The Social and Political Contexts Surrounding the Acceptance of False Invitations to Mahdism in the Past Two Centuries of Iran
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Assistant Professor, Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture
Abstract
The concept of Mahdism has long been one of the fundamental and widely-held beliefs within Islamic societies, especially in Iran. This belief, in conjunction with other common Islamic doctrines, has significantly contributed to the unity and coherence of the Islamic community by envisioning a promising future, devoid of oppression, for Muslim nations through the establishment of an Islamic governance system. Despite its important position, the efforts of certain misguided and opportunistic individuals have figures have introduced numerous intellectual, social, and political challenges that impede the progress of Islamic societies. This research seeks to explore the social and political backgrounds that have facilitated the acceptance of false Messianic calls over the last two centuries. This analysis is particularly pertinent given the factors such as extreme idealism, disillusionment with reform, permissibility, ineffective governance, evolving dynamics between religion and state, the reciprocal necessity for new movements and foreign interventions, as well as the opportunistic critique of the theory of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) or the broad representation of jurists, which have led segments of society, either consciously or unconsciously, to gravitate toward these misleading calls.
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