نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Mahdism, as one of the doctrinal principles of Shiʿism, emphasizes belief in Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance). From the earliest period of Islam, this belief has faced various challenges and doubts, including denial of the Imam’s existence and skepticism regarding the prolonged Occultation. Providing effective responses to these doubts requires a systematic methodology grounded in authentic religious sources (the Qur’an, hadith, and reason) and analytical tools (historical, theological, and biographical/rijālī analyses).
The present study aims to achieve a deep and structured understanding of the methodology for responding to doubts in the field of Mahdism by extracting, analyzing, and organizing strategies for confronting doctrinal challenges related to this belief. To this end, key concepts such as “doubt,” “uncertainty,” “question,” and “objection” are first examined, and the necessary adaptations and essential innovations are highlighted. This study emphasizes the need to align approaches with the cultural context and intellectual conditions of contemporary audiences and critically evaluates traditional approaches through constructive critique.
Finally, a theoretical model is proposed that classifies doubts and selects response methods based on the characteristics of both the doubt and the audience, thereby enhancing depth and coherence while preserving the authenticity of the sources. This model provides a scholarly framework for future research and contributes to strengthening doctrinal discourse in contemporary society.
کلیدواژهها English
