Belief in an ideal future (where the existing oppression and injustice will be replaced by justice and equality, established by divine power) is not just an Islamic horizon; rather, it is an innate instinct ingrained in the spirit and mind of humans by their Creator. This is why this belief is common among all religions. It is the shared heritage of all those who believe in the Creator. Hindus await their tenth “Avatar” (Kalki) to usher in the age of truth (Satya Yuga) In Hinduism, an Avatar refers to the material incarnation of gods descending from heaven to earth. Each manifestation of Hindu gods is referred to as an Avatar. Hindus believe that Vishnu, the god of mercy, has manifested nine times, and his final incarnation has yet to occur. They believe that Kalki, the tenth incarnation of Vishnu, will appear in an era dominated by oppression and corruption. He will appear riding a white horse with a drawn sword and meteors, to eradicate evil and establish justice and virtue, beginning the age of truth (Satya Yuga). Zoroastrians long for the coming of “Soshyant” and the reign of Ahura Mazda. [note]2- In Zoroastrianism, the promised savior is called Soshyant, who will appear at the end of time to deliver the world from the evil spirits. With his appearance at the end of the twelfth millennium, the “Frashokereti” or “resurrection and the happy end of the world” will occur, an era when the world will be revived, and evil will be eternally defeated. During this time, the world will be restored to a state free of evil, and Soshyant will judge the deeds of mankind with the permission of Ahura Mazda. Jews still await the coming of the “Messiah,” and Christians look forward to his second coming.
Not only the followers of the aforementioned religions, but even the ancient pagan Greeks were eager to establish a utopian society. Communists also propagate the belief that one day justice and absolute equality will prevail in the world, and society will be free from oppression and rebellion.
The global acceptance of this theory and this ideal society shows that this belief is an innate desire, and humanity is inevitably moving toward its realization. What Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did was to give us the good news that this golden age is attainable. They promised that the era of divine rule will not be established by an unknown figure; rather, it will be specifically established by the “twelfth successor” of the Prophet. According to Shia belief, this successor was born in the year 256 AH in Samarra, Iraq. With his birth, hope was realized; the future came to the present; the unseen became visible; the desire for a global golden age manifested in the person of “Mahdi,” and prophecies turned into reality.
Thus, Shia believe that he is alive now but is hidden from the eyes of people and will appear whenever God wills. Therefore, it is not the case that he will be born later or that he was born earlier and passed away. The messiah in Hindu, Jewish, or Christian traditions is not necessarily an existing reality but mainly a theory. However, “Mahdi” in Shia belief is not a theory; he is a reality, a living force, always ready to emerge and bring justice between the oppressors and the oppressed.
According to Shia teachings, the greatest act is “awaiting” liberation from darkness (i.e., the appearance of the Mahdi). Therefore, Shia Muslims are always hopeful and joyful, knowing that the Mahdi will manifest. He is the one whom Shia Muslims believe is alive and present, and he himself is awaiting his own appearance to establish the promised society, empower the weak, and judge the wrongdoers. However, he is currently hidden from sight and has not submitted to any unjust ruler. Thus, upon his appearance, he will not pledge allegiance to any oppressor. His very existence and way of life, among other aspects of his character, symbolize the “rejection of oppression.” Those who believe in him know that they too must be steadfast in resisting oppression and rebellion; they must not submit to injustice and discrimination.
In the Shia Twelver tradition, the responsibility of the “Mahdi” is not only to establish justice and fairness throughout the world and fight against oppression but also to be the vicegerent of God on earth and the intermediary of divine grace. He is the guide and leader of humanity, and everyone benefits from his inner guidance and instructions. [note]3- As stated, the responsibility of the “Mahdi” is not only to establish justice and fairness in the world at the end of time but also to be God’s representative and vicegerent on earth; he is a perfect human being and the intermediary of divine grace not only for humans but for all beings in existence. In fact, he has multiple levels of existence, one of which is the natural realm, and the hope for the establishment of the golden age of justice and fairness is connected to this realm. Therefore, this awaited figure is not only alive and present, but the existence of all beings and existence itself depends on him.[/note] This feeling, which can be experienced but is not necessarily describable, creates a “spiritual relationship” between the Mahdi and his followers, a psychological harmony between the leader and the members of the community.
This relationship between the people and the awaited savior turns despair into hope; weakness, defeat, and sorrow into strength, confidence, and joy; it gives individuals the courage to stand up against oppressors instead of submitting to them. A society eagerly awaiting a bright future, with its members always ready to establish this future (whenever their leader calls them, they will rush to him), will never be defeated by misfortunes and will never lose hope; for its people believe that the future belongs to the righteous. [note]4- “And We have written in the Psalms, after the reminder, that the earth will be inherited by My righteous servants” .[1]
(Taken from the book “Prophecies Regarding the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (A.S.)” by the late Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi)
Footnote:
[1] (Surah Al-Anbiya, verse105)