Alive but in occultation, they expected that he would appear in the future.

Alive but in occultation, they expected that he would appear in the future. The Mubarakis, among the Isma’ilis, regarded Muhammad b. Isma’il is a living Imam in occultation. (5) The Yazidi faction maintained that Yazid has ascended to heaven, and will return in the future to fill the earth with justice and equity. The Isma’ilis say that the Mahdi mentioned in the traditions is the same as Muhammad b. ‘Abd Allah, known as Mahdi, who became the ruler in Egypt and North Africa.

To support their belief they cite the tradition of the Prophet in which he said that in the year 300 the sun would rise from the west. (6) A group of the Imamis believed that Imam Hasan ‘Askari was alive and that he was the Qa’im. He was living an invisible existence and would appear in the future and would fill the earth with justice and equity.

Another group among them held that Imam Hasan ‘Askari has died but would come back to life later on and would rise because the meaning of Qaim is ‘to rise after death. (7)’ The Qarmatis regarded Muhammad b. Isma’il to be the promised Mahdi. They believed that he was alive and lived in Anatolia. The followers of Abu Muslim believed that Abu Muslim was the living Imam who was in concealment. A group believed that Imam Hasan ‘Askari was the Mahdi and that he became alive after death.

He continues to live in this state until the time comes when he will fill the earth with justice and equity. (8) Manipulation of the Beliefs of the People These are the names of the people who claimed to be the Mahdi in the early history of Islam. A number of ignorant people accepted their claim and regarded them to be the promised Mahdi. However, the majority of these groups have perished and there remains nothing more than their mention in the books on history.

Since that time a number of individuals belonging to Hashimite or non-Hashimite clans from different regions and countries of the world have emerged claiming to be the promised Mahdi. Historically, such claims have led to insurrections and revolutions, with much bloodshed and destruction of human life.

It is possible to surmise from events related to the appearances of the false messiahs that the subject of Mahdiism and the emergence of the divine saviour were among the well-established religious truths among Muslims, who anxiously awaited the appearance of the Mahdi. They also regarded his victory and the defeat of his enemy as imminent.