Reinterpreting and Analyzing the Criteria for Identifying Imam Zaman (a.s.) and Distinguishing Him from False Claimants, Followed by an Evaluation of opposing views

Recognizing the Imam of the Time (may God speed his return) and separating him from other pretenders with false claims in this regard is a central aspect of Mahdism. In this study, an analytical-descriptive approach is adopted, and Shi'a narrative sources and theological works are referred to in order to explain the criteria for identifying the Imam and assessing the relevant perspectives. The findings reveal that nass (specific designation) — including divine nass, prophetic nass, or the nass of the previous Imam — together with miracle (mu'jiza), knowledge of the unseen (ilm al-ghayb), and the gifts of Imamate (wada'i' al-imamah) are the established standards within the Shi'a view in this regard. A distinction is made between the thubut (ontological reality) world and the ithbat (epistemological demonstration) world in this discourse for the Imam's qualities and features. Given this distinction, attributes such as infallibility (ismah), excellence (afdaliyyah), and nobility of origin (taharat al-mawlid), although essential for the rank of thubut, cannot be cited for the rank of ithbat and recognition of the Imam since they are concealed. These criteria share a tariqi (instrumental) quality and instrumental character, and not mawdu'i (subjective) and inherent. Therefore, confirmation of any one of these methods and attaining confidence is enough in recognizing the Imam, and there is no necessity to pursue all methods.