Today, we discuss the belief of Sunnis about the emergence of the savior of mankind, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance).

As a reminder, we previously pointed out that the divine religions maintain a number of commonalties about the end of the world and emergence of the savior of mankind. Divine religions believe that the future of human life will be coupled with the victory of righteousness and faith in God. In this regard, a number of ayahs of Holy Quran were cited which were about the savior of mankind and the fact that the world will finally be governed by the oppressed. With reference to the hadiths cited from the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) and the Infallible Imams (Peace be upon them), we pointed out that the savior of mankind is the 12^th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance) who will wipe out injustices and will serve justice. He is currently in his Major Occultation.

Belief in the emergence of Imam Mahdi is a part of Muslims' beliefs. Although there are some differences of opinion among Muslims in regard to the details related to Imam Mahdi (AS) and the events at the time of his emergence; all Islamic denominations believe in his emergence in the end of the world. Therefore, this belief does not just belong to Shias. However, the Wahhabi cult and Takfiri currents deny the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS) at the end of the world.

Upon reference to valid Sunni texts and sources and major Sunni hadith scholars; we realize that in these texts, numerous hadiths have been cited from the Prophet of Islam about Imam Mahdi and the events related to the emergence of this Infallible Imam. In other words, throughout the course of history, Sunni Ulema and hadith scholars have paid especial attention to hadiths related to Imam Mahdi (AS).

It should be pointed out that Shias, based on solid reasons, believe that Imam Mahdi (AS) is the infallible son of Imam Hassan Askari (AS). Imam Mahdi was born on 255 AH, and based on God's resolve, is alive to this day, living among people.

At the time of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS), Prophet Jesus also emerges and assists Imam Mahdi (AS) in fulfillment of the Infallible Imam's goals.

Although Muslims, including Shias and Sunnis, believe that Imam Mahdi is from the generation of Prophet of Islam; many Sunnis opine that Imam Mahdi is yet to be born and will be born in the end of the world. However, some of the leading Sunni figures believe that Imam Mahdi (AS) is from the generation of the Third Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Hussein (AS), and that Imam Mahdi was born and is currently in his occultation.  

Upon reference to the views of Sunni scholars, we realize that the Ulema of main Sunni denominations, namely the denominations of Shaafei, Hanbali, Maleki, and Hanafi; have considered the topic of emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS) as a part of Islamic beliefs.

Shaafei scholars have paid especial attention to the topic of Mahdaviat, while citing hadiths related to the characteristic traits of Imam Mahdi, studying the topic of Mahdaviat from a number of different aspects.

Mohammad ibn Talheh Shaafei, in one of his books, has expressed his viewpoints about the Infallible Imams of the Prophet of Islam's Household, and has detailed the ethical virtues and biographies of the Infallible Imams, while allocating the last chapter of his signature book to Imam Mahdi (AS).

He notes that Imam Mahdi (AS) was born in the year 258 AH in the city of Samara, while adding that Imam Mahdi's infallible father was Imam Hassan Askari (AS).

In this manner, it is evident that Ibn-e Talheh Shaafei, similar to Shias, believes that the savior of mankind is the infallible son of Imam Hassan Askari (AS), and is currently alive.

Ahmad ibn-e Hanbal, the head of Sunni Hanbali denomination, who has gathered one of the vastest collections of Sunni hadiths, has cited several hadiths about Imam Mahdi (AS). One of the researchers of Qom Seminary has published the hadiths about Imam Mahdi in a book, in which 136 hadiths are the ones that Ahmad ibn-e Hanbal has gathered about Imam Mahdi (AS).

Ibn-e Sabbaq Maleki has also compiled a book to detail the biographies and the elevated status of the twelve Infallible Imams of the Prophet of Islam's Household (Peace be upon them). In the 12^th chapter of his book, Maleki has detailed the characteristic traits of Imam Mahdi. In this chapter, he has presented many discussions and hadiths about Imam Mahdi and has pointed out that pledge made by the Prophet of Islam about the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS).

The renowned Sunni historian, Ibn-e Asir, has put emphasis on the birth of Imam Mahdi and has pointed out that Imam Hassan Askari was the infallible father of Imam Mahdi (AS).

The well-known mystic and author, Mahi Ed-Din Ibn-e Arabi, notes that "Imam Mahdi (AS) will reappear when the Earth is filled with injustices. He will serve and administer justice across the globe. He is from the Prophet of Islam's Infallible Household. Imam Mahdi is similar to Prophet Mohammad in tradition and ethics. He follows the approach and tradition of the Prophet of God, and does not make any mistakes."

Based on these evidences, it is clear that the topic of Mahdaviat and belief in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) is one of the beliefs of Sunnis, given that there are many Sunni hadiths on the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS). The interesting point is that the details presented by Sunni sources of reference about Imam Mahdi are not significantly different to the details presented in Shia books and texts about Imam Mahdi (AS).

The important point is that the severalty of hadiths cited from Prophet of Islam about Imam Mahdi has led a number of Sunni scholars and leading figures to author separate and independent books about Imam Mahdi (AS).

Although centuries have passed since the Major Occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), Muslims await the reappearance of Imam Mahdi to wipe out injustices and to serve justice, across the globe. Awaiting the reappearance of the savior of mankind does not mean that we should just wait and do nothing to uproot injustice across the world. The savior of mankind will reappear, upon God's will, whenever the global conditions are prepared for his emergence.
(MR/EA)