The Mahdi Maud (AS)

The Mahdi Maud (AS)

Why has the idea of a divinely guided savior captured Muslim thought for centuries? This book offers one of the earliest modern South Asian attempts to present Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him) as both a theological certainty and a historical necessity. About the Book The Mahdi Maud (“The Promised Mahdi”) is a seminal Urdu work authored in the early 20th century by the distinguished Indian scholar Mawlānā Sayyid Muḥammad Dihlawi. Translated into English, the book systematizes Qur’anic references and hadith (prophetic traditions) concerning the awaited figure of Islam. Unlike speculative or polemical writings, this work situates the Mahdi doctrine firmly within classical Sunni sources, particularly collections such as Sunan Abī Dāwūd and Musnad Aḥmad. Its lasting importance lies in bridging devotional belief with academic rigor, offering readers an accessible yet authoritative treatment of eschatological traditions in the Indian scholarly milieu. What You Will Discover

• Key hadith reports that describe the lineage, attributes, and role of Imam al-Mahdi.
• The distinction between weak, fabricated reports and narrations deemed authentic by recognized Sunni scholars.
• How Islamic eschatology links the reappearance of the Mahdi with events like the emergence of the Dajjāl (Antichrist) and the descent of Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus).
• Arguments for why belief in the Mahdi is not marginal, but central to Islamic creed across different schools of thought.
• The historical reception of Mahdism in the Indian subcontinent, where intellectual and reformist circles engaged deeply with its implications.
• Practical lessons for Muslims today on how to align faith, action, and ethical responsibility while awaiting the promised savior.

About the Author Mawlānā Sayyid Muḥammad Dihlawi (d. mid-20th century) was a traditionalist Indian scholar of hadith and Qur’anic studies. A product of the Dihlawi intellectual lineage, he specialized in transmitting classical Sunni scholarship to modern audiences. His writings—particularly The Mahdi Maud—illustrate his commitment to grounding eschatological belief in authentic sources and accessible prose. Who Is This Book For? Students of Islamic theology, historians of South Asian scholarship, and general readers seeking a clear, source-based introduction to the belief in Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him).