he Coins In the Name of Imam Mahdi in Pre-Safavid Era and Formation of the Concept of Shiite Ruler

Imamite Muslims, who follow twelve Imams from decent of the prophet, believe that the political ruling is de jure dedicated to the prophet and the twelve Imams. They believe that Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi, the twelfth Imam who was born in 9th century AD is still alive and will come back in the promised day for constructing a heavenly world. For Imamite Muslims, who are also known as Twelver Shia, the legitimate government and the right of ruling is dedicated to Imam Mahdi. While Shiite community did not developed as a society, they participated in Sunni social institutions as a minority. Afterward in medieval period, when Sunni caliphate collapsed in Baghdad by Mongol invasion, maintaining the social order obliged the Shia to establish government on their own. In this article, we will explore the formation of a new role for Shia rulers as the representative of Imam Mahdi. Our investigation is based on the coins of Shiite rulers in the formative period of Shiite government concept. We find out the Shiite Sultan and Amir suppose himself a ruler in force majeure circumstances, who shall give up his position to Imam Mahdi in his reappearance.