The Idea of Mahdi in Twelver Shiism

This paper studies the crucial period following Imam Askari's martyrdom, which left the Imamiyya in conflict and divided them into several subsects.The study of these subdivisions will give some idea of the difficulties faced by the agents, the personal representatives of the twel fth Imam in giving the ultimate recognition to succession to Imam Askari in accordance with twelver belief and providing the astute leadership demanded of them in those unfavorable circumstances.During this time the role of the twelfth Imam was defined in terms of his being al-Qajm, Sahib- al-amr, al-hujja, and above all, al-Mahdi of the umma. The prolonged occultation of the twelfth Imam had given rise to the most critical period in the lives of his deputies, who were confronted with criticisms from within as well as without. The justification for the Ghayba of the twelfth Imam was going to occupy the intellectual effort of the Imamites during the years following the Imam's disappearance.