A documentary video, “The Coming is Near,” released on March 28 by the Iranian government promotes the idea that the Mahdi, an apocalyptic Muslim messiah, is about to return to usher a new Islamic civilization. The documentary is based in Twelver Muslim theology to which many of Iran’s highest leaders subscribe.
Twelver Muslims are a branch of Shia (Shiite) Islam. Shiites and Sunnis, two factions prominent in the Iraq War, split after the death of Muhammad in A.D. 632 in a disagreement over who his successor should be. Sunnis, the dominant branch of Islam, believe that leadership should be by elected leaders, while Shiites believe that Muslim leaders should come from Muhammad’s family line. The Shia believe that there were twelve such leaders, called imams, although many Shia religious leaders use the title today.
The twelfth imam, Imam al-Mahdi, lived in Samarra, Iraq and was last seen in A.D. 874. Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is in “occultation,” in the spirit world, where he is still alive. They believe that he will one day return during a time of world chaos to usher in a worldwide Islamic caliphate (kingdom).
According to the Iranian documentary (you can see a translated version here), the second coming of the Mahdi will occur in the near future. Although the Mahdi is not mentioned in the Koran, his return is discussed the hadiths, collections of narrative sayings by Islamic leaders. Some of the signs of the Mahdi’s return discussed in the film include fear, earthquakes, and sedition throughout the world. Cultural decay, such as adultery, homosexuality, and women not wearing the hejab (head scarf and/or veil) are also cited.
The film addresses recent world events and singles out the United States and Israel as sources of evil in the world. It also specifically points to several nations that the film’s producers believe are keys to the return of the Mahdi. Most obviously, Iraq, home to many of the world’s Shiites, is mentioned. Twelvers believe that Iraq will be central to the conflicts that precede the Mahdi’s return as well as the eventual capitol of the Mahdi’s worldwide Islamic caliphate. In the final battle against Israel, Iraqi forces will march under flags that say “Alghovah.”
The film also mentions Yemen, one of many Arab nations where protesters are demanding the resignation of the ruling authoritarian government. The film focuses on the Shiite guerillas allied with al-Qaeda. Yemen was the origin of several bombs sent to the U.S. and U.K. in October 2010. According to the hadiths about the Mahdi, Yemen will be the embroiled in a revolution prior to the Mahdi’s second coming. When the Mahdi returns, one of his first battles will be against an army of one of the Yemeni tribes. Yemeni soldiers will be among the first to enter Mecca after the Mahdi’s return.
The hadiths also refer to turmoil in Egypt. The filmmakers say that that the people of Egypt were prophesied to rise up and kill their leader, plunging the country into turmoil. The people of Egypt recently ousted their dictator, Hosni Mubarak, but they did not kill him. Thus far, the Egyptian revolution has been relatively peaceful.
Saudi Arabia, the location of Mecca, also is found the film’s interpretation of Islamic prophecy. The hadiths mention a royal line that some Muslim theologians believe is the house of Saud. The death of a Saudi king named Abdullah is one of the key signs of the Mahdi’s return. The current king of Saudi Arabia is named Abdullah and is suffering from an unspecified and possibly life-threatening illness.
It is perhaps unsurprising to anyone familiar with the Middle East that the Twelvers believe that Palestine (Israel) is also central to their end-time prophecies. Imam Ali, the first imam after the Sunni-Shia split, said that Jews would come from the west and take control of Palestine while Arabs were divided. According the film, Jewish control would last “until the time that the Arabs rid themselves of the influence of others, take back control of their affairs, and once again have strong determination. At that time, they shall conquer the land of Palestine and the Arabs will be victorious and united.” The destruction of Israel is the most important event marking the Mahdi’s return.
Also unsurprising is the Iranian view of Iran’s role in the Mahdi’s return. The filmmakers believe that the 1979 revolution was a precursor to the Mahdi’s return and that Iran’s purpose is to prepare the way for the Mahdi. Muhammad is believed to have said, “In the end of time, descendents of Imam Ali will join ranks, their hearts close to one another through the cause of Ruhollah.” The film depicts this is a reference to the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who they believe fulfills the prophecy of the man from Qom (a city in Iran where Khomeini studied).
Imam Bagher, the fifth imam, is quoted in the film as saying, “I can see that the oppressed will rise from the East and request their rights and justice, but when it is ignored, they draw their swords and confront the enemy and that is how they succeed. But they are not satisfied until all will revolt to see the guidance of the last messiah and their killed will be one of Martyrs.”
To be continued in "Iran film: Muslim messiah arrives in August 2011"
In Part II, learn about a Twelver Muslim congregation in the Atlanta area.
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