فصلنامه انتظار موعود
سال بیست و دوم شماره 79 (زمستان 1401)

In the Quranic perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei, divine legislation sovereignty is synonymous with the implementation of divine laws in society, through the authorized guardian on behalf of God. The present study, aimed at analyzing the Quranic perspective of monotheism in governance, using a descriptive-analytical methodology, under the title "The Implementation of Monotheism in Governance in the Perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei in the Era of Occultation," with an emphasis on the book "The General Outlook of Islamic Thought," has been written. The most important achievement of this research is that it demonstrates the manifestation of monotheism in the practical realm of human life. This is possible through the tangible realization of divine sovereignty, with the two conditions of "the promulgation of legislation" to the people and its "implementation" in society, which is carried out by granting authority to the prophets, the Imams, and the supreme jurisprudent. The research innovation lies in the effort to examine and establish this matter within the Quranic ideology of Ayatollah Khamenei, emphasizing the period of Occultation.

The "Vision Document of the Islamic Republic of Iran" has not adequately addressed messianism and belief in the promised figure, which can be remedied by formulating a cultural vision document based on Mahdism. The purpose of the current research is to formulate a comprehensive document on the development of the culture of Mahdism and waiting. The research population consists of experts, opinion leaders, and professors in the field of Mahdism and waiting in Iran. To gather information, several questionnaires were used based on different sections of the research, and the SWOT analysis method was employed for data analysis. Based on the results, 67 strengths, 113 weaknesses, 99 opportunities, and 72 threats were identified. Subsequently, an assessment matrix of internal and external factors was calculated, and the country's position was determined in a conservative (review and directional change) approach. Ultimately, given the country's position, ten overarching strategies were defined based on external opportunities and internal weaknesses. For each overarching strategy, specific strategies and operational plans were formulated.

Undoubtedly, the currents, like the movements that have taken shape in society based on specific criteria and entail transformations, have foundations that their examination and analysis significantly aid us in their critique and analysis. One of the phenomena that, in the transmission of narratives related to the concept of the Mahdi, has in some instances led to the emergence and proliferation of deviant currents is the "condition, distortion and misinterpretation". In this paper, the role of these three in the formation and continuation of deviant currents of messianism during the era of the presence of the Imams has been examined. In the forthcoming research, after representing these factors in the narrations of Mahdism, solutions related to enlightening about unpleasant events in the history of narrations during the presence of the Imams have been examined and the changes that have taken place have been analyzed in a concise manner through the historical-hadith approach. Although determining the extent of the role of these three in bringing about and perpetuating deviant currents poses a considerable challenge, investigations bear clear testimony to this fundamental principle that the foundations of deviation can be traced back to the distortion of the teachings of the infallible. Based on the findings of this research, alongside social, political, and personality factors in the emergence and perpetuation of deviant trends, "condition," "distortion," and "interpretation" have played a pivotal and fundamental role in the transmission of narratives.

The concept of the 'Mahdism' is one of the important topics in the discussions of Shia and Sunni scholars. Since ancient times, scholars from the Sunni tradition have been concerned with the issue of Mahdism alongside Shiite scholars and have spoken of the importance of belief in Imam Mahdi (AS), his birth, and lineage. In the meantime, the perspective of "Sheikh Uthman Ibn Fodi" (a prominent and renowned scholar of the Sunni community in Africa) on the concept of the Mahdi is similar to the Imamiyah perspective from various aspects. This article delves into the scientific discussion of the infallibility, birth, lifespan, and lineage of Imam Mahdi (a.s), examining the extent to which Sheikh Uthman Ibn Fodi accepts these elements. The approach of this article is analytical and library-based, focusing on the books of Uthman Ibn Fodi. The primary question of the article is the validation of the messianic belief of Sheikh Uthman Ibn Fodi in accordance with the perspective of the Shia Muslims. Investigation of Sheikh Uthman's beliefs regarding the topics of birth, the necessity of an Imam's existence, lineage, and the lifespan of Imam Mahdi (AS) discussed in his works are among the findings of this paper.

The concept of "salvation" and the "appearance of the Messiah" is one of the most important teachings among the Jews, which researchers have addressed from various perspectives, but it seems that all aspects of it have not been thoroughly explored. One of these aspects is the examination of the evolution of this doctrine among the Jewish people, which has been accompanied by intensity and weakness throughout the ups and downs of Judaism's history, and has undergone significant changes. The advancing research employs a descriptive-analytical method and data collection in a library-style manner to revisit the history of the Jews from the beginning to the time of dispersion, examining the development of this doctrine among the Jews. The research findings suggest that within the Jewish community, during this period, the concept of a savior initially had a transcendent nature with earthly and material functions. Throughout this time, due to various events and incidents, the perspective on the savior and the concept of salvation evolved from a transcendent state, which was the salvation by Yahweh, to the belief in the advent of a human savior with an eschatological outlook.

One of the most important haith content which addresses the role of “supplication” in the realization of relief of Ahl Al-Bayt (a.s) is the tradition of “Fazl ibn Abi Qurrah” from Imam Sadiq (a.s). The general theme of this narrative is akin to the story of the announcement of the birth of Hazrat Isaac, Lady Sarah's wonder at this announcement, the divine promise of punishment for the Children of Israel due to Lady Sarah's words, the forty-day supplication and weeping of the Children of Israel resulting from the prolonged punishment, and their deliverance through supplication and the flow of rescue and relief, reminiscent due to the supplication and lamentation of the Shiites. The present research has been organized using a descriptive-analytical method and references to library sources. The narration of Fazl ibn Abi Qurrah has been analyzed from the perspective of "jurisprudential hadith" and its authenticity has been verified after mentioning the sources. The content of the narration has then been examined in four dimensions: "the announcement of the birth of Prophet Isaac in Islamic sources and the two testaments", "Sarah's astonishment at the divine promise", "the occurrence of Pharaoh's punishment among the Children of Israel and the way their punishment was relieved", and "the role of supplication and seeking help in hastening the reappearance of the Ahl al-Bayt". Finally, the degree of alignment of this report with the Quran, history, and the religious texts of the People of the Book has been analyzed.