Recognising Imam Mahdi (AS)

“In my view this book is comprehensive and useful”
Maulana Syed Safi Haider, (Tanzeem al-Makatib, Lucknow, India)

“The book is well structured … easy to read for everyone….”
Ayatollah Syed Murtaza Kashmiri
(Representative Ayatollah al-Udhma Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, UK)

“…it is a complete book on the topic of Imam of our time”
Maulana Syed Abul Qasim Rizvi (President Shia Imams Council Victoria, Australia)

“(it is) a short encyclopedia about him (Imam Mahdi AS).”
Shaykh Maysam Qasemi (Islamic Centre London, Newcastle, UK)

“... concise and an easy read ... will serve very well for today's youth”
Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini (Orange County, USA)

“Dr. Syed Zafar Abbas has worked with great dedication to author this work on Imam Mahdi a.s”.
(Maulana Ali Raza Rizvi, Vice President Majlis-e-Ulema Shia, London)

“While discussing these themes, Dr. Zafar Abbas has referred to the credible sources of the Shi‘a literature and scholars. And this is indeed commendable”
Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi (Toronto, Canada)

“I would recommend you to benefit from this work …”
Seyed Hashem Moosavi (Representative of Ayatollah al-Udhma Sayyid Ali Khamenei and Director of the Islamic Centre of England)

There is a growing interest in the concept of Imam Madhi, the ultimate saviour, worldwide. And this interest is not only among those who believe in Imam Mahdi, but also among those who wish to know more about him for academic, political or other reasons. This concept is found in most world religions in some shape or form. This book deals with this subject from purely a Shia Muslim standpoint. This is something not easily available in Shia literature, written in an easily understandable English language. It is one of the very rare work, if not the only one so far, written originally in native English, and is not a translated work. This book aims to discuss as many important issues around this topic, as are around, yet in a concise way. It is not intended to be a debate with other faiths, rather an explanation of this concept in accordance with popular Shia Muslim faith.

Another highlight of this work is that this is written by someone who is a well educated person, but is not a religious scholar in a traditional sense. However, the excerpts from reviews of well known Shia Muslim scholars from different parts of English-speaking countries, are testimony to its authenticity in accordance with popular Shia beliefs. Full reviews from these scholars are added as part of this book in its initial pages, as they also provide further and valuable detail on the topic, and add to its contents.

To make it useful and easy read, a full Table of Contents has been provided in the beginning of the book. Additionally, a list of more detailed books on certain topics covered briefly in this concise book has been given for further reading and for reference (Chapter 8). Furthermore, although Islamic and Arabic terms used in the book are explained as they appear, but a glossary of such terms is also provided (Chapter 9) to refer back on. Lastly, an Index has been provided to help readers easily find relevant word or topic they may wish to (Chapter 10).