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A journey through biography and traditions
Imam Mahdi & 313
Why has the question of justice endured across centuries?
Discover how Islamic sources discuss the Mahdi, and what they relate about occultation and the number 313. Begin with the biography, then compare the traditions and read their sources for yourself.
Symbolic artwork; not a depiction of the Imam or documentation of a historical event.
Choose your starting point
Hope for justice. Responsibility in knowledge.
The Mahdi is associated with hope for justice in Islamic tradition. Twelver Shiʿa identify him as the twelfth Imam, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, in occultation. Sunni sources transmit reports about a Mahdi from the Prophet’s family, with differing details. These beliefs and traditions are presented in context, not as established future events.
A gentle start: three reading steps
- Distinguish belief from historical documentation
Begin with the introduction, which places Twelver belief and Sunni reports in context.
- Explore the biography and its sources
Open the biography entries, noting reported dates and approximate Gregorian equivalents.
- Compare source types
Distinguish tradition collections and doctrinal accounts from critical historical studies in the library.
Biography: belief and history
This is a selected, expanded reading, not a definitive complete biography. The dates below are conventional in the Twelver narrative; Gregorian equivalents are approximate. Critical historical research may interpret the reports and their development differently.
Reported chronology; Gregorian equivalents are approximate
255–256 AH / 869–870 CE
Identity and birth in Samarra
In Twelver belief, Imam Mahdi is Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Askari, whose mother is named Narjis. Reports about her origins and life differ, so no single account is presented as settled fact. His birth is associated with Samarra, variously dated to 255 AH/869 CE or 256 AH/870 CE; these are transmitted dates rather than a unanimously documented chronology.
Read source260 AH / 874 CE
Al-Hasan al-Askari’s death and succession disputes
Following al-Hasan al-Askari’s death in 260 AH/874 CE, his followers differed over succession and the imamate. Twelver belief came to affirm his son Muhammad as Imam, absent from public appearance. The historical succession dispute does not independently establish every detail of the doctrinal account.
Read source260–329 AH / 874–941 CE
Minor occultation and the four deputies
According to the Twelver narrative, the minor occultation lasted from 260 to 329 AH/874–941 CE. Its successive intermediaries were Uthman ibn Saʿid, Muhammad ibn Uthman, al-Husayn ibn Ruh and Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri. Historians examine representative networks and the formation of this narrative; Verena Klemm’s critical historical study may differ from religious belief.
Read source329 AH / 941 CE →
Major occultation and waiting
Twelver belief connects the major occultation with the fourth deputy’s death in 329 AH/941 CE and the end of specific deputyship. The Imam’s continued occultation and hoped-for return are religious beliefs, not established future events. No date is assigned.
Read sourceReports without a fixed date
Encounter stories, signs and events
Traditional works transmit encounter stories, signs and events, with differing wording, chains and interpretations. A report’s presence in a book is not equivalent to historical corroboration; evaluating transmission is a separate task. These reports are not used to predict a return date, label contemporary people or promote supposed proofs.
Read source
313: a number in traditions, not a present-day roster
Imami traditions describe a group of 313 companions of the Qaʾim; some texts connect the number with Badr. We cite al-Nuʿmani’s book without an unverified chapter or report number. Reports differ, and inclusion does not establish their authenticity. This is not a modern roster or a recruitment call, and no contemporary person is identified as a promised companion.
Al-Nuʿmani’s Kitab al-Ghayba — sourceTraditions: transmission and grading are different
Abu Dawud 4284 — a descendant of Fatima
The reported wording is: ‘The Mahdi will be of my family, of the descendants of Fatima.’ It concerns lineage in a Sunni report. Quoting it does not adopt a definitive judgement on its chain or settle the details of Twelver identity.
Abu Dawud 4282 — variations in wording
The report gives variants about a man from the Prophet’s family filling the earth with justice, with differences in transmitted wording and additions. The source attributes the grading ‘Hasan Sahih’ to al-Albani; it is not a consensus or an assessment made by this page.
Al-Nuʿmani — the number 313
A reference to reports of the Qaʾim’s companions and 313 in Kitab al-Ghayba. No chapter number, report number or authenticity claim is invented. Read the differing reports in context, without identifying contemporary people as companions.
Hadiths about Imam al-Mahdi
Reports from Sunni hadith collections, with the Arabic text, the source number, and the grade as given by that source together with who graded it. Scholars can grade the same hadith differently, so a grade shown here is not a consensus. Shia collections have their own reports, covered elsewhere on this page.
Hadith text in Arabic, as in the source. Full translations are not provided here; the source page has an English translation.
Hadiths shown: 6
Sunan Abi Dawud 4282
«لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ يَوْمٌ — قَالَ زَائِدَةُ فِي حَدِيثِهِ: لَطَوَّلَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ — حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ فِيهِ رَجُلاً مِنِّي، أَوْ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي، يُوَاطِئُ اسْمُهُ اسْمِي وَاسْمُ أَبِيهِ اسْمَ أَبِي. زَادَ فِي حَدِيثِ فِطْرٍ: يَمْلأُ الأَرْضَ قِسْطًا وَعَدْلاً كَمَا مُلِئَتْ ظُلْمًا وَجَوْرًا.»- Narrator
- ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿud
- Reference
- Sunan Abi Dawud 4282
- Grade
- Hasan sahih(حسن صحيح)
- Graded by
- al-Albani
Brief explanation: Abu Dawud combines several chains with close wording here, including that the man’s name and his father’s name match those of the Prophet and his father. Sunni and Shia sources read this naming detail differently.
Open hadith at source — sunnah.comSunan Abi Dawud 4283
«لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنَ الدَّهْرِ إِلاَّ يَوْمٌ لَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ رَجُلاً مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَمْلأُهَا عَدْلاً كَمَا مُلِئَتْ جَوْرًا.»- Narrator
- ʿAli ibn Abi Talib
- Reference
- Sunan Abi Dawud 4283
- Grade
- Sahih(صحيح)
- Graded by
- al-Albani
Brief explanation: The hadith links a man from the Prophet’s family to establishing justice after widespread oppression; it gives no date or name.
Open hadith at source — sunnah.comSunan Abi Dawud 4284
«الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنْ عِتْرَتِي مِنْ وَلَدِ فَاطِمَةَ.»- Narrator
- Umm Salamah
- Reference
- Sunan Abi Dawud 4284
- Grade
- Sahih(صحيح)
- Graded by
- al-Albani
Brief explanation: This hadith names “the Mahdi” explicitly and places him among the Prophet’s family, descended from Fatimah. Some hadith critics discussed one narrator (ʿAli ibn Nufayl), so its grading is not unanimous; shown here is al-Albani’s grade as given by the source.
Open hadith at source — sunnah.comSunan Abi Dawud 4285
«الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنِّي، أَجْلَى الْجَبْهَةِ، أَقْنَى الأَنْفِ، يَمْلأُ الأَرْضَ قِسْطًا وَعَدْلاً كَمَا مُلِئَتْ جَوْرًا وَظُلْمًا، يَمْلِكُ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ.»- Narrator
- Abu Saʿid al-Khudri
- Reference
- Sunan Abi Dawud 4285
- Grade
- Hasan(حسن)
- Graded by
- al-Albani
Brief explanation: This hadith adds physical features and a reign of seven years. Other reports give different lengths, and scholars discuss these differences.
Open hadith at source — sunnah.comSunan Ibn Majah 4085
«الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ يُصْلِحُهُ اللَّهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ.»- Narrator
- ʿAli ibn Abi Talib
- Reference
- Sunan Ibn Majah 4085
- Grade
- Hasan(حسن)
- Graded by
- Darussalam
Brief explanation: It states the Mahdi is from the Prophet’s household and that God will “prepare him in one night”; commentators explain this phrase in more than one way.
Open hadith at source — sunnah.comSunan Ibn Majah 4086
«كُنَّا عِنْدَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَتَذَاكَرْنَا الْمَهْدِيَّ فَقَالَتْ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنْ وَلَدِ فَاطِمَةَ.»- Narrator
- Umm Salamah (via Saʿid ibn al-Musayyab)
- Reference
- Sunan Ibn Majah 4086
- Grade
- Hasan(حسن)
- Graded by
- Darussalam
Brief explanation: Another chain of Umm Salamah’s hadith in Abu Dawud 4284, with shorter wording. Darussalam grades it hasan here while al-Albani grades the Abu Dawud version sahih — an example of how gradings differ.
Open hadith at source — sunnah.comExtended narration collection: Sunni and Shia
Further reports with their full Arabic text as given by the source (including the chain), separated by tradition. Each has a short Arabic meaning plus English and Dutch translations of the meaning.
- Sunni texts are copied verbatim from sunnah.com and Shia texts from thaqalayn.net; each link opens that exact report.
- A grade is shown only when the source gives it with the critic’s name; otherwise it reads “grade not verified”. Grades differ between scholars and are not a consensus.
- Some reports do not use the word “Mahdi”, and we say so. The Qurʾan does not name the Mahdi explicitly; linking a verse to him is interpretation, not explicit text.
- English and Dutch renderings are our own translations of the meaning and have not been reviewed by specialists.
Narrations shown: 23
Sunni sources · Signs، Pledge
Sunan Abi Dawud — 4286
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ صَالِحٍ أَبِي الْخَلِيلِ، عَنْ صَاحِبٍ، لَهُ عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَكُونُ اخْتِلاَفٌ عِنْدَ مَوْتِ خَلِيفَةٍ فَيَخْرُجُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ هَارِبًا إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَيَأْتِيهِ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ فَيُخْرِجُونَهُ وَهُوَ كَارِهٌ فَيُبَايِعُونَهُ بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَالْمَقَامِ وَيُبْعَثُ إِلَيْهِ بَعْثٌ مِنَ الشَّامِ فَيُخْسَفُ بِهِمْ بِالْبَيْدَاءِ بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةِ فَإِذَا رَأَى النَّاسُ ذَلِكَ أَتَاهُ أَبْدَالُ الشَّامِ وَعَصَائِبُ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ فَيُبَايِعُونَهُ بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَالْمَقَامِ ثُمَّ يَنْشَأُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ أَخْوَالُهُ كَلْبٌ فَيَبْعَثُ إِلَيْهِمْ بَعْثًا فَيَظْهَرُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَذَلِكَ بَعْثُ كَلْبٍ وَالْخَيْبَةُ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَشْهَدْ غَنِيمَةَ كَلْبٍ فَيَقْسِمُ الْمَالَ وَيَعْمَلُ فِي النَّاسِ بِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِمْ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَيُلْقِي الإِسْلاَمُ بِجِرَانِهِ إِلَى الأَرْضِ فَيَلْبَثُ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ ثُمَّ يُتَوَفَّى وَيُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ الْمُسْلِمُونَ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَنْ هِشَامٍ " تِسْعَ سِنِينَ " . وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ " سَبْعَ سِنِينَ " .- Narrator
- أم سلمة
- Grade
- ضعيف — الألباني
Meaning (Arabic): يحچي عن خلاف يصير بعد موت خليفة، ورجل من أهل المدينة يطلع لمكة وتنبايعه الناس بين الركن والمقام، وجيش من الشام يُخسف بيه بالبيداء. ما يذكر لفظ «المهدي» صريحًا، وأبو داود رواه بباب المهدي.
