Muhammad al-Mahdi
Muhammad ibn Hasan al -Mahdi (Arabic: محمد بن حسن المهدى, DMG Muḥammad Ḥasan b al - Mahdi. Born July 29, 869 probably in Samarra; ? † 874 ), the so-called hidden twelfth Imam of the Shia Imami. He is the Twelvers as the Mahdi, that is the Redeemer, and is a typical messianic figure. He lives his faith, according to the trailer, in secret to this day. The general concept of a hidden or occult Imam is a central element of faith of Twelver Shi'ism. He is regarded as its real "human " head - after God - and will one day return and save the world.
The differences between the Shiites to the larger Muslim faith whose followers are known as Sunnis, initially sprang from the question of who should lead the Muslim community. In the Shia Imamate began to emerge, with the Sunnis the Caliphate. From Sunnis will therefore mostly denied that a hidden twelfth Imam had ever lived.
General role in the Shiite
A central component of the Shiite doctrine is the belief in the return of the Hidden Imam Isa ibn Maryam, together with (Jesus of Nazareth ) as the savior ( Mahdi ) and innovator of humanity, which is to complete work of Muhammad.
Different people have raised in the past claim to the twelfth Imam or to be the Second Coming. Particularly noteworthy are the Bab, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and Muhammad Ahmad.
Special role in the Imami
The Imami know twelve Imams, the last of which, Muhammad al -Mahdi, as their hidden Imam is believed and never came into existence. According to the beliefs of the Imami he lives in secret on. This last occult Imam is about four generations still means Ambassador have kept contact with the community - this time call the Imami the "little absence " (al- Ghaiba as- sughra ). In the year 941 of the Christian era he had altogether withdrawn. Since then, the period of " great absence " (al- al - Ghaiba kubra ) continues. The Ismailis know, depending on the denomination seven or more, and the Zaydi Imams five, the first four in each match.
Since his followers wanted to avoid that its existence is known, they did not speak his first name M -H -md and used pseudonyms such as:
- Al -Mahdi ( " the guided one " )
- Abu al - Qāsim
- Sahib az- Zaman ( " Lords of Time" )
- Sahib al - Hada ʿ Amr ( " ruler of this command " )
- Sahib ad -dar ( " master of the house" )
- Sahib al- saif ( " lord of the sword " )
- Imam az- Zaman ( " Keepers of Time " )
- Imam al- ʿ ASR ( " Keepers of Time " )
- ḥuǧǧat min al Muhammad ( "proof of the family " )
- Al -qa ʾ im ( " which Uplifting " )
- Al -ga ʾ ib ( " the hidden one " )
The representative government in Iran
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1979 mentions the twelfth Imam even as the actual head of state. The clergy prevails on this view only as representatives of the twelfth Imam until his return from concealment. This deputy rule of the clergy are called in Persian " Velayat -e Faqih ". The concept goes back to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in essence, making the legitimacy of theocratic elements of the Constitution. Other Muslims the strong devotion to the Mahdi is often regarded as unorthodox.
Sign for the coming of the Mahdi are under state Documentation Centre of the Islamic Revolution, " world poverty, the spread of diseases such as AIDS and the frequency of natural disasters such as earthquakes ." The Mahdi is a dried-up fountain in Jamkaran emerge at Qom in Iran and then proceed along a scale with large structural complexity avenue to begin his reign. The expected event attracts many tourists and pilgrims; Jamkaran is a holy pilgrimage place be now more important than Mashhad.
Quotes
" In the Islamic Republic of Iran is during the absence of the engrossed 12th Imam - may God, that he will come as soon as possible - the management contract ( Imamate ) and the implementing powers ( welayat -e- amr ) in the affairs of the Muslim community to the righteous, God-fearing, informed about the needs of the times, brave, capable of implementing scholars to [ ... ] "
" When that day comes [ of peace ], the last promise of all religions will be fulfilled by the appearance of a perfect human being, which is the heir to all prophets and pious men. [ ... ] Oh God Almighty, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last triumph, [ by the emergence ] of the foregoing, that perfect and pure human being who will fill this world with justice and peace. "