Summary Article: An Inductive Study of the Evolution of Mahdism in Shia Intellectual Heritage
Summary Article: An Inductive Study of the Evolution of Mahdism in Shia Intellectual Heritage
Mujtaba Al-Sada
Translated by: Mujtaba Al-Helu
The advantage of the Shias over other theological schools is that they have inherited a very rich heritage of Mahdism. Yet, this heritage has undergone various challenges in its history, though it was a main factor in understanding this concept more deeply.
There had been various evolutionary stages in the history of the concept of the savior. A quick perusal of this history reveals several stages, which can be summarized and categorized as the following:
1- Wishing
2- Foundation
3- Reality
4- Rooting
5- Recession
6- Division
7- Defense
8- Recruitment
In this paper, I will make a study of each evolutionary stage and its consequences. I will also shed some light on the changes that happened in the history of Mahdism. I should clarify here one primary point that this is not as much a historical study as it is a reading of the evolutionary changes of this concept, leading us to have a better teleological understanding of this idea.