Article 36 — Imam Mahdi (PBUH & His Family)
Imam Mahdi: the Twelfth Imam, the Occultation and the mystery of the Return
The Goal of the Wise — Door Number Thirty-Six
Read aloud in English
Who is Imam Mahdi? Why is he associated with the Occultation and with the hope of a world of justice?
The figure of the Mahdi occupies a central place in Islamic eschatology.
In the thirty-sixth Door of The Goal of the Wise, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq (From Him is Peace) presents a particular interpretation of his identity and his mission.
The Twelfth Imam
The chapter identifies Imam Mahdi with Mohammed ibn Al-Hassan Al-Askari.
It recalls the titles attributed to him in certain Shia traditions: the Hidden Imam, the Companion of the Time and the Remnant of God.
According to Twelver Shia belief, the Imam entered into occultation.
The book takes up this tradition while giving it its own interpretation.
The mystery of the Occultation
The Occultation raises an essential question.
How can a guide remain connected to human history when he is not publicly accessible?
The chapter examines this difficulty within the framework of the continuity of guidance.
Imam Mahdi and reincarnation
The book also presents Imam Mahdi as a reincarnation of the Prophet Mohammed.
This assertion belongs to the specific doctrine of The Goal of the Wise and differs from the majority understanding of the Muslim schools.
It links the figure of the Mahdi to the previous teachings concerning the return of souls.
The hope of justice
Beyond doctrinal differences, the Mahdi represents the hope of an era in which injustice would be defeated.
The book associates this mission with the fulfillment of the Seventh Covenant.
Conclusion — The Mahdi and the fulfillment of the promises
The thirty-sixth Door invites us to examine the place of Imam Mahdi in the history of guidance.
How do believers understand the continuity of spiritual authority during a period of absence?