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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Basic Beliefs of Islam Chapter 16 : Re-appearance of Imam Mehdi (as) There is no confusion or difference of opinion among the Muslim scholars about the ar rival of Imam Mehdi (as) before the Doomsday. In a hadith, unanimously accepted by all Muslims as an authentic one, the Holy Prophet (sws) stressed that Imam Mehdi (as) will cer tainly come before the commencement of the Doomsday.

The Holy Prophet (sws) said; "If there were to remain in life of the world but one day, Allah (swt) would prolong that day until He sends in it a man from my family and my household. His name will be the same as my name. He will fill the earth with equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny." Shia and Sunni ahadith about Imam Mehdi(as). There are more than 3000 ahadith of the Holy Prophet (sws) and Holy Imams about Imam Mahdi (as) recorded by Shia scholars.

Also, there are more than 70 books written by renowned Sunni scholars about Imam Mahdi (as). For example, Hafiz Muhammad ibn Yusuf ash-Shaafi, a renowned Sunni scholar, has written a book, "Al- Bayan fi Akhbar Sahibi'z Zaman," in two volumes, in which he has recorded the traditions regarding the coming of the Holy Imam.

The other books written by Sunni scholars in which they have recorded hundreds of traditions about the Imam Mehdi (s) are: Al Masnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal (d.241AH) Sahih Bukhari (d. 256 AH) Sahih Muslim (d.261 AH) Sunan of Abu Dawood (d.275 AH) Sahih Tirmidhi (d.279 AH) The above most famous books are considered by all Sunni scholars as the most authentic books. As mentioned in the brackets, the authors of these books died either before the bir th of Imam Mahdi (as) or shortly after his birth.

Difference of opinion between Shia and Sunni about the appearance of Imam Mehdi(as) Both Shia and Sunni are united in their basic belief that Imam Mahdi(as) will cer tainly rule the whole world before the occurrence of the Doomsday. But, there is a strong controversy among Muslims on the issue of occultation (Ghaibat). Sunni scholars believe that Imam Mehdi (as) will be born anytime before the day of Qiyamat and will rule the world.

Whereas, all Shia scholars have a strong belief based on Quran and hadith that Imam Mehdi (as) was born in 255 AH, and is still living in concealment as the Imam of his time, and will reappear by the order of Allah (swt) at His appointed time. He has a title Imam ul-Asr, meaning the Imam of the period.