View source for What is the Sunni viewpoint about waiting for Imam Mahdi (a)? (question)

Therefore, the matter of [[Imam Mahdi (a)]] and issue of [[waiting]] for him is something that has been discussed and deliberated upon by [[Sunni]] [[religious scholars]] and [[experts of narrated traditions]]. However, they should have more vigorously propagated this important doctrine of [[Islamic]] belief that holds significant political and social implications among the Sunni Muslim masses. Similarly, they should have trained the general Sunni population to reject the tyrannical rule of illegitimate regimes, while continuously thinking about the establishment of a government characterized by fairness and [[divine justice]], so that these masses would have been [[prepared for the appearance]] of the [[Fatimid reformer]]. If this had occurred, the belief in [[Imam Mahdi (a)]] would have flowed like revitalizing blood within the veins of the entire Muslim nation stretching throughout all [[Islamic lands]], and would have created fervor and enthusiasm for resisting [[tyranny]] and [[oppression]], while also enlightening and supporting the [[soul]]s, [[intellect]]s, psyches and hearts of these Muslims by way of allowing them to seek [[intercession]] and focus their attentions upon the hallowed reality of the divine "[[wilayah]]" of [[Imam Mahdi (a)]]. 

==Comprehensive Answer==
==Waiting for Imam Mahdi (a) and Belief in the Existence of Imam Mahdi (a) From the Point of View of Sunni Muslims==
Belief in the [[existence of Imam Mahdi (a)]] and his [[reappearance]] is not exclusive to the [[Shi'a school of Islamic thought]]<ref>[[Ibrahim Ibrahimi|Ibrahimi, Ibrahim]], ''[[Intizar wa Umid (book)|Intizar wa Umid]]'', pp. 43-44.</ref>. In fact, belief in the [[Promised Mahdi (a)]], in principle, is a matter of consensus and a well established religious doctrine amongst [[Sunni]] Muslims. [[Sunni]] Muslims believe that once the Earth is filled with tyranny and injustice during the [[End of Days]], a man from the tribal lineage of [[Quraysh]] and from the progeny of the [[Prophet (s)]] will appear and establish a government through which he will fill the Earth with [[justice]] and [[fairness]]<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?; [[Jawad Ja'fari|Ja'fari, Jawad]], ''[[Ma'na Shinasi-ye Tatbiqi-ye Intizar wa Zamina Sazi-ye Qiyam-e Imam Mahdi dar Fariqayn (book)|Ma'na Shinasi-ye Tatbiqi-ye Intizar wa Zamina Sazi-ye Qiyam-e Imam Mahdi dar Fariqayn]]'', p. ?.</ref>. However, they believe that, firstly, such a person is yet to be born and will come into this world whenever [[God]] so wishes, and secondly, that this person will be from the [[descendants of Imam Hasan (a)]] and not from the progeny of [[Imam Husayn (a)]]<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?.</ref>.

The [[Sunni]] concept of the doctrine of [[waiting for Imam Mahdi (a)]] and belief in the appearance of a righteous government is different from that of [[Shi'a]] Muslims. Within the Shi'a [[worldview]], this doctrine and belief entails struggling for the establishment of [[justice]], rejection of all [[tyrannical]] regimes and seeking spiritual connection and intercession from [[Imam Mahdi (a)]], whereas such elements do not exist with the [[Sunni]] idea regarding the [[Promised Imam (a)]]. Nevertheless, there exist certain pieces of academic evidence and instances of research amongst the works created by [[Sunni]] scholars wherein they speak of the ideology of [[awaiting Imam Mahdi (a)]] and yearning for the establishment of an Islamic [[utopia]] characterized by [[universal justice]]. Some of these instances are listed below<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?</ref>:

===Evidence of belief in [[Waiting for Imam Mahdi (a)]] Amongst [[Sunni]] Muslims===
# '''[[Narrated traditions]] within [[Sunni]] sources about [[awaiting Imam Mahdi (a)]]:''' [[Qunduzi]] reports that the [[Prophet (s)]] said : "The best form of worship is to await the deliverance". In explanation of this [[narration|prophetic narration]], [[Qunduzi]] writes that the "deliverance'' mentioned therein actually signifies the [[reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a)]]<ref>Qundudhi al-Hanafi, Sulayman b. Ibrahim, ''Yanabi' al-Mawadda'', vol. 3, p. 379; Ibn al-Jawzi, ''fara'id al-Simtayn'', vol. 2, p. 335.</ref>.<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?</ref> Similarly, there exist many credible narrated traditions from the [[Prophet (s)]] wherein he declares that the [[Mahdi (a)]] will be from the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] and will rule for seventy years, filling the Earth with [[justice]]<ref>[[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?</ref>. In a renowned narrated tradition, [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] is reported to have said : "Even if there remains only a single day in this world, God the Almighty will most certainly send forward a man from [[Ahl al-Bayt|my family]] during that very day, and this man will fill the world with justice and [[fairness]] just as it was previously permeated with [[tyranny]]"<ref>[[Ibrahim Ibrahimi|Ibrahimi, Ibrahim]], ''[[Intizar wa Umid (book)|Intizar wa Umid]]'', pp. 43-44.</ref>

