In fact, the sheer extent of belief in this ideology [1] A.

In fact, the sheer extent of belief in this ideology [1] A.A. Sachedina, *Islamic Messianism,*P.1. [2] Shari’ati, Intizar , p.4s would seem to reflect the universality and innateness of humanity's hope for a better future.

In the Islamic context, Messianism is emblemized by the eschatological figure of the Mahdi who, it is believed, will rise to restore the purity of the faith and to create an ideal religio-political system under a just social and legal order, a world free from oppression in which the Islamic Revelation will be the norm for all nations.

However, it is difficult to discuss Messianism as a concept within the Islamic faith in general without first considering it separately within the two main branches of Islam, Sunnism and Shi’ism, as the dimensions, the functions and the importance of this ideology vary between them. 1-2 Mahdi in Sunnism Al- Mahdi , “The Rightly Guided One”, is the name given to the restorer of religion and justice who, according to a widely held Muslim belief, will rule before the end of the world.

The term Mahdi as such does not occur in the Qur’an but is derived from the Arabic root h-d-y commonly used in the Qur’an with the meaning of divine guidance. [1] During the Second Civil War, after the death of Mu’awia, the term first came to be used for an expected ruler who could restore Islam to its original [1] W. Madelung: “al- Mahdi ” in EI², p.1230 perfection. Among religious scholars, discussions about the Mahdi and his identity can be traced back to that time.

These discussions developed in different directions and influenced later beliefs about the Mahdi to varying degrees. [1] There are a number of differences between the two main branches of Islam as to the conception of the creed in the final restorer. According to the Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, the status of the Mahdi awaited by the Sunnites is different from that of the twelfth Imam awaited by the Shi’ites.

The essence of Sunnite Islam is that the Muslim people will accede to self-rule, attaining a state of truth and certitude through their own exertions. The idea of an absolute Mahdi as an infallible guide is therefore rejected by Sunni theologians. [2] The Sunnites, in fact, expect the Mahdi to be the ultimate Caliph of the Prophet**[3]** and to spread justice throughout the Earth. They do not believe in the future restorer as one of the fundamental principles of faith, as do the Shi’ites.