Summary Article: Fixed and Variable in Mahdism (Episode ١)
Sayed Ahmad Al-Eshkawary
Translated by: Mujtaba Al-Helu
This study aims at comprehending ideological aspects of Mahdism. It begins with a comprehensive introduction about the most significant features of divine religion compared to earthly religion. Later, it moves to clarify the range of flexibility a divine religion enjoys, without damaging the core of its identity.
In general, the paper is constructed through five points.
Firstly, Mahdism is a matter of Occultation and undergoes its features.
Secondly, the intellectual loss some researchers suffer in this area of study is also encountered.
Thirdly, this study investigates the fixed aspects of Mahdism and whether it is an intellectual or ideological matter. It also analyzes the possibility of substituting these fixed aspects with any alternative.
Fourthly, this research sheds light on the intellectual failures and investigation shortcomings Mahdism has undergone.
Fifthly, it strives to analyze the ideologically fixed aspects in Mahdism.
Afterwards, the study moves to include an understanding of Occultation through analytical tools of certain schools. These schools include Obstructionism, Unrestrainedness trend, Eclecticism, Marginalizationism, Tangible Occultation, Receptive Occultation, and Abstractionism.
Finally, this research moves to investigate Mahdism through certain ideological concepts, like divine characteristics, prophethood, and Occultation.
