FROM WIKIPEDIA: Food for Thought Islam[edit] Main articles: Mahdi, Masih, Islamic eschatology, and People claiming to be the Mahdi In Islamic eschatology the Mahdi (مهدي Mahdī, also Mehdi; Guided One) is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on earth seven, nine, or nineteen years (depending on the interpretation[1]) before the coming of Yaum al-Qiyamah (literally Day of the Resurrection or Day of the Standing).[2] Muslims believe the Mahdi will rid the world of error, injustice and tyranny alongside Jesus.[3] The concept of Mahdi is not mentioned in the Quran nor in the Sunni hadith collection called Sahih al-Bukhari.[4][5] Hadith about the Mahdi are present in other Sunni hadith collections, although some orthodox Sunnī theologians do question Mahdist beliefs.[5] Such beliefs do form a necessary part of Shīʿī doctrine.[4] The idea of the Mahdi has been described as important to Sufi Muslims, and a powerful and central religious idea for Shia Muslims who believe the Mahdi is the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi who will return from occultation. However, among Sunni, it never became a formal doctrine and is neither endorsed, nor condemned by the consensus of Sunni Ulama. It has gained a strong hold on the imagination of many ordinary self-described orthodox Sunni though, thanks to Sufi preaching.[6] Another source distinguishes between Sunni and Shia beliefs on the Mahdi saying the Sunni believe the Mahdi will be a descendant of the Prophet named Muhammad who will revive the faith, but not necessarily be connected with the end of the world, Jesus or perfection.[7] The word Masih literally means The anointed one and in Islam, Isa son of Mariam, al-Masih (The Messiah Jesus son of Virgin Mary) is believed to have been anointed from birth by Allah with the specific task of being a prophet and a king. In orthodox Islam, Isa is believed to hold the task of killing the false messiah al-Dajjal (similar to the Antichrist in Christianity), who will emerge shortly before him during Qiyamah. After he has destroyed al-Dajjal, his final task will be to become leader of the Muslims. Isa will unify the Muslim Ummah under the common purpose of worshipping Allah alone in pure Islam, thereby ending divisions and deviations by adherents. Mainstream Muslims believe that at that time Isa will dispel Christian and Jewish claims about him.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 03:13:40 +0000
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