The Hidden Imam and the End of Time: A Primer on the Mahdi, Islamic Theology, and Global Politics

Abstract:

For hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world, including in the West, the Hidden Imam is at the heart of Islam. While those with some background in the study of the faith may have heard of this belief, its core centrality in the Islamic tradition is generally not recognized or properly understood. To address the gap in knowledge on this issue, the Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center has produced the present report, entitled The Hidden Imam and the End of Time: A Primer on the Mahdi, Islamic Theology, and Global Politics, to raise awareness on the concept, meaning, and significance of the Hidden Imam for scholars, policymakers, and broader public audiences alike.

In particular, this primer answers five pertinent questions of significance on this subject relevant to religion and global affairs: 1) Who is the Hidden Imam?; 2) Do Sunni Muslims also believe in the Hidden Imam?; 3) How is the Imam different from the Caliphate?; 4) Why is the Hidden Imam considered central to Islam by many Muslims?; and 5) How does the belief in the Hidden Imam impact Muslim social and political affairs?

Authors: 
Payam Mohseni (Harvard University) and Mohammad Sagha (University of Chicago)

To read and download the report, click here.

_{*Updated Report (June 30, 2022): This version includes the correction that, according to mainstream Musta'li Ismaili belief, there is currently a line of Hidden Imams descended  from Imam Tayyib who went into occultation in the twelfth century CE. The original report noted that Imam Tayyib was a currently living Hidden Imam.}