The Mahdi

The West knows little about the Mahdi.

Perhaps some have seen the movie Gordon of Khartoum. In that movie and in history, British General Charles “Chinese” Gordon stands against the rise of Mohammed Ahmad known as the “Mahdi.” The “Mahdi” had objected to the Egyptian control of the Sudan and cut off the British garrisons in the Sudan. Gordon who was the Administrator to the Sudan between 1874 and 1882 was eventually surrounded in Khartoum and the British Garrison and Gordon were wiped out after a 10 month siege. The Mahdi was finally defeated at the Battle of Omdurman by General Kitchner in 1898.

Others have heard about the Mahdi through the “Dune” series of stories by Frank Herbert. The stories are built around the central character of Paul Atreides, who lives in a desert world. His followers there proclaim him to be the Mahdi. The name that he adopts is “Muad’Dib” from the Arabic meaning the “teacher of adab” (from the Arab word meaning manners and respect.)

The origin of the concept of the Mahdi is of great interest. The Mahdi does not appear in the Qur’an but does show up by the seventh century.

Both Sunnis and Shiites believe that the Mahdi will appear before the day of judgment and will bring a kingdom of justice. The Mahdi and Jesus will fight against the anti-Christ or Dajjal. It will come as a point of amazement to some Christians that Islam believes in the return of Christ, a war against the anti-Christ or false Messiah, and a Day of Judgment when evil is defeated. Interestingly enough many Muslims also believe that the Mahdi and Christ will cooperate in the overthrow of evil. Later, Christ will settle down, have a family and eventually die after his return. Some Sunnis believe that a grave will be dug for Jesus next to Muhammad’s grave in Medina.

But back to the Mahdi. The Mahdi will be a descendant of Muhammad, through his daughter Fatima.

Sunnis and Shiites believe that his first name will be “Muhammad.” The Mahdi and Jesus are two different individuals. He will be a restorer who will restore the world to a place where Muslims can live in peace and in accordance with the tenants of Islam.

The Shiites give a greater priority to the Mahdi than do the Sunnis. The Shiites believe that the Mahdi is Muhammad al-Mahdi who was born in 868 and is still alive. His father was the 11th Imam, Hasan al-asKari and his mother was Narjis, a Byzantine princess. The 12 th Imam is believed to have gone into hiding when he was five years old and he will return at the end. A loud call from the sky will signal the Mahdi’s return.

Shiites believe that the soldiers of the Mahdi will have the strength of 40. The Mahdi will fight against the “Anti-Messiah or Dijjal and will defeat him. Many non-believers will convert to Islam when these things take place.

Some of the followers of Islam believe the following regarding the Mahdi:

He will be tall and fair-complexioned. He will will look like Muhammad, both facially and in character. Like Muhammad, his father’s name will be Abdullah and his mother’s name will be Aamina. The Mahdi will have have a slight stutter and he will occasionally hit his hand upon his thigh when he stutters. He will be born in Medina and will appear at the age of 40. He will be inspired by Allah.

Understanding the Mahdi is important in understanding the world view of Islam. The world is evil and is under the control of the evil one. To the Muslim, a day will come when right will be restored and when all those in the world will follow the teachings of Islam.