English: Disagreement arises at a caliph’s death; a man from Medina flees to Mecca, people pledge allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam, and an army from Syria is swallowed by the earth at al-Bayda. He rules by the Prophet’s Sunnah and remains seven years (some say nine). The word “Mahdi” does not appear; Abu Dawud places it in his Mahdi chapter.
Nederlands: Bij de dood van een kalief ontstaat onenigheid; een man uit Medina vlucht naar Mekka, mensen zweren hem trouw tussen de Hoek en de Maqam, en een leger uit Syrië wordt bij al-Bayda door de aarde verzwolgen. Hij regeert volgens de soenna en blijft zeven jaar (sommigen zeggen negen). Het woord “Mahdi” komt niet voor; Abu Dawud plaatst het in zijn hoofdstuk over de Mahdi.
Sunni sources · Signs
Sunan Abi Dawud — 4289
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ رُفَيْعٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ الْقِبْطِيَّةِ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِقِصَّةِ جَيْشِ الْخَسْفِ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَكَيْفَ بِمَنْ كَانَ كَارِهًا قَالَ " يُخْسَفُ بِهِمْ وَلَكِنْ يُبْعَثُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى نِيَّتِهِ " .- Narrator
- أم سلمة
- Grade
- صحيح — الألباني
Meaning (Arabic): أم سلمة سألت النبي عن اللي ينخسف بيهم الجيش وهو مجبور: يگول يُخسف بيهم، بس كل واحد يُبعث يوم القيامة على نيّته. ما يسمّي المهدي.
English: Umm Salamah asks about someone in the swallowed army who was there unwillingly; the Prophet says they are swallowed, but each is raised on the Day of Resurrection according to his intention. The Mahdi is not named.
Nederlands: Umm Salama vraagt naar iemand die tegen zijn wil in het verzwolgen leger was; de Profeet zegt dat zij verzwolgen worden, maar ieder op de Dag der Opstanding wordt opgewekt naar zijn intentie. De Mahdi wordt niet genoemd.
Sunni sources · Lineage
Sunan Abi Dawud — 4290
الْمُغِيرَةِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ أَبِي قَيْسٍ، عَنْ شُعَيْبِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ - رضى الله عنه - وَنَظَرَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا سَيِّدٌ كَمَا سَمَّاهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَسَيَخْرُجُ مِنْ صُلْبِهِ رَجُلٌ يُسَمَّى بِاسْمِ نَبِيِّكُمْ يُشْبِهُهُ فِي الْخُلُقِ وَلاَ يُشْبِهُهُ فِي الْخَلْقِ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ قِصَّةَ يَمْلأُ الأَرْضَ عَدْلاً .- Narrator
- علي بن أبي طالب (موقوف)
- Grade
- ضعيف — الألباني
Meaning (Arabic): كلام منسوب لعلي، مو للنبي: يگول من صلب ابنه الحسن يطلع رجل اسمه اسم النبي، يشبهه بالأخلاق مو بالشكل، ويملأ الأرض عدل. هذا يختلف عن الرأي الشيعي الإمامي اللي يگول المهدي من ذرية الحسين.
English: A saying attributed to ʿAli, not the Prophet: from the loins of his son al-Hasan will come a man bearing the Prophet’s name, like him in character but not in looks, who fills the earth with justice. This differs from the Twelver Shia view that the Mahdi descends from al-Husayn.
Nederlands: Een uitspraak toegeschreven aan ʿAli, niet aan de Profeet: uit zijn zoon al-Hasan zal een man komen met de naam van de Profeet, gelijk aan hem in karakter maar niet in uiterlijk, die de aarde met rechtvaardigheid vult. Dit verschilt van de twaalver-sjiitische opvatting dat de Mahdi van al-Husayn afstamt.
Sunni sources · Descent of Jesus
Sahih al-Bukhari — 3449
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، مَوْلَى أَبِي قَتَادَةَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " كَيْفَ أَنْتُمْ إِذَا نَزَلَ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ فِيكُمْ وَإِمَامُكُمْ مِنْكُمْ ". تَابَعَهُ عُقَيْلٌ وَالأَوْزَاعِيُّ.- Narrator
- أبو هريرة
- Grade
- صحيح البخاري (الكتاب كله يُعدّ صحيحًا عند أهل السنة)
Meaning (Arabic): يحچي عن نزول عيسى ابن مريم و«إمامكم منكم». الحديث ما يذكر كلمة المهدي؛ ربط «الإمام» بالمهدي هو تفسير بعض الشرّاح، مو نص صريح.
English: “How will you be when the son of Mary descends among you and your imam is from among you?” The hadith does not use the word Mahdi; identifying this imam with the Mahdi is an interpretation by some commentators, not explicit text.
Nederlands: “Hoe zal het met jullie zijn wanneer de zoon van Maria onder jullie neerdaalt en jullie imam uit jullie midden is?” Het woord Mahdi staat er niet; deze imam met de Mahdi gelijkstellen is een interpretatie van sommige commentatoren, geen expliciete tekst.
Sunni sources · Signs، Black banners
Sunan Ibn Majah — 4082
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي زِيَادٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ فِتْيَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ فَلَمَّا رَآهُمُ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ اغْرَوْرَقَتْ عَيْنَاهُ وَتَغَيَّرَ لَوْنُهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ مَا نَزَالُ نَرَى فِي وَجْهِكَ شَيْئًا نَكْرَهُهُ . فَقَالَ " إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ اخْتَارَ اللَّهُ لَنَا الآخِرَةَ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي سَيَلْقَوْنَ بَعْدِي بَلاَءً وَتَشْرِيدًا وَتَطْرِيدًا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ قَوْمٌ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْمَشْرِقِ مَعَهُمْ رَايَاتٌ سُودٌ فَيَسْأَلُونَ الْخَيْرَ فَلاَ يُعْطَوْنَهُ فَيُقَاتِلُونَ فَيُنْصَرُونَ فَيُعْطَوْنَ مَا سَأَلُوا فَلاَ يَقْبَلُونَهُ حَتَّى يَدْفَعُوهَا إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَيَمْلَؤُهَا قِسْطًا كَمَا مَلَؤُوهَا جَوْرًا فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيَأْتِهِمْ وَلَوْ حَبْوًا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ " .- Narrator
- عبد الله بن مسعود
- Grade
- ضعيف — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): النبي يحچي إن أهل بيته راح يلاگون بلاء وتشريد، لحد ما يجي قوم من المشرق وياهم رايات سود، ويسلّمون الأمر لرجل من أهل البيت يملأها عدل. ما يذكر لفظ «المهدي».
English: The Prophet says his family will face trials and displacement after him until a people from the East with black banners come and hand authority to a man of his family who fills it with equity. The word “Mahdi” does not appear.
Nederlands: De Profeet zegt dat zijn familie na hem beproeving en verdrijving zal kennen, totdat een volk uit het oosten met zwarte vaandels komt en het gezag overdraagt aan een man uit zijn familie die haar met billijkheid vult. Het woord “Mahdi” komt niet voor.
Sunni sources · Justice & plenty، Length of rule
Sunan Ibn Majah — 4083
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَرْوَانَ الْعُقَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَارَةُ بْنُ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ، عَنْ زَيْدٍ الْعَمِّيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي صِدِّيقٍ النَّاجِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " يَكُونُ فِي أُمَّتِي الْمَهْدِيُّ إِنْ قُصِرَ فَسَبْعٌ وَإِلاَّ فَتِسْعٌ فَتَنْعَمُ فِيهِ أُمَّتِي نَعْمَةً لَمْ يَنْعَمُوا مِثْلَهَا قَطُّ تُؤْتَى أُكُلَهَا وَلاَ تَدَّخِرُ مِنْهُمْ شَيْئًا وَالْمَالُ يَوْمَئِذٍ كُدُوسٌ فَيَقُومُ الرَّجُلُ فَيَقُولُ يَا مَهْدِيُّ أَعْطِنِي فَيَقُولُ خُذْ " .- Narrator
- أبو سعيد الخدري
- Grade
- ضعيف — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): المهدي يكون بالأمة سبع سنين أو تسع، والناس تتنعّم نعمة ما شافوا مثلها، والمال كثير، واللي يطلب يگله «خذ».
English: The Mahdi will be in the community seven years, or else nine; people will enjoy unprecedented blessing, wealth will be heaped up, and whoever asks “O Mahdi, give me” is told “Take.”
Nederlands: De Mahdi zal zeven jaar, anders negen, in de gemeenschap zijn; mensen genieten ongekende zegen, rijkdom ligt opgestapeld, en wie vraagt “O Mahdi, geef mij” krijgt te horen “Neem.”
Sunni sources · Black banners، Pledge
Sunan Ibn Majah — 4084
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ الْحَذَّاءِ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَسْمَاءَ الرَّحَبِيِّ، عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " يَقْتَتِلُ عِنْدَ كَنْزِكُمْ ثَلاَثَةٌ كُلُّهُمُ ابْنُ خَلِيفَةٍ ثُمَّ لاَ يَصِيرُ إِلَى وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَطْلُعُ الرَّايَاتُ السُّودُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْمَشْرِقِ فَيَقْتُلُونَكُمْ قَتْلاً لَمْ يُقْتَلْهُ قَوْمٌ " . ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ شَيْئًا لاَ أَحْفَظُهُ فَقَالَ " فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَبَايِعُوهُ وَلَوْ حَبْوًا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ فَإِنَّهُ خَلِيفَةُ اللَّهِ الْمَهْدِيُّ " .- Narrator
- ثوبان
- Grade
- ضعيف — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): ثلاثة يتقاتلون على كنز، بعدين تطلع رايات سود من المشرق؛ «إذا شفتوه بايعوه ولو حبوًا على الثلج، فإنه خليفة الله المهدي».
English: Three, each a caliph’s son, fight over a treasure; then black banners rise from the East. “When you see him, pledge allegiance to him even if crawling over snow, for he is God’s caliph, the Mahdi.”
Nederlands: Drie zonen van kaliefen vechten om een schat; daarna rijzen zwarte vaandels in het oosten. “Wanneer jullie hem zien, zweer hem trouw, al moeten jullie over sneeuw kruipen, want hij is Gods kalief, de Mahdi.”
