Top 10 Misconceptions About the Mahdi

When it comes to the Mahdi, a figure who is the central focus of Islamic eschatology, there's a lot of misinformation swirling around. From spontaneous appearances at the Kaaba to his choice of attire, these misconceptions have taken root in the minds of many. Let’s put the truth to the test - here are the Top 10 misconceptions about the Mahdi.

1) The Mahdi and his army will appear at the Kaaba - that’s when I will know it is him. 

Picture this: The Mahdi dramatically emerges at the Kaaba, surrounded by an instant army of supporters that come out of thin air, ready to lead. Sounds cinematic, right? Unfortunately, that's all it is—pure fiction. There's no authentic or even weak narration to back this up. This fanciful idea is more of a modern invention, propagated by scholars who might be more comfortable writing a screenplay than interpreting religious texts. 

The appearance at the Kaaba is not his grand entrance but rather part of a later phase called the "Emergence." But before the Mahdi can emerge and before he can even have an army, his true supporters first have to gather. This is the current phase we are in called the “Appearance“. In it Imam Mahdi calls and gathers his followers. It’s a logical chain of events. 

2) The Mahdi would never use Social Media, YouTube or a phone.

Most Muslims expect the Mahdi to appear looking and acting exactly like Prophet Mohammed did 1400 years ago. But that does not make sense. After all, every messenger mentioned in the Quran, spoke to the people in the language of their time and conducted himself like the people of his time. The Mahdi is the messenger of the people of the End of Times - so he will use End Times technology. In an age where information travels at the speed of light, why wouldn’t the Mahdi utilize the tools available to reach the masses? Whether it’s social media, YouTube, or even a simple smartphone, the Mahdi could very well harness these platforms to spread his message far and wide. After all, the goal is to save the entire world, and there’s no better way to do that than through the very technology that connects us all.

3) When the Mahdi comes, the majority of Muslims will follow him… and I can join him then.

Here’s the harsh reality: The Mahdi won’t be welcomed with open arms by all Muslims. In fact, most will reject him, especially among the Arab Muslims. The Mahdi’s mission will be met with resistance, and there will be conflict. Imam Al-Sadiq even said that the Mahdi will be defied openly by the Arab and Persian scholars, who are quoted to say to him, “Go back, Son of Fatima, we don’t need you!”. It’s a sobering thought, but it underscores the challenges the Mahdi will face in uniting a divided ummah.

This does not come all too surprising, when most messengers were rejected by the people of their time. Noah barely had eight followers that he took with him unto the Ark. Jesus had twelve real disciples, and many enemies amongst the Jews. The Mahdi will not be any different. He will come during a time where the majority of Muslims, will have strayed far from Islam and do not support him.

“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allāh. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but misjudging.” (6:116) 

4) The Mahdi will not know he is the Mahdi.

This one’s a head-scratcher. Again, a very popular perspective that is heard in the sermons of various Islamic scholars. Was this a fact that came from solid narrations of Prophet Mohammed and his Family? No - again, an opinion that spread like wildfire and became perceived as fact. A concerning phenomenon that tells us to be cautious of what we hear. How can the Mahdi, the "guided one," not know that he’s the Mahdi? It’s like being a tour guide who doesn’t know the destination. 

The idea stems from a misinterpretation of a hadith where the Prophet Mohammed mentioned that the Mahdi would be "rectified in a single night." But this doesn’t mean he’s clueless during his conquests; it simply means he’ll receive divine confirmation of his mission at a specific moment. Just as Prophet Mohammed did. He did not know that he was God's messenger until he reached the age of 40. 

It’s not the case that the messenger would always know that he is the messenger. Messengers know their role when the time is right. But this means they must know it at some point, especially when their divine mission is initiated. Imagine being expected by God to go out and collect supporters who would stand up for the cause of God, but not ever knowing your own identity. It simply doesn’t make sense.

5) The Mahdi will be supported by the scholars. They will tell us who he is and when to follow him.

So here’s a dangerous misconception: that the Mahdi is backed by religious scholars. In reality, the scholars of the End Times are described in starkly negative terms—called the "most evil of scholars under the sky" and even "traitors." These scholars, who might seem pious on the outside, are depicted as enemies of the Mahdi. When he emerges, he will find no greater adversaries than these religious figures, who will be more interested in maintaining their power than embracing the truth. The narrations on this fact are many, and troubling. Because if the people are relying on the very people that Prophet Mohammed described as ‘more dangerous for my ummah than the Antichrist Dajjal’, then perhaps it’s time that we reassess how we make decisions as a Godly people. Who do we take our guidance from?

Historically, there was a strange and concerning pattern that scripture shows us: The idea of a messenger of God, being opposed in his message by the scholars of his time. Men in scholarly attire who disliked the man of God challenging the status quo. Jesus’ constant strife with the Pharisees and the rabbis is a well-documented phenomenon - the classic case of a man from God changing the norms and being defied for it by older scholars.

And Jesus wasn’t alone in this - All the Imams from the lineage of Prophet Mohammed faced the same dilemma, confrontation from scholars who went against them and ultimately began sects of their own, which has led to the problem the Muslims face today of having more than 70 different sects.

The role of scholars in the system of the world today is obvious as well - they are hand-in-hand with tyrannical and corrupt leaders, particularly in the Middle East. Extremist Islamic state leaders who rally the people for laws that are ungodly need the backing of men wearing turbans, and they have it. Are these turban-bearing wolves in sheep’s clothing going to support the spiritual revolution of the Mahdi, who will challenge all unjust ideas? You tell me.

Or, we can ask the Imams from the lineage of the Prophet: they said to be aware that these scholars are the worst of creation (See Mo’jam Al-Hadith by Korani). The worst of creation are not going to guide you to the Mahdi.   

traditional depiction of the Imams

6) The Mahdi will not be wearing Jeans and a black beanie.

