Hawzah News Agency- At the heart of every leadership is a unique administrative and governance style. Imam Mahdi (AS), when he assumes global leadership, will implement a distinctive model of governance, rooted in divine principles yet suited to the global context of his time.
The narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) offer a general but powerful image of the Imam’s approach: his life and leadership will follow the pattern of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet's mission was to eliminate every trace of pre-Islamic ignorance and rebuild society upon divine guidance. In the same spirit, Imam Mahdi (AS) will dismantle the remnants of modern ignorance and re-establish a just and God-centered civilization.
In a narration from Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS), when asked about the conduct and biography of the awaited savior, he replied:
«یَصْنَعُ کَمَا صَنَعَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّی اَللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ یَهْدِمُ مَا کَانَ قَبْلَهُ کَمَا هَدَمَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّی اَللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَمْرَ اَلْجَاهِلِیَّةِ وَ یَسْتَأْنِفُ اَلْإِسْلاَمَ جَدِیداً.»
"He will act as the Messenger of God did, demolishing all that came before him, just as the Prophet erased the practices of the Age of Ignorance and re-established Islam from its foundations." (Al-Ghaybah al-Nu'mani, vol. 1, p. 230)
This indicates that Imam Mahdi (AS) will not merely reform existing systems but will completely rebuild the societal structure, cleansing it of corruption and deviation, and reviving the essence of Islam in its original and pure form.
The Jihadist and Just Life of Imam Mahdi (AS)
With his global revolution, Imam Mahdi (AS) will eliminate disbelief and polytheism from the earth and invite all humanity to the pure religion of Islam. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said:
«سُنَّتُهُ سُنَّتِی یُقِیمُ النَّاسَ عَلَی مِلَّتِی وَ شَرِیعَتِی.»
“His Sunnah is my Sunnah; he will establish people upon my religion and my Sharia.”
(Kamaluddin, vol. 2, p. 411)
This means that Imam Mahdi (AS) will follow the Prophet’s way and implement his religious path and law in full.
At the time of his appearance, the truth will already have been made clear, and divine proof will have reached the people of the world through various means. Nonetheless, as some narrations indicate, Imam Mahdi (AS) will engage with different religious communities on the basis of their own scriptures and beliefs.
Imam Baqer (AS) said:
«یَسْتَخْرِجُ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ سَائِرَ کُتُبِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ غَارٍ بِأَنْطَاکِیَةَ وَ یَحْکُمُ بَیْنَ أَهْلِ التَّوْرَاةِ بِالتَّوْرَاةِ وَ بَیْنَ أَهْلِ الْإِنْجِیلِ بِالْإِنْجِیلِ وَ بَیْنَ أَهْلِ الزَّبُورِ بِالزَّبُورِ وَ بَیْنِ أَهْلِ الْقُرْآنِ بِالْقُرْآنِ.»
“He will bring out the Torah and other divine scriptures from a cave in Antioch and will judge among the people of the Torah by the Torah, the people of the Gospel by the Gospel, the people of the Psalms by the Psalms, and the people of the Qur’an by the Qur’an.”
(Al-Ghaybah al-Nu'mani, p. 237)
Judicial Justice of the Imam (AS)
As the Promised One tasked with establishing global justice, Imam Mahdi (AS) will need a strong judicial foundation. He will emulate the just governance of his great-grandfather, Imam Ali (AS), vigorously defending the oppressed and restoring rights to their rightful owners, wherever they may be.
Some narrations describe the Imam's divine authority in judgment, noting that he will not require evidence or witnesses, just as Prophet David and Prophet Solomon (AS) judged by divine insight.
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
«إذا قام قائم آل محمد حکم بحکم داود وسلیمان لا یسأل الناس بینة.»
“When the Qa’im from the family of Muhammad (PBUH) rises, he will rule like David and Solomon. He will not ask for evidence.” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 52, p. 320)
Imam’s Administrative Style
One of the core pillars of any government is the competence of its officials. Imam Mahdi (AS) will appoint righteous, capable individuals to key positions, ensuring justice, efficiency, and integrity in administration.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:
«عَلامَةُ الْمَهْدی اَنْ یکُونَ شَدیداً عَلَی الْعُمّالِ جَواداً بِالْمالِ رَحیماً بِالْمَساکین.»
“The sign of the Mahdi is that he will be strict with his workers, generous with wealth, and merciful to the poor.” (Mu‘jam Hadith al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol. 1, p. 246)
This indicates a leadership rooted in firm discipline, economic generosity, and compassion for the underprivileged.
Economic Policies of Imam Mahdi (AS)
Imam Mahdi (AS), the embodiment of fairness, will treat public wealth as a communal trust, shared equally without discrimination or favoritism. Under his leadership, even the oppressive ownership of lands (Qata’i) will be abolished.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
«اِذا قامَ قائِمُنا اضْمَحَلَّت الْقَطائِعُ فَلاقَطائِع.»
“When our Qa’im rises, Qata’i (land grants hoarded by rulers) will be abolished.”
Moreover, to establish material welfare for all, Imam Mahdi (AS) will distribute wealth abundantly, ensuring that no needy person is left unaided.
As the Prophet (PBUH) also foretold:
«یکون فی آخر أمتی خلیفة یحثو المال حثوا.»
“At the end of my nation, there will be a caliph who will distribute wealth without measure.”
(Mu‘jam Hadith al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol. 1, p. 232)
Personal Character and Lifestyle
Imam Mahdi (AS) will reflect the noble personal conduct of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Ali (AS). His leadership will not be a means of luxury or oppression but a sacred mission to serve humanity and elevate them spiritually and morally.
Despite having access to vast resources, the Imam (AS) will lead a humble and ascetic life, living at the level of the common people.
Imam Sadiq (AS) describes him:
«فَوَ اَللَّهِ مَا لِبَاسُهُ إِلاَّ اَلْغَلِیظُ وَ مَا طَعَامُهُ إِلاَّ اَلشَّعِیرُ اَلْجَشِبُ.»
“By Allah, his clothing is coarse, and his food is coarse barley.”
(Al-Ghaybah, Shaykh Tusi, vol. 1, p. 459)
He also says:
«اِنَّ قائِمَنا اِذا قامَ لَبِسَ لِباسَ عَلِی وَ سارَ بِسیرَتِهِ.»
“When our Qa’im rises, he will wear the clothes of Ali (AS) and follow his path.”
(Wasa’il al-Shi’ah, vol. 5, p. 17)
(This discussion continues...)
Adapted with slight modifications from the book “Negin-e-Afarinesh” (The Jewel of Creation).
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