Sunni sources · Lineage
Sunan Ibn Majah — 4087
حَدَّثَنَا هَدِيَّةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ زِيَادٍ الْيَمَامِيِّ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ " نَحْنُ وَلَدَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ سَادَةُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ أَنَا وَحَمْزَةُ وَعَلِيٌّ وَجَعْفَرٌ وَالْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ وَالْمَهْدِيُّ " .- Narrator
- أنس بن مالك
- Grade
- ضعيف — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): يعدّ سادة أهل الجنة من ولد عبد المطلب: النبي وحمزة وعلي وجعفر والحسن والحسين والمهدي.
English: Lists the sons of ʿAbd al-Muttalib as leaders of the people of Paradise: the Prophet, Hamzah, ʿAli, Jaʿfar, al-Hasan, al-Husayn and the Mahdi.
Nederlands: Noemt de nakomelingen van ʿAbd al-Muttalib als leiders van de bewoners van het Paradijs: de Profeet, Hamza, ʿAli, Djaʿfar, al-Hasan, al-Husayn en de Mahdi.
Sunni sources · Black banners
Sunan Ibn Majah — 4088
حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْمِصْرِيُّ، وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْجَوْهَرِيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ عَبْدُ الْغَفَّارِ بْنُ دَاوُدَ الْحَرَّانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَمْرِو بْنِ جَابِرٍ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ جَزْءٍ الزُّبَيْدِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " يَخْرُجُ نَاسٌ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَيُوَطِّئُونَ لِلْمَهْدِيِّ " . يَعْنِي سُلْطَانَهُ .- Narrator
- عبد الله بن الحارث بن جزء الزبيدي
- Grade
- ضعيف — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): ناس يطلعون من المشرق ويمهّدون للمهدي، يعني لسلطانه.
English: People will come out of the East and prepare the way for the Mahdi — meaning his rule.
Nederlands: Mensen komen uit het oosten en banen de weg voor de Mahdi — dat wil zeggen zijn heerschappij.
Sunni sources · Name، Lineage
Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi — 2230
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ بْنُ أَسْبَاطِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْقُرَشِيُّ الْكُوفِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ بَهْدَلَةَ، عَنْ زِرٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَذْهَبُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَمْلِكَ الْعَرَبَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يُوَاطِئُ اسْمُهُ اسْمِي " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَأَبِي سَعِيدٍ وَأُمِّ سَلَمَةَ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ . وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .- Narrator
- عبد الله بن مسعود
- Grade
- حسن (دار السلام)؛ وقال الترمذي: حسن صحيح — دار السلام / الترمذي
Meaning (Arabic): الدنيا ما تخلص لحد ما يملك العرب رجل من أهل البيت اسمه يوافق اسم النبي. لاحظ اختلاف الحكم: الترمذي گال «حسن صحيح» ودار السلام «حسن».
English: The world will not end until a man of the Prophet’s family whose name matches his rules the Arabs. Note the differing grades: al-Tirmidhi says “hasan sahih”, Darussalam “hasan”.
Nederlands: De wereld zal niet eindigen voordat een man uit de familie van de Profeet, wiens naam met de zijne overeenkomt, over de Arabieren regeert. Let op de verschillende oordelen: al-Tirmidhi zegt “hasan sahih”, Darussalam “hasan”.
Sunni sources · Name
Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi — 2231
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْجَبَّارِ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ الْعَطَّارُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ زِرٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَلِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يُوَاطِئُ اسْمُهُ اسْمِي " .- Narrator
- عبد الله بن مسعود
- Grade
- حسن — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): نسخة أقصر: «يلي رجل من أهل بيتي يواطئ اسمه اسمي» — يعني يتولّى الحكم.
English: A shorter version: “A man from my family whose name matches mine will rule.”
Nederlands: Een kortere versie: “Een man uit mijn familie wiens naam met de mijne overeenkomt, zal regeren.”
Sunni sources · Length of rule، Justice & plenty
Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi — 2232
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ زَيْدًا الْعَمِّيَّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الصِّدِّيقِ النَّاجِيَّ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ خَشِينَا أَنْ يَكُونَ، بَعْدَ نَبِيِّنَا حَدَثٌ فَسَأَلْنَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " إِنَّ فِي أُمَّتِي الْمَهْدِيَّ يَخْرُجُ يَعِيشُ خَمْسًا أَوْ سَبْعًا أَوْ تِسْعًا " . زَيْدٌ الشَّاكُّ . قَالَ قُلْنَا وَمَا ذَاكَ قَالَ " سِنِينَ " . قَالَ " فَيَجِيءُ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَيَقُولُ يَا مَهْدِيُّ أَعْطِنِي أَعْطِنِي " . قَالَ " فَيَحْثِي لَهُ فِي ثَوْبِهِ مَا اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ يَحْمِلَهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ وَقَدْ رُوِيَ مِنْ غَيْرِ وَجْهٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . وَأَبُو الصِّدِّيقِ النَّاجِيُّ اسْمُهُ بَكْرُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو وَيُقَالُ بَكْرُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ .- Narrator
- أبو سعيد الخدري
- Grade
- ضعيف — دار السلام
Meaning (Arabic): المهدي بالأمة يطلع ويعيش خمس أو سبع أو تسع (الراوي شاك)، والمال يكثر لحد ما الواحد يطلب ويملّي ثوبه.
English: The Mahdi will appear in the community and live five, seven or nine (the narrator was unsure); wealth will be such that a man asks and fills his garment.
Nederlands: De Mahdi zal in de gemeenschap verschijnen en vijf, zeven of negen leven (de overleveraar twijfelde); rijkdom is zo overvloedig dat iemand vraagt en zijn kleed vult.
Shia sources · Occultation
al-Kafi (al-Kulayni) — ج1، باب في الغيبة، ح6
6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْمُثَنَّى عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ يَفْقِدُ النَّاسُ إِمَامَهُمْ يَشْهَدُ الْمَوْسِمَ فَيَرَاهُمْ وَلا يَرَوْنَهُ.- Narrator
- عبيد بن زرارة عن الإمام الصادق
- Grade
- مجهول — العلامة المجلسي (مرآة العقول)
Meaning (Arabic): الناس تفقد إمامها، يحضر موسم الحج ويشوفهم وهم ما يشوفوه.
English: People will lose sight of their Imam; he attends the pilgrimage season and sees them, but they do not see him.
Nederlands: De mensen zullen hun imam missen; hij is aanwezig bij het pelgrimsseizoen en ziet hen, maar zij zien hem niet.
Shia sources · Occultation
al-Kafi (al-Kulayni) — ج1، باب في الغيبة، ح9
9ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ جَبَلَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ لِلْقَائِمِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ قُلْتُ وَلِمَ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَخَافُ وَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ يَعْنِي الْقَتْلَ.- Narrator
- زرارة عن الإمام الصادق
- Grade
- ضعيف أو مجهول — العلامة المجلسي (مرآة العقول)
Meaning (Arabic): للقائم غيبة قبل لا يقوم، والسبب إنه يخاف القتل.
English: Al-Qaʾim will have an occultation before he rises, because he fears being killed.
Nederlands: Al-Qaʾim zal een verborgenheid hebben voordat hij opstaat, omdat hij vreest gedood te worden.
Shia sources · Occultation
al-Kafi (al-Kulayni) — ج1، باب في الغيبة، ح10
10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْخَزَّازِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنْ بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الامْرِ غَيْبَةٌ فَلا تُنْكِرُوهَا.- Narrator
- محمد بن مسلم عن الإمام الصادق
- Grade
- حسن — العلامة المجلسي (مرآة العقول)
Meaning (Arabic): إذا وصلكم خبر غيبة صاحب هذا الأمر لا تنكروها.
English: If news reaches you of an occultation of the Master of this affair, do not deny it.
Nederlands: Als het nieuws jullie bereikt van een verborgenheid van de Heer van deze zaak, ontken het dan niet.
Shia sources · Occultation
al-Kafi (al-Kulayni) — ج1، باب في الغيبة، ح12
12ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الانْبَارِيِّ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْمُثَنَّى عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لِلْقَائِمِ غَيْبَتَانِ يَشْهَدُ فِي إِحْدَاهُمَا الْمَوَاسِمَ يَرَى النَّاسَ وَلا يَرَوْنَهُ.- Narrator
- عبيد بن زرارة عن الإمام الصادق
- Grade
- ضعيف أو مجهول — العلامة المجلسي (مرآة العقول)
Meaning (Arabic): للقائم غيبتان، بوحدة منهن يحضر المواسم، يشوف الناس وهم ما يشوفوه.
English: Al-Qaʾim will have two occultations; in one of them he attends the seasons, seeing people while they do not see him.
Nederlands: Al-Qaʾim zal twee verborgenheden hebben; in een ervan is hij bij de seizoenen aanwezig en ziet hij de mensen, terwijl zij hem niet zien.
Shia sources · Occultation، Verse interpretation
al-Kafi (al-Kulayni) — ج1، باب في الغيبة، ح14
14ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْبَجَلِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَخِيهِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قُلْ أَ رَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ ماؤُكُمْ غَوْراً فَمَنْ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِماءٍ مَعِينٍ قَالَ إِذَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ إِمَامُكُمْ فَمَنْ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِإِمَامٍ جَدِيدٍ.- Narrator
- علي بن جعفر عن الإمام الكاظم
- Grade
- ضعيف على المشهور — العلامة المجلسي (مرآة العقول)
Meaning (Arabic): تفسير للآية «قل أرأيتم إن أصبح ماؤكم غورًا» (الملك 30): إذا غاب إمامكم منو يجيبلكم إمام جديد. هذا تفسير منسوب للإمام، والآية نفسها ما تذكر المهدي ولا الإمام.
English: An interpretation of Qurʾan 67:30 (“if your water were to sink away…”): if your Imam is absent, who will bring you a new Imam? This is an interpretation attributed to the Imam; the verse itself does not mention the Mahdi or an Imam.
Nederlands: Een uitleg van Koran 67:30 (“als jullie water zou wegzakken…”): als jullie imam afwezig is, wie brengt jullie dan een nieuwe imam? Dit is een aan de imam toegeschreven uitleg; het vers zelf noemt de Mahdi of een imam niet.
Shia sources · Occultation
al-Kafi (al-Kulayni) — ج1، باب في الغيبة، ح15
15ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْخَزَّازِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنْ بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ صَاحِبِكُمْ غَيْبَةٌ فَلا تُنْكِرُوهَا.- Narrator
- محمد بن مسلم عن الإمام الصادق
- Grade
- صحيح — العلامة المجلسي (مرآة العقول)
Meaning (Arabic): نفس معنى الرواية السابقة بسند ثاني: إذا وصلكم عن صاحبكم غيبة لا تنكروها. المجلسي صحّح هذا السند.
English: Same meaning as the earlier report through another chain: if news of your companion’s occultation reaches you, do not deny it. Al-Majlisi graded this chain sahih.
Nederlands: Dezelfde betekenis als het eerdere bericht via een andere keten: als het nieuws van de verborgenheid van jullie metgezel jullie bereikt, ontken het niet. Al-Madjlisi beoordeelde deze keten als sahih.
