and in the general sense, it includes various sects that believe in the superiority of Imam Ali (AS) over other companions and his deservingness of the immediate caliphate after the Noble Prophet (SAW).[1]

It is worth mentioning that some of the important Shia sects include: Kaysanites, Zaidis, Ismailis, Waqifis, and Twelvers or Imamiyyah.

It should be known that the influence of the idea of Mahdism is very prominent among the Shia sects. However, there are differences among the Shia sects regarding the specific example of the ‘Promised Mahdi’. As an example, the Kaysanite sect, which according to popular opinion were followers of ‘Mukhtar al-Thaqafi’,[2] were among the first Islamic sects to introduce Mahdism, especially with the term ‘Mahdi’, and considered it of great importance.[3] In other Shia sects like the Zaidis, Ismailis, and Imamiyyah, the idea of Mahdism has been a fundamental and very influential principle.[4]

In conclusion, it should be said that among the Shia sects, there has been no denier of Mahdism, and despite the differences in the example of the ‘Promised Mahdi’, they all believe in the principle of ‘Mahdism’."

 

---

[1] . Awā’il al-maqālāt fī al-madhāhib wa al-mukhtārāt: Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol. 1, p. 35.

[2] . Ikhtiyār ma’rifat al-rijāl known as Rijāl al-Kashī: Sheikh al-Tusi, vol. 1, p. 128.

[3] . Al-Fuṣūl al-mukhtārah: Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol. 1, p. 296.

[4] . Gūnah shenāsī andīsheh-ye monjī mu’ūd dar tashī’ah: Muḥammad Jāvīdān, from the collection: Gūnah shenāsī andīsheh monjī mu’ūd dar adyān, p: 415, quoting from "Mahdavit, questions and answers" written by mo’assese āyandeh rūshan, p: 98.