Abstract:
The present article is an in depth examination of the role of Khiąr and the Mahdì in the Islamic tradition, focusing on their significance as spiritual guides, transmitters of sacred knowledge and on their importance in the preparation for the end of time. The author uses the concept of the 'Eliatic function' presented by Leo Schaya as a guiding principle for this study, and begins the article with an explanation of this concept. On the basis of this, he then discusses the traditional Islamic understanding firstly of Khiąr and then of the Mahdì. Throughout the analysis the author presents quotations from the Qur'an and Hadith along with the interpretations of classical and contemporary commentators, focusing in particular on Shi'ism and Sufism.Dhikr Allåhuwaysìĕanìf
Machine summary:
6 The Eliatic function is invested in particular chosen souls, either prophets (anbiyå’) or friends (awliyå’) of God who often live miraculously long lives, traversing and connecting the Divine, angelic and corporeal worlds and even human epochs to initiate and guide men and women in dreams, visions, and encounters in the flesh, reviving both the exoteric and esoteric dimensions of religion, characterized by Schaya as the Law of Moses and the Mysteries.
Schaya writes, …As for the other person who reflects Elias in Islam, he is the one who will come at the end to establish what the Judeo-Christian tradition calls the "Glorious Reign of the Messiah," he is Al-Mahdì, the one "Guided" by God. Shì‘ite Islam identifies him with the Twelfth Imam, living hidden for centuries and due to re-appear to fulfill his eschatalogical work…10 Below we attempt to bring to light the significance of Khiąr and the Mahdì in the Islamic sources and the writings of classical and contemporary sages.
Nasr also writes, "The Twelfth Imam is also the secret master of this world and can appear to those who are in the appropriate spiritual state to see him…"86 Moreover, Muslims who are searching for esoteric knowledge and guidance from the Imam al-Mahdì or Khiąr should look to the authentic Sufi shuyĩkh and Shì‘ite ‘urafå’ or gnostics who also reflect the light of the Prophet (al-nĩr al-muĕammadiyyah) and the Pole (quĥb) in their lives and teachings.