Shia sources · Lineage
al-Ghayba (al-Tusi) — ح145
145- محمد بن علي عن عثمان بن أحمد السماك عن إبراهيم بن عبد الله الهاشمي عن إبراهيم بن هانئ عن نعيم بن حماد المروزي عن بقية بن الوليد عن أبي بكر بن أبي مريم عن الفضل بن يعقوب الرخامي عن عبد الله بن جعفر عن أبي المليح عن زياد بن بيان عن علي بن نفيل عن سعيد بن المسيب عن أم سلمة قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: المهدي من عترتي من ولد فاطمة.- Narrator
- أم سلمة
- Grade
- Grade not verified
Meaning (Arabic): «المهدي من عترتي من ولد فاطمة» بسند يمرّ بطرق أهل السنة (نعيم بن حماد). نفس لفظ أبي داود 4284 تقريبًا، فهو مثال على رواية مشتركة بين الطرفين.
English: “The Mahdi is from my family, from the descendants of Fatimah,” through a chain that passes Sunni transmitters (Nuʿaym ibn Hammad). Nearly the same wording as Abu Dawud 4284 — an example of a report shared by both traditions.
Nederlands: “De Mahdi is uit mijn familie, uit de nakomelingen van Fatima,” via een keten met soennitische overleveraars (Nuʿaym ibn Hammad). Bijna dezelfde bewoording als Abu Dawud 4284 — een voorbeeld van een bericht dat beide tradities delen.
Shia sources · Lineage
al-Ghayba (al-Tusi) — ح147
147- أحمد بن إدريس عن علي بن محمد بن قتيبة عن الفضل بن شاذان عن محمد بن سنان عن عمار بن مروان عن المنخل بن جميل عن جابر الجعفي عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: المهدي رجل من ولد فاطمة، وهو رجل ادم.- Narrator
- جابر الجعفي عن الإمام الباقر
- Grade
- Grade not verified
Meaning (Arabic): المهدي رجل من ولد فاطمة، وهو أسمر اللون («آدم»).
English: The Mahdi is a man from the descendants of Fatimah, of wheat-brown complexion.
Nederlands: De Mahdi is een man uit de nakomelingen van Fatima, met een tarwebruine huidskleur.
Shia sources · Occultation، Pledge
al-Ghayba (al-Nuʿmani) — ح12
12 - أخبرنا أبو سليمان أحمد بن هوذة الباهلي قال: حدثنا إبراهيم بن إسحاق النهاوندي سنة ثلاث وسبعين ومائتين قال: حدثنا عبد الله بن حماد الأنصاري سنة تسع وعشرين ومائتين، عن أبي الجارود، عن أبي جعفر قال: قال لي: يا أبا الجارود، إذا دار الفلك وقالوا: مات أو هلك، وبأيّ واد سلك، وقال الطالب له: إنّى يكون ذلك وقد بُليت عظامه فعند ذلك فارتَجوه، وإذا سمِعتم به فأتوه ولو حَبواً على الثلج.- Narrator
- أبو الجارود عن الإمام الباقر
- Grade
- Grade not verified
Meaning (Arabic): إذا الناس گالوا مات أو هلك أو بأي وادي راح، وگالوا شلون وعظامه صارت رميم، وقتها ارتجوه؛ وإذا سمعتوا بيه روحوله ولو حبوًا على الثلج.
English: When people say he has died or perished or gone who knows where, and that his bones must have decayed — then hope for him; and when you hear of him, go to him even crawling over snow.
Nederlands: Wanneer mensen zeggen dat hij gestorven of omgekomen is of onbekend waarheen vertrok, en dat zijn botten vergaan moeten zijn — hoop dan op hem; en wanneer jullie van hem horen, ga naar hem, al moeten jullie over sneeuw kruipen.
Shia sources · Occultation
al-Ghayba (al-Nuʿmani) — ح17
17 - حدثنا محمد بن يعقوب الكليني قال: حدثنا علي بن إبراهيم بن هاشم، عن أبيه، عن حنان بن سدير، عن معروف بن خربوذ، عن أبي جعفر أنه قال: إنما نحن كنجوم السماء؛ كلّما غاب نجمٌ طلع نجم حتى إذا أشرتم بأصابعكم وملتُم بحواجبكم غيّب الله عنكم نجمَكم، فاستوت بنو عبد المطلب فلم يُعرف أيّ من أيّ، فإذا طلع نجمكم فاحمدوا ربكم.- Narrator
- معروف بن خربوذ عن الإمام الباقر
- Grade
- Grade not verified
Meaning (Arabic): الأئمة مثل نجوم السما، كلما غاب نجم طلع نجم، لحد ما يغيّب الله نجمكم؛ فإذا طلع احمدوا ربكم.
English: The Imams are like the stars of the sky: whenever one sets another rises, until God conceals your star from you; when your star rises, praise your Lord.
Nederlands: De imams zijn als de sterren aan de hemel: telkens als er een ondergaat, komt er een op, totdat God jullie ster verbergt; wanneer jullie ster opkomt, prijs dan jullie Heer.
Shia sources · Lineage
Kamal al-Din (al-Saduq) — الباب 24، ح28 (ترقيم ثقلين)
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْوَرَّاقُ الرَّازِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْهَيْثَمُ بْنُ أَبِي مَسْرُوقٍ النَّهْدِيُّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عُلْوَانَ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ طَرِيفٍ عَنِ الْأَصْبَغِ بْنِ نُبَاتَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ أَنَا وَ عَلِيٌّ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ وَ تِسْعَةٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ الْحُسَيْنِ مُطَهَّرُونَ مَعْصُومُونَ.- Narrator
- عبد الله بن عباس
- Grade
- Grade not verified
Meaning (Arabic): النبي يگول: أنا وعلي والحسن والحسين وتسعة من ولد الحسين مطهّرون معصومون. الشيعة الإمامية يفهمون التاسع منهم بأنه المهدي؛ النص نفسه ما يذكر كلمة المهدي.
English: “I, ʿAli, al-Hasan, al-Husayn and nine of al-Husayn’s descendants are purified and infallible.” Twelver Shia understand the ninth as the Mahdi; the text itself does not use the word Mahdi.
Nederlands: “Ik, ʿAli, al-Hasan, al-Husayn en negen nakomelingen van al-Husayn zijn gezuiverd en onfeilbaar.” Twaalver-sjiieten begrijpen de negende als de Mahdi; de tekst zelf gebruikt het woord Mahdi niet.
The Messiah in Jewish texts: a careful comparison
Passages from the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the Talmud and Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah on the king-Messiah and the messianic age. These texts do not mention Imam al-Mahdi and do not prove that the Jewish Messiah and the Mahdi are the same figure; they are shown for comparison only.
Method: we distinguish (1) the Tanakh text itself, (2) later rabbinic interpretation in the Talmud, (3) Maimonides’ legal codification (12th century), and (4) the Islamic Mahdi narrations in other sections. Hebrew and English are taken from Sefaria; the Arabic and Dutch meanings were prepared by this site and have not been reviewed by specialists.
Passages: 12
Isaiah 11:1-10 · ישעיהו י״א:א׳-י׳
Tanakh (scripture)
The word “mashiach” does not appear explicitly in this passage; reading it messianically is interpretive.
Hebrew text
וְיָצָ֥א חֹ֖טֶר מִגֵּ֣זַע יִשָׁ֑י וְנֵ֖צֶר מִשׇּׁרָשָׁ֥יו יִפְרֶֽה׃ וְנָחָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו ר֣וּחַ יְהֹוָ֑ה ר֧וּחַ חׇכְמָ֣ה וּבִינָ֗ה ר֤וּחַ עֵצָה֙ וּגְבוּרָ֔ה ר֥וּחַ דַּ֖עַת וְיִרְאַ֥ת יְהֹוָֽה׃ וַהֲרִיח֖וֹ בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־לְמַרְאֵ֤ה עֵינָיו֙ יִשְׁפּ֔וֹט וְלֹא־לְמִשְׁמַ֥ע אׇזְנָ֖יו יוֹכִֽיחַ׃ וְשָׁפַ֤ט בְּצֶ֙דֶק֙ דַּלִּ֔ים וְהוֹכִ֥יחַ בְּמִישׁ֖וֹר לְעַנְוֵי־אָ֑רֶץ וְהִֽכָּה־אֶ֙רֶץ֙ בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט פִּ֔יו וּבְר֥וּחַ שְׂפָתָ֖יו יָמִ֥ית רָשָֽׁע׃ וְהָ֥יָה צֶ֖דֶק אֵז֣וֹר מׇתְנָ֑יו וְהָאֱמוּנָ֖ה אֵז֥וֹר חֲלָצָֽיו׃ וְגָ֤ר זְאֵב֙ עִם־כֶּ֔בֶשׂ וְנָמֵ֖ר עִם־גְּדִ֣י יִרְבָּ֑ץ וְעֵ֨גֶל וּכְפִ֤יר וּמְרִיא֙ יַחְדָּ֔ו וְנַ֥עַר קָטֹ֖ן נֹהֵ֥ג בָּֽם׃ וּפָרָ֤ה וָדֹב֙ תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה יַחְדָּ֖ו יִרְבְּצ֣וּ יַלְדֵיהֶ֑ן וְאַרְיֵ֖ה כַּבָּקָ֥ר יֹאכַל־תֶּֽבֶן׃ וְשִֽׁעֲשַׁ֥ע יוֹנֵ֖ק עַל־חֻ֣ר פָּ֑תֶן וְעַל֙ מְאוּרַ֣ת צִפְעוֹנִ֔י גָּמ֖וּל יָד֥וֹ הָדָֽה׃ לֹא־יָרֵ֥עוּ וְלֹֽא־יַשְׁחִ֖יתוּ בְּכׇל־הַ֣ר קׇדְשִׁ֑י כִּֽי־מָלְאָ֣ה הָאָ֗רֶץ דֵּעָה֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה כַּמַּ֖יִם לַיָּ֥ם מְכַסִּֽים׃ וְהָיָה֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא שֹׁ֣רֶשׁ יִשַׁ֗י אֲשֶׁ֤ר עֹמֵד֙ לְנֵ֣ס עַמִּ֔ים אֵלָ֖יו גּוֹיִ֣ם יִדְרֹ֑שׁוּ וְהָיְתָ֥ה מְנֻחָת֖וֹ כָּבֽוֹד׃Arabic meaning
يطلع غصن من جذع يَسّى (أبو داود الملك)، تحلّ عليه روح الحكمة والفهم ومخافة الرب، يحكم للمساكين بالعدل، ويعيش الذيب ويّا الخروف، والأرض تمتلي بمعرفة الرب.