Let’s address a more down-to-earth question: What will the Mahdi be wearing? Some might assume he’ll be draped in traditional robes, exuding a classic, prophetic aura. But who says the Mahdi can’t sport jeans and a black beanie? The idea that he must adhere to a specific dress code is more about our cultural expectations than any religious mandate. The Mahdi’s mission is about justice, not fashion. So, don’t be surprised if he blends in more with the people of his time—whatever that might look like.

The Messenger comes to the people and is dressed the way the people dress. He doesn’t wear clothes from a different era. 

7) The Mahdi preaches the same Islam and brings nothing new.

If you’re expecting the Mahdi to preach the Islam we’re familiar with today, you might be in for a surprise. The Prophet Mohammed himself said that Islam would return to being something "strange" in the End Times. This suggests that the Mahdi's version of Islam will be a return to its original, perhaps unfamiliar, form—something that may seem alien to the current mainstream understanding.

And here’s a twist: The Qur’an we have today isn't the complete version that was originally revealed either. Shocking, right? Sunni and Shia historians alike have pointed out that parts of the Qur’an have been lost over time. Take Ibn Omar’s words: “How does he know what all of it is when much of the Qur’an has disappeared?” This isn't just idle speculation; it's a documented concern. Enter the Mahdi, who, according to traditions, will bring a "new book." (See Ghaybat Al-Nomani). This isn't some random sequel but rather a restoration of what was lost—a new matter, a new jurisprudence that will challenge the status quo, especially for the Arabs. But that’s another topic.

8) The Mahdi has to speak Arabic to the world and not English.

Here’s a linguistic twist: the Mahdi must speak Arabic, right? After all, it’s the language of the Qur’an. But consider this: The Mahdi's mission is global, not confined to any one race or region. Numerous narrations emphasize that he will fill the entire Earth with justice and equity, not just a particular corner of it. Sunni and Shia both agree that the Mahdi will bring justice and light to a world darkened by injustice and oppression. 

He’s not coming just for Arabic speakers but for the entire world. In today’s interconnected world, English is often the lingua franca, the language that bridges diverse cultures. So, it’s not far-fetched to imagine the Mahdi addressing the world in English or any other language that reaches the masses effectively. The message is what matters, and the medium has to be globally acceptable.

While many Muslim scholars will refuse to admit it, they have a righteous and constant contempt for all cultures and languages other than the Arab-centric ones. Their perspective of the Mahdi and his teachings is worryingly self-absorbed - it is as though his duty, in their eyes, is to validate their understanding of life, the universe and everything.  

traditional depiction of the Imams

9) The Mahdi comes on a horse and has a white glow on his face, like in the movies.

Let’s get this straight: the Mahdi isn’t going to ride in on a white horse with a mystical glow surrounding him like a scene from a medieval painting or a movie. This image is more fairy tale than reality. The Mahdi’s arrival will be grounded in the real world, facing real-world challenges. He’s not a figure out of folklore but a leader prepared to address the complexities of a modern society. Expect a leader ready to engage with the world as it is, not as it’s depicted in romanticized blockbusters.

10) The Name of the Mahdi Has to Be Precisely "Mohammed Son of Abdullah" 

Here’s a common misconception: The Mahdi must be named “Mohammed Ibn Abdullah,” no exceptions. However, the narrations from Prophet Mohammed are far more flexible than this rigid interpretation. The Prophet said that the Mahdi would have a name like his name and a father’s name like his father’s. Remember, the Prophet had many names, including Mohammed and Ahmed, and he often referred to himself as the "servant of Allah," which is translated as "Abdullah."

Interestingly, the Twelfth Imam, who is central to these prophecies, is named Mohammed. And the first two Mahdis, who are from his twelve chiefs, are named Ahmed and Abdullah. 

What about the Mahdi’s father’s name being the same as the name of the father of Prophet Mohammed?

Well, the Prophet’s only father wasn't Abdullah; it was also Prophet Ismail, his forefather, and he hailed from the tribe of Bani Hashim—so Hashem was his family name. It just so happens that the father of the First Mahdi is named Ismail, and the Second Mahdi’s father is named Hashem. So, the criteria fit.

It seems very clear by now that Muslims have many ideas on how to identify the Mahdi. It also appears that these reasons, when looked into, are not solid criteria to identify him by. So we cannot rely on details like these to know God’s sent the Mahdi. Which leads us to the most important question:

Hold up—how am I supposed to recognize him if none of these ideas that were believed to be true are the way to know the Mahdi?

Great question. The answer is simple and wonderful: The Mahdi comes from God. So, God would be the One who would vouch for him. And He did. Through the words of His Messenger, Prophet Mohammed, God has authorized the Vicegerents to come after Mohammed by name—and He had Mohammed write these names in his final Will and Testament. After all, the position of Vicegerency was owned by Mohammed, and it was his to assign to who he chose as his inheritance.

Prophet Mohammed wrote the names of his successors in his Will. To find the Mahdi, we don’t need to look for white horses, great Quran recitations, or a cinematic appearance at the Kaaba. We simply have to follow the words of Mohammed—his appointed successor is named Abdullah. And the ‘Abdullah’ who he appointed proved himself to be the Mahdi. He pointed out his name in the Will, and points towards the Supremacy of God alone through his divinely inspired knowledge.

So, next time you hear about the Mahdi, remember that the truth is far simpler and straightforward than the complicated myths. The Mahdi’s mission is about restoration, justice, and universal leadership—nothing less. Don’t bother with the opinions of scholars wearing turbans. Look into the narrations of Mohammed and his Family, and identify him the way they said to - through their own appointing of him in the final Will of Prophet Mohammed.