According to Islamic literature, teachings, and traditions, there will in the future appear an Islamic Messiah figure called al-Mahdi, or simply Mahdi. The term ‘Mahdi’ is a title meaning ‘The Guided One.’ It is written that Mahdi will “bring in true and uncorrupted guidance to all mankind, creating a social order and a world free from oppression in which Islam will be the norm for all nations.”
Quoting from Islamic literature:
“The coming of the Mahdi is established doctrine for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, and indeed for all humanity.”
“A figure more legendary than that of the Mahdi, the Awaited Savior, has not been seen in the history of mankind…He has been the dream of all the dreamers of the world. For the ultimate salvation of mankind he is the Pole Star of hope on which the gaze of humanity is fixed…”
“He will reappear on the appointed day, and then he will fight against the forces of evil, lead a world revolution and set up a new world order based on justice, righteousness and virtue…ultimately the righteous will take the world administration in their hands and Islam will be victorious over all the religions.”
“The Mahdi will be victorious and eradicate those pigs and dogs and the idols of this time so that there will once more be a caliphate based on prophethood as the hadith states…Jerusalem will be the location of the rightly guided caliphate and the center of Islamic rule, which will be headed by Imam al-Mahdi…That will abolish the leadership of the Jews…”
“Imam Mahdi will distribute the spoils of war after the battle. He will lead the people according to the Sunnah and during his reign Islam will spread throughout the world. He will remain till seven years (since his emergence). He will pass away…”
Islam’s prophet Mohammed spoke of the coming Mahdi:
“The Mahdi will be of my family, of the descendants of Fatima (one of Mohammed’s wives).
“There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans (West). The fourth agreement will be mediated through a person who will be from the progeny of Hadhrat Haroon (Moses’ brother Aaron) and will be upheld for seven years.”
“He will divide the property, and will govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet and establish Islam on earth. He will remain seven years, then die, and the Muslims will pray over him.”
“He will be from my progeny and will be forty years of age. His face will shine like a star and he will have a black spot on his left cheek. He…will appear exactly as a person from the Bani Israel…”
“Armies carrying black flags will come from Khurasan (from the East, i.e. Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan). No power will be able to stop them and they will finally reach Eela (Jerusalem) where they will erect their flags.”
“There will be many armies after me. You must join that army which will come from Khurasan.”
“While the people will be pledging their allegiance to Imam Mahdi, a voice from the unseen will call out: ‘This is the representative of Allah, the Mahdi, listen to him and obey him.’”
Other relevant Islam teachings (‘Izzat and Muhammad Arif):
“I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophets…For instance, the Book of Revelation says: ‘And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer.’ It is clear that this man is the Mahdi who will ride the white horse and judge by the Qur’an (with justice) and with whom will be men with marks of prostration on their foreheads…”
Iran’s current president Mahmoud Ahmadinajab is a Shiite Muslim who believes very strongly that Allah has appointed him to usher in Islam’s Mahdi. When he spoke the first time before the UN in September, 2005 he claimed that he felt the presence of Allah during that speech as if he were basking in an aura of light. He commented during his speech that his audience was so moved that none could even blink their eyes. During this speech he called to the ‘mighty Lord’ to hasten the emergence of the ‘promised one’ who ‘will fill this world with justice and peace’ referring to Islam’s Mahdi. In a following speech in Tehran he confirmed that he considers his main mission to ‘pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi. May Allah hasten his reappearance.’
I have purposely not added any commentary to this column in an attempt to present as objectively as possible the teachings of Islam regarding their coming savior, or Mahdi.
For further enlightenment Google ‘Islam’s Mahdi, his person, mission, longevity’ etc.