English translation
But a shoot shall grow out of the stump of Jesse, A twig shall sprout from his stock. The spirit of GOD shall alight upon him: A spirit of wisdom and insight, A spirit of counsel and valor, A spirit of devotion and reverence for GOD. He shall sense the truthaHe shall sense the truth Lit. “His sensing [shall be]”; meaning of Heb. uncertain. by his reverence for GOD: He shall not judge by what his eyes behold, Nor decide by what his ears perceive. Thus he shall judge the poor with equityAnd decide with justice for the lowly of the land. He shall strike down a landba land Emendation yields “the ruthless.” with the rod of his mouthAnd slay the wicked with the breath of his lips. Justice shall be the girdle of his loins, And faithfulness the girdle of his waist. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard lie down with the kid; The calf, the beast of prey, and the fatlingcThe calf, the beast of prey, and the fatling 1QIsᵃ reads: “The calf and the beast of prey shall feed”; so too the Septuagint. together, With a little child to herd them. The cow and the bear shall graze, Their young shall lie down together; And the lion, like the ox, shall eat straw. A babe shall playOver a viper’s hole, And an infant passdpass Meaning of Heb. uncertain. its handOver an adder’s den. In all of My sacred mounteMy sacred mount I.e., the Holy Land; cf. Exod. 15.17; Ps. 78.54. Nothing evil or vile shall be done; For the land shall be filled with devotion to GOD As water covers the sea. In that day, The stock of Jesse that has remained standingShall become a standard to peoples—Nations shall seek his counselAnd his abode shall be honored. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
Er komt een twijg uit de stronk van Isaï (vader van David); de geest van wijsheid, inzicht en ontzag voor de HEER rust op hem; hij oordeelt de armen rechtvaardig, de wolf woont bij het lam en de aarde wordt vol kennis van de HEER.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Similarity: a just ruler who fills the earth with justice and protects the poor. Difference: he is of David’s line, not the Prophet Muhammad’s family, and the passage does not use the word “mashiach”.
Text on SefariaJeremiah 23:5-6 · ירמיהו כ״ג:ה׳-ו׳
Tanakh (scripture)
The word “mashiach” does not appear explicitly in this passage; reading it messianically is interpretive.
Hebrew text
הִנֵּ֨ה יָמִ֤ים בָּאִים֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה וַהֲקִמֹתִ֥י לְדָוִ֖ד צֶ֣מַח צַדִּ֑יק וּמָ֤לַךְ מֶ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהִשְׂכִּ֔יל וְעָשָׂ֛ה מִשְׁפָּ֥ט וּצְדָקָ֖ה בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ בְּיָמָיו֙ תִּוָּשַׁ֣ע יְהוּדָ֔ה וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִשְׁכֹּ֣ן לָבֶ֑טַח וְזֶה־שְּׁמ֥וֹ אֲֽשֶׁר־יִקְרְא֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ צִדְקֵֽנוּ׃Arabic meaning
تجي أيام يقيم الرب لداود «غصنًا بارًّا» يملك ملكًا ويسوّي العدل والحق بالأرض، وبأيامه يخلص يهوذا ويسكن إسرائيل بأمان.
English translation
See, a time is coming—declares GOD—when I will raise up a true branch of David’s line. He shall reign as king and shall prosper, and he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be delivered and Israel shall dwell secure. And this is the name by which he shall be called: “GOD is our Vindicator.”aGOD is our Vindicator Heb. Yhwh ṣidqenu. Presumably a play on the name of King Zedekiah. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
Er komen dagen waarin de HEER voor David een rechtvaardige spruit doet opstaan, die als koning regeert en recht en gerechtigheid doet op aarde; in zijn dagen wordt Juda gered en woont Israël veilig.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Similarity: a righteous king who establishes justice. Difference: a Davidic king, focused on the deliverance of Judah and Israel.
Text on SefariaEzekiel 37:24-28 · יחזקאל ל״ז:כ״ד-כ״ח
Tanakh (scripture)
The word “mashiach” does not appear explicitly in this passage; reading it messianically is interpretive.
Hebrew text
וְעַבְדִּ֤י דָוִד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְרוֹעֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד יִהְיֶ֣ה לְכֻלָּ֑ם וּבְמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י יֵלֵ֔כוּ וְחֻקּוֹתַ֥י יִשְׁמְר֖וּ וְעָשׂ֥וּ אוֹתָֽם׃ וְיָשְׁב֣וּ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָתַ֙תִּי֙ לְעַבְדִּ֣י לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָֽשְׁבוּ־בָ֖הּ אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וְיָשְׁב֣וּ עָלֶ֡יהָ הֵ֠מָּה וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם וּבְנֵ֤י בְנֵיהֶם֙ עַד־עוֹלָ֔ם וְדָוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֔י נָשִׂ֥יא לָהֶ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃ וְכָרַתִּ֤י לָהֶם֙ בְּרִ֣ית שָׁל֔וֹם בְּרִ֥ית עוֹלָ֖ם יִהְיֶ֣ה אוֹתָ֑ם וּנְתַתִּים֙ וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֣י אוֹתָ֔ם וְנָתַתִּ֧י אֶת־מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י בְּתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃ וְהָיָ֤ה מִשְׁכָּנִי֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָהֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים וְהֵ֖מָּה יִהְיוּ־לִ֥י לְעָֽם׃ וְיָֽדְעוּ֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם כִּ֚י אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה מְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בִּהְי֧וֹת מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י בְּתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃Arabic meaning
عبدي داود يكون ملك عليهم وراعي واحد لهم، ويسكنون الأرض للأبد، ويقطع الله وياهم عهد سلام، ويكون مقدسه بينهم.
English translation
My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws. Thus they shall remain in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob and in which your ancestors dwelt; they and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, with My servant David as their prince for all time. I will make a covenant of friendship with them—it shall be an everlasting covenant with them—I will establishbestablish Meaning of Heb. uncertain. them and multiply them, and I will place My Sanctuary among them forever. My PresencecPresence Lit. “dwelling place.” shall rest over them; I will be their God and they shall be My people. And when My Sanctuary abides among them forever, the nations shall know that I, GOD, do sanctify Israel. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
Mijn dienaar David zal koning over hen zijn, één herder voor allen; zij wonen voor altijd in het land, God sluit een verbond van vrede met hen en zijn heiligdom is in hun midden.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Similarity: a single leader and a lasting covenant of peace. Difference: Jewish commentators read “David” as a king of his line, and the promise is tied to the Land of Israel and the sanctuary.
Text on SefariaZechariah 9:9-10 · זכריה ט׳:ט׳-י׳
Tanakh (scripture)
The word “mashiach” does not appear explicitly in this passage; reading it messianically is interpretive.
Hebrew text
גִּילִ֨י מְאֹ֜ד בַּת־צִיּ֗וֹן הָרִ֙יעִי֙ בַּ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם הִנֵּ֤ה מַלְכֵּךְ֙ יָ֣בוֹא לָ֔ךְ צַדִּ֥יק וְנוֹשָׁ֖ע ה֑וּא עָנִי֙ וְרֹכֵ֣ב עַל־חֲמ֔וֹר וְעַל־עַ֖יִר בֶּן־אֲתֹנֽוֹת׃ וְהִכְרַתִּי־רֶ֣כֶב מֵאֶפְרַ֗יִם וְסוּס֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְנִכְרְתָה֙ קֶ֣שֶׁת מִלְחָמָ֔ה וְדִבֶּ֥ר שָׁל֖וֹם לַגּוֹיִ֑ם וּמׇשְׁלוֹ֙ מִיָּ֣ם עַד־יָ֔ם וּמִנָּהָ֖ר עַד־אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃Arabic meaning
افرحي يا بنت صهيون: ملكك يجيك عادل ومنصور، متواضع راكب على حمار، يقطع أدوات الحرب ويتكلم بالسلام للأمم، وسلطانه من البحر للبحر.
English translation
Rejoice greatly, Fair Zion; Raise a shout, Fair Jerusalem! Lo, your king is coming to you. He is victorious, triumphant, Yet humble, riding on a donkey, On a jackass foaled by a jenny. HeeHe Heb. “I.” shall banish chariots from EphraimAnd horses from Jerusalem; The warrior’s bow shall be banished. He shall call on the nations to surrender,fcall on the nations to surrender Cf. Deut. 20.10–12 and note. And his rule shall extend from sea to seaAnd from ocean to land’s end. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
Verheug je, dochter Sion: je koning komt rechtvaardig en zegevierend, nederig, rijdend op een ezel; hij schaft oorlogstuig af, spreekt vrede tot de volken en zijn heerschappij reikt van zee tot zee.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Similarity: a just king who brings peace. Difference: the image is humble and peaceful; Christians read it of Jesus, Jewish interpretation of a Messiah still to come.
Text on SefariaZechariah 12:10 · זכריה י״ב:י׳
Tanakh (scripture)
The referent of this passage is disputed among interpreters.
Hebrew text
וְשָׁפַכְתִּי֩ עַל־בֵּ֨ית דָּוִ֜יד וְעַ֣ל ׀ יוֹשֵׁ֣ב יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם ר֤וּחַ חֵן֙ וְתַ֣חֲנוּנִ֔ים וְהִבִּ֥יטוּ אֵלַ֖י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־דָּקָ֑רוּ וְסָפְד֣וּ עָלָ֗יו כְּמִסְפֵּד֙ עַל־הַיָּחִ֔יד וְהָמֵ֥ר עָלָ֖יו כְּהָמֵ֥ר עַֽל־הַבְּכֽוֹר׃Arabic meaning
الله يسكب على بيت داود روح النعمة والتضرّع، فينظرون إلى «اللي طعنوه» وينوحون عليه. مَن هو المطعون؟ هذا محل خلاف كبير بالتفسير.
English translation
But I will fill the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem with a spirit of pity and compassion; and they shall lamentelament Meaning of Heb. uncertain. to Me about those who are slain, wailing over them as over a favorite son and showing bitter grief as over a first-born. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
God giet over het huis van David een geest van genade en smeking uit; zij zien op “hem die zij doorstoken hebben” en rouwen om hem. Wie de doorstokene is, wordt zeer verschillend uitgelegd.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: No explicit parallel with Mahdi narrations. The Talmud (Sukkah 52a) links it to Messiah son of Joseph, Christians to Jesus, others read it collectively.
Text on SefariaDaniel 7:13-14 · דניאל ז׳:י״ג-י״ד
Tanakh (scripture)
The word “mashiach” does not appear explicitly in this passage; reading it messianically is interpretive.
Hebrew text
חָזֵ֤ה הֲוֵית֙ בְּחֶזְוֵ֣י לֵֽילְיָ֔א וַאֲרוּ֙ עִם־עֲנָנֵ֣י שְׁמַיָּ֔א כְּבַ֥ר אֱנָ֖שׁ אָתֵ֣ה הֲוָ֑א וְעַד־עַתִּ֤יק יֽוֹמַיָּא֙ מְטָ֔ה וּקְדָמ֖וֹהִי הַקְרְבֽוּהִי׃ וְלֵ֨הּ יְהִ֤ב שׇׁלְטָן֙ וִיקָ֣ר וּמַלְכ֔וּ וְכֹ֣ל עַֽמְמַיָּ֗א אֻמַּיָּ֛א וְלִשָּׁנַיָּ֖א לֵ֣הּ יִפְלְח֑וּן שׇׁלְטָנֵ֞הּ שׇׁלְטָ֤ן עָלַם֙ דִּֽי־לָ֣א יֶעְדֵּ֔ה וּמַלְכוּתֵ֖הּ דִּי־לָ֥א תִתְחַבַּֽל׃Arabic meaning
بالرؤيا يجي «مثل ابن إنسان» ويّا سحاب السما، وينطى سلطان ومُلك أبدي تخدمه كل الأمم.
