چکیده:
Orientalists and Western researchers have been interested in the subject of Mahdism and its position in Islamic beliefs specifically for more than 150 years and have engaged in extensive activities in this field. A look at the books and writings of these Orientalists shows a type of change and transformation in their reports and opinions over time. Based on certain indicators, the views of Western researchers and writers regarding Mahdism can be divided into 4 time periods, and the study of the evolution of their opinions in the initial period (from 1828 to 1945 AD) is the subject of this research work. In this regard, an attempt has been made to enumerate all the prominent thoughts of the Orientalists of this period on the subject of Mahdism and related topics using the library method and direct reference to their writings, and these thoughts have been categorized and important reporting items identified. The statistical examination and analysis of the topics of interest and the sources referred to by Orientalists in this time interval, along with other useful information such as nationality, occupation, and their presence in Islamic countries, are among the other items presented in the current article.
خلاصه ماشینی:
Mahdism, Orientalists, Evolution of views, Islamic Messianism Introduction Since ancient times, Westerners have shown interest in studying Islamic topics for various reasons and objectives, and they have engaged in research and provided perspectives on the beliefs and traditions prevalent among Muslims.
Tracing the political, social, and religious currents of this era leads us to the causes and factors of this widespread attention, among the most important of which are the political and colonial conditions prevailing in Islamic countries, as well as the emergence of some famous claimants of Mahdism in several Islamic countries during this historical period; including the emergence of Ali Muhammad Shirazi (known as the Bab) in Iran; Muhammad Ahmad Sudanese (known as the Mahdi of Sudan) in North Africa; and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani in the lands of India and Pakistan.
"/> Some prominent individuals in this group have provided independent and substantial writings directly regarding Imam Mahdi(; such as Darmesteter, Hugerronje, and Margoliouth, while some other Orientalists, through their discussions on other topics, have entered into the discussion of Mahdism and related subjects and presented their views: such as Wellhausen, Goldziher, Flotow, and Lamens.
At the same time, most Western researchers of this period have acknowledged the profound impact of the belief in the Mahdi among various Islamic groups, both Shiite and Sunni, and have seen its manifestation in the emergence of many claimants to Mahdism throughout Islamic history (Stoddard, 1922: p.
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