Believing in Mahdiism and its components among the Zaydis Contemporary with the Advent of Nafs-e-Zakiyyah (100-145)

Recognition of the components of Mahdiism contemporary with the advent of Muhammad Abdullah ibn al-Hasan Musanna known as Nafs-e-Zakiyyah (100-145) among some of the Zaydis is the subject of this study. In this article, an analytical review is made on the elements of similarity between Nafs-e-Zakiyyah and Mahdi which have specific functions in the uprising of Muhammad, as well as the explanation of the belief in Mahdiism among the followers of Zaidiyyah. It seems that the name, genealogy and apparent characteristics were the reasons to identify Zakiyyah as Mahdi. The signs of the emergence of Mahdi were also among the other indicators. Moreover, the role of some special people and exaggerated movements could not be ignored. Therefore, the present study, using valid historical, traditional, sectarian and intra-group sources, analyses the information obtained from the early sources and provides a documentary analysis to draw a clear picture of the elements which identify Muhammad as Mahdi.