English translation
As I looked on, in the night vision, One like a human beingCame with the clouds of heaven; He reached the Ancient of DaysAnd was given an audience. Dominion, glory, and kingship were given to him; All peoples and nations of every language must serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, And his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
In het visioen komt “iemand als een mensenzoon” met de wolken van de hemel; hem wordt heerschappij en een eeuwig koningschap gegeven dat alle volken dienen.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Similarity: a universal kingdom at the end of days. Difference: the figure is symbolic; some Jewish readings see the Messiah, others the people of Israel (cf. Daniel 7:27).
Text on SefariaDaniel 12:1-3 · דניאל י״ב:א׳-ג׳
Tanakh (scripture)
The word “mashiach” does not appear explicitly in this passage; reading it messianically is interpretive.
Hebrew text
וּבָעֵ֣ת הַהִיא֩ יַעֲמֹ֨ד מִֽיכָאֵ֜ל הַשַּׂ֣ר הַגָּד֗וֹל הָעֹמֵד֮ עַל־בְּנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֒ךָ֒ וְהָיְתָה֙ עֵ֣ת צָרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־נִהְיְתָה֙ מִֽהְי֣וֹת גּ֔וֹי עַ֖ד הָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֑יא וּבָעֵ֤ת הַהִיא֙ יִמָּלֵ֣ט עַמְּךָ֔ כׇּל־הַנִּמְצָ֖א כָּת֥וּב בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ וְרַבִּ֕ים מִיְּשֵׁנֵ֥י אַדְמַת־עָפָ֖ר יָקִ֑יצוּ אֵ֚לֶּה לְחַיֵּ֣י עוֹלָ֔ם וְאֵ֥לֶּה לַחֲרָפ֖וֹת לְדִרְא֥וֹן עוֹלָֽם׃ וְהַ֨מַּשְׂכִּלִ֔ים יַזְהִ֖רוּ כְּזֹ֣הַר הָרָקִ֑יעַ וּמַצְדִּיקֵי֙ הָֽרַבִּ֔ים כַּכּוֹכָבִ֖ים לְעוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃Arabic meaning
بوقت ضيق ما صار مثله يقوم ميخائيل، وينجّى الشعب المكتوب بالكتاب، وكثير من الراقدين بالتراب يصحون، والحكماء يضوون مثل ضوء السما.
English translation
“At that time, the great prince, Michael, who stands beside the sons of your people, will appear. It will be a time of trouble, the like of which has never been since the nation came into being. At that time, your people will be rescued, all who are found inscribed in the book. Many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, others to reproaches, to everlasting abhorrence. And the knowledgeable will be radiant like the bright expanse of sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever. — THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition
Dutch translation
In een tijd van ongekende benauwdheid staat Michaël op; het volk dat in het boek geschreven staat wordt gered, velen die in het stof slapen ontwaken, en de wijzen stralen als de hemel.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Similarity: tribulation before deliverance, as in the “signs” narrations. Difference: the deliverer is an angel (Michael) and the text concerns resurrection, not a human leader.
Text on SefariaBerakhot 34b:20 · ברכות ל״ד ב
Talmud (rabbinic interpretation)
A later rabbinic text, not part of the Tanakh.
Hebrew text
וּפְלִיגָא דִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין בֵּין הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ אֶלָּא שִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּיוֹת בִּלְבַד. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לֹא יֶחְדַּל אֶבְיוֹן מִקֶּרֶב הָאָרֶץ״.Arabic meaning
شموئيل يگول: ماكو فرق بين هالدنيا وأيام المسيح إلا انتهاء خضوع إسرائيل للممالك. يعني عصر المسيح سياسي أكثر منه معجزة.
English translation
And the Gemara notes that this statement disagrees with the opinion of Shmuel, as Shmuel said: The only difference between this world and the days of the Messiah is with regard to servitude to foreign kingdoms alone. While in the days of the Messiah, Israel will be independent and free from enslavement to foreign powers, the world order will remain otherwise unchanged, as it is stated: “For the poor shall not cease from the land” (Deuteronomy 15:11), which indicates that the ways of the world are set and unchanging. —
Dutch translation
Shmuel zegt: het enige verschil tussen deze wereld en de dagen van de messias is het einde van de onderwerping aan vreemde koninkrijken. Het messiaanse tijdperk is dus vooral politiek, niet wonderbaarlijk.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: This is a later rabbinic opinion, and the Talmud records a contrary view right before it. It resembles a “realistic” picture of justice without changes to the laws of nature.
Text on SefariaMishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 11:1 · משנה תורה, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות י״א:א׳
Maimonides (legal codification)
A later rabbinic text, not part of the Tanakh.
Hebrew text
הַמֶּלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ עָתִיד לַעֲמֹד וּלְהַחְזִיר מַלכוּת דָּוִד לְיָשְׁנָהּ לַמֶּמְשָׁלָה הָרִאשׁוֹנָה. וּבוֹנֶה הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וּמְקַבֵּץ נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְחוֹזְרִין כָּל הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים בְּיָמָיו כְּשֶׁהָיוּ מִקֹּדֶם. מַקְרִיבִין קָרְבָּנוֹת. וְעוֹשִׂין שְׁמִטִּין וְיוֹבְלוֹת כְּכָל מִצְוָתָן הָאֲמוּרָה בַּתּוֹרָה. וְכָל מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַאֲמִין בּוֹ. אוֹ מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְחַכֶּה לְבִיאָתוֹ. לֹא בִּשְׁאָר נְבִיאִים בִּלְבַד הוּא כּוֹפֵר. אֶלָּא בַּתּוֹרָה וּבְמשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ. שֶׁהֲרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הֵעִידָה עָלָיו שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ל, ג) "וְשָׁב ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֶת שְׁבוּתְךָ וְרִחֲמֶךָ וְשָׁב וְקִבֶּצְךָ" וְגוֹ' (דברים ל, ד) "אִם יִהְיֶה נִדַּחֲךָ בִּקְצֵה הַשָּׁמָיִם" וְגוֹ' (דברים ל, ה) "וֶהֱבִיאֲךָ ה'". וְאֵלּוּ הַדְּבָרִים הַמְפֹרָשִׁים בַּתּוֹרָה הֵם כּוֹלְלִים כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁנֶּאֶמְרוּ עַל יְדֵי כָּל הַנְּבִיאִים. אַף בְּפָרָשַׁת בִּלְעָם נֶאֱמַר וְשָׁם נִבֵּא בִּשְׁנֵי הַמְּשִׁיחִים. בַּמָּשִׁיחַ הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁהוּא דָּוִד שֶׁהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּד צָרֵיהֶם. וּבַמָּשִׁיחַ הָאַחֲרוֹן שֶׁעוֹמֵד מִבָּנָיו שֶׁמּוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל [בָּאַחֲרוֹנָה]. וְשָׁם הוּא אוֹמֵר (במדבר כד, יז) "אֶרְאֶנּוּ וְלֹא עַתָּה" זֶה דָּוִד. (במדבר כד, יז) "אֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ וְלֹא קָרוֹב" זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ. (במדבר כד, יז) "דָּרַךְ כּוֹכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב" זֶה דָּוִד. (במדבר כד, יז) "וְקָם שֵׁבֶט מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל" זֶה מֶלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ. (במדבר כד, יז) "וּמָחַץ פַּאֲתֵי מוֹאָב" זֶה דָּוִד. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (שמואל ב ח, ב) "וַיַּךְ אֶת מוֹאָב וַיְמַדְּדֵם בַּחֶבֶל" (במדבר כד, יז) "וְקַרְקַר כָּל בְּנֵי שֵׁת" זֶה הַמֶּלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ (זכריה ט, י) "וּמָשְׁלוֹ מִיָּם עַד יָם". (במדבר כד, יח) "וְהָיָה אֱדוֹם יְרֵשָׁה" זֶה דָּוִד. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל ב ח, יד) "וַתְּהִי אֱדוֹם לְדָוִד לַעֲבָדִים" וְגוֹ'. (במדבר כד, יח) "וְהָיָה יְרֵשָׁה" וְגוֹ' זֶה הַמֶּלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (עובדיה א, כא) "וְעָלוּ מוֹשִׁעִים בְּהַר צִיּוֹן" וְגוֹ':Arabic meaning
الملك المسيح راح يقوم ويرجّع مملكة داود، ويبني المقدس ويجمع المشتّتين، واللي ما يؤمن بيه كأنه أنكر التوراة.
English translation
In the future, the Messianic king will arise and renew the Davidic dynasty, restoring it to its initial sovereignty. He will build the Temple and gather the dispersed of Israel. Then, in his days, the observance of all the statutes will return to their previous state. We will offer sacrifices, observe the Sabbatical and Jubilee years according to all their particulars as described by the Torah. Anyone who does not believe in him or does not await his coming, denies not only the statements of the other prophets, but those of the Torah and Moses, our teacher. The Torah testified to his coming, as Deuteronomy 30:3-5 states: God will bring back your captivity and have mercy upon you. He will again gather you from among the nations... Even if your Diaspora is at the ends of the heavens, God will gather you up from there... and bring you to the land.... These explicit words of the Torah include all the statements made by all the prophets. Reference to Mashiach is also made in the portion of Bilaam who prophesies about two anointed kings: the first anointed king, David, who saved Israel from her oppressors; and the final anointed king who will arise from his descendants and save Israel in the end of days. That passage Numbers 24:17-18 relates:'I see it, but not now' - This refers to David;'I perceive it, but not in the near future;" - This refers to the Messianic king;'A star shall go forth from Jacob' - This refers to David;'and a staff shall arise in Israel' - This refers to the Messianic king;'crushing all of Moab's princes' - This refers to David as II Samuel 8:2 relates: 'He smote Moab and measured them with a line;''decimating all of Seth's descendants' - This refers to the Messianic king about whom Zechariah 9:10 prophesies: 'He will rule from sea to sea.''Edom will be demolished' - This refers to David as II Samuel 8:6 states 'Edom became the servants of David;''Seir will be destroyed' - this refers to the Messianic king as Ovadiah 1:21 prophesies: 'Saviors will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau....' — Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007
Dutch translation
De koning-messias zal opstaan en het koningschap van David herstellen, het heiligdom bouwen en de verstrooiden verzamelen; wie niet in hem gelooft, ontkent in feite de Tora.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: A 12th-century legal codification by Maimonides, not scripture. Similar in expecting a just leader; different in that he is a Jewish king who rebuilds the Temple.
