Mahdi
The Mahdi (Arabic: ٱلْمَهْدِيّ, romanized: al-Mahdī, lit. 'The Guided One') is the Islamic messianic and eschatological figure, who is believed to appear before the End Times to restore justice and defeat tyranny alongside Isa (Jesus). He forms an important part of Islamic eschatology, although Sunni and Shia Muslims differ slightly in their interpretation of him. While the Mahdi is mostly developed in Shia Islam, he is also present in numerous Sunni hadiths. In Twelver Shia Islam, the Mahdi has a significant role. He is identified with the twelfth and final Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, who was born in 869 AD, entered occultation, and remains alive until his eventual reappearance at the end of times alongside Jesus. He is a descendant of Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, and Fatima, the Prophet's daughter, through their second son Husayn, the Prophet's grandson. Every year, millions celebrate Mid-Sha'ban, marking the birth of Muhammad al-Mahdi.
In Sunni Islam, the Mahdi is also described as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima, who will emerge in the end times to prepare the world for the return of Jesus. However, Sunni traditions do not identify him with a historical individual, nor do they attribute to him a occultation. The difference in Sunni Islam is that the Mahdi is a future figure who has not been born yet, whereas in Shia Islam, he is already been born and is currently in occultation. The Mahdi has occupied a central place in Islamic theology, devotional literature, and popular piety for over a millennium. He has influenced numerous religious, political, and messianic movements. Throughout history, there have been a vast number of Mahdi claimants.
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