It is obvious that thinking in terms of these Islamic...

It is obvious that thinking in terms of these Islamic indications narrows the gap of the unseen between the oppressed people and the expected saviour and reduces the psychological distance between him and them, no matter how long the expectation may last.

So, when we are supposed, as far as we are concerned, to consider the idea of al-Mehdi as actually designating a particular living person who is observing events like we are, it is to inspire us with the fact that the idea of the unconditional protest against all sorts of transgression and tyranny, which al-Mehdi stands for, has already materialised in the expected dissident leader who will emerge, paying no homage to the transgressors, as it has been mentioned in the hadith (tradition), and that by believing in him we are in reality believing in this unyielding and living protest and participating in it.

Indeed lots of hadith (traditions) are constantly urging those who believe in al-Mehdi to expect release from suffering and be prepared for his coming, which is a consolidation of that spiritual bond and emotional tie between them and the dissident leader and every value he stands for both of which could not have existed had he not actually materialised as a contemporary living person.

Thus we come to realise that this materialisation has given a new impetus to the idea and made it a source of strength and generosity of a higher degree in terms of what any dissident individual finds of comfort consolation and relief from the pains that he has to suffer under tyranny and deprivation, when he comes to feel that his Imam and leader shares them with him, since the latter is a contemporary person and not an idea to be realised in the future.

However, the above mentioned materialisation has led many people, who found it hard to believe or assume, to take negative attitudes even regarding the idea of al-Mehdi. Since they all wonder if the idea of al-Mehdi actually designates a living person who has co-existed with all these consecutive generations for expectation may last.