Text on SefariaMishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 11:4 · משנה תורה, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות י״א:ד׳
Maimonides (legal codification)
A later rabbinic text, not part of the Tanakh.
Hebrew text
וְאִם יַעֲמֹד מֶלֶךְ מִבֵּית דָּוִד הוֹגֶה בַּתּוֹרָה וְעוֹסֵק בְּמִצְוֹת כְּדָוִד אָבִיו. כְּפִי תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב וְשֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה. וְיָכֹף כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵילֵךְ בָּהּ וּלְחַזֵּק בִּדְקָהּ. וְיִלָּחֵם מִלְחֲמוֹת ה'. הֲרֵי זֶה בְּחֶזְקַת שֶׁהוּא מָשִׁיחַ. (אִם עָשָׂה וְהִצְלִיחַ וּבָנָה מִקְדָּשׁ בִּמְקוֹמוֹ וְקִבֵּץ נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֲרֵי זֶה מָשִׁיחַ בְּוַדַּאי. וִיתַקֵּן אֶת הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ לַעֲבֹד אֶת ה' בְּיַחַד שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר כִּי אָז אֶהְפֹּךְ אֶל עַמִּים שָׂפָה בְרוּרָה לִקְרֹא כֻלָּם בְּשֵׁם ה' וּלְעָבְדוֹ שְׁכֶם אֶחָד):Arabic meaning
إذا قام ملك من بيت داود يلتزم بالتوراة ويحارب حروب الرب، «يُفترض» أنه المسيح؛ وإذا نجح وبنى المقدس وجمع إسرائيل فهو المسيح بالتأكيد.
English translation
If a king will arise from the House of David who diligently contemplates the Torah and observes its mitzvot as prescribed by the Written Law and the Oral Law as David, his ancestor, will compel all of Israel to walk in (the way of the Torah) and rectify the breaches in its observance, and fight the wars of God, we may, with assurance, consider him Mashiach. If he succeeds in the above, builds the Temple in its place, and gathers the dispersed of Israel, he is definitely the Mashiach. He will then improve the entire world, motivating all the nations to serve God together, as Tzephaniah 3:9 states: 'I will transform the peoples to a purer language that they all will call upon the name of God and serve Him with one purpose.' — Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007
Dutch translation
Als een koning uit Davids huis opstaat die de Tora naleeft en de oorlogen van God strijdt, mag men aannemen dat hij de messias is; slaagt hij, bouwt hij het heiligdom en verzamelt hij Israël, dan is hij het zeker.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Recognition here is by results, not miracles; Mahdi narrations instead name signs and a specific lineage. Note: older editions of this passage include a section on Jesus removed by censors.
Text on SefariaMishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 12:1 · משנה תורה, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות י״ב:א׳
Maimonides (legal codification)
A later rabbinic text, not part of the Tanakh.
Hebrew text
אַל יַעֲלֶה עַל הַלֵּב שֶׁבִּימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ יִבָּטֵל דָּבָר מִמִּנְהָגוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם. אוֹ יִהְיֶה שָׁם חִדּוּשׁ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית. אֶלָּא עוֹלָם כְּמִנְהָגוֹ נוֹהֵג. וְזֶה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בִּישַׁעְיָה (ישעיה יא, ו) "וְגָר זְאֵב עִם כֶּבֶשׂ וְנָמֵר עִם גְּדִי יִרְבָּץ" מָשָׁל וְחִידָה. עִנְיַן הַדָּבָר שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹשְׁבִין לָבֶטַח עִם רִשְׁעֵי עַכּוּ"ם הַמְשׁוּלִים כִּזְאֵב וְנָמֵר. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ירמיה ה, ו) "זְאֵב עֲרָבוֹת יְשָׁדְדֵם וְנָמֵר שֹׁקֵד עַל עָרֵיהֶם". וְיַחְזְרוּ כֻּלָּם לְדַת הָאֱמֶת. וְלֹא יִגְזְלוּ וְלֹא יַשְׁחִיתוּ. אֶלָּא יֹאכְלוּ דָּבָר הַמֻּתָּר בְּנַחַת עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה יא, ז) "וְאַרְיֵה כַּבָּקָר יֹאכַל תֶּבֶן". וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בְּאֵלּוּ הַדְּבָרִים בְּעִנְיַן הַמָּשִׁיחַ הֵם מְשָׁלִים. וּבִימוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ הַמָּשִׁיחַ יִוָּדַע לַכּל לְאֵי זֶה דָּבָר הָיָה מָשָׁל. וּמָה עִנְיָן רָמְזוּ בָּהֶן:Arabic meaning
لا تظن إن بأيام المسيح يتغيّر نظام الكون؛ الدنيا تمشي على عادتها، و«الذيب ويّا الخروف» بإشعياء مَثَل عن سلام الأمم.
English translation
Do not presume that in the Messianic age any facet of the world's nature will change or there will be innovations in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern. Although Isaiah 11:6 states: 'The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the young goat,' these words are a metaphor and a parable. The interpretation of the prophecy is as follows: Israel will dwell securely together with the wicked gentiles who are likened to a wolf and a leopard, as in the prophecy Jeremiah 5:6: 'A wolf from the wilderness shall spoil them and a leopard will stalk their cities.' They will all return to the true faith and no longer steal or destroy. Rather, they will eat permitted food at peace with Israel as Isaiah 11:7 states: 'The lion will eat straw like an ox.'Similarly, other Messianic prophecies of this nature are metaphors. In the Messianic era, everyone will realize which matters were implied by these metaphors and which allusions they contained. — Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007
Dutch translation
Denk niet dat in de dagen van de messias de natuurlijke orde verandert; de wereld gaat haar gewone gang, en “de wolf bij het lam” in Jesaja is een beeld voor vrede tussen volken.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: A clear case of rabbinic interpretation: Maimonides reads Isaiah 11 figuratively. Islamic readings of the Mahdi reports also differ between literal and figurative.
Text on SefariaMishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 12:2 · משנה תורה, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות י״ב:ב׳
Maimonides (legal codification)
A later rabbinic text, not part of the Tanakh.
Hebrew text
אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אֵין בֵּין הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה לִימוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ אֶלָּא שִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכֻיּוֹת בִּלְבַד. יֵרָאֶה מִפְּשׁוּטָן שֶׁל דִּבְרֵי הַנְּבִיאִים. שֶׁבִּתְחִלַּת יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ תִּהְיֶה מִלְחֶמֶת גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג. וְשֶׁקֹּדֶם מִלְחֶמֶת גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג יַעֲמֹד נָבִיא לְיַשֵּׁר יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְהָכִין לִבָּם. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, כג) "הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי שׁלֵחַ לָכֶם אֵת אֵלִיָּה" וְגוֹ'. וְאֵינוֹ בָּא לֹא לְטַמֵּא הַטָּהוֹר. וְלֹא לְטַהֵר הַטָּמֵא. וְלֹא לִפְסל אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁהֵם בְּחֶזְקַת כַּשְׁרוּת. וְלֹא לְהַכְשִׁיר מִי שֶׁהֻחְזְקוּ פְּסוּלִין. אֶלָּא לָשׂוּם שָׁלוֹם בָּעוֹלָם. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, כד) "וְהֵשִׁיב לֵב אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים". וְיֵשׁ מִן הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁאוֹמְרִים שֶׁקֹּדֶם בִּיאַת הַמָּשִׁיחַ יָבוֹא אֵלִיָּהוּ. וְכָל אֵלּוּ הַדְּבָרִים וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן לֹא יֵדַע אָדָם אֵיךְ יִהְיוּ עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ. שֶׁדְּבָרִים סְתוּמִין הֵן אֵצֶל הַנְּבִיאִים. גַּם הַחֲכָמִים אֵין לָהֶם קַבָּלָה בִּדְבָרִים אֵלּוּ. אֶלָּא לְפִי הֶכְרֵעַ הַפְּסוּקִים. וּלְפִיכָךְ יֵשׁ לָהֶם מַחְלֹקֶת בִּדְבָרִים אֵלּוּ. וְעַל כָּל פָּנִים אֵין סִדּוּר הֲוָיַת דְּבָרִים אֵלּוּ וְלֹא דִּקְדּוּקֵיהֶן עִקָּר בַּדָּת. וּלְעוֹלָם לֹא יִתְעַסֵּק אָדָם בְּדִבְרֵי הַהַגָּדוֹת. וְלֹא יַאֲרִיךְ בַּמִּדְרָשׁוֹת הָאֲמוּרִים בְּעִנְיָנִים אֵלּוּ וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. וְלֹא יְשִׂימֵם עִקָּר. שֶׁאֵין מְבִיאִין לֹא לִידֵי יִרְאָה וְלֹא לִידֵי אַהֲבָה. וְכֵן לֹא יְחַשֵּׁב הַקִּצִּין. אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים תִּפַּח רוּחָם שֶׁל מְחַשְּׁבֵי הַקִּצִּים. אֶלָּא יְחַכֶּה וְיַאֲמִין בִּכְלַל הַדָּבָר כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:Arabic meaning
تفاصيل الأحداث قبل المسيح (مثل جيئة إيليا وحرب يأجوج ومأجوج) ما محد يعرفها بدقة، والحكماء نفسهم اختلفوا، ولا تحسبوا المواعيد.
English translation
Our Sages taught: "There will be no difference between the current age and the Messianic era except the emancipation from our subjugation to the gentile kingdoms."The simple interpretation of the prophets' words appear to imply that the war of Gog and Magog will take place at the beginning of the Messianic age. Before the war of Gog and Magog, a prophet will arise to inspire Israel to be upright and prepare their hearts, as Malachi 3:22 states: 'Behold, I am sending you Elijah.'He will not come to declare the pure, impure, or to declare the impure, pure. He will not dispute the lineage of those presumed to be of proper pedigree, nor will he validate the pedigree of those whose lineage is presumed blemished. Rather, he will establish peace within the world as ibid. 3:24 continues: 'He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children."There are some Sages who say that Elijah's coming will precede the coming of the Mashiach. All these and similar matters cannot be definitely known by man until they occur for these matters are undefined in the prophets' words and even the wise men have no established tradition regarding these matters except their own interpretation of the verses. Therefore, there is a controversy among them regarding these matters. Regardless of the debate concerning these questions, neither the order of the occurrence of these events or their precise detail are among the fundamental principles of the faith. A person should not occupy himself with the Aggadot and homiletics concerning these and similar matters, nor should he consider them as essentials, for study of them will neither bring fear or love of God. Similarly, one should not try to determine the appointed time for Mashiach's coming. Our Sages declared: 'May the spirits of those who attempt to determine the time of Mashiach's coming expire!' Rather, one should await and believe in the general conception of the matter as explained. — Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007
Dutch translation
Hoe de gebeurtenissen vóór de messias (zoals de komst van Elia en de oorlog van Gog en Magog) verlopen, weet niemand precies; de wijzen verschilden van mening, en men mag het einde niet berekenen.
