Due to the necessity of having a representative from Allah present on earth...

Due to the necessity of having a representative from Allah present on earth, he is still, by the will of Allah, living in this world—but out of the public view. He will however reappear towards the end of human civilization to restore order and justice at a time when the world will be filled with evil and injustice.

Although the idea of Imam al-Mahdi still being alive after nearly thirteen centuries is difficult for some people to fathom, nonetheless, the Noble Qur’an sets several examples of prophets who lived even longer than al-Mahdi has lived, such as Prophet Isa, and al-Khidr (see Qur’an, chapter 18, verses 60-82 for his story with Prophet Musa). The Noble Qur’an also gives two other examples about people who died and then were resurrected by Allah.

One is the example of the companions of the Cave ( ashab al-kahf ; see Qur’an, chapter 18, verse 25). The other is the example of ‘Uzayr: Or like the one who passed by the town, and it had tumbled over its roofs. He said, ‘How will Allah ever bring it alive after its death?’ So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years and raised him up again. He said, ‘How long did you remain dead?’ He replied, ‘Perhaps I remained dead a day, or part of a day.’ He said, ‘Nay!

You have remained dead for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink. They show no change.’[^7] Furthermore, if Allah allowed Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Musa, and Prophet Isaa to perform certain miracles, then allowing al-Mahdi to live for such an extended period of time is not difficult for Him, for He is capable of doing all things. [^1]: Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, 143 [^2]: Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2; Sunan Tirmidhi; Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2, 421 [^3]: Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2; 421 [^4]: Ibid., Vol.

2, Hadith 4082 and 4087 [^5]: Ibid., Vol. 2, Hadith 4082 and 4087 [^6]: Tirmidhi, al-Jami‘al-Sahih, Vol. 9, 74-75; For more references on this topic see: Fath al-Bari, al-Hafiz, Vol. 5. 362; Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, al-Sawa’iq Vol. 2, 212; Muntakab al-Athar, Ayatullah Lutfullah Safi, which includes over sixty hadiths from the Sunni sources and ninety hadiths from the Shi΄a sources. [^7]: Noble Qur’an, 2:259 Previous…