Şırnak Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi

The
expectation of a savior is one of the common beliefs that has found a place for
itself in all religious and belief systems. Although their names and attributes
are different, the appearance of the person called “Mahdi”, who will save
humanity in the near end of the apocalypse, has also become a controversial
topic in the Islamic tradition of thought throughout history. The belief of
Mahdi, which started in Shia-leaning circles and became systematic in the
historical process, has also been tried to be based on Hadith-centered by Ahl
al-Sunnah circles. The search for Mahdi, which came into the agenda as an
indispensable belief of the troubled and depressed days, has been transformed
in modern times by coming back to the agenda in different dimensions. The references
made to this subject in the treatises of Said Nursî, one of the influential
figures of the 20. century and having a traditional background, require
considerable attention when considering his power of influence. When his works
are examined, it will be seen that besides the concept of mujaddid, which has
similar characteristics to the Mahdi and will come in every century, he also
touches on the great Mahdi concept that will emerge in the End Times. Even more
important is the realization of some of the difficulties and needs of the
modern era, the Mahdi thought, contrary to the classical sources are defended
by a "person" from the " spiritual personal" name is given
to his community. Our study questions Said Nursi's new approach to Mahdi's
imagination and focuses on the factors behind it.