# '''The emphasis placed by [[Sunni]] scholars upon the issue of [[awaiting Imam Mahdi (a)]]:''' Some Sunni scholars have spoken explicitly about the importance of awaiting Imam Mahdi (a) amongst [[Muslim]] masses. Some have even issued religious [[edicts]] declaring that the belief in waiting for Imam Mahdi (a) is [[obligatory]] upon all [[Muslims]]. Shaykh Muhammad al-Saffarini writes : "The reality is that the [[Mahdi]] is different from the [[prophet 'Isa]] (Prophet Jesus) and that he will [[rise up]] before the latter returns. There exist so many [[narrated traditions]] about this issue that their number reaches a level at which the veracity of their contents can no longer be doubted. As such, the belief in [[Imam Mahdi (a)]] is considered to be one of the principle beliefs of the [[Sunni]] scholars...Therefore, having [[faith]] and conviction regarding the [[uprising of Imam Mahdi (a)]], as it is described by the academic experts and in accordance to what has been recorded within the essential [[doctrines]] of the [[Sunni school of Islamic thought]], is [[obligatory]]"<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?</ref>. [[Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzi]], [[Jalaluddin al-Suyuti]], [['Abd al-'Aziz b. Abd allah b. Baz]] and many other Sunni scholars across various centuries have also expressed similar views upon this matter<ref>[[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?; [[Jawad Ja'fari|Ja'fari, Jawad]], ''[[Ma'na Shinasi-ye Tatbiqi-ye Intizar wa Zamina Sazi-ye Qiyam-e Imam Mahdi dar Fariqayn (book)|Ma'na Shinasi-ye Tatbiqi-ye Intizar wa Zamina Sazi-ye Qiyam-e Imam Mahdi dar Fariqayn]]'', p. ?.</ref></ref>. Ali b. Nayif al-Shahud states : "For us, waiting for  a promised one does not mean that we sit within our houses and restrict ourselves to merely a verbal form of anticipation. Waiting for Mahdi (a), apart from being jurisprudentially sanctioned and emphasized, is also something that the [[intellect]] itself recommends"<ref>Al-Shahud, ali b. Nayif, ''Mawsu'a Fiqh al-Ibtila'', vol. 4, p. 308.</ref>.<ref>[[Jawad Ja'fari|Ja'fari, Jawad]], ''[[Ma'na Shinasi-ye Tatbiqi-ye Intizar wa Zamina Sazi-ye Qiyam-e Imam Mahdi dar Fariqayn (book)|Ma'na Shinasi-ye Tatbiqi-ye Intizar wa Zamina Sazi-ye Qiyam-e Imam Mahdi dar Fariqayn]]'', p. ?; [[Husayn ilahinijad|Ilahinijad, Husayn]], ''[[Barrisi wa Tahlil-e Intizar dar Ahl-e Sunnat (book)|Barrisi wa Tahlil-e Intizar dar Ahl-e Sunnat]], pp. 59-61.</ref>
  
# '''[[Waiting for Imam Mahdi (a)]] within the ritual prayers and supplications of [[Sunni]] Muslims:''' Some [[Sunni]] scholars have expressed the [[ideology]] of [[awaiting Imam Mahdi]] in the form of ritual [[prayers]] and [[supplications]]. Muhammad Badruddin states: "O' [[Almighty]]! Remove these innumerable worries and difficulties from this nation by way of his blessed [[appearance]] and presence (i.e. the [[Imam of the Age]]). Indeed, some see his appearance to be far off but we consider it to be imminent"<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?.</ref>.

# '''[[Awaiting Imam Mahdi (a)]] within [[Sunni]] poetry:''' Certain foremost Sunni scholars and sages have expressed their anticipation and [[wait]] for [[Imam Mahdi's appearance]] in the form of verses and poetry. Sayyid Jamaluddin al-Husayni wrote: "O' Imam who guides our slogans, Return! Beyond all limits is the sorrow of how we yearn"<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?.</ref>!

After mentioning the names of all the [[Immaculate Imams]] (a), Shaykh Fariduddin 'Attar al-Nayshapuri states: "A hundred sacred sages upon this worldly realm – Pray to God for Mahdi with faith overwhelm – O' Lord, from concealment let the Mahdi return – So the Earth may be filled with justice that is clear to discern<ref>[[Mirza Abbas Mahdawi Fard|Mahdawi Fard, Mirza Abbas]], ''[[Falsafa-ye Intizar (book)|Falsafa-ye Intizar]]'', pp. 39-46; [[Nasir Furuhi|Furuhi, Nasir]], ''[[Intizar-e Faraj (book)|Intizar-e Faraj]]'', p. ?.</ref>."

== References ==
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