The Hidden Imam of the Shia

Written by: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah have mercy on him)

Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) speaks about the Shia concept of the "Hidden Imam" and the "Awaited Mahdi," Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Askari. He states:

"The Imam Mahdi will emerge, and his appearance will be from the eastern regions, not from the cave of Samarra. The ignorant Rafidis believe that Imam Mahdi is still present in this cave and await his emergence in the end times. This is a form of foolishness, a great disgrace, and a severe temptation from Satan, as there is no evidence or proof for it—neither from the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet, rationality, nor analogy."
{[Al-Nihaya fi al-Fitan wa al-Malahim by Ibn Kathir: 1/55]}

The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, as established by Mutawatir Ahadith, is that Imam Mahdi will be named Muhammad ibn Abdullah and will be from the descendants of Sayyida Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her). His emergence will occur close to the Day of Judgment, and he will spread justice and equity across the world. The Ahadith regarding Imam Mahdi are mutawatir (narrated through numerous chains). See Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar: 6/493, 494; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib by Ibn Hajar: 9/144; Fath al-Mughith by Sakhawi; Al-Hawi lil Fatawa by Suyuti: 2/85; Nazm al-Mutanathir by Kattani: p. 47, and others.
 
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