Comparison with Mahdi narrations: Closely resembles the prohibition in Shia and Sunni reports against “timing” the appearance. Both traditions warn against calculating the date.
Text on SefariaReading & media library
Five books, separate academic references and media entries. Media introductions are editorial summaries based on publisher descriptions, not full-viewing reviews or invented ratings. Links lead to reading and information sources; no PDFs or unlicensed streams are hosted.
Film, documentary and lecture artwork and streams stay on the publisher's own page; nothing is hosted or copied here.
Results: 20
Twelver Shiʿi hadith heritage
Kitab al-Ghayba: The Book of Occultation
Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Nuʿmani
A collection of traditions about occultation, the Qaʾim and his companions. It places reports of 313 and their connection with Badr in context; inclusion does not settle the authenticity of a chain of transmission.
Link language: English with Arabic traditions
Sunni hadith heritage
Sunan Abi Dawud — Book of the Mahdi
Sulayman ibn al-Ashʿath Abu Dawud
A section of a Sunni hadith collection concerning a Mahdi from the Prophet’s family. Readers can compare wording and attributed scholarly gradings; al-Albani’s assessment is not a consensus.
Link languages: Arabic and English
Modern Shiʿi doctrinal exposition
Al-Imam al-Mahdi, The Just Leader of Humanity
Ibrahim Amini
A modern explanation of Twelver identity, occultation and waiting. Read it as a doctrinal exposition rather than an independent historical investigation; it draws on the tradition of Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Nuʿmani and others.
Link language: English despite /ar in the URL
Shiʿi devotional biography
The Life of Imam al-Mahdi
Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi
A biography presenting upbringing, family and occultation from a Twelver perspective. Useful for understanding the religious narrative, while distinguishing transmitted reports from historical verification.
Link language: English
Historical study
The Occultation of the Twelfth Imam: A Historical Background
Jassim M. Hussain
A study of political context, representative networks and the development of occultation. Its historical approach differs from hadith collections; compare its arguments with primary sources and other critical scholarship.
Link language: English
Academic reference gateway, not a book
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Mahdi
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Iranica
A gateway to scholarship on Sunni and Twelver concepts of the Mahdi and occultation. No invented author is assigned to the gateway; linked studies have their own authors and contexts.
Link language: English
Twelver religious presentation
Biography — Mahdi.org
Source: Mahdi.org
A religious account of biography and occultation, used to understand the Twelver narrative rather than to establish every event historically.
Link language: English
Academic overview
Iranica — Eschatology in Imami Shiʿism
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Iranica
Examines occultation, return and salvation in Imami tradition. The academic approach explains ideas and their development, not the future fulfilment of prophecy.
Link language: English
Critical historical research
Iranica — The Deputies of Mahdi
Verena Klemm
Research on representation, deputies and the formation of the minor-occultation narrative. Its critical historical reading may differ from Twelver belief and should not be presented as a doctrinal text.
Link language: English
Film — information only
313 / Three One Three (2008)
Director: Masuma Virjee
An information entry for a fiction film, not evidence for religious traditions. The link is to IMDb only. The title ‘The Last Generation’, an official stream and a highest-quality release have not been verified. No stream or download is offered.
Link language: English
Documentary — Shiʿi doctrinal presentation
The Government of Imam Al-Mahdi (atf)
Publisher page: Al-Islam.org
A documentary presentation of a doctrinal vision of the Mahdi’s government, not an independent historical investigation or proof of future events. This introduction is based on the publisher’s description, not a full viewing.
Link language: English
Lecture — Shiʿi perspective
The Movement of Imam Mahdi (AJ)
Mohammad Ali Shomali
A lecture in a series on spiritual struggle and Karbala, introducing the Mahdi’s movement in a religious and spiritual frame. An editorial introduction from the publisher’s description, not a full-viewing review or authenticity assessment.
Link language: English
Lecture — Shiʿi perspective
What Does It Mean To Wait For Imam Mahdi (AJ)?
Speaker: Mahjabeen Dhala
Considers waiting and the believer’s responsibilities in religious life from the speaker’s perspective. This is a description-based introduction, not a full-viewing review or a judgement on transmitted reports.
Link language: English
Modern scholarship
Encyclopaedia Iranica — The Concept of Mahdi in Sunni Islam
Saïd Amir Arjomand
A scholarly survey of how Sunni hadith collections and later theology developed the idea of a Mahdi, and how it differs from Twelver doctrine. It records beliefs rather than proving them.
Link language: English
Modern scholarship
Encyclopaedia Iranica — The Concept of Mahdi in Twelver Shiʿism
Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi
A historian of religion describes how Twelver doctrine formed around the twelfth Imam, his occultation and the discipline of waiting. Written from outside the belief.
Link language: English
Modern scholarship — comparative context
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Eschatology i. In Zoroastrianism
Encyclopaedia Iranica
An overview of end-time renewal in Zoroastrian texts, including the future transformer Saoshyant. Kept as separate historical context: it is not presented as the same being as Imam al-Mahdi.
Link language: English
Modern scholarship — comparative context
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Saošyant
Encyclopaedia Iranica
An entry on the Zoroastrian Saoshyant with the Avestan and Pahlavi passages behind the idea. Read as a neighbouring tradition, not as the same figure.
Link language: English
Buddhist scripture — Pali Canon
Dīgha Nikāya 26 — Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta
Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
A discourse of the Pali Canon that names a future king Metteyya in a renewed society of justice and long life. Buddhist canons and readings differ; Metteyya is not Imam al-Mahdi.
Link language: English
Hindu scripture — Vaishnava
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 12.2.18–20
Vedabase, Bhaktivedanta edition
A Vaishnava passage describing Kalki, the final appearance of Viṣṇu, at the close of the age of quarrel. One text among many Hindu positions; canons and interpretations vary.
Link language: English
Jewish law and commentary
Mishneh Torah — Kings and Wars 11–12
Moses Maimonides, Sefaria
Medieval Jewish law on the Messiah and the messianic age, with Maimonides' caution that the sequence of events has no fixed timetable. Law and commentary, not a verse of the Hebrew Bible.
Link language: English
Hope for justice across traditions
Shared themes of justice and peace do not merge distinct doctrines or establish a particular person’s identity.
Isaiah 11: justice and peace
The chapter describes just judgement and images of peace in its Jewish scriptural context. Ethical hopes can be compared, but it names neither Muhammad ibn al-Hasan nor 313 and does not establish their identity.
Read sourceCatholic Catechism 668–677: Christ’s return
The Catholic Catechism presents Christ’s return and judgement. This is a Catholic account, not a statement for all Christians. It differs from Islamic Mahdi beliefs and is not used to prove the Mahdi’s identity or merge the doctrines.
Read sourceMishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 11–12: the messianic age
Maimonides treats belief in the Messiah as a standing principle of Jewish law and describes an age in which knowledge and justice spread, while warning that the order of events has no fixed timetable. This is religious law and commentary, not a verse of the Hebrew Bible, and Jewish views of the Messiah are not uniform.
Read sourceŚrīmad Bhāgavatam 12.2.18–20: Kalki
A Vaishnava scripture describes Kalki, the final appearance of Viṣṇu, ending an age of quarrel and restoring a just order. Hindu traditions hold many canons and readings, so this is one attributed example — and Kalki is not presented as Imam al-Mahdi.
Read sourceDīgha Nikāya 26 §25: Metteyya
A discourse in the Pali Canon, in Bhikkhu Sujato's translation, names a future king Metteyya who rules a renewed society of justice and long life. Buddhism has several canons and readings; Metteyya or Maitreya is explicitly not Imam al-Mahdi.
Read sourceEncyclopaedia Iranica — Saošyant: a separate context
The Zoroastrian Saoshyant is a future transformer who renews the world, spoken of in the Avesta and later Pahlavi writing. It is placed here only as additional historical and comparative context and is not identified with Imam al-Mahdi.
Read sourceRead on: Hope and Justice
A companion page that sets the same question in a wider circle — Islam (Sunni and Twelver), Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism, with Zoroastrianism as a separate historical context — where every claim is tied to a named text and the disagreements between traditions are shown.
Open the pageQuestions before reading further
Who is Imam al-Mahdi?
The Mahdi is associated with hope for justice in Islamic tradition. Twelver belief identifies him as Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Askari, while Sunni sources transmit reports of a man from the Prophet’s family, with differing details.
Continue readingWhat does occultation mean in Twelver belief?
It is the belief that the Imam is absent from public appearance. The minor occultation involves four deputies; the major occultation follows the end of specific deputyship. Continued occultation and hoped-for return are religious beliefs; this page assigns no return date.
Continue readingWhat does 313 mean, and who are the Mahdi's companions?
Imami traditions give this number for companions of the Qaʾim, with some texts linking it to Badr. Its inclusion in al-Nuʿmani’s Kitab al-Ghayba does not establish every report’s authenticity or identify contemporary people as companions.
Continue readingWhat differs in Sunni and Shiʿa sources?
The Sunni reports shown concern descent from the Prophet’s family and justice. Twelver accounts connect his identity with Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, occultation and deputies. Quoting a Sunni report does not settle these doctrinal details; reports and interpretations differ.
Continue readingIs every narrated report authentic?
No. A report’s presence in a book does not establish its chain’s authenticity or historical corroboration. Transmission and assessment are distinct. The grading ‘Hasan Sahih’ shown for Abu Dawud 4282 is attributed to al-Albani, not a consensus or this page’s judgement.
Continue readingWhere should I start reading?
Start with the distinction between belief and history in the introduction, then open the biography entries and their sources. Move to the reports and library to compare traditional texts, doctrinal accounts and critical academic studies.
Continue readingDoes the Qur'an name the Mahdi?
No. The word “Mahdi” does not occur in the Qur'an as the name or title of a future figure. The Qur'an carries themes — justice, the inheritance of the earth, the triumph of the righteous — which later hadith collections and doctrinal writing read through the figure of the Mahdi. Keeping those three layers apart (Qur'an, hadith, later interpretation) is part of reading this subject honestly.
Continue readingIs Maitreya the same person as Imam al-Mahdi?
No. Maitreya, or Metteyya in Pali, belongs to Buddhist scriptures and a different framework: a future teacher who appears in a renewed human world, described in texts such as Dīgha Nikāya 26. A hope that looks similar from a distance is not the same claim, and reading the two side by side is comparison, not identification.
Continue reading313: knowledge, dialogue & service
An invitation to a peaceful global community of reading, respectful dialogue and service without discrimination. It does not claim to constitute or belong to the promised companions. There is no registration, data collection or member counter: begin with honest learning, useful service and respect for difference.
New content will be added continuously
Sourced books, lectures and articles are added to this page gradually; nothing is published without a clear reference.