A Historical–Narrative Examination of the Claim of a Connected State Preparing the Advent of the Awaited Savior in Sunni and Shiʿi Sources

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Seyed Morteza Hoseini Shirg

PhD of Qur'an and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, and Faculty Member of Frahangian University of South Khorasan

10.22067/jquran.2025.91901.1802

Abstract

Belief in Mahdism and claims of connection with the Awaited Mahdi have historically served as means of legitimizing certain political movements. Some historical reports and narrations in Sunni and Shiʿi sources describe a state that, through specific preparations, paves the way for the Mahdi’s advent and is connected to his government. Such claims have been used to assert legitimacy and superiority over rivals. This study evaluates the credibility of narrations related to such claims using content analysis. It first traces the historical development of assertions regarding a connected state, then examines and critically assesses the textual and chain reliability of relevant narrations from both traditions. The analysis reveals that several narrations suffer from serious chain weaknesses. However, a narration reported in al-Nuʿmānī’s al-Ghaybah demonstrates relative reliability. Based on this narration, the movement connected to the Mahdi’s government is characterized as an eastern movement whose fallen members are considered martyrs and which earnestly prepares the conditions for the Mahdi’s emergence by placing its resources at his disposal.

Keywords

Mahdism

preparation for emergence

politics

Abbasids

hadith jurisprudence

Subjects

• Quran and Hadith Studies

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