The Resurgent Imam
An academic inquiry into the eschatological figure in Shia Islam, his historical evolution, and profound significance.
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Introduction to Qa'im
Definition & Etymology
In Shia Islam, Qa'im Al Muhammad (Arabic: ูุงุฆู ุขู ู ุญู ุฏ, lit. 'the one who shall rise of the family of Muhammad') serves as a significant epithet for the Mahdi.[1] This term designates the eschatological figure widely anticipated to restore religious rectitude and justice during the end times.[2] Its usage dates back to the eighth century, referring to a future descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad who would emerge to challenge tyranny and re-establish justice.[1]
Historical Evolution of the Term
The term Qa'im gained prominence by the conclusion of the Umayyad caliphate, largely supplanting "Mahdi" in Shia theological discourse.[2] This shift highlights a growing emphasis on the active, rising nature of this messianic figure. The term was frequently qualified to underscore specific aspects of his role:
- Al-Qa'im bi 'l-sayf: 'the one who shall rise with the sword,' emphasizing his role as a military leader.
- Al-Qa'im bi-amr Allah: 'the one who shall rise by the order of God,' highlighting divine mandate.[1]
Qa'im in Twelver Shia
The Twelfth Imam
Twelver Shia eschatology is profoundly shaped by the figure of the twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, son of the eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari.[3] He is known by several revered titles, including:
It is widely believed that he was born around 868 CE[5][6] and was divinely concealed from humanity following his father's death in 874 CE, a death possibly attributed to Abbasid poisoning.[4][7]>
The Occultation Periods
The concealment of the Twelfth Imam is divided into two distinct periods:
- Minor Occultation (874โ941 CE): During this period, the Twelfth Imam maintained contact with his followers through a succession of Four Deputies.[4]>[8]>
- Major Occultation (941 CEโpresent): This ongoing period signifies a cessation of direct communication. His life is believed to be divinely prolonged until his reappearance, when he will, by God's permission, manifest to establish justice on Earth.[4]>[9]>[10]>
While direct contact is absent during the Major Occultation, popular belief suggests the Twelfth Imam occasionally appears to the pious in person, or more commonly, in dreams and visions.[9]>[11]>[12]>[13]> He is also understood to provide inward spiritual guidance to humanity, with his outward role commencing upon his reappearance.[14]>
Identification with the Mahdi
Twelver sources, as early as the Minor Occultation (874โ941 CE)[15]>[16]>, or potentially much earlier[17]>, explicitly identify the Twelfth Imam with the messianic figure of the Mahdi.[16]> Interestingly, he is more frequently referred to as al-Qa'im and less often as al-Mahdi.[18]>[19]> For instance, al-Nu'mani, a contemporary of the Minor Occultation, favored the title al-Qa'im or combined it as "al-Qa'im al-Mahdi" in his writings.[19]> A tradition attributed to Ja'far al-Sadiq (d. 765 CE), the sixth Imam, directly identifies the promised al-Mahdi with al-Qa'im, suggesting some historical fluidity or clarification within Shia thought.[19]>
The Nuances of Qa'im
Qa'im vs. Qa'id
The term Qa'im is often juxtaposed with qa'id (lit. 'sitting'), which refers to those Imams who adopted a politically quiescent stance, notably the sixth Imam and his successors.[1]> This contrast underscores the active, revolutionary role implied by the title Qa'im. However, some traditions also emphasize that every Imam is considered the qa'im of his own age (qa'im ahl zamanihi), suggesting a continuous, albeit sometimes latent, spiritual and authoritative presence.[1]>[20]>
Political and Eschatological Dimensions
