Quranic Prerequisites of Mahdism Doctrine with Emphasis on Social Approach

Document Type : مقاله پژوهشی

Author

Associate Professor, Department of Shi'a Studies, University of Tehran. Tehran, Iran

10.22084/qss.2025.30563.1105

Abstract

Mahdism is an idea that, among all Islamic sects and denominations, has received attention not only in its individual  dimension but also in its social approach, enjoying a prestigious position, such that none of the Islamic sects deny the appearance of the Promised Savior. Of course, there may be some differences regarding certain matters such as birth or lineage, but there is no disagreement on the principle of salvationism and the expansion and spread of social justice in light of a unified global government. This indicates the inevitability of endtime salvation and the universality of the Mahdism doctrine in Islam, and throughout history, its acceptance among Muslims has been an obvious and certain matter. However, one of the most important concerns of Muslims is: what is the Quranic perspective on the Mahdism doctrine? For instance, does it address only its individual dimension, or the social dimension, or both? And fundamentally, do Quranic verses indicate what has been accepted in narrations regarding this issue? To answer these questions, it is first necessary to analyze this doctrine, and the prerequisites of this research should be examined and evaluated through a descriptive-analytical method based on the knowledge of Quranic exegesis or interpretation of Quranic verses. In Islamic
thought, especially Twelver Shi'ism, the Quran is among the most important sources of the Mahdism doctrine in its social dimension, and therefore its achievements can be carefully examined and investigated in light of the typology of Mahdist verses, the method of understanding and analyzing them, and the Quran's treatment of certain doubts in this regard.

Keywords


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