Philosophic Conceptualities of the Self in Messianism / Mahdism

Imam Mahdi: the Crusader of Equality and World Peace

Most of the world religions have faith in the future of humanity. They all believe, though in different forms, that a messiah will save the entire humanity and the world from all sins. The messiah will establish a society on the basis of true virtues.

The Hindu religious scripture Mahabharata says whenever there are sins and injustice in the world the God sends his messenger to earth to fight all evils and establishes an order dictated by justice, equality and peace. Ancient Hindu texts clearly state that at the end of Kalyug (period full of sins) a saint named Kalki will come to this world to fight all evils and to establish just order.

In the same conspectus Bible says that Jesus will come back to earth and after fighting enemies of humanity, establish rule of the Lord God.

Islam though recognizes Jesus as messiah and believers have faith in him that he will fight against rampant injustice and corruption in religion, but they categorically differentiate between Imam Mahdi and Jesus.

Though, throughout the history of Islam, a few individuals -- driven either by the desperate state of Muslims in their community or a selfish pursuit of power and prestige -- laid claim to being Mahdi. Somehow they found a following as well among the uninformed masses those were desperately looking for salvation from the heavens. For some of these individuals (like Bab of Iran or Mirza Ghulam Qadiani of India) made claim to being Mahdi was just a stepping stone to the development of heretic sects which broke away from the fold of Islam. Thus, it is at least prudent to visit the facts of this prophecy and avoid falling pray to false claimants that will appear from time to time.

According to hadith narrated by Abu Saeed Khudri (R.A.) Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "...(regarding the rule of Imaam Mahdi) the skies will rain down in abundance and the earth will yield forth its crop in abundance, and those alive will desire that those who have already passed away should have been alive to enjoy this prosperity..."

This announcement which will be heard by all those present will establish his authenticity. Another sign which will indicate the authenticity of Imaam Mahdi will be that in the Ramadhaan prior to his emergence an eclipse of the sun and moon will occur.

It is strongly believed that when the believers are severely oppressed in every corner of the world. The saviour will fight the oppressors, unite the Muslims, bring peace and justice to the world, rule over the Arabs, and lead a prayer in Mekkah at which Isa(pbuh) (Jesus) will be present. It is not just Islam which has faith in the saviour of God but other religions of the world also have mention of a messenger who they believe will save the humanity against all odds.

Savior in Christianity

The "New Testament is full of references to Christ's return, more or less direct, and they offer a wide and highly interesting field for study. They are to be found in every one of the twenty seven books of the New Testament, except the Epistle to the Galatians (which had a special object) and the short Epistles, Philemon and 2 and 3 Johns " . Here is a collection of the New Testament passages concerning the second advent of Jesus Christ, which will also serve as material for further study of the subject.

Not all the passages about his return and the last things are quite easily intelligible, chiefly because it is difficult to interpret the symbols used in them and to decide whether a certain passage is to be taken literally or metaphorically. Particularly, the passages from the Revelation of Saint John the Divine, the last book of the Bible, are the most symbolical and, therefore, the least intelligible and the most difficult to interpret.