Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions on the subject of Imam Mahdi.
1. Who is Imam Mahdi?

Imam Mahdi is the chosen representative of God on Earth today, and the rightful the leader of all humankind. He is the 12th and final Imam in the religion of Islam. He is currently concealed from us, awaiting the time to reappear and establish justice and peace.

The concealment refers to the period during which Imam Mahdi is hidden from the public eye. It is divided into two phases: the Lesser Concealment (Ghaybah al-Sughra), during which the Imam communicated with his followers through deputies, and the Greater Concealment (Ghaybah al-Kubra), which continues today, where no direct communication is made.

Imam Mahdi was born on 29th July 869 CE (in the Islamic calendar, 15th of Sha’ban, 255 AH), in Samarra, Iraq, to his parents Imam Hasan al-Askari and Narjis Khatun.

The Imam’s birth was kept secret for many years due to the danger posed by the ruling Abbasid Caliphate at the time, who sought to prevent any potential claim to leadership. The concealment of Imam Mahdi is seen as part of God’s divine plan to protect the Imam from harm and ensure his safety until the right time for his reappearance. It is believed that during this time, the Imam is in a state of preparation to return and lead the world to justice and equity.

Yes, all Muslims do, but there are differences of opinion about his birth and lineage. The Muslim world is divided into two broad schools of thought: Sunni and Shia. Sunni Muslims believe that Imam Mahdi may or may not have been born, whereas Shia Muslims believe that he has been born. All Muslims agree that he is from Prophet’s family, but only Shias also believe that he is a twelfth-generation descendant of the Prophet.

Imam Mahdi is expected to return as a messianic figure to establish peace, justice, and equity across the world. He will defeat tyranny, corruption and oppression, unite the Muslim world, and lead all people toward righteousness and an exponential growth in scientific and spiritual knowledge. The Earth will regenerate under his rule and poverty will be completely eradicated.

Several signs are mentioned in Islamic traditions, including widespread corruption and oppression, major wars and pandemics, global warming and natural disasters, and the appearance of certain figures like the Sufyani (a tyrant leader). It is believed that his reappearance will be preceded by a period of great turmoil.

A few months after his return, Imam Mahdi will travel to Jerusalem. At the point when Imam Mahdi visits al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, Jesus will descend from the sky. With the world will watching, Imam Mahdi will offer Jesus the opportunity to lead the congregational prayer. Jesus will decline, and insist that Imam Mahdi should lead the prayer. Jesus will then pray behind Imam Mahdi. This act will convince the Christian world that Jesus was simply a Prophet of God (as stated in the Holy Quran) and not God’s literal son or a part of any Godhead, and Christians will flock to the religion of Islam. 

Imam Mahdi will not force anybody to become Muslim. This will be in accordance with the Quranic injunction “Laa ikraha fiddeen”, or “Let there be no compulsion in religion”. There are traditions that whilst most non-Muslims will flock to the religion of Islam voluntarily upon Imam Mahdi’s rulership, some will choose not do so, and they will be treated with respect, equality and dignity.

Muslims prepare by strengthening their faith, following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (S) and the Imams, performing acts of justice, and praying for the hastening of the Imam’s return.

There are some traditions that Imam Mahdi has a family including children, though the details are not fully known.

“Al-Mahdi” means “The Guided One”. It signifies that Imam Mahdi is divinely guided by God to lead humanity toward righteousness and justice. His leadership is not based on personal desire, greed or vanity, but on God’s will.

“Al-Qaim” means “The One Who Will Rise”. It refers to Imam Mahdi’s role as the one who will rise to establish justice and restore the true Islamic values.

Imam Mahdi is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (S), through the Prophet’s daughter, Fatima, and his son-in-law, Imam Ali. Imam Mahdi is part of the purified family of the Prophet (Ahlulbayt) and is considered to have inherited spiritual and temporal leadership from them.“Al-Qaim” means “The One Who Will Rise”. It refers to Imam Mahdi’s role as the one who will rise to establish justice and restore the true Islamic values.

When Imam Mahdi reappears, it is believed that many people, including those who have never seen him before, will recognize him because of the signs and characteristics mentioned in Islamic traditions. However, some will initially doubt his identity, and many will fight against him.

Imam Mahdi is said to have a group of loyal companions, known as “Ashab al-Mahdi”, who will support him during his mission. They are expected to be righteous and brave individuals who will assist him in spreading justice and establishing the truth. His initial group of companions will number 313 men and 50 women, but this number will quickly grow.

While the concealment is a period of spiritual trial for Muslims, it is also a time for deep faith and anticipation. The community continues to hope and pray for the Imam’s return, knowing that it will signal the ultimate victory of peace and justice.

According to traditions, he looks like he is 30-40 years old. He has a bright, shining face, a radiant forehead, and a mole on his cheek. His eye colour is black, his nose is aquiline with a slight bump, and his eyebrows are thick and curved. His teeth are bright and evenly spaced, and his beard is thick and short. His height is average, his shoulders are broad, and his build is muscular and sturdy.