Social Functions of Mahdism Thought in Security and Defense

Strengthening the two fields of “defense” and “security” are considered as the important elements for the empowerment of countries. Various factors contribute to the continuity and sustainability of security and the strengthening of defensive spirit in the people. Consolidating the beliefs and teachings of the religion as an important element in strengthening the defensive spirit of the people consequently play an important role in stabilizing the security. In this regard, the “Mahdism thought” as one of the basic teachings of the religion of Islam has a function in enhancing the security and defending the Islamic system. The social function of belief in Mahdism in the fields of defense and security can be recognized and analyzed in the areas such as social order, social unity and solidarity, the firmness of social relations, the strengthening of social power. For this reason, one of the most important findings of this research is to demonstrate the capacity of Mahdism idea in the field of defense and security by “explaining its social function” in the realm of order, unity and firmness of relations and social power. The most prominent solutions of this thought in these fields are: the firmness of religious beliefs, specially the doctrine of Imamate, generating and re-reading the common moral values, establishing emotional relations and bonds in people, building unified union and identity between ethnic groups and sub-cultures, and building public trust which results from strengthening of values and adhering to ethical rules.