Scholar Abdulaziz Sachedina observes that the title al-Qa'im carries a more pronounced political emphasis compared to the purely eschatological title al-Mahdi.[21]> Specifically, al-Qa'im signifies the Twelfth Imam's eventual uprising against oppressive regimes.[22]> A particular wahid (lit. 'alone') hadith from Ja'far al-Sadiq links this title to al-Qa'im's rise after his "death." However, Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, a prominent scholar, deems this report unreliable due to its solitary transmission and its contradiction of the Twelver belief that the Earth is never devoid of an Imam (hujjat Allah, 'proof of God'). Majlesi proposes a metaphorical interpretation, suggesting "death" refers to the forgotten memory of al-Qa'im after his prolonged occultation.[23]>
Qa'im in Isma'ilism
Ushering the Resurrection
In Isma'ilism, qa'im is one of the titles attributed to the Imam, signifying his role in initiating the resurrection (qiyama).[24]> Nasir Khusraw, a senior dignitary of the Fatimid Isma'ili Imams, articulated a profound vision of this figure. He posited that the lineage of Imams, descending from Ali through Husayn, would culminate in the advent of the Lord of the Resurrection (Qa'im al-Qiyama).[25]>
The Era of Light and Reward
The Qa'im al-Qiyama is envisioned as the perfect being and the ultimate purpose of creation. Through him, the world will transition from darkness and ignorance "into the light of her Lord" (Quran 39:69). His era is distinct from those of the previous enunciators of divine revelation (natiqs), who prescribed religious duties. Instead, the Qa'im's era is one of reward for those who diligently fulfilled the prophets' commands with knowledge.[25]>
Preceding the Lord of the Resurrection is his proof (hujjat). The Quranic verse, "the night of power (laylat al-qadr) is better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3), is interpreted to refer to this proof, whose knowledge surpasses that of a thousand Imams, though their collective rank remains unified. Nasir Khusraw also recognized the successors of the Lord of the Resurrection as his deputies (khulafa').[25]>
Historical Claimants to the Qa'im Title
Al-Saffah (d. 754 CE)
The Abbasid Caliph, known today as Saffah, was originally titled al-Qaim by his uncle. He claimed to be the Qa'im who would avenge the deaths of Imam Ali, Imam Hussein, Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Hussein, and Yahiya ibn Zayd. An 8th-9th century text, Akhbar al-Abbas wa Wildihi, quotes Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abdallah (the caliph's father) stating: "this is the lord of Bani Hashem al-Qaim al-Mahdi not the son of Abd Allah al-Mahd ibn al-Hassan."
Ali Muhammad (Bรกb) (1819-1850)
Ali Muhammad, known as the Bรกb, proclaimed himself a prophet, the Qa'im, and the physical manifestation of the Twelfth Imam in 1844. He traveled to Mecca to declare himself the Mahdi and Qa'im, promising his Shia devotees to gather them in Karbala and Najaf on the 10th of Muharram, Saturday, 1845 (1261 Islamic Hijri calendar), marking 1000 years after the death of Imam Hasan al-Askari and the beginning of the Twelfth Imam's occultation, to initiate a holy war. He later altered this plan (Bada').
Modern Claimants
The concept of the Qa'im continues to inspire contemporary claims:
- Ahmed al-Hasan (b. 1968): An Iraqi Shia preacher, he initially claimed to be al-Yamani, a descendant of the Twelfth Imam and Mahdi. In 2008, on the 10th of Muharram, a Saturday, he proclaimed Zuhur (manifestation) and initiated a battle in Basra before disappearing. Later, the largest sect of his followers, the White Banners, asserted that he reappeared from his first occultation in 2015, identifying him as the Qa'im (not the Mahdi/Twelfth Imam) and the savior of mankind. They claim he maintains an official Facebook page with over 1 million followers globally, particularly in Iraq.
- Abdullah Hashem (b. 1983): An Egyptian-American disciple of Ahmed al-Hasan, Abdullah Hashem declared himself the Qa'im Al Muhammad in 2015. He subsequently founded the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL).[26]>
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is an academic study of religious concepts, not a theological endorsement or statement of belief. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for scholarly research, theological study, or consultation with religious authorities. It is presented to facilitate understanding of complex religious doctrines and historical claims within Shia Islam.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information provided herein.