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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Mahdi in the Qur’an According To Shi’ite Qur’an Commentators Introduction Muslim belief in the Mahdi is reflected in a vast and complex literature. While Shi’ite Messianism and the myriad aspects of the Mahdi have been described and analysed in a number of works, the purpose of this particular study is to explore the Messianic ideas implicit in the Qur’an in the light of both classical and contemporary Shi'ite commentaries on the Qur'an.

According to Islamic belief, the Qur’an has a universal character and its message is the continuation of that contained in the earlier Revelations made to Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. It contains a wealth of information that has served throughout Muslim history as a basis, or code, of living, intended for mankind in general and Muslims in particular. The Qur'an embodies God's final Revelation imparted to mankind through Islam's last Prophet.

Moreover, according to the Islamic faith, and in particular to the Shi'ites, the Qur’an is believed to contain profound underlying significance, quite apart from its face-value meaning. Indeed, according to Shi’ite beliefs, only the Prophet and his Household (his daughter and the twelve Imams) possess knowledge of both outer ( zahir ) and inner ( batin ) meanings as well as the deeper underlying significance of the writings of the Qur’an.

According to such beliefs, therefore, the true science of Qur’anic tafsir and ta’wil lies exclusively within the reach of these fourteen personages, and it is only through their teachings that people can find answers and solutions to problems in the Qur’an. Concerning the Mahdi , the Qur’an does not mention him explicitly, either by name or by description. The time of his reappearance is also not mentioned.

According to the Shi’ites, the reason for this is that the Qur’an is not a historical or political treatise addressing a specific readership or community or affecting a particular period in the history of mankind; rather, it is a universal discourse addressed to the whole of mankind from the dawn of humanity until the Day of Judgement.

In fact, the Qur’an also makes reference to certain events in the future and to the end of time: the victory of Good over Evil in the world, and the coming to power of the Righteous over their oppressors. Also, the Qur’an alludes several times, albeit indirectly, to the society’s need for the Mahdi and his government.