Course Synopsis:

All Abrahamic faiths await the appearance of a Messianic figure who will bring justice and peace to the world after it has become full of oppression and injustice. Muslims however, and in particular the Shi’a, find in their literature the most detailed descriptions of this savior, namely his name, titles, family, signs of his return and what the world will look like after his reappearance.

In this course, Sheikh Mahdi Rastani discusses the following questions:

1) What do Abrahamic faiths believe regarding the saviour?

2) What sources in Shi’i hadith speak of the Mahdi?

3) What similarities are found in the life of Imam Mahdi and stories of previous prophets?

4) What lessons can we learn from the different titles and names of the Imam?

5) What differences exist between Shias and Sunnis regarding the Mahdi?

6) Where was the mother of Imam Mahdi, Narjis, from? Was she a Roman princess?

7) Can the birth of Imam Mahdi be proven through Shi’a hadith literature?

8) Can we believe a human being to live thousands of years?

9) Who is Ja’far Kadhab and how did he oppose his nephew, Imam Mahdi?

10) What were the final moments of Imam Askari like?

11) What were the final words of the 12th Imam before occultation?