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:
١- Wishing
٢- Foundation
٣- Reality
٤- Rooting
٥- Recession
٦- Division
٧- Defense
٨- 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.
